Vaccinations, alongside testing and observing lockdown rules, remain a significant weapon in our armoury against Covid. The local rollout is gaining momentum and from today, the City Council?s Customer Hub is supporting the NHS with ensuring all those invited for a vaccination are able to access one. The team will be calling those who have not yet made a booking, starting with the over 80s. More people still need to step forward to take up bookings, especially from our BAME communities where there is lower take-up. If you know anybody who is eligible for the vaccination, please help them arrange a booking ? there are some simple tips on who can get a jab so far and how they go about it here: https://nottsccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-programme-what-you-can-do-to-help/

It?s National Apprenticeship Week this week, and our Nottingham Jobs service, run in partnership with the Futures Group and Department for Work and Pensions, has a wide range of support services for apprentices and job seekers.

The messages from the team, many of whom are working from home but have kept links with job seekers and local employment specialists, is that there is a wealth of support available. Even considering the challenges which unemployed and young people face due to Covid-19, employers are still recruiting, there are jobs available in Nottingham and apprenticeships are for people of all ages, so if you are looking for opportunities to earn and learn, why not see what is on offer?

Nottingham Jobs is also an intermediary on the Government?s Kickstart Scheme, funding high quality six-month work placements for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit and deemed to be at risk of long-term unemployment. The team will support businesses to take on new, young employees and enhance the skills of your workforce. For more information, contact Nottingham Jobs on 0115 876 4508 or visit www.nottinghamjobs.com?

With it being icy and chilly, you could say it?s ideal weather for curling up indoors with some wildlife entertainment brought to you in the comfort of your own home.

This year, as part of the?Nottingham Festival of Science & Curiosity, Wollaton Hall & Deer Park, Newstead Abbey & Gardens and locations around Nottinghamshire have been working with?Ignite?and?Notts TV?to bring you the festival online, in the comfort of your own home, with the help of ?Wollaton Watch.?

With daily entertainment about wildlife and the environment across Nottinghamshire, it is ideal for kids at home being home schooled, or for anyone interested in a look around the newly-refurbished bird and fish room galleries of Wollaton Hall.

Simply tune in to?Notts TV?or?@NottsFOSAC Facebook Live?or?Twitch, each day between?Monday 8th ? Friday 12th February?at?4 ? 5pm.

Don?t forget there are?two online public meetings?taking place via Zoom this week as part of the council?s budget consultation. It will be a chance to hear about the proposals we are putting forward to balance our budget after having to make over ?270m of savings over the past 11 years and facing a ?28m funding gap on Covid costs. Local services will be affected and you can take part in the discussions on Wednesday 10^th?February 1.30pm and Friday 12^th?February 11.30am by emailing?[email protected]. If you can?t make it to the meetings, you can have your say by?filling out the survey.