Queens Park May 2022

Regeneration Crewe part 3

Crewe Regeneration part2

Crewe Regeneration

Commissioner seeking detainee welfare volunteers

Commissioner seeking detainee welfare volunteers

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Are you interested in ensuring the welfare of people in custody and transparency within the police? Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, is currently looking for Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) to help scrutinise the way Cheshire Constabulary ensures the welfare of detainees.

All Police and Crime Commissioners are required to operate an ICV scheme, which provides an independent oversight of how people are treated when in police custody.

There are currently three custody suites operated by Cheshire Police in Blacon (Chester), Runcorn and Middlewich. ICVs make unannounced visits and speak with detainees, ensuring that they have received access to things they are entitled to including food and drink, solicitors and appropriate adults, and phone calls.

As well as speaking to people in custody, ICVs speak to staff at the custody suite and health care professionals in order to ensure the overall environment is suitable to ensure detainee welfare.

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire said:

“It’s my role to ensure that the Constabulary is providing an effective and efficient police service for people in Cheshire, and I can’t do that without ICVs. They carry out a crucial role in ensuring the welfare of detainees and contribute hugely towards improving police transparency and processes.

“I can’t recommend this role highly enough and I am grateful for all the work that our volunteers do. If you are interested in a new challenge then apply to become an ICV as soon as you can. This is your chance to make a difference in policing.”

As a result of their observations on custody suite visits, ICVs are able to make recommendations which require the police to improve their detainee welfare processes and standards. They are in a unique position to influence the way Cheshire Constabulary operates and assist the Commissioner in holding the police to account.

Visits are always conducted in pairs on a rota basis, meaning ICVs will carry out visits with different people. They can be arranged at the convenience of the ICVs carrying out the visit and will typically take an hour to complete. Initial training is provided, as well as any follow-up training an ICV feels they may need.

Ian Berry, Independent Custody Visitor, said:

“When I retired, I wanted to remain mentally active and be involved in something different from the work I had done in my career I also recognised that interaction with people had been an important and enjoyable feature in my life and volunteering presented an opportunity for me to maintain this.

“This is a great opportunity to do something different, interesting and rewarding. If you work, it will give you a change from the day to day work. If you don’t work it will provide an activity to enhance your life, using your valuable skills and experience. I would encourage anyone to give it a try!”

To find out more about the role of an ICV and to apply, please visit www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/get-involved/volunteering/independent-custody-visitor

If you would like an informal chat about becoming an ICV you can contact Karolina Kardas, Research and Volunteer Support Officer, at karolina.kardas@cheshire.police.uk

Cheshire East Council’s fostering service makes vital appeal

Cheshire East Council has launched an urgent appeal for more local people to consider fostering at the start of a national fortnight celebrating the work of foster carers across the borough today.

Organised by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network, Foster Care Fortnight runs from 9 to 22 May and is the UK’s largest foster care awareness raising campaign.

The theme this year is ‘fostering communities’ and the campaign will shine a light on the many ways people across the fostering community work together and support each other. 

Throughout the fortnight, the council will be running a series of events, sharing content on social media channels and generating as much interest as possible about the transformative power of foster care. The aim is to increase the number of foster carers who provide loving homes for cared for children and young people.

With more than 500 children and young people in the care of the local authority, the council is once again reaching out to residents to ask if they can become Cheshire East Council foster carers.

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, lead member for children and families at Cheshire East Council, said: “Whether you’re a foster carer, a social worker, young person or supporter of foster care, you are part of a community making a real difference to the lives of young people, and we want to celebrate the impact everyone makes.

“Our foster carers are amazing! Each one an everyday hero, but all are ordinary people from all walks of life, doing extraordinary things day in and day out, for the children they care for. 

“Whatever your age, gender or personal circumstances, you can do this if you have room in your home to look after a child, can make them feel comfortable in their surroundings and give them a sense of their true potential for as long as they are in your care.

“It’s not just babies and young children who need foster homes – many older children and teenagers, brothers and sisters and children with additional needs looked after by the council, need loving, caring and safe homes too.”

To celebrate Foster Care Fortnight and in honour of foster carers, Cheshire East Council’s fostering service has committed to planting a tree for every foster carer household. Further trees will be planted for every new household approved over the next five years, as the council grows its foster carer family to secure a future for those vulnerable children and young people who need a safe home.

This initiative will also help support the council’s green agenda and help towards meeting its carbon neutral targets. Tree-planting will start towards the end of the year when ground and weather conditions are more favourable.

If you would like to know more about becoming a foster carer for Cheshire East Council, then please visit the dedicated website www.togetherforfostering.com or alternatively telephone 0300 123 3223.

Burglary Alert

Burglary Alert

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Dear Resident

BURGLARY ALERT  Between 20/04 and 04/05 two burglaries have occurred at properties on Frank Bott Avenue in Crewe. Between 20/04-27/04 a shed was broken into and items taken from inside. The second property was entered via an insecure window between 03/05 - 04/05 and items were stolen from inside.

I would like to take this opportunity to point out that Crewe Local Policing Unit, which covers both the town centre and the large rural area surrounding it, experiences low number of domestic house burglaries.

In an effort to ensure it is an isolated incident we would ask you to review your home security and take sensible precautions like checking all premises and outbuildings are secure, house alarms set and vehicle keys stored away etc.

For more information on how to keep your property safe please follow the link below

Crime prevention advice | Cheshire Constabulary

If you have any information regarding these incidents please contact us on 101.

Resident's voice | Cheshire Constabulary –Have your say on Policing in your area….Take the Survey

#crewenorthpolice

Thank you for your time

Crewe LPU

Council launches community equipment amnesty

Cheshire East Council is calling on residents across the borough to return loaned equipment like walking frames, crutches, beds, mattresses and hoists when no longer needed.

The equipment is provided usually following a fall, hospital discharge or other situation, and could be reused by another person in the community in need of support.

Reuse of equipment is more environmentally friendly and helps resources to be invested in other health and social care services.

Councillor Jill Rhodes, Cheshire East Council adults and health committee chair, said: "Some of this equipment may only be used when a person is recovering from illness or injury and can end up stored around the home, surplus to requirements.

“Putting back into circulation items that are no longer needed, means we can continue to provide the vital equipment that people need in the timescales required.”

Anyone with equipment which is no longer needed is invited to call 01606 655560 or email: CES@rosscare.co.uk to arrange collection.

Collections can also be requested using this link https://rosscare.co.uk/pages/cheshire-integrated-community-equipment-service.

The equipment will then be picked up by a Ross Care engineer within five working days, free of charge. Alternatively, it can be dropped off by prior arrangement at:

Unit 7 Artis Park

Winsford Industrial Estate

Winsford

CW7 3QE