Mayor’s Chosen Charity

- Buckinghamshire Mind on the look out for new Volunteers!

Buckinghamshire Mind calls for Volunteers in Chiltern and South Bucks

Buckinghamshire Mind, the mental health charity, is recruiting and training volunteers for its Befriending Service, which provides one-to-one support for adults who are lonely or isolated as a result of mental ill-health.

“We’re keen to hear from people in Chiltern and South Bucks who would like to find out about volunteer befriending in their local area. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and from different stages – whether retired, in full- or part-time work, in or away from home, studying or training”.

Eli Merchant, Befriending Coordinator, Buckinghamshire Mind

Buckinghamshire Mind’s Befriending Coordinators recruit and train volunteers who are then placed in ‘partnerships’ with people in the local community who are living with a mental health condition. Befriending volunteers and service users meet once a week for one to two hours for six months (short term) or one year (long term). Their time together can be based around a specific activity, learning a particular skill or simply a cup of tea and a chat in a local coffee shop. The aim is to promote confidence, independence and address the isolation that people with mental health problems often experience.

“There most definitely is a ‘feel good factor’ about befriending, where you can see first-hand how the small amount of time you give can impact the quality of life of another person. I like to view befriending as a first stage in breaking isolation; it is during befriending that the possibility of moving forward into wider social contact can be explored and supported.”

Volunteer Befriender for Buckinghamshire Mind

People who have benefited from Buckinghamshire Mind’s Befriending Service have provided very positive feedback about their experience:

“I am back in work. Befriending helped me get out of a rut.”

“I’m getting more confident and helping to improve things for myself.”

“I’ve had a befriender for a year and I have a real hope of recovery. I feel positive about my future”.

If you would like to know more about this rewarding role, please contact Eli Merchant on 07498 6115566 or email sunhouse@bucksmind.org.uk

To find out more, please visit: www.bucksmind.org.uk/services/befriending

Stop press.. The spring edition of the Town Council Newsletter- Amersham News- is now available. Please click here to view an electronic copy. Hard copies are being delivered to residents within the next two weeks.

We would like to thank Hamptons International for once again sponsoring Amersham News.

Chiltern District Council, with the support of Amersham Town Council, is proposing to build a fantastic new leisure and community facility in Amersham. In order to make room for the new design and further protect green spaces in the town, both councils are proposing a ‘land swap’.

In return for building on a small part of the King George V playing field which is currently owned by Amersham Town Council (ATC), Chiltern District Council (CDC) would transfer The Green in Woodside Close to the Town Council, protecting the land as open space through a Fields in Trust dedication.

The land swap will also result in the historic barn buildings being set in additional areas of green space, enhancing their appearance for the future.

Both councils are in full agreement with the land swap proposal, which offers a higher level of protection against any future development for Woodside Close.

From today, (Monday 26th March 2018), public notices from both Chiltern District Council and Amersham Town Council are being displayed on each site until 20th April.

For further information please click on the following link. http://www.chiltern.gov.uk/Chilternpoolslandswap

COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING – SUNDAY 25TH MARCH 2018

AMERSHAM CLEAN UP DAY – SATURDAY 24TH MARCH 2018

Amersham Clean Up Day from 09.30am to 11.30am

Our band of willing volunteers will be meeting at St. Michael’s Church Square at 09.30am to give Amersham a good old spring clean!!

…Any extra helping hands will be gratefully received!!

We look forward to seeing you then!

CHILTERN CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU

MOBILE PHONE SERVICE CHARTER

First ever scheme for mobile phone shops benefits Amersham & Chesham

Last year the Citizens Advice national helpline received over 17,000 calls about problems with mobile phones, 43% of which related to faulty mobile phone handsets. A common theme of the complaints is that when it comes to repairs, consumers’ rights are not very clear.

Backed by Trading Standards, Chiltern District Council, Amersham Town Council and Chesham Town Council, Citizens Advice Chiltern have introduced the first ever registration scheme in the country for mobile phone repair shops, committing to an excellent level of service. This is an excellent outcome for residents of Amersham and Chesham as they will be the first to benefit from the initiative and will know they can really trust the independent shops when they have a problem with their phone.

The Charter will be displayed so customers know what they can expect, requirements range from providing quotes and guarantees for repairs to advising customers to back up their phones and checking whether they might already be insured for the cost of a repair. The initiative will enhance the reputation of the shops, give confidence to local customers and protect the high street.

To address this Citizens Advice Chiltern have put together a handy leaflet explaining who to turn to if your mobile breaks. These will be widely distributed in libraries, council offices and GP surgeries, and is displayed on their website www.chilterncab.org.uk These additional documents might also prove useful – Mobile Phone Repairs Advice Leaflet and Service Charter mobile phones Jan 2018.

The scheme launched on 1^st March at the Chiltern District Council offices in Amersham with traders who have signed up being presented with their certificate.  The launch event was attended by local mayors, key councillors, Trading Standards and National Citizens Advice.

Mobile Phone Shops registered to the scheme

Amersham

Talking Mobiles – 01494 433555

In-Cell – 01494 258963

Cartridge World – 01494 434373

Community Tree Planting – CANCELLED!!

ATC are sorry to report that due to the forecast of snow this weekend, we have had to take the difficult decision to CANCEL the Community Tree Planting scheduled for Saturday 17th March at Willow Wood. We are sorry for the disappointing update.

The Community Tree Planting has now been rescheduled for Sunday 25th March 2018! We very much hope you can join us then!

Thank you in advance for your understanding. #Amersham #Community

43rd Annual Town Meeting & Citizen of the Year 2018 –

WINNERS ANNOUNCED!!

The Market Hall played host to the 43^rd Amersham Annual Town Meeting on Monday 12th March 2018. Residents of the Town were joined by Town Councillors and Officers as well as representatives from Amersham Royal British Legion and the Amersham Society, who gave us all a very interesting insight into the some of the projects and initiatives they currently working on and developing. Amersham Town Mayor, Councillor Clive Morgan, delivered the Annual Report which highlighted the work of the Town Council this year.

To see a copy of the 43rd Annual Town Report…..click here

After the formalities were completed, it was then time for the Prize Giving for this year’s Citizen of the Year Awards!! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to JOE IZZO for being crowned this year’s CITIZEN OF THE YEAR!!

We are DELIGHTED to inform you of the 2018 WINNERS:

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – JOE IZZO

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – KELLY REVEL

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FLORAL CREATIONS

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – V’S KITCHEN

 Councillor Clive Morgan awarded two special awards this year, The Mayor’s Innovation Award and The Mayor’s Special Award. Andy Honour was the recipient of the Innovation Award due to his outstanding work on the displays in the Memorial Gardens. The Mayor’s Special Award was presented to Councillor Andrew Seymour to recognise his immense contribution to the Town and to thank him for his continued commitment to achieving the very best for Amersham!

MAYOR’S SPECIAL AWARD – COUNCILLOR ANDREW SEYMOUR

CONGRATULATIONS to our worthy winners and thank you for all your endeavours!

HS2 Community Liaison Forum – Monday 26th March 2018

HS2 UPDATE – MONDAY 26th MARCH 2018 from 6.00pm to 8.00pm

Chiltern District Council are holding a HS2 Community Liaison Forum at their offices on Monday 26^th March 2018 from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. Representatives from HS2 and their contractors will give a presentation on the current work programme and future plans for the local area. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to speak to the contractors directly who are delivering the works.

All members of the public are welcome and anyone wishing to attend is asked to confirm their attendance via email to HS2Team@Chiltern.gov.uk