Half term activities in libraries

South Gloucestershire Libraries have lots of fun activities for children and families this February half term. All activities are FREE drop-ins, most suitable for primary school aged children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More information is available online.

New mental health website for children and young people

This week is Children's Mental Health Awareness Week and a new Mind You website for children and young people (www.mindyou.org.uk) has been launched to promote mental health and emotional wellbeing in South Gloucestershire.

It has separate sections for children, young people, parents and carers and professionals and was designed with input from local children and young people. It suggests practical ways to improve their wellbeing and guidance on where to go if they need more support.

Special Needs and Disability advice

Supportive Parents provides the Special Educational Needs & Disability Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) Service in South Gloucestershire, as well as Bristol and North Somerset.  They are an independent organisation offering free, confidential and impartial advice to parents, children or any young person aged 16 – 25, about SEND. You can find out more on their website.

Library activities this half term

If you're looking for something to keep your primary school age children occupied this half term, why not try out some of the fun activities at our local libraries.

Pirate pandemonium
Pirate themed crafts.

• Thornbury Library - Monday 23 October, 11am to 12 midday 
• Yate Library - Tuesday 24 October, 10.30am to 12 midday 
• Winterbourne Library - Friday 27 October, 10.30am to 12 midday

Pumpkin pandemonium
Frightfully fun Halloween themed crafts.

• Filton Library - Monday 23 October, 2pm to 3.30pm 
• Patchway Library - Wednesday 25 October, 10.30am to 11.30am 
• Bradley Stoke Library - Thursday 26 October, 10.30am to 12 midday

Autumn antics
Seasonal crafts and activities.

• Downend Library - Monday 23 October, 2.30pm to 3.30pm 
• Staple Hill Library - Tuesday 24 October, 10.30am to 11.30am 
• Emersons Green Library - Tuesday 24 October, 2pm to 3.30pm

Up, up and away
Have some fun making crafts with a flying theme.

• Cadbury Heath Library - Tuesday 24 October, 2pm to 3pm 
• Kingswood Library - Wednesday 25 October, 2pm to 3pm 
• Hanham Library - Thursday 26 October, 2pm to 3pm

For younger children there are free pre-school story times and rhyme times  - visit www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary for details.

While you're at the library you could book your induction session for the new Open Access scheme. This will allow you to use some of the libraries, including Yate, Winterbourne and Thornbury, from 7:30am to 8:30pm by using your card to get in during unstaffed times. You can also book by going online to www.southglos.gov.uk/OpenAccess

Find out more about fostering

South Glos are currently looking for foster carers for every background to care for children and young people who have had a difficult start in life. You can find out more at a Fostering Information Evening in Yate on Thursday 3 August. It runs from 7pm to 9pm at the Badminton Road Council Offices.

For more information, call the fostering team on 01454 866423, email fostering@southglos.gov.uk or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/fostering

Summer reading challenge

Once again libraries in South Gloucestershire are inviting all 4 to 11-years-old to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. This year’s theme is Animal Agents, based on a detective agency staffed by a variety of clever animals – furry, scaly and slippery – who are out to crack a case at the library with a little help from their friends. The challenge, which involves reading six books, runs until 16th September.

 You can find out more about the challenge and a range of free activities running through the holidays at www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary

Half term holiday activities in South Gloucestershire libraries

South Gloucestershire’s libraries have a range of fun activities planned to help keep children entertained over the half term holidays including story times, rhymetimes and crafts. All activities are free drop-ins for primary school aged children unless otherwise stated.

Find your nearest library at www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries

Tuesday 30 May

Feathered friends
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm
Crafts and activities.

All around the world in 60 minutes
Filton Library, 2pm to 3pm
Crafts and stories.

Fantastical fairy tale crafts
Patchway Library, 10am to 11.30am

A jungle jaunt
Staple Hill Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Craft fun.

Spring into summer
Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm
Crafts and stories.

Mini beasts
Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Crafts and activities.


Wednesday 31 May

Maytime mayhem and madness
Kingswood Library, 2.15pm to 3.15pm
Spring themed crafts.

Go wild
Winterbourne Library, 10am to 11.30am
Jungle themed craft drop-in.


Thursday 1 June

Under the sea
Bradley Stoke Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Craft fun.

Fantastical fairy tales and nursery rhymes
Cadbury Heath, all day 9am to 5pm
Drop in throughout the day for fun crafts and activities.

Carnival capers
Downend Library, 10am to 11.30am
Crafts and activities.

Spring surprise
Hanham Library, 2pm to 3pm
Crafts and activities.


Friday 2 June

Fantastical fairy tales and nursery rhymes
Cadbury Heath, all day 9am to 5pm
Drop in throughout the day for fun crafts and activities.


Saturday 3 June

Fantastical fairy tales and nursery rhymes
Cadbury Heath, all day 9am to 5pm
Drop in throughout the day for fun crafts and activities.


Some libraries will also be holding free story time and rhymetime sessions for babies and toddlers and their parents or carers to enjoy stories, action songs and rhymes together.

For more information visit www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary, follow them on Facebook.com/sgloslibraries or Twitter @southgloslibs, or telephone the libraries on 01454 868006.

Have your say on children's mental health strategy

South Glos Council is asking for your views on a strategy for Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing.

They are looking for views from a whole range of people - service users, their families, carers, the general public, current and potential future providers, care workers, health partners and other stakeholders. You can find out more and have your say online until 6th December.

Half term events in libraries

If you're looking for something to do with your children or grandchildren during half term, there are a range of free drop-in activities for 4-10 years at the local libraries. These include:

Monday 24 October
Magic mayhem, Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm

Tuesday 25 October
Ocean commotion Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm

Spook-tacular Bradley Stoke Library, 10.30am to 12pm Spooky themed craft fun.

Hats off Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm Craft and activity fun.

Wednesday 26 October
Leaf it out Winterbourne Library, 10am to 11.30am Autumn themed fun and crafts.

For more information, contact the libraries by telephoning 01454 868006 or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries. There will also be rhyme times and story times for pre-school children, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary for more details.

The Big Friendly Read

This years summer reading challenge for children is called The Big Friendly Read and marks the late Roald Dahl's 100th birthday.

It kicks off in South Gloucestershire this Saturday, 16th July, with activities in our local libraries, including:

Launch activities, puzzles & quizzes
Downend 10am – 2pmEmersons Green 10am – 2pm
Thornbury 10am – 1pmWinterbourne 10am – 2pmThe Big Birthday Bash
Thornbury 2 – 3:30pm

The challenge itself is free to take part in and children can sign up at any South Gloucestershire library. They get special Roald Dahl collector cards and incentives as they read six library books of their choice. There will be more activities throughout the holidays and children who complete the challenge get a medal and certificate.

Foster Care fortnight

Foster Care Fortnight started on Monday. If you think you could make a difference in child's life, you can find out more at a drop-in session being held at the Badminton Road council offices on Tuesday 24th May from 7pm to 9pm. Social workers and existing foster carers will be able to answer your questions and tell you what it's really like to foster. For further information visit www.fostersouthglos.org.uk, call 0800 2061443 or email fostering@southglos.gov.uk

Half term activities for children

Once again a range of fun activities for children will be taking place in South Glos libraries over half term. All are free drop-ins for 4 to 11-year-olds unless otherwise stated and include:

Tuesday 27 October
Castle fun
Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Crafts and activities.

Pumpkins, bats and witches’ hats
Bradley Stoke Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Spooky craft activities.

Wednesday 28 October
Halloween rumpus
Winterbourne Library, 10am to 11.30am
Spooky crafts and activities.

A Puppy Called Dez
Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm
Find out about guide dogs, meet a puppy and play some games. Suitable for children aged 8 to 10-years-old.

Winnie the Witch
Winterbourne Library, 2pm to 3pm
Join Winnie and Wilbur on a magical literacy journey. Have fun with a basic introduction to comprehension, description and characters in these free workshops run by Explore Learning.
Suitable for children aged 4 to 7-years-old. Contact your local library to book a place or call 01454 626764.

Thursday 29 October
Autumn antics
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm
Fun, autumn themed crafts.

Saturday 31 October
Rollerghoster
Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Spooky crafts and activities.

Ghouls, gunk & goo
Yate Library, 2.30pm to 4pm
A get messy experience.

There will also be Rhyme times and Story times for pre-school children. For further information on all these activities and more visit www.southglos.gov.uk/childrenslibrary

Have your say on child health services

The South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) wants to hear your views on their new plans for integrated children's community health services. To find out what they're proposing and let them know what you think please take a look at www.yourhealthyfuture.org between 3rd September and 25th November 2015. If you have any questions, you can contact info@yourhealthyfuture.org or 0117 976 6600.

Concerned about abuse?

If you are concerned that a child, young person or adult is being abused, you can find out what to do on the new South Gloucestershire Joint Safeguarding Board Website. This brings together information that was previously held in different places. The clear message is if in doubt, speak out - and the website tells you how to do that.

Half term activities in local libraries

Next week is half term and our local libraries have a range of fun activities planned:
 
Tuesday 26 May

By the seaside
Summery seaside crafts
Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm

 

Out of this World
Space themed crafts
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm

Wednesday 27 May

Get the bug
Join us to make butterflies, bugs and bees
Winterbourne Library, 10am to11.30am
Most suitable for 3 to 10-year-olds

Fun and games
Games and puzzles to make and play
Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm
 
Saturday 30 May

Beside the seaside
Seaside crafts
Bradley Stoke Library, 10am to 11.30am

All activities are free drop-ins for 4 to 11-year-olds unless otherwise stated. There are also Rhymetimes and Story times for pre-school children.


For a full list for all the libraries in South Glos visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries or www.southglos.gov.uk/events/

Holiday activities in local libraries

Once again our local libraries are running activities in the school holidays for children. They include craft sessions, Horrid Henry creative writing sessions and story and rhyme time for younger children. More details are available on the South Glos website.

Appeal for people to consider fostering teenagers

South Glos is looking for people to become foster carers, particularly those interested in fostering teenagers.

Last year they successfully placed 141 children with foster families but they currently have 86 teenage children in their care and that's increasing year-on-year.

Foster carers come from all age groups and backgrounds. There are many people who would make excellent foster carers but count themselves out simply because they think they won’t be eligible.

The council will be holding an open evening at 7pm on Thursday 12 February at the Badminton Road offices in Yate for anyone interested in becoming a foster carer. Alternatively you can contact the fostering team by visiting www.fostersouthglos.org.uk or calling 0800 206 1443.

Free Christmas events for children

Our local libraries are once again running free Christmas events for children including:

Saturday 20 December

Festive fun
Thornbury Library, 11am to 12pm
Drop in to make Christmas cards and decorations.

Stories round the Christmas tree
Winterbourne Library, 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Festive stories around the Christmas tree, crafts and refreshments. Most suitable for two to eight-year-olds accompanied by a parent or carer.

Tuesday 23 December
Help yourself crafts
Winterbourne Library, 2pm to 4pm
Help yourself crafts in the children’s library - using up materials from craft sessions from throughout 2014. Bring a parent or carer to give you a helping hand.

Tuesday 30 December
Stir your senses
Emersons Green Library, 2pm to 4pm
Make your own pomanders, mobiles and shakers.

Help yourself crafts
Winterbourne Library, 2pm to 4pm
Help yourself crafts in the children’s library - using up materials from craft sessions from throughout 2014. Bring a parent or carer to give you a helping hand.

Wednesday 31 December
New Year crafts
Winterbourne Library, 10am to 11.30am
Welcome in the New Year with a craft drop in - making masks, calendars and sharing good memories.

Saturday 3 January
Winter craft fun
Chipping Sodbury Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Seasonal crafts.

Winter crafts and fun
Yate Library, 10.30am to 12pm
Seasonal crafts.

Some libraries will also be holding free storytime and rhymetime sessions for babies and toddlers and their parents or carers to enjoy stories, action songs and rhymes together. These include:

Tuesday 23 December
Rhymetime fun
Winterbourne Library, 9.30am to 10am
Festive rhymetime.

Tuesday 30 December
Rhymetime fun
Winterbourne Library, 9.30am to 10am
Festive rhymetime.
For more information contact the libraries on 01454 868006 or visit www.southglos.gov.uk/libraries

Could you adopt siblings?

This week is National Adoption Week and South Glos Council is looking for people who would consider adopting siblings, so that brothers and sisters can stay together.

Adopters who have adopted siblings say the idea of having a ready-made family, only going through the adoption process once and enabling children to stay with their brothers and sisters are reasons to adopt brothers and sisters.

For more information about adoption in South Gloucestershire, visit www.southglos.gov.uk/adoption

Free children's activities for half term

As usual, our local libraries will be running activities for children in half term. All are free drop-ins for 4 to 10 year olds. They include:

• 10.30am to 12pm, Tuesday 28th October, Yate library - Monstrous monsters (craft activity)
• 10-11.30am, Wednesday 29th October, Winterbourne library - Autumn antics (making scarecrows, pumpkins and bats)

More information is available on the South Glos website.