Boston Naturehood

Pop along and join Lincolnshire Community and Voluntary Service (LCVS) on Saturday 25th March from 10am to 3pm in Central Park, Boston, all welcome.   They will be improving the site for wildlife, including planting native wildflowers, making wildflower seed bombs and bird feeders and making bug homes.  There will also be a bug hunt and wildlife quizzes.  To find out more, email: jackielane@lincolnshirecvs.org.uk or transportedart@gmail.com  Please see poster attached for more details

Voter ID

Information about the #VoterID scheme will be sent out to residents with their council tax bills during March.  Residents in the borough are urged to check the information provided and ensure they have a valid form of ID which will allow them to vote at their local polling station at this year's elections on May 4  More information: https://bit.ly/424F534

Boston HAF Club

Easter HAF Club is coming.  The Holiday Activities and Food club (HAF) is open to children aged 5-11*  We will be providing this club 11th - 14th April, 10AM-2PM.  *If your child is eligible for benefit related free school meals you will received an eVoucher from your child's school. To book please follow the link on the eVoucher and search for 'Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex'. Each booking is subject to approval and parents/carers will receive an email to confirm their booking if they are successful.  Please ensure you book the exact dates required, each day needs to be booked individually.  Lincolnshire County Council Department for Education

Homes for Ukraine

Yesterday marks one year since the launch of the ~#HomesForUkraine scheme and it’s now one of the fastest and largest visa programmes in UK history.   Thanks to the generosity of thousands of people here in the UK, over 116,000 Ukrainians have arrived safely in the UK under the scheme, including 87 in Boston.  Across the country, extraordinary people are transforming the lives of those who have fled the war in Ukraine, by offering a place in their own home and support in their community. As the war continues, the people of Ukraine still need our help as they find their feet here in the UK.   Could you join the thousands already involved and offer a safe place to stay? Find out more at: https://loom.ly/cNB3JB0

Household Support Fund

In an effort to reach households in Boston that have not yet received any cost of living support, we are working with Lincolnshire Community Foundation who are offering grants to help with energy, food and essential living costs.  Please visit South & East Lincolnshire Council's Partnership Household Support Fund or if you don't have digital access call 01529 305825

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

Don’t suffer in silence, you are not alone.  Call Lincolnshire’s mental health and emotional wellbeing helpline for support. Spread the word that help is available 24/7. Call 0800 001 4331.

Loneliness

This winter, why not check in with a family member or friend to help them feel less lonely - it could help lift you up too.  Find out how you can help lift someone out of loneliness - http://nhs.uk/every-mind.../lifes-challenges/loneliness/

GP Appointments

Your local GP practice is offering evening and weekend appointments at the surgery or at an NHS service nearby.  Speak to the reception team when you book, or visit your GP practice website for more details.

Symptoms of a Stroke

If you see someone with any of the signs or symptoms of a stroke, remember to Act F.A.S.T.

F – Face (has their face fallen on one side?)

A – Arms (can they raise both arms and keep them there?)

S – Speech (is it slurred?) and T – Time to call 999.

http://nhs.uk/actFAST

1000 miles challenge

Want to mark the NHS’s 75th birthday in style? Why not join the NHS 1000-mile challenge and commit to walking, running, swimming or cycling 1,000 miles during 2023?  For more information on how to get involved, visit: www.england.nhs.uk/nhsbirthday/get-involved

Energy efficiency Improvements

New applications are open for eligible residents to apply for energy efficiency improvements on their homes, following additional funding to the Partnership through the Green Homes Grant programme.  If you have any queries regarding the grant please contact:

greenhomesgrants@e-lindsey.gov.uk   01507 613573  Complete the online form at https://loom.ly/cvpTIkQ   For more information, please visit https://loom.ly/VorkaJE

Elections

Thinking of standing as a district or parish councillor at the Local Elections on Thursday 4 May, 2023?   Boston Borough Council has organised a Candidate and Agent Briefing session for those interested in becoming a councillor.   The briefing session will be held on Tuesday, March 7 from 6pm-7pm at Meeting Room 1, Municipal Buildings, Boston Borough Council. To book your place, please email elections@boston.gov.uk  The sessions will provide information and key dates for the election process.

Mini Wind Turbines

The South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership has facilitated a UK first with the installation of two innovative and cost-effective mini #wind turbines.  The 2m high wind turbines have been installed at FreshLinc in Spalding and at the end of Skegness Pier.

Businesses from across the Partnership area, including in Boston, are encouraged to find out more about the scheme which aims to revolutionise how electricity is generated.  Cllr Nigel Welton, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development at Boston Borough Council, saw both of Lincolnshire turbines being installed.  He said: "Ventum has landed in the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership. There have been many people working hard behind the scenes to bring this to our region and it is fantastic to see them now up and running.  "Businesses are wanting solutions to be more energy efficient and reduce costs so it's fantastic we have collectively been able to make this happen. I am looking forward to seeing what green projects this will lead to in the future to drive investment, support businesses and growth."  Read more: https://bit.ly/3S1eD5O

Garden Waste

Your winter break is over and your fortnightly garden waste bin collections will resume from tomorrow until Friday, March 31, 2023.  Please note: The payment system will soon be open for the 2023/24 garden waste season which will start from Monday, April 3, 2023 - keep an eye on our channels for more information coming soon

Levelling Up Questions & Answers

Q: Is the bus station moving?

A: No. There are no proposals to move the bus station at the current time. During the later phases of the development, the aspiration will be to consider the future of the bus station which could include regeneration of it and improvement of the facilities, or alternatives. Any proposals for this will be consulted upon at the time.

Q: Please explain where these ideas have come from?

A: These ideas have been part of a long-standing vision for this area. Since 2018, various options have been developed, in order to attempt to access funding opportunities from the Town Deal and Levelling Up funds as examples. The proposals align with the funding requirements; and the aspiration for the improvement of the area.

Q: I have used the wheelchair swing in Central Park, will the new areas include equipment for wheelchair/special needs children to use i.e. roundabouts etc all in the name of inclusion & not just left on the side lines to watch other children playing?

A: These points are noted, and will be considered moving forward. The aim of the public space is to create an accessible space for all.