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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 Work on the Horizon continues to do a great deal of good work with members of the community not only getting people into jobs but also specific training and particularly building confidence in people who have been away from the world of work for some time and need help and support to cope with re-entry. Two case studies of recent successes are; Amanda had been unemployed for four years, she started using the amenities at Work on the Horizon. Initially attending to use job search facilities but in July 2007 she enrolled on to the 'Skills for You' project. Amanda said that she had previously attended other providers and organisation for assistance but did not progress well with them as she always felt as though she was being pushed into doing things she did not wish to do. She felt that the staff at Work on the Horizon encouraged her and gave her the confidence, and the reason, to get out of her flat and talk to people. Whilst attending the 'Skills for You' project Amanda was assisted with her job search activities and had an up to date CV compiled for her. She also accessed one to one interview technique sessions. Amanda commenced full time employment in September 2007 and has been able to access in work support. Kerry had been unemployed for over twelve months and wanted to change career direction when she became involved with Work on the Horizon. Kerry entered the Employment Option Programme gaining a work placement with a local employer. During the course of her placement Work on the Horizon was able to arrange for Kerry to complete level 1 in British Sign Language and NVQ level 2 in Customer Care. It was also arranged for Kerry to attend courses in confidence and motivation, Introduction to word processing and Introduction to spreadsheets. Kerry is due to complete the employment option programme at the end of September at which time her work placement will be engaging Kerry as a full time permanent member of staff. More information contact Bob Crundwell 01922 712858 2. Education & Learning New Deal sponsored a Summer School that lasted for three weeks during the summer. Based at Shelfield, the programme aimed to give young people a positive summer of activities leading to a residential. The benefits will enabled young people to enjoy fun and positive activities whilst keeping in touch with their learning, the young people had a great time which will carried them through the summer and into the autumn with less chance of forgetting where they were at with their studies. New Deal Homework Clubs for 7 - 16 year olds commenced on Monday 25th September. The Junior Homework Club is operating from the Blakenall Village Centre every Monday and Wednesday from 4.00pm - 6.00pm. It will run initially for 11 weeks, with further clubs planned for after Christmas. The clubs are aimed at providing children and young people with fun activities, a place to make new friends in a safe environment and learn about how smart they are. Sessions are made up of games and activities, as well as a chance to do homework or learn about how they can make the most of their brain. All the activities are supported and co-ordinated by UFA trained staff (UFA is a national educational charity, visit their website at www.ufa.org.uk for more details). Places are limited, places can be booked through school or contacting the UFA on 0121 212 9838. We also hope that Parents and Carers will also enjoy an introduction to Community Learning when they drop their young students off at the Blakenall Village Centre. Refreshments are available in the Horizon Restaurant and there will be the chance to learn or simply to research using the computer facilities. On Tuesday 26th September we started the homework club for High School students meeting on every Tuesday and Thursday from 4.00pm - 7.00pm, at the Young Persons information Centre. This will employ the same approach to learning in a fun environment, but will be restricted to students aged 11 and over. The facilities and setting of the new Young Persons information Centre together with the tutorial support will help to make homework less of a chore and give all of the help needed to succeed. Places are limited places can be booked through school or contacting the UFA on 0121 212 9838 The Blakenall Village Centre is now Wireless enabled allowing note-book and lap-top computers to access the internet using links through the Walsall Council network. Just ask at reception to register, get your password; it's as simple as that. This facility will support the Homework Club and other activities (see above). The horizon Restaurant will truly become Blakenall's very own 'Cyber-Café', with refreshments available and a friendly atmosphere. It is hoped that as winter approaches, this will be a popular early evening venue. Most New Deal Schools are now benefiting from extra funding to assist with improving achievement of their students. A variety of approaches has been adopted by the schools, from extra classroom assistance to software. There is a real focus on trying every little extra step to support New Deal students in their schools and some very positive working relationships continue to develop. We eagerly await the 2007 results as this is written, and hope for continued improvement for our young people. More information contact Bob Marsh on 01922 712858 3. Housing and Environment Bellways have commenced work on both sites A & B either side of Victoria Avenue. Construction is well under way on the site next to the Blakenall info Centre and the initial preparation work on the other site has commenced recently. whg has completed the building of the Bungalows in Thames Road opposite the BVC and the properties are now occupied. Bovis Homes & whg came to the last H & E Theme in early August and did a presentation around the redevelopment of the site in Barracks Lane opposite the BVC and some of the smaller sites around the area. They are currently bidding for Housing Corporation Funding to assist in the development which will be a mixed tenure site with Social Housing, Shared Ownership, Equity Schemes and properties for sale on the open market. A detailed report was taken to the 26th September Board meeting for information purposes. A public consultation on the proposals was held at the Blakenall Village Centre on Friday 28th September 2007. A HomeBuy report was taken to the 26th July Board meeting providing an update position after the 2 phases of marketing. Mercian Housing Association undertook three open day drop in sessions that were advertised via posters in late August and early September. They are currently processing the expressions of interest received. The Living Streets Master Plan is currently being finalised by colleagues at Walsall Council and a special H & E Theme Group meeting is being convened to discuss and develop the proposals. More information from Steve Pooni 01922 712858 4. Crime and Community Safety Year to date bcrime levels across the West Midlands are currently showing an increase on last years figures, with the New Deal area being no exception. Total recorded crime in the area has increased in comparison with the equivalent period in 2006 (1st April - 31st August). However, this must be put into context as the levels of crime are still relatively low. The crime currently showing the largest increase (both in the New Deal area and across the West Midlands) is burglary - of buildings - not dwelling houses. The current trend is burglaries of domestic garages and sheds. This is something that we are focusing attention on in our area with continued distribution of alarms and crime prevention advice. Sgt Craig Smith has now moved on from the police team and his replacement is Sgt Jamie Checkland. Jamie will be at the next Theme meeting in October to introduce himself, but in the meantime can be contacted either at the Blakenall info Centre or at the Bloxwich Police Station. The Early Impact on Crime project which had provided funding for a Schools Beat Officer and a Field Intelligence Officer has now been completed. Although there is no longer New Deal funding to maintain this project, Chief Superintendent Monroe has appointed PC Maria Coutet to the position to ensure that this valuable work continues. The Early Impact on Crime project has been replaced by Visible Foot Patrol, which funds two police officers to patrol the New Deal area during specific times of the week. The patrols are for four days a month, during times that present the biggest threat for crime and anti-social behaviour. Patrols are exclusively late afternoon through to and including evening, and at the weekend. Officers have a specific remit of engaging with the residents, motorists and businesses with a view to reassurance and reducing the fear of crime. The Community Wardens project is currently being evaluated by M-E-L Research, with a draft report due on 3rd October. M-E-L will then present their findings to the Crime Theme on 10th October, with a view to identifying the most appropriate way forward for the wardens when the project comes to an end in March 2008. The Rapid Deployment CCTV project is now up and running with three cameras now deployed around the New Deal area. The cameras are moved on a six weekly cycle, with locations dependent on residents’ requests and anti-social behaviour hotspots. The Walking Cowboy is a one-off project that is being delivered in all ten primary schools in the New Deal area, week commencing 24th September, by Pawprint Theatre Company. The production introduces, in a fun and interesting way the importance of road safety. It also teaches ways to travel to school other than the car. More information contact Inspector Lisa Robson on 01922 712858 5. Health and Well Being The launch event of the 50+ Forum project took place in May at the Blakenall Community Centre, 72 local people attended of which 65% were New Deal residents and 33 stall holders from a range of agencies attended. A total of 105 people attended. The first New Deal Over 50 Plus meeting, was held in July at the Stan Ball Centre. Tom Perrett MBE opened the forum following an introduction about the project from Tracey Gould the Older Person's Support Worker. Our speaker was Mandy Findlay from 'Health through Warmth'. A consultation workshop was facilitated by Walsall's Age Concern and Walsall Community Transport with the aim of outlining actions for future forum meetings. 16 local residents attended. In partnership with Blakenall Library, we are holding Coffee and Information Events on the first Wednesday of each month. Three events have taken place, with an average of 12 people attending. Information about local services, activities, events and forum meetings will be available at all events and opportunities for informal discussion with the Development Worker. Silver Screen events at the Forest Arts Centre have been completed with all the residents that attended enjoying them. Transport - Access to community transport has increased by 146 new people using the services for activities as a direct result of the project.
For more information please contact Tracey Gould on 01922 682228 / 07980 614847 The Complementary Therapy Service at Blakenall Village Centre has now interviewed and selected a small group of volunteers for the enhanced training programme to work with patients, the training starts in October. The development of the Complementary Healthcare Skills Course for patients and carers is well under way. This course includes massage skills, using essential oils safely at home, self help hand reflexology techniques, stress management and gentle Tai Chi. We hope to launch this course as a pilot in the Autumn. Two of the team have recently attended a conference in London regarding the use of Acupuncture in cancer and palliative care. The team would like to introduce this service should funding become available as there is considerable evidence for its benefits.
For more information on the Complementary Therapy Service ring 01922 443949 The new Family Bereavement Service Support Worker: Danielle Wilson started in post on Monday 3rd September. Bereavement Service for Cancer and Palliative Care official launch took place on Wednesday 26th September from 1300 - 1700, at the Blakenall Village Centre. For more information on the Bereavement Service ring 01922 443787 The Drugs Aftercare Service has been involved in the following community activities:
Young Persons Sexual Health Project worker Sam Curry (Sure Start Plus) is currently working with 12 families. Support packages have been offered based on the individual needs of the service users. 3 lone parents have moved into their own accommodation and one family into a flat. As a consequence of this, two young parents have moved out of the New Deal area taking the case load from 14 to 12. Sam was involved in the organising of a Prevention and Pamper Day at the Electric Palace to try and discourage second pregnancies in early teenage years, the event took place in August and was a huge success. Work continues to work with Electric Palace and Sure Start Blakenall supporting the Teenage Parent Groups. The 'What's Growing On Project' (Arts Project) will be going into 5 new Primary schools in the September. The Young Persons Health Information Worker, Emily Bissell is working with 7 clients and continues to work with groups at youth clubs and drop in sessions in the day. Issues addressed include; pregnancy, contraception, general sexual health, housing, benefits, anger management, family issues and entry to collage. Emily is working one evening a week at The Electric Palace Youth Club and will deliver sessions at the Young Persons information Centre. Walsall Pregnancy Help Counselling Service is popular with young people and the Counsellor will also be taking the service to the Young Persons information Centre, starting from Saturday 1st Sept 2007. Condoms are given out in line with the condom distribution policy. WPH have distributed 39 condoms, from the 21st June to 7th August. For more information on the Young Persons Sexual Health Project, ring Sarah Lindsey (Project Manager) on 01922 443940. From April to October the Football Development programme ran sessions in 10 schools across the area. This included football coaching during curricular PE lessons and Out of School Hours Learning (OSHL) clubs. Over the period 58 OSHL sessions took place, with 215 participants. Within these activities, we estimate that 1021 children, across a broad age range participated. 3 community based sessions are taking place on a weekly basis, run in conjunction with local clubs to further the development of both children and the coaches. Part of the programme consists of a 3v3 'Street Games' session on Tuesday evenings on the MUGA Leamore Park regularly attended by 25 children. 10 people have gained the Level 1 Coaching Award through the football programme, these coaches are now volunteering through the HAT-Trick programme. Summer Holiday Activity took place over 3 weeks, a football scheme was run at Shelfield Sports College. Transport was provided for two days of football coaching. On day 3 participants went on tour to either, Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC or Arsenal FC. The ground tours were a huge success and fully subscribed. For more information ring Neil Harding (Football Development Officer) on 07966 188313. Training has been undertaken through Walsall Council by three members of the sports development team to start delivery on a Healthy Walks Programme. The programme is delivered on a Thursdays at 11.15am to enable groups to be shown different walks around the local area. Routes have been chosen to include the newly refurbished towpath along the canal. The walks operate by having a front marker and back marker who are trained in basic first aid. It is hoped that volunteer walk leaders can be identified allowing the walks to become sustainable and expand to different meeting points around the area and on different days. The Aldridge Airport site is going to be used for outdoor pursuits activity with New Deal residents. The sessions are family orientated with them participating in 5 to 6 weeks of activities that include high ropes courses, climbing, abseiling, orienteering and mountain biking. Invitations have been sent for grandparents, parents and children to take part in the programme after school. The aim is to help family cohesion and teamwork. The first session will be open to board members and their families to trial the programme. Summer Holiday Activity have been completed including extreme games, judo, canoeing, football and a 3 week summer academy programme. Approximately 190 children took part. Tennis coaching sessions are being planned for the weekends in Leamore Park for children to come along, acquire specialist coaching that will lead to a tennis club based at the park. The courts are already being used on a casual basis. The Clubs Forum will take place on 15th October, literature will be sent to the clubs in the next few weeks. The forum discuss how the sports development team can help local clubs and develop networking. The three community coaches have:
Since coming into post in mid June the Long Term Conditions Co-ordinator Hannah Griffiths has organised the distribution and effective monitoring of medical equipment for the New Deal Equipment project. The equipment is now being used by the Health Trainer, Community Matrons, District Nurses and Pharmacists in the New Deal area. Some of the equipment is also being used by practice staff at Blakenall Meadow practice. Contact has been made with nurses at the Manor Hospital regarding setting up assessment clinics at the BVC minor surgery suite. All 3 venues - Blakenall Village Centre, Blakenall info Centre and Work on the Horizons, employment centre, are being well used by the Health Trainers with referrals generated from a leaflet drop. They are also working with community development workers from Blakenall info Centre for 'Walsall in Bloom' and parents from Valley Nursery around stopping smoking. The Health Trainer Service can be contacted on 01922 444044. The Expert Patients Programme Co-ordinator (EPP) co-ordinator has now been appointed and started in September. Contact has been made with the Health Trainers to aid promotion and establish referral mechanisms. The EPP team can be contacted on 01922 618329. Health Promotion Specialist Free health checks were held at the Blakenall and Leamore Festival in June as a health promotion campaign. Blood pressure checks were held with the over 50's Group at Bloxwich Library. Plans are in progress for a health fair to be held at the Blakenall Village Centre for residents and staff. The Long Term Conditions pharmacist has been working closely with the LTC coordinator to liaise with local GP practices and community matrons. The project is looking at a data package which can be used to extract information from GP practices identifying those with long term conditions and those at high risk of developing LTC. For more information on the project please call Sue Caulfield (Senior Health Promotion Specialist) on 01922 444141. More information contact Harjinder Singh 01922 712858 6. Community Empowerment Pauline Merrick Memorial Fund; two members of the New Deal Youth Council have prepared and delivered training to residents board members involved in the My Aspirations panel. Some individuals and groups have shown interest and information has been sent, other groups and individuals who have requested information have been contacted to offer support and advice. Contact has also been made with further community groups who have previously accessed Accorn funding, and information has been sent out or appointments made. The Millfields, Smith House and Thomas House Residents Association is now constituted and affiliated to the Tenants and Residents Federation. The group held a consultation day where the residents came and gave their views on plans for environmental improvements. Plans have now been agreed and the work will be going out to tender with a view to carrying out the work early next year. The Youth Council's action plan has been agreed and work continues to implement these actions. A priority is to increase membership and promote the work of the members. An event has been organised for the 1st November at the Young Persons information Centre, to coincide with Nation Youth Work Week, the theme is 'All Different, All Equal' and the Youth Council will be promoting difference, equality and sharing their action plan and raising awareness of their achievements. In addition we are working with Jo Harvey the specialist youth worker for young people with disabilities who will be working with the Youth Council on the event, and raising awareness as to the needs of young people with disabilities. The Council will be asking young people, what they feel are the issues in the area? so that we can review their views and feed them into the wider picture. There will be a series of themed workshops based on equality and diversity at the YPiC on the 29th, 30th and 31st October to culminate on the 1st November event, where a youth version of the Equality and Diversity Charter will be launched. Members of the Youth Council have been working on rewording the charter so that it is more youth friendly. The Summer Play Schemes have been successful. The feedback shows that the children involved enjoyed taking part and learnt new skills as well as some parents stating that they have seen a positive improvement in their child's confidence/self esteem. Work is taking place with the Creative Arts Team to organise a celebration event on the 11th October for children, parents, art workers and officers where the art work will be displayed along with an animation and photos. The Creative Arts Team will be presenting an evaluation of the playscheme project to the Youth Council. Engagement of Children 5-12 discussions have taken place with the Participatory Budgeting Unit (PB Unit), they are looking to use this tool with children. We are attending a multi agency meeting in October with the PB Unit, Save the Children's Fund, National Youth Agency and other partners to discuss involving children and practical approaches to engagement and decision making, as well as looking at ways of working in partnership. 'Descendants of All Worlds' is the latest project of Heartstone, a nationwide voluntary non-profit organisation dedicated to challenging prejudice and intolerance. Working through photo documentary, stories about people, the environment or events as photographers and writers find them. The aim is to challenge stereotypes, demonstrate that people are more similar than different and that there may be more than one side to a story. Over the year, a network of sites across the UK is hosting small exhibitions of new stories as they are gathered the photographer in different locations across the world. Walsall is one of many sites in the U.K. to host these exhibitions. We are working with the Creative Arts Team and NDC's Youth Council to carry out a photography project. Photographs from all groups across Walsall that are involved with this project will be brought together and eventually be displayed in Walsall. The initiative is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Walsall Council and Heartstone Business Sponsors. It is supported by the Churches Commission for Racial Justice, Early Years Equality and the British Federation of Racial Equality Councils. Consultation was carried out with some 600 plus young people to help with the planning for Art Workshops. Information has been collated and was discussed at the Youth Council in September; members volunteered to help with the planning and organising. In addition the information will be collated to provide feedback to those who contributed. We have continued to support the forum and to work in partnership with Leamore Forum. Discussions are taking place regarding a Christmas event in the area and we will provide support in applying for funding and the organising of the event. The Patch Surgeries are proving to be very successful with residents coming along to meet their patch rep and raise queries about their area. Information is being shared with residents, young and old who are coming along. The Silver Screen Project has taken place at the Forest Arts Centre a series of films have been showed over a number of weeks, aimed at older people and encouraging those that are isolated to come out and meet other people, about 40 people have attending. Discussions are taking place with a community group with a view to them taking the project over. The Community Fishing Club held their second meeting in August. The meeting was well attended and a committee has been formed. The next meeting is in October where the group will discuss and confirm their constitution. The club is now known as Blakenall Fishing Association and hopes to hold their first competition in the near future. If anyone would like to come along and be part of the committee or the club please contact Victoria Westwood. Children in Need is taking place on Friday 16th November. The Community Involvement Team along with Board Members and service providers are looking at ideas for this year's event. Details for the event have not been finalised; however events that will be held are; a School Sports Day in Leamore Park, teams can register at the Blakenall info Centre and take part in the egg and spoon, obstacle course, sack race. A Barn Dance is also been planned for the evening of 16th with activities such as face painting, guess the sweets in the jar with many more planned. Full details will be circulated to Board Members as they are confirmed. If anyone would like to be involved in the planning/delivery of the event please contact Victoria Westwood on 01922 711228. The Walsall Gypsy and Travellers Forum has secured funding from the Violet Clegg Fund that will help to fund the annual trip to Stow Fair that takes place on 25th October. Tickets are available from Forum members and Victoria Westwood at £4.00 per person. Places are limited. The Forum has submitted an application to the LNP for funding for their annual Christmas event. Details will be circulated when they have been confirmed. The Community Involvement Team continues to support community groups such as Harden Parents Association, Christ Church Parents Group, Little Bloxwich Xtra Projects, HEBRA, Grenfell Road Residents group and the Walsall's Gypsy and Travellers Forum. HEBRA's next meeting is on Tuesday 6th November, 7.00pm, at the Blakenall Village Centre. The Walsall Gypsy and Travellers Forum's next meeting is on Friday 5th October, 10.00am at Sure Start Blakenall. Neighbourhood Nature Project Officer (Julie Morris) and two young people from area who were instrumental in much of the in bloom activity attended the awards ceremony in Cheltenham. Blakenall in Bloom was awarded with a merit which is a 50 - 84% rating. Below 50% is an improvement award above 84%is outstanding. The judges summary stated Blakenall in Bloom as 'a superb first time entry', recognising the partnership work that had made it happen. The Allotment Project continues to develop with an arts project planned, future sessions for carers and a showcase of the project by the Walsall's Mental Health Team will take place at a Well Being Event to be held in Walsall. The Woodland Project is in planning stages at Millfields and is now looking into costs before proceeding with funding applications. A trip to the Botanical Gardens took place in the summer holidays for local children and young people. The Garden Project at Rivers House is now complete with an opening/celebration event being planned in the near future. The project was made possible through £1,000 funding from "O2 It's Your Community Award". The funding is available to community groups and the application process is quick and easy. The Education Garden in Leamore Park is being developed to offer learning experiences to local schools and groups. Julia continues to work with young people at Castle School, Elmore Green, Christchurch, Green Rock and Harden Schools and is continuing to develop opportunities for the Blakenall Action Team, membership has been expanded with further opportunity to do so again with up and coming events. The Ready Steady Summer activities funded by Walsall Council were successful, being fully subscribed with interest outweighing places available. Activities were, den building and a trip to Conkers in Derbyshire. Summer activities were also held in partnership with Blakenall Library for the Big Wild Read. Numbers were low but a new audience found, future activities will be planned. The Young Person's Information Centre (YPiC) is a facility that offers young people aged 11 - 19 access to free and confidential services in one location. The centre offers activities on site and can sign post young people to other opportunities that are available to them across the borough. The centre aims to offer easier access to services facilities include an IT suite, Café, Training Kitchen, Mini College, Health and Wellbeing clinic, Careers advice. The centre opened its doors on the 29th August, Jean Jevons chair person of New Deal's Community Empowerment Theme was invited by the Youth Council to 'open the doors', along with Jamie O'Neill, Chantelle Richards and Luke O'Neill from the Youth Council. First indications have been very positive within the first 3 weeks 105 young people have registered onto the IT suite and there have been up to 60 young people accessing the centre during the evening session. There will be a formal opening to be held on the 24th October commencing 12.00noon, with actors from Hollyoaks, Justin Burton and Hannah Ashworth. More information contact Michelle Parry 01922 711228 Communications Diary Dates 'ChTitt - ChTatt' is now a bi monthly publication, the deadline for the 29th edition is the last Thursday of the month, 25th October 12 noon. 'ChTatter' edition 26 deadline is 27th October and with be distributed early December. Forthcoming Events being organised by Walsall's New Deal are:-
For more information or if you can help at any of the above events or your organisation would like to get involved please give Sally a call on 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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