Welcome to Leicestershire - Leicestershire Together
Welcome to Leicestershire - Leicestershire Together
Welcome to Leicestershire - Leicestershire Together
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Part A<br />
General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
7 - 28<br />
About <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 8 - 9<br />
Who lives in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 10<br />
The Political System in the UK 11<br />
Local Government in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 13<br />
Laws in the UK 14<br />
Money in the UK 17<br />
Cus<strong>to</strong>ms and Traditions 22<br />
Belief and Religion 26<br />
Part B - Emergency Information 29 - 34<br />
Part C - Work 35 - 46<br />
Part D - Benefits and Legal Advice 47 - 50<br />
Contents<br />
Part E - Housing 51 - 56<br />
Part F - Health 57 - 70<br />
Part G - Children and Education 71 - 82<br />
Part H - Older People 83 - 86<br />
Part I - Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 87 - 94<br />
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 95 - 104<br />
Part K - Asylum Seekers 105 - 107<br />
More Information 108 - 109<br />
Final Comments 110 - 111
<strong>Welcome</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
We are delighted that you have chosen <strong>to</strong> live and/or<br />
work in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, Leicester City or Rutland. We<br />
have produced this pack of information <strong>to</strong> help you<br />
<strong>to</strong> settle in as quickly as possible - we hope you find<br />
it useful!<br />
The Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Citizens’<br />
Jury, organised by <strong>Leicestershire</strong> <strong>Together</strong> in<br />
2005, identified information and communication<br />
as two key issues of concern <strong>to</strong> ethnic minority<br />
communities in both the County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
and the City of Leicester. We know that people<br />
in need of services can struggle <strong>to</strong> identify who<br />
<strong>to</strong> talk <strong>to</strong> and who does what! Nationally, local<br />
authorities and other organisations have produced<br />
guides and information booklets <strong>to</strong> their respective<br />
areas, principally with economic migrant workers<br />
in mind. One of the best and most informative of<br />
these has been produced by the Cornwall Strategic<br />
Partnership. We were given permission <strong>to</strong> use a lot<br />
of their information in this document and we are<br />
tremendously grateful <strong>to</strong> them for their support and<br />
assistance.<br />
Another important source of guidance and<br />
information has been the guide for local authorities<br />
entitled ‘Integrating New Migrants: Communicating<br />
Important Information’. This was produced by<br />
I&DeA (the Improvement and Development Agency<br />
for Local Government) and is intended <strong>to</strong> help<br />
anyone wishing <strong>to</strong> put <strong>to</strong>gether their own document.<br />
Though we had already produced our initial drafts<br />
we have, nevertheless, checked the document and<br />
included bits in it that were not originally included<br />
in our own.<br />
We have tried <strong>to</strong> produce a document that is<br />
relevant <strong>to</strong> people living in Leicester, <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
and Rutland, with sources of local and national help<br />
and information. We have tried <strong>to</strong> ensure that the<br />
information is correct and up-<strong>to</strong>-date, but things can<br />
change quite rapidly. Please point out our mistakes<br />
so that they can be rectified. Please also let us know<br />
if you would like <strong>to</strong> see other subjects included<br />
in future editions. Contact<br />
jnharrison@leics.gov.uk with<br />
comments/ammendments.<br />
The document is in different<br />
sections. Part A covers<br />
general information about<br />
General<br />
Part A - General Information about Leicesterhire and the UK<br />
I n f o r m a t i o n<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>, including the<br />
strucure of local government,<br />
Laws, Money, Cus<strong>to</strong>ms and<br />
Traditions and Belief and<br />
Religion.<br />
Parts B <strong>to</strong> K cover key information that you<br />
will need <strong>to</strong> know including What <strong>to</strong> do in an<br />
Emergency, Work, Benefits and Benefits Advice,<br />
Housing, Health, Children and Education, Older<br />
People, Travel and Leisure. It also includes a section<br />
aimed at Asylum Seekers.<br />
You will see that within each<br />
chapter there is a list of<br />
organisations and information<br />
with relevant contact details.<br />
Most of these include phone<br />
numbers, website and email<br />
addresses. We would be<br />
grateful, again if you could<br />
let us know of any sources of<br />
help and information that you<br />
have found useful that are<br />
not listed so that we can add<br />
them <strong>to</strong> future editions.<br />
The terms used in the document<br />
may be peculiarly English -<br />
things that are often simply<br />
taken for granted by people<br />
who were born and raised in<br />
this country. A good example<br />
may be use of the terms ‘Great<br />
Britain’ and the ‘United Kingdom’<br />
(UK). Not everyone appreciates<br />
that there is a difference. Great Britain refers <strong>to</strong><br />
England, Scotland and Wales and a number of<br />
small adjacent islands. The United Kingdom on the<br />
other hand also includes Northern Ireland. Neither<br />
includes the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man,<br />
though both are dependencies of the British crown!<br />
Confused Hopefully, this document will help you <strong>to</strong><br />
understand more about this country – its systems,<br />
procedures, organisations, laws, services, culture<br />
and mannerisms.<br />
In doing this, we hope that you will become familiar<br />
with your new surroundings very quickly, feel at<br />
home and comfortable and contribute <strong>to</strong> making<br />
both your own lives and those of your neighbours<br />
and local communities more enriching and fulfilling.<br />
If we can help in any way, please don’t hesitate <strong>to</strong><br />
get in <strong>to</strong>uch.<br />
Work<br />
Emergency<br />
I n f o r m a t i o n<br />
<strong>Welcome</strong> <strong>to</strong><br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>!<br />
Part C - Work<br />
Part B - What <strong>to</strong> do in an emergency
A map of <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, showing the City and District<br />
boundaries, major roads and larger <strong>to</strong>wns.<br />
BURTON<br />
UPON<br />
TRENT<br />
A5<br />
M6<br />
M1<br />
DERBY<br />
Nottingham<br />
East Midlands Airport<br />
A42<br />
SHEPSHED<br />
ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH<br />
A512<br />
NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE<br />
DISTRICT<br />
COALVILLE<br />
A511<br />
M1<br />
HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH<br />
BOROUGH<br />
A447<br />
A444<br />
EARL<br />
SHILTON<br />
HINCKLEY<br />
NUNEATON<br />
M69<br />
COVENTRY<br />
NOTTINGHAM<br />
BOTTESFORD<br />
A46<br />
A52<br />
GRANTHAM<br />
A453<br />
A60 A606<br />
A1<br />
A607<br />
A6006<br />
MELTON BOROUGH<br />
LOUGHBOROUGH<br />
CHARNWOOD<br />
BOROUGH<br />
A6<br />
A46<br />
A607<br />
MELTON<br />
MOWBRAY<br />
A606<br />
A1<br />
A50<br />
SYSTON<br />
LEICESTER<br />
A47<br />
OAKHAM<br />
A606<br />
Rutland Water<br />
A6121<br />
A47<br />
M69<br />
BLABY<br />
BLABY DISTRICT<br />
WIGSTON<br />
OADBY<br />
OADBY & WIGSTON BOROUGH<br />
A6<br />
A6003<br />
UPPINGHAM<br />
A47<br />
A5<br />
A426<br />
M1<br />
HARBOROUGH DISTRICT<br />
A5199<br />
MARKET<br />
HARBOROUGH<br />
CORBY<br />
LUTTERWORTH<br />
A4304<br />
M6<br />
A14<br />
KETTERING<br />
RUGBY<br />
Map of <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
STAMFORD<br />
A1<br />
A47<br />
A16
Interpreters<br />
If you need an interpreter <strong>to</strong> do official<br />
business, e.g. talking <strong>to</strong> the police or<br />
someone at a local council, or asking<br />
about jobs at Jobcentre Plus, then the<br />
organisation <strong>to</strong> whom you are talking<br />
will find an interpreter. It is their<br />
responsibility <strong>to</strong> find some way they can<br />
help you, in your own language.<br />
Some organisations, like <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
County Council, <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Constabulary and Jobcentre Plus (as<br />
well as many others) also subscribe <strong>to</strong><br />
the interpreting and translation service,<br />
Language Line. This links them <strong>to</strong> a<br />
qualified and validated interpreter.<br />
You can then have a 3-way phone<br />
conversation with the official person and<br />
an interpreter. Other organisations can<br />
arrange for an interpreter <strong>to</strong> be present<br />
if you need one. They may need a few<br />
days <strong>to</strong> find someone who speaks your<br />
language.<br />
As there are over 85 languages<br />
spoken in Leicester and more than<br />
50 in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, organisations<br />
are increasingly looking <strong>to</strong> provide<br />
translated written information in a<br />
variety of languages. However, the<br />
costs of translation are high and<br />
with the vast number of languages<br />
<strong>to</strong> cater for, it may not always be<br />
possible <strong>to</strong> immediately get access <strong>to</strong><br />
information in your particular language.<br />
However, organisations can arrange for<br />
translations <strong>to</strong> be done, though this may<br />
take a little while <strong>to</strong> happen.<br />
MELTON BOROUGH<br />
NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE<br />
DISTRICT<br />
CHARNWOOD<br />
BOROUGH<br />
Rutland Water<br />
HINCKLEY & BOSWORTH<br />
BOROUGH<br />
OADBY & WIGSTON BOROUGH<br />
BLABY DISTRICT<br />
HARBOROUGH DISTRICT
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
General<br />
I n f o r m a t i o n
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
8<br />
About <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
The County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> is in the heart of England, in<br />
a region called the East Midlands. The County surrounds<br />
the City of Leicester and Rutland lies <strong>to</strong> the east of<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>. Large <strong>to</strong>wns in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> include<br />
Loughborough, Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray, Market Harborough,<br />
Lutterworth, Oadby, Wigs<strong>to</strong>n, Hinckley and<br />
Coalville. There are many villages as<br />
well. The East Midlands region is part of<br />
England. England, Wales, Scotland and<br />
Northern Ireland make up the United<br />
Kingdom.<br />
• Leicester was an important early<br />
Roman settlement (called Ratae<br />
Corieltauvorum).<br />
• The first great Roman road in this<br />
country (Fosse Way) ran through<br />
Leicester. Fosse is still a name that<br />
has Leicester links. Fosse Road is a<br />
major thoroughfare in the City, and<br />
Leicester City Football Club were<br />
originally called Leicester Fosse.<br />
• Simon de Montfort (after whom<br />
one of Leicester’s Universities is<br />
named) was Earl of Leicester in the<br />
Thirteenth Century. He led a revolt of<br />
barons against the reigning monarch,<br />
Henry III.<br />
• The Battle of Bosworth, in which<br />
King Richard III was killed and<br />
overthrown by Henry Tudor <strong>to</strong> end<br />
the Wars of the Roses, <strong>to</strong>ok place in<br />
1485. The battlefield lies just South<br />
of the <strong>to</strong>wn of Market Bosworth.<br />
• Lady Jane Grey (Queen of England<br />
for just nine days in 1553) lived at<br />
Bradgate Park, six miles North West<br />
of the City of Leicester.<br />
• Almost certainly the largest<br />
character in Leicester’s his<strong>to</strong>ry was<br />
Daniel Lambert (born in Leicester<br />
in 1770). He has achieved national<br />
fame as at one stage he weighed<br />
nearly 53 s<strong>to</strong>ne and had a waist<br />
measurement of 9 feet!
• The first public trip by train<br />
was organised by Thomas<br />
Cook (founder of the<br />
modern travel industry<br />
and whose name<br />
features in many a<br />
<strong>to</strong>wn and city centre<br />
in the UK), and <strong>to</strong>ok<br />
place between<br />
Leicester and<br />
Loughborough in<br />
1841. Cook lived<br />
in Leicester for 50<br />
years.<br />
• Other famous<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
people include<br />
the footballers Peter Shil<strong>to</strong>n, Chris<br />
Kirkland, Emile Heskey and Gary<br />
Lineker, Joseph Merrick (a sufferer<br />
from Proteus Syndrome, cruelly<br />
known and made famous as<br />
‘The Elephant Man’), the singers<br />
Engelbert Humperdinck and Mark<br />
Morrison, band Kasabian, the<br />
Attenborough brothers (Sir David<br />
and Sir Richard), author Sue<br />
Townsend, playwright Joe Or<strong>to</strong>n, Gok<br />
Wan (fashion expert) and Graham<br />
Chapman of Monty Python Fame.<br />
• <strong>Leicestershire</strong> is famous for the now<br />
illegal country pastime of fox hunting<br />
with dogs. The hunt at Quorn in<br />
Charnwood is particularly famous.<br />
The emblem of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> County<br />
Council contains a fox and the<br />
nickname of both the City’s football<br />
team and the County’s cricket team<br />
is ‘the foxes’.<br />
• Diwali celebrations in Leicester are<br />
said <strong>to</strong> be the largest outside of<br />
India. The City’s Caribbean Carnival<br />
is also the biggest after Notting Hill<br />
in London.<br />
• The National Space Centre is<br />
situated in Leicester. It is the UK’s<br />
biggest attraction devoted <strong>to</strong> space.<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
10<br />
Who Lives in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Where do we come from<br />
Leicester is one of the most ethnically diverse<br />
cities in the UK. The last Census (held in<br />
2001) estimated that about 36% of the City’s<br />
population were from an ethnic minority<br />
background. The City Council suggests that the<br />
figure may well now be more. It is very likely<br />
that in the intervening period, that percentage<br />
figure will have increased.<br />
The County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> is much less<br />
diverse in terms of ethnicity. Using the 2001<br />
Census again, a County Council research<br />
report indicated that 7.2% of the population<br />
of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> (outside the City of Leicester)<br />
were from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME<br />
communities). In terms of the 7 districts/<br />
boroughs that make up the County area outside<br />
Leicester City, Charnwood has the highest BME<br />
population, followed by Oadby and Wigs<strong>to</strong>n,<br />
and then Blaby.<br />
For the full research report from <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
County Council, go <strong>to</strong><br />
www.leics.gov.uk/index/your_council/about_<br />
leicestershire/statistics.htm and click on<br />
‘Census 2001’.<br />
As far as the City of Leicester is concerned,<br />
the largest ethnic minority groups are of Asian<br />
background, the majority being Indian or of<br />
Indian descent. There are smaller, but still<br />
sizeable, Black communities of African and/or<br />
Caribbean descent.<br />
Any his<strong>to</strong>ry of Leicester will include reference<br />
<strong>to</strong> the large migrations of people from a<br />
number of different world locations – Uganda<br />
in the 1970’s, Somalia in the 1990’s and<br />
Eastern European nations following the<br />
enlargement of the European Union in 2004.<br />
Added <strong>to</strong> the long-standing Irish and Gypsy<br />
Traveller communities (amongst others) and<br />
the relatively high number of asylum seekers<br />
and new refugees, the diversity of the City and<br />
surrounding areas should be clear <strong>to</strong> see.<br />
Migrant Gateway’s portal is a route <strong>to</strong><br />
information, advice and guidance for people<br />
moving <strong>to</strong> live or work in Europe. It is for<br />
migrants and people working with them.<br />
Although it is being developed in the East<br />
of England, much of the information applies<br />
elsewhere. It is under development and<br />
information is being added all the time, initially<br />
in six languages (Czech, Lithuanian, Polish,<br />
Portuguese, Russian and English).<br />
It is supported by a helpline for migrants<br />
(0871 423 1334) and an advice line for<br />
employers and practitioners (0845 234<br />
0708). The helplines are only available as<br />
follows:<br />
• 0871 423 1334 (META Hotline) is available<br />
from 8.00 am <strong>to</strong> 12 noon and 2.00 pm <strong>to</strong><br />
6.00 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.<br />
• 0845 234 0708 (Employment Advice) is<br />
available from 10.00 am <strong>to</strong> 1.00 pm and<br />
2.00 pm <strong>to</strong> 4.00 pm on Tuesdays and<br />
Thursdays.<br />
The Migrant Gateway website address is<br />
www.migrantgateway.eu
The Political System in the United Kingdom<br />
There are three major political parties<br />
– the Conservatives (or ‘Tories’), Labour<br />
and the Liberal Democrats (or ‘Lib Dems’).<br />
There are also a wide variety of other<br />
parties, some of them unique <strong>to</strong> the<br />
countries that make up the UK – England,<br />
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.<br />
The people who are elected <strong>to</strong> Parliament<br />
are called Members of Parliament (MPs).<br />
Each MP represents a different area,<br />
known as a ‘constituency’, and will look<br />
after the interests of everyone living there.<br />
If you have any serious problems or wish<br />
<strong>to</strong> voice your concerns, you can contact<br />
your local MP.<br />
Citizens of the UK, the Commonwealth<br />
and the Republic of Ireland (if resident in<br />
the UK) can vote in all public elections.<br />
Citizens of European Union (EU) states<br />
who are resident in the UK can vote in all<br />
elections except national parliamentary<br />
elections. These elections return the next<br />
Government and are known as ‘General<br />
Elections’. A General Election is held at<br />
intervals of not more than five years. The<br />
UK has a ‘first past the post’ system rather<br />
than one of proportional representation.<br />
This means that the Government is usually<br />
formed by the party that has the most<br />
MPs. The leader of the party that wins the<br />
General Election becomes ‘Prime Minister’.<br />
The Labour Party forms the current<br />
Government. The next General Election<br />
will be held on or before 3rd June 2010.<br />
The UK is part of the European Union<br />
and members (MEPs) are elected <strong>to</strong> the<br />
European Parliament.<br />
You can register <strong>to</strong> vote by contacting the<br />
elec<strong>to</strong>ral registration office at your Local<br />
Authority (see below). There is more<br />
information about your rights <strong>to</strong> vote, and<br />
about political parties and elections, at<br />
www.direct.gov.uk/en/<br />
Governmentcitizensandrights/<br />
UKgovernment/<br />
Politicalpartiesandelections/index.htm.<br />
County, City and Borough/District Councils<br />
also have elected Members representing<br />
parts (called ‘wards or divisions’) of the<br />
area they cover.<br />
There are close his<strong>to</strong>rical ties between<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> and Rutland, its smaller<br />
neighbour <strong>to</strong> the East. Indeed, many<br />
organisations in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> include<br />
Rutland in their organisational remits.<br />
Accordingly, we are pleased <strong>to</strong> include<br />
some information on organisations in<br />
Rutland, including Rutland County<br />
Council. If you can’t find what you’re<br />
seeking in relation <strong>to</strong> Rutland, we would<br />
suggest that you contact Rutland County<br />
Council directly. Contact information is<br />
included on page 13 »»<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
11
Part A<br />
- General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Local MPs<br />
Blaby – Andrew Robathan 01455 283594 or 0207 219 3000 blabycons@btconnect.com<br />
Bosworth – David Tredinnick 01455 635741 tredinnickd@parliament.uk<br />
Charnwood – Stephen Dorrell 0116 260 8609<br />
Harborough – Edward Garnier 01858 464146<br />
Leicester East – Keith Vaz 0116 212 2028 or 0207 219 4605<br />
info@stephendorrell.com<br />
www.stephendorrell.org.uk<br />
garniere@parliament.uk<br />
www.edwardgarnier.co.uk<br />
vazk@parliament.uk<br />
www.keithvaz.labour.co.uk/<br />
Leicester South – Sir Peter Soulsby 0116 255 2895 soulsbyp@parliament.uk<br />
Leicester West – Patricia Hewitt 0116 251 6160<br />
Loughborough – Andy Reed 01509 261226<br />
North West <strong>Leicestershire</strong> –<br />
David Taylor<br />
Rutland and Mel<strong>to</strong>n – Alan Duncan 0207 219 5204<br />
hewittph@parliament.uk<br />
www.patriciahewitt.org.uk<br />
reeda@parliament.uk<br />
www.andyreedmp.org.uk<br />
01530 814372 taylord@parliament.uk<br />
duncana@parliament.uk<br />
www.alanduncan.org.uk<br />
12
Local Government in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
The United Kingdom (UK) is a democracy.<br />
This means that the Government is<br />
elected by its citizens. The monarch<br />
(currently Queen Elizabeth II) is Head of<br />
State, but has extremely limited powers.<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council is<br />
responsible for many services for the<br />
whole of <strong>Leicestershire</strong>. These include<br />
education, adult social care, children’s<br />
services, transport and libraries.<br />
The County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> is divided<br />
in<strong>to</strong> 7 areas (called ‘Districts’ or<br />
‘Boroughs’) which are run by 4 Borough<br />
Councils and 3 District Councils.<br />
These Councils are responsible for many<br />
things, including housing, standards of<br />
health in food and environment, collecting<br />
local property tax (see Council Tax,<br />
PAGE 19 »» ), maintaining parks,<br />
cleaning streets and collecting rubbish.<br />
At a more local level and especially in<br />
rural areas, there are many smaller parish<br />
and <strong>to</strong>wn councils. They deal mainly with<br />
things like play areas, sports facilities,<br />
cemetries and allotments, as well as<br />
representing the views of the community<br />
on local issues and concerns.<br />
The City of Leicester has a separate<br />
Council. Leicester City Council services<br />
include all of those identified for both<br />
County and Borough/District Councils.<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Top Tier Councils<br />
Leicester City Council 0116 252 7000<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council 0116 232 3232<br />
Rutland County Council 01572 722577<br />
All of these Councils are known as Local<br />
Authorities (LAs) or Local Government.<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>mer.services@leicester.gov.uk<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk<br />
information@leics.gov.uk<br />
www.leics.gov.uk<br />
enquiries@rutland.gov.uk<br />
www.rutland.gov.uk<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
13<br />
District and Borough Councils<br />
Blaby District Council 0116 275 0555<br />
Charnwood Borough Council 01509 263151<br />
enquiries@blaby.gov.uk<br />
www.blaby.gov.uk<br />
information@charnwood.gov.uk<br />
www.charnwood.gov.uk<br />
Harborough District Council 01858 828282 www.harborough.gov.uk<br />
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council 01455 238141<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n Borough Council 01664 502502<br />
North West <strong>Leicestershire</strong> District<br />
Council<br />
01530 454545<br />
Oadby & Wigs<strong>to</strong>n Borough Council 0116 288 8961<br />
Cus<strong>to</strong>mer.Services@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk<br />
www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>merservices@mel<strong>to</strong>n.gov.uk<br />
www.mel<strong>to</strong>n.gov.uk<br />
info@nwleicestershire.gov.uk<br />
www.nwleicestershire.gov.uk<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>mer.services@oadby-wigs<strong>to</strong>n.gov.uk<br />
www.oadby-wigs<strong>to</strong>n.gov.uk
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
14<br />
Laws in the UK<br />
Weapons<br />
• You cannot carry weapons in a public<br />
place, even for personal protection. This<br />
includes guns and knives as well as<br />
other weapons.<br />
• Pocket knives must have a blade less<br />
than 7.5 cm (3 inches) and any weapon<br />
where the blade locks in place is not<br />
permitted, whatever the blade length.<br />
• Pepper spray/CS gas is classed as a<br />
firearm in the UK and cannot be legally<br />
carried by members of the public.<br />
Domestic Noise Laws<br />
There are laws relating <strong>to</strong> the noise<br />
people make in their own homes. Local<br />
Authorities can take action if these laws<br />
are broken. Leicester City Council has a<br />
section on Domestic Noise on its website.<br />
The section includes some useful tips,<br />
some of which are:<br />
• Do noisy jobs and operate noisy<br />
equipment when it will cause least<br />
disturbance <strong>to</strong> your neighbours. Avoid<br />
working when they are trying <strong>to</strong> sleep or<br />
enjoying a quiet night in.<br />
• If you are doing something really noisy,<br />
e.g. floor sanding, drilling in party walls,<br />
let them know beforehand and they are<br />
far less likely <strong>to</strong> complain.<br />
• Avoid slamming doors and thundering<br />
up and down stairs, especially if you<br />
live in a flat or terraced house.<br />
• If you have a house or car alarm, leave<br />
a key with a neighbour or friend in case<br />
it is accidentally set off.<br />
You should also be mindful of these tips<br />
and of Noise Laws if you have <strong>to</strong> leave for<br />
work early in the morning and/or return<br />
late at night.<br />
To look at the full list of tips and other<br />
information, go <strong>to</strong> www.leicester.gov.uk/<br />
your-council--services/ep/environmentalhealth-licensing/noise.<br />
• For music and other entertainment, keep<br />
the volume down – whether it’s TV, car<br />
stereo or conversation – especially at<br />
night/early morning.<br />
• If you are having a party, consider<br />
inviting the neighbours. Keep windows<br />
and doors closed, and if someone<br />
complains, turn it down.<br />
• Use noisy domestic appliances at<br />
sensible times – during normal waking<br />
hours. Hoovering in the early hours<br />
could disturb your neighbours.
General<br />
Here are some UK laws of a general<br />
nature:<br />
• It is illegal <strong>to</strong> have sex before you are<br />
16, or with someone who is under 16.<br />
It is illegal <strong>to</strong> have sex with someone<br />
who doesn’t want <strong>to</strong> have sex with<br />
you. This is called rape and is a serious<br />
crime. Your partner cannot force you <strong>to</strong><br />
have sex with them if you don’t want<br />
<strong>to</strong>, even in your own home. This is still<br />
rape.<br />
• It is illegal both <strong>to</strong> undertake and <strong>to</strong><br />
arrange female genital mutilation in the<br />
UK.<br />
• It is illegal in the UK <strong>to</strong> buy alcohol if<br />
you are under 18 years of age.<br />
• Some <strong>to</strong>wns and cities in the UK have<br />
local by-laws banning the drinking of<br />
alcohol in public.<br />
• Recent legislation gave local authorities<br />
the power <strong>to</strong> designate particular places<br />
as being alcohol-free.<br />
• The same legislation strengthened<br />
UK law on issues such as public<br />
drunkenness and alcohol-related<br />
disorderly behaviour.<br />
• It is illegal <strong>to</strong> take or deal in illegal<br />
drugs, such as heroin, cocaine and<br />
others. For further information on<br />
drugs & crime go <strong>to</strong> www.direct.gov.<br />
uk/en/YoungPeople/CrimeAndJustice/<br />
TypesOfCrime/DG_10027693.<br />
• It is against the law <strong>to</strong> drop litter.<br />
• Vandalising property, for example by<br />
drawing graffiti on walls, is illegal.<br />
• It is against the law <strong>to</strong> engage in<br />
begging.<br />
• It is illegal <strong>to</strong> try <strong>to</strong> bribe a police officer.<br />
• From 1st July 2007, new smokefree<br />
legislation was introduced. It is now<br />
illegal <strong>to</strong> smoke in virtually all ‘enclosed’<br />
18<br />
and ‘substantially enclosed’ public<br />
places and work places. Anyone<br />
wanting <strong>to</strong> smoke has <strong>to</strong> go outside and<br />
use a designated area.<br />
• It is illegal <strong>to</strong> sell <strong>to</strong>bacco products <strong>to</strong><br />
anyone under 16 years of age.<br />
You may find ‘TheSite’ website useful as<br />
a guide <strong>to</strong> UK laws, and indeed for other<br />
practical aspects of living and working<br />
in this country. Click on www.thesite.<br />
org/. The Border and Immigration Agency<br />
(BIA) has also published a book called<br />
‘Life in the UK: A Journey <strong>to</strong> Citizenship’.<br />
The second edition of this was published<br />
in March 2007 and is available from<br />
the Office of Public Sec<strong>to</strong>r Information<br />
books<strong>to</strong>re by clicking on www.tsoshop.<br />
co.uk/books<strong>to</strong>re.asptrackid=001261&F<br />
O=1240167. It costs £9.99.<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
15
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
Criminal Justice<br />
System<br />
Though obviously it is hoped that you will<br />
not come in<strong>to</strong> contact with the Criminal<br />
Justice System (CJS), it is worth knowing<br />
the basics of how things work in the UK.<br />
The CJS website is probably the best way<br />
<strong>to</strong> find out what happens, who is involved<br />
and who specifically you may have <strong>to</strong> get in<br />
<strong>to</strong>uch with.<br />
The CJS is made up of bodies such as<br />
the police, the courts and the Crown<br />
Prosecution Service. In the ‘How it works’<br />
section (www.cjsonline.gov.uk/the_cjs/<br />
how_it_works/index.html), the criminal<br />
justice process is outlined in detail with<br />
information on:<br />
• Reporting Crime<br />
• Preparing the Case<br />
• Crown Court<br />
• Punishment & rehabilitation<br />
• Investigation<br />
• Magistrates Court<br />
• Sentencing<br />
• Wrongful Conviction<br />
There is also a local Criminal Justice Board<br />
which has responsibilities at a local level.<br />
Information on the <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and<br />
Rutland Board can be found via the CJS<br />
website. The website address is:<br />
http://lcjb.cjsonline.gov.uk/<strong>Leicestershire</strong>/<br />
home_new.html.<br />
It is important <strong>to</strong> note that the CJS also<br />
provides important information on support<br />
for victims of crime. Victim Support<br />
is also an invaluable source of help<br />
and information. They have a national<br />
website (www.victimsupport.org.uk) and<br />
there are also contact points throughout<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>.<br />
16<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Criminal Justice System<br />
Criminal Justice System<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> & Rutland Criminal<br />
Justice Board<br />
Victim Support<br />
0116 222 2222<br />
ext 4694<br />
public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk<br />
www.cjsonline.gov.uk<br />
lcjb@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk<br />
Victim Support (national) 0845 30 30 900 www.victimsupport.org.uk/<br />
Victim Support Leicester 0116 253 0101 leicester@victimsupport-leicsrut.org.uk<br />
Victim Support <strong>Leicestershire</strong> North 01664 411700<br />
Victim Support <strong>Leicestershire</strong> South 01455 233544<br />
rutlandandmel<strong>to</strong>n@victimsupportleicsrut.org.uk<br />
westleicestershire@victimsupportleicsrut.org.uk
Money in the UK<br />
The UK has currently not entered the Euro<br />
and still has its own currency – pound<br />
sterling, made up of pounds and pence.<br />
One pound (£1) is made up of 100 pence<br />
(p). Coins are issued for £2, £1, 50p,<br />
20p, 10p, 5p, 2p and 1p. There are notes<br />
for £5, £10, £20 and £50. Be aware that<br />
although the Bank of England prints notes<br />
for both England and Wales, different<br />
banks do this in both Northern Ireland and<br />
Scotland. (Also note that Scottish banks<br />
issue both £1 notes and £100 notes<br />
in addition <strong>to</strong> those already mentioned<br />
above). Most banks will exchange Scottish<br />
notes for their English equivalent without<br />
any problems.<br />
Banks<br />
Bank accounts help you <strong>to</strong> receive money<br />
(from employment etc), keep a track<br />
of your spending and saving as well as<br />
paying bills.<br />
You will need proof of your identity <strong>to</strong><br />
open a bank account in the UK. This can<br />
include a valid passport, a UK driving<br />
licence or a benefits book. You will also<br />
need proof of your address which can<br />
include a gas, electricity, water, phone or<br />
Council Tax bill, or local council rent card<br />
or your tenancy agreement. Please be<br />
aware that different banks accept different<br />
identification.<br />
even unique <strong>to</strong> particular banks. Having a<br />
bank account doesn’t mean that you can<br />
only get money out of your account when<br />
the bank is fully open. Most banks have<br />
their own cash machines which enable<br />
you <strong>to</strong> get money at any time through the<br />
use of a bank debit card. Some banks<br />
allow you <strong>to</strong> use this service even if you<br />
are a cus<strong>to</strong>mer of another bank. Be aware<br />
that some convenience cash machines (at<br />
railway stations, mo<strong>to</strong>rway services, small<br />
shops etc) may charge you for withdrawing<br />
money.<br />
Building Societies<br />
Services offered by building societies are<br />
increasingly similar <strong>to</strong> those offered by<br />
banks (see previous section). In the past,<br />
building societies (as opposed <strong>to</strong> banks)<br />
tended <strong>to</strong> focus more on saving and on<br />
services such as providing mortgages.<br />
Now, the difference between the two is<br />
becoming less obvious.<br />
The Local Life website (which is also<br />
a great source of information about a<br />
range of things) contains contact details<br />
for banks and building societies in the<br />
Leicester area.<br />
Go <strong>to</strong> www.locallife.co.uk/leicester/<br />
banksbuildings3.asp.<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
17<br />
There are a large number of banks in<br />
the UK. They all offer basic core banking<br />
services but often with some variations.<br />
Some services may be less common or
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
18<br />
Credit Unions<br />
A Credit Union is a locally run organisation<br />
where people can save money. A Credit<br />
Union can help you save money and<br />
manage it properly, even if you cannot get<br />
a bank account. Usually you will need <strong>to</strong><br />
produce two pieces of evidence <strong>to</strong> open<br />
an account at a Credit Union – proof of<br />
address, and a formal document that<br />
includes your signature. You can start<br />
saving from as little as £1.<br />
Bills<br />
There are a number of different services<br />
you need <strong>to</strong> pay for if you have your own<br />
accommodation in the UK. If you rent<br />
accommodation, find out from the landlord<br />
if any bills (gas, electricity, water, Council<br />
Tax and telephone) are included in the<br />
rent.<br />
There are many suppliers of gas, electricity<br />
and telephone services. You may find<br />
the UK Power website a useful source<br />
of information on gas and electricity<br />
suppliers. Click on www.ukpower.co.uk/<br />
or call 0845 009 1780. The water in the<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> area is provided by the same<br />
company – Severn Trent Water.<br />
Water<br />
You must pay for water in the UK. In most<br />
areas you pay a set water bill every year.<br />
This does not change, no<br />
matter how much water<br />
you use. However, some<br />
companies now offer the<br />
option of water meters so<br />
that you only pay for the<br />
water that you use. This<br />
can be more expensive if<br />
there are a lot of people<br />
living in a property. Water out of a cold<br />
tap is safe <strong>to</strong> drink in this country, unless<br />
there is a sign that says otherwise. Phone<br />
Severn Trent Water on 0800 783 4444 <strong>to</strong><br />
report a leak or problems with the quality<br />
of the water.<br />
Gas and Electricity<br />
Houses in the UK are usually connected<br />
<strong>to</strong> gas or electricity supplies (or both) <strong>to</strong><br />
provide power and heat. When you move<br />
in<strong>to</strong> a new property, you should contact<br />
the gas and electricity suppliers <strong>to</strong> put<br />
the bills under your name. Make sure you<br />
give them the meter reading for when you<br />
arrived, so you are not billed for what was<br />
used before you arrived. Gas and electricity<br />
is billed according <strong>to</strong> how much you use.<br />
Most houses have gas and electricity<br />
meters which the utility companies can<br />
check <strong>to</strong> see how much you have used.<br />
In some rented accommodation you may<br />
need <strong>to</strong> buy a key or card which you insert<br />
in<strong>to</strong> the meter each time you need <strong>to</strong> <strong>to</strong>p<br />
up the gas or electricity. You can buy this<br />
key/card and <strong>to</strong>p it up at your local post<br />
office or shop.<br />
If you smell gas, there may be a leak,<br />
phone free on 0800 807060. If the power<br />
fails or there is an electrical problem,<br />
phone free on 0800 783 8838.
Saving Water, Gas<br />
and Electricity<br />
The UK Government encourages people<br />
<strong>to</strong> save water and energy <strong>to</strong> help<br />
ensure the future of the environment.<br />
You can find out about greener living,<br />
how <strong>to</strong> save energy and reduce your<br />
energy bills by looking at the Direct.gov.<br />
uk website. Click on www.direct.gov.<br />
uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/<br />
Greenerlivingaquickguide/index.htm.<br />
Another useful source of information is the<br />
Energy Saving Trust. Their website address<br />
is www.energysavingtrust.org.uk. They<br />
also have a telephone number that is free<br />
<strong>to</strong> call (0800 512 012).<br />
Council Tax<br />
Council Tax is a local tax which pays for<br />
services such as the police, fire service<br />
and refuse collection. Council Tax applies<br />
<strong>to</strong> all homes in the UK. It is set by your<br />
Local Authority on all residential property.<br />
If you are on welfare benefits or a low<br />
income, you may be entitled <strong>to</strong> Council<br />
Tax Benefit, which will reduce the amount<br />
of Council Tax that you have <strong>to</strong> pay. There<br />
are rules about who should pay the tax. If<br />
you are living in accommodation provided<br />
by your agent or employer, and you are<br />
not staying permanently in the UK, it is<br />
unlikely that you will have <strong>to</strong> pay the tax<br />
yourself. However, if you own or rent a<br />
house, you are usually liable <strong>to</strong> pay the<br />
Council Tax and you should check this.<br />
Your Local Authority will be able <strong>to</strong> tell you<br />
whether you have <strong>to</strong> pay or not.<br />
Telephone<br />
Most houses in the UK have a fixed phone<br />
line (called a landline). If you do not have<br />
a line, you can contact a phone company<br />
<strong>to</strong> have one installed. You will usually have<br />
<strong>to</strong> pay for this. If you already have a phone<br />
line, you can be connected for free.<br />
Mobile phones can be useful, but consider<br />
the costs carefully and visit different<br />
mobile phone shops <strong>to</strong> get the best deal.<br />
Phoning other countries is always more<br />
expensive than phoning numbers within<br />
the UK, and phoning mobiles is usually<br />
more expensive than phoning ordinary<br />
phones. Make sure you can keep your<br />
mobile charged, even if you aren’t using<br />
it, so you can get at the numbers in the<br />
memory. There are public telephone boxes<br />
in many places, where you can put money<br />
or a card in <strong>to</strong> pay for phone calls. This is<br />
usually cheaper than a mobile phone. You<br />
can also make emergency calls for free<br />
from phone boxes.<br />
Television Licence<br />
If you have a television (TV) in your house,<br />
you must also have a television licence.<br />
You can get a TV licence application form<br />
online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk. At the<br />
time of writing (Sept 2008), a TV licence<br />
costs £139.50 (colour)<br />
and £47 (black and<br />
white) per year.<br />
You can be taken<br />
<strong>to</strong> court and fined<br />
if you do not have<br />
a TV licence.<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
19
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
20<br />
Paying your Bills<br />
There are usually a number of different<br />
options available <strong>to</strong> pay your bills. Talk <strong>to</strong><br />
the utility provider (gas, electricity etc) and<br />
look at the back of your utility bills <strong>to</strong> see<br />
which is the best option for you.<br />
Using Credit<br />
You may wish <strong>to</strong> borrow money <strong>to</strong> pay for<br />
goods. There are several types of credit<br />
such as loans and credit cards. You should<br />
be given a credit agreement <strong>to</strong> read and<br />
sign. Interest rates vary and can be quite<br />
high so you should compare them before<br />
signing the agreement. Borrowing from<br />
lenders who come <strong>to</strong> your home can be<br />
expensive and even risky.<br />
You can get advice on credit and debt from<br />
Citizens Advice (www.adviceguide.org.uk)<br />
or www.banking-guide.co.uk. If you have<br />
a problem with credit or buying goods, you<br />
can get advice on consumer rights from<br />
Consumer Direct. Their website address<br />
is www.consumerdirect.org.uk and their<br />
telephone number is 08454 04 05 06.<br />
Debt Advice<br />
If you have problems with debt, you can<br />
find a debt adviser through Community<br />
Legal Advice (www.clsdirect.org.uk or<br />
0845 345 4 345), or contact the National<br />
Debtline (www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/<br />
or 0808 808 4000). Alternatively, use<br />
the Citizens Advice network. Details are<br />
included in Chapter 6 on ‘Benefits and<br />
legal advice’ (see page 48 »» ).<br />
Sending<br />
Money Home<br />
If you want <strong>to</strong> send money <strong>to</strong> your family<br />
outside the UK, or if you want them <strong>to</strong><br />
send you money, you can do this safely<br />
using the Money Gram system operated<br />
by main Post Offices. Money Gram will<br />
transfer money instantly <strong>to</strong> post offices or<br />
banks in most countries around the world.<br />
You can also transfer money from a bank<br />
account here <strong>to</strong> a bank account in another<br />
country. There is a charge for these<br />
services. Do not send money in the post.<br />
Insurance<br />
You can obtain insurance for virtually<br />
anything and everything. Having<br />
an insurance policy does provide<br />
compensation for accidents, loss, theft<br />
and damage <strong>to</strong> property and belongings.<br />
It also gives greater protection with regard<br />
<strong>to</strong> things such as health and finance. The<br />
most common types of insurance include<br />
the following:<br />
• Building Insurance<br />
• Household contents<br />
• Travel<br />
• Life Insurance<br />
• Vehicle Insurance<br />
• Private Medical Insurance<br />
• Critical Illness Insurance<br />
• Accident, sickness and unemployment<br />
cover<br />
Though it is always well advised <strong>to</strong> seek<br />
and gain insurance cover, it may not be<br />
possible or affordable <strong>to</strong> have insurance<br />
for everything (though you have <strong>to</strong> have<br />
appropriate insurance in place for your car/<br />
vehicle, for example. You may, therefore,<br />
have <strong>to</strong> decide on priorities and whether<br />
the risk of not being insured is worth<br />
taking.
The Site website is worth a look for general<br />
information about insurance.<br />
Go <strong>to</strong> www.thesite.org/homelawandmoney/<br />
money/insurance/insuranceoverview.<br />
Pensions<br />
You may be thinking about saving for<br />
your retirement. A State pension depends<br />
on you having paid enough National<br />
Insurance contributions. It may not be<br />
enough for your needs when you reach<br />
retirement age. Many people save for their<br />
retirement independently of their State<br />
pension through a pension’s scheme. Some<br />
employers operate pension schemes. There<br />
are private pension schemes operated by<br />
financial companies. There are also<br />
stakeholder pensions which are run by the<br />
Government.<br />
Pensions can be complicated and you<br />
should get advice from an independent<br />
financial adviser. Most cities and <strong>to</strong>wns will<br />
have companies showing the independent<br />
financial adviser sign. You can find<br />
out more about pensions from www.<br />
direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/<br />
PensionsAndRetirement/index.htm.<br />
Information on stakeholder pensions can<br />
be found from the Pension Service at<br />
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk. You can<br />
get advice on occupational and personal<br />
pensions from the Pensions Advisory<br />
Service at www.pensionsadvisoryservice.<br />
org.uk.<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Citizens Advice<br />
www.adviceguide.org.uk<br />
Community Legal Advice 0845 345 4 345 www.clsdirect.org.uk/<br />
Consumer Direct 08454 04 05 06 www.consumerdirect.org.uk<br />
Energy Saving Trust 0800 512 012 www.energysavingtrust.org.uk<br />
Guide <strong>to</strong> Banking<br />
www.banking-guide.org.uk/<br />
National Debtline 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/<br />
Post Office (online) 08457 22 33 44 www.pos<strong>to</strong>ffice.co.uk<br />
Severn Trent Water<br />
08457 500500<br />
0800 783 4444<br />
(emergency)<br />
TV Licensing 0870 241 6468<br />
www.stwater.co.uk/<br />
tvlcsc@capita.co.uk<br />
www.tvlicensing.co.uk/<br />
UK Power 0845 009 1780 www.ukpower.co.uk/<br />
Credit Unions in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Clockwise Credit Union 0116 247 1740<br />
Highfields Community Credit Union Ltd 0116 262 4645<br />
Leicester Caribbean Credit Union Ltd 0116 251 2224<br />
Leicester City Council Employees Credit Union Ltd 0116 247 0433<br />
South Wigs<strong>to</strong>n Community Credit Union Ltd 0116 278 2684<br />
Pensions<br />
enquiries@clockwise-cu.co.uk<br />
www.clockwise-cu.co.uk<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
21<br />
The Pension Service<br />
0845 60 60 265<br />
0845 60 60 285<br />
(people with<br />
speech or hearing<br />
difficulties)<br />
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/<br />
The Pensions Advisory Service 0845 601 2923 www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk/
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
22<br />
Cus<strong>to</strong>ms and Traditions<br />
General<br />
As in all countries, you will find that<br />
there are many cus<strong>to</strong>ms and traditions in<br />
the UK, some unique <strong>to</strong> specific places.<br />
Getting <strong>to</strong> know some of these will be<br />
interesting and hopefully pleasurable for<br />
you as your new surroundings become<br />
more familiar.<br />
As far as the UK is concerned, you will<br />
find the i-UK website (www.i-uk.com)<br />
really useful (for general purposes as<br />
well). There is a page specifically devoted<br />
<strong>to</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>ms and traditions – just click<br />
on ‘Did you know’ which is highlighted<br />
in red on the Home Page. Alternatively,<br />
the government information site is<br />
worth a look. Click on www.direct.gov.<br />
uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/<br />
LivingintheUK/index.htm.<br />
There are some things you will find that<br />
are generally common, and therefore<br />
useful <strong>to</strong> know about. These include the<br />
following:<br />
• People in the UK have a reputation<br />
for politeness. It is cus<strong>to</strong>mary <strong>to</strong> greet<br />
people, particularly in the morning.<br />
All you need <strong>to</strong> say is ‘hello’ or ‘good<br />
morning’. Holding doors open for people<br />
and observing queues are also seen<br />
as being not just good manners, but<br />
normal behaviour. Saying ‘please’ and<br />
‘thank you’ might appear <strong>to</strong> be obvious,<br />
but you will find that doing so regularly<br />
will make people warm <strong>to</strong> you and make<br />
them more willing <strong>to</strong> talk <strong>to</strong> you and<br />
perhaps offer you help.<br />
• However, people are used <strong>to</strong><br />
complaining, whether it’s about the<br />
weather, the fortunes of the local<br />
football team, or about services that<br />
they receive (or don’t!).<br />
• Other things that are generally frowned<br />
upon include failing <strong>to</strong> maintain your<br />
garden (i.e. not mowing your lawn if<br />
you have one), blocking someone else’s<br />
driveway with your car, and urinating or<br />
spitting in public.<br />
• Gambling is popular. Many people, for<br />
example, take part in the twice-weekly<br />
National Lottery games, and betting<br />
shops can be found in many high<br />
streets.<br />
• Going <strong>to</strong> a public house (‘pub’) is<br />
a popular social activity. However,<br />
people’s drinking habits in the UK may<br />
be very different <strong>to</strong> what you may be<br />
used <strong>to</strong>. Some like <strong>to</strong> drink a lot of<br />
alcohol in a relatively short period of<br />
time – particularly on Friday or Saturday<br />
nights. This ‘binge drinking’ can lead<br />
<strong>to</strong> issues of drunkenness and rowdy<br />
behaviour. You may, therefore, be more<br />
aware of police activity in <strong>to</strong>wn centres<br />
on weekend evenings. Also, some pubs<br />
and nightclubs employ door supervisors<br />
which are an added security measure.<br />
Providing you don’t cause trouble, the<br />
police and door supervisors are there <strong>to</strong><br />
enable you <strong>to</strong> have a safe and enjoyable<br />
time.<br />
• In summer months, many<br />
British people travel <strong>to</strong><br />
the coast <strong>to</strong> enjoy the<br />
sand and sea as well<br />
as the attractions<br />
of holiday <strong>to</strong>wns.<br />
This can be for<br />
individual<br />
days, Bank<br />
Holiday<br />
weekends<br />
or for<br />
longer<br />
holidays.<br />
Popular<br />
holiday
esorts for people from <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
are Skegness and Mablethorpe in<br />
Lincolnshire, and Hunstan<strong>to</strong>n, Cromer<br />
and Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. All these<br />
places are on the English East Coast<br />
and will take between 2 and 3 hours <strong>to</strong><br />
travel <strong>to</strong> by car.<br />
• In the UK people you can be prosecuted<br />
for cruelty <strong>to</strong> animals. Hunting or<br />
fighting animals or birds is illegal. See<br />
the Royal Society for the Prevention of<br />
Cruelty <strong>to</strong> Animals (RSPCA) for more<br />
information.<br />
Food<br />
There are some foods that are seen as<br />
typically British, even though their origins<br />
may not be. It is interesting <strong>to</strong> note that<br />
the national British dish is now chicken<br />
tikka masala, which is a big reflection<br />
of multiculturalism and the impact of<br />
diversity on national tastes. Other more<br />
traditional foods include roast beef, fish<br />
and chips (fried pota<strong>to</strong>es), <strong>to</strong>ad-in-the-hole<br />
(sausages in batter) and Shepherd’s pie<br />
(minced lamb and vegetables, <strong>to</strong>pped with<br />
pota<strong>to</strong>). Again, there are local delicacies,<br />
and <strong>Leicestershire</strong> is particularly famous<br />
for pork pies and varieties of cheese.<br />
Christmas and Easter<br />
The i-UK website provides an excellent<br />
summary of cus<strong>to</strong>ms and traditions<br />
– including the Christian religious festivals<br />
of Christmas and Easter. It mentions the<br />
sending of cards as well as the giving and<br />
receiving of presents, the focus on family<br />
gatherings and the decorating of homes,<br />
streets and offices. A decorated Christmas<br />
tree is also traditionally <strong>to</strong> be found in<br />
British homes during the festive period.<br />
There are traditional Christmas foods<br />
(mince pies, turkey, Christmas pudding<br />
and cake), as well as traditional Christmas<br />
characters and observances – Father<br />
Christmas (Santa Claus or St Nicholas)<br />
being the most notable example.<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
23<br />
As far as meals go, British people tend <strong>to</strong><br />
have three in a day. Following breakfast in<br />
the morning, however, there are differences<br />
in how people refer <strong>to</strong> their meals. These<br />
differences tend <strong>to</strong> be regional and also <strong>to</strong><br />
do with social class. Some people refer <strong>to</strong><br />
‘dinner’ as their main meal, whether they<br />
have it in the middle of the day or in the<br />
evening. If the former, the third meal is<br />
commonly referred <strong>to</strong> as ‘tea’ or ‘supper’.<br />
If the latter, the mid-day meal is known as<br />
‘lunch’.<br />
It is important <strong>to</strong> remember that not<br />
everybody observes Christmas. Many<br />
people don’t because they are followers<br />
of other faiths. However, at Christmas,<br />
it is cus<strong>to</strong>mary for businesses <strong>to</strong> close,<br />
people <strong>to</strong> exchange gifts and for people<br />
generally <strong>to</strong> celebrate in a variety of ways.
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
24<br />
In <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, you will find that the<br />
last three months of the year are very<br />
special for a number of faiths, containing<br />
as they do the Muslim festival of Eid,<br />
Diwali (Hindu, Sikh and Jain) and the<br />
Christmas festivities<br />
in a relatively short<br />
period of time.<br />
Easter is also, of<br />
course, another<br />
prominent religious<br />
occasion and<br />
the festivities<br />
take a number<br />
of traditional<br />
forms. With<br />
regard <strong>to</strong> food,<br />
the eating of fish<br />
on Good Friday<br />
is cus<strong>to</strong>mary,<br />
as are hot-cross<br />
buns and, particularly<br />
for children, the receiving of<br />
chocolate Easter eggs.<br />
Calendar<br />
There are many significant and important<br />
days for British people during the course of<br />
the year. Many of these relate <strong>to</strong> faith and<br />
religion. However, some of these religious<br />
occasions have also become important<br />
aspects of national identity and culture.<br />
Christmas and Easter, as previously<br />
mentioned, do involve formal holidays<br />
from work for many – but not all – people.<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>’s Black and Minority Ethnic<br />
Citizens’ Jury project has also produced<br />
calendars for both 2007 and 2008. This<br />
calendar combines faith, national and<br />
international observances. This is available<br />
as a computer document from Julian<br />
Harrison at <strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council.<br />
Please get in <strong>to</strong>uch if you would like a<br />
copy (0116 305 7018 or jnharrison@<br />
leics.gov.uk). A calendar will also be<br />
produced for 2009.<br />
The following is a list of selected<br />
occasions during the course of the year<br />
that reflect key aspects of British life.<br />
Bank Holidays (so-called as initially<br />
they were occasions when banks<br />
closed, traditionally affecting other<br />
businesses) are basically an extra<br />
days holiday for people in many<br />
work areas (e.g. local government,<br />
education, finance, health). However,<br />
nowadays, it is increasingly common<br />
for many shops and other leisure<br />
venues <strong>to</strong> open on Bank Holidays, and<br />
there is usually a full sports schedule on<br />
these days.<br />
In England, Bank Holidays occur on 1st<br />
January, Good Friday and Easter Monday,<br />
and on Mondays at the beginning and<br />
end of May and at the end of August.<br />
Both Christmas Day<br />
and Boxing Day (St<br />
Stephen’s Day) are<br />
also Bank Holidays.<br />
Many organisations and companies<br />
produce multi-faith calendars. The BBC<br />
Calendar is a good example.
Event/Occasion Date Information<br />
Robert Burns Night 25 th January Robert Burns is Scotland’s best known and loved poet.<br />
Valentine’s Day 14 th February An occasion for loved ones <strong>to</strong> swap cards and gifts.<br />
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake<br />
Day)<br />
February<br />
St David’s Day 1 st March Patron Saint of Wales<br />
It is traditional <strong>to</strong> make pancakes on this day.<br />
St Patrick’s Day 17 th March Patron Saint of Ireland.<br />
April Fools Day<br />
The Grand National<br />
St George’s Day<br />
1 st April<br />
Saturday in early April<br />
23 rd April<br />
A day for hoaxes and practical jokes, but only (traditionally)<br />
before 12 noon. Not a holiday as such.<br />
The biggest betting horse race in the UK. It is held at<br />
Aintree in Liverpool.<br />
Patron Saint of England (amongst others). The English<br />
flag (a red cross on a white background) is the Flag of St<br />
George.<br />
May Day 1 st May Traditional beginning of Spring and workers’ day.<br />
FA Cup Final<br />
Wimbledon<br />
Last Night of the Proms<br />
Halloween<br />
Bonfire Night<br />
(Guy Fawkes Night)<br />
Saturday in May<br />
June/July<br />
Usually 2 nd Saturday in<br />
September<br />
31 st Oc<strong>to</strong>ber<br />
5 th November<br />
The final of the English Football Association’s Cup<br />
competition, traditionally held at Wembley. The Scottish<br />
Cup Final is also held around this time (at Hampden Park<br />
in Glasgow).<br />
The world’s oldest tennis event. Wimbledon is in South<br />
West London.<br />
‘Promenade’ concerts take place at the Royal Albert Hall in<br />
London throughout the summer.<br />
Children dress up and go around local areas asking for<br />
treats.<br />
This commemorates the thwarted attempt <strong>to</strong> blow up<br />
the Houses of Parliament by conspira<strong>to</strong>rs (including Guy<br />
Fawkes) in 1605. Festivities include fireworks and the<br />
public lighting of bonfires.<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
Armistice Day<br />
11 th November<br />
Marks the end of the First World War. A minute’s silence is<br />
observed at 11.00 am (on the 11 th Day of the 11 th Month<br />
etc).<br />
25<br />
Remembrance Sunday<br />
Nearest Sunday <strong>to</strong> 11 th<br />
November<br />
Commemorates all who have died in war and conflict.<br />
Traditionally, a red poppy is worn in remembrance.<br />
St Andrew’s Day 30 th November Patron Saint of Scotland (amongst others).<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Go <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 0906 294 1113 www.goleicestershire.com/<br />
RSPCA 0300 1234 999 www.rspca.org.uk
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
26<br />
Belief and Religion<br />
People enjoy freedom of worship in this country. The UK has strong his<strong>to</strong>rical Christian<br />
traditions. However, there are followers of many religious beliefs here <strong>to</strong>day. You can find<br />
out about places of worship in your area through a public library, Yellow Pages or telephone<br />
direc<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />
There are contact details for various faiths listed at the end of this chapter. Some are<br />
representative organisations, others also have a focus on practical delivery and assistance.<br />
Leicester, Loughborough and now also the County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> each have a Council<br />
of Faiths (a multi-faith group that includes major faith representatives). Julian Harrison at<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council also has information on further organisations and places of<br />
worship. To contact him, ring 0116 305 7018 or email jnharrison@leics.gov.uk.<br />
Christian<br />
There are Anglican churches (Church<br />
of England) in Leicester, every <strong>to</strong>wn<br />
and many villages. Many also have a<br />
Methodist Church and a few also have<br />
Baptist churches. There are Catholic<br />
Churches in Leicester and in most of the<br />
major <strong>to</strong>wns. There are also Orthodox<br />
and other churches catering for particular<br />
national groups including Greeks, Poles<br />
and Ukrainians in Leicester. There is<br />
also a Polish Church in Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray.<br />
The Salvation Army are also present<br />
in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, and run a variety of<br />
community<br />
services. There<br />
are many other<br />
types of church<br />
across the City<br />
and County as<br />
well.<br />
Hindu<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> has a large Hindu<br />
population. Accordingly, there are a<br />
great number of Hindu organisations,<br />
community venues and Temples. For<br />
specific and further information, contact<br />
the Hindu Council of <strong>Leicestershire</strong>. The<br />
Diwali Festival of Lights celebrations in<br />
the Belgrave area of the city is renowned<br />
for being the largest outside of India and<br />
attracts people from all communities, not<br />
just Hindus.<br />
Jewish<br />
There are a number of Jewish<br />
organisations in the area, including the<br />
Leicester Progressive Synagogue and the<br />
Leicester Progressive Jewish Congregation.<br />
Muslim<br />
There are a great number of Muslim<br />
organisations in both the City of Leicester<br />
and the County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong>. For<br />
further information, contact the Federation<br />
of Muslim Organisations. There are many<br />
places of Islamic worship, including<br />
the Leicester Central Mosque and the<br />
Loughborough Mosque. The Islamic<br />
Foundation is based at the Markfield<br />
Institute of Higher Education, <strong>to</strong> the North<br />
West of Leicester.
Sikh<br />
The Federation of Sikh Organisations is<br />
based at the Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bhadur<br />
in East Park Road in Leicester. The Guru<br />
Nanak Gurudwara and Guru Nanak<br />
Community Centre is also a major venue<br />
for Sikh worship and community activity in<br />
the City of Leicester.<br />
Other Faiths<br />
Other faiths are actively practised in<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>. These include Jainism<br />
and Buddhism. Universities in Leicester<br />
and Loughborough have flourishing faith<br />
and religious societies and multi-faith<br />
networks. Such networks also exist on a<br />
geographical basis, for example in Oadby<br />
and Wigs<strong>to</strong>n and Charnwood as well as<br />
the City of Leicester.<br />
Equality Issues<br />
There is a strong focus on equality<br />
issues as far as legislation in the UK is<br />
concerned. In recent years, laws relating<br />
<strong>to</strong> race equality have been updated and<br />
strengthened, and new laws have come<br />
in concerning Disability, Gender, Sexual<br />
Orientation, Faith and Age discrimination.<br />
All are intended <strong>to</strong> make this country a<br />
fairer and more equitable society and <strong>to</strong><br />
strongly state that discrimination on all<br />
these grounds is both unacceptable and<br />
unlawful.<br />
Brief information on equalities legislation<br />
can be found on the Improvement and<br />
Development Agency Knowledge website<br />
by clicking on www.idea-knowledge.gov.<br />
uk/idk/core/page.dopageId=5145524.<br />
The new Commission for Equality and<br />
Human Rights (CEHR) began operating in<br />
Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2007. The CEHR has been set up<br />
<strong>to</strong> bring all the previously separate equality<br />
bodies <strong>to</strong>gether in a single Commission.<br />
There are a number of local as well as<br />
national organisations that can help you if<br />
you need information, advice and support<br />
on a range of equality and discrimination<br />
issues. Details on some of these can be<br />
found at the end of the chapter.<br />
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Belief and Religion<br />
Leicester Council of Faiths 0116 254 6868<br />
info@leicestercounciloffaiths.org.uk<br />
www.leicestercounciloffaiths.org.uk/<br />
Leicester Council of Faiths 0116 254 6868<br />
info@leicestercounciloffaiths.org.uk<br />
www.leicestercounciloffaiths.org.uk/<br />
Loughborough Council of Faiths 01509 261651<br />
crec@btconnect.com<br />
www.charnwoodrec.org<br />
St Philip’s Centre for Study and<br />
Kathy.morrison@stphilipscentre.co.uk<br />
0116 273 3459<br />
Engagement in a Multi Faith Society<br />
www.stphilipscentre.co.uk/<br />
Christian<br />
Baptist Church (East Midland Baptists)<br />
www.embaptists.co.uk/<br />
Diocese of Leicester 0116 248 7400 www.leicester.anglican.org/<br />
Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Leicester 0116 291 6518<br />
Methodist Church (Northamp<strong>to</strong>n<br />
District)<br />
www.methodistdistrict23.org.uk/<br />
Polish Church in Leicester 0116 221 7006 www.leicesterpolonia.co.uk/<br />
Polish Church in Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray 01664 562101<br />
27
Part A - General Information about <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the UK<br />
28<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Belief and Religion<br />
Roman Catholic (Diocese of<br />
Nottingham)<br />
0115 953 9800 www.nottingham-diocese.org.uk/<br />
The Salvation Army (East Midlands) 0115 983 5000 http://www1.salvationarmy.org.uk/<br />
Hindu<br />
Hindu Council of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 0116 266 5665<br />
Jewish<br />
Leicester Hebrew Congregation 0116 254 0477<br />
Muslim<br />
Federation of Muslim Organisations<br />
Sikh<br />
Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bhadur, Leicester 0116 276 0517<br />
Other Faiths<br />
rabbipink@btinternet.com<br />
www.jewishleicester.org<br />
akgheewala@aol.com<br />
www.fmo.org.uk/index.html<br />
www.punjab2000.com/LeicesterSikhsBG.<br />
html<br />
Amida Trust (Buddhist) 0116 286 7476 www.amidatrust.com<br />
Jain Centre 0116 254 1150<br />
Equality Issues<br />
Action Deafness 0116 257 4800<br />
Charnwood Racial Equality Council 01509 261651<br />
Commission for Equality and Human<br />
Rights<br />
0203 117 0235<br />
Leicester Centre for Integrated Living 0116 222 5005<br />
Leicester Lesbian Gay and Bisexual<br />
Centre<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Ethnic Minority<br />
Partnership (LEMP)<br />
0116 254 7412<br />
0116 242 4098<br />
LeicestHERday Trust 0116 257 5615<br />
Mencap 0116 242 2730<br />
The Race Equality Centre 0116 299 9800<br />
VISTA 0116 249 0909<br />
Interpreters<br />
Language Line 0800 169 2879<br />
contact@jaincentre.com<br />
www.jaincentre.co.uk<br />
enquiries@actiondeafness.org.uk<br />
www.actiondeafness.org.uk<br />
crec@btconnect.com<br />
www.charnwoodrec.org<br />
info@equalityhumanrights.com<br />
www.equalityhumanrights.com<br />
admin@lcil.org.uk<br />
www.lcil.org.uk<br />
info@llgbc.com<br />
www.llgbc.com<br />
info@lemp-leics.org.uk<br />
www.lemp-leics.org.uk<br />
leicestherday@leicestershire.businesslink.<br />
co.uk<br />
www.leicestherday.org.uk<br />
leicester@mencap.org.uk<br />
www.mencap.org.uk<br />
administra<strong>to</strong>r@lrec.org.uk<br />
www.lrec.org.uk/<br />
info@vistablind.org.uk<br />
www.vistablind.org.uk<br />
enquiries@languageline.co.uk<br />
www.languageline.co.uk/
Emergency<br />
I n f o r m a t i o n<br />
Part B - What <strong>to</strong> do in an emergency
What <strong>to</strong> do in an emergency<br />
Dial 999 (the UK emergency number) or 112 (the international distress number) <strong>to</strong><br />
call the emergency services. These numbers are free <strong>to</strong> call, but for emergencies only.<br />
If you call them you will be asked which service you need: Police, Fire, Ambulance or<br />
Coastguard. You will be asked your name (which you don’t have <strong>to</strong> give), where you<br />
are calling from, the location of the emergency and what has happened or is currently<br />
happening.<br />
Part B - What <strong>to</strong> do in an emergency<br />
30<br />
In an emergency (for example, fire, flood, explosion or any weather-related or security<br />
incident) obey the instructions of anyone identifiable as a member of the emergency<br />
services or any other government authority.<br />
Police<br />
Police in the UK are responsible for<br />
keeping law and order. They are not part<br />
of the army, they are independent from<br />
the Government, and they do not routinely<br />
carry guns. All police in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
can call an interpreter if they need one <strong>to</strong><br />
speak <strong>to</strong> you.<br />
If you are arrested or<br />
charged with a crime, the<br />
police will tell you the<br />
reason for your arrest. You<br />
have the right <strong>to</strong> free legal<br />
advice from a solici<strong>to</strong>r at<br />
the police station, and the<br />
right <strong>to</strong> send a message<br />
<strong>to</strong> a friend or family<br />
member.<br />
The power <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p and search people can<br />
help the police <strong>to</strong> detect crime and make<br />
your community safer. ‘S<strong>to</strong>p and search’ is<br />
when a police officer s<strong>to</strong>ps and searches<br />
you, your clothes, your vehicle, or anything<br />
you are carrying. You can ask for the name<br />
of the officer who has s<strong>to</strong>pped you, the<br />
police station where he/she is based, and<br />
the reason for the search. A leaflet entitled<br />
‘S<strong>to</strong>p and Search – Know Your Rights’ is<br />
available from www.apa.police.uk (the<br />
Association of Police Authorities).<br />
You should call the police if you have a<br />
car accident in which someone is hurt, if<br />
you are the victim of a crime or a witness<br />
<strong>to</strong> a crime. You can call <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Constabulary on 0116 222 2222 for<br />
community safety and non-emergency<br />
calls. If you don’t want <strong>to</strong> give your name,<br />
you can call Crimes<strong>to</strong>ppers on<br />
0800 555111 <strong>to</strong> report crimes.
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Constabulary (which covers<br />
Leicester, <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and Rutland) aims<br />
<strong>to</strong> provide the best quality service. If this is<br />
not the case and you feel you should make<br />
a complaint about the matter, then it can<br />
be done in any of the following ways:<br />
1. By writing <strong>to</strong>: <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Constabulary, Force Headquarters, St<br />
Johns, Enderby, <strong>Leicestershire</strong> LE19<br />
2BX.<br />
2. By visiting the <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Constabulary website (www.leics.<br />
police.uk) and viewing the Professional<br />
Standards page.<br />
3. Visiting the Independent Police<br />
Complaints Commission (IPCC) website<br />
(www.ipcc.gov.uk) and viewing the<br />
Central page; or email enquiries@ipcc.<br />
gsi.gov.uk.<br />
4. Visiting any police station.<br />
5. If you wish <strong>to</strong> remain anonymous<br />
but still want <strong>to</strong> bring matters <strong>to</strong><br />
the attention of the <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Constabulary, then you are able <strong>to</strong> do<br />
this by ringing Crimes<strong>to</strong>ppers.<br />
Fire<br />
If you have a fire, call 999 or 112 and<br />
ask for the Fire Service. Give them your<br />
address and your name. This is a free<br />
service.<br />
The Fire Service provides other free<br />
services:<br />
• Advice and guidance on how <strong>to</strong> prevent<br />
fires and what <strong>to</strong> do if one occurs in<br />
both the home and where you work.<br />
• They can provide and fit a smoke alarm<br />
in your home if you request a home fire<br />
safety check.<br />
• If you have a child that plays with fire<br />
or sets fire deliberately, the Fire Service<br />
can help. This service is both free and<br />
confidential.<br />
The number <strong>to</strong> call for these free services<br />
is 0116 287 2241 or you could email<br />
infoservices@lfrs.org.<br />
For more information, you can visit the<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Fire and Rescue Service<br />
website. Click on www.leicestershire-fire.<br />
gov.uk/. <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Fire and Rescue<br />
Service covers Leicester, <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
and Rutland. Another useful website for<br />
information about fire prevention is called<br />
Fire Kills. Click on www.firekills.gov.uk.<br />
Ambulance<br />
You should call 999 or 112 and ask for<br />
the Ambulance Service if someone is ill or<br />
injured and is <strong>to</strong>o ill <strong>to</strong> get <strong>to</strong> hospital by<br />
themselves.<br />
Coastguard<br />
Even though <strong>Leicestershire</strong> is inland, you<br />
may need the services of the Coastguard<br />
if you are working on the coast or visiting<br />
coastal areas. You should call 999 or 112<br />
and ask for the Coastguard for incidents on<br />
or near the coast, in the sea, or on boats.<br />
They can rescue people who have fallen<br />
down cliffs or are cut off by the tide.<br />
Part B - What <strong>to</strong> do in an emergency<br />
31
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Emergency Services<br />
Emergency 999 or 112<br />
Part B - What <strong>to</strong> do in an emergency<br />
32<br />
Association of Police Authorities (APA) 0207 664 3096<br />
East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) 0115 929 6151<br />
Independent Police Complaints<br />
Commission (IPCC)<br />
08453 002 002<br />
(Central Region)<br />
apa.info@lga.gov.uk<br />
www.apa.police.uk<br />
info@emas.nhs.uk<br />
www.emas.nhs.uk/<br />
enquiries@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk<br />
www.ipcc.gov.uk/<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Constabulary 0116 222 2222 www.leics.police.uk/<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Fire and Rescue Service 0116 287 2241<br />
Gas, Water and<br />
Electricity Emergencies<br />
For information on gas, water and<br />
electricity emergencies, see «« page 18<br />
(In Case of<br />
Emergency)<br />
- ICE<br />
If you carry a mobile<br />
phone, make sure you<br />
s<strong>to</strong>re an emergency<br />
contact under ICE.<br />
ICE stands for In<br />
Case of Emergency, and can be used by<br />
ambulance staff <strong>to</strong> find out information<br />
about you if you are injured and you can’t<br />
speak <strong>to</strong> them. If you can, try <strong>to</strong> make<br />
sure that the person you choose can speak<br />
English.<br />
Missing Persons<br />
If someone you know has gone missing,<br />
you should report it <strong>to</strong> the police, who<br />
can investigate and try <strong>to</strong> find the missing<br />
person. Missing People is the national<br />
infoservices@lfrs.org<br />
www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/<br />
charity that supports people who are<br />
missing someone. They are also a contact<br />
point for people who have run away. You<br />
can phone a 24-hour free and confidential<br />
helpline on 0500 700 700 or visit<br />
www.missingpeople.org.uk.<br />
Hate Crime<br />
If someone is attacked, or shouted at,<br />
or property is damaged because of that<br />
person’s age, disability, gender, race,<br />
religion/belief or sexual orientation, this<br />
is a hate incident. It is important that<br />
you report this. It is not acceptable in<br />
this country, and the police will help<br />
<strong>to</strong> find and prosecute people who<br />
carry out hate crimes. A number of<br />
organisations who will be able <strong>to</strong><br />
tell you more about hate incidents<br />
are listed at the<br />
end of this chapter.<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> has<br />
two Racial Equality<br />
Councils – The Race<br />
Equality Centre in Leicester<br />
and Charnwood Racial Equality<br />
Council who deal with racial<br />
matters.
It is important that you know what a hate<br />
crime is, so that you can report it if you<br />
are unfortunate enough <strong>to</strong> be a victim, and<br />
you don’t commit such a crime yourself,<br />
whether inadvertently or not.<br />
The <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Hate Incident<br />
Moni<strong>to</strong>ring Project (based at <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
County Council) is a good source of<br />
information. It states that a hate incident<br />
may be physical, verbal or written and<br />
can take many forms. It lists a number of<br />
examples:<br />
• Physical attack – such as physical<br />
assault, damage <strong>to</strong> property, offensive<br />
graffiti<br />
• Threat of attack – including offensive<br />
letters, abusive or obscene phone calls<br />
• Verbal abuse or insults<br />
• Offensive leaflets or posters, hate mail,<br />
abusive gestures, dumping of rubbish<br />
outside homes<br />
• Harassment, bullying and victimisation.<br />
Harassment is defined as ‘unwanted<br />
behaviour that a person finds<br />
intimidating, upsetting, embarrassing,<br />
humiliating or offensive.’<br />
You can report any hate incident and seek<br />
advice through the <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Hate<br />
Incident Moni<strong>to</strong>ring Project by calling<br />
0116 305 8263 or using the online<br />
form (www.leics.gov.uk/index/reporthate.<br />
htm). Information leaflets are available in<br />
English, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Polish<br />
and Punjabi.<br />
If you become a victim of any crime<br />
please report this <strong>to</strong> the police. The matter<br />
will then be investigated, particularly in<br />
cases of victimisation where you may<br />
have been perceived <strong>to</strong> be a member of a<br />
minority group. Each neighbourhood has<br />
a designated police officer. They will offer<br />
you any help or advice you need.<br />
To find out the name of your local police<br />
officer (called a neighbourhood beat<br />
manager), visit www.leics.police.uk/ or<br />
contact <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Constabulary. Do<br />
not take the law in<strong>to</strong> your own hands (in<br />
other words, do not do something illegal in<br />
order <strong>to</strong> punish someone) – you may end<br />
up getting yourself in<strong>to</strong> trouble or hurt.<br />
Part B - What <strong>to</strong> do in an emergency<br />
33<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Hate Crime<br />
Crimes<strong>to</strong>ppers 0800 555111 www.crimes<strong>to</strong>ppers-uk.org<br />
Hate Incident Moni<strong>to</strong>ring Project 0116 305 8263 www.leics.gov.uk/index/reporthate.htm<br />
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Centre Leicester 0116 254 7412<br />
Trade Sexual Health 0116 254 1747<br />
Charnwood Racial Equality Council 01509 261651<br />
The Race Equality Centre 0116 299 9800<br />
info@llgbc.com<br />
www.llgbc.com<br />
info@tradesexualhealth.com<br />
www.tradesexualhealth.com<br />
crec@btconnect.com<br />
www.charnwoodrec.org<br />
administra<strong>to</strong>r@lrec.org.uk<br />
www.lrec.org.uk/
Part B - What <strong>to</strong> do in an emergency<br />
If you do not wish <strong>to</strong> report a hate crime<br />
directly <strong>to</strong> the police, you could contact<br />
Crimes<strong>to</strong>ppers anonymously on<br />
0800 555111.<br />
Domestic Violence<br />
and Abuse<br />
If someone is abused or attacked by a<br />
relative, or partner or ex-partner, this<br />
is called domestic abuse or domestic<br />
violence. This is not acceptable in this<br />
country. Anyone who feels under threat,<br />
or is abused verbally, physically, sexually,<br />
emotionally or psychologically in their own<br />
home, can contact one of the domestic<br />
violence and abuse organisations listed.<br />
They will be able <strong>to</strong> give information and<br />
emotional support <strong>to</strong> people suffering<br />
domestic abuse. Some can also give<br />
counselling. In an emergency always call<br />
999 or 112.<br />
There are several Women’s Refuges in<br />
Leicester and <strong>Leicestershire</strong> which have<br />
places for women <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> if they have <strong>to</strong><br />
leave home because of domestic abuse.<br />
They can bring their children with them<br />
if they need <strong>to</strong>. Local Authorities and the<br />
Adult Social Care Service can also provide<br />
houses for people who have left home<br />
because of domestic abuse.<br />
Domestic abuse can affect men and<br />
people in same-sex relationships, <strong>to</strong>o.<br />
There is a national organisation called<br />
Broken Rainbow<br />
who can assist<br />
anyone affected<br />
by domestic<br />
violence and<br />
abuse in samesex<br />
relationships.<br />
Any victim can<br />
contact Victim<br />
Support. For any<br />
cases of domestic<br />
abuse, please<br />
contact the<br />
police.<br />
34<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Domestic Violence and Abuse<br />
Broken Rainbow<br />
Domestic Violence Integrated Response<br />
Project<br />
08452 60 44 60<br />
(Helpline)<br />
www.broken-rainbow.org.uk<br />
0116 255 0004 www.dvirp.co.uk/<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Constabulary 0116 222 2222 www.leics.police.uk/<br />
Loughborough Women’s Aid<br />
Mens Advice Line<br />
01509 237206<br />
01509 552549<br />
(Outreach)<br />
0808 801 0327<br />
(helpline)<br />
Refuge 0808 2000 247<br />
Respect<br />
Women’s Aid 0808 2000 247<br />
Women’s Aid <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Limited 0116 242 6440<br />
www.lwa.org.uk/<br />
www.mensadviceline.org.uk/<br />
info@refuge.org.uk<br />
www.refuge.org.uk<br />
RespectEnquiries@bss.org<br />
www.respect.gov.uk/<br />
helpline@womensaid.org.uk<br />
www.womensaid.org.uk/
Work<br />
Part C - Work
Work<br />
Application and further information can be<br />
obtained from the Home Office Border and<br />
Immigration Agency. Once you have been<br />
working legally in the UK for 12 months,<br />
without interruption, you will acquire full<br />
free movement rights and will be able <strong>to</strong><br />
obtain an EEA residence permit confirming<br />
your status.<br />
Part C - Work<br />
36<br />
Permission <strong>to</strong> Work<br />
in the UK – European<br />
Union (EU)<br />
If you are from a member state of the<br />
European Union, <strong>to</strong> work in the UK<br />
you must have a full EU/EEA passport<br />
or National Identity card of one of<br />
the members States of the EU/EEA or<br />
Switzerland. Workers from the Accession<br />
8 countries (Czech Republic, Es<strong>to</strong>nia,<br />
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,<br />
Slovakia and Slovenia) can access the UK<br />
labour market via the Worker Registration<br />
Scheme.<br />
This applies if:<br />
• You have started a new job since 1st<br />
May 2004<br />
• You were working in the UK before 1st<br />
May 2004 without authorisation.<br />
• You are working on a short-term or<br />
temporary basis<br />
• You are a student who is also working.<br />
A useful source of information<br />
about Nationality and Citizenship<br />
is the Direct.gov.uk website.<br />
Please click on www.direct.gov.<br />
uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/<br />
LivingintheUK/DG_10015894.<br />
Bulgaria and Romania<br />
There are special procedures and<br />
restrictions in place for people from<br />
Bulgaria and Romania wanting <strong>to</strong> work<br />
in the UK. The Home Office Border and<br />
Immigration Agency has produced a<br />
booklet giving full information on these<br />
measures. They have also produced<br />
information in both languages.<br />
Information, including the booklet is<br />
available from the Agency and can be<br />
found on their website by clicking on<br />
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/<br />
workingintheuk/bulgariaromania/. It<br />
is important that you are aware of and<br />
understand this information if you are<br />
Bulgarian or Romanian.<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Permission <strong>to</strong> Work in the UK<br />
Home Office – Border and<br />
Immigration Agency<br />
0870 606 7766<br />
indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk<br />
www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
Coming <strong>to</strong> the UK<br />
– non-European Union<br />
(EU) nationals<br />
The Home Office Border and Immigration<br />
Agency website gives comprehensive<br />
information on rules and procedures for<br />
coming <strong>to</strong> the UK. Click on www.ind.<br />
homeoffice.gov.uk/newcomers<strong>to</strong>theuk/.<br />
There is also information on visiting<br />
the UK (www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/<br />
visitingtheuk/). With regard <strong>to</strong> entering<br />
the UK, you will note that “there are four<br />
types of entry clearance which are issued<br />
for granting permission for the holder <strong>to</strong><br />
travel <strong>to</strong> or enter the United Kingdom”<br />
– one of these being a visa, which is<br />
required if you are coming from a country<br />
listed in the Immigration Rules. A full list<br />
of relevant countries can be found on the<br />
website. Click on: www.ukba.homeoffice.<br />
gov.uk/policyandlaw/immigrationlaw/<br />
immigrationrules/appendix1/.<br />
The Border and Immigration Agency’s<br />
website has a useful and important section<br />
entitled ‘Working in the UK’ (www.ukba.<br />
homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/). This<br />
provides information for Foreign Nationals<br />
(from all countries – EU and otherwise) on<br />
the various routes available <strong>to</strong> enable them<br />
<strong>to</strong> legally work in the UK.<br />
It is important <strong>to</strong> note that as a Foreign<br />
National, though you may now be in the<br />
UK, that doesn’t necessarily mean that<br />
you are legally allowed <strong>to</strong> work. You may<br />
also only be allowed <strong>to</strong> stay in the UK for<br />
a limited period of time. You do need <strong>to</strong><br />
check your status. Contact the Border and<br />
Immigration Agency if you are in any way<br />
unsure. The ‘Working in the UK’ section is<br />
fairly easy <strong>to</strong> use and full contact details<br />
are available should you need <strong>to</strong> speak <strong>to</strong><br />
the Agency directly.<br />
Immigration status and how it affects<br />
your rights can be complicated and you<br />
may need <strong>to</strong> talk <strong>to</strong> an independent<br />
immigration adviser. You can find your<br />
nearest immigration adviser by phoning<br />
Community Legal Advice or visiting<br />
their website (www.clsdirect.org.uk). To<br />
telephone them is free and the number<br />
is 0845 345 4 345. Community Legal<br />
Advice offer free, confidential and<br />
independent legal advice for people living<br />
in England and Wales.<br />
Part C - Work<br />
37<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Coming <strong>to</strong> the UK<br />
Community Legal Advice 0845 345 4 345 www.clsdirect.org.uk/<br />
Home Office – Working in the UK 0870 606 7766 www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/
Part C - Work<br />
38<br />
Help <strong>to</strong> Find Work<br />
If you are looking for a job in<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>, many organisations list<br />
their job vacancies in the local papers (for<br />
example, the Leicester Mercury). Some job<br />
vacancies are also listed on the internet.<br />
Jobcentre Plus is an organisation that<br />
can help you <strong>to</strong> look for a job. As well as<br />
having details of job vacancies, they can<br />
advise on looking for work, applying for<br />
jobs, preparing for job interviews, safe job<br />
searching, and starting your own business.<br />
They can also tell you how <strong>to</strong> claim<br />
State benefits. Jobcentre Plus has offices<br />
throughout the UK where computerised<br />
<strong>to</strong>uch-screen terminals called jobpoints<br />
enable you <strong>to</strong> find information about jobs<br />
locally and nationally. You do not have <strong>to</strong><br />
be unemployed <strong>to</strong> use this service which<br />
is provided free of charge. In Leicester and<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> you can find Jobcentre Plus<br />
offices in Leicester, Coalville, Hinckley,<br />
Loughborough, Market Harborough<br />
and Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray. There is also a<br />
Jobcentre Plus office in Oakham (Rutland).<br />
Opening hours can vary. See the list on<br />
page 39 »» for details of your nearest<br />
Jobcentre Plus office or visit the websites:<br />
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or www.dwp.<br />
gov.uk.<br />
movement of workers. The EURES system<br />
circulates job vacancies and gives access<br />
<strong>to</strong> up-<strong>to</strong>-date information in each EEA<br />
Member State via a computer network.<br />
EEA internationals looking for employment<br />
may register their CV’s (Curriculum<br />
Vitae – a document listing your personal<br />
his<strong>to</strong>ry, including qualifications, previous<br />
employment etc) on the website.<br />
Registered employers then use the service<br />
<strong>to</strong> search for suitable applicants who they<br />
are then able <strong>to</strong> contact directly.<br />
In recent years, Polish and Eastern<br />
European recruitment agencies have<br />
become very active in meeting the<br />
employment needs of migrant workers<br />
from these countries and UK businesses<br />
wishing <strong>to</strong> employ them.<br />
A number of such<br />
agencies are included<br />
in the contact list<br />
at the end of this<br />
chapter.<br />
There are organisations that specialise<br />
in finding employment for people from<br />
European or other countries, including<br />
specific European countries. Euro Joblink<br />
and EURES, the European Employment<br />
Services may be able <strong>to</strong> help. EURES is a<br />
partnership between all the employment<br />
services in the EEA <strong>to</strong> support free
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Help <strong>to</strong> Find Work<br />
Business Link 0845 600 9 006 www.businesslink.gov.uk<br />
Department for Work and<br />
Pensions<br />
Labour Providers<br />
Labour providers supply workers directly<br />
<strong>to</strong> employers. They are sometimes called<br />
gangmasters. Labour providers must<br />
be licensed and are subject <strong>to</strong> strict<br />
standards.<br />
If you think you are being treated unfairly<br />
by a labour provider, you can contact the<br />
www.dwp.gov.uk/<br />
EURES 0800 4080 4080 www.europa.eu.int/eures<br />
Euro Joblink 01637 839399 www.mpc.com.pl/eurojoblink<br />
Gangmasters Licensing<br />
Authority (GLA)<br />
0845 602 5020 www.gla.gov.uk/<br />
Jobcentre Plus (JCP) 0845 606 0234 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/<br />
ROSE – information<br />
for qualified healthcare<br />
professionals<br />
Jobcentre Plus local offices<br />
www.rose.nhs.uk/index.html<br />
Coalville 01530 503800 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk<br />
Hinckley 01455 542000 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk<br />
Leicester 0116 252 9000 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk<br />
Loughborough 01509 831000 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk<br />
Market Harborough 01858 473900 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray 01664 534200 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk<br />
Oakham (Rutland) 01572 654100 www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk<br />
Gangmasters’ Licensing Authority (GLA)<br />
or contact Community Legal Advice. The<br />
GLA website address is www.gla.gov.<br />
uk and their telephone number is 0845<br />
602 5020. You can actually check who<br />
is a licensed labour provider by doing a<br />
search on the GLA Public Register. At the<br />
time of writing (April 2008), there are 17<br />
licensed labour providers in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>,<br />
Leicester and Rutland.<br />
Part C - Work<br />
39<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Polish/Eastern European employment agencies<br />
Ania’s Poland (Polish worker<br />
recruitment agency)<br />
Baltic Workers (Polish<br />
Recruitment Agency)<br />
Free Labour<br />
0208 769 0509<br />
07932 741060<br />
info@aniaspoland.com<br />
www.aniaspoland.com/<br />
01429 852136 info@balticrecruitment.co.uk<br />
www.balticrecruitment.co.uk/<br />
www.freelabour.co.uk/<br />
LSJ Recruitment (Polish<br />
Recruitment Agency)<br />
WielkaBrytania.org (Polish<br />
employment organisation)<br />
0048 91 814 52<br />
52<br />
0048 504 060500<br />
recruitment@lsj.pl<br />
www.pracuj.info/<br />
biuro@wielkabrytania.org<br />
www.wielkabrytania.org/anglia_praca/index.php
Part C - Work<br />
40<br />
Tips on Applying<br />
for Jobs<br />
Employers will state how they want people<br />
<strong>to</strong> apply for jobs. Usually this will be either<br />
by sending in your Curriculum Vitae (CV)<br />
or Résumé with a covering letter, or by<br />
completing an application form.<br />
The next stage is usually a job interview<br />
at the workplace. You will be interviewed<br />
by at least one or two people. You should<br />
expect <strong>to</strong> provide proof of your right <strong>to</strong><br />
work in the UK. This is also an opportunity<br />
for you <strong>to</strong> ask any questions of your<br />
prospective employer. Usually these will<br />
be around working conditions and career<br />
advancement opportunities, but don’t be<br />
afraid <strong>to</strong> ask about other things that are<br />
relevant and may be of concern <strong>to</strong> you.<br />
How you present yourself at the job<br />
application and interview stages is<br />
important and may be different from the<br />
way things are done in your home country.<br />
You can get some good advice on interview<br />
skills from Jobcentre Plus or by visiting the<br />
Direct.gov.uk website. Click on<br />
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/<br />
Jobseekers/LookingForWork/DG_<br />
10029993.<br />
Self-Employment<br />
You may want <strong>to</strong> start your own business.<br />
This is known as being self-employed. It<br />
is a good idea <strong>to</strong> get advice before you<br />
start your business. You may be able <strong>to</strong> get<br />
financial or other help <strong>to</strong> start up. Business<br />
Link gives practical advice for businesses<br />
including information on starting up and<br />
grants, and online <strong>to</strong>ols <strong>to</strong> help you. Their<br />
website address is www.businesslink.gov.<br />
uk and their telephone number is<br />
0845 600 9 006.<br />
Starting a business may affect your<br />
immigration status, so you should talk<br />
<strong>to</strong> an independent immigration adviser<br />
before you do so. You can find your nearest<br />
immigration advice provider through<br />
Community Legal Advice.<br />
Your Rights at Work<br />
Contract of Employment<br />
When you start work you should be given<br />
an employment contract. The terms and<br />
conditions of employment need <strong>to</strong> be<br />
agreed between you and your employer.<br />
You should make sure you fully understand<br />
what is written in the contract before you<br />
sign it. It should include details of how,<br />
and how often, you will be paid, and the<br />
conditions of your employment, including
disciplinary procedures. Your employer<br />
could pay your wages straight in<strong>to</strong> your<br />
bank account, or give them <strong>to</strong> you as a<br />
cheque or cash.<br />
You can find out more about your<br />
employment rights on www.berr.gov.uk/<br />
employment/index.html or www.direct.<br />
gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/index.<br />
htm.<br />
Taxation and National<br />
Insurance (NI) Contributions<br />
Most people in the UK pay Income Tax<br />
and National Insurance (NI). Income tax<br />
is based on how much you earn. National<br />
Insurance is paid <strong>to</strong> the Government and<br />
contributes <strong>to</strong> state pensions, welfare<br />
benefits and the National Health Service<br />
(NHS).<br />
Income Tax and National Insurance<br />
contributions are taken directly from<br />
your pay as soon as you earn more than<br />
the lower earnings limit. Anyone who is<br />
physically present in Britain for six months<br />
or more in any tax year is regarded as<br />
resident for tax purposes. You should<br />
receive a pay slip from your employer<br />
which shows details of all the deductions<br />
that have been made. Everyone needs a<br />
National Insurance Number before they<br />
can start work or claim any benefits. Your<br />
employer should help you <strong>to</strong> get a National<br />
Insurance Number, or call<br />
0845 600 0643 (and for the hard of<br />
hearing, or those with speech difficulties<br />
0845 600 0644).<br />
Working Conditions<br />
Most workers have a basic 37 or 40 hour<br />
working week with a minimum of 4 weeks<br />
annual holiday entitlement. Your employer<br />
should give you rest breaks and put limits<br />
on your working hours (some jobs are not<br />
covered by these specific rules, but in<br />
general you must be given rest breaks).<br />
• You must have at least a 20 minute<br />
break if your shift is longer than 6<br />
hours.<br />
• You must have 11 consecutive hours not<br />
at work during a 24 hour period.<br />
• You should not have <strong>to</strong> work more than<br />
48 hours in a week, on average.<br />
• You should get at least 1 day off in a<br />
week, or 2 days off in every 2 weeks.<br />
• You should receive paid holiday leave.<br />
This should be 4 weeks per year,<br />
building up from your first day at work.<br />
This may include Bank Holidays such<br />
as Christmas (in December), but some<br />
employers give these as extras.<br />
• Your contract of employment should<br />
state how much you will be paid if you<br />
are off work because you are ill. This<br />
is known as sick pay. The minimum<br />
amount you are entitled <strong>to</strong> is Statu<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
Sick Pay (SSP) if you are away from<br />
work for four consecutive days or more.<br />
Your employer may pay you more than<br />
this.<br />
Part C - Work<br />
41<br />
If you are self-employed it is up <strong>to</strong> you <strong>to</strong><br />
pay income tax and NI direct <strong>to</strong> the UK<br />
Government department.
Some people are employed on a contract<br />
basis (also called ‘piece work’) – they are<br />
paid for the amount of work they do, not<br />
employed for a certain number of hours<br />
per week. The rules are different for this<br />
kind of work.<br />
Full details of working time regulations<br />
can be found on www.berr.gov.uk/<br />
employment/employment-legislation/<br />
working-time-regs/index.html.<br />
Part C - Work<br />
42<br />
National Minimum Wage<br />
There is a law in the UK that says that<br />
your employer should pay you no less than<br />
a certain amount for the work you do. This<br />
amount is called the National Minimum<br />
Wage. There is a National Minimum Wage<br />
helpline for more information but these are<br />
the figures at the moment of writing.<br />
• For people doing agricultural work, there<br />
are different minimum wages. These<br />
are worked out for people of different<br />
ages, and people doing different types of<br />
work. The Grade 1 pay rate (the lowest)<br />
for workers over compulsory school<br />
age is £5.52 per hour. For first year<br />
apprentices, the rate is £3.46 per hour.<br />
These figures were re-set in Oc<strong>to</strong>ber<br />
2007.<br />
• For people who do non-agricultural<br />
work, this is £5.52 per hour for people<br />
aged over 22, £4.60 for people aged<br />
18-21 and £3.40 for 16 and 17 year<br />
olds. (These figures were re-set in<br />
Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2007).<br />
• If you are paid by piece work (a certain<br />
amount for every item you finish),<br />
employers must make a fair assessment<br />
of how many pieces an average worker<br />
can complete in an hour, and pay them<br />
fairly for it. The assessment and piece<br />
rate must allow workers <strong>to</strong> earn the<br />
National Minimum Wage.<br />
Health and Safety at Work<br />
Your employer has a duty <strong>to</strong> make sure<br />
that you are safe at work. They must make<br />
sure you have the right safety clothing,<br />
and are properly protected. They must also<br />
ensure that your place of work is not a fire<br />
risk. There must be signs <strong>to</strong> tell you where<br />
<strong>to</strong> go if there is a fire, and there should be<br />
fire extinguishers near by. You should be<br />
given proper instruction on how <strong>to</strong> use any<br />
equipment.
Childcare<br />
Children are legally protected and it is your<br />
responsibility <strong>to</strong> ensure that your children<br />
are safe and well cared for. See the section<br />
on ‘Looking After Children’. Choosing<br />
good quality childcare, if you need <strong>to</strong>, is<br />
therefore very important.<br />
Every child aged 3 or 4 is entitled <strong>to</strong> free<br />
childcare from the start of term after their<br />
3rd birthday. In April 2008 this Nursery<br />
Education entitlement increased <strong>to</strong> 15<br />
hours per week and can be taken flexibly<br />
<strong>to</strong> suit parents needs. For more information<br />
contact the Family Information Service<br />
(details below and on page 82 »» ).<br />
The County Council’s Children and<br />
Young People’s Service provides a Family<br />
Information Service (FIS). This service<br />
is friendly, confidential and impartial.<br />
Its aim is <strong>to</strong> help parents and families<br />
<strong>to</strong> find information on all types of issues<br />
concerning childcare and children,<br />
including details of:<br />
• Childcare providers<br />
• Help with childcare costs<br />
• Toy libraries<br />
• Family support services<br />
• Health<br />
• Leisure activities<br />
• Parenting support<br />
The number for the FIS in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
is 0116 3056545. If you live in Leicester<br />
City, the Children’s Information Service<br />
(CIS) number is 0800 952 5678. If you<br />
live in Rutland, the Children’s Information<br />
Service (CIS) number is 01572 722577<br />
(the main number for Rutland County<br />
Council).<br />
You can also find out about childcare from<br />
the national ChildcareLink.<br />
Children at Work<br />
There are restrictions on the hours and<br />
types of paid work which children aged<br />
13-16 can undertake. The minimum age<br />
for employment is 13. The rules apply <strong>to</strong><br />
children from 13 up <strong>to</strong> school leaving age;<br />
children are still of compulsory school<br />
age until the last Friday in June in the<br />
school year in which they become 16.<br />
The hours and types of work allowable<br />
and not allowable are contained in a<br />
leaflet available from <strong>Leicestershire</strong> County<br />
Council (telephone 0116 305 6587 or<br />
0116 305 6597). The employer must<br />
apply for an employment permit from the<br />
Local Authority, which must be signed<br />
by the employer and the child’s parent or<br />
guardian.<br />
Part C - Work<br />
43
Part C - Work<br />
44<br />
Trade Unions<br />
Trade unions are associations of workers<br />
which exist <strong>to</strong> support workers and protect<br />
their rights. British trade unions will<br />
represent migrant workers and campaign<br />
on their behalf. There are many different<br />
unions covering all occupations and<br />
industries. The Trades Union Congress<br />
(TUC) represents all the Trades Unions,<br />
and they can give advice on which union<br />
<strong>to</strong> join. Workers join unions so they can<br />
voice their opinion collectively and get<br />
support if they have a problem at work. It<br />
may be <strong>to</strong>o late <strong>to</strong> join after you run in<strong>to</strong><br />
trouble.<br />
Unions can help provide learning and<br />
skills training at work. This can include<br />
English courses. Contact Unionlearn with<br />
the Midlands TUC (who are based in<br />
Birmingham, but have an outreach office<br />
in Leicester). Unions charge a weekly<br />
subscription by direct debit. The amount<br />
varies and there can be discounts for new<br />
entrants or the low paid. You can expect <strong>to</strong><br />
pay around £2 a week.<br />
Different Unions for people who work in<br />
specific types of job<br />
Amicus<br />
GMB<br />
TGWU<br />
UCATT<br />
Unison<br />
USDAW<br />
manufacturing, finance,<br />
health, printing and publishing.<br />
manufacturing, food and drink,<br />
<strong>to</strong>urism and public services.<br />
transport, food and drink,<br />
hotels and manufacturing.<br />
people who do construction<br />
work.<br />
public services. This is the<br />
largest union.<br />
food and drink, shops and<br />
distribution work.<br />
There are also a number of trades unions<br />
for teachers, including the National Union<br />
of Teachers (NUT).<br />
Membership of Professional<br />
Organisations<br />
If you are a skilled worker, or belonged <strong>to</strong> a<br />
profession in your home country, you may<br />
be able <strong>to</strong> join a professional organisation<br />
in this country. There are many of these,<br />
and you should ask either your own<br />
country’s organisation, or enquire through<br />
your employer about which organisations<br />
might be appropriate.<br />
Your Employer should not:<br />
• Keep your passport. They can take a<br />
copy of it for their records, but they<br />
must give it back <strong>to</strong> you.<br />
• Take more than £30.10 per week<br />
of your pay for accommodation they<br />
provide for you. This amount was set in<br />
Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2007, and may go up slightly<br />
each year. The daily rate equates<br />
<strong>to</strong> £4.15 (set in Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 2006).<br />
Please contact the National<br />
Minimum Wage helpline for the<br />
latest figure.<br />
• Take money<br />
from your pay<br />
for your food.
You should also know that there is not a<br />
limit on what an employer can take from<br />
your pay for transport. Be careful that you<br />
are not being exploited.<br />
If you work for an agency that is treating<br />
you badly and you think it might be<br />
breaching the law you can report it<br />
<strong>to</strong> the Employment Agency Standards<br />
Inspec<strong>to</strong>rate that regulates agencies.<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Your Rights at Work<br />
ChildcareLink 0800 2 346346 www.childcarelink.gov.uk<br />
Children’s Information Service<br />
– Leicester City<br />
Children’s Information Service<br />
– Rutland<br />
Defra agricultural wages<br />
helpline<br />
Department for Business<br />
Enterprise and Regula<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
Reform (BERR)<br />
Department of Work and<br />
Pensions<br />
Employment Agency<br />
Standards Inspec<strong>to</strong>rate<br />
Family Information Service<br />
– <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
0800 952 5678 early.years@leicester.gov.uk<br />
01572 722577 enquiries@rutland.gov.uk<br />
0845 000 0134 www.defra.gov.uk<br />
0207 215 5000<br />
enquiries@berr.gsi.gov.uk<br />
www.berr.gov.uk/<br />
www.dwp.gov.uk<br />
0845 955 5105 www.berr.gov.uk/<br />
0116 305 6545 childcare@leics.gov.uk<br />
HM Revenue & Cus<strong>to</strong>ms 0845 010 9000 www.hmrc.gov.uk<br />
National Minimum Wage<br />
helpline<br />
Trades Union Congress<br />
– “Know your rights”<br />
Trades Unions<br />
Amicus (East Midlands<br />
Region)<br />
0845 600 0678<br />
www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/ or<br />
www.dti.gov.uk/employment/pay/nationalminimum-wage/index.html<br />
0870 600 4882 www.worksmart.org.uk<br />
01332 548400<br />
GMB (Leicester Office) 0116 251 0922<br />
michelle.wynne@unitetheunion.com<br />
www.amicustheunion.org/<br />
cheryl.pidgeon@gmb.org.uk<br />
www.gmb.org.uk/<br />
NUT (Midlands Region) 01785 244129 www.teachers.org.uk/<br />
Trades Union Congress (TUC)<br />
– Midlands Region<br />
TGWU (Midlands Region)<br />
0121 236 4454 www.tuc.org.uk/<br />
0121 553 6051<br />
0116 253 2020<br />
kgreenway@tgwu.org.uk<br />
www.tgwu.org.uk/<br />
UCATT (Midlands Region) 01332 203656 www.ucatt.org.uk/<br />
Unionlearn – Midlands Region 0121 236 4454<br />
Unison (East Midlands Region) 0115 847 5400<br />
USDAW (Kegworth Office) 01509 686900<br />
unionlearnmidlands@tuc.org.uk<br />
www.unionlearn.org.uk/<br />
eastmidlands@unison.co.uk<br />
www.unisoneast-midlands.org.uk/<br />
kegworth@usdaw.org.uk<br />
www.usdaw.org.uk/<br />
Part C - Work<br />
45
Changing Jobs<br />
If you change jobs, you will need <strong>to</strong><br />
renew your registration with the Worker<br />
Registration Scheme but you will not have<br />
<strong>to</strong> make any further payment. You can find<br />
out more from the Home Office.<br />
Community Council (<strong>Leicestershire</strong> and<br />
Rutland) focuses on rural communities<br />
and improving the life of people living and<br />
working in rural areas. Organisations such<br />
as these can link members of the public <strong>to</strong><br />
groups that are of interest <strong>to</strong> them.<br />
Part C - Work<br />
Voluntary and<br />
Community Work<br />
If you want <strong>to</strong> do some voluntary work in<br />
your local community, there are a number<br />
of organisations that can help. Councils<br />
for Voluntary Service (CVS) or Voluntary<br />
Actions exist in each of the boroughs/<br />
districts of <strong>Leicestershire</strong>. Voluntary<br />
Action Leicester (VAL) is situated in the<br />
heart of the city of Leicester. The Rural<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Voluntary and Community Work<br />
Council of Ethnic Minority<br />
Voluntary Sec<strong>to</strong>r Organisations<br />
0208 432 0000<br />
CVS Community Partnership 0116 234 1577<br />
Volunteering is a good way of making new<br />
friends, improving the standard of your<br />
spoken and written English and keeping<br />
you involved in areas of work or interest<br />
that you may have had before coming<br />
<strong>to</strong> the UK. It is also, of course, a great<br />
method of giving something back <strong>to</strong> the<br />
community and helping people around<br />
you.<br />
enquiries@cemvo.org.uk<br />
www.cemvo.org.uk/<br />
info@ccp.org.uk<br />
www.ccp.org.uk<br />
46<br />
Voluntary Action North West<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Rural Community Council<br />
(Leics & Rutland)<br />
01530 510515 mail@nwlcvs.org.uk<br />
0116 266 2905 www.ruralcc.org.uk<br />
Voluntary Action Charnwood 01509 631750 www.voluntaryactioncharnwood.org.uk/<br />
Voluntary Action Leicester<br />
(VAL)<br />
0116 258 0666 www.voluntaryactionleicester.org.uk<br />
Voluntary Action Mel<strong>to</strong>n 01664 483043 www.voluntaryactionmel<strong>to</strong>n.org.uk<br />
Voluntary Action Rutland 01572 722622 www.varutland.org.uk/<br />
Voluntary Action South<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
01858 433232 www.slcvs.org.uk/<br />
Voluntary Action Blaby District 0116 272 7669 www.voluntaryactionblabydistrict.org.uk<br />
Voluntary Action Hinckley and<br />
Bosworth<br />
Voluntary Action for Oadby<br />
and Wigs<strong>to</strong>n<br />
01455 615 962 www.vahb.org.uk<br />
0116 281 0026 www.vaow.org.uk
Part D - Benefits and legal advice<br />
Benefits<br />
a n d l e g a l a d v i c e
Part D - Benefits and Legal Advice<br />
48<br />
Benefits<br />
If you have just entered the UK, the<br />
benefits you can get will depend on one or<br />
more of the following:<br />
• National Insurance contributions<br />
• Whether you are living or usually live in<br />
Great Britain<br />
• Why you have come or returned <strong>to</strong> Great<br />
Britain<br />
• Whether your entry <strong>to</strong> Great Britain is<br />
subject <strong>to</strong> limitations<br />
If you have not lived and worked in the<br />
UK, you will not normally have paid<br />
National Insurance contributions here,<br />
and so will not be entitled <strong>to</strong> contribu<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
benefits. However there may be<br />
circumstances where you may be able <strong>to</strong><br />
get some benefits.<br />
dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/workage/wa_visit_or_<br />
living_abroad.asp. For further information<br />
on benefits go <strong>to</strong> www.direct.gov.uk/en/<br />
MoneyTaxAndBenefits/index.htm.<br />
The Department for Work and Pensions<br />
also produces a leaflet entitled ‘Coming<br />
from abroad and getting your benefits’.<br />
This is available in ten languages (Arabic,<br />
Bengali, Chinese, English, Gujarati,<br />
Punjabi, Somali, Urdu, Vietnamese and<br />
Welsh) and is available at<br />
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/stellent/<br />
groups/jcp/documents/websitecontent/<br />
dev_012318.pdf.<br />
Types of Benefits<br />
Types of Benefits in the UK include the<br />
following:<br />
• Child Benefit<br />
• Council Tax Benefit<br />
• Disabled Person’s Tax Credits<br />
• Disability Living Allowance<br />
• Housing Benefit<br />
• Incapacity Benefit<br />
• Income Support<br />
• Jobseeker’s Allowance<br />
• Working Families Tax Credits<br />
Transferring Benefits<br />
In order <strong>to</strong> claim any benefits in the UK<br />
that you qualified for in another country<br />
in the EU/EEA, you will need <strong>to</strong> take<br />
certificate E301 or E303 (from the social<br />
security office in your own country) <strong>to</strong> your<br />
local Jobcentre Plus Office <strong>to</strong> make a claim<br />
for benefits. This includes benefits because<br />
of unemployment, illness, invalidity and<br />
maternity.<br />
You can get details on the website www.
Free Advice<br />
You can get free advice about your rights,<br />
and many other subjects from Citizens<br />
Advice Bureaux.<br />
There are Bureaux or Outreach Offices in<br />
a variety of locations – Blaby, Brauns<strong>to</strong>ne<br />
Town, Brough<strong>to</strong>n Astley, Coalville (North<br />
West <strong>Leicestershire</strong>), Enderby, Glenfield,<br />
Hinckley, Leicester, Loughborough<br />
(Charnwood), Lutterworth, Market<br />
Harborough, Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray, Oakham,<br />
Shepshed, S<strong>to</strong>ney Stan<strong>to</strong>n, Sys<strong>to</strong>n and<br />
Wigs<strong>to</strong>n. They also have a helpful website<br />
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ (and<br />
www.adviceguide.org.uk/).<br />
Community Legal Advice is an alternative<br />
source of helpful advice as they can<br />
help you find a benefits adviser. Visit<br />
their website (www.clsdirect.org.uk) or<br />
telephone them on 0845 345 4 345.<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Citizens Advice Bureaux<br />
Blaby 0844 848 9009 www.slcab.org.uk/<br />
Brauns<strong>to</strong>ne Town<br />
0844 848 9009<br />
0116 289 0045<br />
www.slcab.org.uk/<br />
Brough<strong>to</strong>n Astley 0844 848 9009 www.slcab.org.uk/<br />
Charnwood 01509 267376 www.charnwoodcab.org.uk/<br />
Enderby 0844 848 9009 www.slcab.org.uk/<br />
Glenfield<br />
0844 848 9009<br />
0116 231 2498<br />
www.slcab.org.uk/<br />
Hinckley 0870 120 2401 hinckleycab@supanet.com<br />
Leicester 0116 285 2801<br />
Part D - Benefits and Legal Advice<br />
Lutterworth 0844 848 9009 www.slcab.org.uk/<br />
Market Harborough 0844 848 9009 www.slcab.org.uk/<br />
49<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray 01664 484050<br />
bureau@mel<strong>to</strong>ncabnet.org<br />
www.mel<strong>to</strong>ncab.org.uk<br />
North West<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
0870 120 2402<br />
01530 454751<br />
northwestleics-cab@tiscali.co.uk<br />
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/nwlcab/<br />
Rutland (in Oakham) 0845 120 3705 www.rutlandcab.org.uk/<br />
Shepshed 01509 506663 www.charnwoodcab.org.uk/<br />
S<strong>to</strong>ney Stan<strong>to</strong>n 0844 848 9009 www.slcab.org.uk/<br />
Sys<strong>to</strong>n 01509 267376 www.charnwoodcab.org.uk/<br />
Wigs<strong>to</strong>n 0870 126 4192
Housing<br />
Part E - Housing
If you are working in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> for an agency, you may already have somewhere <strong>to</strong><br />
live provided by that agency. There are rules which say how many people should live<br />
in certain types of property, <strong>to</strong> prevent overcrowding and fire hazards and <strong>to</strong> make sure<br />
that the property is a good enough standard so as not <strong>to</strong> affect your health. If you want<br />
<strong>to</strong> know whether your home meets these standards, or think it is not safe, contact the<br />
Environmental Health Section at your local District or Borough Council (Leicester City<br />
Council if you live in the city). They will give you free advice. Your landlord does not need<br />
<strong>to</strong> know that you have contacted them.<br />
There are also rules which say how much money an employer may deduct from your<br />
wages <strong>to</strong> pay for housing, if they are providing it for you. The chapter on ‘Working in<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>’ will tell you more about this.<br />
Part E - Housing<br />
52<br />
Finding a Place <strong>to</strong> Live<br />
If you have <strong>to</strong> find your own place <strong>to</strong> live,<br />
you will probably need <strong>to</strong> look for privately<br />
rented housing. Borough or District<br />
Councils will be able <strong>to</strong> provide you with<br />
advice and support <strong>to</strong> help you <strong>to</strong> find a<br />
place <strong>to</strong> live.<br />
Housing in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> can be<br />
expensive, both <strong>to</strong> buy and <strong>to</strong> rent, though<br />
it does depend on the area. There is also a<br />
wide gap in price ranges for properties in<br />
the city of Leicester, again depending on<br />
the area.<br />
You should look in the local papers for<br />
houses <strong>to</strong> rent, and register with letting<br />
agencies. Some of the Borough or<br />
District Councils may be able <strong>to</strong> give you<br />
lists of agencies which rent houses. Be<br />
careful whether you rent a “furnished”<br />
or “unfurnished” house. Unfurnished will<br />
be cheaper, but you will have <strong>to</strong> find any<br />
furniture you need. Tenancy agreements<br />
also vary in terms of length but many are<br />
for a period of 6 months.
Housing Advice<br />
For free advice on housing and housing<br />
problems, you can contact the local<br />
District or Borough Council (see<br />
«« page 13 Or Leicester City Council if<br />
you live or wish <strong>to</strong> live in the city). Shelter<br />
and Citizens Advice Bureaux (see Chapter<br />
6) can also give free advice. Shelter has a<br />
local office on Welford Road in Leicester<br />
– the <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Shelter Housing Aid<br />
and Research Project (SHARP).<br />
You should have some type of agreement<br />
between you (the tenant) and the person<br />
who owns the house you live in (known as<br />
a landlord). This might be called a tenancy<br />
agreement or contract. They may give you<br />
a rent book <strong>to</strong> keep a list of when you have<br />
paid them rent. You will usually have <strong>to</strong><br />
pay money <strong>to</strong> the landlord (known as a<br />
deposit or bond) as well as some rent in<br />
advance. This deposit should be returned<br />
<strong>to</strong> you at the end of the tenancy.<br />
Refuse Collection and<br />
Recycling<br />
Refuse (the rubbish you need <strong>to</strong> throw<br />
away) and recycling (items such as paper,<br />
glass and cans) are collected by Borough/<br />
District Councils throughout <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
and also by Leicester City Council if you<br />
live in the City area and Rutland County<br />
Council.<br />
Part E - Housing<br />
53<br />
The arrangements for collections for both<br />
refuse and recycling vary in each area.<br />
For example, some Councils collect waste<br />
each week whilst others collect each<br />
fortnight.
Part E - Housing<br />
54<br />
Each Council has specific containers and<br />
bins for the different items they collect, so<br />
it is very important <strong>to</strong> contact your Local<br />
Authority or check their website <strong>to</strong> find out<br />
how their systems work.<br />
To get information about Districts within<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the County Council,<br />
please click on:<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/new_<br />
servicepagestheme.htminitial=&pid=53<br />
3&theme=T4<br />
For details about the Leicester City<br />
scheme, please click on:<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council--<br />
services/cl/waste-and-cleansing/domesticwaste-collection<br />
For information on services in Rutland,<br />
please click on:<br />
www.rutland.gov.uk/pp/service/direc<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />
aspid=5407&Tree=5254,5391&DetailI<br />
D=2598<br />
Recycling Bring Banks<br />
In addition <strong>to</strong> the recycling collections<br />
operated by the District/Borough Councils,<br />
there are recycling bring banks situated<br />
in many places such as in local car parks<br />
and shopping centres. Again, a list of<br />
where your nearest bring banks are located<br />
is available from your local Council.<br />
Alternatively, click on:<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/new_<br />
servicepagestheme.htminitial=&pid=53<br />
4&theme=T4<br />
Household Waste<br />
Recycling Sites<br />
There are 14 household waste recycling<br />
sites located around <strong>Leicestershire</strong> where<br />
you can dispose of surplus waste. At each<br />
of these sites you will also find recycling<br />
facilities and facilities for disposing of<br />
larger recyclable items such as cookers<br />
and fridges.<br />
Household Waste Sites can be found in<br />
Barwell, Bottesford, Coalville, Kibworth,<br />
Loughborough, Lount, Lutterworth,<br />
Market Harborough, Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray,<br />
Oadby, Shepshed, Sileby, Somerby and<br />
Whets<strong>to</strong>ne.
There are two Community Recycling<br />
Centres in Leicester itself – in Bridge Road<br />
(off Spence Street) and in Isling<strong>to</strong>n Street<br />
(Freemens Common).<br />
Please click on this link <strong>to</strong> find details of<br />
the sites within <strong>Leicestershire</strong>:<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/index/environment/<br />
waste/recycling_household_waste_sites.<br />
htm#map_recycling_household_waste_<br />
sites<br />
Please click on this link <strong>to</strong> find details of<br />
the sites within Leicester City:<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-<br />
-services/cl/waste-and-cleansing/<br />
community-recycling-centres<br />
Please click on this link <strong>to</strong> find details of<br />
recycling sites in Rutland:<br />
www.rutland.gov.uk/pp/service/direc<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />
aspid=5407&Tree=5254,5391&DetailI<br />
D=2605<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Accessplace<br />
(website)<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Shelter Housing Aid<br />
& Research Project<br />
(SHARP)<br />
Shelter 0808 800 4444<br />
Refuse Collection and Recycling<br />
Groundwork<br />
Leicester and<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Leicester City<br />
Council<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
County Council<br />
Rutland County<br />
Council<br />
www.accessplace.com/housing-association.eastmidlands/<br />
0116 254 6064 mail@leicestershelter.org.uk<br />
0116 222 0222<br />
info@shelter.org.uk<br />
www.shelter.org.uk<br />
enquiries@gwll.org.uk<br />
www.gwll.org.uk<br />
0116 252 7002 Cus<strong>to</strong>mer.services@leicester.gov.uk<br />
0116 305 0001<br />
wastemgt@leics.gov.uk<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/index/environment/waste.htm<br />
01572 722577 enquiries@rutland.gov.uk<br />
Campaigns and Events<br />
The County and Borough/District<br />
Councils are working <strong>to</strong> promote more<br />
sustainable waste management practices,<br />
running regular events, competitions and<br />
campaigns. For more information click on:<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/index/environment/<br />
waste/recycling_waste_reduction_<br />
schemes.htm<br />
Groundwork Leicester and <strong>Leicestershire</strong> is<br />
an independent charity that offers advice<br />
and practical help <strong>to</strong> make communities<br />
more sustainable, by focusing on things<br />
such as recycling and renewable energy.<br />
Part E - Housing<br />
55
Health<br />
Part F - Health
Part F - Health<br />
58<br />
Public healthcare in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
is provided by the National Health<br />
Service (NHS). There are four different<br />
organisations (called ‘NHS Trusts’) which<br />
form the NHS in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>. There is<br />
also a strategic Health Authority for the<br />
East Midlands.<br />
In addition, the Patient Advice and Liaison<br />
Service (PALS) provide information, advice<br />
and support for patients, families and<br />
carers. They also provide information on<br />
the NHS and other health-related services<br />
and listen <strong>to</strong> concerns, comments and<br />
suggestions as well as answering queries.<br />
Information on PALS in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> can<br />
be found on http://www.leics.gov.uk/new_<br />
servicepagestheme.htminitial=&pid=Oth<br />
er003&theme=T7<br />
NHS Direct<br />
0845 4647<br />
This service is available 24 hours a day,<br />
seven days a week. If you are worried<br />
about your health or the health of a family<br />
member, qualified nurses can give free<br />
and confidential advice and information.<br />
NHS Direct also has lists of doc<strong>to</strong>rs,<br />
dentists and hospitals in your area. NHS<br />
Direct uses Language Line, the telephone<br />
interpreting service. Ask for your language<br />
when the opera<strong>to</strong>r answers.<br />
Emergency Treatment<br />
You can get free emergency treatment from<br />
the Accident and Emergency (also called<br />
A & E or Casualty) department or Minor<br />
Injuries Unit (MIU) at a hospital. You do<br />
not need <strong>to</strong> be registered with a doc<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong><br />
use these services at hospitals. A & E’s<br />
are generally for more serious accidents<br />
than Minor Injury Units. There is an A &<br />
E department at Leicester Royal Infirmary.<br />
There are MIU’s in most hospitals.<br />
In Leicester and <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, there are<br />
major hospitals in Leicester and smaller<br />
hospitals in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Coalville,<br />
Hinckley, Loughborough, Lutterworth,<br />
Market Harborough and Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray.<br />
The Rutland Memorial Hospital is in<br />
Oakham.<br />
For information on hospitals, go <strong>to</strong> the<br />
main NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk).<br />
You can do a search at the <strong>to</strong>p of the page<br />
(left hand side) for your nearest hospital.<br />
You can also compare hospital treatment<br />
and facilities by clicking on the ‘Compare<br />
Hospitals’ item.<br />
There are also private (fee-paying)<br />
hospitals in Leicester.<br />
If someone is <strong>to</strong>o ill or badly hurt <strong>to</strong> get <strong>to</strong><br />
hospital by themselves, you can call for<br />
an ambulance. Dial 999 or 112 free of<br />
charge and ask for ‘ambulance’. You will<br />
be asked <strong>to</strong> give the telephone number<br />
you are ringing from and explain what is<br />
wrong.<br />
If your illness or condition does not require<br />
emergency treatment, you should go <strong>to</strong> see<br />
a Doc<strong>to</strong>r. You can also call NHS Direct on<br />
0845 4647.
Doc<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
You can register with a local doc<strong>to</strong>r or<br />
GP (General Practitioner) near <strong>to</strong> where<br />
you live. GPs work in offices known<br />
as surgeries. GPs can give advice and<br />
treatment for minor illnesses and diseases,<br />
and also many other things such as mental<br />
illness, vaccinations, pregnancy and<br />
advice about drug and alcohol misuse. GP<br />
surgeries are managed by the two Primary<br />
Care Trusts (PCT) – Leicester City PCT and<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County and Rutland PCT.<br />
They will be able <strong>to</strong> tell you about GPs in<br />
your local area. You can get a list of GPs<br />
in your area from the Patient Registration<br />
Department, which covers both City and<br />
County (telephone 0116 295 7887). They<br />
can also assist you <strong>to</strong> register with a GP if<br />
you are having difficulty.<br />
You are expected <strong>to</strong> keep doc<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
appointments unless you tell the<br />
doc<strong>to</strong>r’s surgery that you cannot attend.<br />
Appointments are free and confidential.<br />
The GP will diagnose (tell you what is<br />
wrong) your health problem and may refer<br />
you <strong>to</strong> other health services.<br />
If you need <strong>to</strong> see a GP at night or at<br />
weekends, telephone the surgery. There<br />
will be a recorded message telling you how<br />
<strong>to</strong> contact a doc<strong>to</strong>r.<br />
also be able <strong>to</strong> advise you about common<br />
health problems and medication. You<br />
can find details of your local pharmacy in<br />
the phone book. If a doc<strong>to</strong>r gives you a<br />
prescription for medicines, you will need<br />
<strong>to</strong> take the prescription <strong>to</strong> a pharmacist.<br />
You may have <strong>to</strong> pay <strong>to</strong> get the medicine,<br />
but some people are exempt from charges<br />
and you should ask about this when you<br />
present the prescription. You may be able<br />
<strong>to</strong> get medicines at a pharmacy without a<br />
prescription (known as ‘over the counter<br />
medicines’), where you will need <strong>to</strong> pay for<br />
them.<br />
Dentists<br />
Some dentists in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> accept<br />
NHS patients, although this treatment<br />
is not always free. Information on NHS<br />
dentists can be obtained from either of the<br />
two Primary Care Trusts (depending on<br />
where you live).<br />
Part F - Health<br />
59<br />
In an emergency, telephone 999 or 112<br />
and ask for an ambulance. You can also<br />
seek advice from NHS Direct.<br />
Pharmacists<br />
Pharmacists (who work<br />
in pharmacies, also<br />
known as chemists) may<br />
For dental emergencies, contact the<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> NHS Dental Access Centre<br />
in Nelson Street in Leicester. The phone<br />
number is 0116 295 1278. If you have<br />
been resident in the UK for more than 6<br />
months, you are entitled <strong>to</strong> NHS dental<br />
care, if you can find a dentist who will<br />
register you as a new NHS patient.<br />
Of course, there is also the option of going
privately for your dental health, though this<br />
can be costly. Information can be found in<br />
the telephone direc<strong>to</strong>ry, Yellow Pages or by<br />
doing a search on the Internet.<br />
Opticians<br />
Opticians can test your eyesight and<br />
prescribe spectacles or contact lenses.<br />
You will have <strong>to</strong> pay for the eye test and<br />
spectacles or lenses, although you may be<br />
eligible for treatment at a reduced cost.<br />
Ask the optician about this.<br />
Interpreters Available<br />
If you need an interpreter, it is the<br />
responsibility of your hospital, GP surgery,<br />
dentist or optician <strong>to</strong> arrange for one, at<br />
no charge <strong>to</strong> you. It is important that you<br />
have an interpreter for medical matters,<br />
so that the medical staff can understand<br />
you, and give you the right treatment. It<br />
is best if family members are not used <strong>to</strong><br />
interpret in health matters, as you may not<br />
wish <strong>to</strong> discuss sensitive issues in front of<br />
a relative.<br />
Part F - Health<br />
60<br />
You can find an optician through Yellow<br />
Pages (either the phone book or online on<br />
www.yell.co.uk). Alternatively look on the<br />
Access Place website link for opticians<br />
in Leicester and <strong>Leicestershire</strong> (www.<br />
accessplace.com/optician/leicestershire/<br />
leicester.htm). This link includes opticians<br />
in Oakham in Rutland.<br />
Health Information in<br />
Community Languages<br />
There are a number of useful websites that<br />
contain health information in a number<br />
of different languages. These include the<br />
following:<br />
• Equip (NHS sponsored website) –<br />
www.equip.nhs.uk/index.html#<strong>to</strong>p<br />
• MyPIL Resource (Health – online multilingual<br />
patient resource) –<br />
www.mypil.info/<br />
• Sounds Healthy – www.surgerydoor.<br />
co.uk/3cities/index_audio.html
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
NHS Choices<br />
www.nhs.uk<br />
NHS Direct 0845 4647 www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/<br />
NHS East Midlands (East Midlands Strategic<br />
Health Authority)<br />
NHS Trusts in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
0115 968 4444<br />
Leicester City Primary Care Trust 0116 295 1400<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County and Rutland Primary<br />
Care Trust<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Partnership NHS Trust<br />
– Mental Health<br />
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust<br />
communications@eastmidlands.nhs.uk<br />
www.eastmidlands.nhs.uk<br />
enquiries@leicestercitypct.nhs.uk<br />
www.leicestercitypct.nhs.uk/xform.asp<br />
0116 295 7500 www.lcrpct.nhs.uk/xform.asp<br />
0116 225 6000<br />
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
feedback@leicspart.nhs.uk<br />
www.leicspt.nhs.uk/xform.asp<br />
www.uhl-tr.nhs.uk/<br />
Leicester City PALS 0116 295 7011 pals@leicestercitypct.nhs.uk<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County and Rutland 01455 441971<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Partnership NHS Trust PALS 0116 225 6647<br />
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust<br />
(General Hospital)<br />
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust<br />
(Glenfield Hospital)<br />
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust<br />
(Leicester Royal Infirmary)<br />
Hospitals in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
0116 258 8295<br />
Ashby and District Hospital 01530 566900<br />
Bupa Hospital Leicester (fee-paying) 0116 265 3686<br />
Coalville Community Hospital 01530 467400<br />
Feilding Palmer Cottage Hospital<br />
– Lutterworth<br />
0116 256 3100 As above<br />
0116 258 6344 As above<br />
01455 552150<br />
Glenfield Hospital 0116 287 1471<br />
Gorse Hill Hospital 0116 225 5200<br />
Hinckley & Bosworth Community Hospital 01455 441800<br />
Leicester General Hospital 0116 249 0490<br />
Leicester Nuffield Hospital (fee-paying)<br />
0116 276 9401<br />
0800 688 699<br />
Leicester Royal Infirmary 0116 254 1414<br />
Loughborough Hospital 01509 611600<br />
Market Harborough and District Hospital 01858 410500<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray Hospital 01664 854800<br />
Rutland Memorial Hospital (Oakham) 01572 722552<br />
St Luke’s Hospital – Market Harborough 01858 410300<br />
pals@lcrpct.nhs.uk<br />
www.lcrpct.nhs.uk/xform.aspfolder=Internet/<br />
PALS<br />
pals@leicspart.nhs.uk<br />
www.leicspt.nhs.uk/xform.aspfolder=patient_<br />
and_public_information/pals/<br />
PALS@uhi-tr.nhs.uk<br />
www.uhl-tr.nhs.uk/patients/support-and-advice/<br />
patient-advice-liaison-service-pals-<br />
cservice-lc@bupa.com<br />
www.bupahospitals.co.uk/leicester/hospital_<br />
leicester.asp<br />
webmaster@uhl-tr.nhs.uk<br />
www.uhl-tr.nhs.uk/<br />
webmaster@uhl-tr.nhs.uk<br />
www.uhl-tr.nhs.uk/<br />
Jacquie.Harvey@nuffieldhospitals.org.uk<br />
www.nuffieldhospitals.org.uk/az_hospital_home.<br />
asphid=17<br />
webmaster@uhl-tr.nhs.uk<br />
www.uhl-tr.nhs.uk/<br />
Part F - Health<br />
61
Part F - Health<br />
62<br />
Adult Social Care<br />
Service<br />
The Adult Social Care Service is an<br />
important part of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> County<br />
Council. They play an essential role<br />
in providing support <strong>to</strong> people in the<br />
community who have social or special<br />
needs and assist them <strong>to</strong> obtain local<br />
services.<br />
For anyone with a disability and older<br />
people who may be in need, they can give<br />
support <strong>to</strong> live independently, including<br />
practical help and equipment (walking<br />
frames, hearing aids etc) and help with<br />
personal care (getting up, washing etc).<br />
They can provide blue badges for disabled<br />
parking, although if you have one from<br />
another country in Europe, you can still<br />
use it here.<br />
For people who care for older or disabled<br />
people they can give practical help,<br />
support and breaks away from the person<br />
they look after.<br />
There are Social Care offices in South<br />
Wigs<strong>to</strong>n, Hinckley, Market Harborough,<br />
Loughborough, Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray and<br />
Coalville.<br />
For further information, click on http://<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/index/social_services/<br />
general_information/contact_info/ss_<br />
contact_us_local_offices.htm<br />
As mentioned in a previous section (Older<br />
People) there is a <strong>Leicestershire</strong> County<br />
Council website called ‘<strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
CareOnLine’ which is a useful source of<br />
information on a variety of social care<br />
matters.<br />
The City of Leicester has separate<br />
arrangements. For further information<br />
contact Leicester City Council on 0116<br />
252 7000 or see the website<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk/health-social-care.<br />
asp. For Rutland, contact Rutland County<br />
Council on 01572 722577 or see their<br />
website www.rutland.gov.uk/pp/Gold/<br />
ViewGold.aspID=4878.<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Adult Social Care Service (<strong>Leicestershire</strong>)<br />
Adult Social Care Service<br />
0116 305<br />
7404<br />
adultsocialcare@leics.gov.uk<br />
Emergency Duty Team (out of 0116 255<br />
hours)<br />
1606<br />
social-services@leics.gov.uk<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> CareOnLine<br />
0116 305 leicestershirecareonline@leics.gov.uk<br />
7538<br />
www.leicscareonline.org.uk/<br />
Social Care offices<br />
Charnwood (Pennine House)<br />
01509<br />
266641<br />
Hinckley (Upper Bond Street) 01455 636964<br />
Coalville (High Street)<br />
01530<br />
275200<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n (County Buildings) 01664 564698<br />
Harborough (Brooklands)<br />
01858<br />
465331<br />
South Wigs<strong>to</strong>n (Bassett Street) 0116 278 7111
Services for People<br />
with Mental ill Health<br />
About one in four people in this country<br />
have some form of mental illness during<br />
their lifetime. Forms of mental illness<br />
include stress, anxiety, depression,<br />
schizophrenia and dementia.<br />
The <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Partnership NHS<br />
Trust provides Mental Health and<br />
Learning Disability services in Leicester,<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> and Rutland. If you have<br />
any concerns about mental health matters<br />
– yours, a friend’s or a relative’s, you can<br />
contact the Trust on 0116 225 6000 or<br />
go <strong>to</strong> see your doc<strong>to</strong>r. They may arrange<br />
for an assessment which helps <strong>to</strong> decide<br />
what treatment the person needs.<br />
The <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Partnership NHS<br />
Trust provides services for adults and<br />
older people through teams. The teams<br />
include a consultant psychiatrist, nurses,<br />
therapists and social workers. Patients are<br />
mostly treated in the community, but inpatient<br />
services and out-patient clinics are<br />
also available.<br />
Information can be found either by<br />
contacting the <strong>Leicestershire</strong> Partnership<br />
NHS Trust directly or by looking on<br />
their website at www.leicspt.nhs.uk.<br />
Information on Mental Health is also<br />
available from the <strong>Leicestershire</strong> County<br />
Council website at www.leics.gov.uk/<br />
index/social_services/mental_health.htm<br />
and on the LAMP website at<br />
www.lampdirect.org.uk. LAMP also offers<br />
other forms of support, including advocacy.<br />
Akwaaba Ayeh (www.akwaabaayeh.com/).<br />
provides mental health advocacy (amongst<br />
other things) but with a specific focus on<br />
African, African-Carribbean and Asian<br />
service users and their carers.<br />
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health<br />
Services (CAMHS) provide a range of<br />
services for children and young people<br />
experiencing emotional or behavioural<br />
difficulties or suffering from mental ill<br />
health. CAMHS in Leicester can be<br />
contacted by ringing 0116 225 2900.<br />
Age Concern also hosts a project that<br />
focuses on mental health for BME<br />
communities. The BME Community<br />
Development Project (‘reducing inequality<br />
and improving wellbeing’) are based in<br />
offices in Leicester. The Senior officer can<br />
be contacted on 0116 204 6440 and<br />
the Child and Adolescent Mental Health<br />
Services Worker on 0116 223 7367.<br />
The Samaritans<br />
The Samaritans provide confidential<br />
emotional support over the phone <strong>to</strong><br />
anybody who is suicidal or despairing.<br />
Call 08457 90 90 90, or visit the website<br />
www.samaritans.org/ <strong>to</strong> find your nearest<br />
local branch (the phone book will also help<br />
you <strong>to</strong> do this).<br />
Part F - Health<br />
63
Help for Drug Users<br />
The National Drugs Helpline (FRANK)<br />
gives free information and advice for<br />
drug users and their families and friends.<br />
The main Helpline number is 0800<br />
776600, though for people with hearing<br />
impairments you can textphone FRANK<br />
on 0800 917 8765. Calls are free from<br />
landlines, but it will cost you if you call<br />
from a mobile. FRANK recognises 120<br />
different languages, so should you need an<br />
interpreter, there will be one available.<br />
Part F - Health<br />
64<br />
Carers Support<br />
If you are looking after a relative, friend or<br />
neighbour because of their age, sickness<br />
or disability, then you are a carer. As<br />
carers can spend most of their time<br />
looking after the needs of others, their<br />
own needs can often be overlooked. There<br />
is support available if you are a carer.<br />
Contact the Adult Social Care Service at<br />
either the County or City Council for more<br />
information. There is a lot of information<br />
on the Internet and a number of voluntary<br />
organisations that offer advice and support<br />
<strong>to</strong> carers. Among these are CLASP and the<br />
Barnardo’s CareFree Project.<br />
If you are concerned about alcohol as well<br />
as drug use, or about a friend, or someone<br />
in your family, contact Addaction - (see<br />
opposite page for details) for confidential<br />
help and advice. Their website has loads<br />
of information. You can also get help with<br />
drinking problems from Drinksense at<br />
www.drinksense.org.<br />
You can get help <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p smoking from<br />
pharmacists or from http://gosmokefree.<br />
nhs.uk/. The free NHS Smoking Helpline is<br />
0800 169 0 169.<br />
You can get advice from your GP on<br />
reducing or s<strong>to</strong>pping your use of alcohol,<br />
nicotine or drugs.<br />
There is a Drugs Advice Centre in Leicester<br />
City Centre. The Centre’s address is 96<br />
New Walk and the telephone number<br />
is 0116 222 9555. Information can<br />
be found on the Leicester City Council<br />
website. Click on www.leicester.gov.uk/<br />
index.asppgid=17412.
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Other Health Services and Organisations<br />
Addaction 0207 251 5860<br />
Akwaaba Ayeh – Mental Health 0116 247 1525<br />
ASSIST Service – for Asylum Seekers &<br />
Refugees<br />
Barnardo’s CareFree Project 0116 286 7182<br />
CLASP – The Carers Centre 0116 251 0999<br />
Sexual Health,<br />
Pregnancy and<br />
Contraception<br />
Sex Advice for Young People<br />
Brook is a voluntary sec<strong>to</strong>r organisation<br />
that provides free confidential help and<br />
advice on sexual health specifically <strong>to</strong><br />
young people. Though there is not a Brook<br />
Centre in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, Brook can still be<br />
contacted on their Helpline (0800 0185<br />
023) and there is also useful information<br />
on their website (www.brook.org.uk).<br />
Alternatively, the Connexions Service is<br />
available throughout the City and County.<br />
There is a page on ‘Sexual Health and<br />
Contraception’ on their website (www.<br />
info@addaction.org.uk<br />
www.addaction.org.uk/index.html<br />
akwaaba@akwaabaayeh.com<br />
www.akwaabaayeh.com<br />
0116 295 2400 Address: 1a Clyde Street, Leicester<br />
carefree@barnardos.org.uk<br />
www.barnardos.org.uk/carefree<br />
enquiries@claspthecarerscentre.org.uk<br />
www.claspthecarerscentre.org.uk/<br />
Community Legal Advice 0845 345 4 345 www.clsdirect.org.uk/<br />
Drinksense 01733 555532<br />
Go Smoke Free (NHS)<br />
LAMP (<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Action for Mental<br />
health Project)<br />
0800 169 0 169 (free<br />
helpline)<br />
0116 255 6286<br />
Leicester Centre for Ethnic Health Research 0116 295 4140<br />
Leicester, <strong>Leicestershire</strong> & Rutland DAAT 0116 274 4210<br />
National Drugs Helpline ‘Frank’ 0800 77 66 00<br />
Samaritans 08457 90 90 90<br />
centraloffice@drinksense.org<br />
www.drinksense.org<br />
http://gosmokefree.nhs.uk/<br />
lamp@lampdirect.org.uk<br />
www.lampdirect.org.uk/<br />
Asma.Sader@leics-research.nhs.uk<br />
www.lcehr.nhs.uk/<br />
info@drugs.org.uk<br />
www.drugs.org.uk/<br />
frank@talk<strong>to</strong>frank.com<br />
www.talk<strong>to</strong>frank.com<br />
Jo@samaritans.org<br />
www.samaritans.org.uk<br />
connexions-leics.org/sexualhealth/default.<br />
asp). In addition, lots of youth centres give<br />
free condoms and sexual health advice<br />
<strong>to</strong> 14-19 year olds. Simply enquire by<br />
visiting them.<br />
Part F - Health<br />
65
Part F - Health<br />
66<br />
Sexual Health (GUM) Clinics<br />
‘Geni<strong>to</strong>-Urinary Medicine’ (GUM) clinics<br />
are NHS run and cater for all aspects of<br />
sexual health, including problems relating<br />
<strong>to</strong> sexual organs and the urinary system.<br />
They are often located at a local hospital<br />
or attached <strong>to</strong> a local health centre.<br />
You can find out where your nearest<br />
Clinic is by calling NHS Direct on 0845<br />
4647 or contacting the Family Planning<br />
Association. Alternatively, there is a<br />
useful website related <strong>to</strong> Sexual Health<br />
Information and Advice where you can<br />
find your nearest clinic by accessing your<br />
postcode (the letter/number combination<br />
that appears at the end of your address<br />
and that usually begins with LE if you live<br />
in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>). Click on<br />
www.condomessentialwear.co.uk/gethelp.<br />
Trade Sexual Health<br />
The Trade Sexual Health Project in<br />
Leicester, <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and Rutland<br />
provides information, advice, resources<br />
and support <strong>to</strong> men who have sex with<br />
men and women who have sex with<br />
women. Further information can be found<br />
on their website by clicking on<br />
www.tradesexualhealth.com/.<br />
Sexually Transmitted Diseases<br />
(STDs) and Health<br />
The National AIDS Helpline (0800<br />
567123) provides free and confidential<br />
counselling and advice about HIV, AIDS,<br />
sexual health, local services, clinics and<br />
support services. They can give advice in<br />
other languages in the evenings (6.00 pm<br />
<strong>to</strong> 10.00 pm) on freephone<br />
0800 917 2227, as follows:<br />
Can<strong>to</strong>nese<br />
Bengali<br />
Urdu<br />
Arabic<br />
Gujarati<br />
Hindi<br />
Punjabi<br />
Sunday<br />
Monday<br />
Tuesday<br />
Wednesday<br />
Thursday<br />
Friday<br />
Saturday<br />
There is also an African AIDS Helpline<br />
(0800 096 7500). Calls are free and<br />
confidential and are available in English,<br />
French, Shona, Swahili and Luganda.<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> AIDS Support Services<br />
(LASS) is an independent voluntary<br />
organisation based in Leicester, but<br />
providing a range of services throughout<br />
the City of Leicester and the Counties of<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> and Rutland, for people<br />
affected by HIV/AIDS. LASS also has an<br />
important preventative and educational<br />
role in the promotion of positive sexual<br />
health, for example using condoms <strong>to</strong><br />
prevent disease.<br />
Contraception<br />
Contraception (also known as family<br />
planning) is legal in the UK. Both men and<br />
women can obtain advice on birth control<br />
and free contraceptives from their doc<strong>to</strong>r<br />
or the Family Planning Association.
Families in the UK<br />
If you wish <strong>to</strong> start a family in the UK you<br />
may. There is no upper limit <strong>to</strong> the number<br />
of children you are allowed <strong>to</strong> have. The<br />
average number of children per family in<br />
the UK is two.<br />
If you already have a family, you may<br />
have the right <strong>to</strong> bring them <strong>to</strong> the UK.<br />
However, rights can be complicated and<br />
you may need <strong>to</strong> see an independent<br />
immigration adviser. You can find your<br />
nearest immigration adviser by phoning<br />
Community Legal Advice or visiting<br />
their website (www.clsdirect.org.uk). To<br />
telephone them is free and the number is<br />
0845 345 4 345.<br />
Having a Baby<br />
For advice on all aspects of pregnancy,<br />
visit a family planning clinic. To find your<br />
nearest clinic, contact the Family Planning<br />
Association 0845 122 8690. They can<br />
supply free pregnancy tests. Alternatively,<br />
pregnancy testing kits can be bought at a<br />
pharmacy or supermarket.<br />
When your baby is born, you must register<br />
your baby with the Registrar of Births,<br />
Marriages and Deaths (the Registry Office)<br />
within six weeks of the birth. Information<br />
on Registration Service Offices in<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> can be found on the County<br />
Council website. Click on www.leics.gov.<br />
uk/registration_offices.htm. For Leicester<br />
City, click on www.leicester.gov.uk/index.<br />
asppgid=892, and for Rutland, click on<br />
www.rutland.gov.uk/pp/Gold/ViewGold.<br />
aspID=847.<br />
Women who are expecting a baby have a<br />
legal right <strong>to</strong> time off work for antenatal<br />
care, and at least 26 weeks’ maternity<br />
leave. Some women may also be entitled<br />
<strong>to</strong> maternity pay, but this depends on<br />
how long they have been working for their<br />
employer.<br />
Fathers who have worked for their<br />
employer for at least 26 weeks are entitled<br />
<strong>to</strong> two weeks’ paid paternity leave when<br />
their child is born. It is important <strong>to</strong> tell<br />
your employer well in advance.<br />
Part F - Health<br />
If you are pregnant, visit your doc<strong>to</strong>r as<br />
soon as possible (you can choose <strong>to</strong> see<br />
a woman doc<strong>to</strong>r). Antenatal and postnatal<br />
care is free in the UK and it is very<br />
important that you and your baby receive<br />
regular check-ups both before and after<br />
the birth. You will be offered scans, tests<br />
and healthy living advice during your<br />
pregnancy. In the UK women mostly have<br />
their babies in hospital, though home<br />
births can be arranged.<br />
For advice on maternity leave, maternity<br />
pay, paternity leave, and financial<br />
help associated with having a baby,<br />
visit www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/<br />
Moneyandworkentitlements/index.htm.<br />
67<br />
If you are thinking about terminating<br />
the pregnancy, you can discuss this<br />
confidentially with your GP (doc<strong>to</strong>r).<br />
Abortion is legal in the UK.
Part F - Health<br />
68<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Sexual Health, Pregnancy and Contraception<br />
Brook 0800 0185 023 www.brook.org.uk<br />
Condom Essential Wear<br />
Death and<br />
Bereavement<br />
0800 567 123<br />
(helpline)<br />
If you are with someone when they die<br />
and there is no doc<strong>to</strong>r present, you should<br />
call your doc<strong>to</strong>r or ring 999 and ask for<br />
the ambulance. A doc<strong>to</strong>r will be able <strong>to</strong><br />
issue a death certificate, which you will<br />
need later.<br />
www.condomessentialwear.co.uk/<br />
Connexions Leicester Shire 0116 262 7254 www.connexions-leics.org<br />
Coalville Connexions Centre 01530 812231<br />
Hinckley Connexions Centre 01455 632719<br />
Loughborough Connexions Centre 01509 214002<br />
Market Harborough Connexions Centre 01858 462309<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n and South Charnwood<br />
Connexions Centre<br />
01664 569966<br />
South Wigs<strong>to</strong>n Connexions Centre 0116 277 8090<br />
Connexions Lincolnshire and Rutland 01572 756655 www.connexions-lincsandrutland.co.uk/<br />
Family Planning Association 0845 122 8690 www.fpa.org.uk<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Aids Support Services<br />
(LASS)<br />
0116 255 9995<br />
National AIDS Helpline 0800 567123<br />
National AIDS Helpline foreign<br />
language service<br />
National Childbirth Trust<br />
reception@lass.org.uk<br />
www.lass.org.uk/<br />
0800 917 2227 African AIDS Helpline 0800 096 7500<br />
0870 444 8709<br />
(pregnancy & birth)<br />
0870 444 8708<br />
(breastfeeding)<br />
Trade Sexual Health 0116 254 1747<br />
www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com<br />
info@tradesexualhealth.com<br />
www.tradesexualhealth.com<br />
Grieving for someone is, of course, a<br />
difficult process, but coping with other<br />
aspects of death including funeral<br />
arrangements can also be hard,<br />
particularly if you do not know what <strong>to</strong><br />
do or where <strong>to</strong> go for help. Here are some<br />
things that you might have <strong>to</strong> consider:
Funeral Arrangements<br />
A funeral can involve either burial or<br />
cremation. A funeral direc<strong>to</strong>r can be<br />
invaluable in dealing with all the practical<br />
arrangements when you are coming <strong>to</strong><br />
terms with someone’s death. You can<br />
personalise a funeral service as much as<br />
you wish and the deceased may well have<br />
made their own wishes known. Burials<br />
have <strong>to</strong> be in designated areas. Funeral<br />
direc<strong>to</strong>rs can help you in this process.<br />
Making a Will<br />
Making a will is a good idea as you then<br />
have control over what happens <strong>to</strong> your<br />
property and possessions after your death.<br />
You are not legally obliged <strong>to</strong> make a will,<br />
but if you die without doing so, your assets<br />
(possessions, property, money etc) may<br />
be distributed by law and this may not be<br />
according <strong>to</strong> your wishes.<br />
You can write a will yourself, though it is<br />
advisable <strong>to</strong> use the services of a solici<strong>to</strong>r<br />
<strong>to</strong> ensure that the various legal procedures<br />
and formalities are followed and that your<br />
will is valid. Solici<strong>to</strong>rs can advise you on<br />
all matters relating <strong>to</strong> your will. Solici<strong>to</strong>rs<br />
can be expensive, but again this depends<br />
on your personal circumstances and who<br />
you approach.<br />
Details of local solici<strong>to</strong>rs can be found<br />
in the Yellow Pages (a direc<strong>to</strong>ry of local<br />
services) or you could look on the Internet<br />
(e.g. www.solici<strong>to</strong>rs.co.uk/leicestershiresolici<strong>to</strong>rs.html)<br />
Voluntary organisations<br />
such as the Citizens Advice Bureaux and<br />
Age Concern can also help with your will.<br />
Information on funeral direc<strong>to</strong>rs and<br />
their services can again be found on the<br />
Internet. If the deceased is a Muslim, you<br />
can call on the services of the Muslim<br />
Burial Council of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> (MBCOL).<br />
Their website address is www.mbcol.org.<br />
uk/ and their telephone number is 0116<br />
273 0141.<br />
Registration of Death<br />
Normally you will have five days <strong>to</strong> register<br />
a person’s death, though different time<br />
limits apply in the cases of stillbirth and if<br />
the death has been referred <strong>to</strong> a coroner.<br />
Once you’ve registered the death, you will<br />
be given a death certificate.<br />
Details on registration services (for both<br />
marriage and death) can be found on<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council’s website<br />
(click on www.leics.gov.uk/reg_services/<br />
registration_services/).<br />
Leicester City Council also has a useful<br />
section on registering a death on their<br />
website. Click on www.leicester.gov.uk/<br />
index.asppgid=533.<br />
Part F - Health<br />
69
Carrying out a Will<br />
Sorting out the deceased’s finances and<br />
the process of asset distribution is the<br />
responsibility of an ‘execu<strong>to</strong>r’ (if there is a<br />
will) or ‘administra<strong>to</strong>r’ (if there is no will).<br />
There may be other matters <strong>to</strong> consider<br />
if you are inheriting a property (such as<br />
Inheritance Tax) and also other financial<br />
concerns, such as whether you can claim<br />
Bereavement Payment.<br />
For further detailed information on these<br />
and indeed on all issues relating <strong>to</strong><br />
bereavement, there is a useful website<br />
called Facing Bereavement. Click on www.<br />
facingbereavement.co.uk/.<br />
You can find further details of what<br />
<strong>to</strong> do after a death, including what<br />
<strong>to</strong> do when someone dies abroad, by<br />
clicking on www.direct.gov.uk/en/<br />
Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/<br />
WhatToDoAfterADeath/index.htm.<br />
Part F - Health<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Death and Bereavement<br />
Facing Bereavement<br />
Muslim Burial Council of<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> (MBCOL)<br />
0116 273 0141<br />
Solici<strong>to</strong>rs.co.uk 01590 672357<br />
www.facingbereavement.co.uk/<br />
admin@mbcol.org.uk<br />
www.mbcol.org.uk/<br />
clientsenquiries@solici<strong>to</strong>rs.co.uk<br />
www.solici<strong>to</strong>rs.co.uk/<br />
70
Children<br />
a n d E d u c a t i o n<br />
Part G - Children and Education
Part G - Children and Education<br />
72<br />
Looking after children<br />
Most parents want <strong>to</strong> do their best for their<br />
children, but sometimes family life can be<br />
difficult. Advice for parents can be found at<br />
www.parentlineplus.org.uk or by phoning<br />
free on 0808 800 2222. You can find out<br />
about parental responsibilities at<br />
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents.<br />
Young babies and children up <strong>to</strong> five years<br />
of age are seen regularly by a health visi<strong>to</strong>r<br />
at home or at a clinic. You can ask the<br />
health visi<strong>to</strong>r for advice about caring for<br />
your child.<br />
Children under 16 should not be left<br />
at home alone. It is an offence <strong>to</strong> leave<br />
a child alone if doing so puts the child<br />
at risk. The National Society for the<br />
Prevention of Cruelty <strong>to</strong> Children (NSPCC)<br />
recommends that children under the age<br />
of 13 are rarely mature enough <strong>to</strong> leave<br />
at home unsupervised. Children under<br />
the age of 16 should not be on their own<br />
overnight. Babies, <strong>to</strong>ddlers and very young<br />
children should never be left on their own.<br />
If you decide <strong>to</strong> leave a child alone, you<br />
should:<br />
1. Leave a contact phone number and<br />
make sure you are able <strong>to</strong> answer it<br />
immediately.<br />
2. Make sure the child knows how <strong>to</strong><br />
make a phone call.<br />
3. If you are using a mobile phone, ensure<br />
there is sufficient credit and battery<br />
power.<br />
4. Explain <strong>to</strong> the child how <strong>to</strong> stay safe,<br />
e.g. not opening the door <strong>to</strong> strangers.<br />
5. Make sure potentially dangerous objects<br />
are out of reach.<br />
6. Leave clear instructions about what <strong>to</strong><br />
do in an emergency.<br />
7. Tell the child what time you will return,<br />
and do not be late.<br />
8. Give them some basic rules about what<br />
they can and cannot do while you are<br />
away.<br />
9. Teach them basic first aid.<br />
10. Make sure they are happy <strong>to</strong> be left<br />
alone – if they are not, you should get<br />
a childminder.<br />
See the section on childcare on<br />
«« page 43 in Part C.<br />
Child Protection<br />
Abusing children physically, emotionally or<br />
sexually is unacceptable and illegal in this<br />
country. The safety and welfare of children,<br />
child protection, is everybody’s business.<br />
You could be a neighbour, friend, parent,<br />
relative, childminder, teacher or doc<strong>to</strong>r – or<br />
working for any organisation which has<br />
contact with children and young people.<br />
Child protection means protecting children<br />
from all forms of abuse or neglect. It also<br />
means helping children <strong>to</strong> grow up in<strong>to</strong><br />
confident, healthy and happy adults.<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council’s website<br />
includes some very important information<br />
on child protection, including detailed<br />
information on what is child protection and
abuse, and where <strong>to</strong> go for help. Please<br />
click on: www.leics.gov.uk/index/social_<br />
services/children_young_people/children_<br />
at_risk/child_protection_everybodys_<br />
business.htm.<br />
The Barnardo’s Safe4U Young Runaway<br />
Project in Leicester helps young people<br />
under the age of 16 who have run<br />
away from home or care, by providing<br />
advice, guidance, mediation and other<br />
forms of support. They cover Leicester,<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> and Rutland. Their helpline<br />
is free <strong>to</strong> call. Phone 0800 652 3493.<br />
Kidscape is a national charity established<br />
specifically <strong>to</strong> prevent bullying and child<br />
sexual abuse. They have an informative<br />
website (www.kidscape.org.uk/) and also<br />
a helpline number (08451 205 204).<br />
The NSPCC also has a national child<br />
protection helpline. The number is 0808<br />
800 5000. Their website address is<br />
www.nspcc.org.uk.<br />
Childline (0800 1111)<br />
– Helpline for children<br />
in trouble or danger<br />
Childline is a free national telephone<br />
helpline for children and young people<br />
in trouble or danger. It provides excellent<br />
support, but is often busy and it can<br />
be difficult <strong>to</strong> get an answer. It offers<br />
confidential counselling for any child<br />
under 18 with any problem – 24 hours a<br />
day, every day of the year. The Childline<br />
website address is www.childline.org.uk.<br />
Sure Start Children’s<br />
Centre Information<br />
Sure Start is the government programme<br />
for ensuring the best start in life for every<br />
child. It brings <strong>to</strong>gether early education,<br />
childcare, health and family support. There<br />
is a website (www.surestart.gov.uk) and a<br />
national number for information<br />
(0870 000 2288).<br />
There are schemes and Children’s Centres<br />
in various parts of the City of Leicester, as<br />
well as in Charnwood in the County (all<br />
based in Loughborough). There is also<br />
a Sure Start programme and Children’s<br />
Centre in Rutland – at Caster<strong>to</strong>n Business<br />
and Enterprise College in Great Caster<strong>to</strong>n,<br />
(telephone 01780 762168).<br />
Part G - Children and Education<br />
73
Part G - Children and Education<br />
Sure Start Children’s Centres<br />
Belgrave (City) 0116 291 4604 New Parks & Brauns<strong>to</strong>ne Frith (City) 0116 231 4418<br />
Brauns<strong>to</strong>ne & Rowley<br />
Fields (City)<br />
0116 255 0525<br />
School Education<br />
If your child is aged between 5 and 16,<br />
the law requires that he or she must<br />
attend school. State education is free.<br />
However, parents have <strong>to</strong> pay for any<br />
school uniform and sports wear. Parents<br />
on low incomes can get help with these<br />
costs and with the costs of school meals.<br />
Some schools collect used uniforms which<br />
can be re-used by others.<br />
Newfoundpool, Bede Island &<br />
Woodgate (City)<br />
0870 000 2288<br />
Cobden Centre (County) 01509 237267 Northfields & Humbers<strong>to</strong>ne (City) 0116 292 4580<br />
Eyres Monsell &<br />
Gilmor<strong>to</strong>n (City)<br />
Greenhill & Woodthorpe<br />
(County)<br />
0116 225 2200 Saffron (City) 0116 283 2335<br />
0116 265 8049 Shelthorpe (County) 01509 264876<br />
Highfields (City) 0116 248 8100 St Matthews (City) 0116 242 6370<br />
Leicester North West<br />
(City)<br />
Loughborough East<br />
(County)<br />
0116 295 4550 Thurnby Lodge (City) 0116 292 4590<br />
01509 568633 Warren Hills (County) 0870 000 2288<br />
Pupils follow the National Curriculum<br />
which is divided in<strong>to</strong> five Key Stages.<br />
Pupils do a test at the end of each Key<br />
Stage. These tests are considered <strong>to</strong> be<br />
very important.<br />
Children under school age (under the<br />
age of 5) can attend nursery school, or<br />
receive other childcare services which<br />
provide a range of daytime activities.<br />
You may have <strong>to</strong> pay for this service,<br />
which can sometimes be quite expensive<br />
although there is help with childcare costs<br />
74
for eligible parents from the Childcare<br />
element of the Working Families Tax<br />
Credit. For more information, advice and<br />
guidance contact the Family Information<br />
Service (FIS). You can also get advice via<br />
ChildcareLink. For further information<br />
about children under school age (including<br />
details on some free childcare), see Part C,<br />
«« page 43 .<br />
Most state schools in the UK are divided<br />
up in<strong>to</strong> primary (ages 5 <strong>to</strong> 11) and<br />
secondary (11 <strong>to</strong> 16 or 18) schools.<br />
Occasionally there are three tiers instead<br />
of two. There are different types of school,<br />
faith schools (Church of England, Roman<br />
Catholic, Islamic). There is a primary<br />
school in many villages, and a secondary<br />
school in most <strong>to</strong>wns. There are both in<br />
the city of Leicester. Most schools in the<br />
County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> are run by the<br />
Children and Young People’s Service. This<br />
is part of the County Council, and used<br />
<strong>to</strong> be called the Education Department.<br />
The majority of schools in Leicester and<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> are maintained by the<br />
respective Local Authority. Lists of these<br />
schools are available.<br />
The school year starts in September,<br />
and has 3 terms – one from September<br />
<strong>to</strong> Christmas (in December), one from<br />
Christmas <strong>to</strong> Easter (in March or April) and<br />
one from Easter <strong>to</strong> July. There is a 6 week<br />
break in the summer and 2 weeks each<br />
at Christmas and Easter, with half term<br />
holidays, usually in Oc<strong>to</strong>ber, February and<br />
May.<br />
The majority of bilingual students enjoy<br />
their time at school, but some may<br />
experience difficulties. It is important that<br />
you contact the school immediately if<br />
your child experiences things like bullying,<br />
racism or name-calling. Schools have<br />
policies and procedures for dealing with<br />
these difficulties.<br />
All the information that you will need<br />
concerning your children’s education will<br />
be available through schools and the<br />
Local Authority. However, you can also<br />
get advice on the curriculum, how <strong>to</strong> get<br />
involved in the school, bullying, discipline,<br />
school choice, and exclusion from school<br />
at www.parentscentre.gov.uk.<br />
How can I find a<br />
School<br />
The admissions <strong>to</strong> most schools<br />
in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> are managed by<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council. You can<br />
approach your local school <strong>to</strong> view the<br />
facilities, and the school should be able<br />
<strong>to</strong> give you a form on which <strong>to</strong> apply.<br />
Alternatively, you can apply online on<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/admissions. For all<br />
enquiries, please telephone 0116 305<br />
6684. The Local Authority tries <strong>to</strong> agree as<br />
many parents’ requests as possible, but it<br />
can refuse your child a place if the school<br />
is full. In particular, there are strict rules<br />
about the size of infant classes. If you are<br />
refused a place, the Local Authority will<br />
help offer alternatives or explain your right<br />
of appeal.<br />
Part G - Children and Education<br />
75<br />
For safety reasons, schools expect<br />
young children <strong>to</strong> be accompanied <strong>to</strong><br />
and from school, and there are security<br />
arrangements in place at all schools.<br />
For further support and help for parents<br />
about school admissions, there is an<br />
independent Choice Advice service<br />
– telephone 0116 305 2097 or email
Part G - Children and Education<br />
76<br />
parent-partnership-service@leics.gov.uk.<br />
Pupils who speak English in addition<br />
<strong>to</strong> their home language may receive<br />
extra support in learning English from<br />
their school. The school will make an<br />
assessment of their needs and may<br />
recommend further help. The school can<br />
gain advice on how <strong>to</strong> go about accessing<br />
help from the Ethnic Minority Achievement<br />
Support Service (EMASS). Go <strong>to</strong><br />
www.leics.gov.uk/index/education/going_<br />
<strong>to</strong>_school/emass.htm.<br />
For information about school admissions<br />
in Leicester City, go <strong>to</strong> the City Council<br />
website and click on www.leicester.gov.uk/<br />
your-council--services/education--lifelonglearning/about-schools/school-admissions.<br />
For information about school admissions in<br />
Rutland, go <strong>to</strong> the Rutland County Council<br />
website and click on www.rutland.gov.<br />
uk/admissions.<br />
Parentline Plus is a charity which offers<br />
general support <strong>to</strong> anyone parenting a<br />
child, whether mother, father, grandparent,<br />
family member or friend. They offer free,<br />
flexible support services, by parents, for<br />
parents. Their website address is<br />
www.parentlineplus.org.uk.<br />
child, it can be awkward if your child is<br />
acting as your interpreter.<br />
Your child’s school may have a teacher<br />
with special responsibility who you can<br />
talk <strong>to</strong> about any problems or worries. It<br />
is important, for example, that your child<br />
receives the necessary support <strong>to</strong> ensure<br />
they can do the same lessons as the<br />
others in their class. Sometimes a teacher<br />
specialising in English as an Additional<br />
Language (EAL) will work with the class<br />
teacher helping children who are learning<br />
English.<br />
Family Learning<br />
If you would like <strong>to</strong> learn English with your<br />
children or find out ways in which you can<br />
help your children with their schoolwork,<br />
there are free courses available. Just<br />
contact <strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council (if<br />
you live in the County) or Leicester City<br />
Council (if you are a City resident) and ask<br />
for Family Learning.<br />
What can I do if I<br />
do not speak good<br />
English<br />
If you speak little or no English, you may<br />
need an interpreter when you visit the<br />
school. The Children and Young People’s<br />
Service may be able <strong>to</strong> help you find one.<br />
If you want <strong>to</strong> talk <strong>to</strong> the school about your
The equivalent information from Leicester<br />
City Council can be found by clicking on:<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council--<br />
services/education--lifelong-learning/<br />
about-us/lea-services.<br />
What happens if my<br />
child has a disability<br />
or needs special<br />
attention<br />
There is help available for children with<br />
special needs’ such as a physical disability,<br />
a learning difficulty, or psychological<br />
problems. Wherever possible, your child<br />
will be given extra help in a mainstream<br />
school.<br />
The Children and Young People’s Service<br />
works closely with other services <strong>to</strong> make<br />
sure that children have any special help<br />
that they need. All schools will have a<br />
teacher with particular responsibility for<br />
special educational needs called a Special<br />
Educational Needs Co-ordina<strong>to</strong>r (SENCO).<br />
Most secondary schools have special<br />
educational needs staff who can support<br />
those with learning difficulties either within<br />
the class or in a smaller group.<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council’s website<br />
has a lot of information on Special<br />
Education Needs (SEN).<br />
Click on either: www.leics.gov.uk/index/<br />
education/going_<strong>to</strong>_school/your_guides_<br />
<strong>to</strong>_education/guide_<strong>to</strong>_primary_education/<br />
guide_<strong>to</strong>_education_section8.htm; or<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/index/education/special_<br />
education_needs.htm.<br />
For the equivalent information in Rutland,<br />
go <strong>to</strong> the Rutland County Council website.<br />
Click on: www.rutland.gov.uk/pp/gold/<br />
viewgold.aspid=553.<br />
Involvement with the<br />
school<br />
When your child starts school, it is a<br />
good idea <strong>to</strong> ask the school about open<br />
evenings, consultations, and how the<br />
school works with parents. Most schools<br />
have a written home-school agreement<br />
that it is recommended you sign. A homeschool<br />
agreement describes the way in<br />
which the school will communicate, and<br />
how teachers will work in partnership with<br />
parents <strong>to</strong> help a child learn. For example,<br />
this means that parents will attend open<br />
evenings and that the teacher will make<br />
sure that the parent fully understands the<br />
progress that their child is making.<br />
You will also find that there are many<br />
opportunities for you <strong>to</strong> get involved in<br />
the school, e.g. as a parent helper in the<br />
classroom, or by joining the Parent Teacher<br />
Association (PTA).<br />
Parents are expected <strong>to</strong> take an active role<br />
in their child’s education, so there will be<br />
contact between you and the school about<br />
your child’s progress, safety and conduct.<br />
Part G - Children and Education<br />
77
things such as jobs, careers, benefits,<br />
money, housing, your rights, health and<br />
sex. You can find details of how <strong>to</strong> contact<br />
Connexions on their website at www.<br />
connexions-leics.org.<br />
Part G - Children and Education<br />
78<br />
Young People aged<br />
16 <strong>to</strong> 19<br />
Between the ages of 16 and 19 you are<br />
entitled <strong>to</strong> free education, and free ESOL<br />
(English for Speakers of Other Languages)<br />
classes. You could study at a school if they<br />
provide education for 16-19 year olds, a<br />
Further Education College or a Sixth Form<br />
College (Leicester City only). After the age<br />
of 19 there might be some fees payable<br />
if you wish <strong>to</strong> continue studying. You may<br />
be eligible for work-based learning as well.<br />
Connexions Leicester Shire will be able <strong>to</strong><br />
help you. Connexions is a local advice and<br />
support service for young people aged 13<br />
<strong>to</strong> 19 (and up <strong>to</strong> 25 for young people with<br />
learning difficulties and/or disabilities).<br />
Connexions can also give information,<br />
advice and guidance on a range of other<br />
For information on the Connexions service<br />
in Rutland, go <strong>to</strong> their website (www.<br />
connexions-lincsandrutland.co.uk/) or<br />
telephone 01572 756655. Their office is<br />
at 8 Mel<strong>to</strong>n Road in Oakham.<br />
You can find out about ESOL classes at<br />
your local Further Education College,<br />
through the Learning and Skills Council<br />
(LSC), or through your local library.<br />
If you want <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> university, your local<br />
college or school may be able <strong>to</strong> help you<br />
apply if you are a student there. If not,<br />
then visit Connexions, who will be able <strong>to</strong><br />
advise you.<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council has<br />
supported and funded a young person’s<br />
website called ‘The Jitty’ www.thejitty.<br />
com. Created by young people for young<br />
people, the site has loads of information<br />
and is also a great means for young people<br />
<strong>to</strong> talk about things that matter <strong>to</strong> them<br />
and <strong>to</strong> make contact with other young<br />
people through a chat forum. The site<br />
is very popular. It now receives around<br />
20,000 visits every month.<br />
Young people are very welcome at youth<br />
clubs and centres. These are all listed on<br />
‘The Jitty’. Alternatively, you could contact<br />
the Youth Service at <strong>Leicestershire</strong> County<br />
Council or look on their website. Click<br />
on www.leics.gov.uk/index/education/<br />
community_activities/youthservice.htm.<br />
The contact number is 0116 305 6631.
Youth clubs/centres are a fantastic way<br />
for young people <strong>to</strong> meet others, become<br />
more confident and comfortable in their<br />
communities, and find support.<br />
The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Centre in<br />
Leicester runs First Out, a youth club<br />
for young people who are lesbian, gay,<br />
bisexual, transgendered or questioning<br />
their sexuality. It meets at the Centre on a<br />
Thursday evening.<br />
The Centre also runs Choice Café, which<br />
meets at Wigs<strong>to</strong>n Young People’s Centre on<br />
a Wednesday evening and is also <strong>to</strong> launch<br />
a new youth group in Loughborough. For<br />
further information contact the Centre on<br />
0116 254 7412 or email info@llgbc.<br />
com. The Centre’s website address is<br />
www.llgbc.com.<br />
Adult Education,<br />
Training and<br />
Employment<br />
You can apply <strong>to</strong> university if you meet or<br />
are likely <strong>to</strong> meet the entry requirements.<br />
UCAS is the central organisation through<br />
which applications for university and<br />
higher education are processed. Their<br />
website address is www.ucas.ac.uk/. They<br />
also have a Cus<strong>to</strong>mer Service Unit which<br />
is open Monday <strong>to</strong> Friday from 8.30 am <strong>to</strong><br />
6.00 pm. The number <strong>to</strong> call is 0871 468<br />
0 468. You are likely <strong>to</strong> have <strong>to</strong> pay fees,<br />
though this payment may be phased over<br />
several years in some cases. You need <strong>to</strong><br />
check very carefully what applies in your<br />
particular circumstances, and what you<br />
will have <strong>to</strong> pay and when.<br />
For adults who wish <strong>to</strong> learn at a basic<br />
or intermediate level (not university),<br />
there are local classes available through<br />
the Adult Learning Service in both the<br />
County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and Leicester<br />
City, and at Further Education colleges.<br />
These classes are subsidised, but for<br />
most classes a fee is payable. You will not<br />
normally have <strong>to</strong> pay for basic skills or<br />
some vocational courses (depending on<br />
your level of qualification). You can attend<br />
courses in different places – for example,<br />
adult education in community centres,<br />
libraries or schools, or at Further Education<br />
colleges. Next Step can provide more<br />
information about training for people aged<br />
20 or over.<br />
Part G - Children and Education<br />
79
Part G - Children and Education<br />
80<br />
Learning English<br />
Improving your English language skills<br />
will help you settle in<strong>to</strong> the UK. There is<br />
evidence <strong>to</strong> suggest that migrants who<br />
are fluent in English earn significantly<br />
more than those who are not. Having<br />
good English language skills will help you<br />
feel more confident at work and in the<br />
community. It will also help your and your<br />
family’s health and wellbeing as well as<br />
career prospects.<br />
There are English language courses<br />
locally. Sometimes these courses are<br />
called ESOL, which stands for English<br />
for Speakers of Other Languages. Some<br />
courses emphasise English language for<br />
the workplace. These courses are called<br />
‘ESOL for work’ and may be offered by<br />
your employer or other providers. English<br />
language training is also useful for people<br />
taking the citizenship exam.<br />
If you want <strong>to</strong> learn English, or improve<br />
your English while you are here, there<br />
are many places that run classes. Adult<br />
learning services and Further Education<br />
colleges, for example, run English classes,<br />
which may be free (depending on your<br />
income). Your employer may arrange<br />
English classes for you, whether at one of<br />
the centres or at your place of work. They<br />
may allow you <strong>to</strong> take a couple of hours off<br />
a week <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> classes.<br />
Qualifications<br />
You may find that people in this country<br />
do not understand qualifications you<br />
gained in your own country. You can<br />
contact the National Academic Recognition<br />
Information Centre, who will compare<br />
your qualifications <strong>to</strong> British ones, and<br />
can tell you what they are equivalent <strong>to</strong>.<br />
You will need <strong>to</strong> send evidence of your<br />
qualifications with a translation in English.<br />
Responses <strong>to</strong> general enquiries and an<br />
advisory service are free. However, if you<br />
would like an individual assessment of<br />
your qualifications (which results<br />
in a letter of comparability),<br />
there is a small charge.
Libraries<br />
Libraries are places where you can borrow<br />
books, music, DVD’s and CD’s, look up<br />
information, use a computer, study, read<br />
newspapers (some in languages other<br />
than English), and join in activities. There<br />
are libraries in Leicester and in every<br />
major <strong>to</strong>wn and village in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>.<br />
A mobile library service covers 360 other<br />
villages. Every library will have computers<br />
with internet access, and it’s best <strong>to</strong> book<br />
in advance if you want <strong>to</strong> use them as<br />
they are very popular. The library is free<br />
<strong>to</strong> join and <strong>to</strong> use and you will receive a<br />
library card which you can then use this<br />
<strong>to</strong> borrow books. It also acts as proof of<br />
identity if you wish <strong>to</strong> use the Internet.<br />
Anyone can apply for a card, but the<br />
library usually asks <strong>to</strong> see proof of your<br />
name and address. If you do not have<br />
a fixed address, they may accept a host<br />
address (e.g. the place where you work).<br />
The library will post your card <strong>to</strong> this<br />
address.<br />
In <strong>Leicestershire</strong>’s libraries there are books<br />
in languages other than English. The<br />
Library Service also produces information<br />
leaflets (<strong>Welcome</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Libraries) in Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi,<br />
Polish, Punjabi and Urdu. If you ask<br />
your local library for books in your own<br />
language, they should be able <strong>to</strong> arrange<br />
<strong>to</strong> get some for you. Libraries also have<br />
books for children, and run the BookStart<br />
project which gives free books <strong>to</strong> parents<br />
of new babies. They can arrange for books<br />
in English or other languages.<br />
To find out more about libraries in<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>, phone 0116 305 6988 or<br />
email libraries@leics.gov.uk. You could<br />
also have a look at the relevant pages on<br />
the County Council website by clicking<br />
on www.leics.gov.uk/index/community/<br />
libraries/county_libraries.htm.<br />
With regards <strong>to</strong> the City of Leicester,<br />
phone Leicester City Council on 0116 252<br />
7000. The City Council employs an officer<br />
who has responsibility for developing<br />
library services <strong>to</strong> new and developing<br />
communities in Leicester City. The direct<br />
line number for this officer is 0116 299<br />
5448. You could also have a look at the<br />
section on their website (http://www.<br />
leicester.gov.uk/index.asppgid=2089&m<br />
enu=off).<br />
Information on library services in Rutland<br />
can be found on the Rutland On Line<br />
website. Click on www.rutnet.co.uk/pp/<br />
gold/viewgold.aspid=562. The relevant<br />
telephone number at Oakham Library is<br />
01572 722918.<br />
Part G - Children and Education<br />
81
Part G - Children and Education<br />
82<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
ChildcareLink 0800 2 346346 www.childcarelink.gov.uk<br />
Childline (freephone) 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk<br />
Children & Young People’s Services (City) 0116 252 7000 www.leicester.gov.uk/education-learning.asp<br />
Children & Young People’s Service (County) 0116 305 6631<br />
childrensservices@leics.gov.uk<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/index/education.htm<br />
Children & Young People’s Services (Rutland) 01572 722577 www.rutland.gov.uk/education<br />
Children’s Information Service – Leicester City 0800 952 5678 early.years@leicester.gov.uk<br />
Children’s Information Service – Rutland 01572 722577 enquiries@rutland.gov.uk<br />
Children’s Legal Centre 01206 872466 www.childrenslegalcentre.com<br />
Connexions Leicester Shire 0116 262 7254 www.connexions-leics.org<br />
Coalville Connexions Centre 01530 812231<br />
Hinckley Connexions Centre 01455 632719<br />
Loughborough Connexions Centre 01509 214002<br />
Market Harborough Connexions Centre 01858 462309<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n and South Charnwood Connexions Centre 01664 569966<br />
South Wigs<strong>to</strong>n Connexions Centre 0116 277 8090<br />
Connexions Lincolnshire and Rutland 01572 756655 www.connexions-lincsandrutland.co.uk/<br />
Equality and Diversity Support Service (EDSS) 0116 285 9440 www.edss.co.uk/<br />
Ethnic Minority Achievement Support Service (EMASS) 01509 891394<br />
Family Information Service – <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 0116 305 6545 childcare@leics.gov.uk<br />
The Jitty (young people’s website) 0116 232 3232<br />
jhunter@leics.gov.uk<br />
www.thejitty.com/<br />
Kidscape<br />
08451 205 204<br />
(helpline)<br />
www.kidscape.org.uk/<br />
Learn Direct 0800 100 900 www.learndirect-advice.co.uk<br />
Learning and Skills Council (<strong>Leicestershire</strong>) 0845 019 4177 www.lsc.gov.uk<br />
Leicester Adult and Community Education<br />
0116 229 4367 lifelonglearning@leicester.gov.uk<br />
0116 252 7000 www.leicester.gov.uk/index.asppgid=3636<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Adult Learning Service 0116 305 6387<br />
adultlearning@leics.gov.uk<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/adult_education<br />
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Centre Leicester 0116 254 7412<br />
info@llgbc.com<br />
www.llgbc.com<br />
National Academic Recognition Information Centre 0871 330 7033<br />
info@naric.org.uk<br />
www.naric.org.uk/<br />
Next Step <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 0800 0850 330<br />
eadvice@nextstep-leics.org.uk<br />
www.nextstep-leics.org.uk/<br />
NSPCC 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk<br />
Parentline Plus 0808 800 2222 www.parentlineplus.org.uk<br />
Parents Centre<br />
www.parentscentre.gov.uk/<br />
The Prince’s Trust (East Midlands Region) 0116 253 7824<br />
webinfoem@princes-trust.org.uk<br />
www.princes-trust.org.uk<br />
Rutland Adult Learning 01572 771700 adultlearning@catmose.rutland.sch.uk<br />
Sure Start 0870 000 2288 www.surestart.gov.uk<br />
UCAS 0871 468 0 468 www.ucas.ac.uk/<br />
Youth Voice Ltd 0116 223 9177 www.youth-voice.org/<br />
Further Education Colleges<br />
Brooksby Mel<strong>to</strong>n College 01664 850850 www.brooksbymel<strong>to</strong>n.ac.uk<br />
Leicester College 0116 224 2240<br />
info@leicestercollege.ac.uk<br />
www.leicestercollege.ac.uk/<br />
Loughborough College 0845 166 2950<br />
loucoll@loucoll.ac.uk<br />
www.loucoll.ac.uk<br />
North Warwickshire & Hinckley College 01455 251222 www.nwhc.ac.uk<br />
South <strong>Leicestershire</strong> College 0116 288 5051<br />
Enquiries@slcollege.ac.uk<br />
www.slcollege.ac.uk/<br />
Stephenson College 01530 836136 www.stephensoncoll.ac.uk/<br />
Vale of Catmose College (Oakham) 01572 722286<br />
office@catmose.rutland.sch.uk<br />
www.rutnet.co.uk/vcc/<br />
Universities in Leicester Shire<br />
De Montfort University – Leicester<br />
0116 255 1551 enquiry@dmu.ac.uk<br />
08459 45 46 47 www.dmu.ac.uk<br />
Loughborough University 01509 263171 www.lboro.ac.uk/<br />
University of Leicester 0116 252 2522 www.le.ac.uk/external/
Older<br />
p e o p l e<br />
Part H - Older People
Part H - Older People<br />
84<br />
The population of elderly people in the<br />
UK is growing. There are 11 million<br />
pensioners in the country (about 18% of<br />
the overall population) and it is predicted<br />
that by 2031 that percentage will increase<br />
<strong>to</strong> almost a quarter of the UK population.<br />
The treatment of the elderly population has<br />
been the subject of an increasing number<br />
of reports, and charities working for and<br />
with older people have increasingly been<br />
highlighting issues of concern.<br />
Two of the biggest charities are Age<br />
Concern and Help the Aged.<br />
Age Concern<br />
Age Concern is a registered charity and<br />
one of the largest recognisable voluntary<br />
organisations working with older people<br />
in the United Kingdom. Age Concern is a<br />
federation of independent organisations<br />
that work <strong>to</strong>gether under a shared set of<br />
common standards, aims and values.<br />
At a local level, Age Concern provides a<br />
range of services <strong>to</strong> older people. Specific<br />
services provided will vary, depending<br />
upon the locality, but are likely <strong>to</strong> include<br />
care services such as day care, practical<br />
support such as handyperson services, and<br />
information and advice services that will<br />
provide assistance with accessing welfare<br />
benefits. Age Concern is also involved in<br />
providing services that enable older people<br />
<strong>to</strong> remain active and that promote physical<br />
and mental well-being.<br />
Age Concern also has an important<br />
campaigning role and ensures that issues<br />
of importance <strong>to</strong> older people are raised<br />
and properly considered by government<br />
and other organisations/sec<strong>to</strong>rs. It actively<br />
campaigns on these issues and is a<br />
powerful voice.<br />
The national website can be found by<br />
clicking on www.ageconcern.org.uk/.<br />
Locally, there are Age Concern<br />
organisations in both Leicester City and<br />
for the County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and<br />
Rutland. There are also a number of local<br />
independent Age Concerns operating in<br />
Glenfield, Hinckley, Lutterworth, Oadby<br />
and Wigs<strong>to</strong>n, and Sys<strong>to</strong>n.<br />
Help the Aged<br />
Help the Aged’s services are broadly<br />
similar <strong>to</strong> those of Age Concern. With<br />
an international as well as UK remit,<br />
the organisation actively works <strong>to</strong> help<br />
disadvantaged older people and campaigns<br />
on issues that affect them. Their website<br />
(www.helptheaged.org.uk) contains lots of<br />
information and you can also donate and<br />
buy goods online.<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council has also<br />
developed a very useful website (called<br />
‘<strong>Leicestershire</strong> CareOnLine’) that gives<br />
loads of information on care issues and<br />
care facilities. It is not just concerned with<br />
elderly people, so it is well worth a look<br />
for other areas of interest and concern (for
example, Learning Disability, Mental Ill<br />
Health, Finding Work, Travel). However, if<br />
you click on ‘Older People’, you will find a<br />
large list of organisations that serve older<br />
people in a variety of ways. This includes<br />
organisations that cater for specific<br />
illnesses and disabilities.<br />
Part H - Older People<br />
85<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Age Concern England<br />
Age Concern Hinckley &<br />
Burbage<br />
0800 00 99 66 (Helpline)<br />
0208 765 7200<br />
Age Concern Leicester 0116 222 0555<br />
Age Concern <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
& Rutland<br />
Age Concern Lutterworth &<br />
District<br />
www.ageconcern.org.uk<br />
01455 619519 achinckley_burbage@yahoo.co.uk<br />
0116 299 2233<br />
01455 557116<br />
Help the Aged (England) 0207 278 1114<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> CareOnLine 0116 305 7538<br />
admin@ageconcernleicester.org<br />
www.ageconcernleicester.org<br />
enquiries@ageconcernleics.com<br />
www.ageconcernleics.com<br />
info@helptheaged.org.uk<br />
www.helptheaged.org.uk<br />
leicestershirecareonline@leics.gov.uk<br />
www.leicscareonline.org.uk/
Travel<br />
i n L e i c e s t e r s h i r e<br />
Part I - Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>
Part I - Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
88<br />
Public transport in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> includes<br />
buses, trains and areoplanes. Users of<br />
public transport are expected not <strong>to</strong> cause<br />
damage or behave in a way that offends<br />
other passengers. If you do not have<br />
your own transport or you have difficulty<br />
getting around, one of the community<br />
transport schemes might be able <strong>to</strong><br />
help. For information about community<br />
transport in Leicester, call 0116 221<br />
1435. <strong>Leicestershire</strong> services can be<br />
found on www.leicestershire.gov.uk/new_<br />
servicepagestheme.htminitial=&pid=27<br />
2&theme=T6, and for information about<br />
services in Rutland go <strong>to</strong> www.rutland.gov.<br />
uk/pp/service/detail.aspid=2387.<br />
Trains<br />
Leicester Railway Station is on<br />
the mainline route from London <strong>to</strong><br />
Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds and other<br />
destinations (East Midlands Trains). Cross<br />
Country Trains also connect Leicester <strong>to</strong><br />
Birmingham and the West Midlands as<br />
well as destinations <strong>to</strong> the East. There are<br />
major railway stations in Loughborough,<br />
Market Harborough, Oakham (Rutland),<br />
Hinckley and Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray. You can<br />
find out about trains from the National Rail<br />
Enquiries service.<br />
You might be eligible for a railcard which<br />
would entitle you <strong>to</strong> cheaper tickets.<br />
Tickets are usually bought before you get<br />
on the train. You can buy rail tickets at<br />
stations or online at www.nationalrail.<br />
co.uk. You will need <strong>to</strong> keep your ticket<br />
for the duration of your journey. It is illegal<br />
<strong>to</strong> smoke in trains or buses, or on a rail<br />
station platform as this is seen as an<br />
enclosed public space.<br />
Buses<br />
Bus routes cover most of <strong>Leicestershire</strong>,<br />
and are run by many different companies.<br />
The main routes between Leicester and<br />
the major <strong>to</strong>wns usually have frequent<br />
services, but some of the remoter villages<br />
only have a few buses that go <strong>to</strong> them<br />
each day, or even only one each way. You<br />
can find out about buses from Traveline<br />
www.traveline.org.uk. Free timetables<br />
are available from bus stations, libraries<br />
or <strong>to</strong>urist information centres. Some<br />
information is also available at bus s<strong>to</strong>ps.<br />
Some bus routes use the ‘star track’<br />
system, which means that bus s<strong>to</strong>ps will<br />
have electronic displays telling you how<br />
long you will be waiting before the next<br />
bus arrives. To catch a bus, wait at the<br />
correct s<strong>to</strong>p and put your hand out <strong>to</strong> tell<br />
the driver <strong>to</strong> s<strong>to</strong>p. You can buy tickets from<br />
the driver, but try <strong>to</strong> have the right money.<br />
You will need <strong>to</strong> keep your ticket for the<br />
duration of your journey.
Information on local buses in<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> can be found on the internet<br />
by clicking on www.leics.gov.uk/index/<br />
highways/public_transport/bus_train_<br />
services/bus_services.htm.<br />
found in the telephone direc<strong>to</strong>ry, or on<br />
advertising boards.<br />
There are coach services from bus stations<br />
in the area <strong>to</strong> cities and airports across<br />
the UK. You can find out about coaches at<br />
www.nationalexpress.com.<br />
Areoplanes<br />
East Midlands Airport is situated<br />
near Castle Doning<strong>to</strong>n in North West<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> (about 20 miles from<br />
Leicester). You can fly from here <strong>to</strong><br />
other UK destinations as well as many<br />
destinations in Europe and wider<br />
afield. European destinations include<br />
Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Gdansk, Lodz<br />
and Wroclaw (Poland), Prague (Czech<br />
Republic), Plovdiv, Bourgas and Varna<br />
(Bulgaria), Riga (Latvia), Budapest<br />
(Hungary) and Bratislava (Slovakia). Other<br />
major national and international airports<br />
are relatively close including Birmingham,<br />
London Lu<strong>to</strong>n and London Stansted.<br />
Taxis<br />
Taxis are generally more expensive than<br />
buses or trains, unless several people<br />
share a journey. They often wait in taxi<br />
ranks outside stations or in central areas of<br />
main <strong>to</strong>wns. Alternatively, you can ring a<br />
local taxi company and book a taxi. Taxis<br />
are not allowed <strong>to</strong> drive around looking for<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>mers, and must be licensed, showing<br />
a small licence plate on the back. They<br />
have their rates fixed by Local Authorities,<br />
and are inspected <strong>to</strong> make sure they are<br />
safe. Details of taxi companies can be<br />
Cars<br />
To buy new or second hand cars look in<br />
the local paper, or at car dealers. See the<br />
section on ‘Information about Driving’<br />
in the UK ( page 91 »» ). In the UK,<br />
mo<strong>to</strong>rways link different areas of the<br />
country; for example Leicester connects<br />
<strong>to</strong> both the M1 (London <strong>to</strong> Leeds and the<br />
North) and the M69 (<strong>to</strong> Coventry and <strong>to</strong><br />
connect <strong>to</strong> the M6 and Birmingham and<br />
the North West). Roads which link major<br />
<strong>to</strong>wns are called A roads (for example the<br />
A6 and A46 in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>). Less major<br />
roads are called B roads. You can buy road<br />
maps at most petrol stations as well as<br />
book shops.<br />
Part I - Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
89
on the ticket. The amount you must pay<br />
often goes up after 14 days. You may have<br />
a clamp put on a wheel of your car if you<br />
park illegally. You will have <strong>to</strong> pay a fine <strong>to</strong><br />
have this taken off. If you consider that you<br />
have been unjustly fined or clamped you<br />
can appeal.<br />
Part I - Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
90<br />
Parking<br />
In most car parks (shown by a large blue<br />
sign with a white P on it), there will be<br />
machines where you can buy a ticket. In<br />
some car parks you buy a ticket for the<br />
amount of time you expect <strong>to</strong> park your<br />
car for (Pay and Display car parks), and<br />
in others you are given a ticket, and pay<br />
when you leave for the amount of time you<br />
were there. Attendants can help you if you<br />
are stuck, but not all car parks have them.<br />
Cycling and Walking<br />
Many people cycle for pleasure and <strong>to</strong><br />
go <strong>to</strong> work or shopping. Some roads<br />
have special cycle lanes which help keep<br />
cyclists safe from cars. To help you stay<br />
safe when cycling, wear a helmet and<br />
reflective strips. Many <strong>to</strong>wns have paths<br />
for cyclists. These are marked with signs.<br />
You can find out where there are cycle<br />
paths by clicking on www.sustrans.org.uk.<br />
The Highway Code applies <strong>to</strong> cyclists (see<br />
following section on ‘Information about<br />
Driving’).<br />
On streets where there are single yellow<br />
lines marked on the side of the road,<br />
there are restrictions on parking. These<br />
should be explained on a small yellow<br />
sign near by. If there are 2 yellow lines<br />
(double yellow lines) then you should not<br />
park there at all. Some roads have marked<br />
parking spaces reserved for people who<br />
live there. If you are parked illegally, you<br />
will get a parking ticket. This is a fine,<br />
which you should pay as soon as you can.<br />
Information on how <strong>to</strong> pay will be included
Pedestrians use pavements <strong>to</strong> walk safely<br />
along roads. If there is no pavement you<br />
should walk at the side of the road and<br />
<strong>to</strong>wards oncoming traffic so that you<br />
can see traffic approaching. You can<br />
cross roads safely at marked crossings.<br />
Crossings with traffic lights will show a lit<br />
red person for ‘s<strong>to</strong>p’ and a green person<br />
when you can cross. At night and during<br />
the winter months it is advisable <strong>to</strong> wear<br />
light-coloured or reflective clothes.<br />
There are many opportunities for walking<br />
in the County of <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, with some<br />
beautiful places <strong>to</strong> see. Some walks are<br />
indicated on maps and guides and there<br />
are organised walks where you have the<br />
benefit of a personal guide. If you are<br />
walking or cycling in the countryside<br />
you can use public footpaths, which are<br />
marked with signs. You can walk freely<br />
on common land and on mapped areas of<br />
moorland, heath, and mountain without<br />
the need <strong>to</strong> stick <strong>to</strong> paths.<br />
When using the countryside, you should<br />
follow the Countryside Code. This explains<br />
how you can respect and enjoy the<br />
countryside. You can find out more about<br />
open access, the Countryside Code, and<br />
the activities and walks available in your<br />
area at www.countrysideaccess.gov.<br />
uk. The Countryside Code also features<br />
on the Ramblers Association website<br />
(www.ramblers.org.uk/info/britain/<br />
countrysidecode.html).<br />
Information about<br />
Driving<br />
• Traffic in the UK drives on the left-hand<br />
side of the road.<br />
• You must be at least 17 years old <strong>to</strong><br />
drive a car or a mo<strong>to</strong>rcycle in the UK<br />
(and older for larger vehicles).<br />
• If you ride a mo<strong>to</strong>rbike you need <strong>to</strong> wear<br />
a crash helmet, unless you are a Sikh<br />
and wear a turban.<br />
• You have <strong>to</strong> be at least 16 <strong>to</strong> drive a<br />
moped, and must wear a crash helmet.<br />
• To drive on roads in the UK, your vehicle<br />
must be displaying a valid tax disc and<br />
you must have a valid driving licence<br />
and UK insurance for that vehicle. It<br />
must also have a valid MOT certificate<br />
(certificate of roadworthiness <strong>to</strong> say that<br />
it is safe <strong>to</strong> drive). If you do not have<br />
any of these documents, do not drive.<br />
If in doubt check with your local police<br />
officer or station. Further details about<br />
driving licences are given in leaflet D100<br />
available from Post Offices.<br />
• There are a large number of companies<br />
who offer either insurance or breakdown<br />
cover, or sometimes both.<br />
Part I - Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
91
Part I - Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
92<br />
• If you want <strong>to</strong> drive in the UK and have<br />
a valid driving licence from your home<br />
country, you can use it for up <strong>to</strong> a year<br />
from your date of entry in<strong>to</strong> the UK (or<br />
up <strong>to</strong> the age of 70 if you are from an<br />
EU country).<br />
• If you bring a car in<strong>to</strong> this country<br />
from another country, it must have<br />
valid tax, insurance and a certificate<br />
of roadworthiness (<strong>to</strong> say it is safe <strong>to</strong><br />
drive), from the other country. If the car<br />
will be here for a long time, you should<br />
tell Cus<strong>to</strong>ms and Excise that you have<br />
brought it in.<br />
• On the Direct.Gov website, there<br />
is a good section on driving<br />
in Great Britain on a foreign<br />
licence. Click on www.direct.gov.<br />
uk/en/Mo<strong>to</strong>ring/DriverLicensing/<br />
DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/index.<br />
htm.<br />
• You should read the Highway Code,<br />
which gives details of the laws and road<br />
signs, before you start <strong>to</strong> drive. You can<br />
see a copy of the Highway Code at your<br />
local library (it is also available online at<br />
www.highwaycode.gov.uk/).<br />
• If a seatbelt is fitted in a vehicle, it must<br />
be worn. It is your responsibility if you<br />
are over 14. If there is an under 14 year<br />
old in the vehicle, then it is the driver’s<br />
responsibility.<br />
• Every passenger must have a designated<br />
seat. Carrying more people in a vehicle<br />
than the number of seats is dangerous<br />
and illegal.<br />
• If you have a baby or a young child,<br />
you should fit a car seat suitable for<br />
your child’s height and weight. The<br />
seat should meet the safety standards.<br />
Try before you buy and ask the retailer<br />
<strong>to</strong> show you how <strong>to</strong> fit the seat and<br />
fasten the safety straps correctly. You<br />
can find more advice on child car seats<br />
at the Government website www.<br />
thinkroadsafety.gov.uk. By law, no<br />
child can sit in the front seat without<br />
a suitable car seat, or seat belt (if their<br />
height is over 135 cm). No child under<br />
three years of age can travel in a car<br />
without the correct car seat.
• Drinking alcohol and then driving is<br />
a very serious offence in the UK. You<br />
must not attempt <strong>to</strong> drive or sit in the<br />
driving seat of a car after you have<br />
been drinking alcohol or using illegal<br />
drugs, even if the car is not moving. The<br />
penalties if you do so are very serious. If<br />
you are found guilty by a court, you will<br />
be banned from driving for at least 12<br />
months. You could also:<br />
• Go <strong>to</strong> prison for 6 months.<br />
• Be fined up <strong>to</strong> £5,000.<br />
• Lose your job/lose your car.<br />
• Have <strong>to</strong> pay much higher car insurance<br />
costs.<br />
• The safest thing is not <strong>to</strong> consume<br />
any alcohol at all if you are going <strong>to</strong> be<br />
driving.<br />
• Never offer an alcoholic drink <strong>to</strong><br />
someone else who is driving.<br />
• In the UK it is illegal <strong>to</strong> use a hand-held<br />
mobile phone while you are driving. If<br />
you are caught doing this you could be<br />
fined and receive penalty points on your<br />
driving licence. Points on your licence<br />
could lead <strong>to</strong> you paying more for car<br />
insurance.<br />
• In the UK, if you build up 12 or<br />
more penalty points within a threeyear<br />
period, you will be liable <strong>to</strong> be<br />
disqualified from driving. The Direct.<br />
gov.uk website provides a useful<br />
section on what happens if you are<br />
convicted of a mo<strong>to</strong>ring offence in<br />
terms of mo<strong>to</strong>ring endorsements<br />
and points etc (www.direct.gov.<br />
uk/en/Mo<strong>to</strong>ring/DriverLicensing/<br />
EndorsementsAndDisqualifications/DG_<br />
4022550).<br />
• You need <strong>to</strong> be aware of national<br />
speed limits in the UK. For cars, unless<br />
signposted, this means the following:<br />
• 30 mph in built up areas (e.g.<br />
residential and shopping areas)<br />
• 60 mph in open areas single<br />
carriageways<br />
• 70 mph in open areas dual<br />
carriageways and on mo<strong>to</strong>rways<br />
• There are different speed limits for cars<br />
<strong>to</strong>wing caravans, buses and coaches and<br />
goods vehicles.<br />
• The above mentioned speed limits apply<br />
unless signposts tell you otherwise. A<br />
good example would be 20 mph around<br />
schools at the beginning and end of<br />
school days.<br />
Part I - Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
93
Part I - Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
94<br />
• If you have an accident, you must s<strong>to</strong>p<br />
and give your name and address and<br />
the name of your insurance company <strong>to</strong><br />
all the other drivers involved or anyone<br />
acting on their behalf. You must call<br />
the police if someone is injured or if the<br />
cars are in a dangerous position where<br />
other people may crash in<strong>to</strong> them. If<br />
you admit the accident was your fault,<br />
the insurance company may refuse <strong>to</strong><br />
pay. It may be advisable <strong>to</strong> wait for the<br />
insurance company <strong>to</strong> decide for itself<br />
who was responsible for the accident.<br />
Travel in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Cross Country Trains 0870 010 0084<br />
DVLA<br />
East Midlands Airport 0871 919 9000<br />
East Midlands Trains 08457 125678<br />
cus<strong>to</strong>mer.relations@crosscountrytrains.co.uk<br />
www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk<br />
www.dvla.gov.uk/<br />
HM Revenue and Cus<strong>to</strong>ms 0845 010 9000 www.hmrc.gov.uk<br />
National Express – Coach Travel<br />
(Head Office)<br />
enquiries@eastmidlandsairport.com<br />
www.eastmidlandsairport.com/cms/1/home.html<br />
getin<strong>to</strong>uch@eastmidlandstrains.co.uk<br />
www.midlandmainline.com/EMTrains<br />
08705 808080 www.nationalexpress.com/home/hp.cfm<br />
National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50 www.nationalrail.co.uk/<br />
Sustrans 0845 113 00 65<br />
The Highway Code<br />
Think Road Safety<br />
Transport – County Council<br />
0800 62 62 03<br />
(Roadline)<br />
For important information about driving<br />
in the UK, please look at the Driving and<br />
Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) website<br />
(specifically www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers.aspx)<br />
or indeed the Direct.Gov website (www.<br />
direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm).<br />
For general information about road<br />
safety, whether you are walking, cycling,<br />
driving or a passenger, go <strong>to</strong> www.<br />
thinkroadsafety.gov.uk.<br />
info@sustrans.org.uk<br />
www.sustrans.org.uk<br />
www.highwaycode.gov.uk/<br />
road.safety@dft.gsi.gov.uk<br />
www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/<br />
htwm@leics.gov.uk<br />
www.leics.gov.uk/index/highways.htm<br />
Traveline 0870 200 22 33 www.traveline.org.uk/index.htm
Leisure<br />
i n L e i c e s t e r s h i r e<br />
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
96<br />
Leisure Activities<br />
Taking part in sports, cultural or outdoor<br />
activities can help you <strong>to</strong> meet people,<br />
relax, and understand the his<strong>to</strong>ry, culture<br />
and natural environment of the area.<br />
Towns often have sports and arts facilities<br />
such as leisure centres, swimming<br />
pools, museums, concert venues and art<br />
galleries, and there are many local clubs<br />
for sports and other activities.<br />
of granite and roofs of Swithland slate.<br />
Country Parks such as Bradgate and<br />
Beacon Hill are good examples of this<br />
landscape.<br />
Other major countryside attractions<br />
include Watermead Country Park, near<br />
Leicester; Bosworth Battlefield, Twycross<br />
Zoo and Burbage Common near Hinckley,<br />
Fox<strong>to</strong>n Locks near Market Harborough and<br />
Burrough Hill near mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray.<br />
The <strong>Leicestershire</strong> countryside and<br />
Towns have a wealth of cultural and<br />
environmental interest. The developing<br />
National Forest in north-western<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> is transforming the<br />
countryside for the benefit of wildlife,<br />
the environment and local communities.<br />
More details on Forest attractions such<br />
as Conkers and Snibs<strong>to</strong>n can be found on<br />
the National Forest website. Charnwood<br />
Forest in the north of the county provides<br />
the most distinctive landscape of granite<br />
crags, heathland and buildings with walls<br />
Those keen <strong>to</strong> explore the wider<br />
countryside can use the extensive (3,000<br />
kms) network of Rights of Way. These are<br />
clearly waymarked with arrows (Yellow for<br />
a footpath and blue for bridleays where<br />
you can walk, cycle or horseride). More<br />
information on this network and a range of<br />
maps are included on the County Council<br />
website. Within the Towns and Villages are<br />
an immense range of his<strong>to</strong>ric buildings,<br />
lively markets, Museums, Theatres and<br />
Town Parks.
The County Council website is a useful<br />
first port of call for information, as is the<br />
City Council website for venues and leisure<br />
opportunities in Leicester City.<br />
The Go <strong>Leicestershire</strong> website contains<br />
information on all of these, as well as<br />
details on restaurants, pubs and clubs,<br />
festivals and other forms of entertainment,<br />
activities and venues for children<br />
(including Twin Lakes, a theme park on<br />
the outskirts of Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray), and<br />
shopping centres and opportunities.<br />
Unsurprisingly, the City of Leicester is<br />
particularly popular for shopping. The<br />
Highcross Shopping Centre is in the heart<br />
of the City, whilst Fosse Park remains a<br />
popular shopping outlet on the edge of the<br />
city near <strong>to</strong> the M1 and M69 mo<strong>to</strong>rway<br />
junctions. However, in other parts of the<br />
City as in all the County <strong>to</strong>wns, you will<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
find major High Street s<strong>to</strong>res as well<br />
as smaller s<strong>to</strong>res and small boutiques<br />
catering for a variety of tastes.<br />
Fishing requires a licence, and permission<br />
from the lake or river owner (in Scotland<br />
this permission must be in writing). There<br />
are many bylaws (rules) regarding fishing.<br />
For example, anglers must return <strong>to</strong> the<br />
water all salmon caught in England and<br />
Wales before 16th June each year, and<br />
they cannot use crayfish as bait. For full<br />
details visit www.environment-agency.gov.<br />
uk/subjects/fish.<br />
Libraries are also a very useful source<br />
of information on leisure outlets and<br />
opportunities. For contact information see<br />
the libraries section on «« page 81 .<br />
Environment Agency 08708 506506 www.environment-agency.gov.uk<br />
Go <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 0906 294 1113 www.goleicestershire.com/<br />
Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport 01509 226745<br />
The National Forest 01283 551211<br />
National Trust 0870 458 4000<br />
lrsport@lboro.ac.uk<br />
www.lrsport.org/<br />
enquriries@nationalforest.org<br />
www.nationalforest.org<br />
enquiries@thenationaltrust.org.uk<br />
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/<br />
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
97<br />
Community Facilities<br />
There are many community centres serving<br />
neighbourhoods and, in the countryside,<br />
<strong>to</strong>wns and villages. In Leicester and<br />
Loughborough there are also community<br />
centres serving particular ethnic or faith<br />
groups. The latter may be attached <strong>to</strong><br />
places of worship. These centres provide<br />
a range of activities and are also places<br />
when you can meet other people. Many<br />
Village Halls regularly promote professional<br />
arts events through the County’s Centre<br />
Stage programme as part of their activities<br />
for local communities. There are also<br />
newspapers, news sheets, radio stations<br />
and websites geared <strong>to</strong>wards serving<br />
particular communities. Some use<br />
community languages.
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
98<br />
Sports<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> is home <strong>to</strong> many different<br />
sports. Specta<strong>to</strong>r sport is popular, with<br />
Leicester City Football Club, Leicester<br />
Tigers Rugby Union, <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
Country Cricket Club and Leicester Riders<br />
Basketball regularly attracting big crowds<br />
and a high profile. Leicester Racecourse,<br />
situated in Oadby, holds a number of<br />
both Flat and National Hunt meetings<br />
throughout the course of the season, and<br />
Mallory Park and Doning<strong>to</strong>n Park are both<br />
popular destinations for mo<strong>to</strong>rsport in the<br />
County.<br />
Phone<br />
Organisation<br />
Number<br />
Major Sports Clubs and Venues<br />
There are many leisure centres and<br />
swimming pools in Leicester and<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>, and a large number of<br />
sports clubs.<br />
You can contact your Local Authority<br />
Sports Development Officer, or the<br />
Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport<br />
Partnership for more details, or look in the<br />
phone book. The Sport Partnership can<br />
be contacted on 01509 226745 (www.<br />
lrsport.org.uk).<br />
Email/Website<br />
Doning<strong>to</strong>n Park 01332 810048 www.doning<strong>to</strong>n-park.co.uk<br />
Leicester City Football Club 0870 040 6000 www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/<br />
Leicester Racecourse 0116 271 6515<br />
Leicester Riders Basketball<br />
0116 266 1541<br />
ext 294<br />
Leicester Tigers Rugby Union 0870 128 3430<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Cricket<br />
Club<br />
0871 282 1879<br />
info@leicester-racecourse.com<br />
www.leicester-racecourse.co.uk<br />
info@leicesterriders.co.uk<br />
www.ridersbasketball.com/<br />
tigers@tigers.co.uk<br />
www.tigers.co.uk<br />
enquiries@leicestershireccc.co.uk<br />
www.leicestershireccc.co.uk<br />
Mallory Park 01455 842931 www.mallorypark.co.uk<br />
Other Sports Clubs and Facilities<br />
Ayles<strong>to</strong>ne Leisure Centre<br />
(Leicester)<br />
Brauns<strong>to</strong>ne Leisure Centre<br />
(Leicester)<br />
Cossing<strong>to</strong>n Street Sports<br />
Centre (Leicester)<br />
Enderby Leisure Centre & Golf<br />
Course<br />
0116 233 3040<br />
shaun.miles@leicester.gov.uk<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk/sports/<br />
0116 229 3229 www.leicester.gov.uk/sports/<br />
0116 233 3060<br />
cossing<strong>to</strong>nfm@leicester.gov.uk<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk/sports/<br />
0116 275 0234 www.slm-leisure.co.uk/centres/enderby/<br />
Eving<strong>to</strong>n Pool (Leicester) 0116 299 5575<br />
Fleckney Sports and Leisure<br />
Centre<br />
Harborough Leisure Centre<br />
Hermitage Leisure Centre<br />
(Coalville)<br />
0116 240 3755 fleckneyparishclerk@tiscali.co.uk<br />
01858 410115<br />
01455 200800<br />
01530 811215<br />
Hinckley Leisure Centre 01455 610011<br />
Hood Park Leisure Centre<br />
(Ashby)<br />
01530 412181<br />
emma.kingzett@leisure.serco.com<br />
www.harboroughleisurecentre.com/<br />
hermitage@nwleicestershire.gov.uk<br />
www.nwleics.gov.uk/hermitagelc/<br />
hinckleygm@slm-ltd.co.uk<br />
www.slm-leisure.co.uk/centres/hinckley/<br />
hoodparklc@nwleicestershire.gov.uk<br />
www.nwleics.gov.uk/hoodparklc/
Huncote Leisure Centre 0116 275 0246 enderbygm@slm-limited.co.uk<br />
John Sandford Sports Centre<br />
- De Montfort University<br />
Leicester Leys Leisure Centre 0116 233 3070<br />
Leicester Outdoor Pursuits<br />
Centre<br />
0116 250 6400 sportandrecreation@dmu.ac.uk<br />
0116 268 1426<br />
Loughborough Leisure Centre 01509 611080<br />
leicesterleysfm@leicester.gov.uk<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk/sports/<br />
info@lopc.co.uk<br />
www.lopc.co.uk<br />
info.charnwood@leisure.serco.com<br />
www.charnwoodleisure.com/<br />
Lutterworth Sports Centre 01455 200800 www.lutterworthsportcentre.com/<br />
Markfield Community and<br />
Sports Centre<br />
01530 242240<br />
Measham Leisure Centre 01530 274061 www.nwleics.gov.uk/meashamlc/<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray Leisure<br />
Centre and Theatre<br />
New Parks Leisure Centre<br />
(Leicester)<br />
01664 851111<br />
0116 233 3080<br />
Oadby Swimming Pool 0116 271 0386<br />
Oakthorpe Community Leisure<br />
Centre<br />
Parklands Leisure Centre<br />
(Oadby)<br />
Saffron Lane Sports Centre<br />
(Leicester)<br />
Soar Valley Leisure Centre<br />
(Mountsorrel)<br />
South Charnwood Swimming<br />
Pool (Sys<strong>to</strong>n)<br />
Southfields Drive Sports Centre<br />
(Leicester)<br />
Spence Street Sports Centre<br />
(Leicester)<br />
St Margaret’s Pasture Sports<br />
Centre (Leicester)<br />
St Matthew’s Sports Hall<br />
(Leicester)<br />
Waterfield Leisure Pools<br />
(Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray)<br />
newparksfm@leicester.gov.uk<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk/sports/<br />
01530 515087 www.nwleics.gov.uk/community_facilities/<br />
0116 272 0789<br />
leisureconnection@parklands.co.uk<br />
www.leisureconnection.co.uk/<br />
0116 233 3045 www.leicester.gov.uk/sports/<br />
0116 237 5267 www.charnwoodleisure.com/soarvalley/<br />
0116 264 0057<br />
0116 283 9047<br />
0116 299 5584<br />
spence@leicester.gov.uk<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk/sports/<br />
0116 233 3095 www.leicester.gov.uk/sports/<br />
0116 222 1045<br />
01664 563550 www.slm-leisure.co.uk/centres/waterfield/<br />
wigs<strong>to</strong>n.pool@leisureconnection.co.uk<br />
Wigs<strong>to</strong>n Swimming Pool 0116 288 1758<br />
www.leisureconnection.co.uk/<br />
Local Authority Sports Development Officers<br />
Blaby 0116 272 7731 www.blaby.gov.uk<br />
Charnwood 01509 634592 www.charnwood.gov.uk<br />
Harborough 01858 821284 www.harborough.gov.uk<br />
Hinckley and Bosworth 01455 255847 www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk<br />
Leicester City 0116 233 3056 www.leicester.gov.uk<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n 01664 502378 www.mel<strong>to</strong>n.gov.uk<br />
North West <strong>Leicestershire</strong> 01530 454557 www.nwleicestershire.gov.uk<br />
Oadby and Wigs<strong>to</strong>n 0116 257 2673 www.oadby-wigs<strong>to</strong>n.gov.uk<br />
Rutland 01572 722577 www.rutland.gov.uk<br />
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
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Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
100<br />
Music and Theatre<br />
Leicester and <strong>Leicestershire</strong> has a variety<br />
of venues catering for different musical and<br />
theatrical tastes. Curve is Leicester’s new<br />
state-of-the-art theatre, designed by world<br />
renowned architect Rafael Vinoly, and is<br />
based in the heart of the new Cultural<br />
Quarter on Rutland Street.<br />
De Montfort Hall is a leading regional<br />
and national venue, whose wide-ranging<br />
programme regularly includes classical,<br />
jazz, opera, ballet, comedy, world music<br />
and West End musicals.<br />
The Y Theatre on East Street in Leicester<br />
(close <strong>to</strong> Leicester Railway Station) is<br />
also a great venue for music, dance and<br />
comedy.<br />
The Leicester Comedy Festival takes place<br />
in February each year and the Summer<br />
Sundae Festival, which attracts an<br />
increasingly high profile range of bands,<br />
usually takes place on the August Bank<br />
Holiday weekend.<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Music and Theatre<br />
Curve Theatre 0116 242 3560 enquiries@curvetheatre.co.uk<br />
De Montfort Hall (Leicester) 0116 233 3111<br />
dmh.office@leicester.gov.uk<br />
www.demontforthall.co.uk<br />
Leicester Theatre Trust 0116 253 0021<br />
enquiries@leicestertheatretrust.co.uk<br />
www.lhtheatre.co.uk/<br />
Leicester YMCA (the Y Theatre) 0116 255 7066<br />
theatre@leicesterymca.co.uk<br />
www.leicesterymca.co.uk/content/ytheatre.html<br />
Loughborough Town Hall 01509 231914<br />
box.office@charnwood.gov.uk<br />
www.loughborough<strong>to</strong>wnhall.co.uk/<br />
Music Venues in Leicester<br />
www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/music/venues/index.shtml<br />
Leicester Comedy Festival 0116 2616812 www.comedy-festival.co.uk<br />
Cinema<br />
There are a number of cinemas in Leicester<br />
and <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, ranging from the big<br />
multi-screen complexes at the Meridian<br />
Leisure Park, Highcross and the Odeon in<br />
Leicester, <strong>to</strong> smaller, more local venues in<br />
Loughborough and Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray (The<br />
Regal on King Street). You can also enjoy<br />
regular screenings of recent and classic<br />
films at village hall venues as part of the<br />
County’s Centre Stage Scheme.<br />
Information can be founding by clicking on<br />
www.192.com/direc<strong>to</strong>ry.cfm/LEICESTER/<br />
CINEMA.<br />
Museums<br />
There are over 50 museums in<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> and Leicester that show the<br />
his<strong>to</strong>ry and celebrate the heritage of the<br />
county and city. You can find out more by<br />
visiting www.leics.gov.uk/museums
Radio, Television and<br />
Newspapers<br />
The BBC in Leicester is housed in a<br />
modern building in St Nicholas Place in<br />
the City Centre. The venue is home <strong>to</strong><br />
BBC Radio Leicester as well as the BBC’s<br />
Asian Network. A number of independent<br />
radio stations can also be heard within<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong>, including Leicester Sound<br />
and Sabras Radio. As <strong>Leicestershire</strong> falls<br />
within the East Midlands region, the local<br />
BBC and independent television (ITV)<br />
networks will focus on the East Midlands.<br />
However, in some areas of the county, you<br />
can also pick up the general Midlands<br />
networks that operate out of Birmingham.<br />
This mostly affects local news and weather<br />
forecasts.<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> also has a variety of<br />
local newspapers, the biggest being the<br />
Leicester Mercury. The Mercury’s offices<br />
in St George Street (not far from Leicester<br />
Railway Station) have just been revamped<br />
and modernised.<br />
The media in the UK is independent of<br />
the Government, though various national<br />
newspapers will reflect different political<br />
views – <strong>to</strong> greater or lesser degrees – and<br />
this may mean that they strongly support<br />
(or oppose) the Government’s actions on<br />
particular issues. It is nevertheless very<br />
important <strong>to</strong> make clear that the media is<br />
not state-controlled.<br />
There is a useful internet site (The Big<br />
Project) that provides links <strong>to</strong> the UK<br />
national newspapers and agencies, as<br />
well as newspapers in the English regions,<br />
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,<br />
newspapers that relate <strong>to</strong> a number of<br />
ethnic minorities and also a wide range of<br />
newspapers from across the world. All of<br />
the newspapers featured on this website<br />
are available online. The Big Project<br />
website (www.thebigproject.co.uk) is also<br />
a great source of general information.<br />
The BBC is probably one of the most<br />
well-known and far-reaching British<br />
media institutions. It prides itself on being<br />
“independent, impartial and honest”,<br />
though that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t<br />
receive criticism from people who don’t<br />
think that this is the case. Your television<br />
licence fee funds the BBC <strong>to</strong> provide its<br />
services <strong>to</strong> the public.<br />
The BBC World Service may be very<br />
familiar <strong>to</strong> you. It provides international<br />
news, analysis and other information from<br />
all across the world, in English and 32<br />
other languages.<br />
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
101<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Media<br />
BBC<br />
www.bbc.co.uk/<br />
BBC Asian Network 0116 201 6760 www.bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork<br />
BBC East Midlands Today 0115 955 0500<br />
BBC Leicester 0116 251 6688<br />
BBC World Service<br />
emt@bbc.co.uk<br />
www.bbc.co.uk/eastmidlands<strong>to</strong>day/<br />
leicester@bbc.co.uk<br />
www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/<br />
www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
102<br />
The Big Project<br />
Central ITV<br />
www.thebigproject.co.uk/news/<br />
www.itvregions.com/central/<br />
Harborough Mail 01858 436000 www.harboroughmail.co.uk/<br />
The Hinckley Times 01455 891965<br />
hinckleytimes@mrn.co.uk<br />
www.hinckley-times.co.uk/<br />
Leicester Mercury Group Limited 0116 251 2512 www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/<br />
Leicester Sound (Radio) 0116 256 1300<br />
Loughborough Echo 01509 232632<br />
MATV Channel 6 0116 253 2288<br />
webmaster@leicestersound.co.uk<br />
www.leicestersound.co.uk/<br />
info@matv.co.uk<br />
www.matv.co.uk<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n Times 01664 410041 www.mel<strong>to</strong>nmowbray<strong>to</strong>day.co.uk/<br />
Rutland Independent Online<br />
Rutland and Stamford Mercury 01780 762255<br />
Rutland Times 01572 758888<br />
Sabras Radio<br />
0871 664 1260<br />
(studio)<br />
www.rutlandindependent.co.uk/index.asp<br />
smedi<strong>to</strong>r@stamfordmercury.co.uk<br />
www.stamfordmercury.co.uk<br />
rutland.edi<strong>to</strong>rial@jpress.co.uk<br />
www.rutlandtimes.co.uk<br />
Studio@sabrasradio.com<br />
www.sabrasradio.com<br />
Food and Shopping<br />
You will find shops selling food and other goods<br />
in most <strong>Leicestershire</strong> locations, from the City<br />
of Leicester <strong>to</strong> <strong>to</strong>wns and villages. Some <strong>to</strong>wns<br />
have regular markets where you can buy locally<br />
produced goods which are sometimes cheaper<br />
than those in shops. This is also the case in<br />
Leicester’s City Centre. The market there is the<br />
largest covered market in Europe and has been in<br />
existence on the same site since the year 1300!<br />
There are also large shops called supermarkets.<br />
Specialist shops (sometimes called<br />
delicatessens) or specialist areas<br />
in supermarkets sell foods from<br />
around the world. On occasions,<br />
Leicester City Centre also hosts<br />
street stalls selling food<br />
products from Europe and<br />
elsewhere.
Local <strong>Leicestershire</strong> delicacies include<br />
Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray pork pies and Stil<strong>to</strong>n and<br />
Red Leicester cheeses.<br />
Kosher and halal food is sold in<br />
supermarkets. There are also a large<br />
number of halal butchers in Leicester<br />
and Loughborough. The Halal Moni<strong>to</strong>ring<br />
Committee (which moni<strong>to</strong>rs, inspects and<br />
certifies halal products nationally) has its<br />
head office in Leicester. They provide a list<br />
of certified halal butchers on their website<br />
(www.halalmc.co.uk/). There are also<br />
specialist African-Caribbean food outlets<br />
and in recent years an increasing number<br />
of shops selling Polish food and other<br />
products.<br />
Vegetarian and vegan food is fairly<br />
common in supermarkets and health food<br />
shops, and is usually labelled as such.<br />
Food labels will also show details such<br />
as salt, fat and protein content, and the<br />
presence of potential allergens such as<br />
nuts, milk and gluten. All food in shops<br />
will be labelled with the date by which<br />
the food should be consumed. This is <strong>to</strong><br />
help prevent food poisoning and therefore<br />
it is not a good idea <strong>to</strong> buy food that is<br />
out of date and it may be illegal for the<br />
shopkeeper <strong>to</strong> sell this produce.<br />
Most UK residents buy meat and dairy<br />
products from shops, and do not hunt<br />
or keep animals for food. There are laws<br />
regarding the treatment of animals and<br />
lives<strong>to</strong>ck, and some species are protected.<br />
Your Local Authority can advise you on<br />
what animals you can keep at home.<br />
Used goods are sold by members of the<br />
public at local sales sometimes called<br />
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
103
Part J - Leisure in <strong>Leicestershire</strong><br />
jumble sales or car boot sales. Most <strong>to</strong>wns<br />
have charity shops which also sell used<br />
goods. Details of where <strong>to</strong> find shops and<br />
supermarkets can be found in the Yellow<br />
Pages phone book.<br />
There are laws regulating how goods are<br />
sold and for the protection of buyers. You<br />
can find out about these at your local<br />
Trading Standards office or at Consumer<br />
Direct (www.consumerdirect.gov.uk).<br />
Information about Trading Standards in<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Food and Shopping<br />
Consumer Direct 08454 04 05 06 www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/<br />
Halal Moni<strong>to</strong>ring Committee 0870 240 7267<br />
Leicester can be found on www.leicester.<br />
gov.uk/business/trading-standards.<br />
For <strong>Leicestershire</strong>, click on www.leics.gov.<br />
uk/index/community/reg_services/tradingstandards.htm,<br />
and for Rutland, click on<br />
www.rutland.gov.uk/pp/service/detail.<br />
aspid=2499<br />
info@halalmc.org<br />
www.halalmc.co.uk/<br />
104
Asylum<br />
s e e k e r s<br />
Part K - Asylum Seekers
Part K - Asylum Seekers<br />
106<br />
If you are an asylum seeker and have<br />
received an Asylum Registration Card<br />
(ARC) from the Border and Immigration<br />
Agency (BIA), it is likely that you are<br />
receiving some means of support from the<br />
National Asylum Support Service (NASS).<br />
NASS<br />
NASS provide help <strong>to</strong> destitute asylum<br />
seekers in the way of financial support<br />
and housing (if needed), whilst their<br />
claims <strong>to</strong> asylum are being assessed.<br />
Following a period in temporary or short<br />
term accommodation, asylum seekers<br />
are dispersed in<strong>to</strong> NASS accommodation.<br />
This accommodation is offered on a No<br />
Choice basis which means you cannot<br />
choose where you want <strong>to</strong> live. However if<br />
you choose <strong>to</strong> have financial support only<br />
(could be termed Subs or Support only)<br />
you can choose where you live but you<br />
will not be given assistance with housing<br />
costs. However if you live with family or<br />
friends who are already in NASS or council<br />
accommodation you and your family/<br />
friend may be breaking your/their tenancy<br />
regulations.<br />
As an asylum seeker, you cannot claim<br />
mainstream income support or benefits.<br />
Your weekly financial support comes<br />
directly from NASS. As of March 2008,<br />
the figures were as follows:<br />
• Child under 16 £47.45<br />
• Child aged 16 or 17 £35.66<br />
• Single person aged<br />
18 <strong>to</strong> 24 £32.80<br />
• Single person aged<br />
25 or over £41.41<br />
• Lone parent aged<br />
18 or over £41.41<br />
• Qualifying couples £64.96<br />
If you are an Asylum Seeker:<br />
• You can only do paid work if you have<br />
not had a decision on your asylum<br />
claim for 6 months. You can only then<br />
work if you apply for and are granted<br />
Permission <strong>to</strong> Work. You may also work<br />
after being given leave <strong>to</strong> remain in the<br />
UK.<br />
• However, you can do voluntary work.<br />
• You can attend subsidised courses at a<br />
college, but not in higher education.<br />
• School age children up <strong>to</strong> the age of 16<br />
must attend school.<br />
Asylum Decisions<br />
The asylum decision-making process<br />
is complex. It is important that you<br />
understand the process and what may<br />
happen <strong>to</strong> you and your support when<br />
you get a positive or negative decision<br />
on your asylum claim. There are people<br />
and organisations that can help you fully<br />
understand and offer some advice and<br />
support. Refugee Action, who provide<br />
advice and support <strong>to</strong> asylum seekers,<br />
refugees and partner organisations, is a<br />
good example of a national body that also<br />
operates locally.<br />
Support<br />
There are a variety of local forms of<br />
support in and around Leicester. Local<br />
groups based on nationality do exist. There<br />
are also various projects and groups, some<br />
of whom are linked <strong>to</strong> the Church (e.g.<br />
Diocese of Leicester ‘<strong>Welcome</strong> Project’).<br />
Other important means of support are<br />
provided by the British Red Cross and<br />
a new body called Leicester City of
Sanctuary which is part of a national<br />
movement working <strong>to</strong>wards creating<br />
a more hospitable climate for asylum<br />
seekers and refugees. Multi-agency Asylum<br />
Seeker and Refugee forums operate in<br />
both Leicester and in the Charnwood area.<br />
The Dreamers project in Loughborough<br />
provides support and activities for young<br />
asylum seekers from a variety of countries<br />
of origin. Based at Mountfields Lodge<br />
Youth Centre, the project has about 90<br />
members and has received a nationallyrecognised<br />
award for its work. Leicester<br />
City Primary Care Trust provides a health<br />
service (called ‘ASSIST’) specifically for<br />
people seeking asylum at the Clyde Street<br />
Medical Centre not far from Leicester City<br />
Centre.<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
ASSIST Service – for Asylum Seekers &<br />
Refugees<br />
Asylum Seekers and Refugees Unit 0116 252 8742<br />
British Red Cross (<strong>Leicestershire</strong> & Rutland<br />
Branch)<br />
Dreamers Project (Loughborough)<br />
East Midlands Consortium for Asylum and<br />
Refugee Support (EMCARS)<br />
East Midlands Regional Reporting Centre<br />
(Immigration reporting)<br />
0116 295 2400 Address: 1a Clyde Street, Leicester<br />
refugee.support@leicester.gov.uk<br />
www.leicester.gov.uk<br />
0845 054 7171 www.redcross.org.uk<br />
01509 267796<br />
01509 236043<br />
01664 502555<br />
Leicester City of Sanctuary 07716 073403<br />
Leicester <strong>Welcome</strong> Project 0116 248 7424<br />
National Asylum Support Service (NASS)<br />
- East Midlands Region<br />
01332 638617<br />
alake@leics.gov.uk<br />
www.thejitty.com/dreamers.html<br />
info@emcars.org.uk<br />
www.emcars.org.uk/<br />
Address: 10 South Street,<br />
Loughborough, <strong>Leicestershire</strong> LE11<br />
3EG<br />
leicester@cityofsanctuary.com<br />
www.cityofsanctuary.com/<br />
www.leicester.anglican.org/bsr/index.<br />
htm<br />
Refugee Action (Leicester) 0116 261 6200 www.refugee-action.org.uk/<br />
Refugee and Asylum Seekers Advice Project<br />
Refugee Integration and Development Agency<br />
(RIDA)<br />
0116 299<br />
9807/8<br />
0116 262 3731<br />
www.lrec.org.uk/RASAP.htm<br />
Refugee Support 0116 257 4000 www.refugeesupport.org.uk<br />
Toc H Leicester 0116 275 6541 www.<strong>to</strong>ch.org.uk<br />
Part K - Asylum Seekers<br />
107
Who can provide More<br />
Information<br />
There are a large number of local groups<br />
and organisations catering for the many<br />
different cultures, faiths and nationalities<br />
in Leicester and <strong>Leicestershire</strong>. The<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Ethnic Minority Partnership<br />
is a useful organisation for information<br />
on such groups, as are the two Racial<br />
Equality Councils situated in Leicester<br />
and Charnwood. There will, nevertheless,<br />
be communities that are not represented<br />
by organisations at a local level (though<br />
some are, e.g. Polish). Many of these<br />
are the new communities <strong>to</strong> the area.<br />
Organisations do exist at national level,<br />
however, and some examples are included<br />
in the following list of contacts.<br />
Julian Harrison at <strong>Leicestershire</strong> County<br />
Council can also be contacted for further<br />
information on all such groups and<br />
organisations, whether at local or national/<br />
international level. He can be contacted<br />
by ringing 0116 305 7018 or by email on<br />
jnharrison@leics.gov.uk.<br />
More Information<br />
Organisation Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Charnwood Racial Equality Council 01509 261651<br />
crec@btconnect.com<br />
www.charnwoodrec.org<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> Ethnic Minority<br />
info@lemp-leics.org.uk<br />
0116 242 4098<br />
Partnership (LEMP)<br />
www.lemp-leics.org.uk<br />
Migrant Gateway<br />
0871 423 1334<br />
0845 234 0708<br />
www.migrantgateway.eu<br />
The Race Equality Centre 0116 299 9800<br />
administra<strong>to</strong>r@lrec.org.uk<br />
www.lrec.org.uk/<br />
Afghan<br />
Afghanistan Direc<strong>to</strong>ry<br />
afghanu2000@yahoo.com<br />
www.afghana.com/<br />
Society of Afghan Residents in the UK 0208 993 8168 www.sarinuk.com/home.htm<br />
Albanian<br />
Albanian Youth Action<br />
0207 922 7900 info@albanianyouthaction.org.uk<br />
0207 922 7901 www.albanianyouthaction.org.uk/<br />
UKAlbanians.org<br />
www.ukalbanians.org/<br />
Bosnian<br />
Bosnia Herzegovina Community UK 0207 976 5225 bosniavic<strong>to</strong>ria@aol.com<br />
The Bosnian Institute 0207 243 2900<br />
info@bosnia.org.uk<br />
www.bosnia.org.uk/default.cfm<br />
Bulgarian<br />
British-Bulgarian Friendship Society 01273 726433 www.bbfs.org.uk/<br />
Czech/Slovak<br />
Anglo-Czechoslovak Trust 0207 278 8459 www.actrust.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/<br />
British Czech and Slovak Association 0208 902 0328<br />
secretary@bcsa.co.uk<br />
www.bcsa.co.uk/<br />
Czech Centre London 0207 307 5180<br />
info@czechcentre.org.uk<br />
www.czechcentres.cz/london/novinky.asp<br />
Echo magazine online (For Czechs and<br />
Slovaks in Great Britain and Ireland)<br />
0208 520 8801<br />
07962 964580<br />
Slovak Centre in the UK 0208 673 3071<br />
Iranian<br />
International Federation of Iranian<br />
Refugees (UK Branch)<br />
edi<strong>to</strong>r@echomagazin.com<br />
www.echomagazin.com/<br />
martin.hakel@slovakcentre.co.uk<br />
www.slovakcentre.co.uk/<br />
07946 752534<br />
07931 866985<br />
Iranian Association 0208 748 6682 www.iranianassociation.org.uk/<br />
Iraqi<br />
International Federation of Iraqi<br />
Refugees<br />
Iraqi Association 0208 741 5491<br />
Polish<br />
Britain<strong>to</strong>wn.com (The Polish<br />
Community in England)<br />
ifiruk@yahoo.com<br />
www.hambastegi.org/ifiruk/eng-page.htm<br />
07734 704742 d.jamal@ntlworld.com<br />
07716 739085<br />
info@iraqiassociation.org<br />
www.iraqicommunity.org/<br />
redakcja@britain<strong>to</strong>wn.com<br />
www.britain<strong>to</strong>wn.com/
Federation of Poles in Great Britain 0208 741 1606<br />
Leicester Polish Community - local<br />
organisation<br />
Polish Express (weekly Polish<br />
newspaper)<br />
Polski wymiar Mel<strong>to</strong>n Mowbray – local<br />
organisation<br />
Romanian<br />
Diaspora Româneascã (weekly<br />
newspaper in Romanian)<br />
0208 964 4788<br />
07706 255161<br />
0208 802 2792<br />
Romanians in UK 0208 735 6524<br />
Somali<br />
Somali Afro European Media Project<br />
(SAEMP) – local organisation<br />
Somali Eye Magazine<br />
Somali Voice<br />
0116 247 0162<br />
07984 085135<br />
0208 980 9771<br />
07944 893815<br />
0117 952 5383<br />
07960 236638<br />
office@zpwb.org.uk<br />
www.zpwb.org.uk/eg/index.php<br />
www.leicesterpolonia.co.uk/<br />
edi<strong>to</strong>rial@polishexpress.co.uk<br />
www.polishexpress.co.uk/<br />
admin@e-mel<strong>to</strong>n.co.uk<br />
www.polish.e-mel<strong>to</strong>n.co.uk<br />
redactia@diasporaro.com<br />
www.diasporaro.com/<br />
ziar@romani.co.uk<br />
www.romani.co.uk/<br />
info@saemp.org.uk<br />
www.saemp.org.uk/home.htm<br />
info@somalivoice.org<br />
www.somalivoice.org/<br />
info@thesomalivoice.co.uk<br />
www.thesomalivoice.co.uk/<br />
Zimbabwean<br />
Zimbabwe Association 0207 549 0355<br />
zimbabweassociation@yahoo.co.uk<br />
www.zimbabweassociation.org/index.html<br />
The Zimbabwean 02380 845271 www.thezimbabwean.co.uk<br />
The following is a list and contact details<br />
of the embassies of the new Central<br />
and Eastern European Union Accession<br />
Countries. A full list of all embassies/<br />
consulates is available from the Foreign<br />
and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in<br />
London. The telephone number for general<br />
enquiries at the FCO is 0207 008 1500.<br />
Details are also available on the FCO<br />
website (www.fco.gov.uk). Click on the<br />
‘Country Profiles’ item under the ‘About the<br />
FCO’ heading and then select your country<br />
of choice.<br />
More Information<br />
National Embassy Phone Number Email/Website<br />
Bulgaria<br />
0207 584 9400 info@bulgarianembassy.org.uk<br />
0207 584 9433 www.bulgarianembassy.org.uk<br />
Czech Republic 0207 243 1115<br />
london@embassy.mzv.cz<br />
www.czechembassy.org.uk<br />
Es<strong>to</strong>nia 0207 589 3428<br />
embassy.london@es<strong>to</strong>nia.gov.uk<br />
www.es<strong>to</strong>nia.gov.uk<br />
Hungary 0207 201 3440<br />
office.lon@kum.hu<br />
www.huemblon.org.uk<br />
www.mfa.gov.hu/emb/london<br />
Latvia 0207 312 0040<br />
embassy.uk@mfa.gov.lv<br />
www.london.mfa.gov.lv<br />
Lithuania 0207 486 6401<br />
amb.uk@urm.lt<br />
http://uk.mfa.lt<br />
Poland 0870 774 2700<br />
polishembassy@polishembassy.org.uk<br />
www.polishembassy.org.uk<br />
Romania 0207 937 9666<br />
roemb@roemb.co.uk<br />
http://londra.mae.ro/<br />
Slovak Republic 0207 313 6470<br />
cons.london@mzv.sk<br />
www.slovakembassy.co.uk<br />
Slovenia 0207 222 5700<br />
vlo@gov.si<br />
http://slovenia.embassyhomepage.com/
Final Comments<br />
We hope that you now feel more<br />
knowledgeable about how things work<br />
in this country. As a result, we also hope<br />
that you are more relaxed, comfortable<br />
and confident about your new life here.<br />
Please let us know what you think about<br />
this document, and indeed about your<br />
experiences in <strong>Leicestershire</strong> and the<br />
UK. Get in <strong>to</strong>uch with Julian Harrison at<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council (Contact<br />
details are included below).<br />
Please also get involved, whether that be<br />
in your local community or more formally.<br />
As you will now know, there are many<br />
local organisations that would always be<br />
grateful for your support and an extra pair<br />
of hands! There are also local consultation<br />
panels, set up <strong>to</strong> receive views from the<br />
community about their services, including<br />
the 27 Community Forums that cover all<br />
of the county, for example. <strong>Leicestershire</strong>’s<br />
Voice exists at a county level. It is a<br />
panel of local people that are asked by<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council for their<br />
views on a number of issues throughout<br />
the year. Information on this can be found<br />
on the County Council website (www.leics.<br />
gov.uk/index/your_council/haveyoursay/<br />
consultation_citizens_panel_voice.htm) or<br />
you could telephone 0116 305 6096.<br />
Another possibility is <strong>to</strong> become a Citizens<br />
Reporter and be a mouthpiece as well as<br />
a messenger for your community. Citizens<br />
Eye is a new organisation with its roots<br />
in <strong>Leicestershire</strong>’s Black and Minority<br />
Ethnic Citizens Jury. Why not take a look<br />
at their website and see if this is an area<br />
in which you might be interested in getting<br />
involved The website address is<br />
www.citizenseye.org/.<br />
You don’t need <strong>to</strong> join something <strong>to</strong> make<br />
a contribution <strong>to</strong> your community. You can<br />
make a real difference on an informal basis<br />
by simply helping and offering support<br />
<strong>to</strong> people around you. The more you get<br />
involved, meet people and make friends,<br />
the more enjoyable your life will be here in<br />
our City and County.<br />
We have tried in this document <strong>to</strong> be as<br />
accurate as we can. However, there will<br />
undoubtedly be errors. Things get out of<br />
date very quickly. As a result, we will be<br />
reproducing and updating this document<br />
at least once a year, so please let us know<br />
if any information is wrong, so that we can<br />
change things for the next copy.<br />
As we mentioned at the beginning, a very<br />
warm welcome <strong>to</strong> you. We are so pleased<br />
and honoured that you have joined our<br />
community.<br />
Contact<br />
This publication has been produced<br />
as part of <strong>Leicestershire</strong>’s <strong>Together</strong>’s<br />
Community Cohesion Framework.<br />
For further information about both of<br />
these, please contact Julian Harrison at<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council.<br />
Julian Harrison<br />
Community Planning Manager<br />
Policy Team, Chief Executive’s Department<br />
<strong>Leicestershire</strong> County Council<br />
County Hall<br />
Glenfield<br />
Leicester LE3 8RA<br />
Tel: 0116 305 7018<br />
Fax: 0116 265 7271<br />
Email: jnharrison@leics.gov.uk