• I wanted to share the news that BT are rolling out ‘Digital Voice’, as part of their plans for landlines to go digital by 2025, throughout the East Midlands. To find out more about why this change is happening and what it means for landline services, BT will be holding a drop-in event in Corby on the 15th and 16th July to provide further information. You don’t need to pre-book, you can just turn up. Find out more about the event, here. Further information about Digital Voice can also be found, here.
• Dogs Trust want to remind dog owners that, as the weather continues to get warmer, high temperatures can be extremely dangerous for dogs who are very susceptible to heat stroke, especially if left in a hot car. As their bodies work differently from humans, it is very, very important for dog owners and members of the public to be able to recognise the signs of distress. Learn more, here.
• As part of 'Pension Credit Week of Action', I wanted to share the following link, which you can find, here, which allows you to check if you, or someone you know, is eligible for Pension Credit. Pension Credit provides a vital income for our most vulnerable pensioners, and, on average, is worth more than £3,500 per year. I was pleased to hear that, as of November 2022, over 2,100 households in Corby & East Northamptonshire receive Pension Credit. But while take-up is at its highest level since 2010, we want to ensure that people are not missing out. Check your eligibility today!
• The FIFA Women’s World Cup is fast approaching, and young girls and boys across the country are getting ready for a fantastic summer of football as they cheer on our Lionesses all the way! The Football Association has an ambition for 90% of schools to offer equal access to football for boys and girls by 2024, and have created a range of resources which schools can register to access, here. This is well worth taking a look at to help drive greater participation in our communities!
• Age UK have been in touch, as part of ‘Loneliness Awareness Week’, to highlight the support they have on offer for older people who may be struggling with loneliness. They have put together a handy guide, here, which also includes options to chat to a volunteer. Nobody should be alone and suffering in silence - we can all play our part.
• As part of the Bupa Foundation’s #HealthyCities campaign, they have launched a new Green Community Grants Fund. This June, they’re looking for grass-roots, community projects across Corby and East Northamptonshire, that benefit people’s and the planet’s health, including from schools, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations. Some example projects include a community group who’d like to create an allotment, a school who would like to create an outdoor classroom or forest school, or perhaps planting more trees to improve air quality. Grants are available ranging from £250-£2,500 and the application window closes on the 30th June 2023. A panel will assess all applications during the summer and grants will be awarded to successful applicants in September, with the aim being that at least 100 projects will be funded across the UK and ROI. This is an opportunity not to be missed – apply here.
• North Northamptonshire Council have been in touch following the recent consultation on the proposed 'Corby Station Link' route as part of the ‘Town Deal’. As a result of this engagement, I understand that there will be changes to the route and you can find more information about this, here.
• Parliament’s wonderful Education Centre – who provide unforgettable experiences for schools, free of charge, including touring Parliament and participating in a range of activities and workshops in line with the curriculum - have been in touch to let me know that their dates for the Autumn term have been released. If you’re a teacher in a school here in Corby & East Northamptonshire and haven’t already signed up to their newsletter, you can do so, here, and will be notified when booking slots go live. Booking slots are in high demand and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that bookings can only be by teachers via the Education Centre’s online booking portal and schools will need their postcode and URN to register. This is a great opportunity not to be missed!
• Age UK have been in touch to highlight the resources they have available on their website, here, for advice on pensions and the cost of living. They also provide support through their free advice line on 0800 055 6112. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.
• Royal Mail would like to remind its customers to ‘swap out’ their non-barcoded definitive stamps. Following the introduction of a six-month grace period, customers now have until 31st July 2023 to use up their old, non-barcoded definitive stamps. Following this period, the use of such stamps will be liable to a surcharge. After the six-month grace period, customers will still be able to swap their old style stamps for barcoded stamps using Royal Mail’s simple and free ‘Stamp Swap Out’ scheme, which opened on the 31st March 2022. It currently has no end date. Do check your purses, wallets and drawers to use or swap non-barcoded definitive stamps before the July deadline!
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!