 Good morning!
 Bill Gates said, “Headlines, in a way, are what mislead you, because bad news is a headline and gradual improvement is not.” We know that victories don't come cheap, and that's why we like to make the most of them. If you have a good news story you can share about how your team is changing or your service is working hard to bring The Shropshire Plan to life, then don't hesitate to...
We're here to talk to you about the Good News initiative.
We're bringing together a group of remarkable people to be Good News Champions, to work together to be our eyes and ears on the ground. They'll be our go to peeps, boosting achievements by helping us find and broadcast them in ways we never could on our own.
As a crucial link between the Office of the Chief Executive and your service area, you'll share stories and accounts of transformation. You don't have to write an entire narrative, simply jot down key points and send them over using our submissions form. We accept videos (less than 1 minute), pictures and stories - we want to hear all about your successes! Demonstrate how your service area is constantly delivering on The Shropshire Plan.
Don’t worry, you won’t be alone - we already have a team of volunteers who have come forward, and we will shortly be running a workshop to get all our champions 'good news ready'.
Interested? Reach out to goodnews@shropshire.gov.uk and tell us you're happy to volunteer. We're ready to work with you to share your good news!
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 When you think of Shropshire you probably picture the rolling south Shropshire hills, or the meres in the north, the quaint market towns and half-timbered buildings - a far cry from cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology.
But think again, because the council is promoting a range of devices to help vulnerable residents across the county live independent lives.
Technology Enabled Care (TEC) helps people with all manner of daily living. It can help tackle social isolation, act as a reminder for daily tasks, alert others if you need help...
Working with TEC providers, Shropshire Council is running a series of projects to see what difference such technologies from Abilia, AutonoMe, Genie Connect and Grandcare can make, and all of them help people to live more fulfilling lives with less reliance on care and support services.
Brenda's story illustrates how TEC is helping residents become more independent.
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Brenda lives alone and has mental health problems and breathing difficulties. She had the opportunity to try the Genie Connect device before more traditional care was offered.
This friendly looking robot reminded Brenda to attend appointments, take medication and stay hydrated. Her mental health practitioner also used its video calling function to check in on her.
As a result, Brenda is now better able to manage daily tasks and is less reliant on carers getting her ready for appointments. In turn, this means that the care she does receive makes best use of time and focuses on issues of personal care.
Programme manager, Charlotte Hall, explained:
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“The use of advanced TEC solutions has enabled individuals to develop their self-resilience and confidence in their own abilities to do more for themselves. We have some great examples of how individuals have become less reliant on carers and / or family intervention, including how TEC can maximise robust safety mechanisms, enabling individuals to remain in their homes for longer, safe and well. The TEC projects are advancing further to develop new and innovative ways of meeting care and support needs in Shropshire, which is driven by the ever-increasing demand and limited availability of commissioned care and support, particularly in more rural parts of the county.”
With many individuals being helped by this initiative, evidence and examples of improved confidence, greater independence, and less reliance on traditional care are rolling in across the county. Find out more about the range of available TEC devices in this brochure: Let's Talk TEC Case Study Brochure 2023.
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 Embarking on a lifelong journey with a loved one is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences a couple can have, and the Shropshire Registration Service is now proud to offer wedding ceremonies that cater to every couple's unique expectations, ensuring that their special day is nothing short of perfection. Be it a simple, intimate registry office service, or something more lavish and impeccably planned with a ceremonies officer, their commitment to excellence will create memories to be cherished for a lifetime.
Sue Bennett, part of the Registration Management Team, explained, “Historically, our offering has been 'one size fits all', but with competition in the ceremonies field hotting up, our registration service is ready to ensure we can cater to a variety of preferences to promise that ceremonies exceed expectations.”
Having recently received their 100th reservation since the new programme's inception in April, and projecting 2000 ceremonies to be delivered this year, their goal is for 50% of them to be new, customised services. Their shortly-to-be-launched revamped webpage and Instagram account will greatly aid promotion of their new services.
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Delighted responses from newlyweds include:
"I do not recall a ceremony so touching and personal as the words you delivered. Thank you very much, Pam, and to your colleague too, for your part in making Saturday's ceremony such a heartfelt event.”
“Thank you for marrying us! We had the most amazing day - started off with a light, funny & fabulous ceremony. You really put our nerves at ease & engaged with the guests so well - so many people commented how brilliant you were. We will forever be grateful for your sunny natures. Mr and Mrs Happy Customer."
This is also great news for partners of Shropshire Council, including venues, suppliers and local businesses. As more couples choose Shropshire as their preferred wedding destination, it showcases the county as a vibrant, flourishing location, helping forge a healthy economy in line with The Shropshire Plan.
The service is now looking across the council for a new home where residents can celebrate marriages, civil partnerships, baby naming ceremonies and marriage reaffirmations, with the intention of increasing the number of ceremonies held in years to come through excellent service, reputation and venues.
The photos are from their first bespoke ceremony, held at Mill Barns, Alveley on 25 July. The couple were delighted with the personal service they received, making their day one that they will never forget.
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 Since the introduction of Warp It (Waste Action Reuse Portal) in 2018, substantial savings and environmental benefits have been realised, reflecting the council's commitment to efficient resource management. The portal simplifies the process for staff to transfer surplus items within the council, or to partner organisations outside if not needed.
When launched, the initiative's first-year savings target was £25,000 but with the dedicated effort of council staff and unwavering support from Property and Development, nearly £160,000 in savings have been announced to date.
We tip our hats to Stephanie Dowen for claiming the most items and to Fiona Howe for listing the most, both of whom have been instrumental in driving the initiative forward.
Steph said, "Everyone I have had dealings with on the Warp It team has been exceptionally helpful, from processing my requests to helping me to load items into the car. In this day and age when recycling is so important, this service is more valuable than ever, reducing waste and making the most of every resource."
Fiona (left) agreed, "Warp It has been really useful to advertise surplus stationery that others might find useful. It's great to be able to ensure it doesn’t go to waste."
Money is saved with every item transferred, and our collective carbon footprint is reduced. Altogether, 38 tonnes of waste have been prevented and 89 tonnes of CO2 emissions curbed.
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However, the journey doesn't stop - an ambitious new target has been set for £500,000 savings by 2025. Such milestones underscore the significance of the council's commitment to sustainability and the environment. So, if there's an item gathering dust, or you're thinking of making a new purchase, why not...
 Shropshire Council and their installation partner BidConnecter have been shortlisted for several national awards for their work tackling fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions. BidConnecter, who are the lead insulation company for Shropshire Council's Sustainable Warmth programme, have been shortlisted in four categories at the National Energy Efficiency Awards.
The awards recognise best practice across the energy efficiency industry in the UK. Shropshire Council is one of 17 local authorities shortlisted in the National Local Authority of the Year category. The council secured government funding to deliver a fabric-first approach to improving energy efficiency across the private housing sector. Their Sustainable Warmth Shropshire programme delivers projects to make homes more energy efficient and affordable to heat. Residents can still register their interest in the scheme here: www.shropshire.gov.uk/sws
 BidConnecter have been shortlisted for four categories in total, one of which is the National Insulation & Fabric Project of the Year award alongside Shropshire Council. This recognises successful partnerships delivering energy saving projects through insulation and other efficiency measures. BidConnecter partnered with the council's Affordable Warmth and Energy Efficiency service to install improvements in homes, helping residents save energy, lower emissions and tackle fuel poverty.
Oliver Rothwell, affordable warmth and energy efficiency project officer, enthused: “Its fantastic that our team has been nominated for these two awards. Delivering energy efficiency grants is never easy, particularly in such a diverse rural county like Shropshire. Our hard work is starting to pay off and we’re now seeing some great results – in many cases the home improvements for vulnerable residents are life-changing. The team is in a very strong position to deliver more funding and support more residents over the next couple of years!”
The judging panel will assess nominees on demonstrable skills, expertise and service quality. Winners will be announced in September 2023 at the National Energy Efficiency Awards event. Both Shropshire Council and BidConnecter should be commended for their efforts to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions through impactful partnerships and projects.
You can find out more about the awards here: Energy Efficiency Awards 2023
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The Culture, Leisure and Tourism department is undergoing a transformative redesign programme with the key goals of enhancing alignment with The Shropshire Plan and the Vibrant Shropshire Cultural Strategy, whilst achieving financial savings.
Seeking to improve outcomes for service users and the wider community, it will support and engage with initiatives to boost health and wellbeing, and improve engagement with town and parish councils and community groups to aid partnership approaches and develop the local economy. More opportunities for income generation will be created and the new approach will bring efficiencies too.
Some of the key initiatives the department is working on include the rebuilding of the Whitchurch Swimming and Fitness Centre, the carbon reduction and improvement of swimming pools, creating a Local Visitor Economy Partnership, developing a new British Museum Partnership Gallery at the Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery and delivery of their National Portfolio Programme initiatives, developing a destination brand for Shropshire as a place to live work and visit, installing self-service and meeting pods in the main market town libraries, a review of Record Management... and that barely scratches the surface!
 An architect's depiction of what the new Whitchurch Pool and Fitness Centre could look like.
The wider redesign will see development of new income generation schemes, including applying for more external funding, a marketing campaign, further development of the Cultural Compact partnership, the building of relationships with town and parish councils, the library service transformation and Shropshire Local, looking at a more proactive approach to building management, developing a contracts register, and much more besides.
Clare Featherstone, head of department, described how the redesign will positively impact the department:
"Our structure reduces duplication and champions a more collaborative approach to marketing, management of contracts and compliance, and development work. It will help improve interdepartmental collaboration, reducing inefficiency and duplication, and fostering innovation."
They've got their work cut out, but thanks to a transformative roadmap and alignment to The Shropshire Plan, they're more than ready to tackle the tasks ahead.
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A pivotal £94,000 injection from Invest in Shropshire’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has spurred the transformation of a once-vacant shop into 'The Printworks', Bridgnorth's newest business and community hub.
Local entrepreneurs Sally and Johnny Themans of Good2Great were the visionaries behind this renaissance. “It chimed with our business ethos and personal drivers: helping people to start a business, repurposing a defunct building in a prime location on the High Street and creating a community space for people to meet and work together,” commented Johnny. Their collaboration with property owners Apley Estates culminated in the launch of 'The Printworks' as a Community Interest Company (CIC) on 7 June.
Maintaining a nod to its historical identity, 'The Printworks' now offers 18 hot desks, 5 offices, 2 meeting rooms and the cosy 'Apley on the High Street' café. Within the first three weeks, 29 eager users registered.
Sally added, “We’ve done our best to create an attractive space that businesses can utilise and afford. Being on the High Street we are also highly visible to the Bridgnorth community, and they have whole-heartedly supported the venture.”
This initiative, emblematic of the UKSPF's commitment to fostering local businesses and reducing community inequalities, highlights the transformative potential of targeted investments in local projects.
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Shropshire Virtual School (SVS) recently hosted their first Shropshire Nurture Network event. 17 schools trained in the SVS project by NurtureUK came together for mutual support as they open their own nurture rooms or interventions, and strive to achieve their accreditations.
Jo Kelly, virtual school head teacher, said, "It was a joy to see head teachers, senior leaders and Nurture practitioners from our schools sharing albums of the work the children have been doing and the resources they have created. Networking was key to those supportive conversations to drive change."
If you haven't heard of them, SVS are education champions for children and young people in care to Shropshire, providing advice around education for previously looked-after children and those with a social worker, and ensuring children and those leaving care have the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential and improve their life chances.
Key to the vision is how this work aligns with the national and local agendas, including The Shropshire Plan, by supporting young people and staff to live their best lives. This ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) upskills practitioners and supports schools to be healthy organisations for adults and young people alike. The network event supported the development journey for each school as they translate practice into their school development plans.
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 This is complemented by the other inclusion work that SVS are doing. A further 24 schools have been trained to use the Boxall Profile tool to support children who are experiencing developmental vulnerabilities, from trauma or attachment-related difficulties, and 50 schools have been trained in aiding with transitions, such as when a child moves up from primary school.
SVS will be running another round of Theory and Practice of Nurture in the autumn. Please promote to any school or setting that might be interested. Any questions, contact virtualschool@shropshire.gov.uk
In July, two Shropshire Hills young rangers, Kai and Juliette, headed to Frederikshavn in the northern-most part of Denmark for the Europarc Federation International Junior Ranger Camp. They travelled to join 45 other young rangers from fifteen different Protected Landscapes all across Europe.
There, our young rangers carried out some practical conservation work, travelling to Jutland to help restore dune heath, and carrying out work to help preserve ancient burial mounds. Kai and Juliette also gave a café-style presentation about the Shropshire Hills landscape, its wildlife and history, and talked about the conservation activities they get up to as young rangers. As well as discovering the nature and heritage of Denmark, learning more about conservation of protected areas and meeting people from other countries, the camp programme built confidence and a sense of achievement for the young participants.
 They were chosen for the trip based on the outstanding motivation they showed in a short written application. In Shropshire, Kai and Juliette have committed 60 and 175 hours respectively to tree planting, managing meadows and woodlands, protecting historic monuments, carrying out wildlife surveys and carrying out work to improve our rights of way.
Joe Penfold, project officer for Young Rangers, a project led by the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, was there to mentor them and join in workshops with other leaders to share information about our Shropshire programme and how we engage with young people.
Joe said, "The International Junior Ranger Camp provided a unique, unforgettable and life-changing experience for our two, lucky participants. Both Kai and Juliette hadn’t seen much of the world before, but by the end of the week had made friends with peers from far-flung corners of Europe, learning about different cultures, landscapes and wildlife along the way. They represented Shropshire, and our beautiful AONB so well, with passion and positivity, which made me immensely proud. The experience has without doubt added a new dimension to their environmental awareness, widening their horizons and building their confidence and self-belief. I extend my deepest thanks to hosts Fredrikshavn Kommune and Europarc for an excellent International Junior Ranger Camp."
This fantastic opportunity was made possible by funding and support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Europarc team and the Danish hosts.
The Shropshire Hills Young Rangers programme continues until the end of the year. For more information please contact Joe by email joe.penfold@shropshire.gov.uk or visit the project webpage.
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Your contribution can help spread the word about the valuable work being realised throughout the organisation as we implement The Shropshire Plan. If you have an uplifting news story and accompanying photo, we invite you to share it with us by completing our user-friendly form:
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