Author: Clerk

Highway Improvement Works – Station Road, Willingham

Highway improvement works are due to take place on Station Road, Willingham from the 6-10/2/23, with works taking place between 08:00 – 17:00. These works include sign and lining works.

During this time the road will be closed as a through route so work can take place safely, however access for all residents within the worksite will be maintained. Depending on where we are working at the time, we may ask you to access the area via the opposite end of the closure.

Whilst we will try to minimise disruption caused by the works, please understand there may be some delays caused by this approach. We have programmed the work, so it is delivered in the most efficient way possible, causing the least amount of disruption to the surrounding road network.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience whilst delivering this highway improvement work.

Please rest assured that the work being undertaken has been properly planned and will proceed in line with current Public Health England, and Government guidelines regarding Covid-19.

Distraction thefts in Bar Hill car park

We’ve been patrolling Bar Hill this week, paying particular attention to the Tesco car park, after receiving reports of theft. On one occasion a woman in her 80’s was approached by a man and asked for information about the nearest vet and later discovered her purse had been stolen. Her bank cards were used and more than £700 taken. During a separate incident, a woman in her 70s was asked for directions whilst loading the shopping into her car. She later realised her bank cards had been taken. We’re urging shoppers to remain vigilant and if you are approached by an unknown man or woman, please do not engage with them and either call police or make security staff at Tesco aware. We’ve held meetings with Bar Hill Parish Council, Tesco and their security team in relation to these thefts and we’re making CCTV enquiries to identify those responsible. Kind Regards, Sergeant Rob Taylor South Cambs Neighbourhood Policing Team  

Support with Energy Costs

Support with energy costs
Government has announced details of a new energy scheme for businesses, charities, and the public sector, ahead of the current scheme ending in March. The new scheme will mean all eligible UK businesses and other non-domestic energy users will receive a discount on high energy bills until 31 March 2024.   From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, eligible non-domestic customers who have a contract with a licensed energy supplier will see unit discounts automatically applied to their gas and electricity bills. A double light switch with a metallic finish
  Customers do not need to apply for their discount, as suppliers will automatically apply the reductions.
A higher level of support will be provided to businesses in sectors identified as being the most energy and trade intensive, predominately in manufacturing.    Businesses may need to register for the higher level of support and details on how to apply will be released in due course. A list of Energy and Trade Intensive Industries eligible for the additional support is available online.  
  Apprenticeship careers event   We are inviting South Cambridgeshire employers to join us at our Apprenticeship Careers Event taking place at Impington Village College from 10am to 2pm on Monday, 6 February. Taking place during National Apprenticeships Week, this event is running in partnership with Form the Future.

The aim is to show local young people what apprenticeship opportunities are available from South Cambs businesses, large and small, as well as training providers, so they have the ability to make informed decisions about their future.   The event will: Raise awareness of the businesses and sectors offering apprenticeships in our region Help students make informed post 16 and post 18 choices Raise aspirations amongst students by providing information and guidance Enable students to meet current apprentices
We will be promoting the event to around 30 schools across the area and anticipate a high level of interest. If you would like to exhibit, please contact us for further details.  
3 model chimneys made out of black paper emitting smoke with C02 written in the smoke sit on top of a double light switch Carbon reduction webinar   Reducing your carbon footprint is not only good for the planet, it is also good for business.   Lowering energy use reduces operating costs while being seen to take net zero carbon targets seriously improves your reputation with customers and suppliers.
  But do you know where to start your net zero carbon journey? Have you started and aren’t sure what else you can do?   On 22 February, from 1pm to 2pm, we are hosting a practical, free-to-attend webinar, where industry experts including Rob Moorcroft, a Carbon Reduction Scientist from Tunley Engineering, and Andrew Brisbin, Allia‘s Director of Ventures, will explain what you need to consider when reviewing your carbon footprint, the benefits to your business of reducing it and what practical support is available to help your business on its journey towards net zero.  
  Register for free now  
The Low Carbon Business Support programme   The Low Carbon Business Support Programme is open to all businesses, no matter where they are on their low carbon journey, offering fully funded support and guidance to help reduce energy use and costs and prepare for a low carbon future. If you’d like to know more about how it can help your business, the progamme runs until February 2023. A square graphic promoting the Low Carbon Business Support programme using the slogan
  Supply chain support
UK Centric Supply Chains is a fully-funded European project available to businesses within South Cambs. If your business is in the engineering, manufacturing, food and drink processing or automotive supply chain sectors, or is experiencing supply chain difficulties, take a look at their online diagnostic tool. Alternatively email Business Engagement Manager Alan Todd to arrange a one-to-one discussion.

To hear how they could help your business watch this video about Synergy Grill, a Cambridgeshire business that they have recently assisted.

The project closes at the end of June so if you have any concerns about your supply chain, please contact them as soon as possible.  
A wooden basket filled with fresh vegetables Sustainable food directory   Are you a South Cambs food business who prides themselves on their sustainable, climate-friendly practices? Why not sign up to be on Cambridge Sustainable Food’s directory. That way, people looking for a business like yours can easily find you
  Help to Grow: Digital – Last chance to apply   Businesses have only a few weeks left to apply for the Help to Grow: Digital scheme, following Government’s decision to close the programme.

The Help to Grow: Digital programme was designed to give SMEs free and impartial advice on how technology can help their business, as well as vouchers worth up to £5,000 to cover up to 50% of the costs of buying pre-approved software.

Government continues to offer other schemes to support small businesses, such as Help to Grow: Management and the Government-backed British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans.

The programme will close to new business applications on 2 February 2023.  
  Domestic abuse awareness webinar
Research shows that 40% of domestic abuse victims have been prevented from getting to work by their abuser and 75% of female victims are targeted in their workplace. For some survivors, work may be the only place they can escape their abuser and have the opportunity to contact support organisations.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership invites businesses across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to join a free online workshop about the responsibilities that employers have under the Domestic Abuse Act.

Hosted by Sharon Livermore, a survivor of domestic abuse who uses her personal experience to create a culture of openness and change within businesses, this webinar will explain how to recognise signs of domestic abuse in the workplace, how it impacts on businesses and how to start a conversation with employees and colleagues.  
  Register for free  
An image of a pound sign with the words I can't leave if I can't access any of our money Domestic abuse support posters   We have a range of campaign posters with contact details for support charities which are available to businesses to display – for example on the back of toilet doors.

The posters cover a range of issues including domestic violence, coercive control, homophobic abuse and child on parent violence.
  They signpost to support for those who may be causing abuse, as well as those who may be experiencing abuse.

Contact OpenForBusiness@scambs.gov.uk in confidentiality to request a set.
If you feel that someone is at immediate risk of harm or neglect then please contact the police on 999.  
Health and safety guidance
A red pencil breaks as it underlines the word stress Preventing work related stress   Stress, anxiety and depression is the biggest cause of work-related illness in Great Britain and numbers keep rising. According to statistics from the Labour Force Survey, 914,000 workers suffered in 2021/22. 17 million working days were lost due to stress in this period.
  HSE’s stress website has plenty of advice and includes examples of stress risk assessments tailored to different business sizes, as well as case studies and much more. The stress talking toolkit shows how line managers can have simple, practical conversations with employees to help prevent stress at work.

HSE’s Working Minds campaign aims to prevent work-related stress and encourage good mental health.

We are planning a series of webinars to help small business owners manage their mental health and improve their wellbeing and resilience through trying times. Please keep checking this newsletter, our website and social media accounts for details over the coming months.
  Correct use of display screen equipment   All employers must protect workers from the health risks of working with display screen equipment (DSE). Incorrect use of DSE or poorly designed workstations or work environments can lead to pain in necks, shoulders, backs, arms, wrists and hands, as well as fatigue and eye strain.
HSE guidance covers a range of topics including: workstations and assessments work routine and breaks eyesight testing   There are also accessible resources including a DSE workstation checklist and practical tips on maintaining a good posture.

In addition, there is guidance on what employers and workers need to know about working with DSE from home.   Working safely at heights   Falls from height were the cause of most work-related fatalities in Britain during 2021/22. The most recent annual figures revealed that 29 workers were killed in falls from heights last year.

Make sure you take the necessary precautions: the HSE’s working at height website has guidance on how you can protect employees.

The site also has a range of useful information and sources of advice for employers. They include key messages to follow before working at height and some common myths.

There are also useful resources available, including relevant publications which are free to download.  
Local business networking events
Future Leaders Forum   The Smart Manufacturing Alliance is developing a network for the next generation of leaders in the sector and invites local manufacturing businesses to attend their inaugural event for this community. Taking place at the North Cambridgeshire Training Centre (NCTC) on 24 January, 3.00pm to 5.00pm, the Future Leaders Forum will be delivered with NCTC, Metalcraft and MAKE UK. The words
  Speed Networking Brunch

Take part in Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce’s popular speed networking event on 10 February, from 9.30am to 11.30am at Novotel Cambridge North. There isn’t a moment to spare as you move around the room with just 60 seconds to highlight your company’s unique selling points.

Attendees will also hear from Hayley Webb from Maggie’s Cambridge, the Chamber Charity of the Year, and Saiman Miah from Mott MacDonald.

Tickets cost £10.00 plus VAT. All ticket income will be donated to Maggie’s Cambridge.  
A gold statuette stands in front of a purple and pink neon background FSB awards   The deadline to apply to enter the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards ends soon.

The awards celebrate the successes, achievements and resilience of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK.   Entering the awards can bring enormous benefits to your business. Even if your business doesn’t win the top prize, you can gain insights, information and ideas that you can build into your own business.

The deadline to apply is 26 January and it is free to enter.
How do you think we are doing?   We want to know what local businesses think of the Business Support and Development Team’s service. If you’ve received any kind of support from our team, please let us know how we did. Perhaps you got help to apply for grant funding or attended one of our popular webinars. The word
  It should take around 5 minutes to fill in this short online survey and tell us what you think we are getting right and where we need to improve. We really value your feedback.  

Support for Ukraine Community Update

Dear hosts, volunteer coordinators and parish council colleagues

Welcome to everyone, and especially to new hosts. This regular ‘Support for Ukraine community update’ contains information for hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues.Newspreviously shared here can be found on our Support for Ukraine webpage and the Ukrainian Guest information hub which we encourage you to share with your guests who should be able to switch to view in their own language. Please also check-in on the important notes at the bottom of the newsletter.

Changes to ‘Thank you’ payments following Government clarification

Over recent months, the Government has provided further clarification on the thank you payments we make to sponsors on their behalf.

The monthly thank you payment is payable to sponsors where their guest/s has/have lived with them for at least 50% of the month. For ease, we will be basing this on 14 days. We wanted to highlight this to hosts as, earlier in the scheme and before further clarification was provided, we had taken a pragmatic view to pay on a pro rata basis when the guest(s) arrive or depart during a calendar month. As the funding which underpins the thank you payments is provided in line with the Government rules, following these clarifications there is not the flexibility for us to make local decisions.

A second recent clarification means that where a guest/s is/are absent from your property for 4 weeks or more, we must pause the thank you payment. Please inform the Council by completing the leavers form to tell us about their time away so we can adjust the payments as necessary. This is the same form for you complete when your guests leave at the end of their stay and do not plan to return.  

The Council’s additional £150 payment, which we have committed to provide for the first 12 months of hosting to recognise the increasing cost of living, is still available. If you have not already opted in, you can do so by completing the form.

Campaign for more Hosts

We are still looking for new potential hosts via our Spare Room campaign which appeals for anyone who would like to get involved to apply to re-match existing guests via the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Hosts receive up to £500 per month as a thank you payment. If you are interested in hosting, or know of someone else who may be interested, please take a look at our website for information and for details of the support available to new hosts. Anyone who can offer help simply needs to text ROOM to 88802.

Please Note: If any Parish Councils, local organisations or individuals have a small space on their roadside verge in a safe and appropriate location and are willing to put up a sign (like those communities put up for village fetes) giving details of our Spare Room campaign, they can be collected from our offices in Cambourne. The A2 signs have a stake attached for pushing into the ground. There is no need to contact us first and the signs can be collected any time between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday. If you would like to support us but would need to collect signs outside of these times, then please email us on duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk and we will make arrangements with you. We can also supply posters for noticeboards and fliers. Thank you for your support in aiding us to spread the word to help to find accommodation for all our Ukrainian guests.

Returning Guests

If your guests originally left your property but are now wishing to return to you, then please let us know. Notify us on HFULiaison@scambs.gov.uk and complete our arrivals form, which can be found here, once your guest/s have arrived.

Hosting Survey

The Council needs to ensure that we have an up-to-date and accurate log of our hosts’ intentions so we can plan our future support for Ukrainian guests accordingly, and this week all hosts should have received an email from us which includes an online survey. The purpose of this survey is so we can understand the likely duration of your hosting agreement and to provide you with a chance to give us some feedback. We appreciate that hosts have now completed several online surveys for us, but these are vital to us in managing this complex project. We would be grateful if you could complete this survey as soon as possible after you receive it.

Employment Survey

Please could you make your guests aware of our Ukrainian Employment/Skills Survey which will help us assess how we can best support guests into suitable employment. Ukrainian refugees are able to work in the UK for up to three years and we are collaborating with local partners, communities, and businesses to ensure we understand the barriers they may face in finding suitable employment.

Online meeting place for young Ukrainians

The Council recently established a Facebook Group for Young Ukrainian guests aged 13-19, however the numbers of young people joining are still quite low.


We are actively exploring the need for a potential WhatsApp Group for the same age group, a place where young people may meet, develop friendships and share information. A Ukrainian Adult would moderate this, making it a safe place.

Please could you encourage any Ukrainian parents staying with you to fill out the form to let us know what they think about it and whether or not their child would be interested in joining and using such a group.

Drama classes for young Ukrainian Guests

Free drama sessions for Ukrainian guest children and young adults aged 9-15 have now started at Cottenham Community Centre.

Running from 3.45-5.15pm, the first session was held last Thursday. The next sessions are scheduled at the same time for Thursdays 19 January and 2 February, with further fortnightly dates be confirmed.

The sessions start off with a fun physical warm-up as a group, followed by a variety of drama activities and games, ranging from word games and facial expressions, to splitting up into different groups or pairs and acting out scenes in a variety of comical or serious situations.

The group is led by Sheila Gosling, a Drama Worker from Cottenham with years of experience with groups of all ages and abilities, and will continue to meet every other week, encouraging different ways of communication, entertainment, and allowing hidden talents to shine. For more information email Sheeba3434@hotmail.com

Online forum for hosts – 18 January

The next online session from the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT) – virtual meetings where all current hosts and hosts-to-be can meet with others in their position to share the experiences and challenges of hosting – takes place on 18 January.

The exact content of the session will be decided on the evening by those who come but may include self-care, preparing for your guests to arrive, the challenges and opportunities of hosting, accessing resources in your community, thinking about the impact of trauma on guests who are displaced from home, country and family, and helping with anonymised specific challenges. Sessions are free but hosts will need to register for tickets here

New Year, New You – join in January’s Healthy You Festival

Don’t forget to dip into January’s FREE, month-long online health and wellbeing festival Healthy You Virtual Festival 2023 which still has two and a half weeks to run until 31 January.

We are running this in conjunction with Living Sport and other local city and district councils. All activities are free, online and suitable for beginners, including sessions such as healthy eating workshops; wellbeing during the menopause classes; taster activities ranging from Pilates and Yoga to T’ai Chi and Salsa; strength training for the over 50s; and a chance to try out the exercise referral scheme which supports people with long term health conditions to get active. Pre-register online to receive the full timetable and updates about the festival programme.

Free weekly English classes

In partnership with A Learning Place, the Council is providing free, weekly English classes in the following villages:

Cottenham – Tuesdays 17.30

Sawston – Thursdays 16.15, 17.30 and 18.45

Waterbeach – Wednesdays 16.30 and 17.40

 Adults and young people can enrol as learners; younger children are welcome to come along (toys and activities provided). New learners are always welcome and various levels of English can be accommodated. Please contact Amy on 07753 282967, hello@alearningplace.co.uk or complete our short form: www.bit.ly/ALP-English-classes. 

Other English Courses

New in-person ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses are also available from the WEA (Workers Educational Association) starting this month. Guests can find out which courses are best for them at an ESOL Skills Check session in-person tomorrow (13 January) at St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, 40-43 St Andrew’s St, Cambridge, CB2 3AR from 12pm to 3pm. Or they can register online by visiting www.wea.org.uk.

Classes will run at the following times:

The WEA is also running two online evening courses. Both courses are now fully subscribed but guests can still add their names to waiting lists to be notified if places become available. See the following links:

Professional Development, Preparation for work: ESOL Skills Check for Evening Classes (Online) (C2229456) (wea.org.uk)

Professional Development, Preparation for work: ESOL Skills Check for Evening Classes (Online) (C2229446) (wea.org.uk)

UK Driving Courses for Guests

Guests who want to drive in the UK still have time to apply for the UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners coursewhich is designed to help them pass the UK driving theory test or, if they already have a licence, to help them understand the rules of driving in the UK. It will run from 16 January to 13 March, 2023, 12pm to 2pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. To enrol for free, quote the course reference C2229100 either online at wea.org.uk or by ringing 0300 3033464. Citizenship: UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners (C2229100) (wea.org.uk)

Free course on Family Budgeting

An online Family Budgeting course is being delivered in Ukrainian for guest families who would like help in working out their monthly budget and improving their ability to plan ahead financially.

The free monthly course is being delivered by Runway Training and is commissioned by the Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to deliver free numeracy skills courses. It will cover situations like understanding how to plan each month, how to compare the value of supermarket deals and improving your confidence with numbers. The courses are online but also at some local venues. All learners completing the course will receive a £25 shopping voucher. Email to emmapyrkos@runwaytraining.co.uk or call 01732 402 402.

The authentic taste of Ukraine

This Saturday (14 January), a team of enthusiastic volunteer Ukrainian chefs will be offering a taste of delicious food from their country to welcome in the New Year in their homeland. The Malanka Fest, organised by Stanislaw Makarchuk, co-founder of Cambridge4Ukraine, is taking place in central Cambridge on the Ukrainian New Year’s Day, as held in accordance with the Julian calendar.  

The delicious offerings will include Ukraine Borscht (a rich soup made using beetroot to give a distinctive red colour), holubtsi (cabbage rolls stuffed with mince and rice), varenyky (dumplings with sweet and savoury fillings) and rogalyky (pastries) and deruny (potato pancake). The event will also include activities such as clay modelling, master classes in dumpling making and a musical surprise.

Malanka Fest will take place at Downing Place URC, Cambridge CB2 3EL (opposite the side entrance to John Lewis) from 12 noon to 4pm. Free entry. Cash purchases only.

IMPORTANT NOTES

All hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments from the Government; plus additional ‘opt-in’ payments of £150 per month from this Council which we are paying to hosts in the district to help with extra costs such as rising energy bills. Once hosts have sponsored a guest for one year, their £350 payment from the Government will increase to £500 per month.  For questions not covered in this update or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update. We hope that it is useful for you and your guests, and we thank you for your continued support.

I would also like to take this opportunity to send our very best wishes to all our Ukrainian guests and their families who will celebrate the start of a New Year on Saturday in accordance with their culture – З Новим роком вас!

Bill

Bill Handley

Lead Cabinet Member for Communities

South Cambridgeshire District Council

Residents – Hedges next to the highway/footpaths

We have been asked by Highways to remind residents with hedges adjoining the footpaths to please cut them back before nesting season begins in March. When cutting them back please remember to allow for new growth over the summer to prevent the footpaths being obstructed over the summer.

If you are cutting during the nesting season (March to end of August) please check for nests and only use hand tools.

Thank you for your assistance.

Ukraine – Support for Ukraine Community Update

Dear hosts, volunteer coordinators and parish council colleagues

We hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing festive break and would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy New Year and reiterate our heartfelt thanks for all you are doing to help support Ukrainian guests to our district.

This regular ‘Support for Ukraine community update’ will continue to provide our hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues, with relevant information relating to the Homes for Ukraine scheme. News previously shared here can be found on our Support for Ukraine webpage and the Ukrainian Guest information hub which we encourage you to share with your guests who should be able to switch to view in their own language. Please also check-in on the important notes at the bottom of the newsletter.

Updated Hosting Survey

As many of you are aware, the government recently announced changes and additional funding for the Homes for Ukraine scheme. One of the biggest changes is to host payments, which are being extended.

We want to ensure that we have an accurate and up-to-date log of our hosts’ intentions so we can plan our support accordingly. Next week, all hosts will receive an email from us which will include an online survey.

The purpose of this survey is so we can understand the likely duration of your hosting agreement and to provide you with a chance to give us some feedback. We appreciate that hosts have now completed several online surveys for us, but these are vital to us in managing this complex project. We ask that you please complete this survey as soon as you can when you receive it. Thank you once again for your support as hosts, which has helped so many Ukrainian people through the most traumatic of times.

Returning Guests

If your guests originally left your property, but are now wishing to return to you, then please let us know. Notify us on HFULiaison@scambs.gov.uk and complete our arrivals form, which can be found here, once your guest/s have arrived.

Campaign for more Hosts

We are still searching for new potential hosts who would like to apply to re-match existing guests through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Our ‘Spare Room’ campaign is run in conjunction with Cambridge City Council, featuring across our social media channels (Facebook  Twitter and LinkedIn), on digital indoor and outdoor signage, in local Sky television ads and in the local press. If you are interested in hosting, or know of someone else who may be interested, please take a look at our website for information and for details of the support available to new hosts.

Our pool of hosts stood at over 600 when the Homes for Ukraine scheme first launched last year, but this has now reduced considerably. We need help finding more so that, where possible, Ukrainian guests are able to stay with alternative hosts close to where they have previously been living. Anyone who can offer help simply needs to text ROOM to 88802.

January’s Healthy You Festival

In conjunction with Living Sport and other local city and district councils, we are running a FREE, month-long online health and wellbeing festival Healthy You Virtual Festival 2023 up until 31 January.

All activities will be free, online and suitable for beginners. Sessions will include healthy eating workshops; wellbeing during the menopause classes; tasters for activities ranging from Pilates and Yoga to T’ai Chi and Salsa; strength training for the over 50s; and a chance to try out the exercise referral scheme which supports people with long term health conditions to get active. Pre-register online to receive the full timetable and updates about the festival programme.

Help us understand the employment needs of your guests

We would be grateful if you could make your guests aware of our Ukrainian Employment/Skills Survey. This is designed to give us with a picture of how we can best support guests into suitable employment. Ukrainian refugees are able to work in the UK for up to three years and we are collaborating with local partners, communities, and businesses to ensure we understand the barriers they may face in finding suitable employment.

CamRuss – helping guests

Before Christmas, we told you about the first cohort of Ukrainian guests who had completed English classes with The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society (CamRuss), which is supported by South Cambridgeshire District Council. 

The Society’s English language teaching project has been running since guests first started to arrive in our district last April and is supported by more than 30 volunteers and 20 teachers and assistants.

CamRuss also runs a Helpline to facilitate communication between Ukrainian refugees and their host families by providing a translation service (Russian, English and Ukrainian). The Helpline on 05603 025975 runs from 9am-6pm weekdays and 10am-5pm on Saturdays. Many other activities and support services are available.


Free weekly English classes – Cottenham, Sawston & Waterbeach

Guests can take advantage of free weekly English lessons in Cottenham, Sawston and Waterbeach via A Learning Place which is working in partnership with the Council.

The lessons for adults and young people take place at Cottenham on Tuesdays from 5:30pm; in Sawston on Thursdays starting at 4:15pm, 5:30pm or 6:45pm; and in Waterbeach on Wednesdays at 4:30pm and 5:40pm.  Younger children are welcome to attend – toys and activities will be provided. Please contact Amy on 07753 282967, hello@alearningplace.co.uk or guests can complete our short form if they want to come along.

Other New Year English Courses

A range of new ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses are also available from the WEA (Workers Educational Association) to attend in-person starting this month. Guests can find out which English courses are best for them at two ESOL Skills Check sessions where they can talk in-person to a friendly team who can help.

There is no need to register in advance – guests should just go along to St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, 40-43 St Andrew’s St, Cambridge, CB2 3AR on 11 January, 10am to 3pm, or 13 January, 12pm to 3pm. Or they can register online by visiting www.wea.org.uk.

Classes will be at the following times:

Online evening courses will also start to run this month. Guests can register for one of the online Zoom Skills Check meetings below on 12 or 16 January, 2023. Please register as soon as possible to secure your place via the following links:

If they are unable to register online, please call on 0300 3033464 quoting the course reference number. The timetable for the new online evening class groups will be: Entry 1 Mon and Wed 7pm; Entry 2 Tue and Thu 7pm; Entry 3/Level 1 Wed and Thu 6:30pm.

Other courses available

From this month, WEA will also be offering Level 1 and Level 2 Community Interpreting courses for anyone who speaks more than one language and is interested in volunteering or working as an interpreter and helping their local community.

Skills Check – Community Interpreting Level 1 and Level 2 courses

Skills Check Meetings for Community Interpreting courses are Online via Zoom – Dates:

UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners – Online course

For guests who don’t have a driving licence, this online course will help them pass the theory test. For those who do have a driving licence, it will help them understand the rules of driving in the UK. It will run from 16 January to 13 March, 2023, 12pm to 2pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. To enrol for free quote the course reference C2229100 either online at wea.org.uk or by ringing 0300 3033464. Citizenship: UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners (C2229100) (wea.org.uk)

Join in by volunteering

Start the New Year by getting out into your local community as a volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to make new friends – it can change lives, fight isolation and improve wellbeing, confidence and skills, while making our communities better places to live. The experience of volunteering can even sometimes lead to, or help with, acquiring paid work.

Ukrainian guests who would like to volunteer can find useful information on the Cambridge Council for Voluntary Services (CCVS) website. The charity also holds virtual coffee mornings where guests can meet someone from a local community group and find out about their work and what volunteering opportunities are available. The next virtual coffee morning is on 11 January. To find out more and register please email ellie@cambridgecvs.org.uk

Free bikes available for guests

The Free Bikes for Ukrainians scheme will continue to run in 2023. Guests who would like to have a free bike can apply for one via one of the Council’s three partner charities Owl Bikes, Camtrust and Tag Bikes. To find out more about the Free Bikes for Ukrainians scheme, see the Local Travel Support section of our Ukrainian Guest Information Hub. 

Hosts can also apply online on behalf of their guests. Donations of more bicycles will be gratefully received by all three charities, as well as unwanted helmets, spare tyres and parts.

Reminder: Small Grants to help reduce social isolation for guests

Our small grants scheme also continues into 2023 and local groups can still apply for up to £300 from the Council to help fund events aimed at reducing social isolation for Ukrainian guests.

Hosts can also apply (with the written support of their Parish Council or District Councillor/s for the project) providing the event or project extends beyond their own household and into the wider Ukrainian community, for example a number of grants were given for social events leading up to the festive period. Criteria, guidance and an application form can be found on our website. Or for more information, email ukraine.grants@scambs.gov.uk

IMPORTANT NOTES

All hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments from the Government; plus additional ‘opt-in’ payments of £150 per month from this Council which we are paying to hosts in the district to help with extra costs such as rising energy bills. Once hosts have sponsored a guest for one year, their £350 payment from the Government will increase to £500 per month.  For questions not covered in this update or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update. We hope that it is useful for you and your guests, and we thank you for your continued support.

Bill

Bill Handley

Lead Cabinet Member for Communities

South Cambridgeshire District Council

ECops – Contact us guide

When you need to contact the police, it can often be a distressing time, and with a range of different contact methods available to you, it might not be clear which one you should choose. 

It is important that our residents understand when to call us, when it’s better to go online, and when you should contact a different authority altogether. 

Click this link to access a ‘Contact us’ guide, which can be accessed any time via the Constabulary’s website. The guide breaks down each method of contact so you can learn about how and when to use the phone lines and online services for the police. Click into each section for further information and advice. 

A better understanding of the different contact methods (and when to use each one) will ensure that should you require the police, you will know where to turn to receive the appropriate help. Not only that, but it will also help alleviate unnecessary pressure on our call handlers, who often receive misplaced / inappropriate calls. 

Neighbourhood Alert

Road Closure – High Street Earith

Road closure – High Street Earith

Dates: 10th January – 13th January 2023 – all day full closure for works by Cambridge Water

Emergency Access maintained. Detour in place, closed at the bridge to Colne Road

Permit ID: CKOOID23440510CL

Cambridge Water contact – 0345 045 5212

For more information go to https://one.network/ and use the Live Map to locate High Street Earith and click on the information links.

Ukraine – further update

Further to the newsletter just sent to you, please note that the link for guests to complete the Ukrainian Employment/Skills Survey is here and not as given on the newsletter.

Kind regards,

Nikki Casey | Homes for Ukraine Project Officer

Ukraine – Update

Dear hosts, volunteer coordinators and parish council colleagues

Welcome to everyone, and especially to new hosts. This regular ‘Support for Ukraine community update’ contains information for hosts in South Cambridgeshire, as well District Councillors, community coordinators and parish council colleagues. News previously shared here can be found on our Support for Ukraine webpage and the Ukrainian Guest information hub which we encourage you to share with your guests who should be able to switch to view in their own language. Please also check-in on the important notes at the bottom of the newsletter.

Government announcement on future funding for Homes for Ukraine scheme

Many of you will by now have heard the news (reported in last week’s newsletter) of the further financial support from the Government for the thousands of families who opened up their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the war in their country. You can read further details of this on the Government website.


The main points are:

  • Homes for Ukraine hosts are to receive £500 a month as a ‘thank you’ for ongoing support after the first year of sponsorship
  • £150m additional funding for councils across the UK to help support Ukrainian guests move into their own homes and to reduce the risk of homelessness
  • Councils in England to get new £500m fund to acquire housing stock for those fleeing conflict (including from Ukraine and Afghanistan) and to reduce homelessness
  • New potential hosts are urged to come forward and apply to re-match existing guests through the scheme.

The national change to increase the host thank you payment takes place once a guest has been sponsored for one year, while the standard thank you payment for hosts will remain at £350 until the one-year mark. This Council’s offer of a £150 opt-in top up thank you payment (in response to the cost-of-living crisis for the first 12 months of hosting) will remain. Those who have already opted in will continue to receive the increased £500 payment.

We plan to ask hosts for your views in the New Year via a survey which will help us understand how we can continue to provide the best support possible.

Christmas in South Cambs

Here are a few notes about the Christmas period for your guests – please do share the following item with them (also translated below):

Lots of people across the UK will be getting ready to celebrate Christmas. Many of you may be particularly missing home and loved ones at this time of year, as well as Christmas traditions from Ukraine. We hope that you will feel able to share your traditions with your hosts and others in the community, and that you are able to enjoy the festive period with those around you. We thought it might be useful to provide a brief introduction to Christmas in the UK, so you know what to expect.

We hope you have an opportunity to take a break over the festive period and spend time with loved ones.

Різдво в Кембриджі

Багато людей у Великій Британії будуть готуватися до святкування Різдва. Багато з вас, можливо, особливо сумують за домом і близькими в цю пору року, а також за різдвяними традиціями України. Ми сподіваємося, що ви зможете поділитися своїми традиціями з вашими приймаючими сторонами та іншими членами громади, і що ви зможете насолодитися святами з тими, хто вас оточує. Ми подумали, що було б корисно коротко розповісти про Різдво у Великій Британії, щоб ви знали, чого очікувати.

Ми сподіваємося, що у вас буде можливість відпочити впродовж святкових днів та провести час із близькими.


Well done to our Graduates!

Congratulations to the first cohort of our Ukrainian guests who have completed English classes with The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society (CamRuss), which is supported by South Cambridgeshire District Council.  Their achievements were marked with a graduation ceremony last Saturday.

The Society launched its English language teaching project in April as our host families started to welcome the first Ukrainian guests fleeing the war. More than 30 volunteers, supported by 20 teachers and assistants, were involved in delivering the Society’s English classes to 90 students between April and July, followed by another intake of 90 students from September.

CamRuss also runs a Helpline to facilitate communication between Ukrainian refugees and their host families by providing a translation service (Russian, English and Ukrainian). The Helpline on 05603 025975 runs from 9am-6pm weekdays and 10am-5pm on Saturdays. Many other activities and support services are available.

Healthy You Festival – free wellbeing activities in January

In conjunction with Living Sport and other local city and district councils, we are running a FREE, month-long Healthy You Virtual Festival 2023 – an online health and wellbeing festival from 1 to 31 January. We invite you and your guests to pre-register now to receive updates about what’s on in the run up to the festival.

All activities will be free and hosted online, and suitable for beginners. Sessions will include healthy eating workshops; wellbeing during the menopause classes; tasters for activities ranging from Pilates and Yoga to T’ai Chi and Salsa; strength training for the over 50s; and a chance to try out the exercise referral scheme which supports people with long term health conditions to get active. Pre-register online to receive the full timetable and updates about the festival programme.


Free weekly English classes – Cottenham, Sawston and Waterbeach

In partnership with A Learning Place, the Council is providing free, weekly English classes in the following villages:

Cottenham – Tuesdays 17.30

Sawston – Thursdays 16.15, 17.30 and 18.45

Waterbeach – Wednesdays 16.30 and 17.40

 Adults and young people can enrol as learners; younger children are welcome to come along (toys and activities provided). New learners are always welcome; various levels of English can be accommodated- please contact Amy on 07753 282967, hello@alearningplace.co.uk or complete our short form: www.bit.ly/ALP-English-classes. 

Other New Year English Courses

Please remind your guests that new ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses are available in the New Year from the WEA (Workers Educational Association). If they would like to talk to someone to work out which English courses would be best for them, then there are two ESOL Skills Check sessions available where they can talk in-person to a friendly team who can help.

There is no need to register in advance – they should just go along to St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church, 40-43 St Andrew’s St, Cambridge, CB2 3AR on:

Or they can register for the free English courses they are interested in by visiting www.wea.org.uk. The timetable for the classes will be as follows:

ESOL Evening Classes Online

WEA is also starting new ESOL classes online in the evenings from January. Guests who are interested should register at one of the online Zoom Skills Check meetings below on January 12 or 16, 2023. Please register as soon as possible to secure your place via the following links:

If they are unable to register online, please call on 0300 3033464 quoting the course reference number. The timetable for the new online evening class groups will be: 

Entry 1 Mon and Wed 7pm

Entry 2 Tue and Thu 7pm

Entry 3/Level 1 Wed and Thu 6:30pm

Other courses available

From January, WEA will also be offering Level 1 and Level 2 Community Interpreting courses for anyone who speaks more than one language and is interested in volunteering or working as an interpreter and helping their local community.

Skills Check – Community Interpreting Level 1 and Level 2 courses

Skills Check Meetings for Community Interpreting courses are Online via Zoom – Dates:

UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners – Online course

If your guests don’t have a driving licence, this online course will help them pass the theory test or, if they do have a driving licence from their home country, it will help them understand the fundamental road rules of driving in the UK. It will run from January 16 to March 13, 2023, from 12noon to 2pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. To enrol for free please quote the course reference C2229100 either online at wea.org.uk or by ringing 0300 3033464. Citizenship: UK Driving Theory for ESOL Learners (C2229100) (wea.org.uk)

Campaign for more Hosts

Our ‘Spare Room’ campaign continues to run, encouraging more local people to join our Homes for Ukraine scheme. The campaign, run in conjunction with Cambridge City Council, continues to feature across our social media channels (Facebook Council Facebook page Twitter LinkedIn), on digital indoor and outdoor signage, in local Sky television ads and in the local press.

If you are interested in hosting, or know of someone else who may be interested, please take a look at our website for information and for details of the support available to new hosts. Anyone who can offer help simply needs to text ROOM to 88802.

Reminder: Ukrainian Employment Survey

Please could you make your guests aware of our Ukrainian Employment/Skills Survey. This is designed to help provide us with a picture on how we can best support guests into suitable employment. The Government has confirmed that Ukrainian refugees are able to work in the UK for up to three years. South Cambridgeshire District Council is collaborating with local partners, communities, and businesses to ensure we understand the barriers Ukrainian guests face in finding suitable employment.

Reminder: Holiday and Food schemes

Guest families in receipt of income-related free school meals can apply to the Christmas Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for up to 16 hours of festive activities per child which will include a daily meal and snacks. For details about the Christmas programme click on ‘South Cambridgeshire Schemes’.

Support activities for young Ukrainian guests

A private Facebook group for young Ukrainian guests aged 13 to 19 has been set up for them to connect, chat and support each other. If you have young guests staying with you, please let them know about the group. It is administered by South Cambridgeshire District Council with an adult moderator ensuring it’s a safe and secure environment. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/1424735478018690

Young Ukrainian guests may also be interested in joining Drama Classes in the new year. The classes would be for children/teenagers of 9 to 15 years old, running on Thursdays in the first and third week of each month from 3:45pm – 5:15pm, with physical warm-ups, drama activities and games to encourage different ways of communication. To register an interest, email Sheila Gosling on sheeba3434@hotmail.com

… and finally, it’s Panto-time – FREE TICKETS available for guests!

The Cambridge Arts Theatre is offering free tickets to Ukrainian families to see its Christmas panto Dick Whittington and his Cat  on Tuesday 3rd January at 6pm. This is an opportunity for your guests to experience a quintessential British culture tradition (which you may have to explain to them in advance!). Register for free tickets here. The running time is 2hrs and 30mins, including a 20min interval.  Please be aware that there will be loud noises, haze and flashing lights during the performance.

Please note the theatre’s bag policy: In the interest of customer safety, the following items cannot be taken into the auditorium and must be stored in the cloakroom: Rucksacks or backpacks of any size, children’s rucksacks, handbags that can be worn as backpacks, handbags larger than 25cm x 35cm, shopping bags and large items such as holdalls and suitcases. Where possible, patrons should leave their bags at home.

IMPORTANT NOTES

All hosts will receive information from us relating to DBS checks, accommodation checks, £350 monthly host and £350 one-off guest payments; plus additional ‘opt-in’ payments of £150 per month which we are paying to hosts in the district to help with extra costs such as rising energy bills. For questions not covered in this update or on our Support for Ukraine webpages, please email duty.communities@scambs.gov.uk

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest update. Following a break next week for the Christmas holiday, our newsletter will return on January 5, 2023.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our hosts and guests, and all the many organisations, groups and individuals who have worked so hard during this year to welcome Ukrainian visitors to our district, a very happy and relaxing festive Noel.  Thank you so very much for all your efforts which are truly appreciated. This will be a very difficult period for many of our guests who are unable to see and spend time with their loved ones and are worried for the safety and wellbeing of family members who are enduring extremely dangerous and worrying conditions back in the Ukraine. It will be a time of reflection for all of us and we offer our reassurance of our continuing support and our prayers for a resolution to this awful conflict in the coming New Year.

My kindest regards and best wishes,

Bill

Bill Handley

Lead Cabinet Member for Communities

South Cambridgeshire District Council