helenaCommunity newsHELENA HEADLINES AutumN 2011

Young people have been encouraged to channel their energy into positive activities and increase their self-awareness through a series of summer holiday projects.

Helena worked alongside community coaches from St Helens Rugby League Club – Saints – to deliver multi-sport sessions to young people in Rainford, Sutton and Eccleston. Each session also included informal education with a theme of citizenship, covering topics such as honesty, respect, responsibility and the environment.

Through a partnership with re:new St Helens and children’s charity Brathay Trust, Helena created the Summer Onside programme which gave 10 young people the opportunity to take part in a range of team-building and confidence-boosting activities – including playing a football match against local police and fire service officers.

Young people in Parr, Moss Bank and Sutton proved their stamina by scaling a giant climbing wall, while a mobile skate park – Ramp Riders – toured eight Helena estates as part of a 20-week outreach programme - encouraging youngsters in Thatto Heath and Billinge to have some outdoor fun on bikes and skateboards.

Debra Rayment, an Inspector for St Helens Police, said: “Any projects which keep young people active and encourage them to learn more about themselves and their communities get a big thumbs-up from us.”

Joanne McMahon, Community Engagement Project Officer at Helena, said: “The activities we provide help us to engage with our local communities whilst offering young people fun and educational alternatives to negative behaviour. It was great to see so many of them getting stuck in this summer.”

Action-Packed Summer For Helena’s Young tenants

Summer Onside

Get f it with Saints

Helena West

Neighbourhood Policing Event Brings In TenantsA Helena-supported neighbourhood policing event provided a positive opportunity for tenants to learn about becoming more active in their communities.

The event, which took place at Church Square, St Helens town centre, was a chance for tenants to speak to Helena staff, as well as police, fire service and representatives from St Helens Council.

Five residents signed-up to be Helena Environmental Inspectors – making a positive difference to our neighbourhoods by helping review the quality of green spaces and standards of communal flat blocks.

An additional six tenants said they would be interested in joining our One Voice Panel to provide constructive feedback about their experiences of Helena.

Joanne McMahon, Involvement Development Officer, said: “It was a great opportunity to speak to a wide range of people and raise awareness about Helena.”

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Helena HEADLINES

Residents who live in Peasley Cross can make the most of a bustling family community centre.

Based at 1 Cross Farm Road, PeCTRA (Peasley Cross Tenants and Residents Association) community centre offers facilities and activities which all the family can use and enjoy.

Working in partnership with agencies such as Helena Homes, Merseyside Police and St Helens Council, the multi-purpose centre is run by volunteers from PeCTRA who provide a warm and welcome environment where residents can pop in and catch up with neighbours.

Visitors can make use of computer facilities, a Wii machine, kitchen area and can even pick up fresh fruit and vegetables by signing up to Shoots food clubs.

For those with time to spare, why not lend a hand and help out with the smooth running of the centre? The team are looking for more volunteers.

For more information or to enquire about volunteering, contact Pam Swift at PeCTRA community centre on 01744 454610.

For more information on Shoots food clubs, turn to page 6 or contact Jennie Williams on 07920 768601.

Get Involved At PeCTRA Community Centre

Contact details for more information:Environmental Inspectors Joanne McMahon 01744 637383 One Voice Panel Hannah Fitzhenry 01744 671557

Autumn 2011

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Would you like to meet new people, speak to Helena Neighbourhood staff, stretch your legs and review the local environment around your home? If you’ve answered yes to any of these, then a Helena Estate Walkabout could be right up your street.

Estate Walkabouts take place across St Helens estates and are run by Helena’s Neighbourhood Officers. During the walkabouts, notes are made on issues such as rubbish, hazards or fly-tipping, and these issues are then dealt with by Helena or our partner agencies.

Helena tenants – along with other local residents and partners such as Merseyside Police – are invited to come along and take a walk around their local area, taking the opportunity to chat to Helena staff about any neighbourhood issues or questions, from repairs to green spaces.

Estate Walkabouts are also a great way to meet with local Police Community Support Officers and councillors. You can speak to them about any ideas or issues you may have and they will provide you with as much advice or reassurance as possible.

Sharon Williams, Neighbourhood Officer at Helena, said: “Estate Walkabouts provide a great outlet where people can have their say and speak with fellow residents and representatives from local partner agencies.

“If you would like to share your views on the area where you live, Estate Walkabouts provide the perfect opportunity.”

EstatE WalkabOutsA Chance To Have Y our Say

You can find out when your next local Estate Walkabout will take place by visiting www.helenahomes.co.uk or by taking a look at our digital TV site, HHTV.

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Helena HEADLINES

Big-Hearted Community Support Scheme Makes a Difference

Residents in Clock Face can look forward to cultivating their own fruit and vegetables after having their surroundings transformed by a Helena Propertycare initiative.

Helena Propertycare launched the ‘Giving Something Back’ scheme last year which generously provides a £20,000 pot for neighbourhoods seeking support with community projects.

Green-fingered residents at Pollitt Crescent, collectively known as the ‘Pollitt Potters’, needed support creating a sustainable eco-garden to encourage wildlife and provide food and herbs.

With support from Propertycare and additional assistance from re:new Neighbourhood Management, Pollitt Potters obtained materials and labour for a new water butt, a solar feature and a raised planter with built-in storage.

The transformed garden has improved the quality of life for residents suffering physical and mental ill health, as well as boosting pride and motivation.

Nichola O’Brien, Propertycare Business Development Manager, said: “The community projects we have supported have been really positive experiences for both tenants and Helena Propertycare staff alike – we are so proud to have been able to help make a difference.”

For more information on Helena Propertycares’ Giving Something Back scheme, visit: www.helenapropertycare.co.uk

Young people in Thatto Heath enjoyed an action-packed summer afternoon in August, thanks to the Queensland in Bloom community group.

The fun event gave children the chance to get their hands dirty with seed planting and mosaic making workshops. After watching a spellbinding magic show, visitors were introduced to furry and fluffy friends from Acorn Farm petting zoo, learning how to pet and handle rabbits and guinea pigs safely.

The event was held on a former disused area which was adopted by Queensland in Bloom several years ago and is now home to colourful flower boxes and a thriving allotment.

Mary Unsworth, Chair of Queensland in Bloom, said: “We had a fantastic turnout on the day and were really pleased to see so many young people getting involved and taking an interest in the allotments – it gave us a great opportunity to speak to the children about the benefits of growing fresh fruit and vegetables.

“Seeing the enjoyment people get out of our allotments at events like these makes all our hard work worthwhile, and I feel very proud to be a part of it.”

Would you like to become a volunteer with Queensland in Bloom community group? Contact Mary Unsworth on 01744 850113 to find out more.

Blooming Marvellous Day For Queensland Residents

Residents across St Helens have been getting their hands dirty to clean up their estates as part of Love Where You Live Week.

The national campaign – organised by the Keep Britain Tidy group – encourages and empowers communities to take action and change their attitudes towards litter and waste.

Clean-up events were organised in areas of St Helens, including Four Acre. With help from partners such as re:new Management, Helena Homes, St Helens Council and fast-food chain McDonald’s, residents were able to clean, tidy and refresh their estates and breathe new life into their communities.

Gaynor Johnson, Neighbourhood Manager at re:new, said: “Love Where You Live is a truly worthwhile campaign which encourages people to work together to make positive change happen.

“We are very pleased with how successfully the campaign has rolled out across St Helens – it is very admirable how many residents rolled their sleeves up and mucked together to improve the areas where they live.

“We are hopeful that the campaign has shown the positive benefits to looking after your surroundings and that this will encourage residents to keep up their hard work.”

For more information, visit: www.renewsthelens.co.uk

Autumn 2011

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The World Wide Web is just a click away for residents of St Helens town centre, after funding was secured for computer classes from the Media Trust.

The funding will help visitors of Morley Way community centre to get to grips with the internet using computers provided by Helena, showing them how they can contact their local councillor and order prescriptions online.

The funding was granted as part of the Media Trust’s Community Voices project, which seeks to empower disadvantaged communities who feel isolated or voiceless and provide access to resources which make a meaningful difference to their lives.

Margaret Wilson, Treasurer of Morley Way Community Club, said: “We’re really pleased to have been granted funding from the Media Trust and are looking forward to learning something new and becoming silver surfers!”

For more information, visit: www.helenaextra.co.uk

Funding Boost To Kick-Start IT Classes At Morley Way

You can find out more about Shoots by calling Jennie Williams on

07920 768 601 or visit: http://shoots-food.co.uk

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Helena HEADLINES

Fancy a cheap and easy way of getting your five-a-day? Look no further than Shoots Food Club – where members can buy a bag of fresh fruit and vegetables for just £3.

If you’re not sure how to conjure up a tasty meal from your veg, have a go at rustling up this sumptuous treat – hearty Leftover Vegetable Soup.

You will need: 1 finely-chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped celery stalks, 300g of assorted chopped vegetables, 600ml of stock, 4 tbsp of vegetable oil, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp of five spice power, ½ tsp of ground cumin, salt and pepper.

to make:

• Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and gently cook until softened. Add the celery, carrot and garlic and cook for another 5 minutes;

• Add the chopped vegetables and stir, add the stock, bay leaf and spices and cook until the vegetables are soft;

• Blend the soup with a stick blender or pour into a food processor;

• Cook for a further 5 minutes to reduce slightly, season with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

turn Your Bargain Bag into Sumptuous Soup

Children are making the most of fun and games at a brand new play area.

Based on Pigot street on the Westfield estate, the multi-use games area boasts a range of impressive facilities to amuse and entertain young people.

At its official opening by the Chair of Westfield Tenants and Residents Association (WESTRA), children and parents from across the estate flocked to check out the new play zone. After a tour around the base, visitors enjoyed taking part in fun filled activities such as line dancing and face painting, before tucking into a barbecue lunch.

Lynn Arnold, Chair of WESTRA, said: “We are very excited about the opening of the new play area – the fantastic turnout at the official opening has left us feeling confident that the facilities will be well used by children.

“We would like to thank all the agencies we have worked with who have helped us to get the play area off the ground – we are hopeful that children will get many years of enjoyment out of it.”

For more information, visit: www.helenahomes.co.uk

It's Playtime For Westfield Estate

Autumn 2011

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Residents from Four Acre have enjoyed tea, treats and teddy bears in their local community gardens.

Hosted by Working Worms community group with support from re:new project, visitors flocked to Acre Oasis Community Gardens, Millersdale where they tucked into cream tea and a teddy bears picnic at events over the Summer period.

The events celebrated Working Worms’ recent award win - claiming the ‘Environmental Impact Award’ at the Spirit of Merseyside Awards – and also marked the end of a Four Acre arts project for elderly residents.

Visitors enjoyed cream tea and a catch up with local residents, while children made the most of picnic treats, stories and entertainment from a giant teddy bear.

Ann-Marie Robertson, Neighbourhood Coordinator at re:new, said: “Working Worms community group have delivered some wonderful events in Four Acre, and these are no exception. The group work tirelessly and put a lot of time and effort into facilitating projects for the benefit of the local community.

“The cream tea and teddy bears picnic were huge successes and enjoyed by everyone who attended – events like these really help to bring the community together and give residents pride in where they live.”

Find out more about Working Worms community group by visiting www.helenahomes.co.uk

Trapwood Close Residents Get In Tune With Nature

Tea-Time Treats In Four Acre

Residents from Trapwood Close sheltered scheme in Eccleston have been getting in tune with nature after taking part in an organic gardening course.

The session provided green-fingered enthusiasts with expert knowledge on how to prepare soil before planting and how to create their own hanging baskets. Residents were also clued up on the various insects that live in our gardens and the benefits that they can bring to the environment.

Since gaining their green knowledge, the residents have visited Martin Avenue sheltered scheme in Newton-le-Willows to share their new-found skills.

Nichola Wilkinson, Helena’s Project Officer for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The organic gardening course was a huge hit with residents, everyone thoroughly enjoyed getting their green fingers dirty and learning about nature and the environment.

“The residents are now looking forward to putting their skills into practise in their communal garden area and are enjoying spreading their organic gardening knowledge with residents from other sheltered schemes.”

You can find out about more of Helena’s gardening events by visiting www.helenahomes.co.uk or by checking out the ‘What’s On Guide’ on our digital TV site, HHTV.

One Call 01744 63 73 83 www.helenahomes.co.uk

Clean Ups

Shoots Food Clubs

Jobs Fairs

Coming up near you:Shoots Foods Clubs

German Christmas MarketAffordable Warmth Sessions

Starting Point / Job Centre Drop-In Sessions

Helena HEADLINES

One Call 01744 63 73 83 www.helenahomes.co.uk8

Environmental Events

Want to find out about the next Estate Walkabout on your estate? Would you like the dates of Helena’s Tenant Drop-In sessions? Maybe you’re keen to see what exciting activities are going on at Helena’s new Green Base.

Whatever you’re looking for, you can find out about activities and events in your local area by visiting:

• Helena Homes website: www.helenahomes.co.uk

then click ‘Events’ to view our full calendar.

• Helena Homes TV (HHTV):

- Sky viewers: Go to the Community Channel (number 539); press the red button, enter Quick Code 4488.

- Virgin viewers: Press ‘home’ button; choose ‘interactive’; click on ‘news & info’; click on ‘Looking Local’; enter Quick Code 4488.

- To access through Nintendo Wii or internet-enabled mobile phones, type this into your browser: http://www.lookinglocal.gov.uk/helena then click the ‘What’s On’ tab for a listing of all events.

• SilverSagasblogpage:http://silversagas.wordpress.com visit this page for further information about what’s going on at Helena’s sheltered schemes.

What’s On Guide