Warwickshire County Council commits to cost of living support

As the costs of necessities such as food and heating continue to increase, many people are struggling to keep up with their rising household costs. In response, Warwickshire County Council will be considering a range of options to supplement the help already available.

Measures put forward at full council on 29 September will be considered by Cabinet this month and include extending the Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme which provides support for the most vulnerable residents, convening a Warwickshire Cost of Living Summit, and creating an online “Cost of Living Hub” to offer practical and financial advice. The County Council will also be joining up with partners, including District and Borough Councils and local voluntary and community groups, to better understand individual needs and offer the right support at the right time.

Just a few days left to apply to the Warwickshire County Council Councillors’ Grant Fund

There is still time for community and voluntary organisations to apply for funding from the Warwickshire County Council Councillors’ Grant Fund round two.

All applications should aim to build community capacity and improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Warwickshire in both urban and rural areas. We would love to see initiatives that:

Green shoots of sustainability set to grow across Warwickshire

The Warwickshire County Council Green Shoots Community Climate Change Fund was established in 2021 and aims to support community and voluntary projects that increase the adaptability and resilience of Warwickshire to the effects of climate change, reduce impacts on the environment and support thriving and sustainable community action.

In the first round of funding, the Council was able to support 69 projects, leaving £322k from the original £1m fund, which the Council plans to distribute in the second round of funding.

County Council’s Highways Team gets set for winter

In fact, preparations for the cold weather take place all year round!

At the end of each winter, the County’s gritting teams – which treat Warwickshire’s most used roads and the main routes into villages – start to prepare for the following winter. Preparation includes: reviewing performance data and learning from it, buying salt, maintaining vehicles and recruiting and training team members.

Over three tonnes of carbon saved during Cycle September 2022

Warwickshire County Council recently joined the Love to Ride family of partner organisations, giving residents, businesses and community groups access to the best rewards and resources that encourage cycling for travel, not just leisure.

Warwickshire County Council thanks staff for their essential role in supporting customers

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) is taking the opportunity to raise awareness of the range of work completed by teams and individuals who deliver services to residents and customers across the county.

Further volunteers sought to help improve the Warwickshire County Council Website

The Warwickshire County Council Web Team is looking for community-minded volunteers to help improve areas of the WCC website to ensure that users have the best experience using the site.

The task will involve completing two tasks on the website and briefly reporting on each. The first task is the process of reporting a flood through the site and the second is to locate a school bus timetable. The whole process should take around 15 minutes to complete.

Spooky fun for all the family at St John’s House this October

Start your quitting journey this Stoptober

Smokers who are able to quit for 28 days are 5 times more likely to quit for good. Quitting will allow you to start moving better, breathe more easily – and with the average smoker smoking 10 cigarettes a day, quitting could save £2352 a year.

Smokers in Warwickshire can call 0333 005 0095 or text ‘QUIT’ to 60777 to access additional stop smoking support such as, talking directly to stop smoking advisors either over the phone or video call, support via text messages or as part of a virtual support group.

Work begins on a new walking and cycling scheme at Woodloes Park in Warwick

Groundworks are now well underway to widen the footpath between the A429 Coventry Road and Scar Bank Bridge, a route that runs parallel to the Grand Union Canal.

Pharmacy needs assessment report published

The results of the survey have been reviewed and the PNA report has identified a set of recommendations which will support development and delivery of services.

Three Warwickshire groups receive special trees from Platinum Jubilee Tree of Trees sculpture as new planting season begins

The three groups to receive a Platinum Jubilee tree in Warwickshire are:

• Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association (Leamington Branch)
• Brandon Marsh Voluntary Conservation Team
• The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust

A look at the communities working to reduce loneliness in Warwickshire

Around 40,000 people in Warwickshire are currently living with chronic loneliness. Recent issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic and, more recently, the cost-of-living crisis, have disrupted many people’s ability to engage in their usual coping mechanisms and to access support systems – making them feel more isolated from friends and family.