• This year’s ACS Shop Local Report has shown that the UK’s 48,590 convenience stores are playing a bigger role than ever in the UK economy and in their specific communities. The number of people employed in the sector has now reached around 405,000 people, including here in Corby & East Northamptonshire. A big 'thank you' to all the amazing local shops in our area, who bring so much to our local communities! See, here.
• Historic England and Photoworks have launched an exciting new project encouraging people to look at their high street like never before. Over the next 12 months, they’re inviting everyone to respond to fortnightly challenges that uncover the secret life of their local high street by posting their own photographs on Instagram using the #PicturingHighStreets tag. To find out more, visit: https://bit.ly/Picturing-HighStreets.
• September was World Alzheimer’s Month; an opportunity to raise awareness of the disease and the support available for those with it. Age UK have a number of resources for individuals and families living with Alzheimer’s, from support groups to information about care. To find out more, please visit: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/dementia/.
• Cervical screening (smear tests) save lives, but 1 in 3 women don't go when invited. One of the biggest barriers? Work. I'm encouraging employers in Corby & East Northamptonshire to sign up to #TimeToTest, and support their teams to look after their health! #GynaeCancerAwarenessMonth
• Businesses should have open doors for guide dogs, but 76% of guide dog owners say they have been turned away from shops and businesses in the past. This has a damaging effect on a person’s wellbeing and confidence - we need #OpenDoorsForAll!
• British Gas have been in touch regarding their £2 million fund for their customers struggling with energy debt. As part of this, they’re contacting their most vulnerable customers to let them know they can apply for an energy grant. To find out more, visit: https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available/.
• UK Parliament Week is taking place from the 14th-20th November and this is your call to get involved! The week is aimed at raising awareness of the work Parliament does and about our democracy more generally, with schools and community groups encouraged to sign-up to receive a free UKPW kit to help them organise an activity. You can find out more, here: ukparliamentweek.org.
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!