Nottingham Arrow magazine Winter 2022

At the same time, we as a council began the process of gaining more powers for the East Midlands through a devolution deal with government alongside Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Derby City. This would mean we would have an elected mayor, who would be able to make decisions for the local region. More importantly, it means we would have access to more money to make improvements in the city, support our bus network and bring in investment. A public consultation is now open

we would love to hear from you with your thoughts on devolution and how you think Nottingham could benefit from more powers and resources.

A number of wonderful events are also planned for winter; Winter Wonderland is returning to the city, with the iconic Christmas market and a new Sky Skate path raised above the market stalls. This promises to bring fun for all the family, with attractions on offer at a range of costs.

City Council taxpayers can get a 10% discount on the cost of off-peak skating.

The winter celebrations don’t stop at the city centre. Wollaton Hall will be holding its illuminated trail once again this year. The trail will be longer than ever and a limited number of slots for each session will be offered at 10% discount for City Council taxpayers.

Away from the celebrations, Nottingham is suffering from a cost-of-living crisis, as is the rest of the country. Spiralling inflation and energy prices are impacting us all.

As a City Council, we are supporting residents in every way we can. Leaflets to help support residents through the costof-living crisis have been distributed and can be found at all council buildings. They detail the support you can get to help you budget, ranging from where you can use computers for free, to where to get debt and benefits advice and find out what help is available for you in an emergency.

More information can be found online CLICK HERE

We also offer a welfare rights service to ensure people receive the support they are entitled to. All residents can use this to get advice on benefits, debt, and how to navigate these difficult circumstances. As a council, we are also impacted by the crisis. Unfortunately, budgets will once again be tight this year, but we are committed to providing the services our residents need.

Finally, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and best wishes to our residents of all faiths. Winter is a time of many faith celebrations. It is a time to get together with family and friends, to reflect on the year that has passed and the year to come.

2022 has been a year filled with difficulty but also with great joy for Nottingham. So happy holidays to all, may next year bring Nottingham cheer and success.

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A stunning new skating adventure, with a fantastic ice rink and a ‘Sky Skate’ ice path around the square.

A choice of places to eat and drink, with two ski-themed bars offering top quality food and the popular ice bar experience.

Christmas

An observational wheel that will lift you into the sky to look out over the city’s twinkling Christmas lights.

Christmas at Wollaton Hall

Snow White

3 December 2022 – 8 January 2023

Theatre Royal

Joe Pasquale and Faye Tozer star in this year’s panto packed full of comedy, action, adventure, and plenty of glitz and glamour.

White Christmas

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 November 2022

Theatre Royal Entertain all the family with a spectacular, toe-tapping production of the classic musical.

Dick Whittington

25 November 2022 – 14 January 2023

Nottingham Playhouse

Join Dick Whittington and his trusty cat on their quest for fame and fortune.

For details, tickets and to subscribe to our What’s On email

CLICK HERE

Morgan and West’s Great Big Christmas Magic Show

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December 2022 Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts

The time-travelling magicians crash into Christmas with a show full of fabulous family fun.

The Singing Mermaid

Friday 9 – Saturday 31 December 2022

Djanogly Theatre, Lakeside Arts Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ hugely popular story comes to the stage. A perfect Christmas treat for all the family!

Christmas at Woodthorpe Park

Festive family fun weekends with Christmas food and drink, activities, gifts and Christmas trees:

Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 November

Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December

Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 December

Saturday 17 & Sunday 18 December

Real Christmas trees for sale from 19 November: Nordmann and Fraser fir

Win a Christmas trip to the panto!

Enter by December 1 to win a family ticket (four seats together) in the stalls to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Theatre Royal Nottingham on Tuesday 6 December 2022 at 7.15pm.

Visit to the Council House for tea with the Lord Mayor!

Enter to win a visit to the Council House to meet with Nottingham’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Wendy Smith for tea.

IN EARLY SPRING 2023

To enter CLICK HERE Competition closes: Panto tickets 1 December 2022, 11:59pm. Tea with the Lord Mayor 28 February 2023, 11:59pm. See link for terms and conditions.

£1.14BN DEVOLUTION DEAL

for the East Midlands

Nottingham City Council has signed up to work on a devolution deal with other city and county council leaders in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Derby.

The Government has confirmed that a £1.14bn deal is on offer. It would give the region a guaranteed income of £38m a year over 30 years, plus an extra £16.8m for new homes. Other areas with deals have made investments to make their funding go even further.

Local councils would still exist as they are, but a new Combined County Authority would be one of the biggest in the country. It would be led by an elected mayor, with more control over local decisions and how money is spent in the region.

NEXT STEPS AND HAVE YOUR SAY . . .

THE BENEFITS WOULD BE:

This deal is not final, and we now want to hear from you. Residents, businesses, and other organisations can have their say in the public consultation, running from 14 November 2022 to 9 January 2023.

Have your say here – www.eastmidlandsdevolution.co.uk

The deal would also need Government approval in the form of new legislation to be finalised.

More investment in our area Economic growth More and better jobs Better transport, skills training and homes A greener environment

HELP IS AT HAND

for Nottingham residents facing cost of living crisis

Like the rest of the UK, many Nottingham residents are struggling with increased energy bills, inflation and mortgage rates.

There are concerns that as well as the financial impact on households, people’s mental wellbeing could be affected, leading to people avoiding or delaying getting the advice they need.

The council’s campaign aims to encourage people to talk about money and be aware of the advice and guidance which is available online at www.asklion.co.uk/money

The Ask Lion website also signposts people to a wide range of support agencies providing free and confidential advice with more complex issues.

www.asklion.co.uk/money

The website homepage pulls together simple steps everyone can take to help manage their finances, such as:

Tips for reducing and prioritising your bills at: www.asklion.co.uk/bills

Taking control of your household spending with a budget plan, using free budgeting tools at: www.asklion.co.uk/budgeting

Finding places which offer cheap food, including community supermarkets, social eating projects and food banks at: www.asklion.co.uk/food

Checking the benefits you’re entitled to, using the Benefits Calculator tool at: www.asklion.co.uk/benefits

Saving whenever possible – perhaps with the Notts and Lincs Credit Union at: www.nottsandlincscu.co.uk

Free or discounted public transport in Nottingham with Concessionary Travel Passes or other travel discount schemes at: www.asklion.co.uk/travel

Benefits for children including free childcare, Healthy Start Vouchers and free school meals can be found at: www.asklion.co.uk/benefits

Debt advice services can provide guidance on issues such as arranging temporary payment holidays, debt consolidation options, managing bills, dealing with bailiffs and debt management companies. These include StepChange Debt Charity (www.stepchange.org), National Debtline (www.nationaldebtline.org) as well as local advisers available through www.asklion.co.uk/debt

Anyone struggling to pay their rent or mortgage should speak to their landlord or mortgage lender first. However information about housing support including Housing Aid, Tenancy Advice and Discretionary Housing Payments is available at www.asklion.co.uk/housing

Mental health support is also available through www.asklion.co.uk/mentalhealth with a directory of local support services, emergency helplines and online resources.

While a lot of information is available online, it’s recognised that not everyone has access to the internet. So all Nottingham City Libraries provide free access to computers with an internet connection, and free access to wi-fi from personal devices.

The City Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Cllr Adele Williams, said:

“

No one should have to make the choice between eating and heating; no parent should have to watch their children miss meals because their cupboard is bare; no worker should have to put in 50 to 60 hour weeks, working multiple jobs, just to scrape by. But sadly, with rocketing inflation, energy bills and other pressures, that is the stark choice many face this winter. We know that many Nottingham households were already struggling and that the cost of living crisis is going to hit them hard. With our campaign, we want to make sure that people are aware that they are not alone, help is at hand. The Ask Lion website provides a useful one-stop-shop for information and advice.

The council would like to thank the members of the Nottingham Financial Resilience Partnership for supporting the campaign.

It also signposts to the organisations who can provide face-to-face advice and guidance. It is better to face any financial problems with the confidential support of advice services who can provide really practical guidance. And there is help available for anyone whose mental health is being affected by their financial situation too.

Nottingham leads the way into a

GREENER FUTURE

We are aiming to be the first city in the UK to become carbon neutral by 2028. Since 2005 we’re proud to have lowered the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) the city gives off by 57% per person – the biggest reduction by any core city in the UK.

Lots of work has also gone into our Carbon Neutral Action Plan over the last two years. Nottingham is now one of the top 100 cities in the world for our efforts to tackle climate change.

It’s a tough challenge, but over the past year we’ve made some big steps forward. We have:

Switched more than half of the City Council’s vehicles for electric-powered ones and 30% of the city’s buses are now either electric or run on biogas

Made energy efficiency improvements to thousands of homes

Planted 9,000 new trees, helping to lower the temperature of the city and make Nottingham greener

Protected buildings across the city from extreme weather with better flood defences

Avoided thousands of kilos of food waste

“

I’m pleased that we are continuing to reduce CO2 emissions in Nottingham. To have the highest per person reduction in emissions of any core city in the UK is impressive and shows the hard work that we’ve been doing across the council and the city. However, we need to do even more. Together, the City Council, partner organisations, and the residents of Nottingham can come together to do our bit to tackle the climate crisis. I would like to encourage residents to get involved where they can – our Notts Green Rewards app (www.notts. greenrewards.co.uk) has loads of suggestions to reduce your carbon footprint.

Councillor Sally Longford, Nottingham City Council

Stay warm and well this winter

Winter brings colder, shorter days, and more cases of colds, seasonal flu, and Covid-19.

Please do everything you can to look after your health and mental wellbeing, stay warm and well, and protect yourself from viruses. Most importantly, please look out for one another. The cost of living crisis could make this a tough winter for many in our city. Let’s do all we can to support each other through these colder months.

Protect yourself from viruses

People who are most at risk from flu and Covid, including people over 50, pregnant women, people with health conditions and their carers, and people who work in frontline health and care jobs, will be invited to book a vaccination to top-up their immunity.

Don’t forget you can still book a first jab – it’s not too late to get protected. All vaccinations, whether first, second or booster jabs, can be booked by calling 119 or visiting the NHS website www.nhs.uk

There are plenty of vaccination sites across the city and county including, The Courtaulds Building, 292 Haydn Road, Nottingham, NG5 1EB – as well as in pharmacies.

Stay warm

High energy bills are a worry to everyone this winter, but it’s important to stay warm. To help keep costs down and stay well, you can:

• Eat at least one hot meal every day and have plenty of warm drinks

• Make sure your main living room is heated to at least 18°C

• Wear extra layers of clothing whether you are inside or outside

• Keep moving and stay as active as possible

Look after your mental health and wellbeing

Fewer hours of daylight can affect our mental health, but we can all look after ourselves by:

• Making the most of the daylight hours –try to get out for a walk every day

• Exercising regularly, even if it’s just a gentle walk around the garden, doing housework or some gardening

• Eating well by having a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables

• Trying to connect with other people, on the phone or with messages. Talking through things that are worrying you can really help.

Mental health services are available in Nottingham if you feel that you need to reach out for help:

• Turning Point is a helpline offering practical and emotional help, as well as online support www.turning-point.co.uk

• NottAlone is a website offering mental health advice and help for young people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. If you are aged under 25, are a parent or carer, or a professional that supports young people, you can find information, advice and where to get help locally. www.nottalone.org.uk

Be a good neighbour

Help vulnerable neighbours or friends by checking that they’re warm enough and have enough food or medicine, especially if they are struggling to get out of the house.

Sometimes a few minutes’ company is all they need.

THERE’S A BUZZ AROUND BROAD MARSH

There are huge changes happening on the streets around Broad Marsh, creating a fresh new gateway to the south of the city with lots of pedestrian-friendly spaces for you to enjoy.

Carrington Street is now traffic free, with new paving, benches, planting and trees and spruced up buildings.

There are lots of new planters, trees, benches, tables and colourful murals outside Nottingham College.

For the first time in 50 years, you can now walk in the open-air from Collin Street to Listergate after part of the old shopping centre was taken down.

The inside of the new safer bus station with live information screens, plenty of seating, public toilets and 24/7 security.

Both National Express and TrentBarton are running services from the bus station.

Nottingham City Council is creating a stateof-the-art Central Library, with great spaces that put children and learning at the heart of the development.

The new library will help to bring people into the Southside area. It will be a great place to walk, cycle and relax, with pedestrianised streets as well as plans for planting and greenery to support wildlife and biodiversity.

Nottingham City Council is making £11million of

The funding will be split between each ward, with areas most in need getting more funding. The works have been identified by local people and prioritised by ward councillors.

Nottingham already has some of the best public transport in the UK, and now the city is leading the way with brand new technologies and innovations that will make our city a better place to live and get around.

INTRODUCING OUR WIRELESS ELECTRIC TAXIS . . .

Cabbies in Nottingham can now wirelessly charge their electric taxis as part of a pioneering Government-backed trial.

Local air pollution and carbon emissions are reduced!

Drivers charge their cabs while waiting for passengers at the electric taxi rank.

Nine electric hackney cabs have been fitted with the latest, super-efficient wireless charging technology.

Catch a wireless taxi at the specially upgraded rank on Trent Street near Nottingham Railway Station.

BUILDING NEW CYCLE LANES

BEECHDALE ROAD AND WIGMAN ROAD CYCLE SCHEME - IN LEEN VALLEY / BILBOROUGH

We’re removing the central strip on this road and adding a segregated cycle track. There will still be on-road parking and access will be improved for residents.

CANAL STREET/LONDON ROAD

We’re finishing the new two way cycle track for people biking in and out of the city and solving safety issues with better cycle facilities at junctions. The next phase of this project will see safer cycle routes expanded towards BioCity.

CARLTON ROAD

The first phase of work between Hooton Street and Marmion Road will include new stepped cycle tracks on both sides of the road and bus stop and pedestrian crossing improvements.

Working together to

feed local people in need

To help support residents who are struggling to afford food and bills, the City Council’s catering service is sharing kitchen space in our Loxley House building with charity FareShare Midlands.

FareShare is using the kitchen to turn donated food into healthy meals for charities including food banks, community cafes and after school clubs. A talented chef and kitchen coordinator are supported by twenty volunteers.

19 Nottingham charitable groups have signed up to receive meals

More than 600 meals are being delivered each week

Making a home

for nature in our city

We care about our local environment and are committed to protecting and improving the biodiversity of our city. It’s important that we can enjoy nature now, and in the years to come.

Recent projects across the city include:

Join the Green Guardians

Bee-Friendly Nottingham is a scheme aimed at improving local grassy areas to attract different species of plants, insects and wildlife and give important pollinators, like bees, a good source of food.

Nottingham Green Guardians volunteers have already given up more than 5,000 hours of their time to improve parks, nature reserves and open spaces for people and wildlife around the city.

Nottingham Woodland & Wetland Project includes work on four different sites in the city. It involves woodland management, making new paths and setting up wetlands and planting new trees.

Herbicide-Free Streets has been tested in certain streets to see what happens when we stop using herbicide and turn to the local community to help keep them tidy.

The Redevelopment of Broad Marsh will put more green space in the centre of the city and bring a lovely place for people to relax and socialise, while also improving the city’s biodiversity.

Nottingham City Council manage over 200 parks, local nature reserves and open spaces, many of which have a Green Flag award. The Nottingham Green Guardians aim is to make Nottingham happier, healthier and greener. With hundreds of Nottingham Green Guardians already helping with photography, gardening, tree planting and conservation and habitat management, we have volunteers making areas right across the city more beautiful and allowing wildlife to thrive.

If you would like to give back to your local community, improve the environment, meet new people, learn a new skill, or just get out in the fresh air, then why not join us at a park or nature reserve near you.

Find out more CLICK HERE

Need support? Help is available

Domestic Violence

Juno Women’s Aid: 0808 800 0340 (freephone 24/7) helpline@junowomensaid.org.uk www.junowomensaid.org.uk

Equation Men’s Support: 0800 9956 999 (Mon – Fri, 9.30am – 4.30pm) A confidential answerphone runs 24/7 helpline@equation.org.uk www.equation.org.uk

Sexual Violence Support: 0115 941 0440 dutysupervisor@nottssvss.org.uk www.nottssvss.org.uk

Food Banks

In order to get help from a food bank you will need to be referred with a voucher. Each food bank works with different frontline professionals; these might be doctors, health visitors, social workers or head teachers. Speak to a professional about a referral or find out more at www.asklion.co.uk/food

Mental Health

Alcoholics Anonymous 0115 941 7100 8am to midnight, 7 days a week

Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust Free Crisis Support Helpline on 0808 196 3779 24 hours, seven days a week www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs. uk/help-in-a-crisis

Wellness in Mind

Talk through your feelings, get advice and find out what support is available to you Support line 0800 561 0073 (please press option1) 9am to 5pm www.wellnessinmind.org/talk-to-us-online

The Tomorrow Project

The Tomorrow Project offers direct support to those in suicide crisis.

Call 0115 880 0282 (please note, you’ll be asked to leave a voice message and a member of the team will respond within one working day) www.tomorrowproject.org.uk Email crisis@tomorrowproject.org.uk

The Silver Line

A free helpline for people aged 55+ Freephone 0800 4708090 24 hours, seven days a week

The Arrow magazine is now digital. Need to receive a hard-copy to your home? Call 0115 8763350 and leave us a voicemail with your address and whether you need regular or large print and we’ll send you a paper copy from the next edition.

If you’re struggling, either due to abuse, your mental health or your financial or housing situation, there is help available in Nottingham – please reach out.

Money help and advice

ASKLiON:

The ASKLiON website is a good starting place for money advice: www.asklion.co.uk/money

Citizens Advice help to claim

Universal Credit 0800 144 8 444

Citizens Advice Nottingham & District: 0300 330 5457 or visit www.citizensadvicenottingham.org.uk

St Ann’s Advice Centre General enquiries: 0115 950 6867 Debt advice: 0115 908 1530

Bestwood Advice Centre 0115 962 6519

Clifton Advice Centre 0115 940 5551

Meadows Advice Centre 0115 986 0197

Help with energy bills: 0115 985 3009 or visit www.nottenergy. com/news/emergency-food-vouchers

Notts & Lincs Credit Union: www.nottsandlincscu.co.uk or email info@nottsandlincscu.co.uk

Nottingham Law Centre www.nottinghamlawcentre.org.uk/ forms/contact-us for general enquiries

Money Advice Service: www.moneyhelper.org.uk

National Debtline Advice: 0808 808 4000 or www.nationaldebtline.org

Step Change Debt Advice: www.stepchange.org

Universal Credit advice: www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk or 0800 328 5644

Stop Loan Sharks helpline: 0300 555 2222 or www.stoploansharks.co.uk Welfare Rights Service 0115 915 1355 welfarerights@nottinghamcity.gov.uk www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/ welfarerights

Age UK’s advice line for older people Freephone 0800 678 1602

Nottingham on Call 24-hour help and reassurance at home 0115 746 9010 www.nottinghamoncall.com

Opportunity and Change Provide employment-related support for people facing severe and multiple disadvantage www.opportunityandchange.org