 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
||
|
Home What is Walsall's New Deal? Themes Area Map Newsletter Media Releases Staff Events New Deal Documentation Links Job Vacancies Contact Site Map |
|
|
||
'ChTitt-ChTatt' is our bi-monthly e-letter that aims to keep residents, Board Members and Stakeholders up to date on projects. 1. Employment, Skills and Business Work on the Horizon is please to announce the launch of its website; www.workonthehorizon.org You are now just a click away from gaining information on all of the services and support available to Walsall's New Deal for Communities residents including local employment vacancies. For more information: Call - 01922 496 555. Pop in - 1 Queens Parade, High Street, Bloxwich, WS3 2EX. Remember - Work on the Horizon is working for you. More information contact Bob Crundwell 01922 712858 2. Education & Learning Theme projects continue to have a great impact across the New Deal area. Our Primary Schools have taken their Key Stage 1 and 2 School Attainment Targets (SATs). Results will begin to emerge at the end of the summer but need to be verified before they can be formally released. We may expect some guidance on the general results in September / October, with another report in January or February 2009, the result of our post-coded data project with Education Walsall. Similarly, the High Schools have completed their Key Stage 3 SATs and Key Stage 4 SATs (GCSEs). Their results will take longer to mark and informal news will emerge later in the Autumn. Verified results will be available in early 2009. For both Primary Schools and High Schools, the locally school-based improvement projects have been running to support New Deal Students and we hope for a continuation of the upward trend to catch up with results in the Borough. A cautionary note is that nationally figures have remained fairly static over the last year or two as it becomes more difficult to gain extra improvement. In support of the school-based attempts, New Deal's Out of School Study Support Project has been delivering "Homework Clubs", for Primary Students at the Blakenall Village Centre and for High School students at the Young Persons information Centre. The Primary Homework Club has been doing well although the attendance is sometimes dependent upon the weather at this time of the year and, in this second half of the summer term, it is not easy to keep up the enthusiasm. A core of regular attendees keep things going and, with the interim evaluation due to report to the Education Theme in August and Approvals Sub-committee in September, it will be time to consider options. At the High School Homework Club attendance has been affected by a number of operational issues. Some problems with the premises caused a down-turn but use is different from the Primary Homework Club in that a number of the students attending do so to get their homework done and then go, rather than the mix of study skills put on for the Primary Students. During the summer holidays, once again there will be a 'Summer School' operating through Shelfield Sports College for New Deal students. The group that attended last year are expected to assist this year and to build on the very positive feedback given to the Education Theme last Autumn. The Positive Choices Project has continued to build on the work of its predecessor project (concerning pre-NEETs). Again a very positive feed-back by some young participants to a recent Education Theme meeting showed how New Deal funding does make a difference to our young people. Projects to support Adult Learning are also reaching the end of an Academic Year and their programmes. This series of Projects (Targeted Learning Outreach, Basic Skills and work with over 50's, carers and those with disabilities) has not only made a big difference to individuals who have benefited from the programmes, but also changed the view of Education and Learning. From not valuing Education, the courses are now more popular than ever and there is a real thirst for Learning. This was reflected in the recent Celebration of Achievement event held at Blakenall Community Centre when certificates were presented by Professor Jo Allan, Assistant Dean of the School of Education at Wolverhampton University (Walsall Campus). Those present will all receive a photograph of themselves, complete with cap and gown and that certificate to commemorate their Learning Achievement. We look forward to an exciting Autumn Term for Adult and Community Learning. The next challenge is to link in with other providers to attempt to build on the popularity for Learning. More information contact Bob Marsh on 01922 712858 3. Housing and Environment Blakenall Village Phase Two Highway Junction: Works, including the installation of lighting, were successfully completed within the contract period and by the middle of May. There are still a few outstanding tasks to be tackled during the Defects Liability Period such as grading and seeding the area back of pavement of Barracks Lane and the need to delineate private/Council owned land outside Peggy's Place. These actions will be taken over the next couple of months but at present they are not impinging on the use of the site. There have been a few minor traffic management problems as vehicles have come to terms with the improvement works at the junction. These seem to have settled down now. Local people are generally pleased with the improvements and are using the crossing place appropriately. Quote from Tracy at Peggy's Place, Blakenall Heath: "We are very pleased with improvements outside the shop - it looks great! The crossing has made Walker Road much safer to cross for pedestrians. Parking facilities have improved and we are looking forward to welcoming all customers old and new." Blakenall Garage: Work on the garage is now finished (with the 6 months defects liability period ending 8.9.08). Other landscape works (grass verge CA boundary/Peace Tree): As above, we are awaiting the defects liability period ending 8.9.08. Tasks that required attention have now largely been completed, but we are awaiting the commencement of the planting season in September to replace vandalised planting. As there was a little under-spend in the budget some more plants will be added to that planting area too. An order has been placed with the Contractor to plant 3 mature trees within the prepared tree-pits during the up-coming planting season, outside Peggy's Place. The trees were removed from the original contract as the commencement of the junction improvement contract was delayed preventing the planting taking place within the last planting season. Leamore Local Centre Shop frontages, Bloxwich Lane Sugar and Spice's frontage is now complete to the tenant's satisfaction. There has been a little vandalism that was spotted promptly by a tenant which was dealt with speedily by the Contractor and saved a potentially expensive task occurring. The Contract is now in the defects liability period which is due to end mid-October 2008. There are a number of elements of Leamore Local Centre grant approval which are linked to the implementation of the Bus Show Case Route along Bloxwich Road, these include, parking bays and pavement improvements. The Show Case scheme is being delivered by Transportation Services. It has been agreed with Walsall Council & NDC officers that the works due to be completed under the original Leamore Phase 2 scheme will now be undertaken by Transportation Services during 2008/09 and 2009/10 at no additional expense to New Deal. The Small Shops contract has run to schedule. Generally the implementation has gone well and where problems such as those below have been highlighted to us we have work swiftly to rectify the situation. Unfortunately 3 trees were planted on Well Lane that adjacent shopkeepers were not in favour of, having suggested so during consultation. When the misunderstanding was clarified the trees were removed and the ground reinstated. The Council was apologetic for the mix-up. Sadly with several changes of staff in charge of the project and the design, the matter had not been adjusted at an earlier stage. When new vehicular and pedestrian gates were installed at Selmans Hill it caused some concerns about padlocks and keys. We are liaising with owners and tenants to ensure the matter is resolved. At Selmans Hill the owner has recently asked about re-organising his frontage to prevent vehicular access at one end. Although the budget is largely spent we are advising him over planning permission issues and have taken advice from the Council's Traffic management officers. A local resident adjoining Selmans Parade has raised security issues about an entry between their properties which is in the process of being resolved. The replacement of litter bins has caused some concern as it appears that some owners/tenants do not have commercial waste management contracts in place. We are advising them accordingly. More information from Steve Pooni 01922 712858 4. Crime and Community Safety The Festival at Leamore Park was a really successful day for the Crime Theme. Sgt Jamie Checkland, and Lee, Daz, Stu and Amy from the Neighbourhood Police team joined me, and we had the help of two young advisors - Tolley & Lurkey (James Tolley & Jamie McDonald who were budding David Baileys for the day. Young and old including some Patch Reps posed for photographs with the Police team or had the chance to sit in the New Deal Police Panda Car or Riot Van. Over 100 photographs were taken on the day some of which were on display the following week at the Blakenall info Centre. There was a lot of interest in the Crime prevention material available and advice was given to a number of residents. Following on from this and the previous Shed Alarm Day another day was planned for Bloxwich Market on the 12th July. A new Neighbourhood Watch Scheme has been formulated in the Mackay Road area. PSCO Andy Smith along with Patch Rep Albert Hodgkins have worked hard and as a result have gained fantastic support. Their first meeting which I will be attending will be held in September. Neighbourhood Watch is a brilliant scheme, not only does it promote community safety and harmony but it can be a springboard into influencing service delivery within your area as well as being able to qualify for a discount on your house insurance. If anyone wants to know more or is interested in setting up a scheme then contact me or pop into one of my surgeries which run every Tuesday at the Blakenall info Centre from 12:00 – 14:00. The Visible Foot Patrol scheme being run by our Neighbourhood Policing Team - aimed to reduce the fear of crime is receiving great feedback and many of you will probably have received a visit from them whilst they are out knocking doors. The Rapid Deployment CCTV Project continues to make a positive impact in the areas where it is deployed and the Domestic Violence Project Phase 2 is being heard at the next board meeting at the end of July to confirm its continuity. As we move into August historically there is a rise in the number of House Burglaries. Don't Panic!!!!!! This is not because there are lots of break in's and it is completely preventable. This increase comes from people leaving doors and windows open or unlocked due to the warm and sunnier weather. Everyone has done it - sitting out in the back garden with the front door not locked. Just popping to the shops around the corner and leaving your back door wide open or even at night time going to bed and forgetting to close those downstairs windows which you have had open all day. Each one of these is a welcome invitation for a sneak in thief and is so easy to prevent. So remember close all those windows and doors and if you have locks make sure you use them. If you require any further information or would like to discuss additional security measures then feel free to ring or catch up with me at one of the surgeries. More information contact David Benbow on 01922 712858 5. Health and Well Being Young Persons Sexual Health Workshops promoting healthy/infant/family nutrition were completed throughout April/May. The young people completing the course all graduated with a recognised 'Food Hygiene' Certificate. Two of the group were supported in applying for E2E (Education to Employment), Achieving Together at Walsall College and will begin their courses in September 08. A second Breastfeeding workshop was held on 18th June 2008. The host school for the next phase of the 'What's growing on' project has been identified as Green Rock Junior. Children are leading on the creation of a peer education resource (top trump cards) with support from arts workers. The Health Information Worker (Emily Bissell) now has a client basis of 45 with 5 new clients. The condom distribution scheme is still going well with 29 young people now signed up to it, Chlamydia screening is offered along side this and 11 tests have been carried by Emily. Barbara from Walsall Pregnancy Help is providing drop-in sessions at the Young Persons information Centre involving Sexual Health education including condom distribution and demonstration, pregnancy tests and counselling. Also engagement strategies (games and group work) dealing with sexual health, bullying, safety and relationships. For more information on the Young Persons Sexual Health Project, ring Sarah Lindsey (Project Manager) on 01922 443940. Long Term Conditions (LTC) Project referrals to the health trainers continue to increase with significant numbers coming through the obesity referral pathway. Drop ins have been held at the Blakenall Village Centre (BVC) to enable residents to access free Weight Watchers and Slimming World sessions. The Expert Patient Programme (EPP) co-ordinator for the area left the post at the end of April. The post will be advertised on a fixed term basis until the end of the project in December 2009. Two EPP courses started in April with 3 people from the area completing. The LTC Coordinator is working with the PPI team at Walsall tPCT, colleagues at Blakenall Meadow Practice and the co-op pharmacy at BVC to organise patient and public involvement and information day focused on Cardiovascular Disease in July. For more information on the project please call Hannah Griffiths (Long Term Conditions Co-ordinator) on 01922 443929. Sports Strategy The Street Games Co-operative Volunteering initiative was launched on 16th April with Mark Lawrie from Street Games attending. Through the initiative 12 young people from in and around the area have signed up to complete volunteering for children from the New Deal area. They are all now working towards a youth achievement award. A community Cheerleading Club now runs on Wednesday 4.30 - 5.30pm at Blakenall Community Centre, it is open to all ages and abilities to come along. This is the follow up from the work done in local schools and the young people will be working towards a performance on Saturday 30th August in Birmingham. FA UEFA HAT-Trick Programme The skills centre goes from strength to strength with 2 sessions run on a Tuesday evening by the FA coaches. This programme is fully sustainable through the FA and external funding. The New Deal funding for the football project ended on 30th June 2008 but it will be sustained through the sports strategy and community coach projects. Community Coaches The community dance coach is now trained to deliver the Dance Leadership Award through Sports Leaders UK. During the school summer holidays we will be putting on a leadership course for the local young people interested in dancing and helping out young children. Half term and summer holiday programmes will be run by the Community Coaches. For more information ring Beth Alvey - Sports Strategy Manager on 01922 686825 / 07725702936 Older Persons Project In April we held our New Deal 50 Plus forum meeting with 19 Residents and 5 key agencies attending. The meeting was productive and informative with Mandy Keay, Project Manager for Walsall Senior Citizen Link Line promoting the Open Door project and the partnership working that has developed for the New Deal drop in. Working in partnership with the College of Continuing Education, we have been offered some new opportunities to deliver a variety of Bitesize courses free of charge. All the Older Persons Development Worker needs to do is get enough interest. The courses on offer are as follows:
Walsall Senior Citizen Link - Line have "drop-ins" at Christchurch Church Hall, every Thursday morning 10.00 - 12.00, for the benefit of local residents for social interaction and access to information. A friendly relaxed atmosphere with a free soup and hot drinks available, Age Concern's Advocacy surgery are also available. For more information please contact Tracey Gould on 01922 712069 / 07980 614847 The Drugs & Alcohol Day Programme has had a significant increase of self referrals for alcohol treatment from the local community. The gardening project in Leamore Park is continuing to be well attended and enjoyable for all. Three sessions of National Open College Network accredited training for clients will have taken place by the end of this quarter. This gives the clients the opportunity to work on a portfolio of basic certificates which will help them return to either education or employment once their treatment is complete. An external verification and annual review was completed on the Volunteer Training Scheme by the National Open College Network. Their feedback was that we are doing an excellent job and that the standard of volunteers work is very high. We currently have 11 volunteers. This will drop to 9 within this quarter due to one scheme coming to completion. We currently have placements for two volunteers at the Young Persons information Centre. Richard Maunders has been appointed as the new manager of the programme, who we welcome. For more information on the Drugs & Alcohol Day Programme please call 01922 714964 More information contact Harjinder Singh 01922 712858 6. Community Empowerment The Community Cash 'Everyone Counts' project has involved joint working with the national Participatory Budgeting Unit (PB Unit) and is a case study for them. This has involved working with 8 Primary Schools within the area, over a period of 8 weeks. The work has involved school councils and training has been centred on teamwork, budgeting, decision making, negotiating, consulting with their peers and then managing the information received. The training culminated in a large event where all the children came together to discuss the information received, and voted on an activity to take forward. The event, held on 10th July was attended by the PB Unit. An evaluation framework has been drawn up to ensure information is captured and this will be shared with the PB Unit prior to their writing up the project as a case study. Manni Sehmbi made a presentation on the project at a conference held at Government Office for the West Midlands on 11th July, which was very well received. Women in the community have been supported to come together and form a group called Women Together. The purpose of the group is to raise awareness about issues relevant to women, get involved within the community and to offer support to other women. The group has arranged an informal coffee morning, attended the Volunteers Week event and displayed information about themselves. Support is continuing to help the group evolve and develop activities/projects within the area. Summer Art Workshops for 8-12 year olds have been developed for 4 weeks during the summer holidays. The programme will involve a range of activities from dance, drama, African drumming, film making with animation; all of which have an underlying theme of community involvement, citizenship and community cohesion. The Art Workshops project has involved children and young people in experiencing different taster workshops such as music, stage fighting, dance and drama; the choice of workshops were chosen by a sub group of young people. Following the workshops they will be working on a performance over 12 weeks. The performance should be taking place on the 12th August and feedback to date has been positive with the children and young people involved enjoying the activities. Pleck Boxing Club & Green River Development is nearing the submission of the planning application to Walsall Council. Final plans and drawings have been signed off by the architect. Both Green Rivers Community Association & Pleck Boxing Club are discussing governance issues that will contribute to their long term sustainability. Workshops are regularly delivered at the Young Persons information Centre around sexual health, health and well being and a programme is currently being devised to deliver a healthy eating and exercise programme. It is anticipated that by the end of August 2008 all forms of contraception will be available through the centre working in partnership with Walsall NHS. University of the First Age deliver After School Club two days a week offering assistance with homework, they also do various project work to assist young people with their education. The centre offers two weekly Job searching workshops in conjunction with Connexions. Young people also receive help and support with CV writing. From September, Walsall College, Achieving Together will be attending the centre two days a week to deliver entry level one to three in numeracy and literacy courses to post 16 young people. These will be delivered in three, 10 week blocks over 30 weeks. The centre has developed a timetable of events to reflect the national events calendar and is in the planning and preparation stages to hold a one year anniversary event which is scheduled for October 2008. More information contact Michelle Parry 01922 711228 Communications Diary Dates 'ChTatter' edition 29 deadline is the 1st September, distribution taking place late October. Forthcoming Events:-
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' |
|