Category: Other News

The second of the two national rail strikes that were mentioned in our last train updates post (which you can read here) is happening this week, on Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th August.

This strike is by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA). This includes on board and station staff from Great Western Railway (GWR), and signallers and managers at Network Rail.

GWR will be running very few services on both days, with many services not running at all. Disruption is also expected on Friday 19th August. This means that, if you are planning on travelling by train on any of these days you may need to check whether your train is running or not before you travel. You should only travel if needed, and if not you should travel by a different method or make other arrangements.

GWR and Network Rail will be updating their journey planners and they will be contacting customers who have booked journeys directly about the changes to train lines. You can find more information from GWR here: http://www.gwr.com/strike

More detailed information for the impact on the services in our area are below:

On Thursday 18th, very few services will travel between Bristol Temple Meads and London Paddington, Bristol Temple Meads and Exeter St Davids, Bristol Temple Meads and Gloucester, and Cardiff Central to Bath Spa (via Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads). 

On Friday 19th, GWR will be running a few services which will start later than normal. 

On Saturday 20th, Bristol Temple Meads station will be closed.  Very few services will run between Bristol Parkway, Cardiff Central and London Paddington. No other services in the West of England will run.

You may be aware that there is an e-scooter trial going on in Bristol. The University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE), has been commissioned by the West of England Combined Authority to evaluate the trial.

We would value responses to two surveys, but if you do choose to respond to one survey, you do not need to respond to the other as well.

Survey one: a questionnaire survey.

This survey aims to better understand the experiences of footway users in relation to the Voi e-scooters. Results will be anonymised, but we want to make sure disabled people’s views are captured and reported on. 

This survey can be completed on-line by clicking this link or by copying the link at the bottom of the email in your browser.

If you would like to respond to the survey by another means, please contact Tamara Bozovic either by email, tamara.bozovic@uwe.ac.uk, or writing to Tamara Bozovic, Centre for Transport and Society, Architecture and the Built Environment, Q-Block, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY, or telephoning 0117 328 2311 (please leave a message if there is no reply).

Survey two: a follow along survey.

The evaluation team would like to understand from street users issues in relation to navigating footways when there are parked e-scooters present. Would you be willing to volunteer to take part in a one-to-one survey with a researcher who follows you in streets in Bristol and during which you discuss the issues? If so, would you be able to contact Tamara Bozovic using the contact details above.

Survey link: https://bit.ly/WE_escooters

Many thanks for considering this request.

The Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CfD) have asked us to inform our community of their upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Consultation Sessions and their new Community Grants Project.

The AGM is taking place on Wednesday 24th August at Burges Salmon, One Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0ZX from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Its speakers will be Justin Smith, CfD’s CEO, and Mark Gill, CfD’s Community Developmemt Officer.

You cna register to attend the AGM via the CfD’s Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/annual-general-meeting-tickets-387464014297

CfD are running consultation sessions as an opportunity for D/deaf and hard of hearing people to give their feedback, suggestions, opinions and views on the future of the Centre for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People. The feedback will help to shape the future of CfD.

Details of each of the consultation sessions are below:

D/deaf groups )BSL users)

Wednesday 31st August, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Burges Salmon, One Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0ZX

Saturday 10th September, 1pm to 3pm, The Beehive Centre, 19A Stretford Rd, Whitehall, Bristol BS5 7AW

Hard of hearing groups (Live captions and induction loop system)

Friday 12th August, 10am to 12pm, on Zoom.

Monday 22nd August, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, on Zoom,

Tuesday 23rd August, 10am to 12pm, Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Bristol BS16 2QQ

Thursday 1st September, 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Burges Salmon, One Glass Wharf, Bristol, BS2 0ZX

Friday 16th September, 10am to 12pm, Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue, Bristol BS16 2QQ

Please register your place and get the Zoom details by contacting CfD by email office@cfd.org.uk or phone 0345 900 7830. More sessions are also being arranged – check the CfD Facebook page for updates.

The CfD have also set up their own community grants fund for deaf and hard of hearing people, who can apply funding to support existing groups and their activities or the start-up of new groups.

More information on the Connunity Grant project can be found on the PDF below.

There will be national rail strikes happening both on Saturday 13th August and from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st August.

Both strikes are from different train unions – this Saturday’s is by Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF), whilst next weekend’s is by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT).

Great Western Railway (GWR) and South Western Railway will be running very few services. This means that, if you are planning on travelling by train on any of these days you may need to check whether your train is running or not.

GWR will be updating their journey planners and they will be contacting some customers about the changes to train lines. You can find more information from GWR here: http://www.gwr.com/strike

South Western Railway will also be updating their website of what trains will be running and you can find out more information here: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/industrial-action

What is it?

Community actors sharing authentic stories and conversations about loneliness from older people in Bristol. Running time of performance approx. 40 minutes (audience encouraged to stay and have a picnic after).

Why should I come?

A chance to meet new people and have a chat with them and the community actors about loneliness, Bristol and any other topics (unfortunately picnic not provided).

Where is it?

In September 2022, performances held at 12pm and 2pm.

19th at acta Garden,  Gladstone St, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 3AY

20th at Malcolm X Community Centre, 141 City Rd, St Paul’s, Bristol BS2 8YH

21st at Owen Square Park, Chelsea Rd, Easton, Bristol BS5 6AL

22nd at Filwood Community Centre Barnstaple Rd, Bristol BS4 1JP

To attend, no need to book, meet at the entrance to the venue and the audience will walk together to the show.

For more info, please call 07956962422 or email ilop@bs3community.org.uk.

People Power Project is a new project from Bristol City Council that aims to explore individual and collective power. They are offering free training in multi-media, storytelling and asset based practice to anyone who would like to tell their story or story of someone / a group who have been involved in or are involved in positive action, no matter how big or small and who would like to help shape the project or be part of a city wide event.

For more information, get in touch with Julia Williams by emailing julia.williams@bristol.gov.uk or phoning 07741834552.

Luminarium is a really amazing free installation, accessible to all, that Bristol Light Festival are excited to be bringing to the city for the summer holidays. 

You can find more details on their website here: https://bristollightfestival.org/luminarium

Free tickets are available to book online, but they also take walk-ups. They also have some special sessions on offer including for Sensory-Friendly Sessions and Relaxed Sessions.

Sensory-Friendly Sessions: Thursday 11th August – Sunday 14th August 10:00-11:40 (last admission 11:15)
These sessions have been designed with assistance from Bristol Autism Support and are dedicated to children and adults with sensory needs and their carers. These sessions are reserved solely for this purpose and therefore can only be booked by contactingsabrina@bristolcitycentrebid.co.uk. Please also get in touch if there is anything specific we can help with in advance of your visit.

Relaxed Sessions: Every day between 15:00-16:00 (last admission 16:30) 
Luminarium is accessible to wheelchair users and individuals requiring mobility support. Relaxed sessions are dedicated to clinically vulnerable individuals and those with complex needs who would benefit from a quieter session. There will be a reduced number of visitors within this sessions and we encourage people to wear masks where possible. Please be mindful of customers with additional sensory needs and requirements to enjoy the space.

To book spaces for the Relaxed Sessions or General Sessions please visit the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol-light-festival-presents-luminarium-tickets-382941296727

After a long break due to booking issues, covid and Brexit, Exchange Bristol are very happy to announce the next Go Gentle relaxed matinee show at Exchange! 

13th August, Eat Up! presents Perkie and Frank Paris 

Book tickets at: https://hdfst.uk/E77244

The show will start at the usual time of 2pm.  

PWYC (Pay What you Can), but recommended price is £5

As usual, we wanted local accessibility groups to have the opportunity to share the ticket information before we promoted the shows. The links above will go on general release on Friday.

Go Gentle shows aim to be as accessible and welcoming as possible.  

In this research study, the aim is to explore the opinions of people aged 65 years and over towards dietary health interventions, managing infections and antibiotic use. Participants will be required to complete a questionnaire (completed online or via post) and an interview, which is similar to a Q&A style discussion.

The interview is unlikely to take more than one hour, it can be completed face-to-face, over the phone or on Microsoft Teams and all participants will be compensated for their time with a £10 Love2Shop gift card (spendable at 150+ high street shops).

If you are interested in taking part, please contact Lorna Flintham via email (Lrf35@Bath.ac.uk) or phone (01225 384694).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when germs, such as bacteria, evolve so medicines such as antibiotics no longer work to treat them.

Antimicrobial resistance is a significant national and global health issue as, without effective antibiotics, it may not be possible to treat common infections or safely perform medical procedures like surgery in the future.

Understanding public opinions towards antibiotic use, diet and strategies that aim to keep antibiotics working is important to give the public a voice and develop tailored and effective ways of reducing resistance in the UK.

Our ability to stay happy, healthy and well depends on many things – from employment to housing, education and social connections. To make a real difference, health and care services need to think about all these things to form a long-term plan for the area and make a real difference.

Now is your chance to share what matters most to you. By sharing your views in a short survey, you can help shape the future of local health and care services for the next five, 10 and 20 years.

You’ll also be in with the chance of winning £125 worth of shopping vouchers, just by giving your opinion.

Find out more and have your say.

If you would like to request this survey in another language or format, please contact: bnssg.engagement@nhs.net.

Please contact the same e-mail address if you would prefer to complete the survey via a different method, such as telephone.