Our Victims First service launched earlier this year. It provides free support to any victim or witness of crime across the Thames Valley regardless as to whether they choose to report the crime to the police.
We are promoting the service across the area to raise awareness of the free support that is available to people, whether they may need it now or in the future.
On Tuesday, 4th December, Wallingford Community Fridge will open its doors. The Community Fridge will be situated at The Fountain Bookshop, 21b-22a St Mary’s Street and will be open Tuesday – Friday 9.30 am – 4.30 pm and Saturday 9.30 am – 1.00 pm.
Community Fridges are communal places where surplus food is shared between people in a community, by local businesses and individuals. It is estimated that the average UK family wastes £810 a year by throwing away food and drink which could have been eaten by others. In addition up to £3 billion is wasted by food sectors. Despite growing awareness of food waste, there are few easy ways for people or businesses to get food near its ‘sell by’ date to others.
Alongside the desire to better share our resources and reduce our detrimental environmental impact, it is hoped that the Community Fridge would provide another life-line for those who are in need. Wallingford Community Fridge Coordinator, Tracey Lloyd-Jones says ‘I am really excited about this venture and would encourage anyone and everyone to come and be a part of what we are trying to achieve.’ The Community Fridge is therefore looking for people to bring (and take) fresh food, particularly fruit and vegetables (sorry, no meat or fish), as well as volunteers able and willing to sustain the service.
Wallingford Community Fridge is being launched by Ridgeway Community Church and is proud to be supported by Oxfordshire County Council (who have provided help with initial costs), Sustainable Wallingford, Waitrose (who have agreed to provide food through Fare Share), along with Wallingford Emergency Food Bank (who have agreed to provide produce specifically for those in need).
In Office
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEER WORK??
DO YOU HAVE A FEW SPARE HOURS EACH WEEK?
WOULD YOU GET SATISFACTION OUT OF HELPING OTHERS?
WHY NOT GIVE US A RING WE ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS TO HELP ON WEEK DAY MORNINGS. YOU WOULD BE HELPING CLIENTS IN OUR DROP IN CENTRE ASSISTING WITH HEALTH, HOUSING AND FINANCE PROBLEMS AMOUNG OTHER ISSUES.
WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS TO JOIN OUR TEAM.
RING: Caroline at BIVC on 01865 343044
Volunteer Drivers
Do you hold a full driving licence? Have your own car? Have a few hours to spare a week/fortnight/month?
If you have answered YES then we have an exciting adventure you may be interested in……..
We are looking for volunteer drivers to take clients to their appointments.
Please contact Caroline on:
01865 343044 or help@bivc.org.uk
Even 1 appointment a month can make a difference
Berinsfield Information and Volunteer Center
Halloween and the days preceding, is one of the busiest times of year for our Contact Centres where 999 and 101 calls and online reports are taken.
As an emergency service, we will always prioritise 999 calls so you may experience a delay when making a non-emergency call on 101.
If your call is not an emergency, you can report a crime or anti-social behaviour to us online. A dedicated team of operators work 24/7 to read and act on reports that are submitted, meaning you don’t have to wait on hold for your 101 call to be answered.
While Halloween is an exciting time for many, be aware that not everyone is happy for you to call at their home to trick or treat.
If you would prefer not to be disturbed by trick or treaters, you can download our poster and display this prominently in your window.
If you plan to go trick or treating:
- Respect the wishes of those who display one of these posters
- Be considerate of those who may find large groups of people in scary costumes intimidating
- Only visit the homes of people you know well or who are clearly displaying Halloween decorations
Police officers will be conducting extra patrols around Halloween. If you feel unsafe:
- Don’t open your door if you’re unsure who is there. Use your spyhole, look out of a window, and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door.
- Have a contact number of a close relative, friend or good neighbour to hand by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them.
Remember, if a crime is in progress or if you feel your life is in danger then call 999. For non-emergencies, you can report crimes and ASB online or by calling 101.
Message Sent By
Julia Williams (Police, Neighbourhood Policing Admin, South Oxon and Vale)
Residents across southern Oxfordshire who are signed up for brown bin collections can put out twice as much garden waste during the extra garden waste weeks this month.
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils are giving those who are part of the paid-for service the opportunity to put out the equivalent of one extra bin’s worth of garden waste (around three large 80 litre bin bags) in the following weeks:
- week commencing 15 October – Vale of White Horse customers
- week commencing 22 October – South Oxfordshire customers
Residents should leave their extra garden waste out in bin liners or sacks beside their brown bins on their usual collection day during these weeks. Trade waste bags will not be accepted, however you can re-use old compost bags.
The garden waste is taken to a recycling plant in Oxfordshire where it is used to make compost, which goes to local farmers, allotment holders and an annual compost giveaway. However, there are increasing reports that the waste is being contaminated with non-compostable items such as plant pots, plastic bags and bottles.
Cllr Elaine Ware, cabinet member for housing and environment at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This extra garden waste service offers a great opportunity for residents to clear their gardens and make them ready for winter. We want to take this opportunity to remind people that they should only put compostable garden waste in the brown bin.”
Cllr Caroline Newton, cabinet member for housing and environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, added: “I would encourage all our garden waste customers to make use of this extra-large collection – it’s the right time of year to give your garden a really good clear out. Please bear in mind that just because something is used in the garden, that doesn’t make it garden waste.”
What CAN be put into the brown bin
- Leaves
- Grass
- Weeds
- Flowers and plants
- Hedge clippings
- Branches (not more than 10cm thick)
- Prunings and twigs
- Windfall fruit
- Hay / Straw / Sawdust (soiled animal bedding from non-meat eating animals only eg rabbits)
- Vegetable waste from the garden only eg potato tops (not kitchen waste)
See the councils’ websites for more information via www.morerecycling.co.uk.
** Please note that boxes and bags left on the extra garden waste days are left at the customer’s discretion and the councils will not replace them if missing or damaged.
http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/news/2018/2018-10/extra-garden-waste-collections-available-month