UK roadshow to visit West Northants’ inspirational small businesses
Small businesses in West Northamptonshire will be put on the map by the Small Business Saturday campaign later this year, after it has announced plans to bring its next national roadshow to the area this autumn.
The Tour will visit local businesses in Northampton on Monday, 18 November 2024 as part of a month-long journey across the UK, telling the inspirational stories of the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses and spotlighting the real people and communities behind them.
WNC are promoting their domestic abuse survey. The survey closes on 18 October.
If you live or work in West Northamptonshire, are over the age of 16, and have experienced any form of abusive or harmful behaviour from someone you love or care about, such as a partner or family member, we want to hear from you.
Domestic abuse includes a wide range of experiences, from being controlled, manipulated, or emotionally abused, to physical, financial, or sexual abuse. It can, and does, affect anyone regardless of race, age, sex, gender, or sexuality.
WNC are promoting their new initiative to support carers. See this website for more.
One-stop shops to be introduced for carers in Northamptonshire
Carers across Northamptonshire can now attend one-stop shops hosted in locations across county to receive practical advice and support. This comes following engagement with carers delivered by North and West Northamptonshire Councils to ensure they can access the information they need.
WNC have announced the headline acts for the reopening of Northampton Market Square on 19 and 20 October.
Headline acts revealed ahead of Northampton’s revitalised Market Square grand reopening
West Northamptonshire is gearing up for an unforgettable weekend as the newly revitalised and reimagined Northampton Market Square prepares to reopen with a spectacular celebration on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October.
WNC are promoting free flu vaccinations for pregnant women.
Vaccination gives protection for pregnant women and their unborn child
Pregnant women across West Northamptonshire are being encouraged to take up the free flu vaccine offer ahead of the winter months.
Pregnant women, and their unborn child, are at a higher risk of complications and more severe conditions such as pneumonia, as the immune system naturally weakens during pregnancy. Flu can also affect the growth of their baby, which could lead to still birth. There is a higher risk of pregnant women being admitted to hospital due to flu than the general population.
To coincide with International Men’s Day, WNC are seeking nominations for local role models. Closes 23 October.
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Nominate your West Northants Male Role Models
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is calling on residents to nominate the men and boys who have made significant contributions to their communities as part of the West Northamptonshire Male Role Model Awards 2024.
These awards are designed to raise awareness around men’s wellbeing and to celebrate those who inspire others and have a positive impact on the lives of people in their communities or workplaces.
The Council is seeking nominations for men and boys who have been inspirational in the broadest sense. Whether they have supported their community, achieved remarkable goals, or positively influenced the lives of others, WNC wants to hear their stories.
WNC are promoting the application processes for school places.
It’s time to apply for your child’s school place for September 2025
Parents and carers of children living in West Northamptonshire can now apply for a reception place in a primary or infant school, a year 3 place in a junior school, or a Year 7 place in a secondary school, for the September 2025 intake.
WNC have launched a new service for 24/7 mental health support.
24-hour mental health text message service launched in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) along with North and West Northamptonshire Councils have partnered with charity Mental Health Innovations to offer free, confidential and 24/7 mental health support to those across the county through the charity’s text messaging support service Shout.
The partnership has been funded through North and West Northamptonshire Public Health services and ICB to provide this innovative digital offer for anyone in Northamptonshire to enable them to access 24-hour mental health support, 365 days a year from their mobile phone.
The service launched on Monday 2 September and people in the county can text the word ‘IMATTER’ to 85258 to be connected to a trained Shout Volunteer. The service is open around the clock and can help with issues such as anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression and suicidal thoughts. The conversation, which takes place entirely by text message, aims to help the texter reach a calmer place with a plan to move forward. It will also signpost them to further support available locally.
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Powered by charity Mental Health Innovations, Shout launched publicly in May 2019 and has taken more than 2.5 million conversations with more than 830,000 people who were feeling anxious, stressed, depressed or suicidal and who needed urgent support.
WNC are consulting on their draft trees and woods strategy. Responses due 13 October.
Following a round of engagement last winter which informed this work, we have developed and are now seeking views on the draft Trees and Woods Strategy. The Strategy will help us manage trees more effectively, as well as to set our vision and action plan for the future treescape of West Northamptonshire.
Discover what treasures you can uncover at Northampton’s Market, reimagined
Preparations are underway as Northampton Market is set to return to the historic market square from 20 September, following the area undergoing extensive regeneration to provide a renewed space for residents, businesses, and traders.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is working closely with new and existing traders to finalise their bespoke fixed stalls and arrangements for their flexible pop-up stalls ahead of the reopening weekend.
The town is home to one of the longest running outdoor markets in Europe and the reopening of the market from 20 September is a significant milestone in the transformation of the town, and forms part of the phased opening of the regeneration scheme. The wider rejuvenated market square will open to the public on 19 October with family-friendly festivities taking place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October.
WNC are consulting on their draft Local Transport Plan. Closing date for comments is 17 October.
Our Local Transport Plan sets out our long-term strategy for maintaining and improving all aspects of local transport up to 2045 and sets out our objectives, policies and goals in relation to future transport schemes, network management and how people will use the transport links to get to and from work, socialise, access education and services.
This consultation is your opportunity to give us feedback on the vision, objectives, policies and schemes contained in the draft plan.
The launch of Community Connect; a new welfare and wellbeing service for rural West Northamptonshire communities.
SNVB is delighted to announce a new 4 year project funded by the National Lottery which will focus on welfare and wellbeing in our rural communities.
We will be supporting people by acting as a ‘Solutions Hub’ for the following:
Energy advice or energy saving tips
Access to affordable food or food support, whether that is either referrals to Food banks or signposting to Community Food Larders
Help in making a return to work, whether through upskilling, free online training, or finding relevant volunteering opportunities to build confidence and CV content
Opportunities to discuss caring roles and dispensations available to carers such as Powers of Attorney, Deputyship, Carer’s Allowance, and the Blue Badge scheme
Wellbeing and self-care advice
Full benefits checks and support for Universal Credit, Council Tax advice, and other Government provisions.
