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This Children’s Mental Health Week, 9-15 February, NottAlone is launching series three of The NottAlone Podcast with a focus on youth voices. 

In the spotlight for the first episode, which is released on Wednesday 11 February, is fifteen-year-old Ella Mai Blower from Colwick who shares her moving experience of coping with grief following the loss of her younger brother. 

Plans for a ‘new era’ at St Peter’s CoE Junior School in Ruddington have taken a further step, with the release of artist impressions of how the new temporary learning village will look.  

Following the discovery of structural issues as part of routine work in the main building, the school has been permanently closed since December.
 
Work on the temporary learning village started in the new year and is continuing seven days a week. It is well on track to be ready by the start of the Easter holidays so that pupils can move into their temporary new home in the new term.

Nottinghamshire residents are being urged to take advantage of free electric mattress blanket checks as the county council’s Trading Standards Team and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service return to Worksop Library on 16 March between 9.30am and 4pm.  With 80 appointment slots up for grabs, it’s a valuable opportunity for residents to ensure their much-loved blankets are not posing an unseen risk.

Today, the government has launched a consultation on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Nottinghamshire, and anyone can take part.

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Councils are encouraging residents, organisations and partners including police, fire, NHS and education providers to have their say on the Government led statutory consultation as part of the ongoing proposals for LGR in the area.

Councils launched an engagement survey in July 2025 to help shape the proposals submitted in November 2025. The Government’s statutory consultation will now gather views on the three final proposals from residents, partners, public service providers, and organisations across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. Responses will inform ministerial decisions on the preferred option for the region.

Improvements to local sporting facilities and upgrades to community centres are among the many projects which are due to help make a difference to residents’ lives thanks to council funding.

Forty-two groups have been awarded grants via the Nottinghamshire County County’s Local Communities Fund (LCF)

Nottinghamshire and Nottingham’s Armed Forces community will be celebrated at the fourth Boots and Beret Awards later this year.

Officially known as the Nottinghamshire County Council Armed Forces Community Awards, the annual event will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Nottingham, in September.

Valerie and Austin are foster carers for Foster for East Midlands Councils who have been looking after children since 2017. They wanted to help children feel safe and loved, and they knew they could make a difference.

Their first placement was a pair of two-year-old twins. What was meant to be a short stay became a long and happy journey. Over the years, Valerie and Austin have cared for many children, including some who arrived late at night still in school uniform. One group of three siblings arrived at 9pm in an emergency, and Valerie and Austin quickly gave them warm food, clean pyjamas and a cosy place to sleep.

Dean’s fostering journey began at Christmas 2024, when he realised he wanted to do something that could truly make a difference. As a single dad, Dean had always hoped to create a safe, caring home and be someone children could trust and feel comfortable with.

In January 2025, Dean, who is from Nottinghamshire, contacted the Foster for East Midlands Councils Team and took his first step into fostering. He met lots of new people and was supported by a social worker who guided him through the process and helped him understand what fostering really means. Over time, Dean built a strong level of trust with his social worker, which gave him confidence throughout the approval journey.

This January, Veolia and Nottinghamshire County Council are encouraging residents to learn more about what can be recycled at home whilst supporting a local charity.

This January, Veolia and Nottinghamshire County Council are encouraging residents to learn more about what can be recycled at home whilst supporting a local charity. Throughout the month, Veolia will donate up to £1,000 by giving 10p to the charity Pulp Friction every time a search is carried out using the free Recycling Checker tool.

A former primary school near Newark is set to provide new housing and improved community facilities for residents.

As the New Year begins, four local authorities across the East Midlands have continued their commitment to improving the lives of children in care. Through the Foster for East Midlands Councils (FFEMC) initiative they are working together to increase local fostering capacity and providing children with stable, nurturing homes close to their communities.

The four councils, Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, and Nottinghamshire County Council have established a collaborative hub to streamline recruitment, provide high-quality support for foster carers, and ensure that children remain close to their schools, friends, and communities.

Ofsted has carried out a focused visit to assess Nottinghamshire’s ‘front door’ services - the first point of contact for anyone worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing.