If you want to feel good, do good

Thought for the Week

"The happiness of one's own heart alone cannot satisfy the soul; one must try to include, as necessary to one's own happiness, the happiness of others." Paramahansa Yogananda

International Day of Happiness 20 March 2015

After years of happiness research, one thing has proved fundamental - the importance of our connections with other people.

But modern societies are built as if the opposite was true. We are surrounded by people, yet we feel genuinely connected to almost none of them. The effects are devastating.

Social isolation is as potent a cause of early death as smoking; and the epidemic of loneliness is twice as deadly as obesity.

We could change this in a day if we all reached out and made at least one positive connection. For the International Day of Happiness, that's exactly what we're going to do.

For the International Day of Happiness 2015 we're inviting everyone to focus on their connections with others.

Proceeds from Love Barrow Awards 2015 raffle goes to local charity

PC John Irving and Steve Robson presenting half the proceeds (£603.86) of the Love Barrow Awards 2015 raffle to Zoe Guest of St Mary's Hospice in the Queens Hall at Barrow in Furness Town Hall.

The remaining half will be donated to the other Love Barrow Awards charity, Alice's Escapes.

Thought for the Week

“There is no joy without hardship. If not for death, would we appreciate life?  If not for hate, would we know the ultimate goal is love? … At these moments you can either hold on to negativity and look for blame, or you can choose to heal and keep on loving.” Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay

 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust

We would like your views on how can we ensure that everybody can access our services.  For example, how can we improve our communications and information to patients, families and carers? How can we improve your experience when visiting our services? How can we improve our recruitment policies and processes?

We would particularly like to hear from people who have, or who represent people with protected characteristics as identified in the Equality Act 2010, which are:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

To hear your views, you are invited to attend an event in your local area:

Kendal, Town Hall 1 April 1-3pm

Barrow, The Forum 8 April 9.30–12.30pm

Ulverston, Coronation Hall 8 April 1.30–3.30pm

Tea, coffee and a snack will be provided.

There will be British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters attending all the events.

We believe that providing equality of opportunity to patients, their families and carers, and staff is fundamental to ensuring that our hospitals are a Great Place to be Cared For; Great Place to Work. Managing diversity and inclusion underpins the Trust’s strategic plan to ensure that people from all communities in our local area and beyond want to access University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust for care and treatment.

At the session we will:

·         talk to you about how the Equality Act 2010 can have a positive impact on the way you access health care at the Trust

·         seek your views about how the Trust intends to meet its public sector equality duty under the Equality Act.

·         confirm whether we are planning appropriate action and if we have missed something important, to seek your views about what else we should include.

We would be grateful if you could confirm your attendance at one of the events with: Vicki Davies, Trust Headquarters

email: Victoria.Davies@mbht.nhs.uk by 20^th March 2015

Vacancy at THE PARK LEISURE CENTRE - PARTY LEADER

BARROW BOROUGH COUNCIL - THE PARK LEISURE CENTRE

PARTY LEADER

Salary Scale: Spinal Point 5 (£6.9974 per hour) (14 hours alternate weekends)

We are looking for a lively, enthusiastic person who can entertain and motivate children ranging from toddlers to teenagers. You must be confident, with bags of energy and able to capture children's attention in a fun an interesting way. The post is offered on a permanent part-time basis working alternate weekends of 14 hours - Saturday and Sunday 10am-5.00pm (7 hours per week on average). Eligible applicants will automatically be enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

You will be involved in the day to day supervision of our highly successful birthday party activities including, 5 a-side, bouncy castle, roller disco, dance mats and multi games format. You will be responsible for delivering a high standard of service and customer care. The successful applicants will be responsible for ensuring that children have a fun and entertaining time in a safe & clean environment and for setting up equipment, clearing away and tidying the party food area, and maintaining equipment.

Applicants should be numerate and literate, have experience of working with children and dealing with the general public. An enthusiastic and flexible approach to work and an ability to communicate effectively with staff and customers is essential. A current First Aid Certificate and experience of working in a similar recreation/leisure environment would be an advantage.

The successful applicant will be required to apply for a Standard criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service prior to appointment.

For an informal discussion about the post please contact John Kitts, Assistant Manager, on telephone (01229) 871146.

To apply for this vacancy you need to complete an application form.  Please visit www.yourcumbriajobs.co.uk to apply online.

Any queries please contact the HR Department, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria on (01229) 876543.

Closing date for applications:  Friday 27th March 2015

The Council welcomes applications from disabled persons and applicants from ethnic minorities.

Thought for the Week

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

SkillsFest 2015 - Saturday 7 March

SkillsFest 2015

Saturday 7 March

11am–2.30pm at The Forum, Duke St, Barrow. This annual event provides a chance for young people to learn about future career options from Furness businesses and training providers. Inspira and Furness Education and Skills Partnership are leading the event which will see more than 25 employers, schools and Furness College promoting the skills needed by children, young people and adults to be work ready. 

Free admission

Police and Crime Commissioner to hold public surgery in Barrow this week

Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes will be holding surgeries in a number of towns in the south of Cumbria during March, and he is inviting people to go along and share their views about policing in the county.

Richard Rhodes said “A key responsibility of the Police and Crime Commissioner is listening to the views of the people of Cumbria and using them to influence the future policing in the county. It is important that as many people as possible come along to the surgeries and share their views and raise any issues they may have.” 

Mr Rhodes will be in the following venues:

Barrow	The Forum	Thurs 5 March	12 – 2pm
Windermere	Booth’s Café	Tues 10 March	10am -12
Penrith	Morrison’s Café	Thurs12 March	10am - 12
Kendal	Westmorland Shopping Centre	Weds18 March	11am-1pm

Mr Rhodes will be visiting other parts of Cumbria during his next round of surgeries, and dates and venues will be announced in due course.

No appointment is necessary, but pre-booked appointments can be made. To book a time slot, please email commissioner@cumbria-pcc.gov.uk or ring 01768 217734.  

BT Apprenticeships at Kendal College

BT Openreach is working with Kendal College during National Apprentice Week to support an event on 12th March (2pm to 7pm) open to anyone who may be interested in gaining an apprenticeship with BT (and other employers). BT is definitely aiming to recruit for Cumbria.

If you know anyone who may be interested in this, please let them know. They only need to turn up on the day.

Phil Ruston | NGA Connecting Cumbria -Social Inclusion | Tel: +443316640774 | E: phil.ruston@bt.com  |  http://www.btplc.com/BetterFuture/ConnectedSociety/

Cumbria Police to host recruitment web chat

Ever considered a career in policing? Do you want to make a difference to this county?

Cumbria Constabulary are hosting a live web chat on Thursday 19^th February to answer questions about the current recruitment process, the role of a Police Constable, the training provided and to discuss how being a Cumbria Constabulary Police Constable is the start of an exciting and rewarding career.

The web chat on Thursday offers a chance to speak with members of staff from the Human Resources Department who will be able to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have regarding the recruitment process.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said “Working as a police constable enables you to support your local community whilst gaining new skills and experience in a professional role. If you are looking for a challenge and want to make a difference in the community, please join the web chat to find out more.

“The web chat is a great way to ask us a variety of questions on the recruitment process and I would encourage those who are considering whether to apply to join in.”

To take part in the web chat log onto: www.cumbria.police.uk/JoinUsChat between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday 19^th February.

The application process for the new recruits closes on 27^th February 2015. Further details about the role of a police officer are available on the Cumbria Constabulary website – http://www.cumbria.police.uk/join-us. 

Oaklea Trust Jobs Fair Monday 2 March

Oaklea Trust Jobs Fair Monday 2 March

from 10am at the Forum, Duke Street, Barrow.

If you’re looking for a fresh challenge, come to our Jobs Fairs, a career in social care can be rewarding in so many ways.

A career with The Oaklea Trust is one with varied opportunities, that’s rewarding and where the door is always open to applicants of every age and every walk of life.

We provide care and support to people across Cumbria - in their own home, in the workplace or in the community.

Interviews will be held on the day for current jobs, both for part-time and full-time positions.

10:00am Welcome to The Oaklea Group

11.00am Interviews start

Coffee and Cakes

Please book a place to guarantee your interview Telephone 01539 735 025

or email: customer.advice@oakleatrust.co.uk or text CONFIRM and YOUR NAME to 07436 264 775.

If you are unable to attend on the day, email your CV to cv@oakleatrust.co.uk

www.oakleatrust.co.uk

Cumbria Constabulary are recruiting

Cumbria Constabulary will be appointing up to 90 police officers in their latest recruitment drive.

During the financial year 2015-2016, the force is looking to recruit officers in a bid to bolster its ranks in order to continue to offer a high-quality policing service to its communities.

The application process is now open and closes on 27^th February 2015.

The new officers will help deliver community policing and support the front line; working within the local communities and tackling their policing priorities.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said, “Police Officers work hard to support our communities, to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and focus on the issues that matter most to local people.

“The new officers will replace officers who have retired and support the front line within local communities working with local people focussing on the areas that are important to them.

“Promotions within the force mean that we have been able to retain and maintain high levels of skill, knowledge and expertise.

“Whilst the force will be reducing the number of officers over the next few years, we will continue to bring new people in order to ensure we have a sustainable workforce.

“The successful applicants will join a top performing police force and will help to tackle crime so that Cumbria continues to be a safe place to live, work and visit.

“We are looking for people that are enthusiastic and who want to serve the local communities of Cumbria. We are looking for applicants who have a passion to make a difference.”

In welcoming the recruitment drive, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said:

“I would urge anyone who seeks a challenging yet rewarding job and wants to make a real difference in their community to consider this opportunity to become a Police Officer in Cumbria.”

Cumbria Constabulary is committed to ensuring that the force represents the community in which it serves, further details about the role of a police officer are available on the Cumbria Constabulary website – http://www.cumbria.police.uk/join-us.

Prior to submitting your application, please take time to complete the pre-application questionnaire in order to determine your eligibility and suitability for the role of a Police Constable. In order to do this, please click on the following link: http://www.ncalt.com/pre-join/index.html. 

Get Online at Barrow Library

Be Online at Barrow Library - drop-in event 27 February

Half-term at the Dock Museum - drop-in craft activities

Thought for the Week

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Nelson Mandela

'Get Online' regular sessions with Barrow Library

'Get Online' drop-in event at Barrow Library

Thought for the Week

"The little things? The little moments? They aren't little." Jon Kabat-Zinn

Signal Films invite to people from Barrow Island

'Art of Remembering' exhibition at the Dock Museum

Harry Potter Book Celebration at Barrow Library

FREE Alcohol Brief Intervention Training in Barrow