The MyCoast app is now live across the 60 RNLI lifeguarded beaches in Cornwall. Residents are encouraged to download the app this summer. 
 
Created in Cornwall and supported by Cornwall Council, MyCoast curates real time weather, tidal and sea condition data, alongside detailed information about local facilities and amenities.

MyCoast is also the only app to have in-built safety parameters designed by the RNLI which will help direct people towards the most suitable conditions for their chosen activity that day.

The MyCoast team are excited to work with the Cornish community to continually improve the app, whilst keeping it accurate and up to date, with all feedback welcome.

A new activity booklet has been launched to help families in Cornwall enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed summer holiday and boost physical and emotional wellbeing.

Five Ways on Summer Days is based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing and includes activities and ideas to encourage families to: take notice of the world around us; connect with people (or animals!); get moving, preferably outdoors; give and being kind to other people; and find time for yourself.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing are simple ways to improve social, emotional, mental health and wellbeing.

NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and Healthy Cornwall, together with lots of other local organisations, are running a health and wellbeing campaign called ‘Healthier Together’.

The aim is to provide advice and information about how you can make small changes in your daily life that will have a big impact on your future health and wellbeing.

As part of our campaign, we’re running free Summer of Wellbeing Festivals over the summer, so why not attend one happening close to you:

• Redruth Rugby Club and CN4C at the Elms, Redruth - Saturday 3 August

• Park House Centre, Bude - Saturday 3 August

• Humphrey Davy School and Trelya, Penzance - Friday 9 August
• Poltair Park and CN4C at the One and All Bank, St Austell - Saturday 17 August  
• Town Hall, Launceston - Saturday 17 August  
• Basset Centre, Camborne - Saturday 14 September 
• Hayle Recreation Ground, Hayle - Saturday 14 September 
• Newquay Orchard - Saturday 21 September

We look forward to seeing you there!

We want to hear your views on proposals to improve the energy efficiency of Cornish homes and lower their emissions.

As part of our public consultation for our Draft Housing Decarbonisation Strategy please take a few moments to fill in our survey .

The plan outlines short, medium and long-term actions needed to make homes in Cornwall more energy efficient and to reduce their carbon emissions. It sets out key principles, targets and a possible timeline to help the council, homeowners and tenants start to decarbonise their homes.

The survey is open from now until 16 September.

Applications are now open for workplaces wanting to support their staff to make more sustainable choices about how they travel to and from work.

Our Workplace Travel Grant offers match funding of up to £5,000 to organisations to provide facilities and equipment. It aims to help employers to break down some of the barriers their employees might face in choosing sustainable modes of travel over taking the car to and from work.

Previous grants have been used to provide a range of measures including cycle parking shelters, car share parking spaces and pool bikes. 

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2024. 

Share your views on a bereavement service

Everyone goes through bereavement at some point in their life, and many people manage this profound change with the support of friends and family. Many of us though, need formal bereavement support as well - and we know that accessing it can be difficult.

There is currently no commissioned general bereavement service in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly for adults. Our Public Health team is seeking to understand if there is a need for a service of this kind to support our residents. We want to hear your views on what the needs of bereaved people are.

Our goal is to find out and address the gaps in the support that people receive around bereavement, and to explore the development of a service that meets the needs of bereaved people in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly.

The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and will close on 26 July.

Cat microchipping now a must

All pet cats must now be microchipped or their owners could face fines of up to £500 after new legislation came into force this week.

Cats that live free with little or no human contact or dependency, like farm, feral or community cats, don't have to be chipped.

But the new law says pet cats aged 20 weeks and older must be chipped and their owners' contact details stored on an approved pet microchipping database.

The new law has been introduced to make it easier to reunite lost and stray cats with their owners. Already compulsory for dogs, microchipping is proven to be the most effective way to identify lost pets and the average cost is just £25.

Fire kills: get out, stay out, call 999

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service is reminding you to check your escape routes from your home in the event of a fire and make sure you have a working smoke alarm.

Help keep your loved ones safe by de-cluttering hallways and keep doorways and windows clear.

If you have children, disabled people or pets in the home, make a plan now about how they would get out in the event of a fire, and practice your escape routes, especially with children, to make sure everybody knows what to do in an emergency.

Station Manager Glen Beale, prevention lead at CFRS said: “Toxic smoke could leave you unconscious, so every second counts when escaping a fire.

"Having working smoke alarms and knowing the escape plan in an emergency could make all the difference.

“If you have dependants or someone you're caring for living with you, it could take them more time to get out, stay out and call 999.

"Make sure you’re always prepared, your exits are clear, and everyone knows what to do if the worst should happen.”

Diabetes and You online booking system launched

Have you recently been diagnosed or are you living with type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes doesn't have to rule your life. It can feel overwhelming, but no matter how long since your diagnosis, there's support support and information available that could make managing your condition easier.

If you're newly diagnosed

Diabetes and You is a free course  run by Kernow Health for people newly-diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. They have face-to-face courses delivered with GP practices, as well as a virtual option for those who can't attend in person.

If you've been living with type 2 for a while

There are refresher courses for those who've been living with type 2 diabetes for a while and feel they'd benefit from some healthy lifestyle support to better manage their condition.

If you're a young person with early onset type 2

The Diabetes in the Young course is for young people with early onset type 2 diabetes.

People who go on these courses often feel more confident about managing their diabetes, making healthier food choices, looking after themselves and meeting other people with diabetes.

If you're supporting someone with diabetes, you can go along to a course with them.

Book directly yourself using a new online booking system. 

Why are we seeing so many potholes?

We're responsible for around 7,300 km of Cornwall's roads, which laid end-to-end would stretch all the way from Lands End to Vancouver, Canada.

That's a lot of road to maintain! As part of their work, our highways crews have filled over 45,000 potholes during the last year - more than double compared with the same period in 2022/23.  

Why are we seeing so many potholes? And what is the Council doing about it? Find out why in this short film

What happens when you report a pothole?

Our highways inspectors regularly check our roads for potholes and other defects, but did you know you can report pot holes and other road issues to us too through our website?

Find out more about what happens once you report a pothole by watching this short film. You can report potholes and a range of other issues on the 'Report it' page of our website, just hit the link below and scroll down to 'Roads and parking'.

Chat children's health with the Chat Health text service

Chat Health is a text messaging service that links families and young people with health visitors and school nurses who can provide advice for newborns to teenagers on topics including:

• Sleep
• Child development
• Support with behaviour
• Toileting
• Feeding and nutrition
• Keeping safe and healthy
• Childhood illnesses and support with medical conditions at school
• Emotional, mental health and wellbeing
• Relationships
• Smoking and vaping
• Drugs and alcohol

• Young people aged 11-19 can text 07312 263 096 
• Parents or carers of children aged 0-4 can text 07312 263 423
• Parents or carers of children and young people aged 5-19 can text 07312 263 499

When a text message is sent, an automated reply confirms it has been received. A trained healthcare professional within the health visiting or school nursing teams will then reply within 48 hours.

Check the rules on beach walkies

Dog owners are reminded to check the rules before heading to the seaside with their furry friends as restrictions come into force on some of Cornwall’s beaches.

Dogs are not permitted on some beaches between 10am-6pm from now until the end of September.

Help give children a good start - become a childminder

Tell us your story...

Public libraries make a huge impact on the lives of many people in Cornwall. There are so many FREE resources and events available to all.

Do you know what’s happening in your local library? Why not follow us on Facebook or Instagram to find out what’s on offer.

Maybe you already use your local library and know about the range of free benefits that come with being a member?

If you use our libraries, we want to hear about how they have helped make a difference in your life. Whether it's our baby and toddler sessions bringing new parents together, free access to reading for everyone - how have you benefited from the community focus within our libraries?

Tell us what's made a difference so we can keep helping our Cornwall communities.

Free Move More classes for over 65s

People in Cornwall aged 65 and over now have access to free classes aimed at helping them to build strength and balance and reduce the risk of falling. 

Called Move More, the programme is provided by Falmouth-based company iCareiMove and funded by Cornwall Council's Public Health team.

Incredibly rare (and extremely cute) seahorse spotted

Cornwall Council nature recovery officer Alicia Shephard was enjoying a beach walk on her lunchbreak when she spotted a long-snouted seahorse bobbing along in the surf.

She got her phone out and managed to film the tiny armoured sea creature as it floated above the seabed. It's one of only 7 long-snouted seahorses spotted in Cornish waters in the last decade.

The species faces challenges in the wild including loss of their natural habitats, over fishing and climate change. Their poor swimming skills puts a tight rein on their roaming ability, making migration to more hospitable waters difficult.

Research shows that seahorse populations have undergone rapid declines . If you'd like to help protect biodiversity in Cornwall, you can make a Pledge for Nature. Find pledge ideas on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Nature Partnership website.
 

New scheme to help residents fund green home improvements

West Cornwall Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre is there for you!

There are a range of locally provided places you can access health and care from every day of the week all without an appointment - from your local pharmacy, minor injury units and West Cornwall Hospital’s urgent treatment centre. 

Some places are open late including the urgent treatment centre, which is open every day from 8am until midnight and there is no need for an appointment!

The urgent treatment centre and 10 minor injury units can help you with ailments or injuries that need attention urgently but are not critical or life-threatening. From sprains and strains, minor fractures to cuts that need stitches, insect and animal bites to suspected infections these locally provided health units are there to help you.

Remember - the Pharmacy First service can also provide you with advice and treatments for minor ailments.

Insights revealed into human remains discovered along the Cornish coast

Childcare support is expanding

Even more working parents can get help to pay for their childcare.

Is your child a 2-year-old and you earn less than £100k per year? If so, you might be eligible to access 15 hours childcare support for your little one.

And if your child will be between 9-23 months in September, you could also be eligible for 15 hours free too.

Visit the Childcare Choices website to find out more about expansion of hours and sign up for updates.

Do you need a HUG?

Warm up your home with the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme

Are you tired of high heating costs and a cold home? The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) Scheme is here to help. This grant-funded energy efficiency scheme from the Government aims to improve the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of homes that do not use mains gas as their primary heat source.

We're working in partnership with OVO Energy Solutions to deliver this scheme across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. With a range of energy-saving measures, the scheme aims to reduce heating costs and improve general health and wellbeing.

The scheme runs until March 2025 and aims to help around 500 eligible homes.

Help if you're struggling to pay your Council Tax bill

If you have no income, or you're on a low income, you might be able to apply for help to pay your Council Tax bill.

You can claim Council Tax Support if you own your own home or rent.  You can also claim if you are working or unemployed.

Entitlement to Council Tax Support is based on how much income, capital and savings your household has.

If you're already in arrears please get in touch with our team. We can help you work out a plan, which might help you worry a little less. 

We also have lots of information on other financial support that might be available if you, or someone you know, is struggling on our worried about money webpage.

Norovirus is increasing in Cornwall

Cases of the nasty Norovirus are increasing across Cornwall, and we need your help to stop the spread. 
 

If you have sickness and/or diarrhoea, please do not visit a healthcare setting (GP surgery, hospital or care home).
 

Instead stay at home, keep hydrated and keep washing your hands regularly with soap and water (alcohol gels won't kill norovirus). Stay off work (or school) and away from others until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days. 

Why you should get your blood pressure checked

An estimated 4.2 million adults in England are living with undiagnosed high blood pressure. Left untreated, it can significantly increase your risk of a fatal heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or vascular dementia . 

If you're aged 40 and over, you can get a free blood pressure check at a local pharmacy.  Click on the yellow button below to find a pharmacy that offers free blood pressure checks near you. There's no need to book!

Eat well - spend less

Tune in to episode eight of our Eat Well, Spend Less cookery video series from our Healthy Cornwall team!

We'll give you tips on how to eat healthily on a budget with everyday ingredients from your local shop. In this video we create Cottage Pie - a good option for a completely adaptable meal which could be vegan or veggie - made with any sort of mince.

It's packed full of vegetables too - at least 2, or even 3 of your 5 a day. Perfect comfort food after a busy day.

Join the 'Healthy Families Pilot' Programme

Do you want to help your family live a healthier lifestyle? Do you have a child aged 5-12 who is above their ideal weight? If so, you might be eligible for a new free programme from Healthy Cornwall and Gro Health.

This programme will give you and your family access to the Gro Health app, which is an award-winning tool to track your nutrition, activity, sleep and mood. You will also get personalised support and guidance from a health coach from the Healthy Cornwall team.

To apply you need to have at least one child aged 5-12 in your household who is above their ideal weight for their height and age. You can check this using this easy NHS BMI calculator.

But hurry, this is a pilot scheme and there are only 60 places available. Don't miss this chance to make a positive change for your family's health and happiness!

New jobs and careers website for Cornwall

There’s a new website for jobs, careers, courses, and skills for residents and businesses in Cornwall.
 
The website, created by Cornwall Council, aims to boost the economy by highlighting local career and training opportunities for people of all ages.
 
As well as jobs and apprenticeship opportunities, the website is full of useful information and tools for young people, adults, employers, teachers and parents. It provides information on upskilling, exploring new careers, getting your first step on the career ladder, preparing for interviews and more.

The site also includes a dedicated Employer Hub and a Hub for people with special educational needs.

Little moments together

The more we chat, play and read with our kids, the more we help build their brains. Any time, anywhere, whether at home or out and about, it all adds up.

There’s no need to buy lots of toys or have big days out. Wherever you are, simply chatting back and forth, answering your child’s questions and sharing special moments together all help their brain to grow and develop secure and strong connections. Just what they need to get off to the right start at school.

The Start for Life website is packed with simple ideas from other parents on how to build these little moments into each day. It includes lots of examples of tips and activities for you to do together with your child at different ages, as well as links to find further support in your local area.

New planning rules to limit short term lets in Cornwall

We're welcoming the government’s introduction of new rules requiring planning permission for properties to be used as short term lets.
 
The changes, announced by Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on a visit to St Agnes last week, are aimed at limiting the number of short-term holiday lets.
 
It means that a planning application will be needed for anyone renting out their main or sole home for more than 90 nights a year, and are intended to provide support in areas where short-term lets are preventing local people from renting or buying a home. The new rules also propose other changes including a national mandatory register of  short term lets.

The new rules won't come into immediate effect and we're waiting for more details from the Government. 

Stop. Think Fraud!

Criminals are great pretenders. They may contact you pretending to be a trusted person or company.

A new national campaign Stop! Think Fraud aims to help you understand the different types of fraud and the tactics which criminals can use against you. 
 
The website helps you learn the tactics criminals use so you can see the different types of fraud, how to better protect yourselves and the people you know, as well as ways to report if you have been a victim of fraud. 

Free NHS talking therapies can help

Are you or someone you care about struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety?

Free NHS Talking Therapies could help. They're confidential, delivered by accredited NHS practitioners, and can help if you're suffering with excessive worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviours or post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

You can access free help - in person, by video, over the phone or as an online course - by referring yourself to an NHS Talking Therapy service, or by asking your GP to.

A brilliant place for children

Pupils from 9 primary schools helped launch a new wellbeing journal at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro this week.

Called My Brilliant Place to be ME! the journal has been created for the young people of Cornwall. It’s all about helping them learn to look after their wellbeing and feel good!

Headstart Kernow have created the journal with help from primary school children across our communities and it contains a range of activities and information that young people can work through at their own pace, at school, at home or on the move. The launch coincided with this week's Children’s Mental Health Week.

The journal is free and available to everyone online. Printed copies will also be available to local children through schools.