Autumn Clean & an Important Day
This article actually addresses 4 topics and Autumn Clean isn’t the most important day although it is quite so. We cover:
- The National Autumn Clean since Spring Clean was cancelled;
- Community Policing Updates;
- Colchester Consultation on Customer Service; and
- That important day.
Autumn Clean as Spring was Postponed
Keep Britain Tidy will once more be organising the UK’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign: The Great British September Clean 2020, after the Spring Clean was postponed due to COVID-19. On Saturday 12th West Bergholt’s own Litter Warriors will be gathering at Orpen Hall for a one-hour litter pick; why not meet friends around your neighbourhood and join in the event. Let us know if you do, maybe take some pictures and share them with us!
In 2019, more than 560,000 people took part nationally:
- they conducted 17,097 clean-ups and collected 957,377 bags of litter – that’s 239,344 wheelie bins full of rubbish or 4,308 tonnes worth.
- Around 61% of the litter collected was ‘general waste’ and approximately 39% has been recycled (18% plastic, 21% aluminium).
- Over 1.1 million hours have been dedicated to the campaign – equivalent in time to 128.5 years(24/7).
Colchester Community Policing
The Colchester Policing Team have recently issued a local update. It is packed with interesting & useful information including:
- Their priorities for 2020/21. They explain that their main role is to respond to calls for assistance from members of the public, but
they also carry out proactive patrols. - Rural activities such as managing unauthorised encampments, poaching, fly-tipping, egaging with Gypsy, Roma, traveller and rural communities and rural road safety.
- Statistics showing what activities they have undertaken, and
- An interesting section on Electric Scooters did you know:
- they are not allowed on pavements and
- you need a licence and insurance to drive them on roads?
You can read the full update here:
To contact the Colchester Community Policing team for non-emergency enquiries or issues email [email protected].
Fraud Alerts
They have also issued some fraud alerts particularly directed towards:
- TV Licences for Over-75s,
- Carnival Cruises Data Breach, and
- PayPal Scam via Facebook Messenger.
You can read these alerts here:
Colchester’s Customer Service Survey
Due to the pandemic, CBC has adapted the way it engages with the public and how it provides some of its services. It is now taking teh opportunity to review these changes and gather feedback from residents. Your feedback is vital in helping the Council measure the success of its service delivery. It will also shape how it provides information and support in future. To participate please visit:
World Suicide Prevention Day 2020
Today, Thursday 10th September, is World Suicide Prevention Day. Living as we are during a pandemic which is putting a strain on many, this is probably the most important iteration of this annual event to date. The local Livewell campaign is promoting its Suicide Prevention Training Options aiming to educate us on how we can recognise signs of potential suicide and crucially, how we can easily help to prevent it.
Registration for the Suicide Prevention training options can be accessed through the Livewell website here. Whether your interaction is a brief conversation with a neighbour or a phone call from a struggling customer or resident having suicidal thoughts there are a variety of FREE resources that can help you to help them. The resources will include:
- Basic Psychosocial skills – A practical guide for Covid-19 responders on how to look after yourself and how to help others feel supported through your interactions.
- Psychological First Aid – Specific to COVID-19, this 2-3 hour online programme enables understanding of behaviours and responses that frontline staff may experience.
- Zero Suicide Alliance 20-minute online training course, which can give you some basic skills to save a life.
- Small Talk Saves Lives – A one-minute video by the Samaritans to help prevent suicide.
- We need to talk about suicide – This 90-minute module will highlight why talking about suicide matters.
- Stay Alive app suicide prevention resource packed full of useful information and tools to help someone stay safe in crisis.
All of these resources, as well as information on face-to-face courses and specific bereavement support for those affected by suicide, can be found on the Livewell Campaign website.