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12 July 2024
![people stood in a meeting room next to a table with blue chairs](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-07/Workplace%20Wellbeing%20Toolkit%20Launch.jpg)
Employers of any size across West Northamptonshire can now access a wellbeing toolkit designed to provide practical guidance on how to enhance wellbeing in the workplace and improve business outcomes.
Research shows that a good workplace wellbeing programme can have a positive impact on employee happiness and engagement, increase productivity and improve customer service and business outcomes.
The toolkit aims to encourage businesses to adopt an insight and data led approach to workplace wellbeing, improving the health and wellbeing of their employees and subsequently their business performance.
West Northamptonshire Council has launched the free to use, self-service Workplace Wellbeing Toolkit that is available to all businesses across the area. It offers a step-by-step guide to workplace wellbeing. Providing an overview of what wellbeing is, how businesses can invest in it, how they can use existing data to enhance their wellbeing programmes. It helps employers to create an action plan across a wide range of wellbeing topics to support the specific needs of their employees.
“We are pleased to be able to launch our workplace wellbeing toolkit which aims to support businesses with enhancing their employee wellbeing offer. It has been developed by our public health specialists in partnership with existing businesses to ensure that it meets the needs of businesses and their employees.Cllr Matt Golby, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services“We will be continuing to develop the toolkit over the coming months and years based on the feedback from local businesses.”
Northampton Community Foundation Trust are great exemplars of workplace wellbeing having won the Workplace Wellbeing Award in 2023.
“We put wellbeing in the workplace at the heart of our HR policy. As a grant making charity which invests many funds into wellbeing across our communities, we think it is incredibly important that we lead from the front and promote good wellbeing for staff and volunteers. Staff that feel valued at work are more likely to thrive and achieve their best. This enhances staff retention and provides a more nourishing and rewarding work experience for building a positive team culture and for achieving our mission as the leading grant making charity in the county. Our commitment includes a flexible working policy, being living wage accredited, providing wellbeing activities, a menopause policy and investing in our work around equity, diversity and inclusion.”Rachel McGrath, Chief Executive
To find out more about workplace wellbeing services across West Northamptonshire visit: Workplace Wellbeing Support
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A cohort of firefighters have become the first ever in Northamptonshire to receive an apprenticeship qualification with the Service.
The 14 firefighters have received the Level 3 Operational Firefighter qualification from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and demonstrates the Fire Service’s desire to develop our firefighters and equip them with skills and qualifications that will prove beneficial for the rest of their working lives.
Our new apprentices were presented with their certificates at Fire HQ in Wellingborough yesterday (July 9) by Deputy Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill, and were also paid a visit by new Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone.
Deputy CFO Simon Tuhill (pictured below right) said: “This is the first time ever that our firefighters have been able to achieve an accredited apprenticeship qualification through the Service, and this is a qualification that can not only help progress their career here in Northamptonshire Fire but is also a transferable qualification that can help them progress on whatever path they wish to follow.
“It is important that we help to develop our staff and give them valuable skills, and I know they all found it a positive experience – so it’s important also to thank our training instructors who helped them on this journey.”
The apprenticeship took two years for the cohort to complete and saw them undertake practical examinations to demonstrate their firefighting skills, as well as completing knowledge and understanding testing to showcase their understanding of the role and how they have helped with safety in the local community.
The end point assessment involved them being assessed by experienced independent instructors from other Fire and Rescue Services who determined if they had met the required standards, and NFRS was delighted with the feedback that was received about all the apprentice firefighters.
One of the firefighters to receive an apprenticeship is Charlotte Cowley (pictured below with DCFO Tuhill), who joined Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service two years ago and is currently wholetime on Blue Watch in Corby.
She said: “The first year of study was pretty intense, and I had to do that on top of my operational duties as a firefighter. But I would say that compared to when I first joined, I never thought I would have been able to learn as much as I have.
“It’s been a steep learning curve, but it’s been an incredibly fulfilling experience and I am so happy to have achieved it.”
Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service will be recruiting for new apprentice firefighters in the near future – please keep an eye on our social media platforms and our News Page for an announcement soon.
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10 July 2024
![helping hands](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-07/Homeless%20support%20service.png)
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will undertake a competitive procurement process to seek a provider to deliver a new Multiple Complex and High Needs Support Service for people with a history of rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping.
The service will be located at Broadmead Court in Northampton and will consist of 18 units (20 bedspaces) and specialist support to address gaps in the homelessness pathway to help increase residents’ resilience and equip them with the necessary tools to enable them to move on to sustainable and independent living.
The proposed commissioned service will focus on preventing and reducing homelessness by delivering support which is person centred, trauma informed and seeks to break the cycle of homelessness, leading to move on into independent living and stable accommodation.
As part of the commissioning process, which was approved by WNC’s Cabinet yesterday (9 July), engagement will take place in July and August 2024 with both internal and external stakeholders including local ward councillors and service users to inform the service specification and requirements and ensure delivery of a model that meets the current and future needs of the client group.
Research commissioned around the health and housing needs of rough sleepers has identified that there are no dedicated specialist services or arrangements to support this cohort locally resulting in a significant unmet need in the higher intensity support provision.
The service will commence following handover of the building due in Autumn 2025 and will be funded by the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) and delivered through the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and Homes England. It will support the Council’s Single Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Pathway which aims to prevent homelessness and reduce rough sleeping in West Northamptonshire.
“Evidence shows that people sleeping rough experience profound health inequalities and complex vulnerabilities which require specialist support and often have negative health, housing, social and wellbeing outcomes.Cllr Rosie Herring, Cabinet Member for Housing“This service will effectively provide a wraparound service which not only addresses homelessness prevention but also aims to improve individuals’ wider personal circumstances and quality of life, ranging from physical health; mental health; employment; education; training; better sense of community; wellbeing; and access to support services.
“To achieve this, we want to work with stakeholders and people with a lived experience of homelessness and rough sleeping to co-produce a service that meets the existing and future needs of users. Feedback from this engagement will form the specification and criteria used during the commissioning process, which we hope to begin later this year.”
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10 July 2024
![Marvellous Makers animated image](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-07/Library%20reading%20challenge.png)
This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit any West Northamptonshire library from 20 July to join the 'Marvellous Makers' Summer Reading Challenge, firing up their imaginations through the power of reading and creative expression.
In partnership with Create, a leading arts charity, and public libraries, this year's Challenge celebrates kids' creativity and storytelling abilities. Children will be encouraged to explore new books and stories while taking part in free activities, from arts and crafts to music, dance, and more: libraries will be offering a vibrant array of arts and crafts themed events for children over the Summer from ballet workshops, wind chime making, magic shows, decoupage, slime and much, much more!
The bespoke Challenge artwork is illustrated by celebrated artist Natelle Quek, bringing the 'Marvellous Makers' theme vibrantly to life. Sign up to the challenge anytime at your local library from 6 July. For further information regarding the Summer Reading Challenge and events please ask in your local library branch or visit the West Northamptonshire Council Libraries webpage.
Alongside the Summer Reading Challenge 2024 Marvellous Makers, delivered by libraries in partnership with the Reading Agency and Create, libraries are running a competition to celebrate what people love most about where they live.
We would like young artists to create an artwork showcasing what they love about where they live; this could be a local park, shops, school, cafe or even the library.
This competition is open to young artists aged 5-12 years old. They can submit one artwork in the form of a painting, drawing, photograph or model. Artists should use recycled or reused materials to make their models, submissions using high value materials such as Lego cannot be accepted. Artists can collaborate and submit an artwork as a group, or one that they have created for a school project. Full information and application forms can be obtained from any West Northamptonshire library.
Northamptonshire artist and sculptor, Lisa Lovett of Earthly Arts Studio based at Chester House is the guest judge and will be touring library exhibitions to select a finalist from each to be part of an exhibition and grand final held at The Gathering Space in Northampton’s Grosvenor shopping centre on 28 September 2024. All artists who have had a piece selected will receive a prize, with the overall winner receiving a £50 Hobbycraft voucher and their image being featured on a limited run of library cards.
“Summer is the perfect time to get lost in a good book and this year’s Summer Reading Challenge provides the perfect opportunity to explore the many amazing books available in our libraries while enjoying a variety of free arts and crafts, music and dance activities – and take part in a fantastic competition to be in with the chance of winning a prize!Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure“By participating in the challenge, young people will have the opportunity to foster their creative skills over the summer break as well as explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.
“It’s free to take part and I encourage families across West Northamptonshire to sign up and discover the many books and services available in our local libraries.”
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10 July 2024
![Ramus Tiller wins in Gloucester during the 2023 event](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-07/Mens%20Tour%20of%20Britain_0.jpg)
West Northamptonshire will welcome Britain’s biggest professional cycle this September, as we play host to the penultimate stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men.
Taking place on Saturday 7 September, the stage will start in Northampton town centre and take in a route through West Northamptonshire of around 150 kilometres (93 miles), before heading back to the finish line in Northampton.
We’re delighted to be bringing top-level racing and the joy of cycling to communities across the country in September, with six stages to showcase the very best of Britain’s character and terrain.British Cycling Events Managing Director, Jonathan DayWe’re enormously thankful to the local partners who are supporting the delivery of this year’s race, as we look to build on the momentum of June’s successful Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women. I’ve no doubt that their communities will be out in force to welcome the riders, and make it another memorable week of racing to cap off a huge summer of cycling.
This area is no stranger to professional cycling, having held women’s Tours of Britain in 2014 and 2016, but this will mark the first occasion that the men’s event has come to the county.
We are extremely excited to be hosting the world-class Tour of Britain race for the first time this September.Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and LeisureEvents like this play an important role in bringing communities together and inspiring people to take up sport and live a more active and healthier lifestyle. They also provide a significant boost to our local economy and showcase our wonderful area to a global audience.
When previously hosting the Women’s Tour we saw a record number of spectators visiting West Northamptonshire and lining the route to show their support and we very much hope to witness that again this year as we celebrate all those taking part in the race.
As a Council we are committed to providing opportunities to get involved in sports and physical activity and by hosting this international event showcasing prominent cyclists we hope to inspire the next generation of budding athletes right here in West Northants.
The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men begins in the Scottish Borders on Tuesday 3 September, visiting the Tees Valley, and South Yorkshire over subsequent stages.
Following the stage in West Northamptonshire the race concludes in Suffolk on Sunday 8 September after six stages of racing.
More details of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men, including the stage five route map, detailed stage timings, and competing teams will be announced in the coming weeks.
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