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SIDEPATH ROAD – FROM THE BROW TO FIELD ROAD
SEALES’ CORNER TO THE BROW, NAPOLEON STREET
The Roads Section would like to advise the public that Sidepath Road (from the Brow to Field Road) and Seales’ Corner to the Brow, Napoleon Street, will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians on Wednesday 25 January 2017 from 1.30pm to 4pm.
These closures are necessary to enable the Rock Guards to remove loose rocks and secure the area above Sidepath Road.
Diversion and road closure signs will be in place and as normal only Emergency Services will be granted access.
There is a diversion route for cars and small vans only via Constitution Hill. Larger vehicles will have to divert via Ladder Hill and across country.
The Roads Section would like to thank the public in advance for their continued understanding and cooperation.
As soon as the area has been made safe, the roads will be reopened.
Harris’ Flats, Carnarvon Court, and Connect Saint Helena Ltd
During the works, residents in Harris’ flats and staff from Connect Saint Helena are requested to evacuate their properties from 1.15pm to 4pm. Please ensure that all vehicles are removed from their stationary position. This is a precautionary measure as the Rock Guards will be working in the area.
The section of the Run in this area will also be closed to members of the public.
The Salvation Army Hall in Jamestown will be open from 1pm as a reception centre for any residents who wish to go there during the period of the evacuation. Refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.
Residents requiring assistance to move on the day can either contact the Emergency Planning Department on tel: 25052 or email Ian.johnson@sainthelena.gov.sh or Simon.wade@sainthelena.gov.sh. Alternatively residents can contact the Police on tel: 22626.
Residents will be informed at the earliest opportunity when work has been completed or if there has been any delay.
Emergency Services thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
SHG
17 January 2017
USING THE INTERNET SAFELY
The St Helena Safeguarding Children’s Board last week launched a four-week campaign to raise awareness among parents and children of the dangers of the internet, and how to use the web safely.
Week two of this campaign focuses on Using the Internet Safely and provides advice on how to get the best out of the World Wide Web, while ensuring that you remain safe online.
Acting Director of Safeguarding, Paul McGinnety, said:
The World Wide Web is a true phenomenon that has changed the way we live our lives. However, we also know that there are hidden dangers and we want to highlight these dangers to children, young people, and their families, to enable them to stay safe, as part of this campaign.”
Various radio interviews will continue on local stations and posters will be published in both newspapers and issued to schools and youth groups on the Island.
Telecommunications company Sure SA Ltd is supporting the campaign, and local business, Gigabyte IT Solutions, will be providing useful advice on its weekly tech show on Saint FM.
A poster on Using the Internet Safely is attached to this release.
Internet Watch Foundation Portal
The public is also reminded of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) portal which allows web users to report images and videos of child sex abuse safely and anonymously (https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/uk-ots-join-forces-with-the-internet-watch-foundation/)
The Reporting Portal can be accessed at www.report.iwf.org.uk/sh
Any reports of suspected online child sexual abuse imagery generated in St Helena will be assessed directly by one of IWF’s analysts, respected globally for their experience.
SHG
17 January 2017
Another successful emergency aero-medical evacuation from St Helena Airport took place on the weekend to transfer three patients, accompanied by a St Helena staff member, to Cape Town.
The Falcon 20 aircraft, operated by Guardian Air, arrived at St Helena Airport at around 11.25hrs on Sunday 15 January 2017. Everything went as planned and the flight departed for Cape Town at 07.50hrs this morning, Monday 16 January 2017.
The flight takes four hours and the estimated arrival time in Cape Town is 11.50hrs (St Helena time).
SHG
16 January 2017
An emergency aero-medical evacuation from St Helena Airport will take place on Sunday 15 January 2017 to transfer two patients from St Helena to Cape Town.
This flight is due to arrive at approximately 11.30hrs St Helena time (weather permitting), departing the next day, Monday 16 January 2017, between 6.00 and 6.30hrs.
SHG
13 January 2017
A new Director of Safeguarding, Matt Ansell, has been appointed (photo attached). Matt will take up his post on St Helena on Friday 17 March 2017.
As Director of Safeguarding, Matt will be responsible for the integrity and quality of social services on St Helena, ensuring that services are provided in the most cost effective and ‘joined up’ way and, so far as possible – at a common standard, with a focus on prevention. This will include promoting collaboration across services, including those to children and young people, for those with learning disabilities, and other services such as residential provision.
Matt said:
“I was attracted to the role on St Helena as I have a strong belief in community-based social work and believe this role presents an interesting and unique opportunity to work in an amazing part of the world, and to also learn about a new culture and way of life.
“While I have never been to St Helena, I have done my best to read and learn about the Island and its people, and I am really looking forward to arriving and spending time to listen and understand from the community about its strengths, and areas which require further development.
“I look forward to arriving and starting work with the community to ensure children and their families are supported and live safe and happy lives.”
Acting Director of Safeguarding, Paul McGinnety, added:
“We are delighted that Matt is joining our team after a period of rapid Safeguarding progress on St Helena. Matt and his family arrive at a very exciting time for the Island and he will be welcomed by dedicated staff across the Safeguarding Directorate, other agencies and NGOs.”
Matt has an extensive background in Social Care and for the last 20 years has worked in a range of roles and different environments. Matt started his career working in residential services for adults and then subsequently children. Alongside of this work, Matt also studied for a Social Work Degree, and qualified in June 2000.
Since qualifying, Matt has predominately worked in Children Services for local authorities in the UK. He has occupied a range of social work roles in many diverse and interesting community settings. Matt has also gained experience in Mental Health & Adult Social Work during this time which has enabled him a strong understanding across all disciplines.
Matt has been Social Care Manager for the last 10 years and his current role is Senior Operational Manager for Children Services in West Sussex County Council.
Matt is moving to St Helena with his wife and three children.
SHG
13 January 2017
Six St Helenian trained nurses – Annabel Clifford, Donna Clingham, Jayne Adams-Duncan, Latoya Williams, Robyn Bennett and Sue-Ellen Henry – have now successfully passed their first University module, having embarked on a BSc (Hons) Nursing Degree with Derby University in the UK, on Monday 26 September 2016.
The course, studied via distance learning, enables the nurses to select the course content from modules including, Care of the Surgical Patient, Asthma, Diabetes, Leadership & Management in Health & Social Care, Minor Injuries, Advanced Concepts in Palliative Care, Infection Control, and Partnerships in Dementia Care.
Passing the first module – Access onto the Nursing Degree Pathway – demonstrated that the students are able to write academically at the appropriate level required for the course. It also gave them the tools needed to conduct research and present evidence in a specific way.
All students will now progress onto the full Degree pathway which is another four modules, plus a dissertation.
Due to personal circumstances, two of the nurses are deferring for a semester to ensure they have the best support to continue on the course. This is fully supported by the Health Directorate and the University, and will not in any way hinder their progression.
Hospital Nursing Officer, Lisa Rhodes, said:
“I would like to congratulate all students. They have worked incredibly hard, while maintaining full time employment, and have dedicated a huge amount of their own time to completing this work.
“Although it has been difficult for them, with a few stressful nights and tears, each one has absolutely earned their pass mark. We are all over the moon and very happy for them. It just goes to show with hard work and determination anything is possible.”
Thanks are extended to Practice Development Nurses, Heide Drysdale and Wendy Herne, who have been pivotal in the training, education, support, and guidance of these students through this first module.
SHG
13 January 2017
RESERVOIR LEVELS DOWN
Despite recent rain showers, St Helena’s reservoir levels have further decreased and are now below 11% of total storage capacity. Until the reservoirs reach at least 50% full, St Helena remains in a critical situation.
As we face the summer months with evident warmer temperatures it is likely that we will not get enough rain to alleviate our critical water shortage. Until we can balance what is going into the system with what is being used, it is important that we all continue our efforts to reduce our water use.
Every drop saved now contributes towards conserving our Island’s water reserves a little further.
We are currently experiencing a daily shortfall of 100-200 cubic metres of water a day (equivalent to almost a third of what the Jamestown Swimming Pool holds). Therefore, please encourage friends, family, visitors and neighbours to exercise great care and restraint when using water. Every drop counts, every action counts – please do your bit.
Legal Restrictions
The Island-wide legal restrictions are still in force. In addition to these legal restrictions, please continue to do all of the little extra things that you have been doing to save every drop – such as recycling water, flushing the toilet less frequently, using less water to wash up etc. The little things all add up to make a big difference.
These legal restrictions do not apply to ‘Grey’ or recycled water. Water that you collect from your roof into a water butt or recycled washing water may be used for any purpose.
St Helena Resilience Forum
10 January 2017
The St Helena Safeguarding Children’s Board today launches a four-week campaign to raise awareness among parents and children of the dangers of the internet and how to use the web safely.
With the excitement of Christmas just behind us, children and young people are still appreciating their Christmas gifts – many of which might have been mobile phones, Ipads, tablets, or other digital devices.
With these devices come many dangers to children, especially when using the internet. The aim of this campaign is to encourage children and parents to think twice about the potential dangers of the web, and to provide useful advice on how to use the internet wisely.
The campaign begins this week with advice on How To Protect Yourself From Online Bullying. Advice will follow over the coming weeks on Using The Internet Safely, How To Stay Safe On Social Media, and Keeping Your Children Safe On The Internet.
Chairperson of the Safeguarding Children’s Board, Judi Leon, said:
“This campaign is very timely. While the internet offers many social and educational benefits, children and young people can expose themselves, knowingly and unknowingly, to a number of risks. We want to alert both users and their parents to these, and offer advice to reduce the chance of someone on the Island being a victim of online bullying or having their identity stolen.
“So do look out for the posters and radio interviews, and ask any of us on the Safeguarding Children’s Board if you would like to know more.”
As part of the campaign, various radio interviews will take place on local stations and posters will be published in both newspapers and issued to schools and youth groups on the Island.
Telecommunications company Sure SA Ltd is supporting the campaign, and local business, Gigabyte IT Solutions, will be providing useful advice on its weekly tech show on Saint FM.
A poster on How to Protect Yourself From Online Bullying is attached to this release.
SHG
10 January 2017
The St Helena Government Benefits Office is currently reviewing and updating Claims for Basic Island Pension, in accordance with the Social Security Ordinance 2010.
All recipients who were awarded Basic Island Pension (BIP) prior to September 2015 will be contacted by the Adjudication Officers of Social Security to obtain documentation to verify their claim for Basic Island Pension.
This includes a copy of their birth certificate or passport to verify their birth date also evidence of their work history for years that are counted towards their Basic Island Pension Claim.
It is anticipated that in the majority of cases, this exercise will not affect the entitlements of BIP recipients.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding your Claim for Basic Island Pension you may contact the Benefits Office on telephone number 22605 Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 4pm.
SHG
10 January 2017
Residents of Jamestown reported to Police a rockfall on Side Path Road at around midnight on Saturday, 7 January 2017. Emergency Services and relevant agencies and partners responded, and in the interest of Public Safety, precautionary measures were taken, which included the closure of Side Path Road and the evacuation of residents below the area concerned.
At first light, Rock Guards inspected the area of the fallen rocks and gave the ‘all clear’. Local radio stations announced the reopening of the road at around 9am.
It is estimated that between a half to three quarters of a ton of rock had fallen. Damage was caused to the Side Path Road retaining wall, which is currently being repaired.
Emergency Services would like to take this opportunity to thank those residents and the Salvation Army for their continuing support.
SHG
10 January 2017