Latest News

Updated August 2021

Shropshire Council Survey on Bus Services

Shropshire Council wants to hear your views about bus services in Shropshire. Even if you don’t currently use bus services, the Council wants to hear how it could make changes so you would consider using them in future. To complete an online survey, visit: shropshire.gov.uk/busbackbetter

National Disability Strategy Published

The Government has published its National Disability Strategy today which it hopes will ‘transform the lives of disabled people across the UK, tackling the barriers that prevent many disabled people from fully benefiting from, and contributing to, every aspect of our society’.

The National Disability Strategy is focused on the priorities that many disabled people have highlighted and includes a wide-ranging set of practical actions to improve the lives of disabled people. Its focus ranges across public services, housing, transport, education, leisure, shopping, employment, and rights and perceptions.

You can access the National Disability Strategy in Large Print, Easy Read, braille and British Sign Language. All formats can be found here.

https://www.gov.uk/…/publi…/national-disability-strategy

Have your say in how Hospitals work

The trust that runs Shropshire’s acute hospitals is asking the public to get more involved in the way services are delivered.

From 21st April, for four weeks, The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) is giving people the opportunity to share their ideas and on how it can involve them more in what happens at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Visit www.sathgetinvolved.org to register your interest in joining this conversation.

Shrewsbury Big Town Plan

The Shrewsbury Big Town Plan’s Masterplan Vision has recently been launched. The Masterplan Vision is a detailed document outlining ideas and options for how Shrewsbury could develop over the next two decades, looking at how people will move in and around the town centre, along with how the town’s heritage can be celebrated whilst allowing the town to move forward.

Some of the proposals, such as re-locating the bus station and the use of ‘shared spaces’ have the potential to have a major impact on visually impaired people living in or visiting Shrewsbury, for example: visually impaired people who travel to Shrewsbury by public transport for their eye appointments.

The Vision is currently open to public consultation and you can find more details and have your say by following this link: https://shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/shrewsbury-big-town-plan-masterplan-vision/ The consultation closes on 28^th February.

Emergency Mental Health sessions available now from RNIB
Many blind and partially sighted people have faced anxiety, sadness and, even, fear about the unique challenges they have experienced during the COVID pandemic. RNIB’s Sight Loss Advice Service has worked with Mind, the mental health charity, to offer free emergency mental health sessions by BACP-registered counsellors with sight loss experience. Sessions will be one hour long over the telephone and will be on offer until June 2021. For those blind or partially sighted people who are struggling with their mental wellbeing and would benefit from a one-off session of support, then they can call RNIB on 0303 123 9999. For tips and advice on maintaining good mental health visit RNIB’s website for a number of resources.

RNIB advice on wearing face coverings when you have sight loss
Many blind and partially sighted people have been concerned about wearing face coverings; they report that masks steam up their glasses or further reduce their vision. In order to help keep everyone safe and comfortable, RNIB has gathered top tips and recommendations from across the sight loss community for wearing face coverings when you have sight loss.

Help in Shropshire for those on a low budget

As the recession deepens, more people are losing their jobs and facing hardship. Shropshire Larder (shropshirelarder.org.uk) - is the most comprehensive directory of services for people living in Shropshire on a low budget. It has information on how to access a foodbank or community food project, and how to eat well on a budget. It also covers how to get support with benefits, housing, and debt.

Bereavement Support in Shropshire

Coping with bereavement is never easy, especially with the current restrictions in place. A new service has been launched to support people who are experiencing and suffering from bereavement and loss. The offer is open to any Shropshire resident who has been bereaved by either a recent death or previous loss. The Bereavement Support Service is operated by Shropshire Council and community voluntary partners Samaritans, CRUSE, Severn Hospice and Crane Quality Counselling. The service can be accessed through self-referral by calling 0345 678 9028.

The Bereavement Support Service is accompanied by the launch of a grief and bereavement during COVID19 booklet which provides a compassionate overview of coping with loss, feelings that may be experienced, supporting others who are grieving and links to help and information. A secondary booklet provides a practical guide for the process following a death and what has changed due to the pandemic. Digital versions of these resources are available from the Shropshire Council website bereavement page at: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/bereavement-services/support-and-resources-for-those-recently-bereaved/