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Home What is Walsall's New Deal? Themes Area Map Newsletter Media Releases Staff Events New Deal Documentation Links Job Vacancies Contact Site Map |
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'ChTitt-ChTatt' is the monthly e-letter that aims to keep board members and stakeholders up to date on projects. 1. Employment, Skills and Business Although it was always expected that many of those using the Work on the Horizon shop would not come from the New Deal area due to its location, extra efforts have been made recently to target residents. The consequence of this has been that over 40% of those using the service in August and September of this year come from our area against an average of less than 30% since the shop opened. Over the last fourteen months 169 formally unemployed persons on benefit have found employment and 64 are still on a programme of work preparation. The New Deal Advice Project operating in the area delivered by Walsall Citizens Advice Bureau is taking off. There has been a 54% increase in clients interviewed in the August/September period compared with June/July resulting in an increase of 49% of the issues being dealt with. This has included increasing the benefit of 13 clients on average in excess of £86.00 per week as well as assisting those with significant debt. After a slow start this project is now getting to those residents requiring help. Outreach sessions are:
Retailers across the area are being invited to form a Retailer Forum to explore whether they want to form a traders association. Although supported by New Deal this is very much a local trader led initiative which hopefully will strengthen the voices of shopkeepers and lead to a more robust retailer sector. More information contact Bob Crundwell 01922 712858 More information contact Bob Crundwell 01922 712858 2. Education & Learning New Deal data reveals upward learning trend for schools in the New Deal area as recent partnership work between Walsall’s New Deal and Education Walsall reveals excellent results with New Deal area schools out performing the other New Deal areas and matching the rest of the borough. More information contact Bob Marsh on 01922 712858 3. Housing and Environment Blakenall Village Phase One is now in the retention period, the contractor is currently working to resolve outstanding snagging issues. During the implementation process of the first phase of works both New Deal and Walsall Council worked in partnership to ensure the continual development of community capacity through active consultation with stakeholders, traders and the community. This led to the development of a number of future priorities for the local centre. Working in partnership with the Local Centre Steering Group, Walsall Council has been developing designs for the implementation of Blakenall Village Phase Two works. The project will deliver direct, safe and convenient pedestrian linkages between Blakenall Local Centre and the Blakenall Village Centre. In addition the development and implementation of public realm improvements to the local centre will include work that will improve the setting of the Parish Church and develop a community focal point for the village. A public consultation programme commenced in September. Working in partnership with New Deal Local Centre Steering Group which includes representatives from Leamore, Walsall Council has been developing design for the improvements for the Leamore Local Centre. The works focus on the implementation of the public realm improvements which will facilitate the long term economic vitality of this centre. The site is located in the boundary of Walsall’s New Deal area. The need for physical intervention in Leamore Local Centre was established at stage 1 of New Deals Delivery Plan and in the Regeneration Action Plan completed by Taylor Young 2002. The project specifically addresses the need to improve the appearance of the centre, particularly in relation to the pedestrian environment. A public consultation programme began with a stand at the Celebrating Diversity event that was held at Leamore Park on the 15th July ‘06. Details will be reported in the future. More information from Steve Pooni 01922 712858 4. Crime and Community Safety Crime figures for the year to date are as follows; Volume crime down by 8% Vehicle crime up by 13% Criminal damage down by 16% Violent Crime up by 6% Burglary dwelling House down by 27% Burglary other building up by 13% Early impact on crime - The police team are carrying out activities on the area targeting drug offenders but also addressing a seasonal trend in relation to vehicle crime. Their activities consist of a variety of actions ranging from visible foot-patrols in key hot spot areas, targeting specific offenders and carrying out surveillance. Officers are available at the Blakenall info Centre between 9 am and 5pm week days where advice re crime prevention can be gained. The Crime-busters schools programme will be working in schools after the February '07 half term. The Neighbourhood Wardens continue with their activities, working closely with the police team. The Crime Theme has requested that a new replacement wardens project - post March 2007, be researched and brought back to the theme in December. The Walsall Domestic Violence Forum continues to carry out activities on the area to address problems. CCTV - Domehawk A discussion paper was presented to the Crime Theme on 4th October and it was agreed to take it forward and develop a project involving the use of rapid deployment cctv cameras on the New Deal area. The project document is being completed. More information contact Inspector Mandy McPhee on 01922 712858 5. Health and Well Being 2 Sports Volunteers have gained employment Rachael Law and Kate Deeley have been employed by Shelfield Sports College to deliver aerobics and fitness sessions across the borough in primary schools. Both girls excelled with their sports coaching during the summer programmes and it was no surprise to the sports development team that the 2 girls have made the step up from sports volunteers to sports coaches. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer within our sports programme please call: Gareth Jennings - 07725 702936 During October half-term the Hat-Trick programme delivered another successful football programme based on ‘Lets Kick Racism Out’ out of football. The three day course concluded with a match day package at Walsall FC’s match against Milton Keynes Dons, where 14 lucky youngsters were chosen as ball boys and girls for the day. The course was held at Shelfield Sports College and consisted of Football Fundamentals, coaching sessions and mini world cup tournament. If you would like to get involved in football within your local community please call: Neil Harding - 07894 619213 Sports Programme - Get Active! a range of new activities starting very soon, which has something for everyone across the community: 50+ Fitness (& Coffee Morning) Girls & Women's Fitness/Circuits Healthy Walks Climbing Wall Sessions If you are interested in taking part in any of these sessions please contact Gareth Jennings - 07725 702936 Complementary Therapy and Bereavement Services continue to be a success with both cancer patients and their carers benefiting from a range of complementary therapies. Comments that have been received from patients receiving complementary therapies include: "Complementary therapies which in my case means aromatherapy, is time out for me, space away from the medical rigours of my treatment and an opportunity to relax and let some of the tension go; it's a treatment that's focussed on me and my needs and not the disease. It helps me get through the Chemotherapy knowing I have something of such value to look forward too" "Each session has been like a haven - a port in the storm & helped enormously with my sense of well being and helped with sleep and relaxation" "It has given me an inner calmness and the ability to cope" If you would like any further information please contact Rachael on 01922 443945. The Bereavement Service co-ordinator has started and is currently undergoing on the job training and development. His first task will be the recruitment and training of volunteer bereavement listeners. For further Information contact the Bereavement Service on: 01922 443949 If you are interested in becoming a volunteer bereavement listener please contact Beryl Radford on 01922 443789. The Older Persons Support Worker project has now been approved and will be delivered by Bloxwich Community Partnership. The project will serve residents who are over the age of 50 years. For further information about the project please contact Dave Chell at the Bloxwich Community Partnership on, 01922 682228. Drugs Aftercare Service Work is completed on the new project base at the Blakenall Village Centre and the team has moved in. We will notify every one of our move and new contact details. We are arranging a series of open days and an official launch so that everyone can have an opportunity to meet the team and find out more about the service. We all look forward to delivering this service from the new site and becoming a part of the community. The staff team continue to promote the service to agencies, clients and the community. If you would like a visit from us please call us on 01922 646 262 and ask for Naila. We would like to share a few examples of client's achievements with you. Client A - has engaged in our service, attended on a regular basis, is stable and has registered at Walsall College and is now working on a qualification. They continue to access our service for support. We have introduced them to exercise ideas and they are now attending a gym. Client B - after many years of chaotic access into various services this client has now engaged successfully with our service and is making good progress. They are working with various agencies as there are multiple needs. This client is currently looking at housing needs and future options. Client C - has engaged successfully with our service, attending regular appointments and has looked at future educational options. They have made significant progress and remain drug free. We have liaised with social services for this client and they intend to discharge the case due to the progress made. We are also pleased to announce that our first run of the volunteer training scheme has come to a successful end with three volunteers obtaining a certificate of accreditation from the National Open College Network for Drug and Alcohol Awareness and a certificate from Addaction for Communication Skills and Safer working practices. We have six volunteers who will start the next volunteer training scheme in November. If you know anyone who is interested in volunteering with us and working towards accredited certificates they can still contact us as we will work towards them joining us for the training scheme in February. We have a Next Project Advisory Committee who meet three times a year, the next meeting is scheduled for 17th November and will be held at the new base. (Anyone interested in joining this committee should contact Julia on 01922 748877 to find out more about it). The Young People's Sexual Health Project is finally underway. Staff have been interviewed and appointed and the project should be delivering fully by the end of the year. An element of the project that is fully operational is C.H.A.T (Confidential Health Advice for Teenagers) The service offers health advice including advice on sexual health, free pregnancy tests and free distribution of condoms to promote safe sex. Times and Venues are follows:
For more information regarding the project please contact the team at The Blakenall Village Centre, or phone 01922 443940 More information contact Harjinder Singh 01922 712858 6. Community Empowerment There has been a good number of responses to the Mentoring questionnaire. The next stage will be to introduce Board members to new Board members. We will be inviting anyone interested to an informal 'getting to know you' meeting where there will be opportunities to ask questions and listen to people’s experiences of being a New Deal Board member. The Accorn funding panel met and viewed a number of new applications and to oversee monitoring & closure of old projects. The following organisations have been successful;
A visit to Pleck and Wolverhampton Boxing Clubs by Board members and representatives from Pleck Boxing has taken place. The aim was to compare and contrast existing venues for boxing but also to gain new ideas of how future developments could be implemented. A visit to a purpose built facility in Burton upon Trent will be organised to gain ideas. Lancaster Place Residents Association residents met about a number of issues ranging from extra "grit" bins to ensure paths remain slip free during the winter, to information on activities for young people during October half term. The sharing of information and future developments will continue during 2007. Gypsy & Travellers Forum trip to the Stow fair took place on the 26 October with good attendance with in the region of 30 people from the Gypsy & Travelling community. The forum was successful in obtaining funding from the Accorn fund. Little Bloxwich have now completed 'want not, waste not' the first Wildlife after School Project (WASP) being delivered in local schools by Neighbourhood Nature. The WASP's are also taking part at Harden and Elmore Green Primary Schools to encourage children to be more responsible for their environment and more aware of what they can do to help. Neighbourhood Nature helped to celebrate and promote family learning for the National Family Learning Week Campaign hosted at Blakenall Community Association on the 14th of October. Well done to the winners and thank you to everyone who came along. Hedgehogs will soon be hibernating as the dark nights draw in ever closer so you are running out of time to help them out with a free hibernation home and your sightings of hedgehogs as part of the national 'Hogwatch' survey. If you would like any information about neighbourhood Nature and its activities please contact Julia at the Blakenall info Centre. Nominations for the 2006 Patch Elections closed on 6th October. Two existing Board Members (John Jones patch 3, Doug Gill patch 21) have been re-elected and two new Board Members, Marc Ali - patch 6, and Brian Coney - patch 23 will be officially accepted onto the Board in January. There are still 2 vacant patches on the Board. A report on Community Notice Boards is to be taken to the Board Development and Promotions meeting on 13th November 2006. We have been working with Gareth Jennings and Bill Smith on setting up a Community Fishing Club in the area. The constitution will be completed soon and we are hoping to start fishing as a group in the New Year. If anyone is interested please contact the Community Involvement Team at Blakenall info Centre. Gareth is also looking to put adults from the club through level 1 and 2 coaching so that they will be able to mentor young people. Children in Need is on 17th November this year and New Deal is hosting 2 events. The first is a sponsored walk around the New Deal area, being organised with help from Walsall Parks Service. The walk will be in stages around the area with various pick up points. Further information is available from Judy White at the Blakenall info Centre. Pudsey's Party will be held at Blakenall CA from 4.30pm - 6.30pm. There will be activities such as fair rides, face painting, temporary tattoos, hair braiding, guess the sweets in the jar and a cracker eating competition. At 5.00pm there will be a Robbie Williams and Frank Sinatra tribute performance. Please show your support and help raise funds for this worthy cause. We have been continuing support with various community groups such as HEBRA and the Walsall's Gypsy and Travellers Forum. Work on the refurbishment of the Willenhall Lane site continues with phase 1 due to be complete within the next 2 weeks. Young Persons Liaison Team, Chef's Special project runs for 4 weeks with different groups of young people attending. Young people are supported by the original young people who are now working on their Youth Achievement Awards. There will then be a four week break before a new group attend. The youth team continues with its Detached work with Gareth Jennings, the police, community wardens and BCA to meet with young people who do not access youth provision. The team go out during the day and evenings to meet those who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). The second edition of Youth ChTatt has been distributed and more young people are becoming involved. Feedback has been positive and a group of young people are part of the editorial board. The third edition will be distributed in December. This Chill Chat Café is on Thursday evening from 5.30pm - 7.30pm in the Horizon Restaurant. The drop in is an opportunity for the youth team to meet young people in an informal setting. They can meet new friends, listen to music and talk to the youth workers. There is also a sexual health worker in attendance who offers counselling, condom distribution and pregnancy testing. Dance is held at Forest Arts Centre on a Wednesday evening. The 8 - 12 year old session is at 5.00pm - 6.00pm and the 12+ session at 5.00pm - 6.00pm. The young people have received dance outfits and are trained in dance techniques such as ballet, street and contemporary. They performed at a number of local events during the summer. The Young person's council meet every 3 weeks. There are a number of new young people attending who are moving the Council forward. They play an important part in the development of the Young Person's Information Centre. Two members are youth representatives on the New Deal Board. The Youth Forum meets every 6 weeks. Young people discuss issues that are then passed onto the young person’s council. Young people from the forum also attend swimming classes every 3 weeks. The Cycling Club is now held on a Saturday morning from 10.00am - 11.45am. The club is for young people from the age of 8 years. They learn riding techniques and how to play games using their bikes. The team is working with young people who live in the accommodation at Rivers House. The young people attend some of our projects, they have also written an article for Youth ChTatt in the short time that they are living in the area. They attended the holiday activities. During October half term a number of trips to Woodlands camp for over 8 year olds took place. The Walsall MBC Playbus was at the Blakenall Village Centre, Millfields Avenue and Leamore shops. The young people all had a good time and gained new skills in team building, rock climbing and communications. More information contact Michelle Parry 01922 711228 Communications Diary Dates Annual General Meetings for New Deal : New Horizons and New Horizons Enterprises on Wednesday 29th November commencing 8.00pm at the Blakenall Village Centre Thames Road. These meetings are open to the public please do your best to attend edition 23, deadlines are currently on target for distribution week commencing 4th December.'ChTatter' The time line for the following edition, number 24 is 5th February with distribution around 5th March 'ChTitt - ChTatt' 27th edition last Thursday of the month 30th November 12 noon. Events Children in Need Events on Friday 17th November at Blakenall Community Centre commencing 07.30am finishing at 6.30pm. Children in Need toy stall on the reception at the Blakenall Village Centre. Bloxwich Switch on Saturday 9th December at Bloxwich Market 2.30 until 4.30pm Blakenall Victorian Christmas Sunday 10th December Blakenall Heath 4.00 until 8.00pm Carol Concert at the Blakenall Village Centre on Friday 15th December 10.00 until 2.30pm Christmas Awards Evening and Social at the Excelsior Club Victoria Avenue on Saturday 16th December 7.30 until 11.45pm If you can help at any of the above event please give Sally a call More information contact either Andy Bradley or Sally Gamston 01922 712858 If you know of an organisation or individual that would like to receive 'ChTitt - ChTatt' please forward their email address to Andy Bradley on bradleya@walsall.gov.uk or Sally Gamston on gamstons@walsall.gov.uk Walsall's New Deal for Communities, New Deal : New Horizons is registered as a company limited by guarantee with Companies House registration number 04582937 and as a charity with the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales registration number 1098036. 'serving the areas of Blakenall, Bloxwich and Leamore' |
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