You have a unique opportunity to express your views about how mental health and emotional wellbeing services are developed and delivered across east and west Suffolk. Please share your views, which you can do in the following ways:

People who use, or have previously used mental health services, should respond HERE

Carers of people who use, or have previously used mental health services, should respond HERE

Professionals who work in mental health services or support people with mental health needs should respond HERE

You can also share your views at public engagement events organised by Suffolk User Forum and Suffolk Parent Carer Network:

Community Chest funding round for 2019/2020 is now open

The West Suffolk council's Community Chest funding supports voluntary and community groups who make a contribution to improving the quality of life for people in the area.

Funded activities must help deliver the Families and Communities Approach and Families and Communities Strategy and eligibility criteria apply. The minimum amount that can be applied for is £1,000. This funding can be for one off projects or revenue funds for services.

Bowel screening to start at 50

The national independent expert screening committee has recommended that bowel cancer screening in England should in future start 10 years earlier at age 50.

Currently, men and women, aged 60 to 74, are invited for bowel screening and are sent a home test kit every two years to provide stool samples. Following a comprehensive review of the evidence, the committee recommends that screening should be offered from aged 50 to 74 using the faecal immunochemical home test kit (FIT).

The evidence shows that screening people at a younger age would enable more bowel cancers to be picked up at an earlier stage, where treatment is likely to be more effective and survival chances improved.

Disabled people are being given the opportunity to talk with organisations that are responsible for the services which affect their daily lives.

Disability Focus takes place at One, Scrivener Drive, Ipswich on Tuesday October 23, from 10am to 3pm, and is being hosted by the multi-agency Disability Focus Planning Group in conjunction with the Disability Forum for Suffolk and Avenues East.

Linda Hoggarth, Chair of the event’s Planning Group, said: “It continues to be more important than ever for disabled people and their family carers to take this opportunity to make their voices heard about their experiences in living with disability.  They should have their say on the services and facilities that are provided and whether they meet their needs.  Anyone with a physical, learning or sensory disability or a mental health issue is very welcome to come along and give their views and talk with people from statutory organisations in Suffolk.  Family carers and representatives from disability groups or voluntary organisations are also welcome."