Bristol News: Out and about in Brislington West with Jos and Andrew
Out and about in Brislington West with Jos Clark and Andrew Varney
Brislington War Memorial update:
A quick reminder that we will be holding our annual clean-up of Brislington War Memorial this Saturday, 28 October, meeting at the memorial at 10am. Everyone is welcome to join us and all equipment will be provided. We are delighted to say that St Christopher’s Church will be holding a short act of remembrance on Saturday 11 November at the memorial. The service will start at 10:50am so we recommend arriving by 10:45am. There will be a simple order of service available as a handout, or you can use the photos below to save paper.
Autumn Litter Blitz:
The annual Autumn Litter Blitz is back, running to 13 November. Last year over 348 volunteers took part, collecting over 284 bags of litter. As usual, we will be holding a litter pick in Brislington West. Let’s meet in Repton Road Car Park at 10am on Saturday 4 November. All equipment will be provided. If you wish to organize your own event, details here: https://bristolwastecompany.co.uk/campaigns/litterblitz/?mc_cid=31d2ec4f8e&mc_eid=26877bb5a8
Withdrawal of Tesco repeat prescription service:
Unfortunately, Tesco Pharmacy will no longer be offering their repeat prescription service. This service allowed patients to drop off their prescriptions at the pharmacy to be forwarded to the doctor’s. We spoke to the pharmacist, who confirmed this was a decision made by the Area Manager in order to reduce workload for the staff.
However, for some patients who don’t have internet access, this means a journey to the doctor’s to drop off their prescriptions, and with a lack of local buses, it could be an expensive taxi journey. We made these points to the pharmacist, who promised to pass on our concerns to the Area Manager. We have also written to our local surgeries to get their advice. If you know someone who is affected by these changes, please let us know, so we can build a case for the reinstatement of this vital service for many residents.
Training opportunities for young people:
Grassroot Communities, a youth work organisation based in Bristol, started the ‘Grassroot Activators Programme’ (GAP) to give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the skills and inspiration they need to achieve their goals in life. This year they have launched a compact version of the programme, which will provide mentoring, and training to develop specific skills for life that will also support young people to develop social enterprise or social action projects.
On Mini GAP you will be learning a variety of new skills, knowledge, experiences and connections to help transform your life and most importantly be supported in realising an opportunity based on your passion following the programme. Grassroot Communities are now taking applications for the first Mini GAP. The mentoring element will start in December 2023 until the end of April 2024. And the Mini GAP learning modules will start in January 2024 until the end of March 2024. Interested? Then please complete this application form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc64CWviVPOuom8YBPoxTqhOgFdIhfny_3OpbdyFtYh0XD2-Q/viewform
If you have any questions, contact Ben Carpenter on 07787 502232 or at info@grassrootcommunities.org.
Bereavement support training:
Do you know anybody who would be interested in completing a short free online training course which will guide them through the process of setting up a bereavement peer-support group in their neighbourhood? The training encompasses a focus on creating a community peer support group that is sustainable and does not rely on funding. It is based on the successful model of the STAR (Share, Talk and Remember) Bereavement Peer-Support Group in Stockwood Bristol which provides free support for people grieving from a bereavement or difficult transition in their life.
The training will embed the core principles of the original STAR group model and ultimately help to expand a network of STAR bereavement peer-support groups which are self-sustaining, have strong foundations and are led by local residents. The course is particularly aimed at local residents who are interested in setting up a bereavement peer-support group in their local neighbourhood and any community workers who can support them with this. Please do share this information with anyone who may be interested. The Training is offered FREE to anybody living/working in Bristol, North Somerset & South Glos (BNSSG). Here are the start dates for the STAR Training the Trainers Course, which is delivered via Zoom, and consists of 4 modules each delivered as a 2-hour workshop over a four-week period. (same time each week for 4 weeks):
- Wednesday 15th November 2023, 6pm – 8pm (ends 6th December 2023)
- Thursday 16th November, 6pm – 8pm (ends on 7th December 2023)
To find out more about the training and to book your FREE place, please select the following link which will take you to the STAR Website training page:
www.starsconnecting.com/training
Places will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
Hundreds of residents have signed up to receive our regular eFocus newsletter. You can add your name here: BristolLibDems.org/localefocus.
By Andrew Varney, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.andrew.varney@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 183381
& Jos Clark, Liberal Democrat Councillor (Brislington West) Email: cllr.jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk Mobile: 07584 370429
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