Say No to Doorstep Criminals

Doorstep criminals and rogue traders call on unsuspecting households offering convincing deals to try to get you to agree to having work carried out.

If you accept work from a doorstep criminals or rogue trader you'll likely pay much more than you intended for very poor, unnecessary and sometimes dangerous work.

Doorstep criminals and rogue traders rarely provide paperwork so they can't be traced once they've left your home. Names, addresses and business details are often false and telephone numbers don't get answered. They have no interest in doing work properly, their only concern is getting the cash and disappearing before Trading Standards or the Police can catch up with them.

Protect yourself

To stop doorstep criminals and rogue traders, remember that you must never:

• Agree for work on your house or garden by someone who knocks at your door uninvited

• Give money to or sign any forms for people who turn up on your doorstep

• Open the door to strangers or allow uninvited callers into your home

• Let somebody take you to the bank to get money for them

Reputable builders, roofers and gardeners do not cold call. If you need a tradesperson contact Kent’s Trading Standards Approved trader scheme Checkatrade on: 03330 146 190 or visit their website for more information at the link here >> www.checkatrade.com/kent

Remember to always get 3 quotes, never pay up front and don’t pay by cash.

If you are buying goods from someone on your doorstep costing more than £42, the law says you have 14 days to change your mind and ask for your money back. This is known as the ‘cooling off’ period.

Never give out your bank details or PIN and never transfer money out of your bank account if asked to do so for ‘security reasons’.

Remember to keep your front and back doors locked. If you are not sure about the caller, no matter how persuasive they are.

Doorstep criminals and rogue traders have been known to return to the homes of people who have previously had poor work carried out, pretending to be a Police or Trading Standards Officers. They will say arrests have been made and a court case is currently in progress. This is when they will ask for money for all sorts of reasons.

Report it

You can report a doorstep criminal, rogue trader or a scam to Trading Standards by contacting the National Citizens Advice Consumer Service Helpline on: 03454 04 05 06 or visit their website at the link here >> www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue

They will send details of your report to Kent County Council Trading Standards on your behalf.

If you feel afraid or threatened by a doorstep caller, phone: 999

For non-urgent calls, phone Kent Police on: 101

Upchurch Matters
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Parent Point at Nursery Days, Upchurch

Parent Point is a new FREE and accessible monthly parent, carer and child group held at Nursery Days, Upchurch.

Aimed at working parents and carers who don't get to go to many weekday stay and play sessions, also parents who can't access sessions and groups due to location, transport or other commitments.

The group aims to offer all parents the opportunity to meet up with other families, make friends, play with their children, share information and access helpful ideas and tips in a safe and secure, child friendly environment.

Open to all, the group meets on the 1st Saturday of each month between 10:30am and 12:30pm at The Old School, The Street, Upchurch ME9 7AJ.

The next meeting will be on Saturday 6th October.

Nursery Days welcome all parents, carers and children to the meeting.

For more information Call: 01634 263896 or Email: info@nurserydays-upchurch.co.uk

Stay up to date on the Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/parentpointupchurch

Upchurch Matters

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Beating Isolation - 'Friendly Friday Group'

The next Friendly Friday Group meeting is at The Spyglass and Kettle, Woodside, Wigmore, Rainham ME8 0PG on Friday the 28th of September

at 12:30pm

For more information and to book in, please telephone Gayle at the Bluebird Care (Medway) Office on: 01634 780909

Call today - we would love to hear from you!

Gayle Holmes

Office Administrator

Bluebird Care (Medway)

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Part-time Midday Meals Supervisor Vacancy - Holywell Primary School

We are looking for a Midday Supervisor to work for 6.25 hours per week in our village school.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the supervising of pupils during the lunch break.

• promoting their safety and welfare, in accordance with the school’s Health and Safety Policy.

• promoting good standards of behaviour and orderly conduct, in accordance with the school’s Behaviour Policy.

The team of supervisors are responsible for:-

In the hall:

• supervising and organising the orderly collecting, eating and clearing of meals.

• helping children with use of cutlery.

• encouraging good table manners.

• supervising orderly departure from the hall.

Supervising the playground (or in bad weather, the classrooms) from 11:55am until 1:10pm.

In the playground:

• visiting all parts of the playground to supervise, encourage and assist constructive, friendly and safe play activities.

• acting where possible to prevent accidents and providing basic first aid or seeking help from a designated first aider, according to the Health and Safety Policy.

• acting where possible to prevent arguments and unkind behaviour and responding to such situations in a fair, firm kind manner according to the Behaviour Policy and our Restorative Justice approach (training will be given)

• organising and supervising orderly entry to the school hall and wiping down tables before the second lunch sitting.

Indoors, in bad weather:

• providing supervision as above, maintaining oversight of all classrooms, and seeking the help of the headteacher/deputising person if an accident or other difficulty prevents supervision.

To be available to attend staff meetings as required.

To maintain a lunchtime incident book.

Holywell Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young persons. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Criminal Records Bureau.

Information about the school:

Holywell is a one form entry village primary school situated in the attractive location of Upchurch on the outskirts of Sittingbourne. We pride ourselves on knowing our children well and providing an environment in which they can flourish. Our Governors and Parents are extremely supportive and keen to be involved. Our children enjoy coming to school and are a delight to teach. We have high expectations within a supportive and positive community where every child really does matter. Holywell is a school that knows itself well and is on an exciting journey towards outstanding.

To apply please follow this link: www.kent-teach.com/Recruitment/Vacancy/VacancyDetails.aspx?VacancyId=66077

• App Close Date: 28/09/2018 at 12:00
• Interviews: Week commencing 8th October

Job Contact Information:

Mrs Tracey Snellings

School Business Manager

Holywell Primary School

Address: Forge Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7AE

Telephone: 01634 388416 Ext: 3
Email: finance@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

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Part-time Caretaker Vacancy - Holywell Primary School

We currently have a vacancy for a part-time Caretaker with flexible hours of 5-10 hours per week. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting in the maintenance, caretaking and some cleaning activities at the school.

The successful applicant will be expected to have experience in building maintenance and/or cleaning and skills in a number of disciplines. They will also need to be flexible and self-motivated, have good communication skills and a good understanding of the health and safety requirements of a large site. Previous experience of working in a school would be advantageous but is not essential.

Purpose of the Job:

Ensure the security of the establishment and provide a cleaning and general maintenance service.

Key duties and responsibilities:

1. Undertake general repairs and maintenance around the school, inside and out, including decorating, repairs and woodwork to ensure the site is a safe environment for students, teachers and visitors.

2. Maintain the security of the premises inside and out, repairing doors, latches and fences to maintain a safe environment.

3. Ensure buildings are locked and site is secure, undertaking daily security checks at pre-defined times.

4. As a designated key holder, provide emergency access to the school.

5. Assist in the monitoring of the boiler, setting timers etc.

6. Assist in taking meter readings to ensure invoices received are correct and budget monitoring is maintained.

7. Cleaning exterior windows and conservatory as required.

8. Ensure the outside bins are emptied when necessary.

9. Ensure the site is kept tidy, including clearing leaves etc.

10. Carry out emergency cleaning as required.

11. In icy and snowy conditions assist with gritting.

12. Undertake general porterage for deliveries to ensure supplies are correctly handled and appropriately delivered.

13. Undertake minor repairs (i.e. not requiring a qualified craftsperson) and maintenance of the buildings and site.

14. Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection and safeguarding, health and safety, security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.

15. Adhere to the staff code of conduct and be punctual.

Individuals in this role may also undertake some or all of the following:

1. Undertake specialised cleaning programmes during school closures or other designated periods.

All applications are to be made via Kent-Teach.com, we are unable to accept CVs.

Holywell Primary School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young persons. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Criminal Records Bureau.

Information about the school:

Holywell is a one form entry village primary school situated in the attractive location of Upchurch on the outskirts of Sittingbourne. We pride ourselves on knowing our children well and providing an environment in which they can flourish. Our Governors and Parents are extremely supportive and keen to be involved. Our children enjoy coming to school and are a delight to teach. We have high expectations within a supportive and positive community where every child really does matter. Holywell is a school that knows itself well and is on an exciting journey towards outstanding.

To apply please follow this link: www.kent-teach.com/Recruitment/Vacancy/VacancyDetails.aspx?VacancyId=66081

• App Close Date: 28/09/2018 at 12:00
• Interviews: Week commencing 8th October

Job Contact Information:

Mrs Tracey Snellings

School Business Manager

Holywell Primary School

Address: Forge Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 7AE

Telephone: 01634 388416 Ext: 3
Email: finance@holywell.kent.sch.uk

Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

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NHS Medway CCG - Have Your Say on Proposed Changes to Adult Community Health Services

Have your say on proposed changes to adult Community health services

Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) wants your views on a redesign that will transform the way adult community health services are delivered in the area.

There are 7 key changes proposed that would make services more joined up, allowing the CCG to provide more services closer to people's homes with improved access hours. These proposals cover a wide range of services.

We want your views 

As part of the plans to improve adult community health services, Medway CCG is holding 4 public engagement events. Come along to any of the public engagement events to find out more about the proposals to improve adult community healthcare services in Medway. 

To find out more and have your say visit: www.medwayccg.nhs.uk/getting-involved 
or call: 01634 335111to request a hard copy of the proposals and questionnaire.

To book onto one of the adult community health services engagement events visit: www.medwayccg.nhs.uk/news-events/events/2043-adult-community-health-services-engagement-events or call: 01634 335111.

Engagement ends on Friday 26th October.

Ray Kemsley
Chair - Surgery Patient Participation Group - Upchurch & Rainham
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