As we head into the local elections, the work of councils and events slows down, to allow for candidates to campaign.
I have attended a few training events on various matters this month, and I am currently leading a working group at the council, trialling some new software to enable all elected members to keep track of the personal casework they do for their residents. This software will improve how we work for our residents
I attended a regional meeting with my East Midlands colleagues in my capacity as Chair of the Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel. This is a useful opportunity for us to share issues affecting us all and to share good practices. I always find I get a lot out of meetings with my peers.
On Tuesday 28th March, I was delighted to attend a concert at De Montfort Hall by Leicestershire Music Hub (leicestershiremusichub.org). Leicestershire Music Hub is a fantastic organisation that inspires young children of all ages in Leicester and Leicestershire to make music. We enjoyed music from the Big Band, the Symphony Orchestra as well as the orchestra from Robert Smyth Academy and much more ending a fantastic 2 hours of brilliant music.
Beacon Hill
After two successful years of creating a thriving environment for nature at Beacon Hill Country Park, visitors are being encouraged to continue supporting Leicestershire County Council’s conservation initiative.
Jewels Hill in the country park was first closed during the peak season in 2021 to help improve the conservation of the fragile heathland and ultimately protect the wildlife.
Restricting access to the beauty spot in Beacon Hill between 1st April and 1st August has been a success, with ecologists monitoring the area and seeing the undisturbed grass and vegetation creating small micro-climates ideal for insects, birds, lizards and plant growth.
Beacon Hill welcomes more than 250,000 visitors per year and this year will see events being held on the park that explains more about the Jewels Hill conservation work and the wildlife that attracts so many people every year. This closure area amounts to just 3% of the total area of Beacon Hill.
Childcare
You could get help paying for your childcare. Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support from the Government to help with childcare costs.
There are lots of different age groups with different criteria, so visit this website and see if you are eligible for any support: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
- Tax-Free Childcare – Age 1 -11 or 16 if disabled
- 15 Hours Free Childcare – Age 2,3 & 4
- 30 Hours Free Childcare – Age 3 & 4
- Tax Credits for Childcare – Age 0 – 15 or 16 if disabled
- Universal Credit for Childcare Age 0-16
The Big Help Out
All residents of Leicestershire are being urged to join in a nationwide volunteering project as part of the celebrations for the Coronation of His Majesty the King.
‘The Big Help Out,’ taking place on Monday 8th May, has been launched by the King and Queen Consort to encourage people across the UK to try out volunteering and join in the work being undertaken to support their local areas, as well as highlighting the positive impact that volunteering has on communities.
The Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire Mike Kapur OBE has launched his ‘Big Help Out’ pledge and is urging people of all ages across the county to sign up to it.
He is hoping that the ‘Big Help Out’ will act as a launchpad to increase the number of volunteers across Leicestershire, by giving people a taste of volunteering and encouraging them to continue helping their communities after the celebrations are over.
Mr. Kapur has made his own pledge to take part in a litter pick on 8th May and is now encouraging people of all ages and from all walks of life in Leicester and Leicestershire to sign up to the pledge.
Volunteers can sign up for The Big Help Out on the Lord Lieutenant’s Coronation web page on the Leicestershire County Council website: www.leicestershire.gov.uk where details of volunteering opportunities in Leicestershire can also be found
