Incredibly rare (and extremely cute) seahorse spotted
Cornwall Council nature recovery officer Alicia Shephard was enjoying a beach walk on her lunchbreak when she spotted a long-snouted seahorse bobbing along in the surf.
She got her phone out and managed to film the tiny armoured sea creature as it floated above the seabed. It's one of only 7 long-snouted seahorses spotted in Cornish waters in the last decade.
The species faces challenges in the wild including loss of their natural habitats, over fishing and climate change. Their poor swimming skills puts a tight rein on their roaming ability, making migration to more hospitable waters difficult.
Research shows that seahorse populations have undergone rapid declines . If you'd like to help protect biodiversity in Cornwall, you can make a Pledge for Nature. Find pledge ideas on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Partnership website.
Free Move More classes for over 65s
People in Cornwall aged 65 and over now have access to free classes aimed at helping them to build strength and balance and reduce the risk of falling.
Called Move More, the programme is provided by Falmouth-based company iCareiMove and funded by Cornwall Council's Public Health team.
It's Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
Symptoms can be caused by lots of things, which can make ovarian cancer hard to diagnose. It’s important to make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible if things don’t feel normal for you, or if any symptoms continue or get worse.
Majority of Cornish children secure place at preferred primary school
Parents in Cornwall found out on Tuesday 16 April which primary school their child has been allocated, with more than 97% offered their first preference.
We received 4,830 applications for reception places for September 2024, of which 4,715 have been offered a place at their first preference school. This equates to 97.62%, which is higher than last year’s figure of 95.82% and above last year’s national average of 92.5%. (The national figure for 2024 is not yet available.) Almost every child (99.83%) in Cornwall received a place at their first, second or third preference school this year, compared to 98.99% last year.
For useful information and advice on starting school, check out our Starting School Checklist.
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness of the fourth most common cancer in the UK.
The earlier bowel cancer is spotted, the more treatable it’s likely to be. In fact, more than 9 in 10 people survive bowel cancer when it is diagnosed at the earliest stage.
Did you know that thanks to the new Pharmacy First service, people aged 12 and over can see a pharmacist for sinusitis?
Pharmacy First enables community pharmacies to supply prescription only medicines for some common conditions. Local pharmacist, Ian tells us more in this short video.
Insights revealed into human remains discovered along the Cornish coast
Fascinating insights have been revealed into Bronze Age and 18th century human remains discovered along the Cornish coast.
Analysis of the remains discovered last winter, one near Trevone, Padstow and the other during a beach clean at Sennen in Penwith, has revealed some fascinating insights into who they may have been, why they were found at these places and how they lived their lives.
When the human remains were discovered and authorities determined they were historic, Dr Richard Mikulski, a bone specialist from Cornwall Archaeological Unit (CAU) carefully excavated the sites and analysed the skeletons.
West Cornwall Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre is there for you!
There are a range of locally provided places you can access health and care from every day of the week all without an appointment - from your local pharmacy, minor injury units and West Cornwall Hospital’s urgent treatment centre.
Some places are open late including the urgent treatment centre, which is open every day from 8am until midnight and there is no need for an appointment!
The urgent treatment centre and 10 minor injury units can help you with ailments or injuries that need attention urgently but are not critical or life-threatening. From sprains and strains, minor fractures to cuts that need stitches, insect and animal bites to suspected infections these locally provided health units are there to help you.
Remember - the Pharmacy First service can also provide you with advice and treatments for minor ailments.
New scheme to help residents fund green home improvements
Homeowners in Cornwall can now apply for lower-cost loans to fund energy saving home improvements through a new Council-backed scheme.
The Green Home Improvement Scheme aims to fill the gaps for those who are ineligible for grants. Homeowners and private landlords can apply, however the scheme is not open to properties used as holiday lets or second homes.
Cornwall Council has appointed Lendology CIC to run the pilot scheme, which has been funded by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Fund. The Green Home improvement Loans Scheme has received £518,254 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
To find about more about the loan scheme visit the Lendology website or call Lendology on 01823 461099.
Join us at our ‘Listening to You’ events
Cllr Linda Taylor, the Leader of Cornwall Council, will be out and about again later this month, through into June, to hear from residents across Cornwall.
The first session will take place in Callington on Friday, 19 April, with further events planned for Falmouth, Helston, Perranporth, Bude, Bodmin Truro, Redruth, Penzance and Saltash.
Linda is really looking forward to meeting you and hearing what's on your mind. She's also hoping to hear about how we can work with communities for a Carbon Neutral Cornwall, where everyone can start well, live well and age well.
We hope you will be able to join us at one of the events.
Childcare support is expanding
Even more working parents can get help to pay for their childcare.
Is your child a 2-year-old and you earn less than £100k per year? If so, you might be eligible to access 15 hours childcare support for your little one.
And if your child will be between 9-23 months in September, you could also be eligible for 15 hours free too.
Visit the Childcare Choices website to find out more about expansion of hours and sign up for updates.
Learn more about adoption
Thinking about adopting? Book a place at one of Adopt South West's online events to find out more.
Adopt South West aims to find safe, secure, permanent homes for children who are unable to live with their birth families. These information events are a great way to find out more about adoption.
All of Adopt South West’s information events are held online, so you get to join from the comfort of your own home! You can talk to adoption social workers and families who’ve adopted, watch a presentation, find out more about the application process, and get your questions answered.
Be tick aware this Spring and Summer
Spring is here and so is Tick Bite Prevention Week (24-30 March).
Ticks enjoy warmer weather as much as we do, so watch out for them if you and your pets are spending more time outdoors. Ticks can live in woodlands, moors and grassy areas, including parks and gardens. You should check for ticks because they can transmit Lyme disease, and in very rare cases, encephalitis.
Here are some simple actions you can take to help protect yourself and others from tick bites:
Use a repellent that prevents ticks
Wear long sleeves and long trousers to reduce direct skin exposure
Keep to clearly defined paths and avoid brushing against vegetation
Regularly check for ticks and brush off any you find immediately
When you’re back indoors, check for any ticks on you, your children and pets
If you find a tick, safely remove it as soon as possible.
Help to beat exam stress
Are you a parent or carer of a young person taking exams this year?
Exams can be very stressful for students of any age, but there is help and guidance available.
Parents, carers and young people in Cornwall can find a wealth of mental health support on the Start Now website. The resources from Headstart Kernow, part of Together for Families at Cornwall Council, have been created with young people themselves.
The stress can sometimes seem overwhelming, but there are ways to keep stress levels in check; stay focused and fresh and even have time for friends. Check out Start Now’s tips and tools and find the ones that work for you.
Do you need a HUG?
Warm up your home with the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme
Are you tired of high heating costs and a cold home? The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) Scheme is here to help. This grant-funded energy efficiency scheme from the Government aims to improve the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of homes that do not use mains gas as their primary heat source.
We're working in partnership with OVO Energy Solutions to deliver this scheme across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. With a range of energy-saving measures, the scheme aims to reduce heating costs and improve general health and wellbeing.
The scheme runs until March 2025 and aims to help around 500 eligible homes.
Why you should get your blood pressure checked
An estimated 4.2 million adults in England are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure. Left untreated, it can significantly increase your risk of a fatal heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or vascular dementia .
If you're aged 40 and over, you can get a free blood pressure check at a local pharmacy. Click on the yellow button below to find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks near you. There's no need to book!
Norovirus is increasing in Cornwall
Cases of the nasty Norovirus are increasing across Cornwall, and we need your help to stop the spread.
If you have sickness and/or diarrhoea, please do not visit a healthcare setting (GP surgery, hospital or care home).
Instead stay at home, keep hydrated and keep washing your hands regularly with soap and water (alcohol gels won't kill norovirus). Stay off work (or school) and away from others until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.
Help if you're struggling to pay your Council Tax bill
If you have no income, or you're on a low income, you might be able to apply for help to pay your Council Tax bill.
You can claim Council Tax Support if you own your own home or rent. You can also claim if you are working or unemployed.
Entitlement to Council Tax Support is based on how much income, capital and savings your household has.
If you're already in arrears please get in touch with our team. We can help you work out a plan, which might help you worry a little less.
We also have lots of information on other financial support that might be available if you, or someone you know, is struggling on our worried about money webpage.
Eat well - spend less
Tune in to episode eight of our Eat Well, Spend Less cookery video series from our Healthy Cornwall team!
We'll give you tips on how to eat healthily on a budget with everyday ingredients from your local shop. In this video we create Cottage Pie - a good option for a completely adaptable meal which could be vegan or veggie - made with any sort of mince.
It's packed full of vegetables too - at least 2, or even 3 of your 5 a day. Perfect comfort food after a busy day.
Join the 'Healthy Families Pilot' Programme
Do you want to help your family live a healthier lifestyle? Do you have a child aged 5-12 who is above their ideal weight? If so, you might be eligible for a new free programme from Healthy Cornwall and Gro Health.
This programme will give you and your family access to the Gro Health app, which is an award-winning tool to track your nutrition, activity, sleep and mood. You will also get personalised support and guidance from a health coach from the Healthy Cornwall team.
To apply you need to have at least one child aged 5-12 in your household who is above their ideal weight for their height and age. You can check this using this easy NHS BMI calculator.
But hurry, this is a pilot scheme and there are only 60 places available. Don't miss this chance to make a positive change for your family's health and happiness!
New jobs and careers website for Cornwall
There’s a new website for jobs, careers, courses, and skills for residents and businesses in Cornwall.
The website, created by Cornwall Council, aims to boost the economy by highlighting local career and training opportunities for people of all ages.
As well as jobs and apprenticeship opportunities, the website is full of useful information and tools for young people, adults, employers, teachers and parents. It provides information on upskilling, exploring new careers, getting your first step on the career ladder, preparing for interviews and more.
The site also includes a dedicated Employer Hub and a Hub for people with special educational needs.
Measles: it’s not just a kids’ problem
Teenagers, young adults and anyone who has missed their MMR vaccination can get measles.
Symptoms to look out for include:
high fever
rash – sometimes starting around the ears
sore red eyes
cough
aching and feeling unwell
If you think you may have measles call your GP first before attending a clinic, or contact NHS 111.
Make sure you have had your 2 doses of MMR vaccine. If you haven’t contact your GP now.
Little moments together
The more we chat, play and read with our kids, the more we help build their brains. Any time, anywhere, whether at home or out and about, it all adds up.
There’s no need to buy lots of toys or have big days out. Wherever you are, simply chatting back and forth, answering your child’s questions and sharing special moments together all help their brain to grow and develop secure and strong connections. Just what they need to get off to the right start at school.
The Start for Life website is packed with simple ideas from other parents on how to build these little moments into each day. It includes lots of examples of tips and activities for you to do together with your child at different ages, as well as links to find further support in your local area.
New planning rules to limit short term lets in Cornwall
We're welcoming the government’s introduction of new rules requiring planning permission for properties to be used as short term lets.
The changes, announced by Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on a visit to St Agnes last week, are aimed at limiting the number of short-term holiday lets.
It means that a planning application will be needed for anyone renting out their main or sole home for more than 90 nights a year, and are intended to provide support in areas where short-term lets are preventing local people from renting or buying a home. The new rules also propose other changes including a national mandatory register of short term lets.
The new rules won't come into immediate effect and we're waiting for more details from the Government.
Stop. Think Fraud!
Criminals are great pretenders. They may contact you pretending to be a trusted person or company.
A new national campaign Stop! Think Fraud aims to help you understand the different types of fraud and the tactics which criminals can use against you.
The website helps you learn the tactics criminals use so you can see the different types of fraud, how to better protect yourselves and the people you know, as well as ways to report if you have been a victim of fraud.
The NHS and Government have launched a dental recovery plan to give patients fairer, simpler and easier access to dental care.
The plan includes offering dentists 'golden hello' cash incentives for working in under-served areas and taking on more NHS patients.
It will also send teams into schools to treat children's teeth.
You can read the plan on the Government's website.
You can now get on-the-day appointments at primary care hubs if you're suffering from the symptoms of minor illnesses.
The hubs are run by a GP or other healthcare practitioner experienced with minor illness, who can offer advice and onward care including issuing prescriptions.
Contact your GP surgery in the usual way and, if appropriate, an appointment will be made for you at a nearby hub.
The aim is to ease urgent, on-the-day demand for GP appointments, allowing surgeries to focus on their patients with long-term conditions. Hubs are being set up across Cornwall, with at least 8 in place already and more being added.
Find out more about the new primary care hubs.
Free NHS talking therapies can help
Are you or someone you care about struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety?
Free NHS Talking Therapies could help. They're confidential, delivered by accredited NHS practitioners, and can help if you're suffering with excessive worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviours or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
You can access free help - in person, by video, over the phone or as an online course - by referring yourself to an NHS Talking Therapy service, or by asking your GP to.
The successful skills training programme Train4Tomorrow has won funding from the Department for Education to boost employment opportunities across Cornwall and Devon.
The programme, led by Devon County Council and delivered in partnership with Cornwall Council, will get £6.4million in 2024/2025 to enable more than 2,000 adults to access Skills Bootcamps in a variety of dynamic sectors.
Skills Bootcamps are available in a range of sectors. New for this year will be Skills Bootcamps in childcare, heavy goods vehicle driving, and creative sectors such as film production, photography, and media.
Did you know that millions of people in the UK are using the NHS App to manage their health the easy way?
From viewing their health records and test results to ordering prescriptions, the NHS App makes managing your health easier.
Find out how you can order repeat prescriptions using the NHS App.
Find out how you can securely view your health records in the NHS App
A brilliant place for children
Pupils from 9 primary schools helped launch a new wellbeing journal at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro this week.
Called My Brilliant Place to be ME! the journal has been created for the young people of Cornwall. It’s all about helping them learn to look after their wellbeing and feel good!
Headstart Kernow have created the journal with help from primary school children across our communities and it contains a range of activities and information that young people can work through at their own pace, at school, at home or on the move. The launch coincided with this week's Children’s Mental Health Week.
The journal is free and available to everyone online. Printed copies will also be available to local children through schools.
Household Waste Recycling Centres
Some of Cornwall’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) are trialling new recycling services, including paint reuse, wetsuit reuse, and free DIY waste disposal.
Paint reuse
Truro HWRC has introduced a new paint reuse service. Residents can drop off new or good quality left over paint for others to collect, free of charge. The service will be rolled out across more HWRC sites later this year.
Wetsuit reuse
After a successful launch at St Erth (Hayle) and Newquay, three more HWRCs are now collecting old wetsuits – St Day (United Downs), Falmouth and Penryn, and Bude. All wetsuits are donated to the Wave Project to help support surf therapy programmes.
DIY waste
Charges have now been removed for the disposal of asbestos, plasterboard, soil/rubble, and tyres at eight HWRCs, for an initial six month trial from 2 January. Residents can now dispose of up to eight bags or four sheets of material per week at St Erth (Hayle), Falmouth and Penryn, Truro, Newquay, St Austell, Tintagel (Bowithick), Bude and Saltash.
Please note that during this time Bodmin, Connon Bridge, Redruth (Pool), Helston, Launceston and St Day (United Downs) HWRCs are unable to accept this material.
There’s more information on all these services on www.cornwall.gov.uk/hwrc.
Health advice messaging service launches
A new messaging service called ChatHealth has been launched in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, connecting children, young people and their families with health visitors and school nurses.
You can text the service about a variety of topics and get a call back within 48 hours on topics including:
Sleep
Child development
Support with behaviour
Toileting
Feeding and nutrition
Keeping safe and healthy
Childhood illnesses and support with medical conditions at school
Emotional, mental health and wellbeing
Relationships
Smoking and vaping
Drugs and alcohol
There are three dedicated numbers which operate Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays):
Young people aged 11-19 can text 07312 263 096
Parents or carers of children aged 0-5 can text 07312 263 423
Parents or carers of children and young people aged 5-19 can text 07312 263 499
When you send a text message you'll get an automated reply confirming your message has been received. A trained healthcare professional within the health visiting or school nursing teams will be in touch within 48 hours.
New health programme supporting armed forces veterans
A new ‘social prescribing’ programme, has been launched in Cornwall aimed at supporting our armed forces community with their mental and physical wellbeing.
Two Armed Forces Community Social Prescribing Link Workers - both of whom have served in the armed forces themselves, have been recruited. Their job will be to help veterans and their families access help like medical care and mental health support, as well as support with housing, finances and employment.
Research shows that ex-service personnel are more likely to present with complex healthcare needs in comparison with the UK general population and around 60% of military personnel with mental health issues do not seek help.
Sign up for e-billing and make managing your council tax easier.
Need your council tax bill? No need to scrabble under the bed, rifle through the filing cabinet in the garage, or waste time trying to locate the right ‘pile’.
Register for e-billing and access your bill whenever you want. If you need it for proof of ID, you can just log in and download it. And, you’re helping the environment by saving paper.
Watch this video to see how to set up an online account or sign up now, if you're feeling confident, If you've already registered, check your account online here.
Childminders to get £600 golden hello
Leaving school or looking for a job, a new career or way to work from home while looking after your family?
Set yourself up as a childminder and you could get a £600 grant from the government to cover your start-up costs.
You don’t need qualifications to be a childminder but you will need to show you've got an interest in early years education and register with Ofsted.
FREE healthier relationships courses for parents in Cornwall
Whether you're parenting together or separately, one of the best things you can do for your child is to improve the relationship between you as parents.
And no matter where you are in your parenting journey, you can learn to manage stress and communicate more effectively with one of our workshops, groups or courses.
The courses can be accessed online, entirely on your own, or through a group workshop at which you meet other parents and professionals face-to-face and include:
Me, You and Baby Too – a course for all new or expectant parents
Arguing Better – a course for parents with a child of any age
Getting it Right for Children – a course for separating or separated parents
This New Year it’s time to get Healthy Cornwall
Whether your New Year’s resolution is to get active, lose weight, or quit smoking, Healthy Cornwall can help you make changes for a happier, healthier lifestyle.
From walking groups to kids’ activity clubs, not to mention our hugely successful weight loss football league, Healthy Cornwall has a whole host of free support sessions available across Cornwall, throughout January and beyond. Find a group that's right for you by visiting the website at www.healthycornwall.org.uk/whatson
And if meeting in person isn’t your thing, Healthy Cornwall still has plenty to offer, including online weight loss support programmes and their Smokefree text message service. Just text SMOKEFREE to 82228 to receive regular support before, during and after your quit attempt.
Or why not join others in one of Healthy Cornwall’s Facebook groups, offering advice on healthy eating, getting active and quitting smoking. Or you can get regular top tips direct to your inbox, by signing up to Healthy Cornwall’s regular emails.
Could you be saving money on your childcare?
Families in Cornwall could be saving money on their childcare costs but some simply don’t know what support is out there.
The Childcare Choices website brings together all the existing childcare offers in one place so parents can get the help that fits their family, including:
tax-free childcare
30 Hours childcare
Universal Credit childcare
You may be able to take up more than one childcare scheme at a time and more help is on the way:
some working parents with children aged 2 will be able to access up to 15 hours of childcare from April 2024
some working parents with children aged 9 to 23 months will be able to access up to 15 hours of childcare from September 2024
some working parents with children aged 9 months to school age will be able to access up to 30 hours of childcare from September 2025
There will be more support for primary-school aged children coming too.
Ready, Steady... Grow - bookings open!
Healthy Cornwall now have dates available to book onto their new, FREE Ready, Steady…Grow prenatal and postnatal health and wellbeing programme.
The sessions focus on the health and wellbeing of both baby and you, discussing a variety of health topics such as healthy nutrition and getting active, in a relaxed, informal and comfortable environment.
Sessions are now available to book in a variety of locations throughout Cornwall and online. Head to the Healthy Cornwall website now to book.
Stop Spreading the Germs…
We are aware of lots of people coming down with coughs and colds and feeling generally unwell. Help stop the spread of germs by taking simple steps to protect yourself and others:
Use tissues to trap germs
Wash your hands often with warm water and soap
Put used tissues in the bin as quickly as possible.
Catch it. Bin it. Kill it.
If you don’t feel well enough to go to work or carry out your normal activities, please try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. For more information visit People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Keep an eye out for flyposting
There is no formal definition of flyposting, but it is generally taken to mean the display of advertising material on buildings and street furniture without the consent of the owner.
Unauthorised flyposting on both public and private property is a criminal offence. It can result in fines being given out by the Magistrates Court, or a fixed penalty notice up to £80 being issued by Cornwall Council or the Police.
Please advise local residents of this if you are approached for advice. Also, if you are aware of examples of flyposting and can identify the perpetrator, you can report this to Cornwall Council for investigation using these links:
It's more precious than you think
With most of our planet being blue, you wouldn’t be alone in thinking we’ll never run out of water. The thing is, not all that water is drinkable. In fact, only 1% of it is accessible freshwater. And we need to protect it.
That’s because whether it’s us, the fish that live in it, the cows that drink it, the otters that play in it, the bugs that skate on it, or the birds who bathe it in – life depends on water. And all creatures, great and small, rely on the same 1%. The more tap water you use, the less is left in the environment for them.
Another reason to save water is that all aspects of human life depend on it. You drink it. It’s used to make your food, your clothes, your house, your medicine. Things we take for granted like swimming pools and restaurants couldn’t run without it. Try putting out a fire without water. Or treating a wound. Or cleaning the bathroom.
With so much depending on it, it only makes sense to save every drop.