Local news
DisabledGo – Bracknell Forest – come and find out more!
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:27:00 GMT
An online access guide to provide disabled people with the information they need to make informed choices about accessing their community is being produced in Bracknell Forest. DisabledGo, an award winning disability organisation, will be producing the guide to accessibility at 1,000 buildings and venues across the borough. The website www.disabledgo.com provides personally surveyed, detailed access information across a huge range of venues in the UK and Ireland. The service has been developed in constant consultation with disabled people. Thanks to the support of the members of the Bracknell Forest partnership: Bracknell Forest Council, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Bracknell Forest Homes, Thames Valley Police, Sandhurst Town Council and Bracknell Town Council, Bracknell Forest will soon join many other UK towns, cities and areas on www.disabledgo.com Two community consultation events are being held to make as many people as possible aware of the service, and to give residents an opportunity to ask questions about DisabledGo. Disabled people, their carers and disability organisations will have the opportunity to make suggestions about which places they would like to see in the local access guide. The events will take place on Thursday, September 16 from 4pm to 5.30pm and from 6pm to 7.30pm at Easthampstead Baptist Church, in South Hill Road, Bracknell. Anna Borthwick, DisabledGo’s director of business development and marketing, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Bracknell Forest Partnership to produce an access guide to the area. “The project is very exciting as it is the first time DisabledGo has worked with such a diverse range of partners to deliver a project. Providing comprehensive access information breaks down many barriers disabled people can face, and this has clearly been recognised by everyone involved.” Alison Sanders, director of Corporate Services at Bracknell Forest Council, said: “We are very happy to be involved in such a worthwhile project and grateful that so many partner organisations are contributing their time and know-how. “The guide will help disabled residents and visitors to access the borough’s facilities. We hope that as many people as possible will take the time to attend the consultation meetings so they can be directly involved in shaping the guide and the information it will eventually provide.” For more information about the consultation or about DisabledGo contact Kimberley Dixon, partnership executive, DisabledGo at kimberley.dixon@disabledgo.com or telephone 01438 842710.
The Look Out is top of the class for learning
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 9:43:00 GMT
It's full marks for The Look Out Discovery Centre after it was awarded Learning Outside the Classroom LOtC) Quality Badge this week. The badge recognises the centre in Nine Mile Ride provides good quality educational visits for young people and is a safe environment for them to learn. The award, by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, was launched in 2009 to benchmark excellence for places helping children learn outside their school environment. Jacky Henderson, manager of The Look Out Discovery Centre, said: Being awarded the LOtC Quality Badge is a real coup for all the staff here, as it shows that we offer young people the type of high quality learning experiences they really benefit from. "We're thrilled to get official recognition for our efforts and we look forward to welcoming even more children and young people from the local area to the hands-on science and nature exhibition." Beth Gardner, chief executive of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom said: Educational visits are among the most memorable experiences in a child’s school life. Quality Badges offer teachers a guarantee that not only is a venue providing the sort of educational value that they can build on in class long after the visit, but they also have the appropriate risk management structures in place. "Learning outside the classroom has many proven educational benefits. The LOtC Quality Badge will reduce red tape and provide assurance for schools, thereby ensuring that many more young people have memorable, exciting and valuable learning outside the classroom experiences. I congratulate The Look Out on being awarded the badge.” Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "Well done to everyone at The Look Out Discovery Centre on gaining this award. Time and again the centre comes up trumps for being one of the best in the country for providing good quality educational visits with excellent facilities." For more information about the the Look Out Discovery Centre, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be or for more information on the LOtC Quality Badge, visit www.lotcqualitybadge.org.uk >
Don't miss your chance to vote
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:22:00 GMT
Residents of Bracknell Forest are urged to make sure their names are on the voters' register when it's next updated on December 1. Forms are now being delivered to all households in the borough and everyone is reminded that it's a legal requirement to respond to the form. If the details on the form are correct and there are no changes to be made, residents can respond to the council by free phone, online or via SMS text. However, any changes to details must be done on the form, which should be signed and returned by fax (01344 353246)or by post. The register will be used for Bracknell Forest Council elections in May 2011 and only those residents on the register will be entitled to vote. Daphne Gray, the council's registration services manager, said: "Paying council tax does not automatically put you on the register. But if you fill out the form as soon as it arrives and send it back to us as quickly as possible you will have the chance to have your say in May. "A quick response to the form also means the council doesn't spend taxpayers' money on repeat forms and even personal visits. "And don’t forget that 16 and 17 year olds can be included on the form if their birthday is before December 1, 1993." For more information call 01344 352000 or email electoral.registration@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/your-council/yc-electoral-services
Children's services are strong and well managed according to Ofsted inspectors
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:09:00 GMT
Bracknell Forest Council's children's services is a well managed department with good staff support and takes appropriate steps to safeguard young people, according to Ofsted inspectors. Inspectors made an unannounced visit to the department in August and their findings, published today, September 2, show there are strong areas and satisfactory practice within the team's work. During the two day visit, the inspectors looked over a range of things including electronic case records and supervision files and notes. They also observed social workers and senior practitioners undertaking referrals and assessments and spoke to a range of staff from managers to social workers and administration staff. The inspectors noted that the team had the following strengths: Contact, referral and assessment arrangements are very well managed, with good management oversight. Referrals are responded to appropriately and cases are allocated without delay. Staff morale is high and managers offer good support. Child protection concerns are responded to promptly and joint work with the police is effective. The needs of young people who present themselves to the council as homeless are appropriately identified, assessed and responded to. Social workers have access to a wide range of training, which they find useful in their day-to-day work. Janette Karklins, director of Children and Young People's services at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "I am pleased that inspectors recognised the strengths of our children's services when they made their unannounced visit this summer. This is a great testament to the team, who work hard to ensure young people and children in Bracknell Forest are safeguarded against abuse and neglect. "As with most inspections, there are areas the inspectors highlighted for us to develop and we will now be working to improve those areas." Areas highlighted for development include: Fully establish common assessment framework reporting. Make clear in reporting that children are seen alone. Cllr Gareth Barnard, executive member for children and young people, said: "The inspectors were very positive about the service we are providing for our young people. Some of these children are the most vulnerable in our community, so it's pleasing and reassuring to hear that independent inspectors agree we have a strong system in place which requires minimal development. "Of course, we're not complacent and will continue to make improvements to ensure the best possible service is in place for all our children and young people."
Crafty times at Bracknell Library
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:40:00 GMT
The borough's bookworms can turn their hands to more than reading when they visit Bracknell Library. Crafty residents can have a go at everything from painting on glass and making greetings cards to beading and table centre decorations at the craft sessions for adults. They are held at the library in Town Square every six weeks, with the next one on Tuesday, September 7, starting at 2pm and lasting for around two hours. The sessions are free, but people taking part are asked to make a small contribution to the cost of materials. Avid readers can share their literary views at the monthly afternoon reading group for adults. The group meets every first Friday of the month, starting at 1.30pm. The books for discussion are chosen by the members of the group or by the librarians. The next meeting is on Friday, September 3. Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "Everyone is welcome to join these groups, in fact the more the merrier and more interesting. It's a great way to meet people who share your interests and you can also find out what else is on offer at the borough's libraries. There's so much going on to appeal to all age groups." For more information about events or activities call 01344 423149 or visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/learning/learn-libraries.htm or keep up to date with what's happening on the libraries' Facebook page www.facebook.com/bracknell.library
Remembering loved ones at annual service
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:29:00 GMT
Hundreds of people from across Bracknell Forest and beyond will be remembering their loved ones at Easthampstead Park Cemetery and Crematorium's Annual Open Air Memorial Service on Sunday, September 5. The memorial service is now in its 23rd year and is organised by the Bracknell Forest Council-run cemetery and crematorium to offer those who attend a chance to pay their respects to loved ones and to gain comfort from readings, prayers and hymns. The Mayor of Bracknell Forest, Cllr Ian Leake, will read a poem during the service and other readings will be made by Reverend David Uffindell from Holy Trinity Church in Sunningdale; Deacon David Morgan from St Swithans Roman Catholic Church in Yateley; Reverend Chris Russell from Camberley Baptist Church and Belinda Forbes, Civil Celebrant. The service starts at 3pm at Easthampstead Park Cemetery and Crematorium in South Road. It is free to attend and is open to any member of the public. Tea and coffee will be available after the service. For more information, visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/liv-easthampstead-park-cemetery-and-crematorium
