MatEj KastElIc / sHUttERstOcK Noticeboard Together were stronger Checkatrade is holding a symposium in Birmingham on 22 February 2017, looking at how partnerships can prevent people falling victim to rogue trading. The online resource for reputable tradesmen believes its symposium offers an opportunity for businesses, and those operating in consumer protection, to discuss how they can make a real difference through partnership working. Major problems in society include an ageing population, with dementia now being recorded as an underlying or contributory cause of death in a significant proportion of elderly people. Two-thirds of people with dementia are living in the community; these are some of the most vulnerable people, who are more likely to be targeted by scams and rogue traders. The symposium will explore this, with keynote speakers delivering thought-provoking sessions and asking how through partnership a difference can be made. One of the key questions will be: How proactive is your organisation in looking after the community? A spokesperson for Checkatrade said: We know from our existing partnerships that, when the intelligence of trading standards combineswith our pioneering service, Checkatrade increases the protection we can give to our communities from rogue traders. Checkatrade is currently working with nine UK county councils, creating trading standards-approved partnerships that are helping to drive work towards reputable organisations and tradespeople, and away from rogue traders. In a recent poll, 97 per cent of customers who responded said they would choose a Checkatrade trader who has been approved by trading standards over one that wasnt. To attend, register here. got aN oPINIoN? We want to hear it. Email tstoday@ tsi.org.uk to add your voice to the discussion. We reserve the right to edit letters. Fraud fringe is a winner! Cifas was awarded a 2016 Public Affairs Award for its fraud fringe at a ceremony held in London in December. The not-for-profit company, which works to prevent businesses, charities, public bodies and individuals from, becoming victims of financial crime, staged its fraud fringe events at the Labour, Conservative and Scottish National Party annual conferences last year. CTSI was one of the organisations that took part in the events. Taking to Twitter, Cifas wrote: Thanks to James and Chris from @Connect_Comms for all their work on #fraudfringe thanks to all the partners. Great to get the award. Its not too late to earn CPPD points! Dont forget you have until 20 January 2017 to earn CPPD points from the November 2016 edition of TS Review. The next module is being published in the January 2017 edition, which should be arriving on your doormats any time now. If you cant wait for the post, visit the members area of CTSIs website. Kingsbury Primary school pupil wins firework safety poem competition The winners of a poetry competition and poster competition on firework safety have been announced in Warwickshire. Kamila Walkowice, 10, a pupil at Kingsbury Primary School, won the North Warwickshire Firework Safety Poem Competition 2016. Meanwhile, Effie Aston, six, a pupil at Wellesbourne CofE school took first prize in the South Warwickshire Firework Safety Poster Competition. Warwickshire Trading Standards and Fire and Rescue Services organise the annual competition to help warn children about the dangers of fireworks. Pupils are asked to design a poster or write a poem that will help warn their peers about the dangers of fireworks. John Horner, portfolio holder for community safety, said: The firework safety message is very important and Im delighted to say that weve had a great response to our competition this year, with more than 1,000 children taking part. I congratulate our winners and thank everyone for taking part. Each winner will receive a 25 book token and be invited to visit a fire station. Their poster or poem will also be used as part of the November 2017 campaign.