We're running adult social care advice and information sessions for Broxtowe residents at the Community Employment Dementia Awareness Resource Service (CEDARS) Hub in Eastwood.

Whether you have questions about independence and wellbeing or need signposting to community and voluntary sectors, our friendly team of Community Care Officers can provide free advice and help you to understand your options.

You can get support with:

• understanding adult social care pathways and what they mean
• next steps, referrals, and community resources
• Direct Payments and community services
• guidance on equipment, home adaptations and assistive technology
• Adult Social Care and Care Act
• safeguarding and wellbeing concerns

Book a morning appointment between 9am and 1pm by calling 0300 500 80 80 or simply drop-in during the afternoon on Mondays between 2.15pm and 4.45pm. Private rooms are available for confidential conversations.

Your child will be learning and playing with more children when they start their new school or nursery and could be at risk of catching preventable diseases if they haven’t had all their childhood vaccinations. If your child is home educated, they still need their pre-school jabs to be protected against diseases.

If you're not sure if your child has had all their routine vaccinations, check their personal health record (Red Book) or contact your GP surgery.

Visit the NHS website for a checklist of childhood vaccines and the ages at which they should ideally be given. You can contact your GP to book an appointment for any missed vaccinations.

If you look after someone, come along to a Carers’ Roadshow to find out more about the support available to you and have a fun, family-friendly day out.

Organised and led by local partner organisations with support from Nottinghamshire Carers Association, Carers’ Roadshows take place at venues across the county and city throughout the year and bring together local organisations, talent, community groups, and activities for carers.

Upcoming dates are:

• Wednesday 19 August at Eagle Market Square, Arnold, NG5 7EY
• Friday 21 August at Worksop Market, S80 1JA
• Friday 11 September at The Chaya Project, Stapleford, NG9 8GA.

Most events run from 10am to 2pm and there’s no need to book.

For more details on roadshows taking place until the end of the year and to check for updates, visit the Carers Space Notts website.

We’ve launched a new Adult Social Care Talent Bank to help us recruit people to fill social care positions.

You can register your skills and experience in the Talent Bank to be matched against roles that you can apply for. It doesn’t replace the usual recruitment methods like interviews and pre-employment checks, though.

Keep an eye on the Talent Bank for positions and please help us spread the word to anyone with a social care background looking for a new challenge.

Follow the registration link and click on the job listed to register your interest.

Last month, the Department of Health and Social Care launched a one-off meningococcal B disease (MenB) vaccination programme to protect young people most at risk.

The vaccine is available to:

• everyone born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008
• young people under 25 years old (born on or after 21 July 2001) who will be starting higher education for the first time, or who will be starting further education for the first time as a residential student, in autumn 2026.

Two doses are needed for full protection. The second dose should be offered a minimum of 28 days after the first dose. Those eligible are encouraged to get fully vaccinated as soon as they can.

People born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 can book a MenB vaccination appointment online (NHS)

Older students can get vaccinated at participating pharmacies. Find a pharmacy that offers MenB vaccinations (NHS)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published a blog with more information.

Families can now access the refreshed Nottinghamshire Best Start offer, bringing together trusted information, local services, and support, for parents and carers.

The updated offer now includes children aged 2 to 5 years old, alongside existing information for expectant parents and families with younger children. This makes it an even more comprehensive source of guidance and support as children grow and develop.

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial, with rapid brain development and growth during this time. When children have a strong start, it supports their health, development, and happiness for years to come.

By helping families access the right support at the right time, the Nottinghamshire Best Start offer aims to give every child the best possible start.

With the hot weather spell continuing this month, we’ve rounded up key advice to help you stay safe and enjoy summer.

Spending time outdoors is great for your physical and mental wellbeing, but too much sun without protection can increase your risk of skin cancer. Remember how to stay sun safe with the five S’s:

• SLIP on clothing that covers your skin.
• SLOP on SPF 30+ sunscreen with a 4 or 5-star UVA rating. Apply it 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours.
• SLAP on a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, ears and neck.
• SLIDE on sunglasses that block 99 - 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound styles offer the best protection.
• SEEK shade, especially between 11am and 3pm. Babies and young children should be kept in the shade wherever possible.

Never leave babies, toddlers, children or pets alone in a parked vehicle. The temperature inside a car can rise rapidly even on a mild day. Always take everyone with you when you leave the car.

Keep your home cool by closing blinds and curtains in rooms that face the sun and check that medicines can be stored at the correct temperature.

Don't forget to drink plenty of water and check on older relatives, friends, and neighbours, who might be at higher risk of becoming unwell in the heat.

Swimming in open water can be tempting when it’s hot, but it can be fatal. Even on a hot day, the water can be extremely cold and there may be unexpected currents or dangerous obstacles beneath the surface. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service advice is to only enter water in areas supervised by lifeguards.

TV Licensing is offering refunds to anyone who still holds unused TV Licence saving stamps.

The saving stamps scheme closed 20 years ago and they can no longer be used to pay for a TV Licence, but they can be refunded by cheque if claimed before the deadline of 31 December 2026.

We’re encouraging residents to:

• check drawers, books, folders or boxes where savings stamps may have been kept
• look out for small rectangular ‘TV Licence’ stamps showing a monetary value, often orange, brown, green or blue
• submit a refund claim as soon as possible.

More details, including what savings stamps look like and how refunds are processed, can be found on the TV Licensing website.