Every windowsill, yard, and small garden is a stepping stone in the patchwork of spaces that animals and plants live in and move through – for shelter, and for food. Tiny changes that we can make help to improve the connections between these patches, making a huge difference to our wild companions. If you’d like to find out more about the simple changes you can make to help wildlife this autumn, join (me / Katie Horgan – Rough Around the Edges Project Officer) for a walk through some wildlife gardening ideas.

Rough Around the Edges (RATE) is part of the Chalk, Cherries and Chairs Landscape Partnership Scheme led by Chilterns Conservation Board. The Scheme is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and has three key themes: Wildlife, History, and People and Communities. Rough Around the Edges is one of six Wildlife themed projects and is being delivered by BBOWT.

Small, wildlife-rich areas can be just as important as big ones – and by improving and connecting these little islands of nature we can help wildlife recover across the central Chilterns. Examples of sites we are working on include:

• community gardens
• woodlands
• churchyards
• allotments
• ponds and watercourses
• meadow areas

You can learn more about the Rough Around the Edges project here: https://www.bbowt.org.uk/rough-around-edges

Top tips for keeping that lockdown community spirit going as the weather gets colder, courtesy of Buckinghamshire Integrated Care Partnership.

Find out more at https://www.yourcommunityyourcare.org.uk/

If you’re interested in setting up or helping with a Good Neighbour’s Group for Bellingdon/Asheridge area please get in touch: contact@bellingdon.com

Keep warm in winter

Cold weather can affect your health. Get advice on reducing fuel bills or making your home warmer through the Simple Energy Advice Helpline or call 0800 444 202.

• Winter fuel payments  from the government
• Cold weather payments from the government
• Keep warm, keep well leaflet
• Stay Well This Winter
• Advice for older people from Age UK to stay safe and healthy in winter
• Be ready for emergencies with this app from the British Red Cross

Be a good neighbour

If you want to help elderly or frail neighbours but are not sure how, try these simple steps. You can do these all at a safe distance and they can make a huge difference:

• Say ‘hello’ – simple human contact is vital for our general wellbeing.
• Ask – not everyone will ask for help, but it doesn’t mean they don’t need it.
• Medicines – ask if they have a good supply of medication to get through a period of severe weather or bank holidays. Offer to collect them.
• Shopping – in very cold or icy conditions it may be safer to stay indoors. Ask if you can get any essentials they need or to top up their gas or electric meter.
• Know the signs – not seen a neighbour for a while? Are their curtains always drawn? Is there milk still on the doorstep or mail in the door? They may need help. Don’t wait. Knock on the door and check if they are ok.

If you need to speak to someone urgently about a vulnerable adult:

• Report abuse: 0800 137 915 
• Speak to our adult social care team:01296 383 204
• Outside office hours: 0800 999 7677

If it is an emergency and they need immediate help call 999

Rough sleepers

If you have seen a rough sleeper and they are aged over 18 years, you should send an alert to StreetLink. Their details will be sent to the local authority or outreach service for the area where you saw the person. They will try to find the person and connect them to support.

If you have seen a rough sleeper and they are aged under 18 years, call the police. Do not contact StreetLink.

Community action and volunteering

View the guidance on community action during severe weather.

Today is the day, we’re launching Six Days to Cyber Secure and inviting you to join us in taking one simple step each day to secure your personal information online.

To take your first step, which will only take a few minutes, visit our online advice area at https://rlsd.co/p/QF1kKQ which is filled with how-to guides, videos from our Cyber Protect team and help on how to stay safe online.

We’ll be releasing the next steps at 12pm each day so make sure you check back for your next action in the six day challenge.

Our Cyber Protect Officers Mark and Katie are on-hand for the next six days to answer any questions you have about the steps you’re taking or about cyber security in general. You can find their contact details on the online area or you can follow them on twitter @TVPCyber_Fraud.

Or, you can join an online question and answer session with them on Thursday evening where they will be answering your questions as well as sharing handy tips and examples of what can go wrong if you’re not cyber secure. To join, simply visit www.tvpengage.co.uk from 7pm on Thursday 8 October.

Message Sent By
Mel Reedman (Police, Communications Officer, Thames Valley)