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Local Representatives

Member of Parliament: David Ruffley

Constrituency office:
1b Woolpit Business Park
Woolpit
Bury St Edmunds
IP30 9UP
tel: 01359 244 199
fax:01359 245 002
email: office@bseca.org

County Councillor: Penny Otton         email: penny.otton@councillors.suffolkcc.gov.uk
 

District Councillor: John  Matthissen   email: johnmatthissen@midsuffolk.gov.uk

3 Wash Lane Corner, Combs  Lane
Great Finborough
Stowmarket
IP14 3BJ
tel: 01449 771742

OHSMag Editor

Andrew Sykes andrew.sykes@tesco.net
 

Midsuffolk Action in Partnership (MAP)

MAP are a Stowmarket charity who provide help and support to the voluntary sector throughout Mid Suffolk.

http://www.midsuffolkaction.co.uk
 

Stowmarket Community First Responder Scheme

East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust
Charitable Funds – Reg.  No. 1047987

Stowmarket Community First Responders, in conjunction with the East of England Ambulance Trust, are seeking volunteers to join their busy scheme.  On average the scheme receives over 100 emergency calls per month, of which they manage to attend about 60%.  Therefore, in an attempt to provide an even better service to Stowmarket and the surrounding villages, they are looking for more volunteers. 

You never know you could be the next one who saves a life! What better feeling can there be?

If any member of public, between the ages of 18 and 70, feels they are in a position to offer a few hours then please contact Steve on 01449 737618, or 07810 113298 or by email on stowresponders@btinternet.com for further details. Full training is given and support is always on hand, you never know you may be the person that saves a life – there can be no better feeling than that!

We also need to maintain funds to purchase equipment to keep the scheme running. No funding is received from the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust to any Responder scheme and therefore all schemes must be totally self-sufficient. If any member of public, business or organisation feel they can help with the funding, or promotion of the scheme again please contact Steve on the numbers above.

Our thanks goes to those who have made this scheme possible, these include the Lions Club, The Masonic Lodge, PPG Industries, Muntons Plc, Stowmarket Red Cross, The Meadlands and Combs Ford Health Centre and of course the volunteers – without them there would be no scheme.

Library Service

Are you a member of Suffolk County Libraries? If not, why not join at Stowmarket Library. You will need to take proof of address, such as a driving licence, pension or benefit book, any other official government document or a public utilities bill. They will issue you with a library card and PIN number which will entitle you to borrow books and sound and vision items.

If you are online at home you can access Suffolk Libraries Direct to search the catalogue and order books and renew your loans.

www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/libdirect

The library has ten public terminals with internet access in the library. You may log on to these for half an hour. Use of the internet is free, printouts cost 10p each. They also have a word processor, a computer linked to the library catalogue, and two CD ROM PCs, all for public use.

Stowmarket Library is situated in the centre of town facing the churchyard and is open from Tuesday through to Sunday as follows:

Sunday       10.00am - 4.00pm
Monday       Closed
Tuesday        9.30am - 7.45pm
Wednesday  9.00am - 6.00pm
Thursday       9.00am - 6.00pm
Friday           9.00am - 7.30pm
Saturday       9.30am - 5.00pm

Telephone: 01449 613143
 

Home Library Service

Do you, or someone you know, find it difficult to visit a library because of age, disability, illness or special circumstances? The Home Library Service is available free to anyone who is housebound living in Suffolk.

A full range of library services, including books and story cassettes can be delivered through the Home Library Service. A volunteer will visit you regularly in your home with a selection for you to choose from. Specific titles or subjects can be requested and will be delivered on a future visit.

For  more   information   on  the  Home   Library   Service   please telephone Jackie Smythe on 01284 352545
or e-mail: iackie.smvthe@libher.suffolkcc.gov.uk
 

Mid Suffolk ‘Key Card’ Scheme

This is a new initiative to help those in Mid Suffolk on low incomes by the provision of special discounts on a range of services available in the area. Those who are eligible include over 60s, benefit claimants including disability allowances and people in full time education. For further information contact Geoff Doggett, Suffolk Key Project Officer at Mid Suffolk District Council.
 

Fly Tipping

Telephone 0800 80 7060 - You will need to provide a registration number and colour and type of the vehicle.
 

DRC - West Suffolk 'Disability Resource Centre'

Do you want advice and information about a disability?

The West Suffolk DisABILITY Resource Centre (DRC) is a partnership between voluntary and statutory organisations. The centre is independent to ensure that disabled people receive free, impartial advice and easy access to key disability services. Disabled people, carers, family members and care professionals are all welcome to use the centre.

To contact the DRC, make an appointment or information about the services offered please contact:

The West DisABILITY Resource Centre,
Papworth House, 4 Bunting Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7BX

Tel: 01284 748888        Fax: 01284 748889

e-mail: WSDRC@papworth.org.uk

web: www.papworth.org.uk/wsdrc
 

Amplifier

This is a new countywide 3-year project which provides opportunities for young people in Suffolk to make, promote and discuss rock, pop and dance music and will deliver over 700 practical workshops per year.

This hugely ambitious project has been made possible with funding from Arts Council England East, Suffolk County Council, all Suffolk Local Authorities and The European Social Fund. This project is developed and managed by Junction CDC, Cambridge.

The first term is aimed at 11-16 year olds but future workshops will include sessions aimed at anyone aged between 11-25 who is interested in making their way in the music business.

Mid Suffolk workshops will take place in Stowmarket, Needham Market Eye and Debenham.

For more information contact the Amplifier Office on 01473 418025 or visit the website www.amplifiersuffolk.co.uk

ICE

This is a new scheme for which the three emergency services have come together to promote the use of 'ICE'

On mobile phones this stands for 'In Case of Emergency'. How it works is that you key ICE into the contacts section of your phone with the number of the person who you want to be contacted in the event of an emergency e.g. road traffic accident.

The emergency services will then, on finding a phone at the scene of an accident or other emergency event, look for ICE and contact the nominated individual

Debbie - Suffolk ACRE

Gipping Valley LETS

Gipping Valley LETS is to run a series of 'Roadshows', in the villages around Needham, to spread the word and attract new members.

Did you know that LETS is an international organisation and stands for 'local exchange trading scheme'? The Gipping Valley group will have been running for ten years and members trade or barter their skills or favours for TALENTS - in place of money.

Do you need someone to walk your dog, baby sit, or help in the garden? Maybe you are a dab hand on the computer, cook scrumptious cakes, or have the magic touch at massage? Maybe you would like to borrow a salmon kettle and could lend out a set of drain rods? The possibilities are endless! An exciting new dimension to the benefits of LETS will be working parties organised by a new co-ordinator. These could, for instance, help members move, decorate or do garden projects.

Trading is encouraged at regular meetings - often with a theme such as produce, plants, or books.

Come and find out for yourself! Our friendly group offers all sorts of goods and services!

Contact Elaine Bailey - 01449 677206