Currently, all 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours of early education per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year.

This can be increased to 30 hours free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are: in work, on sick leave or annual leave or on shared parental, maternity, paternity, or adoption leave.

There is also 15 hours of free early education available for the most disadvantaged 2-year-olds to support the child’s development.

In March 2023, the Government announced it would be extending childcare support to include 30 hours a week of free childcare for eligible working parents of children aged nine months to three years in England. This is to support parents returning to work by reducing the cost of childcare. Parents working the equivalent of 16 hours a week or more (earning the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage) and earning up to £100k per year will be able to benefit from this offer.

Families can now check their eligibility and sign up to receive a newsletter and updates through the Childcare Choices website.

www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

The roll out of the expansion is happening in the following phases

• From April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare a week (38 weeks a year).
• From September 2024, working parents of 9 month to 3-year-olds will also be eligible for this.
• From September 2025, this will increase to 30 hours a week for working parents of 9 month to 3-year-olds.

Eligible families will be able to access the new entitlements from the term after their child turns the appropriate age. You will need to apply for an eligibility code via HMRC and share this with your chosen childcare provider, to access your funded hours. You will also need to revalidate your code every 3 months.

Eligible working families with 2-year-olds can apply for their code from now until 31 March 2024 to access the new 2-year-old entitlement from April 2024.

The new entitlements can be stretched over the year depending on the number of weeks your chosen childcare provider is open. This would mean fewer hours per week are accessed over more weeks of the year, so the same total number of hours are accessed over the course of the year.

Whilst the childcare hours are free, providers can charge for meals, snacks, consumables, and additional services. Families are advised to contact their childcare provider to ask about their funded offer.

Do your bit to help save the environment, and perhaps some money too, by donating unwanted children’s fancy dress at participating libraries. All donated clothes must be clean and in good condition.

If you need fancy dress, choose from what is available in the library when you visit or come back another day. Taking an outfit for your child is free and you do not need to have donated to do so. Any items not chosen by anyone will be kept by the library, donated to charity, or recycled.

The scheme runs from Thursday 1 February to Wednesday 6 March.

Participating Libraries include Barnton, Blacon, Frodsham, Hope Farm, Lache, Little Sutton, Neston, Northwich, Sandiway and Wharton.

For opening times and locations - Find a library | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Being in debt can be a frightening situation for many people particularly if you are being pursued by creditors and penalties are mounting.

Breathing Space, also known as the Debt Respite Scheme, allows you to take time out, seek financial advice and take control of your finances.

There are two types of Breathing Space:

• Standard Breathing Space - a period of 60 days where no creditor action can be taken to pursue or enforce qualifying debts, and all interest and penalties will cease to accrue on those debts.
• Mental Health Breathing Space - entitles the person to the same as stated above but with no strict time limits until after the person has recovered from their mental health crisis. To qualify for Mental Health Breathing Space, the individual must have been assessed by an approved mental health practitioner as being in a mental health crisis.
  
  

Those seeking to enter the scheme must meet specific criteria and comply with scheme rules whilst in it. To enter, an individual will have to:

• access free debt advice from a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) accredited debt adviser
• be assessed as being in problem debt by a debt adviser
• not have already been in a Standard Breathing Space period in the previous 12 months (those in mental health crisis will be exempt from the 12-month restriction).
  
  

The debt adviser is responsible for determining the debtor’s eligibility to enter the scheme. They will also notify creditors of individuals entering and exiting the scheme.

If you feel that the weight of your debt is becoming too much to bear it’s important to seek free debt advice from a FCA accredited debt adviser as soon as possible.

Free debt advice is available from:

Citizens Advice

• Call the debt helpline: Tel: 0800 240 4420 available 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9.30am to 1pm Saturday. The debt helpline is not available on public holidays.
  Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.

• Talk to a trained debt adviser online using chat between 9am and 8pm Monday to Friday and between 9.30am and 1pm Saturday.
  
  

Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 240 4420 You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone. There’s no extra charge to use it.
Find out how to use Relay UK

Pennysmart – if you’re facing a financial crisis, Pennysmart can support you with budgeting, benefits and debt advice. Tel: 01244 651210

Employment Directions is a service that provides all-round employment support to adults with a physical or mental health condition. Helping people to find, stay in, or return to work.

What support does Employment Directions offer?

Employment Directions gives people individualised support for up to 12 months to get a good-quality job and thrive in work. The majority of participants have found the service boosted their confidence, their job search capability, and their motivation.

Employment Directions provides:

• Regular face-to-face, online or phone appointments with an employment specialist to help individuals find work, continue working, or manage a health condition at work.
• Help with job applications, CVs, and interview skills.
• Help with talking to an employer about health needs at work, and support in work if needed.
• Support with better off in work calculations. This includes guidance with finding support for housing and debt advice and much more.

For more information, visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/employmentdirections

To get support from Employment Directions, individuals should speak to their GP or self-refer by emailing: IPS@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

What customers say about Employment Directions

‘My employment specialist helped me to build my confidence and return to work after long term sickness.’

‘After struggling to stay in my job due to my health condition, my employment specialist has found me a new job with an employer that is really supportive.’

‘My medication has really affected my work over the last 6 months, with help from my employment specialist and support from my employer, I now have reasonable adjustments in place and flexibility around my working day to help me manage my condition.’

Employment Directions is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and delivered by Cheshire West and Chester Council with local NHS partners.

Cheshire West and Chester’s libraries will once again be offering a wide range of free activities to help improve your mental and physical wellbeing during their Health and Wellbeing Week 2024.

Lots of activities are planned in libraries between Monday 22 to Sunday 28 January 2024.

The Library Service is teaming up with a range of partners to provide something for everyone including: Brio Leisure, Cheshire Police, Cheshire West Communities Together, Citizens Advice, Employment Directions, End of Life Partnership, Fallen Angels, Healthbox, Healthwatch, Health Rangers, Koala North West, Open Eye Gallery, Platform for Life, Primary Care Cheshire, Radiate Arts, The Reader, the Council’s Road Safety team and Starting Well.

For the first time larger libraries will be holding health and wellbeing marketplaces with those partners, from 10am to 4pm at:

Storyhouse Chester on Monday 22 January

Neston Library on Tuesday 23 January

Ellesmere Port Library on Wednesday 24 January

Winsford Library on Friday 26 January

Tickets to bookable events are available at: Cheshire West and Chester Council Libraries event tickets from TicketSource.

Events planned during the week include walks, craft sessions, gentle chair exercises, local history talks, a tai chi tester and even a murder mystery event.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future, Councillor Lisa Denson said: “There really is something for everyone during Health and Wellbeing Week, find out what’s on and try something new.

“Don’t forget, there will also be all our usual library activities including adult crafts, scrabble clubs, adult colouring, Knit and Natter sessions, family history support, wellbeing coffee mornings, reading groups, rhymetimes and storytimes.”

To find out more about all the wellbeing events planned visit: Library events | Cheshire West and Chester Council

The borough’s libraries offer an extensive range of resources to help raise awareness about mental health whilst also providing access to information that will enable people to lead happier and healthier lives too.

On the libraries website you will find sources of information and advice from a whole host of health organisations, and support for children, young people and adults.

Mental health awareness and support | Cheshire West and Chester Council

Councillor Denson added: “If you know someone who loves reading but can’t get to the library, tell them to contact us and ask about our Home Library Service. We work in conjunction with volunteers to deliver books, large print books and talking books to anyone who can’t visit the library.”

All customers can access library services online and it is now possible to join online and use the digital resources straightaway, gaining free access to thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eNewspapers and eResources.

To sign up and get a library card number, just fill in the online form on the library catalogue: Cheshire Libraries Catalogue (koha-ptfs.co.uk)

If you have a library card but are not sure of your PIN / password or need to renew your library card then email: libraries@cheshiresharedservices.gov.uk for help.

Further events and activities will be added throughout January, so follow library social media accounts to keep up-to-date.

• Facebook: @cwaclibrary
• Twitter: @cwaclibraries
• Instagram: @cwaclibraries

This winter visit your local library for a warm and friendly welcome. Welcoming Spaces are available during library opening times, providing a space for you to stay warm and safe. Find out more and share the details with friends and neighbours: Welcoming spaces | Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Expect a warm welcome when visiting one of many Welcoming Spaces across the borough

Welcoming Spaces are available to all residents of Cheshire West. They offer a safe and warm welcoming space where people can connect with others in their community and make new friends.

The network of Welcoming Spaces includes Council libraries, churches, community centres and more.

The Council’s libraries team have been welcoming thousands of people into libraries this year, providing residents with an opportunity to use free library services and take part in activities.

Library information and opening hours are available on the Council’s website.
https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/findalibrary

Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future, Councillor Lisa Denson, said: “It’s important that during these colder months, everyone has a warm place to go to, particularly if they’re struggling with the rising cost of energy bills.

“Welcoming Spaces are for everyone. They are also there for people who may be feeling alone or isolated, and who fancy a change of scenery from their own home. It’s a great opportunity to meet others in your community for a nice friendly chat over a cup of tea or coffee.”

To find your nearest Welcoming Space, visit: https://www.warmwelcome.uk/#map

The Council continues to work with Cheshire Community Action and the wider voluntary and community sector, to explore opportunities to expand the network of Welcoming Spaces and provide additional support services to residents.

A Welcoming Spaces Fund for the year 2023-24 has now launched, aimed at creating warm inclusive spaces for residents facing cost of living challenges. Grants of up to £2,500 are available to organisations wishing to set up a Welcoming Space for their local community.

More information including details of the application process can be found using the link below.
https://cheshireaction.org.uk/category/news/

Final application deadline: 1 March 2024

The fund is administered by Cheshire Community Action on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council.

Help is at hand for anyone needing support with their mental health in Cheshire West and Chester this winter.

From text message support to urgent helplines, there are a variety of ways to access advice and support for yourself, a friend, or a family member.

“Anyone can need support at any time,” said Cllr Lisa Denson, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health).

“This time of year in particular can be difficult for many, with miserable weather, dark nights drawing in, and the money worries and emotional pressure that Christmas can bring.

“We know not everyone is the same and people need different types of support, so the services in Cheshire West provide a real range of ways you can reach out.”

Services include:

• Talking therapies – for adults and older people with mild, moderate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety or depression. Find out more about your local service, including how to refer and a range of wellbeing resources at: www.talkingtherapies.cwp.nhs.uk
• Shout text messaging service – anyone feeling anxious, stressed or in need of support can text ‘BLUE’ to 85258 to start a text conversation with a trained volunteer, who will provide free and confidential support. This is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
• Café 71, Chester Crisis Café – Café 71 provides a safe space for people struggling with emotional distress who consider themselves to be in a self-defined crisis. It offers a welcoming environment for people from across the borough to connect with others who are experiencing similar problems. The service is at 71-77 Anne Street, Chester, CH1 3HT and is open from 10am to 10pm. The café telephone number is: 01244 393139.
• 24/7 urgent mental health crisis line 0800 145 6485 – if your mental health quickly gets worse and you feel you are unable to cope, this is a mental health crisis. It is important to access support quickly. The crisis line supports people to access the help they need 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

As well as these services, which are provided by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), there are also a number of services provided by charities and community organisations. Some of these include:

• Mid Cheshire MIND – offers an informal drop-in centre in Winsford for people who have had or are currently experiencing mental health problems. Its telephone number is: 01606 863305.
• Mentell – provides circles for men aged 18 and over to talk in a safe and confidential space, free from advice and judgement. Visit: www.mentell.org.uk.
• Chapter – Chapter is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people experiencing mental ill health in Cheshire. They support people with a range of mental health needs, from those with a serious mental illness to people experiencing mild or moderate mental ill health. You can self-refer by visiting: chapterwestcheshire.org or calling: 01244 344 409
• The Martin Gallier Project – this is a suicide prevention service helping people who are feeling suicidal and anyone over the age of 16 who has been affected by suicide. The project telephone number is: 0151 644 0294.

For more information about these and many more mental health services across the borough visit: www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk and click on ‘mental health, physical health and wellbeing’.

The Council recently launched the consultation on its proposed Borough Plan for 2024-2028, following extensive engagement that took place over the summer.

During the last few months, residents, community groups and partners have joined a conversation to help shape what the proposed Borough Plan would look like. Those contributions have helped shape the proposals, which set out the four-year plan for the borough and focuses on everyone playing their part and working together for a stronger future.

The draft Borough Plan sets out a number of priorities, grouped under three main themes - Thriving Communities, Caring Communities and Sustainable Communities. It also highlights the significant financial challenge facing all local public services and establishes that there will be some hard choices ahead and new ways of working will be required.

The Council wants to be sure it is taking the right approach to working together and improving our communities and local services over the next four years. This proposed plan sets out our early thinking in an ongoing conversation with local people about the strengths of our borough, as well as the opportunities and challenges it faces.

The next step will be to develop a clear and detailed plan to deliver agreed priorities. Your feedback will help shape that plan and guide everything the Council and its partners do across the borough.

Have your say here: Join the Conversation | Participate Now (cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk)

The Council, alongside Edsential and a range of community partners, is running a wide range of fun activities for four days of the school Christmas holiday.

HAF is a national programme, funded by the government’s Department for Education, for children from reception to year 11 inclusive who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals (FSM).

Benefits-related free school meals are available to pupils if their parents are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits, and have a claim verified by their school or local authority.

Find out if your child is eligible for free school meals

With a network of 67 clubs spread across the borough, children and young people who are eligible for free school meals between the ages of 5 - 16 are in for a festive treat. The programme will feature a diverse range of activities, including trips to see a pantomime, ice skating, graffiti art workshops, sports and much more. Alongside these exciting activities, everyone will receive nutritious festive meals to keep them energised throughout the Christmas holiday.

Youth Zones are available to 11–16-year-olds (up to 25 years for SEND young people) and will be providing eligible children and young people with a Christmas themed HAF offer.

Activities for Children with SEND - A number of organisations across the borough including the Council’s Youth Service and Brio Leisure, will be delivering SEND specific HAF sessions (available for ages up to 25 for SEND children and young people). Some sessions will also be offering places for siblings.

A full list of all activities is available on the Holiday Activities with Food Cheshire West web page. Please note all activities must be booked in advance.
Holiday Activities with Food

It’s a difficult time for many households due to the cost of living crisis so the message from water company United Utilities is to give them a call if you’re struggling with your water bill so they can help.

They have lots of ways to make your water bill more affordable, call their bill support team on 0800 072 6765 or complete their online form using the link below and they will call you back.

https://www.unitedutilities.com/difficulty-paying-bill

Some of the ways United Utilities can support you with your water bill payments include:

• Help to Pay: if you’re on Pension Credit and receive the Warm Home energy discount then it’s likely you are eligible for a lower water bill too.
• Back on Track: if you’re either receiving benefits or on a low income and finding it difficult to pay your water bill following a change in financial circumstances, this scheme can reduce the amount you have to pay.
• Cheaper with a Meter: the majority of customers who switch to a meter save at least £150 a year. You can trial a meter for two years and during that time the company guarantees that you won’t pay more. Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis says a meter could save you money if there are more bedrooms in your home than people, or even the same number. Read more here https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/cut-water-bills
• Payment matching: if you’ve built up a lot of debt, the company has a scheme which will match your payments pound-for-pound to help you clear the money that you owe.
• WaterSure: if you have a water meter, receive benefits, and use a lot of water due to ill health or having a large family, they can cap your annual bill regardless of how much water you need to use.
• Trust Fund: if you’re in real financial difficulty, you may qualify for a one-off payment from the United Utilities Trust Fund to help clear your debts.

Full details about United Utilities’ support schemes can be found at https://www.unitedutilities.com/difficulty-paying-bill or call their team on 0800 072 6765.

Support when you need it most

We can all benefit from a bit of extra help at some stage in our lives. This could be due to age, ill health, disability, mobility needs, mental health problems, financial worries, or language barriers. Registering for Priority Services with United Utilities is FREE and means you’ll benefit from additional services to support your needs including:

• A dedicated team on hand to listen and help.
• You can nominate a carer, family member or friend to talk to United Utilities on your behalf.
• Have your water bills in Braille, large print and ‘talking’ bills and text relay service.
• Add a password to your water account so you can always be sure the caller from United Utilities is genuine.
• Translation services.
• Notice of interruptions to your water supply.
• Additional support if you have a medical need for water.

So, if you or someone you know would benefit from extra support with their water services, please register online using the link below or give United Utilities a call on 0345 672 2888.

unitedutilities.com/priorityservices