Rushcliffe
FREE TREES. Nearly 2,000 free trees are being delivered to residents’ doors in Rushcliffe in a scheme offered by the Borough Council. The trees are going to local residents who requested them and , Town and Parish councils and groups to make their homes and communities even greener.
It means a staggering 7,500 trees will have been distributed by Rushcliffe Borough Council by the end of this year and since the start of the campaign in 2018.
In line with safe COVID practices the crab apple and hazel trees are now being delivered by the authority’s ground maintenance contractors Streetwise to those who applied earlier this year avoiding the need for people to gather together to collect the saplings from central locations.
Also, each household that has applied is also receiving a free pack of wildflower seeds to sow as they wish at home. It’s part of the authority’s strategy to provide sustainable and enhanced environments in line with the Borough’s significant housing and employment growth in the next decade.
Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community and the Environment Cllr Abby Brennan said: “We are delighted to have had such a great response again this year from environmentally minded residents, councils and groups keen to make their homes and neighbourhoods even greener. They have shown wonderful enthusiasm for this project and we thank them for their continued support to make Rushcliffe a great place to live.
“We hope that by increasing the number of trees, and wildflowers, in the Borough, our green environments will grow alongside our communities, improving the quality of life for both current and future residents.”
Residents receiving the trees are being reminded the crab apple, or Malus Sylvestris, can grow to 12 metres and suit areas of partial shade. Hazel trees, or Corylus Avellane, are shade tolerant and can also reach up to 12 metres.
FUNDING BOOST FOR RCVS. A community service that provides support to elderly and vulnerable residents has received vital funding from Reach Rushcliffe.
Rushcliffe Community and Voluntary Service (RCVS) received funds as part of the Rushcliffe Borough Council initiative aimed at tackling social isolation and loneliness.The charity will now further develop their befriending phone service across South Nottinghamshire to reach out to those in need.
RCVS will also recruit, support and provide training to volunteers who will support elderly and vulnerable people with regular friendly phone calls that are expected to assist residents in the coming months.
The authority’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Community and the Environment Cllr Abby Brennan met with RCVS Chief Executive Carolyn Perry and the project’s volunteers to find out more about the role they are playing at such a crucial time ahead of the next national lockdown.
Cllr Brennan said: “A friendly voice on the end of a phone can be a lifeline to those who are at risk of being socially isolated or vulnerable, especially with further lockdown restrictions now upon us.
“Rushcliffe Community and Voluntary Service provide such vital support, we’re delighted Reach Rushcliffe can make a direct impact on the team reaching out to vulnerable residents across the Borough.
“We hope their calls and contact can truly make a difference this winter as we all adapt to the challenges COVID-19 is posing.”
Carolyn said: “We are so pleased to have received funding through Reach Rushcliffe which means we can expand our telephone befriending service and allocate more volunteers to help those at risk.
“With new measures announced we expect to see an increase in demand for our services from those who are struggling or may be at risk of being isolated from their community.
“Not only will the befriending service reduce loneliness in residents, the one to one support provided will also help to improve their self-esteem and confidence whilst reducing the pressure on our emergency services.”
Anyone wishing to access their services can call 0115 969 9060 or visit http:// rushcliffecvs.org.uk/