We are hosting our first Charity Golf Day at Gaudet Luce Golf and Leisure Complex. This event is open to all, regardless of golfing ability, and promises a day filled with a round of 18 holes, networking opportunities, and exciting prizes. Participation includes bacon baps and dinner, and a chance to bid in our silent auction.

More information is available https://buytickets.at/ageukherefordshireandworcestershire/1200810 

If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected]. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Abi Rose Rayner
Fundraising Apprentice
Tel: 07494057896

​​Some students here (from America) on an exchange with the University of Worcester are running an online survey on people’s experience and perceptions of accessing nature and greenspace in their local area. They will produce a summary report that will be helpful in informing the preparation of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy as we consider how access to nature and health and wellbeing benefits can be delivered alongside habitat and species conservation measures.
 
Would you be willing/able to forward the link below to Parish Councils? The survey is designed for individuals to complete, reporting on their own personal experiences and perceptions, rather than asking for a collective PC response. Parish Councillor views would be very welcome and if there is a mechanism to share the link within communities – a parish Facebook page perhaps or similar – that would be incredibly helpful. The survey will be open until 16th April and should take 5-10 minutes to complete.
 
https://wpi.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eWNIXYaOh4aFxQy
 

 Please click on link :  ​wmpnlmar24.pdf

A new website to help anyone find out more about sexual violence support services in their area is now live.
 
Providing a safe online space for survivors of all ages, supporters, and professionals, ‘The Survivor Pathway’ has a comprehensive list of services in West Mercia and information on how to easily access them.
 
Funded by the NHS and delivered by Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, as part of his Safer West Mercia Plan commitment to put victims and survivors first, the platform also includes helpful information on sexual health, child sexual exploitation, reporting to the police and going to court.
 
The pathway can be accessed 24/7 at – https://westmerciasurvivorpathway.org/
 
PCC John Campion said: “Sexual violence is a devastating crime, and its impact is life-changing to victims. With that in mind, I understand how hard it must be for many victims to find the confidence to come forward.
 
“The new Survivor Pathway website is a safe space for anybody to find out more about the specialist support available in West Mercia.
 
“Working in partnership with the NHS, it brings together a comprehensive list of the relevant services I fund, as well as others, to ensure victims are better informed and can easily access the help they need to cope and recover.”
 
Sarah Forrest, Head of Health and Justice Commissioning (West Midlands) at NHS England (Midlands) said: “NHS England is delighted to have been able to work with its close partners in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner on this initiative. Different agencies commission a range of specialist services for survivors of sexual assault and abuse both locally, regionally and nationally.
 
“We recognise the importance of survivors, families and friends being able to easily find sources of advice and support, whether the case is recent or non recent or whether the Police are involved, and hope that this website proves to be an invaluable resource.” 
 

 
 

edit.

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Your monthly update direct from West Mercia Police on the latest scams and frauds

 
 
ROMANCE FRAUD

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, romance may be high on many people’s agenda as they seek an appropriate way to celebrate the day. However, at the same time criminals are using this as an opportunity to devise new scams to defraud their victims on dating sites and social media.
 
At this time of the year there is a rise in Romance Frauds as the fraudsters draw their victims into false relationship, gain their confidence, before the requests for money start to come in. These are accompanied by heart rending pleas about personal or family problems, and emergencies which need finance.
 
Are any platforms safe?
 
Fraudsters continue to target users of popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as dating sites such as Tinder and Plenty of Fish.
Messaging sites such as Google Hangouts and WhatsApp may also be used to find unsuspecting victims.
 
As well as conventional dating platforms, online Gaming platforms may be used to seek potential victims since there are fewer protective measures in place.
 
Who are their targets?
 
Females over 40 years are common victims as well as younger males, but users also need to be aware on age related dating platforms too.
How does it work?
Basically, criminals will go to great lengths to gain the victim’s trust by claiming they are in a genuine relationship which is built up over time.

• They will manipulate and exploit the victim to the extent they are persuaded they are in a real and genuine relationship.
• Then, when they ask for money, the victim is convinced there is no problem with the request.
• The requests can be very emotive citing reasons such as medical emergencies, travel costs, payment of fines or taxes, or even claiming their bank account has been frozen

Tell-tale signs a friend or family member is involved in a Romance Scam

• They may be very secretive about their relationship or provide excuses for why their online partner has not video called or met them in person.
• They may be unwilling to discuss their online relationship.
• They may express very strong emotions and commitment to someone they have only just met
• They have sent, or are planning to send, money to someone they have not met face-to-face. They may take out loans or withdraw from their pension to send money.

Stay safe

• Never send money to someone you have never met in person.
• Never part with your bank or personal details to strangers online however genuine they claim to be
• Always seek advice from somebody trusted before parting with any money in any format, whether it is bank transfers, PayPal, Gift Cards or bitcoin currencies.
• Profile photos are very often fake, you can research any image by doing a “Reverse Image” search to find photos that have been copied from elsewhere.
• Never share images of yourself that you would not want your own family and friends to see.

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Please feel free to share this information with any family, friends, neighbours  you think may be able to assist.
 
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Take Five to Stop Fraud
 
STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud
 
ALWAYS REMEMBER:

• Avoid disclosing security details
• Emails, Phone Calls and Texts may not be authentic
• Always make direct contact with any organisation by using a genuine phone number
• Stop and Challenge any unexpected requests
• Protect others by reporting Fraud and Scams

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If you’ve fallen for a scam,
report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk
 
Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.
 
Forward Fake Emails received to [email protected]
 
If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number - 159 - to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.
 
 

 
 
 

​We would like to make you aware of some important Government funding that is available to residents in your area:
 
Free Energy Home Improvements now available to residents in Worcestershire - For more information, email [email protected]
Help us spread the word about free home improvements in Worcestershire.
The Home Upgrade Grant scheme (HUGs) is designed to tackle colder homes that do not have mains gas central heating. Homeowners and tenants in Worcestershire could benefit from a variety of measures to help reduce energy bills including: internal and external wall insulation, loft and cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, solar panels, draught proofing and many more.
Worcestershire County Council is working in partnership with Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills and Wychavon District Councils and Act on Energy to deliver this programme.
Worcester City Council and Wyre Forest District Council are administering their own HUG2 scheme and information can be found on their websites.
To qualify, households must not use mains gas to heat their home, have a gross annual income of less than £31,000 with a current Home Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G. 
Funding is also available for landlords in the charity and private rented sector.
Those who qualify for the scheme will undergo a free technical survey to determine the most suitable energy efficiency measures.
For more information, including full eligibility, and to register your interest visit: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/home-upgrade-grant-scheme-hug2  OR  contact your local energy charity Act on Energy on their free advice line 0800 988 2881
 
All projects must be completed by March 2025.
 
What we can do:
 

• Provide leaflets and/or posters for community centres, village halls, churches and organisations in your area.
• Act on Energy, your local area energy charity, can attend relevant events that are happening in your area and provide face to face energy advice to residents including available funding and schemes.

 
For more information, email [email protected]
 
We have also attached a poster and information leaflet.
 
Helen Mehaffey
Project Manager HUG2
Economy and Infrastructure
Worcestershire County Council, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, WR5 2NP
 
Tel:  01905 845398 or email: [email protected]    
     
For more information visit:  Home Upgrade Grant Scheme (HUG2) | Worcestershire County Council
 

I am a Social Inclusion and Wellbeing Activities Co-ordinator for Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We support older people, their families, and carers. Our aim is to make Herefordshire and Worcestershire a great place to grow older! Our services enable us to give advice, provide support at home, promote health and wellbeing, provide activities, training and more. We have numerous social groups and activities for people to get involved with. you can find them here Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire| Activities and events.
 
Last year we set up our first art group in Worcester called the Creative Arts Social Group, after the success of that we set one up in Hereford and now we are setting up a new Creative Arts Social group in Stourport, at The Coach House located at Ravenhurst Residential Care Home, Lickhill Road N, Stourport – on – Severn, DY13 8RU. This is starting on Thursday 14th March 2024, 10am – 12pm. Research shows a clear link between participation in the creative arts and a healthier wellbeing, and our art groups aim to provide a safe space for creative individuals to come together thus trying to help combat loneliness.
​
Carley Edge
Social Inclusion & Well Being Activities Co-ordinator
[email protected]
07553 291525
0800 008 6077
Malvern Gate, Bromwich Road, Worcester, WR2 4BN
www.ageukhw.org.uk  Facebook   Twitter   Instagram
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​abba_poster__2_.pdf

The meeting on Saturday 9th December is a Working Party Meeting only to discuss the draft NP.  Once this has been finalised an extraordinary meeting will be call in January to put the proposed NP forward for open discussion and approval.