Alvington Matters

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Not quite straight out of the Hitchhiker's Guide - but in the same vein. A voice in your ear, making sense of the nonsense. Talking your language. Unspinning the spin.

Babelfish is new media, here to intervene. We're a pop-up with purpose; bearing facts, tongue in cheek, for fun, and with a clear point of view. We cover the stories that matter to Britain: energy, climate, nature, food, transport, culture, sport and politics. The things that shape how we live, who holds power over them, and what becomes possible when that power is held to account.

We're not neutral. We're fair. There's a difference.

It's National Empty Homes Week 2026, and we're asking you to report any you see and we will work to bring them back into use.

The 2000+ empty homes in Somerset are a wasted housing opportunity. They can also cause antisocial behaviour, vermin, safety concerns impacting your neighbourhood.

Residents are being asked to report properties that have been empty for six months or more, using the “Empty Homes” form on the Council’s website. The Council or its partners will engage with the owner to provide support and advice. There are even some grants or loans available to bring more difficult properties back into use.

Empty Homes Somerset Council is committed to helping residents to bring empty homes back into use.

Warm Homes Local Grant in Somerset - Centre for Sustainable Energy Home improvements will help make your home warmer and more comfortable, while helping you lower energy bills and carbon emissions. The Warm Homes Local Grant can help you with: Is your home eligible? To be eligible, you’ll need to: In addition, one of the following three conditions must apply: 1) ...

*🏆 A proud moment for Somerset! Our “My life, My future” has received a national award 🎉*

Bill Revans, Lib Dem Leader of Somerset Council, highlights how we’re helping more people live independently at home—where they want to be—while avoiding costly residential care. 🧡

To help you smooth out the ups and downs of the winter season, Somerset Council, Our Somerset and Open Mental Health Expert by Experience Leaders, have created a wellbeing calendar—a resource to support your mental health with daily self-care tips and simple actions to make this year’s holidays a little easier on the mind.

👉 https://bit.ly/festive-somerset-mh-calendar

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas

📢 There has been a rise in measles cases in Somerset.

If you or your child experience symptoms of measles—such as fever, runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, or a rash starting on the face and spreading—please do not attend healthcare settings in person. Instead, contact your GP or NHS111 for advice. The team will assess your symptoms and arrange appropriate care with the necessary infection prevention and control measures in place.

If you are unsure whether you or your child are vaccinated against measles, check your NHS Red Book (Personal Child Health Record), the NHS app or contact your GP to confirm your immunisation status. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect against measles.

Public Health leaders in Somerset are appealing to sports and community clubs in Somerset to partner with them to help reduce the number of su***des in the county.

The su***de rate in Somerset currently stands at 12.7 per 100,000, which is above the national average. This means that each year on average 60 – 65 people lose their lives to su***de in Somerset.

Public Health Somerset are planning to run a series of community su***de prevention courses, training people on how to spot the early signs that someone may be thinking about su***de, to raise awareness of the issue and show people how to access local support services.

They are hoping that sports and community clubs and hubs across the county will partner with them, to offer their facilities for nothing in exchange for training for their staff, volunteers and their community members.

Find out more on the courses offered: https://orlo.uk/oXaqw