THE Scarborough Group of Advanced Motorists (IAM RoadSmart) is offering local drivers the chance to find out how good their driving actually is, completely free of charge. 

The first free assessment will take place on Tuesday 16 April from 7pm until dusk at The Street, William Street Coach Park. There is also one on 18 June at 7pm. 

IAM Roadsmart is a national road safety charity in existence since 1956 originally as the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) but recently rebranded as IAM Roadsmart. The IAM has always provided training to members of the public through its network of 190 volunteer groups to prepare them for the Advanced Driving Test. Each group is a registered charity. The Scarborough Group formed in 1982 and has successfully trained nearly 1000 drivers to pass the Advanced Driving Test. 

All training and free assessment is provided by group volunteers, who undergo stringent testing. ‘Observers’ are now independently tested every three years to ensure they have the interpersonal skills, driving theory knowledge and driving skills to provide high quality driver training.

For more information visit www.iamroadsmart-scarborough.co.uk or email janet@drivingaspirations.co.uk. 

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) backs Dying Matters campaign

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is backing a national campaign which aims to encourage people to talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement.

The campaign known as ‘Dying Matters Week’ will run from 13 to 19 May and this year’s theme is ‘Are We Ready?’ which is a question that challenges people to consider if they are ready for their own death, or the deaths of those they care about.

The scheme also looks to encourage people to talk about their needs towards the end of their lives, including where they want to die and discuss funeral plans with friends, family and loved ones.

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG Governing Body GP, Dr Jenni Lawrence, said: “Talking more openly about death can have a huge impact on the future of services available to patients and their families; we want people to have as much control as possible over how and where they die.

“Planning for death can obviously be very emotional and daunting which is why a lot of people don’t take care of the practical aspects such as wills, funeral planning, organ donation and potential future care for their families.

“This campaign is all about working together to make sure people get the right support when it comes to death, whether it is helping people plan for the end of their life or supporting carers, friends or family.””

The campaign can also be supported through volunteering at local hospices, supporting local bereavement charities or even hosting local community events to spread the word about ‘Dying Matters Week’.

You can find out more on the campaign and how to get involved on the Dying Matters website: https://www.dyingmatters.org/blog/dying-matters-2019-theme-are-we-ready

Dying Matters also has an events map on their website so you can see what is happening locally and wider, which you can view at: https://www.dyingmatters.org/page/map-awareness-week-events-2019

NHS Scarborough and Ryedale CCG also has an entire section about End of Life Care on our website: at www.scarboroughryedaleccg.nhs.uk/your-health/end-of-life-care/

Grab your compass and join an intrepid explorer across unchartered territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing dinosaurs. Call 01262 678258.

Members of the RSPB will be making apple feeders, giving advice on nature and giving nature a home as well as the Big Garden Birdwatch itself. Visit www.sewerbyhall.co.uk