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A brand-new bus ticket which allows passengers to travel on more than 30 bus services in Mansfield with just one ticket has now launched.

A podcast which encourages real and open discussions about mental health and wellbeing has been recognised nationally – just seven months after its launch.

The NottAlone Podcast, which was launched by the NottAlone.org.uk website in May, was shortlisted for the Best Small Team award at the 10th annual Comms2point0 UnAwards – which recognise ‘genuine creativity, innovation and brilliant results’ in public sector communications.

NottAlone is a partnership between Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board and is co-hosted by founders and educational psychologists Dr. Orlaith Green and Dr. Maddi Popoola.

Dr. Green, Principal Educational Psychologist and Head of Service for Psychology & Inclusion Services at Nottinghamshire County Council, said she was delighted the podcast had been recognised for its work.

She said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that the NottAlone podcast was shortlisted for an award, which is testament to the tireless efforts and hard work of everyone involved in its production.

“We hope the podcast is helping to make a difference to people’s lives because, as we said at its launch, the message we are trying to put out there is that people are not alone – no matter what they are experiencing and going through.

“It is fantastic that the podcast has been showcased on a national platform and hopefully we will continue to go from strength to strength as part of our ongoing work to shine a light on mental health and wellbeing.”

Dr. Popoola, NottAlone co-founder and Educational Psychologist and Mental Health Support Team Service Manager at Nottingham City Council, echoed her colleague’s comments.

She said: “To be shortlisted for a prestigious award so soon after launching the podcast is a great honour to all involved and I am proud that our work has been recognised.

“NottAlone’s mission is to encourage communities to talk openly about mental health and share experiences and we believe that the podcast is helping to provide a platform for these conversations engaging listeners in a direct and meaningful way.”

The NottAlone podcast, which is available on all major streaming platforms, has already built a strong following and has received a significant number of five-star reviews.

Here’s your chance to shape the future of driving in your area and scoop up a great prize while you’re at it. The county council wants to know what you think about electric vehicles (EVs), charging, parking, and everything in between.

A new community woodland in Nottinghamshire, which is home to thousands of trees, has been showcased in a national report.

Via East Midlands and Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) are set to launch Christmas on the Road from today (1 December), with a festive road safety campaign aimed at keeping all road users safe throughout the winter season. 

Nottinghamshire County Council and Veolia are partnering up with Inspire Libraries to organise a Christmas Jumper Swap to raise awareness of textile waste.

It is estimated that only two in five people keep their Christmas jumper to wear again. This initiative aims to promote the reuse of clothing.  

Archie Matthews is one of eight inspirational young people recognised at a prestigious award ceremony for their outstanding achievements on Friday 21 November, where he was also crowned Nottinghamshire County Council’s countywide winner. 

Archie, from Broxtowe, was nominated for his extensive volunteering, both at his youth club and with St John Ambulance. Archie is always on hand to represent the youth club, and present it as a welcoming, safe place for other young people – including painting the youth club during half term, dismantling old furniture, setting up game consoles and activities, and always volunteering his help.

Archie is also an active volunteer for the Derbyshire St John Ambulance, training other young people in first aid, and working at local events. He’s a regional representative on the East Midlands St John young persons’ board, and the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet representative for Derbyshire. He even got to meet the Princess Royal whilst representing the service.

In his nomination, Archie was praised for the time he gives to his local community, and the impact he has made.

About winning the countywide award, he said, “It feels absolutely incredible. Not just to win, but to be able to come and be a part of the competition and see what other people in my community have achieved, adds it all up and makes it such an amazing experience.”

Youth Service Senior Practitioner Paul Bailey, who runs the youth club Archie attends and nominated him for the award, said, “It’s a great feeling to see Archie get recognition, and it’s well deserved. The amount of work he’s put in and the length of time that he’s committed to working in both the community and the youth club – it’s come to fruition. I’m really pleased.

"It means a lot to me – I’ve worked at the centre for 21 years, and I probably haven’t had anyone else as deserving as Archie in that time.”

Councillor Rory Green, the county council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families said,

“The event tonight shows us how adversity can spark greatness, and it is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the resilience and compassion of Nottinghamshire’s young people.

"The winners tonight are role models, and forces for change, in both their own lives and those around them. All of the young people nominated have shown great personal achievement, and we are also celebrating them, as they have faced challenges that many adults can only imagine.

"Every young person in our county and beyond has the ability to overcome barriers. We need to believe in them, uplift them, and support them, and invest in their future.”

The annual event, taking place at County Hall, brought together the county’s eight district winners and their families, and included videos about each winner’s achievements, as well as musical performances from Inspire Youth Art’s Will Hickman and Meryx, and speeches from members of Youth Parliament and the Nottinghamshire young people’s board.

There was a total of 117 nominations received for the award, and all young people nominated received a certificate, nomination star and letter acknowledging their nomination and achievement from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Head of Youth Services, Pom Bhogal.

The event was attended by around 100 guests, including members of the youth service and County Council Madam Chairman, Jan Goold, and Leader of the council, Councillor Mick Barton.