 This week marks Recycle Week 2022 and we are encouraging residents to get real about recycling. Recycling doesn’t have to be difficult, and we all have a responsibility to do it correctly.
Did you know that 20 per cent of waste collected in blue bins in Bracknell Forest is contaminated? Contaminants such as food, beauty products and electricals make our waste unable to be recycled.
But we can fix this, if you’re unsure on how to dispose of certain items, use the Re3cyclopedia app. You can type in the item and see how to dispose of it and where.
Let’s get real about recycling and make Bracknell Forest a cleaner and greener place to live.
 This autumn and winter, those eligible are being urged to book their annual flu jab, as well as the seasonal COVID-19 booster, as soon as they are invited, to top up their immunity and protect themselves and their loved ones.
The flu vaccine is available to everyone over 50, with those most at risk and over 65 being invited first. Children (up to secondary school year 11) will be offered the nasal spray version of the flu vaccine at school.
People eligible for an autumn COVID-19 booster include:
- those aged 50 and over
- people aged five and over who have underlying health conditions or who live with someone at risk from infections
- those in long-stay residential care
- pregnant women
- carers and frontline health care workers
If eligible, you will receive a reminder to book your COVID-19 autumn booster and your flu vaccination. This may not be at the same time. Please follow the instructions on how to book for your area.
For more information on both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, go to the NHS website.
 Following the popularity of the Seedling Sprite Trail in the summer, The Lexicon is bringing back the five fabulous sprites to Princess Square for October half term.
Visitors will be able to create their very own pieces of art. They can choose to make a Seedling Sprite from pine cones and twigs or a colouring masterpiece to take away.
The Seedling Sprite Studio will take place from 11am until 4pm on:
- Saturday, 22 October
- Sunday, 23 October
- Wednesday, 26 October
- Thursday, 27 October
- Saturday, 29 October
- Sunday, 30 October
There will be dedicated SEND sessions at 11am on:
- Saturday, 22 October
- Wednesday, 26 October
- Thursday, 28 October
- Saturday, 29 October
Places at the Seedling Sprite Studio must be booked in advance. Tickets cost £2 and each child will take home a mini goody bag containing a pop-badge and bookmark as well as their own creation.
Tickets can be booked on The Lexicon website.
 Bracknell Leisure Centre, run by award-winning operator Everyone Active in partnership with Bracknell Forest Council, is hosting a collection bin where the public can drop off their unwanted running shoes.
This is then sent to JogOn, who liaise with logistics and distribution partners to ensure that reusable pairs are sent around the world to people who need them most, with the help of charities and non-governmental organisations.
JogOn estimates that every year in the UK alone, more than 30 million pairs of shoes end up in landfill, while elsewhere in the world around three million people suffer from sole diseases.
But it is hoped this nationwide partnership with Everyone Active will make a valuable contribution to drastically improving those statistics.
 Local A&E departments are under extreme pressure and should only be used for emergencies. Those attending A&E with non-urgent cases will face signifcant wait times to be seen and treated.
If you're feeling unwell and don't know what to do, contact NHS 111 by dialling 111 or visiting: 111.nhs.uk. You will then be directed to the best service option for your condition.
 Over three tonnes of electrical items and clothing were collected at last month’s recycling day, held at the John Nike Stadium at Bracknell Leisure Centre.
Thanks to residents, the event saw 1.7 tonnes of small electricals and 1.6 tonnes of clothing collected.
All the items will either be recycled for reuse or sold second hand by charities. The electricals are stripped down so the appliance components can be used in circuit boards and electric motors. Scrap metal is then extracted and melted down to form new metal-based components. When recycled, one old iron contains enough steel to produce 13 cans.
Visit the small electricals recycling page for more information.
 Our schools are looking for new school governors, people who represent their local community and want to make a difference to the lives of students in Bracknell Forest.
Governors can be parents of children at the school or people from the local community. Anyone over 18 years old can apply.
If you are thinking about becoming a governor, please note:
- the work is voluntary, takes enthusiasm and some of your spare time
- you don’t have to know everything from the start – be prepared to build up your knowledge over a period of time
- free advice and support is available
Above all, you will be able to learn new skills and know that you are making a real contribution to your local community.
Visit our school governors page, or email: governors.helpdesk@bracknell-forest.gov.uk for more information.
 Do you work in a customer facing role?
Chances are you may come in to contact with someone who has mental health issues. This is where our new, free Let's Face It course can help.
We have been working with NHS Talking Therapies Berkshire and the Oxford Academic Health Science Network to develop mental health awareness training.
Targeted at those working face-to-face with customers, the training will enable you to assist someone struggling with their mental health and help direct them to the correct support.
Local businesses and their employees are encouraged to sign up, courses are available on various dates until January 2023.
Visit Let's Face It for more information and to register your interest.
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