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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 our bi-monthly e-letter that aims to keep residents, Board Members and Stakeholders up to date on projects. 1. Employment, Skills and Business On 12th November, Work on the Horizon (funded by New Deal and based on Bloxwich High Street), and Walsall Council, staged a job and training opportunity event at the Blakenall Village Centre. Employers present, who were recruiting, included HomeServe, MacNeillies, Midlands Co Op and Starting Point Recruitment. There was also a large selection of training providers and voluntary organizations present to promote their services. Over 140 people attended the event. The entire Work on the Horizon team was present, ensuring engagement with every attendee. This enabled every person to be advised of the facilities and services available through Work on the Horizon which includes job-search assistance, in work support, CV completion, advice on training, signposting to other organizations and more. If you would like more information on what assistance is available:- Visit - Work on the Horizon, 1 Queens Parade, High Street, Bloxwich WS3 2EX or telephone - 01922 496 555 or you can click - www.workonthehorizon.org More information contact Bob Crundwell 01922 712858 2. Education & Learning December sees the Adult Education programme at an end and the Theme Meeting on 1st December considered the evaluation of the projects delivered by College of Continuing Education and ContinYou. There is certainly a much greater interest in learning than there was and the Celebrations of Achievement have demonstrated some real enthusiasm. The evaluation draws out from the projects learning for future provision and the College have submitted a sustainability plan to continue provision within the New Deal area, at least into 2009. We thank ContinYou and the College for their work, for their enthusiasm and for their help and guidance. We wish them well for the future. The Out of School Study Support Project had a good summer school and the Homework Clubs continue at the Blakenall Village Centre and the Young Persons information Centre. An Action Plan to address matters identified in the Interim Evaluation in the summer of 2008 is being progressed. Schools continue to use and to make the most of the support given through the School Improvement Funds and the Data Project has once again given an early indication of achievement. Whilst the full data booklet will not be available until February 2009, early indicators suggest that, whilst there is some variation in performance, the general trend for improvement continues. The project to support young people in danger of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) had a very successful year, with the majority of participants achieving positive destinations. This project has now transferred to the Employment Theme but we remain interested in the Education Theme and congratulate them on a very positive Outward Bound programme this summer. Work continues on the Ormiston Academy (Shelfield) with opening scheduled for January 2009 and a possible rescue for Sneyd by Ormiston stepping in to create an Academy there too was headlined recently. Walsall Children's Services - SERCO is getting to grips with the developments under their new contract arrangements and planning through the Children's Area Partnerships (CAPs) for continued improvement in Services. All young people in the Borough up to the age of 16 will be entitled to free swimming at the Borough's pools from 5th January. They should apply for their cards now! More information contact Bob Marsh on 01922 712858 (Note: Bob is leaving New Deal for pastures new at the end of January and we all wish him well in his new career) 3. Housing and Environment The New Deal Environment Community Team are now established in their new role and have been working with other agencies to clean up a number of areas, Millfield Avenue, Church Street, Livingston Bridge and Leamore Park are just some that have benefited from the teams work recently. The team has also helped with initiatives at Christchurch and Bloxwich Church of England and local schools in developing their wild life gardens. The team continues to visit the elderly residents in their homes and recently helped ten wheel chair users to visit the Walsall Illuminations. The team also deliver Cycle proficiency training (now known as Bikeability) at local schools. On a Saturday mornings a cycle club has been set up for the eight to elevens, and a separate one for the over twelve's. If anyone is interested in joining (bikes can be provided) please phone Les Beeley on 01922 711228 and ask for details. More information from Steve Pooni 01922 712858 4. Crime and Community Safety Crime reduction has continued within the area with an 11.8% reduction in total recorded crime in October, the figures are pointing towards a further reduction for November. These results are extremely impressive as historically this time of year there is a general increase in recorded crime, which it appears, is happening elsewhere in the Borough. The Visible Foot Patrol scheme has continued within the footprint. 759 roads were patrolled against a target of 180, which was also an increase on the previous quarter of 473 roads.39 Residential properties and 67 Business premises were visited .84 motorists were spoken to, 10 ASB issues were addressed with 23 people receiving crime prevention advice. A further 112 residents were spoken to. The neighbourhood Sergeant, Hannah Davies will be meeting with the New Deal Crime & Community Safety Theme Manager to discuss the delivery of the project now that the nights are drawing in, to ensure maximum visibility can be achieved. The Domestic Violence project has continued its delivery of the schools programme. Again, all 17 schools have been contacted offering services. 5 schools have booked specific sessions to date and three of these have been delivered. 75 junior school students aged 8 - 11 received were delivered sessions and an additional 121 other students received the programme. A one to one session has been delivered and one young person is currently receiving support. There have also been 6 workshops that have been provided to the young people of Blakenall during this period. The Rapid deployment of CCTV project will be recommencing after delays following changes within policy regarding deployment. Two additional cameras looking at environmental issues will also accompany the anti social behaviour dome hawks. Crime and Community Safety Surgeries continue to run at the Blakenall info Centre 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 12:00 - 14:00. Many local residents have popped in during the last 6 months to discuss issues. If you do have any concerns please come along and see me. There are facilities to talk in confidence if you wish, or alternatively visit me at the Village Centre or call on 712858 Finally a warning to all car owners. As much as you hate this time of year, waking up to find windscreens frosted over and freezing cold outside, thieves love it. Please pass the following advice on to your contacts:- Whilst you take the comfort of a warm cup of tea, they will probably be taking your car. Every year theft of vehicles by opportunist is prevalent with the cold weather. Many people will start their car up; leave the keys in the ignition, and leave the engine running to heat the car up and de-ice the windscreen. The car is then left whilst they go off and finish their cup of tea, or toast, or get the children ready for school. This presents an ideal opportunity for your car to be stolen. All the criminal needs to do is, open your car door and drive away - you'll have probably even warmed the car up for him. So invest in some de-icer, a screen cover or a good old fashioned scraper, as whilst it may be a bit colder to do, it's not as cold as it is having to walk to work! More information contact David Benbow on 01922 712858 5. Health and Well Being The Drugs & Alcohol Day Programme & Volunteering Scheme (delivered by Addaction) held a well attended Open Day in September. Local MP David Winnick was on hand to deliver OCN Training Certificates to attendees of the program. We have 11 recruits for the Volunteer Training Scheme who started on 16th September 2008. 6 of these volunteers will complete the full 16 week scheme 5 of these volunteers will complete only the 8 week training element of the scheme. Three of our current volunteers have had the opportunity to do paid sessional work in our Stafford and Birmingham offices. One previous volunteer has just been employed on a permanent basis at Birmingham Addaction. At present our volunteers are working with the following New Deal Community agencies; The Young Peoples information Centre and the Over 50's group. We have at present delivered 4 days of Drug and Alcohol Awareness Training to 13 residents and workers from within the New Deal area. We have 2 more blocks of training planned to be delivered before the end of the year, where a total of 15 people have reserved places. The Long Term Conditions Project is organising a Health Fair on 21st January 2009 at the Blakenall Village Centre, promoting the risk factors of Heart Disease. The Expert Patient Programme has seen 13 residents complete the Expert Patient Programme between July and September. Promotional events have been held at the Senior Citizen's Party, the Bloxwich Carnival, at the Pinfold Health and Harden Health Centres and the One Stop Information Event EPP courses for the New Deal area have been arranged for 15th January 2009, 10.00 a.m. and 2.00pm to be held at St. John’s Methodist Church, Victoria Avenue, Bloxwich. There are now two Health Trainers based in the area working with New Deal residents. 56 referrals to the service were received in the last quarter from GP's and pharmacists, and self referrals are now received. Work continues with local services such as the Co-op pharmacy in the Blakenall Village Centre as well as community dieticians, physical activity service and stop smoking team. Clients that want to lose weight can also be given free vouchers to access Slimming World or Weight Watchers. The Top Trumps Celebration Event has occurred in September; the event was successful with Leamore, Green Rock, Little Bloxwich, Elmore Green, Christchurch and Castle Schools attending. All schools went away with enough 'Changing Faces' packs for pupils in years 5 and 6. Young Persons Health Information Worker workshops continue to be delivered on money management, confidence building, smoking cessation, job searches and any specific issue that have arisen that week. The Smoking Cessation programme continues with great success with new clients being signed up on a regular basis. Shelfield College have held two sexual health awareness days on 1st and 2nd October for year 11 pupils. The health information worker focused on Sex and the Law and 'It's okay to say no. All year 11 pupils took part in the hour long sessions. Rugby Sessions - Community rugby sessions are being run at the Stafford Road Sports Club on a Sundays between 10.00 - 12.00, girls and boys are welcome to come along. There are plans for the Shelfield School minibus to be used as a community bus for the sessions picking up children from across the New Deal area. Bike Club - The bike club restarted on Saturday 8th November. The younger group will be in the park from 10.00 - 11.30am; an older group will meet at the park from 11.30am and go on a longer ride using canal towpaths. Each month it is hoped the group will take a trip to places such as Cannock Chase. Tennis Club - Bloxwich Tennis Club are now having organised adult sessions on a Monday from 11.00am - 1.00pm and Sunday from 10.00am - 1.00pm. If any one would like to join the club they can just turn up to the session, where for their membership fee will get free use of equipment and others to play against and socialise with. More information contact Harjinder Singh 01922 712858 6. Community Empowerment Blakenall Fishing Association held their first competition on 16th November. The competition went well with more new people attending. The competition was to raise money for Children in Need and the group have raised over £200.00 in sponsorship. More information is available at Blakenall info Centre on 01922 711228. Now that the dark nights and milder weather is due, "patch rep drop ins" will be coming to an end until the Spring. Board Members are now replacing drop in sessions with Patch Newsletters that can be delivered and displayed in the notice boards. If Board members would like to create a newsletter or would like more information please contact Victoria Westwood or Jo Toft on 01922 711228. Walsall Gypsy and Travellers Forum held their Annual General Meeting in October. The group is looking at an action plan for the next 12 months to focus their work. The Forum is working with the Strategic Health Authority on the Pacesetters project and the development of a Hand Held Health Record for people from the Gypsy and Traveller Community. Community members attended a very successful design day in London on 15th December to meet with professional designers to decide on what the record will look like. For more information please contact Victoria Westwood on 01922 711228. A Children in Need Event was organised by Walsall Domestic Violence Forum, WS3 and the young people from the Young Persons information Centre to raise funds for the 2008 campaign. A 5 a side football tournament was held on the 18th November. Teams from New Deal, Young Persons information Centre, WS3, the Electric Palace and West Midlands Police competed with teams raising their own sponsorship. Pudsey cakes and biscuits were sold at the Young Persons information Centre and fun activities for young people on appeal night. For more information please contact Victoria Westwood on 01922 711228. A Community and Voluntary Sector Forum meeting in November was attended by a number of representatives from local community and voluntary groups. Representatives took the opportunity to share good practice and to let each other know of events and activities that are happening over the next few months. The Council has been successful in securing over £1million grant funding for the development of Green Rivers and the relocation of Pleck Boxing Club. Both Green Rivers Community Association and Pleck Boxing Club are discussing governance issues that will contribute to the long term sustainability of the project. Improvements to Smith and Thomas House flats and the surrounding area are now complete. These include a new play area, a ball court, a youth shelter, new car parking spaces, pathways, lighting and re-landscaping. This venture funded by Walsall Housing Group was delivered in partnership between New Deal, WHG and the Residents Group. A celebratory event was held on Saturday 29th November and was opened by the Mayor of Walsall, Cllr Tom Ansell. The event included a 5 a side football and activities for children. More information contact Michelle Parry 01922 711228 Communications Diary Dates 'ChTatter' edition 34 deadline is the 5th January 2009 distribution taking place during February. 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' Walsall's New Deal supports the Walsall Partnership "We are Walsall" campaign. |
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