Peterborough residents begin receiving census questionnaires

Peterborough residents will begin receiving their 2011 Census questionnaires as part of the biggest mail-out operation in the country’s history from next week (Monday 7 March 2011).

The 2011 Census will break all records as 25 million household questionnaires - plus millions more from care homes, hotels, military bases and other communal establishments - will be processed at a 180,000 square foot secure facility in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester.

Paul Phillipson, executive director for operations at Peterborough City Council, said: “Every household must by law complete the census questionnaire giving information about everyone staying at that address on Sunday 27 March.

“It’s essential that everybody in Peterborough is counted correctly because we estimate each person is worth £600 in government funding for each of the next 10 years for things such as schools and health services.

“Census numbers will be totalled up to calculate how much government money will be allocated to Peterborough and personal information will be kept secret for 100 years.”

Census questionnaires should be returned as soon as possible after census day using a pre-paid envelope provided. Alternatively, for the first time this year, questionnaires can be completed online using a unique access code printed on the front of individual forms.

Around 10 days after census day, census collectors will start calling on homes to remind people who still need to return their questionnaires.

Royal Mail will transport completed census forms to the Trafford Park processing centre where they will be automatically opened ready for scanning and archiving so that after 100 years they can be released and looked at by family historians. Once scanned, they will be securely destroyed and recycled.

At peak times, around 300 people will classify and code information as it appears page by page covering topics such as occupation, ethnicity and religion. Compared with the first census, held in 1801 when there were only four job categories, the 2011 Census can cope with nearly 28,000 employment types.

Statisticians will then process the numbers to provide vital population estimates to decide public services for years to come. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data, there will be two follow-up surveys to check the quality of information provided on census returns and to establish how successful the census has been in reaching all households in England and Wales.

New Back to Business Seminar Dates for 2011

Following its success in 2010, the Peterborough Job Centre’s Back to Business Club has published its new list of seminars subjects for the forthcoming months, designed to help unemployed professionals, executives, and managers in the area.

The seminars cover all aspects of the re-discovering the skills needed to get back into work, from communication and interview techniques to considering self-employment.
If you have been in professional/managerial-type employment but are currently looking for work, visiting the Club at the City College, Brook Street on Thursday afternoons between 2 and 5pm may be the start you are looking for. As well as the weekly seminars the Club provides a motivational and encouraging environment where you can network with others who are in a similar situation, and learn about the support that can be provided by the Jobcentre and other organisations.

For more information or for a full list of forthcoming seminars call Alan or Julie on 01733 207348 or email backtobusiness@gpp-peterborough.org.

SEMINAR LIST

• 3rd Feb Self-Employment Advice


• 10th Feb Communication Skills


• 17th Feb Managing Change


• 24th Feb Interview Techniques


• 3rd Mar Pro-Active Job Seeking


• 10th Mar Networking


• 17th Mar Presentation Skills


• 24th Mar TBC


• 31st Mar Benefit Advice


• 7th Apr Self-Coaching


• 14th Apr Networking With Confidence


• 21st Apr CV Advice


• 28th Apr Open Forum

More young people find work with the help of Future Jobs Fund

MORE than half the long-term unemployed youngsters in Peterborough who joined the Future Jobs Fund scheme have found work.

In all, 53 percent of 18-24 year olds in the city who took up a role with the fund have made it into permanent employment.

Richard Cooper was unemployed for a year before being employed through the Future Jobs Fund as part of Peterborough City Council’s Care and Repair team. He is now working full time for Mears Ltd as a Customer Service Administrator.

He said “My computer and communication skills have improved so much, and I have gained experience working with customers and as part of a team within an office.”

All the Future Jobs Fund positions are focused on providing a benefit to the community, whilst also increasing job prospects.

Gary Conder, Future Jobs Fund Project Manager said, “The Future Jobs Fund scheme has opened lots of doors for Peterborough’s young people.”

The Future Jobs Fund is in its second phase, providing more young people with opportunities.

For more info, email lee.wyer@peterborough.gov.uk

Back to Business is back in business in 2011

Peterborough Jobcentre’s Back to Business club is hoping to consolidate on a successful 2010 with its New Year list of seminars, designed to help unemployed Professionals and Executives back into work.

Currently the Club has helped nearly 70% of its members back into employment by providing help to those who have been in work for several years but who find that due to the present economic environment they are now having to negotiate the job market. Very often this proves difficult, as modern employment methods such as online networking and competence-based interviews, coupled with the loss of confidence and lack of job-seeking skills can leave them at a disadvantage.

The Back to Business Club offers weekly seminars to help overcome these obstacles and help them compete on a level playing field, as well as giving support, encouragement, and advice – as well as tea, biscuits, and a sympathetic ear!
The Club meets at the City College, Brook Street on Thursday afternoons between 2 and 5pm, with seminars starting at 3pm. All facilities are free; smart dress appreciated.

Forthcoming seminars
06 Jan 2011 - Interview Techniques
13 Jan 2011 - How We Can Help You Back to Work
20 Jan 2011 - The Benefits of Recruitment Agencies
27 Jan 2011 - Networking Opportunities
03 Feb 2011 - Self-Employment Advice
10 Feb 2011 - Benefit Advice
17 Feb 2011 – Managing Change
24 Feb 2011 – Interview Techniques

For further details please contact backtobusiness@gpp-peterborough.org.uk or 01733 207348

GPP Annual Forum

The Greater Peterborough Partnership are pleased to announce that this year’s Annual Forum will be held from 2pm – 5pm at the Peterborough City Hospital lecture theatre on Wednesday 8 December.

The Forum provides an opportunity to review our progress across all aspects of Peterborough’s Community Strategy – looking at our health, economic development communities, skills, education and environment capital ambitions. As usual we will have an overall review of the year, highlighting achievements and outlining what we are doing to address the continued challenges. We will also be talking about new ways of working in light of the Comprehensive Spending Review and our plans for a single delivery plan for Peterborough.

The second half of the forum will concentrate on what the Big Society concept means for Peterborough and how we make sure that all partners – from public, private, community, voluntary and faith sectors work together to achieve our common ambition. Our keynote speaker is Bert Provan, Deputy Director, Local Government and Renewal, who will speaking on the Big Society from a national perspective.

The venue address is:

Peterborough City Hospital, Edith Cavell Campus, Bretton Gate, Peterborough PE3 9GZ

This link takes you to a Google map showing its location.

Metered parking is available at the hospital, but is very limited. Attendees are encouraged to car share to attend the event or use public transport where possible. The Stagecoach Citi 7 bus runs every 20 minutes from the Queensgate Bus station, directly to the Peterborough City Hospital.

This is a public meeting to which all are invited to attend and contribute – you are welcome to extend this invitation to those who you feel may wish to attend.

Please confirm your attendance by emailing Hannah Barrett on hannah@gpp-peterborough.org.uk.

Interfaith Week 21-27 November

Interfaith Exhibition

Theme- Science & Religion

Wednesday 24 November 2010: 10am - 4pm

An excellent opportunity for promoting understanding between faith and the wider society; strengthening good interfaith relations at all levels

Peterborough Town Hall, Reception Room, Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1QT

Including Exhibitions from the following Faiths Groups...

BUDDHIST, CHRISTIAN, HINDU, MUSLIM,QUAKER, SIKH

For further information, telephone: 01733 207337 or E-mail: sue.rampal@gpp-peterborough.org.uk

‘Fearless’

Crimestoppers and the Safer Peterborough Partnership are holding the Eastern Region’s official launch of ‘Fearless’.

Fearless is a Crimestoppers website for young people. It provides information on different crime types, advises young people what to do if they are a victim of crime and allows them to report crime anonymously. This is the ONLY website that allows young people to report crime 100 per cent anonymously. Visit www.fearless.org to see for yourself.

The Fearless event is being held at The Voyager School, Mountsteven Avenue, Peterborough, on Monday 29^th November 2010.

Each lesson period will provide a fun-packed and interactive session about Fearless and the consequences of crime. The Fearless Youth Team will take students through the Fearless website. There will also be a short production from The Solomon Theatre called ‘Gemma’s Wardrobe’ which touches on:

· anti-social behaviour

· the impact of cannabis and alcohol

· legality

· peer pressure

· knife crime

· healthy living

· making positive choices.

To learn more about The Solomon Theatre, visit www.solomontheatre.co.uk

Each lesson starts at:

· 8.45

· 9.35

· 10.45

· 11.35

· 13.35

· 14.25

This event is FREE to attend. To confirm your attendance and secure a seat at one of the lessons please contact Ann Scott on 07825 445 720 or ann.scott@crimestoppers-uk.org

To exhibit a stand in ‘The Street’ at lunchtime, (an opportunity to promote your work and engage with 2,000 students and their parents), please contact Ann Scott on 07825 445 720 or ann.scott@crimestoppers-uk.org Lunch times runs from 12.25 – 13.15.

All those who attend can take advantage of free teaching resources, (curriculum based for both for secondary and primary schools) and promotional items for young people.

The Fearless team look forward to welcoming you.

Please feel free to pass this information onto others who may be interested. Thank you for your time.