IW Council Press Release - Fun things are happening this half term at Newport Roman Villa

Fearfully good family fun for half term

Frightfully fun things are happening this half term at Newport Roman Villa, with a range of craft activities to keep your little monsters occupied.

At half term, the villa, at Cypress Road, Newport, will be open for three activity craft days and for visitors to see the remains, Roman bath suite and the garden.

No booking is required, the entry fee is £1 on each activity day and includes admission and all activities.

Peculiar pop up puppets
On Wednesday 23 October, from 10.30am to 3pm, you can make your own unique puppet toy, inspired by Roman toys and games.

Crazy catapult
Fancy making your own working catapult? Come and have a go on Monday 28 October, between 10.30am and 3pm, where you can make one to take home with you, as well as finding out more about how Romans used these machines in warfare.

Mixed-up monsters
Wednesday 30 October is mixed-up monsters clay day at Newport Roman Villa. Be inspired by mythical beasts and make your own clay monster to take home.

As well as the craft activities there will be a different photo hunt on each day to help you explore the villa – collect the foul facts on Roman life and find out more revolting revelations about life in Roman times.

For more information on the events, call (01983) 823433, email: museums@iow.gov.uk or visit: www.iwight.com/museums

These events are organised by the Isle of Wight Council's Heritage Service.

Contact Information

Joanne Sedgmondjoanne.sedgmond@iow.gov.uk

IW Council Press Release - Islanders to consider fostering

Could you change a child's life?

Foster carers are making a positive difference to the lives of Island children.

Around 100 foster carers are working tirelessly on the Isle of Wight to ensure children in care experience the stability and security of a nurturing, loving home.

Debbie Price, the Isle of Wight Council’s new service manager for children in care, is keen to encourage Islanders to consider fostering to enable more youngsters who are unable to live with their birth family to remain on the Island.

She said: “Children's Services would like all children in care in the future to remain on the Island, unless they need to be on the mainland to best meet their needs.

“We are passionate about supporting children to be able to live within their communities when it isn’t possible for them to live with their own families."

Some foster carers will care for children in an emergency situation until longer-term arrangements can be made. Others will look after children short-term until the child can return home or move on to a permanent placement.

Many foster carers provide support on a long-term basis, often for the duration of their childhood.

Debbie said: “Foster carers make the biggest difference to children’s lives when they come into care and they are just regular people doing their best, just as they do for their own families.

“The best foster carers are the ones that are enthusiastic, caring and fun. They need to enjoy spending time with children and have the patience to build relationships with children who don’t easily trust adults.

“You don’t need to have fostered before to be a good foster carer, but we would always welcome applications from people with experience.

“Children want time, support and encouragement and to be allowed to get it wrong sometimes. It is amazing to see the change in them and their foster carers when they feel settled.”

All foster carers undertake training on the Island to prepare and support them in their important role.

They receive regular supervision from the fostering team and children also have their own allocated social worker.

Debbie added: “I really enjoy supporting foster carers to develop their skills with vulnerable children. Hearing their stories about how proud they are of the children they care for makes it easier to get through the more difficult days we all have sometimes.

“People usually consider fostering for a long time before they have the courage to put themselves forward.

“If you are interested in fostering then give us a call on 01983 823160 or come along to one of our events to find out more.”

For more information, visit www.iwight.com/fostering or follow @Isle of Wight fostering and adoption on Facebook.

Recruitment events, when people can learn more about fostering, are being held at 30 High Street, Newport, on Monday, 7 October, 12.30pm-2pm and Saturday, 12 October, 10am-1pm.

Contact Information

Martin NevilleIsle of Wight
martin.neville@iow.gov.uk

IW Council Press Release - Winter Shelter to be Provided for the Homeless

Isle of Wight Council to provide winter shelter for those experiencing homelessness

A new safe place for homeless people to take shelter in during the colder winter months is to be provided by the Isle of Wight Council.

The local authority is opening an emergency winter shelter at the former Barton Primary School site in Newport.

As well as providing rough sleepers with a warm, safe place to sleep and hot food in the coldest months, the shelter will enable the council to make contact with this very vulnerable group of people so it can help find a permanent solution to their housing needs.

Councillor Clare Mosdell, Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and housing needs, said the council was very clear that no one should have to sleep rough.

She said: "Living on the streets is one of the most dangerous, frightening and isolating experiences anyone could face.

“In previous years, a variety of churches have done a brilliant job in providing rolling emergency night shelter provision and we pay tribute to all of the faith leaders for their compassion and commitment in opening churches for the night.

“However, I believe we should not have to rely on others to fund such a vital service.

"As a council, we have a moral duty of care for our residents and, for that reason, I have worked hard to ensure we can provide what should be a basic human right given to everyone — safe shelter.

"This type of initiative illustrates how the council can make use of its facilities to aid those most in need.

"For me, it is about building trust and helping people to turn their lives around."

The council is commissioning the Salvation Army, an expert in homeless services, to lead the service which will offer much more than just a safe sanctuary for the night.

In many cases, people experiencing homelessness are already facing multiple complexities, which are compounded further by spending even one night sleeping on the street.

Those in need on the Island will be provided with a caring arm to help them rebuild their lives and address the reasons for their rough sleeping. The service will also help people access the support they need, such as welfare benefits or healthcare.

The council is being supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government through the winter fund it has made available, helping towards site renovation costs and service delivery.

The local authority has worked closely with organisations within the local community, including Medina House School, to ensure all potential risks posed by the winter shelter are mitigated.

The ward councillor, Geoff Brodie, said: “We used to have a winter homeless shelter at the current Barton Primary School site after Downside Middle School closed in 2011, but that had to close after winter 2015 due to the Barton school move.

“I am pleased to see the old Barton school being used for something that is sadly still much needed by those unfortunate enough to be without a roof over their head.”

Contact Information

Martin NevilleIsle of Wight
martin.neville@iow.gov.uk

IW Council Press Release - Views sought on Advocacy

Views sought on advocacy

Isle of Wight residents are being asked their views on the independent advocacy provision offered through the council.

An independent advocate supports someone to understand and be involved in the assessment of their needs and planning of their care. They can also help a person to make decisions when they are the subject of a safeguarding review or need to change their accommodation. The advocate will help the person to express their needs and wishes and will represent their best interests.

Cabinet member for adult social care, Councillor Clare Mosdell, said: “The council is currently reviewing the independent advocacy services it provides in order to improve and develop this valuable support provision for local residents.

“We want to gather feedback from Island residents to support this review so that people’s experience, knowledge and comments are able to help us to shape the service for the future”.

This service is currently delivered, on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, by Southern Advocacy Services.

The survey can be viewed at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/AdvocacyServices2019

It opens today (Monday 7 October 2019) and closes at midday Friday 15 November 2019.

Drop-in session

If you would like to talk about your views or receive help to complete the survey, please come along to the drop-in session being held at the Riverside Centre, The Quay, Newport PO30 2QR, from 10am to 2pm on Tuesday 12 November 2019.

How to complete the survey

Online

The survey can be viewed at: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/AdvocacyServices2019

With help

Your carer or family will undoubtedly help you if you would like assistance completing the survey.

However, if you would like other independent support to complete this survey, please contact People Matter IW on (01983) 241494.

Printed version

Hard copies are available from council libraries; County Hall reception, Newport; People Matter IW, Bernard Way, Newport; The Riverside Centre, Newport and Carers IW office, which is also based at The Riverside.

Paper copies must be returned to the following FREEPOST address by 5pm on Monday 18 November 2019

FREEPOST RTGE-TBEC-BYAY

Adult social Care

County Hall

High Street

Newport

Isle of Wight

PO30 1UD

All responses received are confidential and the feedback gathered will be used to help design a community offer that best meets the needs of the people who need it.

Further general information regarding advocacy can be found at: https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Care-Support-and-Housing/Adults-Services/Adult-Social-Care-Advocacy/Advocacy-and-Advocates