 Contents of the February 2026 edition
Local updates
Ambition one: Give every child the best chance of maximising their potential
Ambition two: Create healthy and sustainable places
Ambition three: Everyone can access the right support to improve their health
Ambition four: Keep our communities safe
Local updates
Ambition one: Give every child the best chance of maximising their potential
Mansfield Baby Week event
Around 100 families enjoyed a visit to the Mansfield Baby Week event at Mansfield Civic Centre in November 2025. There was a queue at the door and the 20 goodie bags went straight away!
There were 35 stands covering Family Hubs, Public Health, Families Information Service, Community Midwives, Citizens Advice, Inspire, National Energy Action, and local businesses such as Playmania, Tumbletots, Water Babies, Paper Moon Nursery and Bristols, plus information from the Sling Library and Mini First Aid. Support groups including Mums on the Move, NIDAS and Hey Mama attended.
In the demo room, visitors enjoyed a Baby First Aid talk from East Midlands Ambulance first responders, Baby Sparks Sensory sessions and Baby Massage. A free photoshoot was also available.
West Park in West Bridgford: A new partnership to grow community cricket
Rushcliffe Borough Council is working with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club (NCCC) to develop West Park in West Bridgford as a dedicated cricket hub, supporting participation from grassroots through to elite level.
Subject to approval, NCCC will be granted a 25-year lease to manage cricket activity at the site, including hosting women’s cricket matches and expanding community opportunities. The partnership aligns with the England and Wales Cricket Board’s focus on growing participation, particularly in the women’s and girl's game, and supports NCCC’s five-year strategy.
The proposed hub would improve facilities and access for local clubs and programmes, including junior pathways, disability cricket, All Stars and Dynamos sessions, community outreach programmes and inclusive opportunities for underrepresented groups. The project also supports the Council’s wider objectives around physical activity, inclusion and community wellbeing.
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New pitch investment at Greythorn Park
Children and young people are benefitting from a new all-weather pitch at Greythorn Park in West Bridgford, following £44,000 of investment by Rushcliffe Borough Council.
The new surface replaces the former Astroturf pitch installed in the early 2000s and supports safe, year-round physical activity. The improvement builds on over £1 million invested in the Council’s parks and open spaces over the past two years and complements the recent refurbishment of the wider Greythorn Park play area.
Designed to be durable and inclusive, the new pitch encourages participation across different ages and abilities, supporting physical fitness, confidence and social connection. Pupils from the neighbouring Greythorn Primary School are already using the facility before and after school, helping to embed active lifestyles from an early age.
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Ambition two: Create healthy and sustainable places
WorkWell Pilot
Mid Nottinghamshire is being represented as part of the WorkWell Pilot, which aims to produce an evidence-led report summarising referral routes, engagement patterns and health-employment outcomes.
Learning from the local primary care pilot being undertaken by Rosewood PCN in Mansfield will support development of the emerging ICB cluster approach.
For further information, please email: nnicb-nn.midnotts.psos@nhs.net
Arnold Active Neighbourhood Scan
The Arnold Active Neighbourhood Scan brought together older residents from the Killisick Friendship Group, YourCVS and local partners to assess how safe and accessible key walking routes are across the town centre.
While Arnold benefits from strong community facilities, good signage in central areas, CCTV coverage and well maintained spaces such as King George V Park, the scan highlighted several barriers to walking and wheeling including uneven pavements, poorly placed or unsafe crossings, dimly lit cut throughs, obstacles on pavements and limited accessible seating, particularly on routes beyond the main high street. These issues reduce confidence and independence for older and less mobile residents.
Findings are being shared with Highways, Planning, Public Protection, Economic Growth and Health teams, with improvements already underway. Further work is planned to engage young people and promote reporting tools for unsafe areas. This concept has also been replicated in Cotgrave.
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Gedling community groups receive a boost to help improve residents' health and wellbeing
Sixteen community groups have received a funding boost totalling £55,000 through the Gedling Health and Wellbeing - Physical Activity Fund. The fund has been developed by Gedling Borough Council using UK Shared Prosperity Funding from the UK Government, via EMCA, to support local initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of residents through physical activity.
A number of projects have received capital grants, including Daybrook Bowls Club, Calverton Parish Council and Brighter Futures Through Sport. These will help improve facilities, making them more accessible and enabling organisations to expand their provision.
Cornwater Evergreens, SEND PACT CIC, Netherfield Forum and others have received revenue funding to deliver a variety of physical activity opportunities, including dance sessions, sensory swimming and chair based exercise, ensuring more residents have access to inclusive activities.
Rushcliffe Borough Council's continued roll-out of hydrogenated vegetable oil vehicles
Rushcliffe Borough Council continues to reduce the environmental impact of its operations through the roll-out of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) vehicles across its fleet.
HVO-powered vans are now in use by the Council’s dog warden and pest control teams, delivering up to a 90% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared with previous diesel vehicles, alongside reduced nitrous oxide emissions.
HVO is a diesel-quality fuel produced from waste oils and fats that can fully replace standard diesel without vehicle modification. With longer-term storage stability and lower emissions, it provides a practical low-carbon solution for frontline services.
In total, 57 of the Council’s 69 frontline vehicles within Waste and Streetwise services have now transitioned to HVO or electric power, supporting Rushcliffe’s ambition to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2030.
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Rushcliffe Woods: Investing in nature and climate action
Rushcliffe Borough Council has acquired 54 acres of land in Upper Broughton to create Rushcliffe Woods, a major new tree-planting and biodiversity project supporting the Council’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030.
The site, equivalent to around 30 football pitches, will see more than 15,000 trees and shrubs planted, alongside new meadows and wetlands. Once established, Rushcliffe Woods is expected to offset over 230 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, equating to approximately 64% of the Council’s current operational emissions.
The project is being delivered in partnership with Greenwood Community Forest, Defra and the Forestry Commission, with trees funded through grant applications. In addition to climate benefits, the site will provide Upper Broughton with its first large publicly accessible green space, supporting wellbeing, biodiversity and wider environmental goals.
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Ambition three: Everyone can access the right support to improve their health
Respiratory Integrated Neighbourhood Team
Sherwood Forest Hospitals Foundation Trust, working with the Mid Notts Place-Based Partnership, has launched the Respiratory Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT), which aims to improve health outcomes, reduce avoidable hospital use and actively address health inequalities.
By working together, patients are able to access the right support at the right time, making the best use of shared expertise to improve outcomes and experience. To date, 96 patients have been discussed or reviewed as part of the Respiratory INTs: 43 in Mansfield, 38 in Newark and 15 in Ashfield North.
For further information, please contact: nnicb-nn.midnotts.psos@nhs.net
Ageing Well Integrated Neighbourhood Team
Ageing Well Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INT) have been established in Mid Notts to offer an extended multidisciplinary approach to improve communication, reduce emails, reduce referrals and strengthen the care offered to residents across Newark, Sherwood, Mansfield and Ashfield.
Proactive work with the INT teams and Care Navigators to review 80 patients who are frequent users of A&E has now concluded. There have been no readmissions or re-attendances for this cohort. The INT is now planning to review a second cohort of patients.
For further information, please contact: nnicb-nn.midnotts.psos@nhs.net
Strengthening dementia support across South Nottinghamshire
The South Notts Place-Based Partnership Dementia Project has strengthened dementia support across Rushcliffe, Gedling, Hucknall and Broxtowe. Over the past year, the project has improved the quality and consistency of Annual Dementia Reviews, created three new Dementia Directories (Notts Help Yourself) and engaged over 850 people through roadshows, prevention events and community forums.
Primary Care teams were supported through training, an enhanced dementia review template and clearer referral pathways, while new dementia friendly resources - including a community toolkit (Rushcliffe Dementia Action Network) and support for green spaces - helped broaden community awareness. The project also strengthened support for carers through closer partnership working and a dedicated Carers Champion Toolkit.
Overall, the programme has boosted dementia-friendly practice, improved access to local resources and embedded prevention and brain health messages across South Nottinghamshire.
A well-deserved OBE for Rushcliffe's Dr Stephen Shortt
Congratulations to Rushcliffe GP and Deputy Medical Director (Primary Care) at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB, Dr Stephen Shortt, who has been awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to General Practice in the New Year Honours List 2026.
Stephen has been a long time champion of integrated working and has been involved in the development of the South Notts Place-Based Partnership since its inception. This is a well deserved recognition of his contribution. Well done Stephen!
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Improved management of hypertension in Arnold
GP practices in Arnold invited people with a history of high blood pressure for a review, where local initiatives and interventions were offered. Alongside medical treatment, and in partnership with Gedling Borough Council and Your Health Notts, residents were signposted to opportunities promoting physical activity and lifestyle change.
Leisure centre passes were offered to encourage physical activity among people with high blood pressure. Of the 376 people recalled for medical review, 250 attended. 123 were identified with high blood pressure and 117 took up the leisure centre pass offer with 29% continuing ongoing membership, demonstrating positive sustained lifestyle change.
Gedling Borough Council’s Fitness Promotions Officer and Your Health Notts conducted regular visits to two practices, providing motivational, personalised support and practical guidance to encourage long term behaviour change.
Contraception After Pregnancy survey
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB, alongside Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, has launched a Contraception After Pregnancy survey.
The purpose of the survey is to understand residents' experiences of accessing contraception after pregnancy, including any barriers and how services can be improved. It takes around 10 minutes to complete and alternative formats, including paper copies and translated versions, are available upon request. The survey closes on Friday 6 March 2026.
Please share widely with your services, colleagues and wider networks.
Rushcliffe Borough Council joins the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative
Rushcliffe Borough Council has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative, reinforcing its commitment to inclusion and accessibility for residents, visitors and staff with non-visible disabilities.
The sunflower symbol offers a discreet way for individuals to indicate they may need additional understanding, support or time when accessing services. Non-visible disabilities can include autism, mental health conditions, chronic pain, learning disabilities and sensory impairments, affecting around one in five people in the UK.
As part of the initiative, the Council has shared awareness-raising training with staff, helping build confidence in supporting people with hidden disabilities.
Sunflower lanyards and related materials are available at Rushcliffe Arena and customer contact points across the borough, helping to create more welcoming and supportive public spaces.
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Ambition four: Keep our communities safe and healthy
Top tips for staying well
Alongside colleagues in the Nottingham City Place-Based Partnership, the South Notts Place-Based Partnership has produced a Stay Well leaflet [PDF], offering practical advice to stay well all year round, with information about additional local support available.
Health Protection Board December 2025
The Health Protection Board met in December 2025. Members discussed recent pandemic preparedness exercises, which highlighted the importance of strong planning, clear communication and effective partnership working across local services.
Updates were shared on NHS screening programmes, including excellent uptake in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening and the introduction of new digital invitation systems to make appointments easier to access. Work is also underway to address pressures in some screening services and reduce health inequalities.
Vaccination uptake remains a key issue locally, especially among children and young people. Teams are working together on new reminder systems for families and exploring ways to make vaccination more convenient. The Board also noted an early start to the flu season and ongoing monitoring of local infectious disease incidents.
The next meeting will take place on 16 March 2026.
Bassetlaw District Council New Year networking event 2026
Bassetlaw District Council hosted its annual New Year networking event at Muslim Charity Eaton Hall, welcoming 127 attendees from the health, wellbeing, sport and leisure sectors.
The event featured three key speakers who set the tone for an inspiring and collaborative day. As part of World Cancer Day, participants engaged in an interactive cancer awareness quiz, highlighting the importance of early detection and education. A powerful discussion panel followed, with three special guests sharing their lived experiences of prostate cancer, offering valuable insight and personal perspectives. Attendees also took part in a Mood Boost activity designed to promote positive mental wellbeing.
The structured programme concluded with two hours of open networking, giving colleagues the opportunity to connect, share ideas and explore information stalls showcasing local services and initiatives.
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