Insulate Hampshire Scheme

'Insulate Hampshire' is the new area based insulation scheme aiming to save residents money on their energy bills and helping to keep homes warm and comfortable.

The scheme is backed by the Council and ten other local councils in Hampshire.

The scheme is open to all homeowners and will help protect people against the cold, cut household fuel bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions as well as create new jobs in Hampshire's local economy.

Hampshire's Business Community Meets The Big Society

The Hampshire business community will have the opportunity to find out how they can create profit with purpose thanks to an exciting new event, Business and the Big Society. The conference takes place at Guildhall Winchester on the 13 October and will demonstrate the commercial sense of engaging in ethical and sustainable business practices by adapting the government’s Big Society thinking into their workplace.

High profile speakers confirmed at the event include Laura Tenison MBE, founder and managing director of the hugely successful JoJo Maman Bebe. Also attending will be Claire Cater, a Senior Adviser to the Big Society Network who brings with her a wealth of knowledge and insight into what the government is doing to engage business in this agenda. Joining these speakers in the programme will be Professor Khalid Aziz, the highly regarded Winchester businessman and former television presenter. Khalid, who is also Chairman of Trustees of Naomi House and jacksplace, will explain the commercial benefits to companies forging a strategic partnership with a charity. Proceeds from Business and the Big Society event will also be donated to the charity Naomi House and jacksplace, hospices for children and young adults..

Tickets for the event are on sale and in keeping with the ethos, delegates from not for profit organisations can purchase tickets for the event at a vastly discounted price. Winchester based small to medium sized business will also be offered a reduced price ticket. In return the organisers will be donating back into the community with a percentage of all ticket sales being given to Naomi House.

Work began on building 10 new affordable homes in West Meon in mid-July coinciding with the national Housing Federation's Rural Housing Week (11-17 July 2011) which aimed to highlight the need for affordable homes for local people in rural areas, and to show the positive social and economic impact upon villages of well designed rural housing.

The 10 homes will meet the Code for Sustainable Homes level 3 and also the Lifetime Homes standards, which means for example that the 1 bedroom accommodation has been designed with large bedrooms that could be split into 2 rooms if required. The mix of homes reflects the housing needs of West Meon parishioners who are on Winchester City Council Housing Register.

This development came forward through the work of HARAH and has been developed through partnership working over a number of years between Winchester City Council, West Meon Parish Council, the Rural Housing Enablers and HARAH's development partner, Hyde Housing Association. The site is within the new South Downs National Park. It will be one of the first HARAH schemes built in the new National Park.

Over 55s Forum Events

29 September - Older Driver Skills Scheme
2.15pm - 4pm, Badger Farm Community Centre
Cost - FREE to existing members of the forum (£5 membership for a year) or £2 per person

A presentation will be given by Graham Mylward from Hampshire County Council. He will talk about the Older Driver skills scheme which is not a test, it is an informal, confidential appraisal which offers help and advice enabling that person to continue driving for longer – with improved safety. General ability is assessed but the appraisal can be adapted to investigate a particular concern. The appraisal also includes an eyesight check.

Who should attend?
People who have been driving for a number of years and who want to update their skills or gain confidence.  Drivers recovering from illness or injury and those advised to attend on health grounds. Also, people returning to driving or those who are finding it difficult to adapt to a new vehicle.

Monday 3 October –  Information Day
10am - 1pm, Winchester Discovery Centre, Jewry Street, Winchester
Cost - FREE

Would you like to find out about existing services that are available for the over 55’s in the Winchester District?  There will be information stalls including Tax help for Older people, University of the 3rd Age, Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council, Citizens advice, Age UK and many more!

Who should attend?
Everyone!  Whether you are looking for information for yourself or a relative or neighbour.

Thursday 24 November – Question time with local leaders and forum AGM
2pm - 4pm Middlebrook Centre, Winchester, SO23 8DQ
Cost - FREE to existing members of the forum (£5 membership for a year) or £2 per person

Confirmed on the panel so far:

• Cllr George Beckett – Leader of Winchester City Council
• Andrew Dyer – Stagecoach
• Sarah Elliott – Director of Nursing
• Frank Rust – Chair of Hampshire Association of older people’s forum’s

Who should attend?
This event is open to all.  So if you have a burning question on services that one of these panel members could answer then please come along.  Or if you are just interested in what the panel members have to say.