Date published: 2024-12-05

Chris Trimmer, Plant Conservation Centre Manager with the Sycamore Gap saplings.

e-connect 5 December 2024

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‘For a Better Future’: Remembering the Holocaust in Bath and North East Somerset

A special ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp, is taking place in Bath on January 27.

Bath active travel consultation extended

Residents and businesses now have until after Christmas to respond to plans to create more than 6.2km of improved walking, wheeling and cycling on four proposed routes across Bath.

Bath Christmas Market travel advice

After a busy first weekend Bath and North East Somerset Council is advising visitors to Bath Christmas Market plan their journeys in advance and is encouraging people to use public transport, like the city’s Park & Ride service.

Highway machines visit school for Road Safety Week

Bath & North East Somerset Council supported Brake’s national Road Safety Week campaign with school workshops and a road safety day at St Martin’s Garden Primary School.

Annual B&NES Infrastructure Funding report published

More than £3 million of developer receipts from planning charges have helped deliver hundreds of highways, parks and community improvements across Bath & North East Somerset an annual report shows.

Alice Park named as one of the 49 recipients of a ‘Trees of Hope’ Sycamore Gap sapling

The National Trust has announced Bath’s Alice Park as one of the recipients of the 49 ‘Trees of Hope’ Sycamore Gap saplings being gifted to individuals, groups, and organisations across the UK.

There will be temporary alterations to recycling and rubbish collection dates over the Christmas and New Year period. Changes will affect collections which would normally be scheduled from Wednesday December 25 to Saturday January 11. More information: https://newsroom.bathnes.gov.uk/news/christmas-and-new-year-rubbish-and-recycling-collections-1

Have your say

Council meetings

Do you want to know about decisions being taken by the council and have your say? Please follow this link to the council’s calendar of meetings.

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Support

Cost of living crisis

Worried about the cost of living? Help is out there. There is a dedicated Cost of Living Crisis section on Live Well B&NES, including:

Cost of living support (benefits, energy, food, debt, childcare, & mental health)
Support services and organisations
Paying for care and support, planning for future care costs

You can also get help from your supplier through the Priority Services Register. This is a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations. Check the website to see if you’re eligible to register.

Energy at Home

Our Energy at Home website provides information about the latest funding and support available to help B&NES residents save money on their energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of their home.

For people struggling to afford broadband or phone services, there are social tariffs available. Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) has a webpage with more information about social tariffs including eligibility requirements and how to apply Social tariffs - Connecting Devon and Somerset

Library services

Our Libraries offer a range of services, including the Library at Home service where we can bring the library to you and sensory spaces for children and young adults with sensory needs. You can also find out about events happening in our libraries.

Employment support and skills

Achieve

Achieve in B&NES provides a job and course search service for anybody wishing to enter the workplace or progress their career. There are free and funded courses from local providers.

Health, wellbeing and support

Live Well B&NES

Live Well B&NES is a web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to Bath & North East Somerset residents.

Community Wellbeing Hub

The Community Wellbeing Hub opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm. Call the Hub on 0300 247 0050 or text 07870 868368 or visit the website.

Bath Mind

Bath Mind is an independent mental health charity whose services operate across Bath and North East Somerset. Explore Bath Mind’s services by visiting their website. Alternatively, call Freephone 0808 175 1369 any day of the week between 9am and 11pm for mental health support.

Age UK

Age UK Bath & North East Somerset run specialised Dementia Groups in the district. These groups are a safe, fun environment for people to come for activities and friendship. Find out more here or call 01225 466135. You can also find out about digital support for people aged 55 and over. Email digital@ageukbanes.co.uk or visit bit.ly/AgeUKBANESDigital

Sight loss support

Sight Support West of England provides emotional and practical support to help people adjust to living with sight loss. To find out more, or make an appointment please call 0117 3224885 or email. For more information on the full range of services, visit the website. For more useful information visit the RNIB website.

Domestic abuse

Southside provides help to people who live in Bath & North East Somerset who are at risk of domestic violence and abuse. The working hours are 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, and 9am-4pm Fridays. Local support services can be found here.

Community Transport

Community transport schemes provide safe and accessible transport for people unable to use public transport. To find further details on community transport schemes visit livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/community-transport.

Public health

To keep up to date with the latest public health news stories across Bath and North East Somerset, including upcoming events, consultations and other information, subscribe to the public health monthly newsletter. You can also browse previous editions of the public health newsletter.

Do you look after someone else?

If you support someone who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older, support is available from Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre. Freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email 9am-1pm, every weekday.

It’s not too late to get your winter vaccines. Vaccination continues to help protect against severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths arising from Covid-19 and Flu.

More information about Covid walk-in clinics and Super Saturday children's clinics visit this webpage https://bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth/seasonal-covid-19/.

For information about eligibility and how to get these vaccines visit: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well. You can book on the NHS National Booking System or by telephoning NHS 119.