the website of South Ashford Community Forum
Some of the candidates for the election of councillors to Ashford Borough Council in May are beginning their campaigns.
Following the Electoral Review of Ashford Borough in 2016/17 there will be substantial changes to the wards in South Ashford. Make sure you know which ward you will be in.
When the candidates have been announced we will publish their details.
If you haven’t alread done so, Register now to Vote:
www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
The proposals are for a residential-led scheme including: –
Quinn Estates have organised a public exhibition to give local residents and stakeholders an opportunity to see plans of our proposal and to speak to core members of the project team. The aim is to understand the views and ideas of the local community so that the development proposals can evolve to take account of feedback.
Quinn Estates would like to invite elected representatives to attend, prior to the main consultation event to enable any questions/queries to be answered.
The events will be held on:
Public Exhibition –
For more information, please contact
01227 831 212 | www.quinn-estates.com | quinnestates@quinn-estates.com
The planning application for proposals to be included in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for improvements to Victoria Park have been submitted for planning permission.
The proposals include the extension to existing nursery building to create new cafe provision. Improvements to entrances on public highway, resurfacing and extension to existing car park, new CCTV, lighting columns adjacent to new cafe, new feature play equipment. Restoration and repairs to landscape features – paths, planting, seating, ecological improvements etc., a new path along the boundary of Watercress Fields and the refurbishment of the listed Hubert Fountain.
Implimentation of the proposals is subject to the bid by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which is expected to be submitted this month, being successful. The results of the bid are expected late summer of this year.
The ABC planning case reference is 19/00054/AS
Following the discussion at the June 2018 meeting of the South Ashford Community Forum, Ashford Borough Council have published emerging proposals for the former Mecca Bingo / Odeon site.
High streets up and down the country are facing challenging times due to online shopping and the changing way town centre are being used. This means they need to reinvent themselves and what they offer to residents and visitors.
The Council is looking to regenerate the town centre so that:
The former Mecca/Odeon site and the adjacent Vicarage Lane car park presents a unique opportunity to drive forward these objectives which could bring more people to the town centre and provide better facilities for residents.
The Council would like to hear your views.
To see more details and participate in the survey go to www.ashford.gov.uk/mecca
Talking about mental health is not always easy. But starting a conversation doesn’t have to be awkward, and being there for someone can make a huge difference.
It’s important that conversations happen at times and in places that feel natural. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about our feelings when we are doing something else. Driving in the car; jogging around the park; eating breakfast in the cafe. The more typical the setting, the less unusual and uncomfortable the conversation can feel.
There is no right way to talk about mental health, but these tips will guide you to make sure you’re approaching it in a helpful way.
Asking questions can give the person space to express how they’re feeling and what they’re going through, and it will help you to understand their experience better. Try to ask questions that are open and not leading or judgemental – such as “how does that affect you” or “what does it feel like?”
Sometimes it’s easier to talk side by side rather than face to face. So, if you do talk in person, you might want to chat while you are doing something else. You could start a conversation when you’re walking, cooking or stuck in traffic. However, don’t let the search for the perfect place put you off!
It can be hard to see someone you care about having a difficult time but try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what they’re going through. Learning to manage or recover from a mental health problem can be a long journey, and they’ve likely already considered lots of different tools and strategies. Just talking can be really powerful, so unless they’ve asked for advice directly, it might be best just to listen.
When someone has a mental health problem , they’re still the same person as they were before. And that means when a friend or loved one opens up about mental health, they don’t want to be treated any differently. If you want to support them, keep it simple. Do the things you’d normally do.
No matter how hard you try, some people might not be ready to talk about what they’re going through. That’s ok – the fact that you’ve tried to talk to them about it may make it easier for them to open up another time.
And there are lots of things you can do to support them even if you’re not talking:
Are you hoping to start a conversation today?Read Lauren’s 5 tips for starting a conversation about mental health Read Lauren’s tips
Time To Change
If you’re experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help.
Time to Change focuses on challenging stigma and discrimination in society, so they’re not able to provide individual or emergency support for people in crisis. But there are lots of people who can. They are listed here:
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org
Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.
Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm Monday to Friday) or text 86463
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines
Mind provides confidential mental health information services.
With support and understanding, Mind enables people to make informed choices. The Infoline gives information on types of mental health problems, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative therapies and advocacy. Mind works in partnership with around 140 local Minds providing local mental health services.
Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (9.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday)
Email: online contact form
Website: http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice
Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England.
Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm-10:30pm)
Website: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline
Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.
Telephone: 0808 808 4994 (11am-11pm, free to call)
Email: Helpline email form
Crisis Support: Text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258.
Website: www.themix.org.uk/get-support
The Mix provides judgement-free information and support to young people aged 13-25 on a range of issues including mental health problems. Young people can access the The Mix’s support via phone, email, webchat, peer to peer and counselling services.
Telephone: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything – no problem is too big or too small.
Website: http://elefriends.org.uk/
Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. Elefriends is run by Mind.
If you’re a carer needing support you can contact all of the above as well as Carers Directand the Carers Trust, both of whom are able to provide support and advice on any issues affecting you.
Telephone: 0800 567 7699
Email: info@livewellkent.org.uk
Website: http://livewellkent.org.uk/
Live Well Kent helps people improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing. It is a free service for anyone over 17. Live Well Kent is delivered on behalf of Kent County Council and the NHS by two charities, Porchlight and Shaw Trust.
Telephone: 0800 107 0160
Website: www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure
Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. We have a highly trained and experienced team waiting to provide you with confidential support to get you back on track.
If the person seems really unwell, and you are worried about their safety, you should encourage them to seek help.
Action Fraud has experienced an increase in the reporting of malicious calls, voicemails, text messages or emails to members of the public purporting to be from HMRC.
The fraudsters state that as a result of their non-payment of tax or other duty, the victim is liable to prosecution or other legal proceedings such as repossession of belongings to settle the balance but can avoid this by arranging for payment to be made immediately by method such as bank transfer or by iTunes gift cards.
If the victim is hesitant or refuses to comply, the suspect makes a threat such as immediate arrest, bailiffs or in cases where the victim appears to be of overseas origin; deportation.
Often, the period for which the tax is allegedly due is distant enough to guarantee the victim will have little, if any, paperwork or ability to verify the claims. Once the money is paid the suspects sever all contact.
It is vital that the public exercise caution when receiving messages or telephone calls of this nature.
What you need to do
Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information. Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and contact details), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Instead, contact the company directly using trusted methods such as a known email address or phone number.
Listen to your instincts. If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it. No genuine organisation will ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using iTunes Gift Cards, or any other type of voucher.
Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. Under no circumstances would a genuine bank or some other trusted organisation force you to make a financial transaction on the spot.
Report Phishing attempts. If you receive a call, text or email of this nature and have not lost money, report this as a phishing attempt to Action Fraud.
Action Fraud 7 January 2019
Join the first litter pick of 2019 in Victoria Park
Organised by Keep Ashford Clean
Litter pickers, high vis jackets and gloves will be provided. Meeting is by the water fountain for a 1 pm start.
The litter pick will be followed by a talk about litter and plastic pollution.
The deadline is 30 April 2019 and a maximum of four entries per person can be entered, two photos from Victoria Park and two from Singleton Lake.
There are four groups:
There are four groups:
Competition Rules on Friends of Victoria Park website.
Email entries to fosl.photocomp@gmail.com
Kent County Council gives notice that Arlington, Ashford will be dosed to through traffic, on or after Wednesday 2 January 2019 for up to 3 days.
Arlington will be closed in various phases along its length. Access to the remainder of Arlington continues from either direction up to where the road is closed at any time. Access to the various side-roads will be maintained from one or other direction as signposted on site.
It is planned that the road will be dosed between 07:30 hours and
16:30 hours each day.
The closures are to enable Kent County Council to carry out urgent
essential carriageway repairs.
This Notice applies when the relevant signs and barriers are on site
and is valid for a period of no more than 5 days.
Information regarding council services during the Christmas period can be found on the following pages:
Find Who does What on our list of Council Government and Council Services