© Copyright Harleston Grapevine 2009

Your community information centre

8 Exchange Street                                  email:hip@harleston-norfolk.org.uk

Website:  www.harleston-norfolk.org.uk                Tel: 851917  

New opening hours:

9.30am – 3.30pm Monday - Friday,   Thursdays 9.30am - 12.30pm      

10am – 1pm Saturdays

Citizens Advice Bureau: 10am – 12noon Wednesdays and Fridays

Calling local businesses

At the information centre we often get asked about contact details for reliable local businesses and were pleased to receive information of the Norfolk County Council Trusted Trader scheme.

Trusted Trader is a directory of businesses, checked by Trading Standards and supported by customer references. Trusted Traders provide a wide range of services, including home maintenance and improvement, car servicing and repairs, and personal care services.

The centre has the large directory of trusted traders and we have also looked through the web pages about the scheme and are very disappointed to find very few local tradesmen are part of the scheme.

Why not look into becoming a Trusted Trader?

The Norfolk Trusted Trader scheme offers its members:

• A customer feedback system which brings 'word of mouth' recommendations to a wider audience,

• Accreditation by Trading Standards,

• Increased consumer confidence in your business,

• Value-for-money promotion through the Trusted Trader website,

• A listing in the printed Trusted Trader directory.

There is a membership fee – further details can be obtained from the information centre or www.norfolk.gov.uk/trustedtrader

Harleston website: Please don't forget to check our website when looking for local businesses or events. If you run a local business or have an event to advertise do ask about having a free entry on the site. Over 190,000 people have looked at the website since the beginning of 2010.

www.harleston-norfolk.org.uk

News from the information centre

Over the last couple of months we have been tidying up in the information centre, re-arranging the furniture to make it easier for people to browse.

Our thanks go to Rackhams Funeral Services and Norfolk County Council who have given us new leaflet carousels. Norfolk County Council also provided us with a number of new leaflets about their services, these range from choosing a school and recycling to information on care homes.

We now have a board just for local event posters and an area dedicated to education and employment. Why not call in to have a look around and tell us what you think?

Harleston Treasure Trail

Did you know there is a treasure trail around Harleston?  Treasure trails Norfolk have produced a special 'who done it?' trail around the town. It is a walking trail in Murder Mystery format, approximately 1.5 miles long and you should allow 1.5 hours to complete it. The trail starts in Budgens car park, is over good, level terrain throughout and is considered suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Norfolk Trails state: 'For visitors, we'll take you off the 'beaten track'; whilst locals will discover things that perhaps previously they had taken for granted.  All this and fun as well! So if you're looking for fun and healthy things to do in Norfolk then Treasure Trails is for you – we guarantee you'll always find more than you were looking for!'

If you manage to solve the clues you go into an annual Harleston prize-winning draw. 10p from every trail goes towards this prize and last year one town had a prize of £900!

The information centre is selling the trail for £5 a copy.

Harleston Carers Support group

We have suspended the monthly Carers Support meeting at the information centre in favour of two bigger information events a year. More news of this next month.

If you have any queries about carer support, benefits, respite care or other help available, do come into the information centre, our volunteers will be happy to show you the information we have.

And finally….

Thank you to those who work quietly behind the scenes at Harleston Information Plus - our directors. They have great enthusiasm and are all passionate about improving the quality of life for everyone in Harleston. We would not have the information centre, jobs club and much more had it not been for their determination and support.

The directors are always happy to talk to people about our work and possible future projects.

Current directors are: Clive Hudson (Chair of HIP) Ruth Brown (Vice Chair) Jack Brown, Margaret Griffiths, Norman Hart, Bill Holland, Peter Mortimer, Judith Osborne and Robin Twigge.

Jobs Club

During the last four weeks we have had an average of thirteen members attend the Jobs Club each week.  We have also seen six new members join the Club and we have been able to assist them with CV writing, career advice, job searches, employment and voluntary information, advice about going self employed and offered free courses to help them on their way.  

Useful websites

www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk a wide range of useful tools including course searches, filling out application forms, interview skills and job profiles.  

www.businesslink.gov.uk a wide range of information about starting up your own business from finance and grants through to taxes, returns and payroll.

A Careers and Business Link Advisor regularly attends the Jobs Club; please see below for more information.

Dates for your diary

Wednesday 8th September* Business Link

10am-12noon  Our regular Business Link Advisor will be available for appointments providing free information and advice to new and existing businesses and information on a wide range of free courses available in the local area.

Friday 10th September  Norfolk Guidance Service

10am-3.30pm Offering support and assistance if you are looking for work, thinking about a change of career or looking for training and learning opportunities.

Wednesday 15th September*  Norfolk Credit Union

10am-12noon A chance to find out about Norfolk Credit Union and the benefits of becoming a member. Membership costs £1 and they offer competitive current accounts, loans, savings and insurance.

* Please note that our usual Jobs Club service will still run during these sessions

Please call into the Jobs Club for further information about any of our free sessions or contact Lucy on 851920 or email jobsclub@harleston-norfolk.org.uk

The Jobs Club runs every Wednesday, 10am–12noon, everyone welcome.

EMPLOYERS

Please remember to advertise your vacancy with the Jobs Club first.  

Call Lucy on 01379 851920 or email jobsclub@harleston-norfolk.org.uk