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Today, on Emergency Services Day, we acknowledge and express our deepest gratitude to the dedicated individuals who serve on the frontline, ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.
From paramedics and nurses to police officers, firefighters, and sea rescue crews, each person plays a vital role in maintaining the health and security of our island. Their tireless efforts, often under challenging circumstances, make St Helena a safer place for all.
The St Helena Government (SHG) is profoundly thankful to have such effective and compassionate emergency responders. Your commitment, bravery, and resilience are deeply appreciated. You are the true heroes of our community.
On this special day, we recognise your sacrifices, celebrate your achievements, and express our heartfelt thanks for all that you do.
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#StHelena #EmergencyServicesDay #AltogetherSafer
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The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK is inviting nominations from St Helena for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships commencing in 2025.
Nominations will be for one candidate for consideration by the CSC for Master’sstudy.
The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change. The CSC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates.
Commonwealth Scholarships are intended to contribute to the development needs of Commonwealth countries by providing training for skilled and qualified professionals and academics, and to contribute to UK higher education and foreign policy aims by encouraging collaboration and links.
Intended beneficiaries include academically successful candidates who wish to earn Master’s degrees and have the potential to enhance the development of their home countries with the knowledge and leadership skills they acquire.
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, and are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. These scholarships are offered under six development themes:
1. Science and technology for development
2. Strengthening health systems and capacity
3. Promoting global prosperity
4. Strengthening global peace, security and governance
5. Strengthening resilience and response to crises
6. Access, inclusion and opportunity
The CSC is committed to supporting outreach activities and providing additional investment for scholarships for people with disabilities and in subject areas related to the rights of people with disabilities. For further information on the support available to candidates with a disability, please see the CSC disability support statement at https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/apply/csc-disability-support-statement.
Full candidate eligibility requirements are available athttps://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/about-us/scholarships.
The CSC online application opens on Tuesday 10 September 2024 and closes on Tuesday 15 October 2024. All applicants must complete the online application process. For further information or assistance please contact Angela Benjamin Head of Lifelong Learning by email through angela.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephone on 22607.
#StHelena #CommonwealthScholarshipCommission #AltogetherBetterForChildrenAndYoungPeople
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The Highways Authority has given approval for Side Path Road to be closed from Thursday 12 September 2024 at 17:00 for a period of approximately eight weeks.
This closure is to allow for concreting works to be undertaken on the Side Path Road – Field Road junction as part of rehabilitation works for the R2 Road Project through the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP).
During this closure, the diversion routes will be via Constitution Hill Road and across ‘country’ via Ladder Hill.
During peak travel times from Mondays to Fridays, a stop-go traffic management system will be used to control traffic flow on Constitution Hill Road in the mornings, from 07:30 to 09:00, and in the afternoon, from 15:45 to 17:30, as implemented during the previous Side Path Road closure. Traffic controllers will be stationed at the stop-go points above New Bridge, at Corner Wall, and at Five Bar Gate. Traffic will be allowed to flow as normal outside of these hours.
Signage indicating the road closure will be in place at the bottom of Side Path Road, at the ‘Brow’, at the top of Side Path Road at ‘Corner Wall’, and will be in place along the Constitution Hill Road route for traffic management arrangements.
Drivers are reminded that there is a seven ton weight restriction on New Bridge in Upper Jamestown which must be adhered to at all times. Therefore, drivers with light vehicles, smaller trucks, and buses will be able to use Constitution Hill Road and drivers with larger trucks will have to drive across ‘country’ via Ladder Hill Road.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and understanding during the implementation of this key project.
The St Helena Government (SHG) Financial Statements for the Financial Year 2022/23 have been approved by the Executive Council and are now available to the public.
Financial Secretary Dax Richards, signed the statements on behalf of SHG, and the Chief Auditor Brendon Hunt, issued his Audit Opinion. The 2022/23 SHG Financial Statements can be accessed on the Treasury page of the SHG website: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/SHG-Financial-Statements-2022-23-Signed.
Key Highlights from the 2022/23 Financial Statements:
- Deficit: The Statement of Financial Performance shows a deficit of £0.979 million, a significant improvement from the £5.090 million deficit in 2021/22.
- Income: Total income for the financial year increased to £61.607 million from £56.844 million in 2021/22, reflecting growth of £4.763 million, mostly due to an increase in FCDO Development Aid and Other Development Aid.
- Expenditure: Total expenditure for the financial year increased by 1% (£0.652 million) to £62.586 million, up from £61.934 million in 2021/22. The largest increases were in Health and Social Care (+£1.52 million) and Trading Activities (+£1.34 million), while Treasury, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development saw the most significant decrease (-£2.34 million).
- Funds and Reserves: Overall funds and reserves of SHG have increased by 8% (£21.475 million) to £271.914 million, up from £250.439 million as of 31 March 2022. This increase was primarily due to a reduction in the Pension liability, which decreased by £20.600 million to £43.220 million from £63.820 million as of 31 March 2022.
- General Reserve: The General Reserve of the Consolidated Fund decreased by 32% (£2.753 million) to £5.850 million, down from £8.603 million as of 31 March 2022.
The Chief Auditor issued a ‘qualified’ opinion on the Financial Statements, and full details of his Audit Report can be found on pages 10-14 of the Financial Statements.
SHG remains committed to enhancing financial reporting and accountability. The approval of these Financial Statements is a crucial step, providing valuable insights into SHG’s decisions, performance, and financial position for the Legislative Council, public, and external funding providers. The statements will be presented at the next Legislative Council meeting and scrutinised by the Public Accounts Committee.
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#StHelena #FinancialStatements
The public are advised that Jamestown Wharf will be closed on Friday 6 September 2024 from 08:30 due to the movement of containers in preparation for the next arrival of the cargo ship, and also to assist with other port activities.
The wharf will reopen as soon as operations have been completed.
Any inconvenience is regretted and Port Control would like to thank the public and port users in advance for their patience and continued support.
The 0-19 Health Service Team is excited to announce its recent partnership with the Solihull Approach, a trusted NHS provider of online courses focused on children’s emotional health and wellbeing.
Through this collaboration, the Health and Social Care Portfolio’s 0-19 Health Service Team has been granted multi-user license, enabling all residents on St Helena Island to access a comprehensive range of online courses on www.inourplace.co.uk at no cost.
The Solihull Approach is a not-for-profit, NHS organisation for parents and professionals to support emotional health and well-being in children, families, and adults. The sound and well-researched ideas developed by a team of clinical psychologists and a range of other professionals that underpin the Solihull Approach are embedded in every aspect of training.
Designed to support parents at every stage of their journey, from pregnancy to adolescence, these courses empower parents to better understand their child’s brain development, decode their behaviours, and develop nurturing relationships, all aimed at fostering kindness, confidence, and emotional awareness in children who thrive throughout their lives.
The 0-19 Health Service Team recognises the importance of nurturing emotionally resilient and socially aware children within its community, building on the current work of our multiagency teams around the education and safeguarding of our children, as well as supporting parents, carers and professionals on St Helena.
Key highlights of the Inourplace online courses include:
- Understanding your child’s emotional health and brain development: Parents will gain insights into the science behind their child’s brain development, helping them make informed decisions that support healthy cognitive growth.
- Reading your child’s behaviours: These courses will provide parents with tools to interpret and respond effectively to their child’s behaviours, fostering positive interactions and reducing stress for both parents and children.
- Developing communication: Parents will learn strategies for open and effective communication that will strengthen the parent-child bond and promote emotional well-being.
Health and Social Care Portfolio Director, Tracy Poole-Nandy, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership, saying,
“Investing in our children’s emotional health is an investment in the future of our community. We believe that by providing free access to Inourplace courses, we are empowering our parents and professionals with the tools they need to support children’s well-being and growth.”
To access the courses, St Helenaresidents can visit www.inourplace.co.uk and follow the simple registration process by inputting the access code STHELENA (for parents) and STHELENA_PRF (for professionals). Online courses are designed to be accessed anytime, anywhere and are completely private and personal to you.
To view Solihull Approach Course Explainers please click the link https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/documents/Solihull-Approach-Course-Explainers.
For more information on the Solihull Approach visit: www.solihullapproachparenting.com. For further information and support accessing the course or if you have any queries, please contact any of the 0-19 Health services Team on 0to19parenting@gmail.com.
#StHelena #0-19HealthServices #SolihullApproach
Today is Merchant Navy Day and we take this opportunity to give thanks to all seafarers responsible for ensuring that goods are transported all over the world.
The merchant navy provides a vital lifeline to many and we, here on St Helena, realise this more than most, as we rely on all of our goods arriving by sea.
Thanks are extended in particular to our current service ship, the MV Karoline, past service ships and all who crewed these ships. As an island nation we are proud of our seafaring heritage and are proud to have had our own seafarers contribute to the Merchant Navy.
Happy Merchant Navy Day, we celebrate and applaud you.
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#StHelena #Maritime #MerchantNavyDay
Nominations are now being invited for the following awards.
UK STATE AWARDS – 2025 BIRTHDAY HONOURS
Honours are awarded on merit for exceptional achievement or for any service carried out over and above what normally is expected. This can include making a difference to the community or in a specific field of work, innovation and entrepreneurship, improving life for people less able to help themselves and displaying moral courage. Where possible, nominations should place emphasis on voluntary services and the service must be recent. Nominees must not be made aware they are being put forward for an award.
To find out more about the different types of Honours Awards please visit: www.gov.uk/honours
CERTIFICATE AND BADGE OF HONOUR
This award is presented to public servants on behalf of St Helena Government for loyal and valuable service worthy of recognition or, in the case of other persons, for their loyal and meritorious conduct that has provided exceptional benefit to the people of St Helena. Nominees should be residents of St Helena, either being born on the island or have been residing on St Helena for not less than ten years prior to the date of the award.
ACT OF BRAVERY AWARD
This award is presented to individuals who have shown a clear display of moral courage and bravery in adverse situations.
THE BADGE OF ST HELENA
This award is available to both St Helenians and non-St Helenians. It is of a higher status than the Certificate and Badge of Honour. The Badge of St Helena recognises exceptional service provided by individuals or organisations who make significant contribution to St Helena’s development or by supporting and/or enhancing social, cultural, economic, environmental improvement or the understanding of St Helena internationally.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF JAMESTOWN
This award is symbolic in nature and is the highest level of local government award that can be conferred. It is awarded to both St Helenians and non-St Helenians whose achievements are significantly admirable and highly worthy of distinctive recognition. Those who receive this award will have made an outstanding contribution that is of huge national impact to St Helena and its citizens and will have served the best interests of the Island.
Nomination forms for all of the above awards, are available from Central Support Service at the Castle, Jamestown, or can be requested via email from linda.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Completed forms should be returned to the Castle in a sealed envelope marked ‘Confidential’ addressed to ‘The Secretary, Honours and Awards Committee’, by Monday 18 November 2024.
Strong winds (gale force winds) and isolated showers are forecasted across the island from Wednesday 4 September to Thursday 5 September 2024 with a risk of these bringing some disruption.
The forecasted south easterly winds may peak to occasional gusts of 35-45 KT and isolated gusts reaching 45-50 KT in exposed areas such as Levelwood, Sandy Bay, Blue Hill and potentially Longwood.
Care should be taken if out walking or hiking, and it would be advisable to secure any loose items which may blow away, such as wheelie bins. Boat owners should ensure their vessels are securely tied to their moorings and motorists are also advised to look out for loose debris on roads.
SHG
2 September 2024
The Royal St Helena Police (RSHP) would like to invite the community to participate in an online survey to gather feedback on services provided. The survey will be launched on Monday 2 September 2024, and will close on Monday 30 September 2024.
The goal of the survey, which can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSHPolice, is to gain insights into the community’s perceptions of the RSHP and to identify areas for improvement. The data collected will be analysed and published in October 2024.
To ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate, physical copies of the survey will also be distributed throughout various establishments on the island.
We value the feedback from our community. Your input will help us to better understand your needs and ensure that we are providing the highest quality of service possible.
The RSHP encourages all residents to take the time to complete the survey and share their thoughts.
#StHelena #RoyalStHelenaPolice #CommunitySurvey