Included in this update:
- New National Restrictions
- Michael - Working in Parliament & Dorset
- Green Grants for Homeowners
- New funding for Dorset & Poole hospitals
- Christmas Card Competition
- Grants for Community Groups
- Health & wellbeing
- UK Parliament Week
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New National Restrictions from 5th November
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From Midnight on 4th November, there are new national restrictions that will apply across the country. These will take over from the current 3 tier system.
You can find full details about what you can and can't do here Details
This means you must not leave or be outside of your home except for specific purposes. These include:
- for childcare or education, where this is not provided online
- for work purposes, where your place of work remains open and where you cannot work from home (including if your job involves working in other people’s homes)
- to exercise outdoors or visit an outdoor public place - with the people you live with, with your support bubble or, when on your own, with 1 person from another household.
- for any medical concerns, reasons, appointments and emergencies, or to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm - such as domestic abuse
- shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which should be as infrequent as possible
- to visit members of your support bubble or provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer
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Michael - Working in Parliament & Mid Dorset & North Poole
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Michael was delighted by the news that the Lighthouse in Poole has been awarded £987,964 from the Culture Recovery Fund. The money has been awarded to help this multi-artform venue and home to Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra remain sustainable with a phased programme of reopening and to ensure the orchestra’s work to connect with the local community can continue.
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Michael visited Acts Fast charity with David Sidwick, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for Dorset.
Acts Fast is Abused Children’s Trauma Support, Family Advice & Strategy Team. They provide support to the protective parent/carer of sexually abused children. Their aim is to ensure that other parent/carers are freed of the guilt, shame and isolation experienced when their child discloses sexual abuse and to reduce the impact of the trauma. Acts Fast also support partners and family members affected by a loved one downloading indecent images online.
You can find more details about them here.
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Michael was delighted to hear that Dorset & Poole are playing their part in the fight against Covid-19. Volunteers in Bournemouth are involved in a vaccine trial, and young people at a Poole school participated in trials of mass Covid-19 testing.
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Green Grants for Homeowners
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Green Homes Grant
You can now apply for up to £5,000 to make your home warmer and bills cheaper through the Green Homes Grant.
Get a voucher to install measures including wall, floor or roof insulation, heat pumps and draught proofing. Households on certain benefits can get up to £10,000 to cover 100% of the cost.
Check your eligibility, get a quote and apply for your voucher now: Green Home Grant
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New Funding for Dorset & Poole Hospitals
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Michael was delighted to receive a call from Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health, to confirm that several Dorset hospitals are receiving funding for development. Dorset will see a new community hospital, emergency department and intensive care unit at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester, new community hospital hubs in Bournemouth and Christchurch, a rebuild of Poole Community Hospital and a new mental health centre at St Ann’s Hospital in Poole. These will benefit all residents across Dorset.
In Particular:
- Poole Community Hospital (Alderney hospital) will be a bedded community hospital with theatres (new build) and sterile services.
- St Ann's Hospital in Poole will have an expanded Child and Adult Mental Health Services Provision, with a new build on the existing site.
- Dorchester Community Hospital will have a new build community hospital on site, with new Emergency Department and ICU. This will help to better integrate the GP and community services.
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Christmas Card Competition
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Every year, Michael runs a Christmas card competition for local schools & children. The winning designs are used for Michael's annual Christmas cards, which are sent to hundreds of businesses, schools and community locations across the constituency.
The theme this year is The Nativity, and designs should ideally be A4 or A5.
If your child would like to enter, they need to send their designs either by post to:
The Office,
Race Farm,
Huntick Road,
Lytchett Maravers,
BH16 6BB
or email a scan to Michael.tomlinson.mp@parliament.uk
You will need to include your child's full name, age and school, and your home address.
Here are some examples of previous winning designs:
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Grants for Community Groups
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Several grant making bodies offer funding for community groups.
Wessex Water Foundation are giving grants of up to £2,500 to support local projects strengthening our communities following the Coronavirus outbreak.
This fund will seek to support a wide range of local projects with grants of up to £2,500. Priority will be given to those that are working to:
• support people in financially difficult circumstances
• help build stronger communities
• support the green recovery with new initiatives
• restoring and protecting nature and wildlife for community health and wellbeing
Applicants must be based in Dorset. The Fund is for voluntary and community groups with charitable aims, registered charities, community interest companies, town and parish councils and schools.
They want to prioritise small, grassroots charities and community organisations over larger local organisations that have a higher profile. More details Here
Dorset Council are also providing funding to voluntary, not-for profit community organisations and Town and Parish Councils. This is to support the development of:
- the arts
- museums and heritage
- outdoor play
- village halls
- sports
for the direct benefit of people living or working in Dorset. For full details click Here
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Keeping Active
With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it can be difficult to remember to keep active. Sport and physical activity deliver immediate mental health and social benefits, while having a long-term positive impact on our physical health. Getting active in the way that’s right for us –and planning how we’re going to keep going through the colder, darker months –will help us cope with the ongoing impact of coronavirus restrictions. The Autumn and Winter Activity Toolkit, curated by Sport England, makes it easier for anyone trying to get and keep moving. Find out more on Sport England's website.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The 1st October marked the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it is more important than ever that people are mindful of their health. You can find a lot of useful information on the website of Breast Cancer Now, here: Breast Cancer Now
Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer is crucial in early detection and prevention, and there are all sorts of steps that you can take to put your mind at ease. Don’t be afraid to seek out advice as there are amazing charities and organisations out there that work tirelessly to fight against this dreadful disease.
Flu Vaccine
This year the flu vaccine is being offered to more people than ever before. New research shows the people who are infected with both flu and the coronavirus are more likely to become seriously ill. The eligibility for a vaccine is being widened, and you can find out more details here: Flu Jab
Mental Health
During these worrying times, there may be an impact on your mental health. If you need help or support, it is available. Access Mental Health is designed in partnership with local people, and it offers a range of services which provide support at times and places when people need it the most.
You don’t need to be referred by your GP or other health professional, you can just reach out for help when you need it. Mental health professionals and peer support workers will be on hand to help you avoid a crisis and help you find the path to recovery.
For more details visit the website Access Mental Health
or you can call 0300 123 5440 at local call rate or access via NHS 111 for free 24 hours a day.
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UK Parliament Week is an annual festival taking place from 1-7 November, that engages people from across the UK with their UK Parliament, explores what it means to them and empowers them to get involved.
Last year 17 organisations in Mid Dorset & North Poole took part, including schools, community groups, Guides and Brownies.
This year marks ten years of UK Parliament Week. It is a great opportunity to be part of a thriving democracy and look ahead to the next 10 years, thinking about what issues are important to you and how you can work with UK Parliament to bring about change. Several Dorset groups have already signed up for this year, and those who sign up for UK Parliament Week will be sent a free kit packed with resources, including a booklet, bunting, a ballot box, a poster, stickers and more, which can be tailored for different organisations.
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Action for Happiness is running a programme to boost your wellbeing in these troubling times. ‘10 Days of Happiness’ is a free 10-day online coaching programme which guides you through daily actions for happier living. You can sign up at
10 Days of Happiness
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The Royal British Legion have launched some new educational resources all about Remembrance. There are a range of formats & are designed for children & young people to learn in the classroom or at home. They are free to download and can be found here:
Teaching Remembrance
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Latest Government Covid-19 Guidance
If you want to know details about the latest advice and rules for social distancing, you can find them on the government website here:
Latest Guidance
and there are lots of FAQs here
FAQs
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Surgeries
Michael is continuing to have surgeries - both in person and by telephone. To book in at one of Michael's surgeries then please do phone the office on 01202 624216 or email Michael at michael.tomlinson.mp@parliament.uk
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Address:
House of Commons,
London,
SW1A 0AA
Email:
michael.tomlinson.mp@parliament.uk
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