 Good morning!
 Our last newsletter had a stupendously high open rate - we're thrilled so many of you are taking an interest in how the Shropshire Plan is unfolding and the good news stories emerging from it. We're keen to hear more about the great work being done by you and your team, so go on, don't be shy, take a moment this morning to use our easy form and...
Want to know more about being a Good News Champion? Join our online workshop!
Meet other champions online on Thursday 7 September in an informative session that will:
- identify what stories to collect
- offer tips on telling those stories
- provide photography advice
- show one weird trick (not what you think!)
- and offer opportunity for questions.
Good News Champions are volunteers from across the organisation who act as our eyes and ears, collecting positive examples of transformation and good news. They know their service area and want to champion the good being done.
Drop us an email to join the workshop: goodnews@shropshire.gov.uk
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Hello everyone, my name is Kieran. I’m 22, I was born in Oswestry, and I’m an apprentice in the Right Home, Right Place team for planning policy in the Housing department. This is my story, from the struggle I had to where I am now. |
 I didn’t have an easy time in school. I had SEN because of my autism but wasn’t given additional support. I struggled as my schoolwork got harder. Halfway through year 9, I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression from the stress of the pressure to get good grades. I really struggled after that, feeling physically sick every morning knowing that I had to go into school. That’s when I started to not attend. When I did go in, I was bullied for being different. I didn’t see myself as being different, I saw myself as being unique.
In year 10, my mum went to a coffee morning held by Autism West Midlands where she learnt about Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). She asked the school why I didn’t have one and was told I didn’t need one as it was for people with problems, not naughty people. They said that if we applied, we wouldn’t get one.
Thankfully, my mum applied privately and secured an EHCP for me, but I still needed a psychologist’s report. The school wouldn’t pay the £500 for one, so my mum found the funds herself. Eventually, I got the EHCP, but the school was short-staffed so I still didn’t get the support I needed.
I left school without the grades I wanted. I went to college, and this time the EHCP meant I got the support I needed. I completed a Level 2 in Business Studies, but then came the worst three years of my life...
Click here to read the rest of Kieran's story
You can watch a video case study with Kieran that was filmed for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 on YouTube:
Shropshire Council has championed an Apprenticeship First approach, ensuring that apprenticeship training is considered for all training needs in the first instance for both professional development and new recruits.
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Kate MacDonald, Upskill programme lead, said, "Kieran was a supported intern via Enable, who continue to support him, and then we were able to engage Kieran in an apprenticeship at Level 3 with additional support being put in place due to Kieran’s Education, Health and Care Plan (although not a smooth ride, it’s been very challenging working with the training provider to ensure the right bespoke support)."
Shropshire Council are currently part of an Apprenticeship Trailblazer group looking at the creation of a Level 2 Business Administration apprenticeship route; the level 2 apprenticeship will enable a large number of apprentices who require an “inclusive apprenticeship” to participate. If the Institute of Apprenticeships agree to the creation of this standard, it would create an opportunity for young people with an EHCP, or Special Educational or Additional Needs, to access employment through an apprenticeship opportunity.
Anyone interested in undertaking an apprenticeship, recruiting an apprentice or supporting an inclusive apprentice can email apprenticeshiplevy@shropshire.gov.uk or book on to an Apprenticeship First Information Session.
The next sessions take place on 12 September at 11.30am and 18 October at 2pm via MS Teams:
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Shropshire Council's prized Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery has launched a new, digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural app created by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
 The Bloomberg Connects app, available for download from Google Play or the App Store, makes SM&AG more accessible for either in-person or virtual visits.
As well as offering key information about location, facilities and programming, the app gives a host of extra information about historic buildings, galleries and displays, and key paintings and objects. It also provides a range of thematic trails and spotlight audio tours.
Once you have downloaded the app, search for Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery and select the SM&AG pink logo, then select 'start guide' on the SM&AG overview page.
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Curator Emma-Kate Lanyon voiced her enthusiasm for the new online tool, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Bloomberg Connects Smartphone App for Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery. The digital guide features in-depth content about key objects in the museum, enhancing people’s visit. With a range of audio guides, trails and additional information, it’s a bit like having the Curatorial Team in your pocket! The App will also extend our reach and further improve the health of residents by building the confidence and experience of visitors with specific needs. With enhanced floor plans and regularly updated content, the opportunities for building healthier connections to the wider community are very exciting!”
Please give the app a try. It should enhance visitors' experiences and enable the SM&AG team to more effectively record feedback. If you have any suggestions for improvements, please email emma-kate.lanyon@shropshire.gov.uk
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 Ian Taylor is an ICT project manager who has worked for the council for over three years, ensuring IT projects run smoothly, to time and within budget. However, back in 2020, Ian’s world was turned upside-down when he found out that his son, James, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a cancer that affects bone and soft tissues. In James’ case, it caused a tumour to develop on his spine.
Three months before, James had successfully completed his training as a Royal Marine - one of just 12 recruits to pass out from a troop of 55. Unfortunately, his condition meant he had difficulty walking and had to be medically discharged from the Marines, ending his dream of serving his country and separating him from his colleagues in 43 Commando in Scotland.
Treatment involved an 8-hour operation to remove the tumour and 14 rounds of brutal chemotherapy and physiotherapy to get him walking again, but James and his family are happy to report that, three years on, all scans have now come back clear. But this is not the end of his story.
During his treatment, James heard about a charity called Wings for Warriors which supports veterans to gain their private and commercial pilot's licence.
Showing the same sort of spirit that secured his place in one of the UK’s most elite regiments, he signed up and was soon taking to the skies above Sleap Airfield in Shropshire. James successfully earned his wings and then set his sights on qualifying as a commercial pilot. He now has an opportunity to fly for the holiday company Tui and is currently putting in flying hours before the next stage of his training.
All this time, James was also keen to give something back to Wings4Warriors, the charity that helped give him a new lease of life, so he organised a fund-raising event which, in March, raised a staggering £5,000 for the charity.
James’ dad, Ian, has also helped by raising awareness of the charity within the council (see the Chief Exec's newsletter of 23 February 2023) and selling raffle tickets to colleagues.
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As you can imagine, Ian is immensely proud of what James has achieved, so we’ll leave the last words to him:
"The whole family are immensely proud of James. He has achieved, and overcome, more in his short life than most of us manage in a full lifetime. Thankfully, he is incredibly stubborn and has always just refused to give in, no matter what he is faced with. I look forward to the day he can fly us all on holiday."
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Katie Dawson, ERP training officer, was joined by Declan Hayes from the Payroll team to host two ERP Absence Management sessions last month, attended by almost 90 managers. You can view a recording of the session, although more sessions are being planned for later this year.
Katie also runs fortnightly, drop-in clinics on Microsoft Teams offering assistance on all areas of ERP. They started in May 2021, and there’s now been 50 sessions helping over a 100 attendees from right across the council.
 “Katie is really helpful, nothing is too much, and she always provides an answer in an easy-to-follow way. I wouldn't have been able to complete some of my tasks without her expertise!"
This is just one of the many positive comments from colleagues who've made use of the clinics.
 Katie revealed that upon starting the role in April 2020, she soon realised that “one of the greatest barriers for people utilising guidance or training was time. Everyone is busy, so I wanted there to be a drop-in clinic for people to pop in, if they are free, and ask me questions in person.”
She finds that sometimes people just need pointed to guidance notes or where to find a function, other times they come up against an error and will want to share their screen and talk through the issue. Most queries are about absences or purchasing.
Katie explained that during her drop-in clinic, “Most people are in 5 minutes at the most and usually there is just one person at a time. If someone joins and I’m in discussion with someone already, they can pop out and I’ll call them back when I’m free so they can talk to me on a one-to-one basis.”
The clinics are fortnightly and on different days and times to accommodate as many colleagues as possible. To attend, find the dates and links to join on the Intranet or on the Shropshire Council website.
Something didn't feel quite right to civil enforcement officer Graham Berry as he witnessed a driver park up in a disabled bay in Shoplatch, Shrewsbury, earlier this year. Inspecting the details on the displayed blue badge, he noticed they weren't consistent with the apparent age of the driver he'd seen. He took action by contacting Wendy Williams of the Blue Badge Team who was able to confirm that the badge owner was actually at work in Wem when the badge was used. Graham issued a Penalty Charge Notice and referred the incident to public protection support officer Amy Brunton and her mentor, professional officer Stacy Arnold who investigated the incident.
The woman in question was 29 and illegally using her mother's badge to park in a disabled bay. Instead of accepting the penalty, she challenged it. After reviewing all the relevant facts, the decision to prosecute was taken and the court issued a fine of £1000, and she was also ordered to pay the council's costs of £2,432 and a £400 surcharge.
Amy Brunton (pictured) said, "It's a great result and I hope this outcome will reiterate to the Shropshire public that we are committed to investigating and taking proportionate but robust action against offenders and ensuring that Shropshire's parking concession for disabled people is protected and available for those that actually need them".
Click here to read the rest of the story
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Mental health employment officer Matt Newton enjoys his work. “My role is very varied! I cover the whole of Shropshire and Telford working with Early Intervention in Psychosis and Transitions (EIT) to support their client's journey into employment. I meet lots of new people and many employers and enjoy building relationships with them. I really enjoy the job flexibility and freedom to manage my own diary. I enjoy getting out and about on the job as much as I can.”
A couple of months ago, Matt began working with a client called Molly - a young, ambitious lady, who had been working as a team leader in a social work auditing company. Following an episode of psychosis after surgery, and a short stay in the The Redwoods Centre mental health village, Molly was referred to him by the NHS Early Intervention Team.
Matt first talked to Molly on the phone. "We spoke about what she wanted to gain from work and how she wished to return, emphasising this was very much in her control.
"Molly had a few concerns with how her managers were dealing with this as there had been talk of a demotion..."
Click here to read the rest of the story
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This week will mark the one hundredth citizenship ceremony completed since March 2023 when Shropshire Registration Service reintroduced face-to-face ceremonies.
Members of the Registration Service have been working hard to create an occasion which celebrates the achievement of meeting all the criteria required to become a British Citizen. The ceremony includes music, swearing allegiance to His Majesty the King, and meeting representatives from Shropshire, including Council Chairman Vince Hunt, High Sheriff Mandy Thorn and other Deputy Lieutenants from across the county.
Becoming a citizen of a new country is an exciting and momentous occasion. To celebrate each successful candidate, the Registration Service gifts a tree to Shropshire Council who plant it in the countryside at one of our country parks or other public open spaces, always during the planting season (October to March).
Sue Bennett, part of the Registration Management Team, said, "We are very proud of the Registration team who have put together such a special occasion which celebrates Healthy People and a Healthy Environment in Shropshire in such a happy and inclusive way.”
The tree serves as a long-lasting tribute to the citizens' status and also helps protect our climate for future generations.
Pictured: registration team members Janet MacWillson, Sarah Morris and Cheryl Scharenguivel
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 Volunteers have been looking after the bees at Severn Valley Country Park where the hives have produced nearly 100 lbs of honey. The honey is sold in the visitor centre on their behalf to help raise funds for projects around the park, such as the wetlands project to remove reeds and install a new island to attract more birds. The jars of local honey are £6 each and are available from the café.
Volunteer Malcolm Groombridge explained, "The Severn Valley Country Park volunteers started beekeeping a number of years ago. The project was funded by money raised by the volunteer group and the intention was to encourage more bees to the area. This has increased the number of pollinators at the park, which in turn has supported our wildflower meadows.
"This year the bees have produced nearly 100 lbs of honey which is the most ever produced here. The money from the sales of the honey goes back to fund the bees and other projects at Severn Valley."
Volunteer Andy Potter tending to the bees. Photo by Malcolm Groombridge.
They also have greetings cards for sale which were designed by regular visitor, Jill Bunn.
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 The designs showcase flowers and wildlife around the Severn Valley Country Park using photos she has taken, and on the back of each card are details about the flowers and wildlife featured. Cards are £2 each and are available from the café.
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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