Celebrating Carers Rights Day
Slough Carers Support hosted a Carers Rights Day event on 21 November at Elite Banqueting Suite and this year’s theme was ‘recognising your rights’. The event aimed to help unpaid carers understand their rights and highlight key resources and support available.
More than 100 carers attended the event alongside representatives, volunteers, and partners from the local community.
Fourteen local organisations were on hand to provide advice and information to carers on benefit entitlements, carers assessments, and much more, including Health and Wellbeing Slough, NHS support, Adult Social Care, and local carers support groups.
The event kicked off with a welcome and introduction by David Coleman-Groom (Executive Director People – Adults (DASS) from Slough Borough Council, followed by talks from guest speakers from the Debt and Welfare team (SBC) and the Carers Lead from CMHT (Community Mental Health Team).
An important part of the event was giving carers the opportunity to spend time relaxing with each other in beautiful surroundings, with refreshments and entertainment.
A varied buffet lunch with everything from sandwiches to samosas, to freshly made cakes and cookies was served, and The House of Chaat restaurant chefs were also on hand serving delicious Chaat, Bhel Puri, and savoury snacks.
Dhol player Karan (from the Dhol Show) kicked off the celebration with his loud and vibrant drumbeats enticing our carers onto the dance floor. This was followed by Sunita from Amina Khayyam Dance Company with her beautiful kathak dance. Finally, a winner of Slough’s Got Talent - singer Roy Armentano performed his captivating prayer for the carers to give them strength on their caring journeys and give them hope for the future.
Jane Senior, Director of Commissioning, Slough Borough Council, said: “This was a fantastic event to promote and provide information to carers on their rights. Thanks go to colleagues, partners, local businesses and of course carers for making this such an enjoyable and informative event. We are particularly grateful to all our wonderful Carers Groups whose representatives made the day run so smoothly.
“We would also like to thank Elite Banqueting Suite (Slough) for their kind and generous support for the event, DJ Dips (from Apollo DJ) for the relaxing background music, and Jody (from JK Balloons) for the decorations. You can find out more about our Carers Support Service at: https://www.slough.gov.uk/carers/carers-slough/3 .”
The Mayor of Slough, Councillor Balwinder S Dhillon, said: “It has been my pleasure to attend this event and meet so many of our wonderful carers who do such an incredible job looking after their family and friends through illness and disability. My thanks also go to Slough Carers Support for organising such an informative and fun event, and continuing to provide ongoing advice, information, and support to the borough’s unpaid carers.”
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Happy 21st Birthday to Creative Academy! The Creative Academy turned 21 this month, having launched in 2003 as part of the Heart of Slough redevelopment, where its remit was to create training opportunities. The Creative Academy is a unique not for profit partnership between Slough Borough Council and The University of West London, allowing the organisations to re-invest all funds into the programmes to enhance the student experience. Offering a BA (Hons) Dance and BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Performance in partnership with the University of West London, graduates have gone on to successful performing arts careers in choreography, performing and teaching including cruise ships, theatre and film including dancing for Rita Ora, Sean Paul, Jay Sean, X-Factor, VMAs and The Brit Awards. Creative Academy’s professional performing arts programmes have high contact hours and small classes to ensure maximum impact in the creative industries. The team works locally with RIFCO Arts, Slough Music Service, Slough Council for Voluntary Services, Resource Productions, SWIPE and Together As One, and has featured on TV shows Britain’s Got Talent, Got To Dance and Strictly Come Dancing. Currently you can see Creative Academy’s 2019 graduate Tasha Ghouri competing on Strictly Come Dancing with partner Aijaz Skorjanec, this week scoring the first 40 of the season. Their 2015 graduate Georgia Bradshaw has recently finished a West End run of Sunset Boulevard with Nicole Scherzinger and Joshua Pilmore who graduated in 2014 choreographed Rina Sawayama’s USA tour last year. Their 2017 graduate Molly Southall is launching a fully funded further education performing arts school called Prodigy College of Performing Arts in Slough, in September 2025, providing a real opportunity to support local talent to achieve. The Creative Academy runs several other local projects to increase dance participation including a partnership, Prodigy Dance Studios prodigydancestudios@gmail.com offering acro, ballet and musical theatre, and the Inspire programme with Slough Schools Sports Network & Windsor Sport Network which delivers dance to all local primary and secondary schools. Alongside their spiral dance programme which offers adults with learning difficulties the opportunity to dance weekly in the purpose-built studios at The Creative Hub, Stoke Poges Lane. Plans for the next five years include developing a creative industries support programme, creation space and developing their MUGA (multi use games area) into a performing arts and sports space. The newest programme ‘The Academy’ sees local young creatives curating fortnightly events to showcase their work within their newly refurbished dance studio. George Kirkham, Creative Academy Principal, said: “The Creative Academy has worked with thousands of local people, over the past 21 years, to create performance, employment, and further training opportunities. We are very excited to see what the next 21 years brings, and we are very proud of all of the creative individuals we have supported to achieve their dreams and aspirations.” Cllr Puja Bedi, lead member for education and children’s services, said: “We are extremely proud of The Creative Academy, and would like to wish all students and staff a happy 21st Birthday. Over the years Creative Academy’s students have gone onto some amazing careers and we can’t wait to see what the academy and its students achieve next!” To learn more about The Creative Academy visit: https://creativeacademy.org/ -
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Meet the 2024 Slough Youth Award winners Nine years ago, the first Slough Youth Parliament (SYP) created the Slough Youth Awards to highlight the great things our youth do locally. They wanted to shine a spotlight on those who have overcome and contributed in impressive ways. Now supported by the Youth Voice Team and a standing part of Slough Youth Parliament’s manifesto, the awards help to recognise and celebrate the amazing achievements of Slough’s youth. For this year’s awards there were 76 nominations and 138 people in attendance on 22 November at Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy. The event kicked off with a speech from MP Tan Dhesi, highlighting all the positive work in the community done by young residents, and applauding the personal challenges many have overcome in their lives to go on and succeed at personal goals. Our keynote speaker was Sara who shared her story of unexpected challenges and personal loss, whilst searching for a meaningful way to move forward with her life, started volunteering with Sakoon Through Cancer as a young cadet, and then started her path to medical school. Two of the nominees gave a DJing performance on the night, Avion Richardson and Fabian Richardson. Hosting the awards were Junior Jonski, chair of SYP, and Rijuta Acharya, our local representative on the UK youth parliament. The awards were planned and delivered by members of Slough Youth Parliament, Slough Young Inspectors, and the Youth Voice team at Slough Borough Council. ‘Reach Out’ a short mental health film was also shown during the ceremony – a film made by Young Health Champions volunteering with Together As One and professionals from Resource Productions, delivered for the Frimley integrated Care Board. Alongside this year’s sponsors, Sakoon Through Cancer, Asian Star Radio, Salt Hill VR, Thrive 365, Cardo, Quadrin Group; we congratulate 2024’s Slough Youth Award Winners: • Making A Difference Award 2024 Winner - Inaaya Shahab • Making A Difference Award 2024 Finalist - Nyah Richardson and Mya Forde • Creative Expression Award Winner - Aisha Hashmi • Creative Expression Award Finalist - Bryan Njore • Being Active Ambassador Winner - Phoenix O’Neill • Being Active Ambassador Finalist - Ahmed Abdeljalil • Resilience Award Winner - Dylan McGhee • Resilience Award Finalist - Shianne Sullivan • Going Green Champion Winner - Slough Young Beekeepers (Together As One) • Going Green Champion Finalist - Dakshayani Rajamarthandan • Being Ambitious Award Winner - Hayley Foster • Being Ambitious Award Finalist -Mika Cazeneuve • Youth Voice Supporter - Lynch Hill Enterprise Academy. Some of the previous winners have gone onto work at Sky TV, be part of national committees, volunteer internationally, progress successfully onto university and work in our community. The award judges were: • Aditcha Chhatre – A slough youth parliament elected member and active member of the community. • Nur Farooq – youth speaker and volunteer. • Jay Younes – Immersive producer at Salthill VR. • Betty Axtell – former SYP member and now a community safety analyst at Slough Borough Council. Cllr Puja Bedi, lead member for education and children’s services, said: “Congratulations to all of the Slough Youth Award winners, this is a fantastic achievement for you all and is testament to your talents, dedication, and achievements. Thanks also go to our dedicated Youth Voice team, who plan these awards every year and give our young people opportunities, support, and guidance.” Of the 25 people who gave feedback at the end of the night, 19 rated the event 5/5, 5 rated it 4/5 and 1 person rated it 3/5 and they all enjoyed the award ceremony and the keynote speaker the most, out of all elements on offer. SYP will now go onto evaluate the event and use their new event management skills and feedback, to plan the next Slough Young People’s Question Time, in February 2025. For more information contact Nadine Barrett, Youth Work Team Leader - Youth Voice. 07540148520 nadine.barrett@slough.gov.uk -
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Early Years health and wellbeing kitemark awards presented The Early Years health and wellbeing accreditation was created and launched in Slough in January 2021, and since then 13 settings have achieved awards. Three settings were presented with their certificates this week by Cllr Dexter Smith, Leader of the Council, these were Cippenham Nursery, First Steps Day Nursery and Little Diamonds Preschool. The initiative supports early years settings to establish and develop the best health and wellbeing practices. These embedded practices benefit the whole family, and settings can showcase the great work they are doing. The awards require assessments in the four areas of: health and wellbeing, nutrition and oral health, physical activity, and emotional and mental wellbeing. Settings are required to provide evidence that shows how they are helping to tackle health inequalities and enabling families to have a better health outcome. A panel of health professionals evaluate submitted evidence, and the setting is graded with their achieved level of accreditation. The scheme has four levels of achievement; Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, and settings are encouraged to work through each level of the accreditation at a sustainable pace, with support and guidance given from the moment of engagement, and throughout. Councillor Smith said: “It is my pleasure to be here today presenting these awards to three of our early years settings, who have worked so tirelessly to achieve them. The dedication and consistent focus on the health and wellbeing of the children has shone through at assessment stage. Slough is very lucky to have such excellent early years settings throughout the borough with committed and talented teams working to achieve the very best for the children in their care.” Cippenham Nursery School was presented with a gold certificate and the highest award, a platinum plaque, Nisha Gill, Headteacher, said: “Achieving the Platinum Award for Early Years health and wellbeing is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, who have integrated essential training and practices into every aspect of the nursery. “The kitemark has enabled the team to reflect on and enhance the ways they promote health and wellbeing throughout the curriculum, ensuring each child and family is supported in leading healthier, happier lives. By focusing on the whole child, the nursery has built a foundation for a brighter future, prioritising holistic growth and lifelong wellness.” First Steps Day Nursery was awarded a gold certificate, Amanda Bryant, Nursery Manager, said: “First Steps Day Nursery are proud to have received the gold award certificate for Children and Families, Health and Wellbeing Accreditation. For many years this has been part of our daily practice, it is wonderful to have the recognition from our early education partners at Slough Borough Council and to celebrate our achievements.” Little Diamonds Preschool was awarded a silver certificate, Jagjeet Kaur, Manager of Little Diamonds said: “At Little Diamonds Preschool, we are committed to providing a nurturing, safe, and positive environment where young children can thrive. Our dedicated staff foster a love for learning through engaging, age-appropriate activities that support each child's development in a warm and caring setting. “We are proud to have earned the prestigious Children and Families Health and Wellbeing Accreditation, recognising our high standards in early childhood care and education. This accreditation reflects our commitment to providing exceptional care, promoting safety, and ensuring the wellbeing of every child entrusted to us.” If you are a parent/carer and would like to know more about the accreditation, please speak to your child’s early years setting. If you are an early years provider and would like more information, please contact Jacqui Shadrache, Senior Health improvement Officer on 07889304302 or Jacqui.shadrache@slough.gov.uk -
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Council to sell land to the rear of Trelawney Avenue, Langley Slough Borough Council is selling a piece of land to the rear of Trelawney Avenue, it announced today (Monday). At the moment, the site is in two parts. 1. A former garage site, where the garages have been demolished and hoardings placed around the site. 2. The other half of the site is an open tarmac area with a bin storage location. Hoarding is to be erected around this half of the site tomorrow (Tuesday). The site will be launched to market on Thursday 21 November, for auction on 12 December through online site BidX1. Notices have gone out to local residents, commercial tenants and cars parked within the open tarmac area, informing them of the area to be sold, and the new fencing which is to be installed. The two bin storage areas for the residents in this area will be relocated. The new locations will be positioned outside the area to be disposed of but will be situated less than 100 yards of their existing locations. Any purchaser of the site will be required to obtain appropriate permissions, with any design being sensitive to neighbouring properties. The sale is part of the council’s programme of asset sales which is designed to release unused parcels of land and buildings within the borough to bring them back into use. Councillor Wal Chahal, lead member for finance and assets, said: “We hope this piece of land will find a new use which will enhance the area. There is the potential for a variety of uses here, and I look forward to seeing this parcel of land have a new life. “Our asset programme will continue into the new year, including land and buildings for sale across the borough.” -
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New stop vaping service for teens now available in Slough The council’s public health team has commissioned Health and Wellbeing Slough to launch a brand-new, free service to help teens in Slough quit vaping. No matter the reason you started vaping, because of peer pressure, curiosity, or just thought it was “no big deal,” this is your chance to stop - and we’re here to support you every step of the way. While vapes may seem like a safer alternative to smoking, they aren’t harmless - especially if you’ve never smoked before. The long-term effects of vaping are still unknown, and did you know that it's illegal to buy them if you’re under 18? If that’s not enough, there’s the added risk of younger kids getting their hands on them. Now is the time to quit, and Health and Wellbeing Slough has got your back by offering: • free nicotine replacement therapy to help you cope with any withdrawal symptoms • confidential, judgement-free support from trained stop-smoking advisors • talk to your school nurse for a referral, text QUIT Vape to 66777, or visit www.healthandwellbeingslough.co.uk to get started. There’s no cost to access this service - it’s completely free. Plus, everything is confidential. No one needs to know you’re reaching out for help unless you want them to. If you’re ready to take a step towards quitting, you’re not alone. Thousands of teens across the country are choosing to leave vaping behind. Farida Majidy, Slough Integrated Services Manager, Health and Wellbeing Slough, said: “We are excited to announce our dynamic 6 to 12-week youth vape reduction and cessation programme. Our dedicated wellness coaches are equipped to provide critical information about the dangers of vaping and offer essential nicotine replacement products, along with personalised behavioural support tailored for young people. “We are actively engaging with local colleges and schools to extend this valuable opportunity and would love to conduct workshops. Additionally, we offer brief advice sessions for adults working with young people, empowering them to confidently support and refer young individuals to our programme.” Cllr Ishrat Shah, lead member for equalities, public health, and public protection, said: “This free and confidential support service is aimed at supporting our young adults to stop vaping. Currently the longer-term effects of vaping are unknown, and we would urge teens to contact the service where they can receive support from stop-smoking advisors and nicotine replacement therapy.” Contact: Farida Majidy - Slough Integrated Services Manager – Health and Wellbeing Slough info@hws.net -
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Posted in: Slough
Council to sell land off Churchill Road, Langley Slough Borough Council is selling a piece of unused land off Churchill Road, near Broom House it announced yesterday (6 November 2024). At the moment, the site is in two parts: 1. A former garage site, where the garages have been demolished and hoardings placed around the site 2. Open grassland with a large cedar tree, protected by a tree preservation order (TPO) The site will be going to auction on 21 November through online site BidX1. The residents of Broom House have been advised of the sale, as though the flats and car park will remain the same, there will be a right of access to the site through the Broom House car park. The site had previously received planning permission for four homes, though that permission has now lapsed. The sale is part of the council’s programme of asset sales which is designed to release unused parcels of land and buildings within the borough to bring them back into use. It follows earlier sales that targeted out-of-borough assets and land and buildings within the borough which could net high returns to help stabilise the council’s financial position. The disposals programme continues after a comprehensive re-evaluation of all assets; including those which continue to provide a positive return on investment and are therefore of benefit to the council. Councillor Wal Chahal, lead member for finance and assets, said: “This old garage site is unsightly, and we hope it can be transformed into something far more attractive, potentially much-needed homes. “We have a programme of assets which we will be bringing to market over the coming months, land and buildings which can be brought back to life and enhance the town or where long leases make them attractive to other freeholders.” Any purchaser of the site will be required to obtain appropriate permissions, with any design being sensitive to neighbouring properties and the large, protected tree. Ends More details of the site including images can be found on the BidX1 website: https://bidx1.com/en/en-gb/auction/property/100343 -
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Gardening season ends with a big thank you to all our volunteers! The council’s parks team has been lucky this year in leading a large number of corporate volunteering days across our parks and open spaces. Last week a team of 38 from National Grid spent the day at Herschel Park clearing footpaths in the Nature Reserve and cleaned out one of the ponds and this week a group of 27 volunteers from Equinix spent their team building day in the park continuing the great work done by the National Grid employees. On SEGRO’s Day of Giving event, on 27 September, volunteers tidied overgrown allotment plots at College Road Allotments by Cippenham Village Pond. This was arranged in partnership with one of our allotment site representatives. Earlier on in the summer a group of 14 volunteers from British Gas gave up their time to weed, dead head, and rake the rose beds at Salt Hill Park. This year, corporate volunteers, together with our regular parks and allotments volunteers, have carried out an amazing 13,000 hours of work helping look after Slough’s parks, allotments, and streams. If you are interested in corporate volunteering with your place of work, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please email our parks team on: parks@slough.gov.uk There is also an opportunity to become a weekly volunteer at Herschel Park, Salt Hill Park and Baylis Park. Our Parks Volunteering Scheme is looking for more volunteers to look after our parks. As a volunteer, you will receive hands on training and meet other likeminded people. Bruce Hicks, senior parks improvements officer, said: “We are extremely grateful to our volunteers who give up their time every Tuesday at Herschel Park and/or every Thursday at Salt Hill Park (both 10am-3pm). They continue to make such a difference to our parks, and we are very proud to have them working alongside us.” As well as assisting with making improvements to the park, planting, seeding, and weeding, it is a great way to keep fit, enjoy the outdoors, and meet new people. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or want to find out more details, please email: parks@slough.gov.uk Councillor Gurcharan Manku, lead member for environment, environmental services, and open spaces, said: “We are extremely grateful to all of our volunteers who help us look after our parks and green spaces. Either those who to come to us for a day as part of corporate volunteering or those who regularly donate their time and skills. On behalf of the council, I would like to say a massive thank you to all of you. For anyone who is interested in volunteering there is a great sense of achievement knowing that you are making a difference to the environment and your community.” -
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