Warwickshire Libraries are delighted to announce that the competition to become Young Poet Laureate 2023/24 is now open. The search is on for the county’s ninth Young Poet Laureate, who will succeed Emily Hunt in the role for 2023/24.

The competition is open to anyone aged between 13 and 17 who lives and is educated in Warwickshire and who would like to perform their own poetry to an audience. The Young Poet Laureate will take part in events and activities across the county and is offered the mentorship of a professional poet. Past Warwickshire Young Poet Laureates have performed on the radio, on film, at festivals and led their own poetry workshops.

Applications are now welcome before the deadline of 6pm on Thursday 5 October. The judges will then get to work and shortlisted candidates will be notified by Thursday 26th October.

A parent’s guide to keeping kids healthy this school year

As the new school year begins, children, teenagers and their parents prepare for new schedules, homework, friends, and activities. But the autumn also brings common illnesses that can keep children and teenagers away from their classmates and studies.

This blog post covers steps you can take now and throughout the coming term to help protect your family from seasonal illnesses. It explores available vaccinations, how to recognise symptoms of common illnesses, and how to make informed decisions on whether a sick student is well enough to attend school or college.

Child Accident Prevention Trust
September newsletter

In this months newsletter, Child Accident Prevention Trust has included top safety tips, such as:

• Keep water beads away from young children
• Staying safe on the school run
• When were your gas appliances last checked?
• Is your gas hob unsafe?

New opportunity for young people to volunteer at Nuneaton Library

Nuneaton Library and Information Centre is searching for young people between the ages of 16 – 25 to take part in an exciting volunteer opportunity for a few hours each week.

Volunteers will participate in a pilot project to take a photographic survey of the main shopping streets in Nuneaton so the images can be added to the library’s local studies collection. There will be an element of uploading photographs, and form filling to make sure the relevant information about each photograph is captured. An interest in history or photography is desirable but not essential.

Warwickshire County Council provides support for residents struggling to pay their utility bills

The council’s Local Welfare Scheme is distributing funding from the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund to support people who may be struggling with their utility bills.

The Household Support Fund can provide short-term financial assistance in the form of a one-off voucher payment to meet an immediate need and help those who are finding it hard to afford household bills. This will supplement ongoing emergency support from the Local Welfare Scheme for residents in financial crisis.

Families and households in Warwickshire can apply whether they use pre-payment meters, pay by direct debit or on receipt of an energy or water bill.  Residents are invited to contact the Local Welfare Scheme team for a confidential discussion about their situation. All applications for the payment must be made by 22 September 2023.

September’s SEND Newsletter is here to bring you all the latest news on special educational needs and disabilities in Warwickshire!

In this month’s edition you’ll find:

• How to seek help if you think your child has a special educational need or disability
• Submitting school preferences for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan
• New one-stop-shop to support transitions
• School experience survey for children and young people
• Update on the Resolving Disagreements survey
• Update on the Written Statement of Action
• Support for autistic children and young people and those awaiting diagnosis

If you would like to receive monthly updates directly to your inbox, then you can subscribe to the newsletter here.

Save the Date: “Voices of Tomorrow” Youth Conference on Friday 3 November 2023

Get ready to mark your calendars and be part of the second youth conference organised by young people for young people. The upcoming “Voices of Tomorrow” youth conference, is set to take place on Friday, 3 November 2023. The event will be hosted at the Panorama Suites in the Rootes Building at Warwick University.

If you are you between the ages of 11 and 17, or up to 25 with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) this conference is for you.

Get prepared for a day of inspiration and engaging conversations that will leave you inspired and motivated.