Boston and South Holland Newsletter - June 2023
Activity in Boston and South Holland
Of course, the big event this quarter was the Lincolnshire show and as with previous years it proved to be a hot but rewarding day with some good engagement with the public. You could say that engagement has been a theme for me over the last three months as I have committed to having a presence on both Spalding market and Boston market at least once a month over the rest of the year. I do however recognise with regards voluntary agencies they are often looking for engagement opportunities and would be more than happy to do some joint engagement so please drop me an email and I can share some dates. Karen Lilliman from St Barnabas Hospice has already joined me on both markets. I am of course not excluding statutory agencies should they wish to join me, and Stuart Hoyle from the Environment Agency has requested a date for Boston market.
In May I attended an event hosted by Insp Colin Clarkson from the Boston Neighbourhood Policing Team looking at hot spot areas in the town centre and how joint working can address some of the issues. The Safer Together Team has continued work on Lincolnshire Strong Voices which engages with young people on areas such as their community, Anti-Social Behaviour and policing in the community and as part of this engagement along with my colleague Stephanie Marwood I attended Boston Grammar to speak with the students. I think the main thing coming from these sessions is that you can not presume to know what concerns young people.
Engagement with the veteran community continues and I have to say a big thank you to Jon Mansfield from Every-One on behalf of us all supporting veterans for not only organising the Military Veterans and Families Wellbeing meetings but for his regular updates on support and activities that are available across the county. There was also and excellent veterans and families day in Spalding organised by the Veterans Support Services in May and I had a visit to the RAF Police in Cranwell.
In Boston I attended the AGM of the Boston Central Neighbourhood Action Group made up of local residents and councillors who are making a difference in the local area. They are recruiting for new members so please get in touch if you are interested or know of someone who may be and I will pass the details on.
Serious Violence Survey
Marc Jones, the Police & Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire and Councillor Patricia Bradwell, the Co-Chair of the Serious Violence Core Priority Group, are inviting Lincolnshire residents to take part in a survey on topics related to the Serious Violence Duty. The survey has been commissioned to build up and deepen collective understanding of the views and experiences of residents across the county, with regard to violence of all kinds and how it might best be prevented. To find out more and take part, please click here
Holidays Activities and Food Programme
Do you have young people at home and want to keep them occupied over the school holidays? The Holidays Activities and Food Programme is arranged by Lincolnshire County Council as part of a government funding programme and will be opening for summer applications on 30th June 2023. In your area there are opportunities in: Boston, Spalding, Holbeach, Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge, Crowland and Deeping St Nicolas
What is HAF?
The HAF programme is a government funded programme that provides reception to year 11 pupils, who receive benefits-related free school meals in Lincolnshire, access to free healthy meals and activities over the Summer, Christmas, and Easter holidays. Further eligibility criteria can be found on the HAF website for children who are not eligible for benefits-related free school meals. The LA can utilise 15% funding to support other vulnerable children and young people.
Summer 2023 Delivery Dates:
Summer HAF will take place during the summer holidays running from Monday 24th July - Tuesday 5th September 2023 (excluding weekends and bank holidays)