As the days become shorter and nights colder, it?s really important that we all take care of ourselves.

Cold weather can affect your body's ability to fight off viruses and infections. Heating the main living spaces to at least 18 degrees, wearing extra layers of clothing, staying as active as possible and drinking plenty of warm drinks, can all make a big difference in helping to stay warm and keep costs down.

I would also like to encourage those who are immunosuppressed (weakened immune system) or in an at-risk group to get their Covid vaccination. Those who are eligible for a free Covid jab this autumn include, but are not limited to, over 65s, pregnant women, carers, frontline health and social care workers and people with certain long-term health conditions.

There are a number of sites across the city, at GP practices and pharmacies, making it easier than ever to get protected. You might also be offered a flu vaccination at the same time.

Appointments for flu and Covid vaccinations can be booked via the?National Booking Service, the NHS App?or by calling 119.?

A new initiative is being launched by the council to make it easier for people in the city to improve their local area.

In partnership with Spacehive, the community fundraising platform, the Crowdfund Nottingham programme will enable local residents across the city to exclusively access funding for community engagement and employment support projects. Ideas could include promoting social inclusion and diversity, improving health and wellbeing or supporting progression into work through the improvement of existing venues, facilities or green spaces.

In addition to the money raised by local initiatives via crowdfunding, the council will provide a total of ?325,000 of capital funding it has secured from the national UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This fund, together with the crowdfunding nature of this programme, maximises the amount campaigners can raise in order to deliver transformational community projects that matter to them.

We?re keen to hear from city residents who have an innovative idea to improve their local area. No fundraising experience is necessary, 65% of Spacehive creators are creating a community project for the first time. Spacehive assists project creators with online workshops, 1-2-1 support and resources, providing advice on everything from project costs to campaign promotion.

More here

We?re due to receive up to ?2m to help us continue supporting struggling families across Nottingham until March 2025.

The Council is currently awaiting full confirmation of its latest award from the Department for Education to deliver the Holiday Activity Fund programme, but it is anticipated to be at least the ?1.8m secured for 2023/24.

In Nottingham, this pays for funded holiday clubs for school children who receive free school meals and has delivered a mixture of sport and enrichment activities to ensure a broad range of activity.

More here

It?s less than two weeks until the new Central Library opens to the public and we are pleased to announce the first event of its monthly?music and performance programme.

The?Sound At Central event is taking place on Friday 1 December from 7pm.

For our debut event we're joined by Bafta award-winning TV writer and poet Henry Normal with a 'distinctly funny' performance. Following on we have Bradley Jam, from Resident Gem in the Nottingham nightlife scene Jam Caf?, taking over our space with a DJ set, and seven-piece band Salmagundi will close the show with an eclectic world music experience.

The Central Library Cafe/Bar will be open and your ticket gets you a free drink, plus local independent bookshop, Five Leaves, will be hosting a stall where you can purchase Henry's work as well as an array of poetry books and more.

Alongside this, local artist Emily Catherine Illustration will be doodling?you?on a postcard for you to take home and mark the event - Nottingham's brand-new library is now open!

You can book for your tickets here.