February's Support Offers

Remember to bring your ID to the voting polls

The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to show photographic ID when voting at a polling station. So to vote in a polling station at this year’s local elections in Coventry you will need to show an accepted form of photographic ID.

Accepted forms of ID include:

• a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport
• a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence
• Identity cards with a PASS Mark
• A biometric immigration document
• A blue badge
• An Older Person’s Bus Pass
• A Disabled Person’s bus pass

The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID. If your photographic ID has expired, then it will still be accepted provided it still looks like you.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) online at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form.

To apply for the certificate then you’ll need to supply a photo. The photo does not need to be professionally taken and a selfie will do.

If residents need any help with applying for a Voter Authority Certificate or want to request a paper application form, they can contact the Council’s Electoral Services team by emailing electoral.services@coventry.gov.uk or by calling them on 024 7683 3034.

People can also get help by visiting Customer Service Centre at Broadgate House where an officer will assist them.

If you have a postal vote, you do not need photographic ID. If you have a proxy vote, then please be aware that your proxy will need to show photo ID at the polling station.

For more information about the elections in Coventry and Voter ID please visit www.coventry.gov.uk/elections.

The West Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (WMCRC)

The West Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (WMCRC) is a police-led partnership with academia and businesses, designed to improve cyber resilience in businesses across the West Midlands region. The WMCRC is part of a nationwide network of centres established.

If you are open for business online, you could also be open to cyber-attacks. The WMCRC can help your business stay ahead of cyber criminals via the free core membership(External link) which includes:

• a free 30 minute review
• access to free resources, tools and guidance
• a bi-weekly update

and much more.

Find out about the WMCRC core membership and other membership packages to start your journey in better protecting your business against cybercrime.

Kooth's February Focus

This month Kooth is celebrating Children's Mental Health Week and is reassuring children and young people in Coventry that it is available to offer support.

Kooth offers a safe space for children and young people to voice their opinion and hear the opinions of others, as well as give advice to peers, or receive it.

they are running a new and carefully planned discussion forum for each day of the week. These discussions will allow young people to connect as they share their own tips and experiences around specific topics that are aimed to support their mental wellbeing.

To access the below Discussion Boards, Collections and Live Forums you will need to access via Kooth.com(External link) - it's easy to set up your account if you haven't already done so.

Kooth provide the sessions both face-to-face and virtually, these include:

- Young People/Student presentations

- Parent/Carer presentations

- Staff Training

- Young People/Student mental health workshops

To book email trobson@kooth.com(External link)