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SHG has today, Wednesday 15 March, launched a survey asking people what they think of the news, updates and communications provided by the government.

Government regularly publishes communications on public services, projects, vacancies and Ministerial activities, amongst others. By completing a survey form, either online or via hardcopy, you can tell us whether you receive information issued from SHG, if you do how you receive this information and whether or not the information provided is understandable.

The survey also asks what type of information people are interested in hearing about from government, and in what way they would most like to receive this.

Results from the survey will help SHG improve the current service it provides so please let us know what you want to hear about from SHG, how you want to hear about it and when you think you should hear about it.

The survey is available online through www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2YMLJDL

Hard copies are available from a number of the shops and stores around the Island, as well as the Post Office, Public Library, New Horizons, the reception at the Castle, and the waiting areas at Hospital Outpatients and the Dental Clinic.

On the launch of the survey, Head of Communications Alasdair Bain said:

“SHG aims to provide timely, relevant and accessible updates to the public on the variety of work it has underway and the services that it provides. By completing this survey you’ll be letting us know what you think we do well and what we could do better.”

“Transparency in what the government is doing and how it is spending your money is vital, so the more people that complete the survey the better tailored SHG will be able to make its communications. This should then mean the material that we put out is more likely to reach the widest number of people possible and connect with those that it is aimed at.”

SHG
15 March 2023

Over the next year the Health Services Directorate will be offering free testing for bowel cancer for anyone aged 50-74 years. Testing is done by a home sample kit and has already begun, being offered in age order.

From Wednesday 15 March 2023, those who were born in 1950 can pick up a bowel cancer screening test home sample kit from the Hospital Reception.

Those who were born in 1948 and 1949 can continue to pick up a home sample kit from the Hospital Reception.

The Hospital Reception is open from 8am to 9pm, seven days per week.

Everyone offered a test is strongly encouraged to take one. Early detection through testing helps to ensure you stand the best chance of receiving successful treatment where needed.

If you are not sure whether you wish to take the test, we suggest that you collect the home sample kit and read the materials that come with it before deciding if you wish to take it. The sample kit has full instructions on how to use it, and once you have completed your sample you can drop it back into the box at Reception.

Results from your test will be provided within four weeks, and you may be called in to speak to a doctor about these if necessary.

If you have any questions about this campaign please call the Hospital by telephone on 25888. Alternatively, please speak to your GP.

The Health Services Directorate will continue to call groups of people for testing in age order, and will publish a public announcement when the test kits for your age group are ready to be picked up.

Notes to Editor:

Bowel cancer is common on the Island and in most cases (9/10) is caused by polyps in the bowel. Bowel polyps are small growths on the inner lining of the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Bowel polyps are very common, and affect around 1 in 4 people aged 50 or over. 

The Health Services Directorate can detect polyps by testing your poo for blood using a simple test. When detected early, bowel cancer survival rates are very high (around 90%), so getting tested is very important. 

#StHelena #BowelCancer

SHG

14 March 2023

Waste Management Services (WMS) would like to advise that work has begun to replace all of the boundary fence at Horse Point Landfill Site (HPLS).

Sections of the original fencing have already been removed, so please adhere to all signage and/or instructions from the WMS team to maintain site safety. Certain areas should not be accessed and normal day to day tasks at HPLS includes the operation of heavy plant and machinery. To mitigate risk of injury and/or damages to staff and users, access must therefore only be via the designated entrances.

This project was funded between efficiency savings made within the Environmental, Natural Resources & Planning Portfolio budget and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund – Overseas Territory Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Programme. The work to re-fence the site is being undertaken by the WMS team for further efficiency.

If you’d like more information regarding HPLS operations, including the Public Recycling Facility and Materials Recycling Facility, please contact Landfill Manager, Patrick Crowie, by tel: 23655 or by email: landfill.manager@helanta.co.sh, or the Environmental Officer Risk Management, Terri Clingham, by tel: 24724 or by email: terri.clingham@sainthelena.gov.sh.

Waste Management Services; working in partnership with customers for a cleaner and greener St Helena.

#StHelena #WMS #Fencing #AltogetherGreener

SHG

14 March 2023

On 28 November 2022 it was announced that St Helena Government (SHG) signed a contract with Maestro St Helena Ltd (Maestro) (a company registered in St Helena) to design and build a fibre network across the Island.

Following this, a number of essential preliminary matters have been under discussion and finalisation ahead of substantive project works commencing. In the meantime the project team have been mobilising and are now preparing to establish their physical presence on the Island.

A number of project personnel are expected to begin arriving from Saturday 25 March, with project materials and equipment due to arrive on the upcoming calling of the MV Maria da Paz later this month. Once on Island, the Maestro project team will be based at Bradleys.

The arrival of materials, equipment and personnel signals the beginning of the local delivery stage of the project, which will ultimately see the construction of a future-proofed passive optical network to cover present and future fibre needs. In addition, it will see construction of a wireless system which can also be used to deliver fibre-like speeds to provide connectivity to more remote locations around the Island.  

The contract with Maestro is for the design, build and transfer of a new local network for St Helena. This will be a network owned by SHG, ensuring the long-term interests of the Island can be best achieved and the taxpayer realises the best possible value from fibre optic connectivity.

Minister for Treasury, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development, Mark Brooks, said:

“This is a significant project that will have a substantial impact on the Island for generations to come, so I am very pleased to see on-Island mobilisation efforts start to take effect. There has been a significant amount of work going on in the background with SHG and Maestro officials, and we expect to see wider works beginning shortly.”

SHG
14 March 2023

Commonwealth Day 2023 was today celebrated on St Helena with assemblies held at Prince Andrew School (PAS) and the three Island Primary Schools. Commonwealth Day is celebrated across the Commonwealth each year on every second Monday of March. This year’s Commonwealth Day theme focused on youth and is ‘Forging a Sustainable and Peaceful Common Future’.

During the assembly at PAS, the Speaker of the House and St Helena Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch President, Cyril Gunnell, delivered a welcome speech and spoke about 2023 being a historic year for the Commonwealth, noting the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and celebrating 50 years of the Commonwealth Youth Programme.

Acting Governor, Greg Gibson, read the message from Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty King Charles III. Chief Minister, Julie Thomas, read a message from the Right Honourable Patricia Scotland KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, and PAS Student Council President, Stefan Thomas, read the Commonwealth Affirmation.

This year is ‘Year of the Youth’ and also marks the 50th anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Guest speakers, who were under 30 years of age, were invited to speak about their careers to date, along with some of the challenges they faced and how they overcame these.

Guest speakers included Marine Plastics Project Officer from the Saint Helena National Trust, Matthew Owen, Healthy Lifestyle Coach from the Health & Social Care Portfolio, Raquel Johnson, Teaching Assistant from the Education, Skills & Employment Portfolio, Kayla-Jayne Peters-Brady, Research Assistant from the St Helena Research Institute, Zac Bargo, and Police Constable from the Royal St Helena Police Service, Brittney Coleman.

The assembly concluded with closing remarks from Councillor Karl Thrower. Councillor Thrower read a speech prepared by Councillor Andrew Turner, who unfortunately could not attend due to ill health.

Shortly after, Speaker of the House and St Helena Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch President, Cyril Gunnell, raised the Commonwealth Flag at the Francis Plain Pavilion as part of the ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’ initiative. This initiative aims to inspire participants to join with others throughout the Commonwealth, a family of 56 nations representing around a third of the world’s population.

Commonwealth Day assemblies were also held at the Island Primary Schools. They were attended by Elected Members of the Legislative Council who read His Majesty The King’s Commonwealth Day message.

Speaker of the House and St Helena Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Branch President, Cyril Gunnell, concluded:

“It was a pleasure to join people from around the world in celebrating Commonwealth Day. We may be a small Island, but we are part of a wider Commonwealth family of 2.5 billion people, who are united by our shared values. I hope the children and young adults attending assemblies across the Island today embrace the Commonwealth ‘Year of the Youth’, and consider how they can make an impact themselves in St Helena.”

#StHelena #CommonwealthDay

SHG
13 March 2023

Following an open procurement exercise conducted in February 2023, Ambledale Workshop Ltd has been awarded the contract to refurbish the Main Wharf Landing Steps. These works will address the health and safety aspect of the steps.

The total value of this contract is £18,911.83 (Eighteen thousand, nine hundred and eleven pounds and eighty three pence).

This project is being funded under the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) Micro Projects.

Works will commence from tomorrow, Tuesday, 14 March 2023, and are programmed to be completed by 31 March 2023. 

Restricted access will still be granted to the Lower Landing Steps, but members of the public should be vigilant when approaching and entering this area and adhere to the signage in place, as works will be ongoing. 

The public will be kept informed of progress and are thanked for their understanding during this time.

#StHelena #EDIP #MicroProjects #LandingSteps

SHG
13 March 2023

His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips CBE, accompanied by his wife Emma, will depart the Island on Saturday 11 March 2023 in order to visit Tristan da Cunha. Following travel he is expected to be in Tristan da Cunha from 20-22 March 2023.

The Governor has a full programme and will be meeting with the Island Council, the Administration, Ovenstone, and other members of the community. There will be a whole community event on the evening of 21 March 2023.

The visit has been facilitated by an additional charter of the MFV Edinburgh in order to resupply the cruise ship National Geographic Explorer. The Governor and his wife will then join the Explorer for the voyage to its next destination, St Helena.

Governor Phillips said:

“I am delighted that this opportunity has presented itself and particularly pleased I will be able to visit Tristan da Cunha in the early part of my tenure. I am looking forward to meeting the Island Council and the wider community to discuss the challenges and opportunities the Island is facing.”

Whilst the Governor is off-Island travelling to and from Tristan, Greg Gibson will be sworn in as Acting Governor.

#StHelena #GovernorDeparts #TristanDaCunha

SHG
10 March 2023

The St Helena Community College (SHCC) of the Education, Skills & Employment Portfolio will be conducting their annual Training Needs Assessment Survey from 6 March – 31 March 2023 to update their records on the community’s training and development needs

The results of this survey will assist the SHCC with devising an updated training plan to accommodate the changing needs of the community of St Helena. Therefore SHCC is asking all members of the Private Sector and/or organisations to participate in the survey to assist in defining the current training needs on St Helena. The information collated will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

The SHCC will be contacting the Private Sector and/or organisations to discuss the survey. Other interested persons can contact SHCC on Tel 22607 or email shcc@sainthelena.gov.sh to request a copy of the survey form.

All completed forms must be completed and submitted either electronically or via hardcopy by Friday, 31 March 2023.

The SHCC would like to thank you in advance for participating in the Training Needs Assessment Survey 2023

SHG
10 March 2023

The formal meeting of Legislative Council scheduled to take place on Friday, 10 March 2023, has been postponed and will now take place on Friday, 17 March 2023.

The full Order Paper for this meeting has been published on the SHG website via: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/government/legislative-council/order-papers/.

#StHelena #LegislativeCouncil #FormalLegCo

SHG

8 March 2023

Smokers on St Helena are being encouraged to give quitting a go ahead of No Smoking Day 2023. No Smoking Day is held annually and encourages people to say that ‘Today is the Day’ to quit smoking.

Quitting smoking has a number of health benefits, and this year the focus of the day is on research that shows those who smoke are more likely to develop dementia, providing even more reason to quit.

Why stop smoking?

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and doing so will reduce the risk of developing dementia, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Quitting smoking for at least six weeks is proven to boost mental health and wellbeing by relieving stress, anxiety, and depression.

It’s also never too late to make positive changes. Keeping your heart healthy in your forties and fifties is understood to be particularly important for helping to reduce your risks of dementia. The same chemicals which cause damage to the heart also cause damage to the brain.

Make No Smoking Day 2023 the day you quit for good – Today is the Day!

Get support to quit from Smokefree St Helena

Smokefree St Helena provides a programme of support to smokers through their quit journey.

Smokefree St Helena is made up of two core components: behavioural support and stop smoking medications. It is through this combination that smokers are given the best chance of success at stopping.

Smokefree St Helena will be outside the Canister in Jamestown on No Smoking Day, Wednesday 8March, 10am – 1pm to talk to the community about their service, answer any questions you may have about stopping smoking and talk through the extended range of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) available through the service. Why not come along and chat to the service? Today Is The Day!

If you are interested stopping smoking with support from Smokefree St Helena, or you would like more information about the service then please contact them by email through smokefree@sainthelena.gov.sh or by telephone on 25863.

Minister for Health & Social Care, Martin Henry, said:

“Our Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) highlighted that we have increasing rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and dementia in our community, all of which are causing significant demands on health and social care. One of the main risk factors related to these diseases is smoking.”

“Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to improve your health. Stopping smoking isn’t easy, but it is much easier with the right support. Smokers are three times more likely to succeed in quitting with help from a trained professional than with willpower alone. This is why the Health and Social Care Portfolio are offering the community tailored support through Smokefree St Helena.”

“No Smoking Day is the perfect time to quit smoking, when other people in the community are stopping too. Today Is The Day!”

#StHelena #SmokeFreeStHelena #TodayIsTheDay #NoSmokingDay

SHG

7 March 2023