East Sussex Strategic Partnership would like to wish a happy 2014 to all our subscribers!

Home safety visits by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

Specially trained staff from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service visit hundreds of homes every year to give free advice and support.
 
They will provide a full risk assessment of the home covering kitchen safety, electrical safety, gas safety, open fires, smoking escape plans and bedtime routines. They will identify possible dangers and give you advice on how you can cut the chances of getting hurt by having a fire. The visit can also identify wellbeing issues which, with the occupier’s consent, can be referred to partner agencies for further assistance.  
 
To find out if you or someone you know is eligible for a home safety visit,  call free on 0800 177 7069 or complete the on-line Home Safety Request Form at www.esfrs.org

Telephone - 0303 999 1000
Email - enquiries@esfrs.org

Improving the lives of people with autism – you can help

Last Autumn, East Sussex County Council launched a new ‘Autism Plan’, which aims to improve the lives of people with autistic spectrum conditions. It outlines a co-ordinated approach for offering information and support for adults with autism, whilst also seeking to raise awareness and general understanding of autism across the county.

Based on a national initiative, and tailored with responses from a consultation ESCC held last year across the county, The Autism Plan includes initiatives for new online resources, including free e-training courses, as well as new support groups, training for staff and a scheme to boost the employment prospects of individuals with autism.

Take advantage of the new, free e-training course and guides

An e-learning course has been specifically devised to help staff in local business and public services to understand more about autism, think about how it may affect people and what can be done to accommodate for this to provide better a service. It takes about an hour to complete. There are also free guides available to download.

Keith Hinkley, Director of Adult Social Care and Health at East Sussex County Council, said: “It's important that public services ensure staff are aware of the barriers people with autism face so they can provide a better service to these people, and the free online training and resources will make achieving this much easier."

To find out more, and access the online training, or download the guide, visit our website: Autism training

An Autism Partnership Board has been set up to share information about how the plan is working. Keith Hinkley is the chair and other members of the board include representatives of people with autism and carers, along with provider and carer organisations.
You can get in touch with the board by emailing autism.adults@eastsussex.gov.uk

East Sussex Adult Social Care Local Account: “Making a Difference”

The 2012/13 local account ‘Making a Difference’ is now available on the internet at: www.eastsussex.gov.uk/localaccount

The account follows on from last year’s account, acknowledging the successes over the last year and plans to improve services and support for local people. It includes some of the things that were found challenging, along with what is intended to be done about them.

If you would like copies of the report or accompanying video, please contact the Performance team on asc.performance.team@eastsussex.gov.uk.

We would also like to hear your views about the format and content of the local account to inform next year’s production, so if you do have any thoughts, please either complete the online feedback form or contact the Performance Team direct at asc.performance.team@eastsussex.gov.uk

New report highlights ‘serious deprivation’ in Sussex

There is serious deprivation in Sussex, comparable to the most deprived inner city areas, says a new report from Sussex Community Foundation, and the costs of living in a rural community are substantially higher than for town-dwellers.

Sussex Uncovered, which the charity believes is the first report to look at issues facing local communities across the entirety of Sussex, finds that our county is a great place to live – if you can afford it and that deprived people do not always live in obviously deprived places.

You can read the report and its executive summary at:
Executive summary: http://issuu.com/sussexgiving/docs/issuu_scf_su_exec_summary
Sussex Uncovered report: http://issuu.com/sussexgiving/docs/issuu_scf_su_report_

To be sent a paper copy or for more press information, call Miranda Kemp at Sussex Community Foundation on 01273 409440 or email miranda.kemp@sussexgiving.org.uk

Wave Leisure - 2014 Commonwealth Games hopefuls train at Lewes Leisure Centre

On a cold, but sunny December Sunday morning you would expect most people to be indoors in the warm. However, if you are determined to represent your country at the next Commonwealth Games then dedication and hard work become part of the game plan.

Training in the December sun were British Athletics coach Mike Winch and the six athletes - Devon Douglas, Eleanor Gatrell, Tom Norman, Antony Oshodi, Claire Smithson and Yousef Zatat - he is currently training towards the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Mike has been coaching for over 40 years, and in 2002 was the overall Chief Coach of England’s athletics team at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. He is also a double Commonwealth Games silver medal holder in shot put and gained 50 Great Britain caps in the event.

The effort and training they put in is hard work and requires a determination and strength that not many of us possess. We witnessed them drilling the same throws and styles over and over again, seeking out that edge that will propel them forwards.

None of them receive funding from the national lottery, their national governing body or any other body - they fund their sporting careers themselves. Each of the squad spends a great deal of time in the gym and working in their own time on their general fitness as well as training with their coach and in their particular discipline, yet all of them also hold down full-time jobs.

Yet, still they work towards being selection by training as often as they can and Lewes Leisure Centre provides them with an ideal venue.  The centre has an athletics track with field event training facilities, but also has a projectile hall purpose build for indoor athletics training. Having these indoor facilities makes it one of only two available in Sussex.

Mike says: “I am one of the few coaches that continue full outdoor training throughout the winter, but there are days when it is just not possible to do so. Having the projectile hall available for those days makes such a difference – it means that training can happen whatever the weather.”

East Sussex Drink Debate - Draft East Sussex Alcohol Strategy 2014-19

The Drug and Alcohol Action Team Board is consulting on the Draft East Sussex Alcohol Strategy 2014-19: For a healthier and safer East Sussex.  

The aim is to make East Sussex a healthier and safer place by ensuring that all stakeholders share the responsibility to respond to alcohol misuse confidently and effectively, in order to reduce and prevent the harms caused. This new five-year alcohol strategy has been developed with a range of stakeholders. It includes the views of those that took part in the East Sussex Drink Debate during the summer of 2013.

There are many alcohol-related issues which impact on our communities; this strategy aims to focus on problems that need most improvement. We would like your opinions and thoughts on what is in the strategy, and on whether you think we have missed anything out. By having a better understanding of what is important to people of all ages living in East Sussex, it will help us plan and make decisions about what can be done to prevent alcohol related problems and make improvements.

The East Sussex Drug and Alcohol Action Team Board will consider your comments on the draft strategy, make any changes that are considered necessary and then approve the strategy. The final version will be published in January 2014.

You can read the draft strategy and give your views by clicking here. If you would prefer to a printed copy of the draft strategy, please email safercommunities@eastsussex.gov.uk 

East Sussex County Council - Bus Services Concultation Findings

In July and August we asked the community and other interested parties for their views about local bus services. We received over 1,600 responses to the survey and this information is helping us make our decisions about the future provision of bus services in the county.  Respondents told us how, when and why they use bus services:

• two fifths (39%) of respondents use the bus service on a daily basis
• just over two fifths (44%) use the bus on a weekly basis
• just over two fifths travel before 9.30am (42%) or from 3pm to 6pm (43%)
• over three quarters (79%) travel from 9.30am to 3pm
• around a tenth travel from 6pm to 8.30pm (15%) after 8.30pm (8%)
• the top three reasons for using bus services were shopping, social/leisure and medical appointments

Buses provided through the supported network are a key service for some people, particularly those over 60 years of age, as it provides them with the means to access vital community facilities such as shops, health and leisure services. Without these services their options to travel would be reduced thereby impacting on the quality of their life. For most the continuation of the concessionary bus scheme is more important than it starting half an hour later.

On 10th December 2013 the County Council’s Cabinet approved the development of a Public Transport Services Commissioning Strategy to ensure that the supported bus network meets the needs of the county in the future; a change to the start time of the concessionary bus scheme in East Sussex from 09.00am to 09.30am; withdrawal of funding for concessionary pass holders to travel free on Dial a Ride services in Lewes District; an increase in the charge for replacing lost concessionary passes from £5 to £10; to consult about changing the eligibility criteria for companion passes and exploring the possibility of turning some subsidised bus routes into commercial routes.  If you’d like to find out more click here  and for the Cabinet papers follow this link  
 

Let's Do Business - Ask the expert
A networking and learning event for new business owners and budding entrepreneurs at the Hydro Hotel in Eastbourne

Hydro Hotel, Mount Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 7HZ
Thursday 6th February, 6pm – 9pm

Don’t miss out on your chance to sit down in this exclusive and intimate setting and pick the brains of our assembled team of specialists in the company of fellow new business owners.

Meeting in small groups to allow you to take the most from the experience, you will have the chance to discuss the issues affecting your business as our experts visit your table one at a time to offer advice regarding their specialist subject.

Our experts are knowledgeable in the key areas affecting businesses like yours, including finance, human resources, marketing, e-business, commercial law and training opportunities.

For £10 per person (incl. VAT), you can take advantage of this event thanks to the support of Lloyds SME Banking.

Soak up the knowledge in the room, network with other start-up business owners and entrepreneurs, and relax with a glass of wine and a light buffet in this luxurious venue.
Book now on 0844 415 2272 or visit www.letsdobusinessgroup.co.uk to find out more.

      Ready for business? Eastbourne

       FREE 1 Day Business Start-Up Introduction Workshop on Friday 24^th January 2014

This highly interactive workshop is for those who are thinking about starting up their own business and want to know more.

Course content:
Are you ready? What skills and knowledge do you have?
What research have you done? Opinion or fact?
Why do businesses fail? Common reasons of failure explored.
Must-know marketing. How to win customers.
Talking about money. What’s involved?
Bringing it all together. What’s included in a business plan?

We provide Tea and Coffee. Please bring your own lunch. There will be a 45 minute lunch break.

To book, please phone 0844 4152272 to reserve a space or for further information.

Jerwood Gallery Events presents Marlow Moss: A Secret History

Discover more about the fascinating life and work of Marlow Moss with exhibition co-curator and art historian, Dr Lucy Howarth. The talk will explore our Tate-touring display of sculpture and paintings by the Constructivist artist and use archive material to reveal details of her intriguing life.

Older People’s Partnership Board: Update for ESSP E-News

At its meeting on the 04 November 2013, the Older People’s Partnership Board discussed:

• Older People’s Day 2013 celebration events throughout October have been very successful. Events have been well attended across the County.
• Healthwatch East Sussex has published a report on a survey they conducted in August 2013 regarding patient’s experiences of urgent care. The report is available at the following link: http://www.healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk/ae-path-to-urgent-care-report/
• Monitoring the impact of the revised offer is underway and includes information from care and support reviews, complaints, advocacy and liaison with volunteer and community organisations.
• A working group on the theme of Social Isolation of Older People is to be established. A range of organisations will be invited to attend the group including Board members representing local organisations and groups.
• Key findings of an independent evaluation of the five existing Extra Care schemes were presented. The report is available at the following link: http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/socialcare/leavinghome/supported/default.htm
• A case study on the East Sussex Dementia Pathway Redesign 2010-13 was also presented. All key commitments of the redesign have been achieved.

East Sussex Strategic Partnership Board Meetings

To view papers and minutes of previous ESSP Board mettings, see the meetings page of the ESSP website. 

Update on East Sussex in Figures –  December 2013

East Sussex in Figures (ESiF) is the local information system (LIS) for the county.  It’s a website that provides access to essential data, information and analysis.

New area profiles are now available for transport and sustainability.

Area profiles enable you to view, print and download summary profiles for different parts of the county.

Where the tables, charts and maps section on East Sussex in Figures contains data on a particular theme, area profiles contain a number of pre-defined tables, charts and maps that present key information for districts, wards and parishes.

More information on how to create and use area profiles is available from this link or from the News section of the front page of ESiF. 

New datasets

A wealth of health data from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).  The JSNA is a process that identifies the current and future health and wellbeing needs of a local population which in turn, helps to improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities.

Data is available by district, ward and GP practice areas on the following themes:

Lifestyles – breastfeeding, obesity, smoking and alcohol consumption
Immunisation – immunisation, screening and vaccination
Mortality – life expectancy and mortality rates
Hospital Care – admissions and A&E attendance

Area profiles using this data will be created in the new year.

New publications

Latest analysis of 2011 Census results for East Sussex includes briefings on Gypsy or Irish Travellers, Household Characteristics, Transport and travel to work, Local workforce characteristics, Equalities and Health and unpaid care

New datasets
• Four percent of the population of East Sussex are from a non white ethnic group
• 257,219 over 16s in East Sussex are economically active
• There are 2,190 Buddhists in East Sussex

Please contact the Research and Information team if you have any specific data or information enquiries.