Please find below the latest Leeds update:
Welcome to the latest bulletin with news and updates from across the city. There is news on the Interim Chief Executive and interim leadership arrangements; Connecting Leeds; Pension Credit (and its links to other benefits including Winter Fuel Payments); the Leeds Marmot City report; Leeds Digital Festival and Digital Careers Fair; the new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination programme; becoming a foster carer with Foster4Leeds; and Housing Leeds.
Connecting Leeds
- A reminder that WYCA’s consultation on a proposed tram network is still open until 30th September. Phase one aims to connect central and south Leeds (The Leeds Line) and Bradford to Leeds (The Bradford Line). To find out more and have your say, visit the Combined Authority's mass transit website.
- With children returning to schools after the summer holidays, Connecting Leeds have encouraged parents to read the Road Safety Guide for Parents with Young Children with a top 10 tips for teaching children about road safety and keeping safe when using the roads. They are also reminding people of the ‘Safe Adventures’ campaign which aims to help parents across the country prepare their children for independent travel when they move to secondary school.
- Help with your Dental Costs
- Help with your Council Tax Bill
- Help with your Rent
- Winter Fuel Payment
- Help with your TV Licence if you are over 75
Pension Credit & other benefits
Leeds Older People’s Forum are encouraging people to check their Pension Credit entitlement. They advise that if you receive a state pension, you could be eligible to increase your weekly income by claiming Pension Credit. You might be entitled to pension credit, even if you have savings, a private pension or own your home. Claiming Pension Credit could also mean you can get extra help with the following:
It is important to make your claim as soon as possible, as it can only be backdated three months from the date the claim is made. You can make a claim online, by phone (0800 99 1234) or you can also request a paper claim form: https://apply-for-pension-credit.service.gov.uk/start.
If you would like more information, need help claiming, or would just like to talk to someone about claiming Pension Credit, you can contact any of the free, impartial and confidential services below. Other organisations that can help with Pension Credit can be found at www.leedsmic.org.uk.
Welfare Rights at Leeds City Council Age UK Leeds
🕿 0113 3760452 🕿 0113 389 3000
🖂 [email protected] 🖂 [email protected]
People are also encouraged to check out the Warm Home Discount Scheme (from October) as this may provide £150 off their electricity bill, if eligible via qualifying benefits and tax credits.
Leeds Marmot City report
The Leeds Marmot City report ‘Fairer, Healthier Leeds: Reducing Health Inequalities’ which has now been published by the Institute of Health Equity (IHE). The report helps highlight what we do best in Leeds, namely our strong partnerships and innovative approaches. In the report, the IHE have put forward 15 high-level system recommendations in the areas of 'leadership and accountability', 'effective partnerships', and 'research and monitoring'. Implementing these recommendations will enable us take better advantage of what we do well, whilst also galvanising leaders behind a new bolder culture that delivers effective changes.
Leeds Digital Festival and Leeds Digital Careers Fair 2024
Leeds Digital Festival 2024 returns again for a fantastic fortnight of events (16th – 27th September) showcasing all the amazing digital and tech enterprise and innovation that is happening in Leeds on a regional, national and international level.
As part of the Festival, Leeds Digital Careers Fair 2024 returns again for another year at Leeds first direct Arena on Tuesday 24th September from 2.30pm to 6.30pm. This free event, hosted by our Employment and Skills service, will feature 56 organisations, including leading digital employers, learning providers, and support agencies. Attendees can engage in interactive sessions, listen to industry leaders, and will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of training, apprenticeship, and career opportunities, making it an unmissable occasion for anyone looking to start or advance their digital career. Tickets are free and can be booked here - Leeds Digital Careers Fair 2024.
New Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination programme
A new vaccination programme for older adults and pregnant women to protect newborn babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is being rolled out in England from September 2024. Below is further information about the vaccine programme, who is eligible, how to get the vaccine and examples of resources and assets available. Please share these widely with your contacts to help us raise awareness of this new vaccination programme.
What is RSV?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that is most common over the winter period. Whilst symptoms can be mild, RSV accounts for around 30,000 hospitalisations of children under 5 in the UK annually and for 20 to 30 infant deaths. RSV can also be severe in older adults, causing pneumonia and affecting lung disease and other long-term conditions. In those age 75 and over RSV causes around 9,000 hospitalisations.
The vaccination programme is specifically targeting older adults aged 75-79 and pregnant women from 28 weeks onwards. More information can be found on the NHS website: RSV vaccine
Leaflets and posters on the RSV vaccination for pregnant women and older adults can be downloaded or ordered from the Health Publications website free of charge: https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk.
Leaflets are available in different languages and a range of accessible formats.
- Leaflet for older people: Guide to the RSV Vaccine for Older Adults - Health Publications
- Leaflet for pregnant women: - A Guide to the RSV Vaccination for Pregnant Women Leaflet - Health Publications
- Posters: Pregnancy RSV Poster for Pregnant Women - Health Publications and older people RSV Poster for Older Adults - Health Publications
The UKHSA and NHS England's joint toolkit can be accessed here, which includes further information on the RSV programme as well as suggested text to accompany the attached assets.
If you require support with accessing resources or any further information regarding the RSV vaccination programme, please contact [email protected].
Become a foster carer with Foster4Leeds.
Foster4Leeds is urgently looking for new people to become foster carers and offer a safe and loving home to children and young people in Leeds. If you are over 21 and have a spare bedroom, you could be eligible to foster. There are different types of fostering which could suit your lifestyle, including long-term and short-term care, emergency care, parent and child, supported lodgings, and more. Our Foster4Leeds team will provide support on every step of the journey. To find out more, hear from current carers, learn more about benefits and support and see upcoming information event dates and locations, visit www.foster4leeds.co.uk.
Housing Leeds
Housing Leeds send monthly email updates to around 42,500 tenants with an email address, sharing key messages about their service and other useful information. A copy of the issue shared on the 6 September is available to view at: Housing Leeds update – 6 September 2024 (govdelivery.com).
Local developments:
- Leeds City Council has joined forces with more than 100 other local authorities to highlight the collective role they can play in tackling the country’s housing crisis. Further information can be found here.
- The UK’s largest light art festival, Light Night will be back in Leeds city centre on October 24 and 25, bringing a programme of incredible, large-scale projections, live street theatre and interactive installations to some of the city’s most recognisable buildings and locations. More details can be found here.
