• Age UK have been in touch with me to highlight the resources they have available to help keep people safe from online scams. Such scams are sadly becoming increasingly common, and so it is well worth having a look at this helpful guidance and advice, here: https://tinyurl.com/5ysjft9u.
• The Scouts have launched a new campaign called ‘Good for You’ which focuses on recruiting more adult volunteers to help cut the waiting list of 70,000 children who want to participate in Scouting activities, but can’t presently. Thousands of children want to get involved and so The Scouts are running recruitment campaigns over the next six months so young people can attend their local group and learn valuable life skills whilst making new friends. They would love to hear from you! For more information, please visit: https://www.scouts.org.uk/.
• This past week was Volunteers Week - a week in which we take the chance to celebrate and thank volunteers up and down the country, including here in Corby & East Northamptonshire, for their tireless work in all parts of our community and in so many different ways. As with last year, it has never been more important to recognise the hard work millions of volunteers put in week in, week out, so often quietly and behind the scenes and without the desire for recognition. As an example of the incredible coming together of people to help others during the pandemic, in the first four days of the NHS Volunteer Responders scheme, more than 750,000 people registered their interest in volunteering through it. I can think of so many, who do so much for others in our community - a big ‘thank you’ to them all!
• This week is Carers Week - a chance to take stock of, and recognise, the important work carers do, including here in Corby & East Northamptonshire. Carers have had a particularly challenging time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and I would certainly like to thank them all for the amazing job they do on a day-to-day basis, providing vital care and support for others.
• In addition to the above notices, the week starting the 17th May was Dementia Action Week - an opportunity to focus in on dementia and the impact it has on people’s lives and the families of those affected, as well as the care required as a consequence of it. I was pleased to support this action week, and I had already become a ‘Dementia Friend’ a couple of years ago, which is a good way to learn more about supporting people with the condition and I encourage everyone to sign up too. More information: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-friendly-communities/dementia-friends.
• I've been made aware of some changes to the service provided at the Post Office at Ringstead and I wanted to share the information for any people that are affected locally. You can find the details, here.
• Oundle has been recognised on a list of the top 10 UK places to visit this year, which focuses on ‘hidden’ holiday spots. This is a very well deserved recognition of the beauty of Oundle and its wonderful attractions and hospitality offer, and with the easing of ‘lockdown’ restrictions, I hope that this will help drive additional welcome footfall to the businesses of the town and surrounding villages over the coming months.
• I am pleased to be supporting ‘The Big Lunch’ this year and hope to see people in Corby & East Northamptonshire coming together, having fun, reconnecting and enjoying some community spirit this summer. You can host your event online, on your doorstep, or over the fence - in fact in any way that works for you and your community, whilst observing the current social distancing guidelines. More information, here: www.thebiglunch.com.
• Good causes looking for funding in the East of England can check out the funds available from the Postcode Places Trust. Registered charities, with an annual income below £1 million, can apply for funding of up to £20,000 raised by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Further details, and to check if your organisation is eligible, can be found here: https://www.postcodetrust.org.uk/apply-for-a-grant/.
• A particularly concerning aspect around our collective national effort to fight Coronavirus is the impact it is understandably having on people’s mental health. In response, I am pleased that the local authorities in the county and the NHS have launched a mental health support line, and whether you are feeling lonely, anxious, frightened, or struggling with other issues, there is friendly, professional support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling 0300 330 1011.
If you have anything you would like to be featured next week, please email all the details to pursglovet@parliament.uk.
Also, if you have taken any photos of constituency landscapes or landmarks, which could be featured in my ‘Community Notices’ headers, please send them in and I will try to use as many of them as possible (and credit them accordingly!), as a celebration of the fantastic place we live and work in. I know we have many budding photographers in our community and it would be great to showcase their work!