South Western Railway trials cutting-edge AI technology to improve accessibility

Britain’s busiest station, London Waterloo, is trialling Artificial Intelligence that provides train information through British Sign Language (BSL). Travellers who are deaf or have hearing loss often struggle to hear station announcements and communicate with staff, which can make it harder to plan and carry out journeys. The new Artificial Intelligence technology being trialled […]
Solent Mind campaign for the Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 asks for local businesses to play their part

Solent Mind is marking Mental Health Awareness Week in Hampshire – The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week is anxiety, a common feeling that can sometimes get out of control. This Mental Health Awareness Week, Solent Mind is asking local businesses and organisations to highlight the small things their staff and customers can do to […]
The Armed Forces Community programme: Spring 2026 Update

Written by Kate MizonArmed Forces Community Programme Co-Lead It’s been a fast-paced and energising start to the year for the Shaping Forces team. Following a short but purposeful pause to restructure the Armed Forces Community Programme, 2026 is shaping up to be the most productive and engaging year yet. The year kicked off at the […]
Food & Drink businesses wanted for Southsea Food Festival

The popular Southsea Food festival will return on the 15th & 16th July 2023. Food businesses and traders are invited to attend this celebration weekend which attracted crowds of over 50,000 people last year. Southsea Food Festival 2023 is celebrating its 15th anniversary and attracts around 50 food and drink traders, celebrating the thriving and diverse […]
Shaping Portsmouth welcomes new Associate partners
Shaping Portsmouth are pleased to announce that we have been joined by three new organisations as Associate partners, and would like to welcome 1st Computer Services, Dynamite Recruitment, and Veterans Outreach Support on board. 1st Computer Services has been providing outsourced IT support to businesses in Hampshire for 22 years, with more than 600 […]
Promoting Skills for Life with the biggest Apprenticeship Bus tour yet!

Last week saw the return of the Apprenticeship Bus tour as part of National Apprenticeship Week. For this three-day event, we took apprentices from a range of employers and industries into local schools for speed networking sessions with students from years 10 and 11, giving pupils a chance to meet them face to face and get a […]
Monkey World welcomes Wightlink’s recycled rope

More than 100 metres of worn-out rope, previously used to tie up Wightlink’s ferries at Lymington, have been handed over to Monkey World in Dorset. The surplus supplies will be used in the various enclosures to help the apes exercise. “We need to replace rope regularly for safety reasons and always look for good causes […]
Portsmouth’s schools need you to support their classrooms

A call for people in Portsmouth to become teaching assistants are invited to attend an information event on Tuesday 28 February at Central Library (third floor) from 10am to 2pm. Teach Portsmouth, a Portsmouth City Council initiative to train and recruit the best professionals for the city’s schools is holding an information event for […]
Help Southsea Play Cafe become a reality!

Alyson Bert, 32, and Josie Matthews, 34, have been best friends for the past ten years and, after having their children in lockdown, realised the necessity for a cafe where parents can go to prevent them from becoming isolated. The pair have set up a Crowdfunder to get them the top-quality materials that they […]
Plan a party fit for a king

Residents can now apply to hold a street party to mark the Coronation of His Majesty, the King, and Portsmouth City Council is making it easier by waiving some of the costs. This year, Portsmouth will join towns and cities around the country in celebrating His Majesty King Charles III being crowned alongside the Queen […]