Latest news with #LisaFoster
BBC News
02-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Marlborough residents frustrated as more roadworks begin
Residents have expressed their anger at "constant" roadworks in a town, as another project gets under way. A scheme to upgrade underground pipes to ensure gas flows safely and reliably to homes and businesses in Marlborough, Wiltshire, is set to last until the start of July. It comes after a full road closure for work on the A346, an eight-week project to improve walking and cycling, and a study which revealed the town's "volatile" traffic required Farrow, who lives in the town, said: "I think people are avoiding Marlborough... there's always something on." The latest £40,000 project to upgrade gas pipes is being carried out by Wales and West Utilities. For the duration of the work, multi-way traffic lights will be in place in the New Road area of the town. Motorists are also advised to allow extra travel time to follow diversions ahead of a road closure on The Parade between 16-27 Gallavin, the project manager, said work would be carried out "as safely and as quickly as possible while keeping disruption to a minimum."But business owners in the town have expressed concerns about the frequency of roadworks in the town. Lisa Foster, who co-owns the home and garden shop Peacock and Lily, said she saw fewer customers when other traffic measures were in place. She believes it would be better to implement closures overnight. Similarly, John Joel, from Marlborough Bike Company, said previous roadworks had a "huge" impact on his business, with many customers choosing to shop online rather than in store in a bid to avoid traffic. Vanya Body, who lives in the town, said locals "constantly" discussed roadworks on social media, with many choosing to avoid Marlborough when they were in place. "It does put me off if I know they're there. "If I know on a busy day that I'm going to have to queue for 15 or 20 minutes to get into town then I won't bother," she Gallavin, the project's manager, said the latest works were essential."We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future," he added.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Major Instability: Risk Of Service Disruption For Health Sector
Press Release – Home and Community Health Association Many essential home services rely on fully funded contracts, but funding has eroded over time and pay rates have been diminishing. The pay equity process with unions and employers has identified undervaluation and discrimination, which must be addressed. Government changes to Equal Pay Act will result in instability and risk service disruption for home and community services. The Home and Community Health Association has expressed serious concern at the urgent amendments made by the government to the Equal Pay Act yesterday. These changes threaten to undermine all the progress made towards achieving fair pay for essential workers in home and community support services, and wider health sector, particularly with an ageing population increasingly reliant on home care. The amendments halt all ongoing pay equity claims and stop future settlements aimed at ensuring fair compensation for those providing vital home care services. This raises a critical question: what now? 'Home care is a vital yet often invisible part of our health system, providing over 27 million hours of support each year. Care and support workers must not be forgotten. We urgently need clarity from funders on their proposals to ensure these essential workers are paid fairly. The changes create harmful uncertainty and instability for employers and workers in home and community support,' said Lisa Foster, Kaiwhakahaere of the Home and Community Health Association (HCHA). 'We are deeply concerned about the impact on the 110,000 people who rely on home care. This essential workforce must be valued and shown that they matter. The current message is quite the opposite.' Many essential home services rely on fully funded contracts, but funding has eroded over time and pay rates have been diminishing. Disparities within the health sector funding (ACC, Health NZ, DSS) make this even more challenging. The sector is calling for Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand to urgently share their proposals to address these sustainability issues that threaten health services. The pay equity process with unions and employers has identified undervaluation and discrimination, which must be addressed. The Home and Community Health Association will urgently seek further clarity from the government on what is now proposed for a pragmatic sector solution. 'The real issues of low pay rates and underfunding need resolution. The significant pay gap for Care and Support Workers cannot be ignored. This issue cannot be left without a clear plan and pathway forward,' said Lisa Foster, Kaiwhakahaere of the Home and Community Health Association (HCHA). 'Gender discrimination and much higher pay rates for hospital staff (paid by Health NZ) compared to community workers must be addressed. A re-balance is urgently needed. Support workers deserve fair compensation based on their job, not their workplace – whether in the community or a hospital.'
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Major Instability: Risk Of Service Disruption For Health Sector
Government changes to Equal Pay Act will result in instability and risk service disruption for home and community services. The Home and Community Health Association has expressed serious concern at the urgent amendments made by the government to the Equal Pay Act yesterday. These changes threaten to undermine all the progress made towards achieving fair pay for essential workers in home and community support services, and wider health sector, particularly with an ageing population increasingly reliant on home care. The amendments halt all ongoing pay equity claims and stop future settlements aimed at ensuring fair compensation for those providing vital home care services. This raises a critical question: what now? 'Home care is a vital yet often invisible part of our health system, providing over 27 million hours of support each year. Care and support workers must not be forgotten. We urgently need clarity from funders on their proposals to ensure these essential workers are paid fairly. The changes create harmful uncertainty and instability for employers and workers in home and community support,' said Lisa Foster, Kaiwhakahaere of the Home and Community Health Association (HCHA). "We are deeply concerned about the impact on the 110,000 people who rely on home care. This essential workforce must be valued and shown that they matter. The current message is quite the opposite." Many essential home services rely on fully funded contracts, but funding has eroded over time and pay rates have been diminishing. Disparities within the health sector funding (ACC, Health NZ, DSS) make this even more challenging. The sector is calling for Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand to urgently share their proposals to address these sustainability issues that threaten health services. The pay equity process with unions and employers has identified undervaluation and discrimination, which must be addressed. The Home and Community Health Association will urgently seek further clarity from the government on what is now proposed for a pragmatic sector solution. "The real issues of low pay rates and underfunding need resolution. The significant pay gap for Care and Support Workers cannot be ignored. This issue cannot be left without a clear plan and pathway forward," said Lisa Foster, Kaiwhakahaere of the Home and Community Health Association (HCHA). "Gender discrimination and much higher pay rates for hospital staff (paid by Health NZ) compared to community workers must be addressed. A re-balance is urgently needed. Support workers deserve fair compensation based on their job, not their workplace – whether in the community or a hospital."
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Madison County organization looks to build safe haven for victims of sexual exploitation
BEREA, Ky. (FOX 56) — Redeeming Hope is an organization all about empowering female victims ages 14-18 who have been subjected to sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. They're working on a huge project to help in this mission. Members of Redeeming Hope are working on building a home that will be a safe space for these victims. Lisa Foster with Redeeming Hope said she's thrilled to bring this resource to the community members who need it. Powell County rescue team to halt emergency responses to Red River Gorge 'It should be under a roof by April or May, depending on weather, and completed by August. The value of the home is $800,000. It's a 6,000-square-foot home, and we're at the 500 marks, so we're still trying to raise 300 more so we don't have to go in debt,' Foster said. The home will be built adjacent to Church on the Rock in Berea. To raise money, Redeeming Hope is selling tickets to the upcoming film 'Trapped', which will play at 6 p.m. on March 29 at the Lancaster Grande Theatre. Tickets are $15, and all proceeds will go towards the building of this new safe space. 'Trapped' was directed by Ejaz Khan. With Lydia Pearl Pentz, Meghan Leone Cox, Miles Barnum, and June Marie Davis. Read more of the latest Kentucky news It's a film meant to shed light on sexual abuse and sex trafficking in the United States. The plot of the movie involves the fragile relationship between a mother and daughter surviving a luring stranger. Foster said this started when the movie's producer called from New York wanting to help. To get tickets, visit the Redeeming Hope website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
