Young carers learn life-saving skills

YOUNG carers in West Somerset are being honoured for adding life-saving First Aid to their array of skills.
The 15 youngsters, aged between 11 and 16 years, have completed a Basic First Aid course with the support of the Somerset Young Carers Project.
Now, they are to receive certificates at a presentation in the Vennland Centre, Minehead, on Saturday, February 10.
The course was run in November with the help of the Somerset Youth Service and the Breaking the Cycle community initiative.
Young Carers Project co-ordinator Jo Sylvester said the skills learned on the day could be priceless.
She said: “For everybody, basic First Aid is something that could make the difference between life and death for a loved one.
“But for these youngsters the training is even more relevant.”
Somerset County Council funds the Somerset Carers Project with the help of voluntary groups.
It offers vital support to youngsters aged between eight and 16 who, usually due of family illness or disability, take on caring responsibilities for their parents or siblings. The project works with young carers and parents, helping them access community resources, and offering occasional breaks from their caring role.
County council portfolio holder for strategic services for children and young people, Councillor Pauline Clarke, said: “Although hugely important, the work of young carers is often overlooked.
“I am glad we have been able to support these youngsters with projects like this.”

Positive ideas to tackle Dulverton anti-social behaviour

POSITIVE options are being looked into as to how the community of Dulverton and local agencies can work together to tackle a wave of vandalism and other anti-social behaviour which has hit the town.
Ideas for resolving the crime and disorder challenge came out of a packed public meeting held in Dulverton Town Hall.
Residents attending the meeting said in the first instance they wanted better communication with the agencies through regular surgeries on a three or six-monthly basis.
It was agreed by the agencies attending the meeting that such surgeries could be arranged.
The meeting was attended by representatives of West Somerset Council, Dulverton Town Council, Magna West Somerset Housing Association, Somerset County Council’s Youth Service, and the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.
They put forward options and listened to the views of local people on how anti-social behaviour in the area should be tackled.
District council community support officer Pete Hughes said: “Comparatively speaking, Dulverton is a very safe place to live.
“Anti-social behaviour has dropped since a spate of incidents last September, but we will continue to work with the community in a way that suits them as a deterrent to those whose behaviour is not acceptable to the community as a whole.”
Town Councillor Ian Fleming, who has been liaising between the community and the agencies, said: “The town council is encouraged by the number of residents who attended the meeting.
“We are looking forward to working with the community to keep up the good work that has already been achieved by the different agencies.
“There is no doubt that an increased police presence has helped bring down the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour so, as a community, we must help the police by reporting any anti-social behaviour or crimes we might witness.”
Sgt Dave Butter, who is responsible for neighbourhood policing in the Dulverton, Exmoor, and Porlock area, said crime figures for Dulverton were low.
However, he encouraged people to let the police know about crime in the area in case it was being under-reported.
He said: “We plan to continue to work with the community to ensure the quality of life enjoyed within the Dulverton area continues.
“If anybody has any information or crimes they wish to report I would encourage them to do so as this enables us to target our patrols.”
Police telephone numbers to use are 999 for emergencies or 0845 456 7000 for all other matters.
Christine Boland, of Magna, said: “The behaviour of the overwhelming majority of our tenants gives us no cause for concern whatsoever.
“However, when a minority, however small, breach their tenancy agreements by behaving anti-socially and causing problems in the community, we will work with the community and the police to end the problems by whatever means are available to us.
“We are doing this in Dulverton at the moment and I would encourage local residents to keep reporting incidents of anti-social behaviour to the police and, where Magna tenants are involved, to us as well.”

Photo of Dulverton Lawns submitted.

Dulverton community being asked to help combat anti-social behaviour

RESIDENTS of Dulverton are being invited to a community meeting on January 17 to help come up with a solution for a wave of anti-social behaviour which has struck the town.
West Somerset Council is co-ordinating the meeting, which is being held at 7 pm in Dulverton Town Hall.
The council wants to build on the positive action taken so far in response to the anti-social behaviour which was experienced last autumn.
The council’s community safety officer, Pete Hughes, said: “Although the incidents were of a relatively minor nature, the council has met with Dulverton Town Council, Avon and Somerset Police, the county youth service, and local housing providers to take positive action to help ensure incidents do not become more serious or more frequent.
“At the meeting, we will be reassuring local people and asking them if they would like to form a community group to help ensure our recent achievements turn into long-term solutions.”
A town council representative is already working with local agencies to deal with the problems.
Steps taken so far include an increased police presence, better signposting to youth activities, and action by housing providers against nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
Mr Hughes said: “By and large, this sort of behaviour is uncharacteristic of Dulverton.
“In line with all parishes in West Somerset, Dulverton is one of the safest places to live in the country.
“However, we do not expect local communities to have to put up with anti-social behaviour which is why we have acted swiftly to address issues.
“So far, the reaction to our initiatives has been very good, with a significant drop in anti-social behaviour in the area.
“However, our achievements are more likely turn into long-term benefits if the community is part of the solution.
“With this in mind, we are appealing for as many local people as possible to contribute time and energy towards achieving the shared goals for Dulverton.
“We are hoping that the community will show its commitment to the future social well-being of the town and come to the meeting next week to decide how it would like to see our recent efforts taken forward.”

• Our photographs show Dulverton Town Hall, in The Square, and also the Lorna Doone statue which stands beside the Exmoor House Lawns. Photos submitted.