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Community News

MP backs drive to improve mental health in Swindon News in brief

A drive to improve mental health To support this, new proposals will be improved.
support in the town has been outline how mental health services These proposals are part of a Reboot anniversary
welcomed by North Swindon MP for schools, universities and families wide range of measures to improve
Justin Tomlinson. can be improved. mental health in Swindon and make Project Reboot, a Computer
Under the government initiative, Children and adolescent mental sure no one is left behind. Refurbishing Project managed
secondary schools will be offered health services in Swindon will The review will also focus on by the ‘Swindon Children’s
mental health first aid training to be reviewed, with experts looking improving support for mental health Scrapstore’ celebrates its second
increase awareness and help tackle carefully at those elements that are in the workplace, and provision of anniversary on January 2017.
the stigma around the issue. already working well and what can online support. The project provides quality,
low-cost refurbished computers,
Check your parish area using online checker laptops and related IT tech to
local people who either cannot
Households in Swindon can now afford to buy new or who prefer
check what parish council area to buy recycled/refurbished tech
they will live in, thanks to a new to help save the environment.
postcode checker on the Council’s Swindon Children’s Scrapstore,
website. a registered environmental
Last month, the council decided charity, community resource
to create four new parish councils centre and social enterprise set
in Swindon, which will mean that up Project Reboot in January
64,000 additional properties will be 2015 with a grant of £8,667
incorporated within a parished area funding from the Big Lottery.
for the first time. www.scrapstore.co.uk
Parish councils are already well- Prime opportunity
established in other areas of the
Borough and have provided local Prime Theatre is one of just five
services for the residents there for theatre companies across England
many years. to be awarded a placement with
The four new parishes being the Regional Theatre Young
created are West Swindon, Central Director Scheme (RTYDS), the
Swindon North, and Central country’s longest running and
Swindon South, all of which are ward councillors from each area. shadow parish council details will most influential training scheme
in previously unparished areas, The shadow parish councils are be updated with further information for new directors.
while a new St Andrews Parish responsible for deciding which when available, such as when public Local director Olly Webb, 21, has
has been created from part of the services they wish to provide in meetings will be held. joined Prime Theatre on a three
current Blunsdon St Andrew Parish. each of their areas, setting their Elections for the new parish month placement. Prime Theatre,
In addition, the existing Parish of budget and the resulting precept, councils will be held on 4 May and is a youth-orientated company,
Nythe has been extended to include and putting in place arrangements details of these and how to become based at the Wyvern Theatre.
Eldene and Liden. for services to be provided from 1st involved in parish councils is also
Residents can find out which April 2017. available on the webpage. Raise the rafters
parished area they live in by using Work is currently underway with The decision to parish previously Swindon Community Choir -
the postcode checker at: www. Swindon Borough Council staff to unparished areas of the Borough the town’s longest running
swindon.gov.uk/parishes make these arrangements. followed a year-long Community community choir is offering the
In each of the new parishes, a The webpage has links to Governance Review process which chance for new members to get
shadow parish council has been information for each new shadow involved extensive engagement and involved. The group meets at the
formed. This is made up largely parish council, including a list of formal consultation with residents Central Community Hall, Railway
of Swindon Borough Council all shadow parish councillors. The and parish councils. Village. Sessions cost £7 per
session with refreshments. For
Swindon selected as part of new ultrafast more information, phone Linda
Lee on 01793 875184/ 07570
broadband trial by BT Openreach or check the group’s website
www.swindon.singtastic.co.uk or
People living in Swindon will be a warm welcome by Swindon and learn.” 811873.
amongst the first in the UK to Borough Council. “Swindon’s ambition is to provide Dressability talk
benefit from the new ultrafast Thousands of premises in access for all businesses and
broadband technology being Swindon will be given access to the residents to the highest speeds This month’s meeting of the
developed by Openreach, BT’s local technology during 2017 with details possible and we can now look Swindon Osteoporosis Support
network business. about exactly where and when to forward to many more premises Group will be “Dressability”.
The company recently announced be published shortly. in Swindon being able to access This Swindon-based charity
Swindon as a pilot location for its Councillor Renard, Leader of broadband through this exciting G. provides a low cost dressmaking
new ultrafast technology, known Swindon Borough Council says of fast technology.” and alteration service for
as G.fast, which provides download the announcement: “I am delighted Clive Selley, Openreach’s CEO, people with disabilities. The
speeds of up to 330Mbps – more that Swindon has been chosen as said: “I’m pleased that Swindon meeting is on Friday, 10 February
than 10 times the UK national one of the first pilots across the will be one of the first locations to at 1.30pm at the Central
average. UK for Openreach’s new ultrafast get ultrafast speeds using G.fast Community Centre, Emlyn Square,
Openreach plans to make G.fast broadband. Having fast, reliable technology, it’s a technology we’ve Swindon, SN1 5BP. Entrance
available to more than 10 million broadband connectivity is critical chosen because it enables us to get is £2.50. Call Ali on 634424 or
UK homes by the end of 2020, and for the way our businesses and an affordable ultrafast service to email swindonosteoporosis@
news of the pilot has been given residents work, communicate, shop people in the fastest possible time.” googlemail.com.
swindonlink.com n February 2017 7

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