If you?re a pensioner, you could be missing out on financial support. Around a third of eligible pensioners do not claim this benefit, so with the current cost-of-living crisis I would encourage all pensioners in Nottingham to check their eligibility and put in their claim. You can get a simple summary at Money Saving Expert, which explains why you need act now to maximise other benefits that pension credit can be a gateway to: Moneysavingexpert | the one thing everyone aged over 66 needs to know
If you put in your claim soon you will also qualify for an additional ?250 on top of the ?400 being given to every household by the Government to help with fuel costs, as people on Pension Credit will get an enhanced amount.

The Pension Credit calculator is the quickest and easiest way to check if you are eligible for support. For more info visit www.gov.uk/pension-credit or call 0800 99 1234.

It?s wonderful to see the great progress being made on the restoration of Victoria Embankment?s Memorial Gardens.

The work will return the park to its former glory, with a range of improvements including:

• Restoring the war Memorial, Queen Victoria Statue, pond and fountains
• Improving paths and access
• Re-planting original flower beds
• Installing new furniture
• Creating a visitor centre and toilets.

The ?1.7million project is being funded predominantly by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with further funding from The Transforming Cities Fund, The War Memorials Trust and Nottingham City Council. The work will be completed by the end of this year. More here

It has been lovely to see people taking advantage of the recent summery weather to enjoy some Open Air Theatre at the beautiful locations of Wollaton Hall and Newstead Abbey.

This week?s production on Wednesday (29 June) at Newstead Abbey is Pride and Prejudice performed by the Chapterhouse Theatre Company. This well-loved book is transformed for the outdoor stage as we take a step back in time to meet Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters as well as the enigmatic Mr Darcy.

The next show at Wollaton is on Thursday 7 July, based on Shakespeare?s As You Like It performed by The Lord Chamberlain?s Men. The Open Air Theatre season lasts into September.

Book your tickets

With the cost of living crisis really biting and inflation now at 11%, scammers are targeting the vulnerable and most affected, which may include older people.

If you can, have a conversation with friends and relatives about being on their guard against scams. Scammers are always evolving ? recent ones have included emails or phone calls pretending to be from Ofgem or the Government.

Age UK Notts has some useful information and a helpline (0115 8599 260) with free advice on protecting yourself against scams.

After 117 weeks and 8.4 million pieces of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), our central PPE Distribution Hub at Harvey Hadden Sports Village has closed and moved to a National Portal (central government) service.

The distribution hub was a great success having been set up within 24 hours after the first UK lockdown back on 23 March 2020 by Sport and Leisure and Adult Social Care.

The acquisition, distribution and supply of PPE is a perfect example of department/service area collaborations which included our Sport and Leisure, Procurement, Public Health, Safety Advisor and Adult Social Care staff. These partnerships allowed us to protect our teams and residents over the last two and half years of Covid while also providing support, information and advice.

I?d like to give a huge thanks to all of the teams involved in providing help and support and going the extra mile, especially during the earlier months, when the national supply of PPE didn?t materialise. Their work made Nottingham safer.