Inspired Living making your area a great place to live
MAY 2013
WESTWOOD WELCOMES NEW RESIDENTS! Residents of all ages came out to welcome their new neighbours at a recent community event on Dew Way, Coldhurst. The Millennium Centre played host to the event, which saw community members come together, along with local agencies, councillors and the PFI team. There were plenty of activities for everyone to get involved with, including football skills sessions with Oldham Athletic mascot Chaddy the Owl, table tennis coaching and a dance session with Funky Fitness.
For those who wanted to relax and be pampered, there were sessions in flower arranging, craft making, cake decorating, smoothie making, as well as Indian head massages, hairstyling and nail painting courtesy of students and staff from Oldham College. There was also face painting and henna hand art from the Westwood and Coldhurst Women’s Association. The event went a long way to creating a real sense of community spirit for all the residents of Dew Way.
PRINCE’S TRUST SCHEME BUILDING CAREERS IN OLDHAM
NEWS IN BRIEF
SPRING HAS SPRUNG WITH ACTIVITIES Residents of all ages enjoyed getting stuck into some fantastic Easter activities recently, including decorating egg cups, bird houses, tea towels and cakes. Andrew Dawson, vicar of St Thomas’s CofE Church also came along to the Primrose Bank event to talk to residents about the meaning of Easter. CHANGES IN THE PFI TEAM The Oldham PFI team is sad to announce that programme manager, Daniel Baker and neighbourhood co-ordinator, Karen Daley, will shortly both be leaving the team to take up new jobs. A team of young, unemployed 18 to 25 year olds have laid the foundations to a fantastic career, thanks to Wates’ and the Prince’s Trust’s Get into Construction programme.
We’re happy to welcome Ryan Smith (PFI manager), and Felicity Kearney (neighbourhood co-ordinator) who have recently joined the team.
The month-long programme is aimed at reducing the number of youngsters out of work in Oldham and helping them move closer to a career in the construction industry.
JOBS ON THE PFI TEAM The PFI team is on the look out for people who are looking for a new job or career. Current opportunities include:
Participants learned a variety of skills including joinery, carpentry and an overview of plant machinery. They also enjoyed some practical experience on a 13-tonne excavator.
FOUR, TIME-SERVED JOINERS TWO, TRAINEE JOINERS (UNPAID)
Advice on CV writing and interview training was also given, as well as accredited emergency first aid training. Team member, Ashley Franklin, felt his confidence improve thanks to the programme. He said: “I have been unemployed for a long time and I had begun to lose hope that I would ever find a career I was passionate about. “I feel really positive that I can use what I have learned to get a job in construction.” The course was run in partnership with Heyrod Training Services, who provided a variety of construction skills training and practical placements with local construction companies. If you want to find out more about this fantastic programme, contact Wates’ employability co-ordinator, Angie Hough, on 0161 484 3295, or email angela.hough@wates.co.uk
To find out more, please contact Wates’ employability co-ordinator, Angie Hough on 0161 484 3295, or email angela.hough@wates.co.uk WE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR TENANCY! Great Places’ tenancy support service is there for residents who are struggling to manage their tenancy. The team is also there for anyone who has just moved into a new home in OIdham, and can help you make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to, get furniture or sort out your utilities. The service is totally free for residents in Oldham and will help you develop your money-management skills and make sure you live without fear of losing your home. For more information, contact the Oldham PFI team on 0300 123 2003, or email oldhampfi@greatplaces.org.uk. All calls will be treated in confidence.
What’s happening in your area CROSSLEY Wates Living Space • Work has started on the new community centre in front of Kent Avenue shops • Target date for the towers to be completed is September this year • Work has started on the high rise tower block communal areas • Construction of the new homes at Crossley will start in June’ • First new homes will be ready for occupation in March 2014’ Great Places • Crossley fun day is planned to be Saturday 29 June 2013
Grounds maintenace • Sodexo is the new grounds maintenance contractor and will come along to future estate forums and walkabouts Councillors • Manchester Football Association has advised that the Football Foundation will uphold a bid for Crossley playing fields, if a plan to improve the changing rooms is supplied • The Radclyffe Outreach Centre has re-located to the Falcom Business Centre
TABLE TENNIS GOLD FOR YOUNGSTERS
PRIMROSE BANK Wates Living Space • Workers have been parking their vehicles on Primrose Bank, which is making access through the estate difficult. Wates is trying to deal with the problem • Refurbishment work is still progressing Great Places • Neighbourhood surgery is help every Monday from 10am to 12pm. If attendance doesn’t improve they will be stopped Grounds maintenace • Sodexo due to start work at the end of March. They will be invited to attend future estate forums and walkabouts
Walkabout How your concerns were dealt with Residents, staff and partner agencies walk around the area every month to point out concerns.
Crossley Oldham resident Amir Hussain (aged 9, pictured) was selected to represent England in the recent seven nation table tennis championship in Ireland. Teams from across the British island nations came together to battle it out for the coveted trophy. Amir was unbeaten in the team event and was even awarded the gold medal as England took home the spoils. Amir attends the table tennis club at Primrose Bank Tenants and Residents Hall, which is run by his dad Khamal and Zillur Rahman. Zillur said: “We’re delighted with Amir’s progress. Thanks to Oldham Council, Great Places Housing Group and PETRA, who helped to set up the table tennis club, Amir is able to realise his potential. He is one of several talented young people who attend our club and we’re confident that they too will become very good table tennis players.”
• Small amount of graffiti at the back of Shoreham Walk - this has been reported • General litter around the estate - caretakers have carried out a litter pick
Primrose Bank
• Walkabout concentrated around the new properties on Lee Street, Foxglove Avenue and Ashton Road. Litter was found in and around the gardens - appropriate action has been taken to tackle the problem
WHAT’S ON
Crossley social group Tuesday 14 May, 11am at 17 Rochester Way, Crossley.
If you would like to help organise the Crossley fun day planned for the end of June, please contact Jan on 07736 693 120. Food hygiene course Monday 20 May, 9.30am (please note, this is just for people who have already booked a place). Primrose Bank estate forum Monday 20 May, 6pm at Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall Crossley estate forum Thursday 23 May, 6pm at St Saviour’s Church off Denton Lane Crossley estate walkabout Tuesday 28 May, 10am at Kent Avenue shops
Primrose Bank estate walkabout Thursday 30 May, 10am at Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall
YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLOR CONTACT DETAILS
We’d love to see you at our estate forums and walkabouts. Why not come along and find out what’s happening in your community.
Susan Dearden susan.dearden@oldham.gov.uk Colin Mclaren - 0161 627 4197 colin.mclaren@oldham.gov.uk Eddie Moores - 07765 402 484 cllr.e.moores@oldham.gov.uk
Primrose Bank neighbourhood surgery Every Monday in the office above Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall, 10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates)
Coldhurst
Crossley neighbourhood surgery Every Tuesday at 16 Landsdowne Court, 10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates)
Werneth
Table Tennis Every Tuesday and Friday, 6pm, and Sundays at 5pm at Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall
It’s easy to get in touch... 8am to 6pm Mon-Fri
call 0300 123 2003 text 07797 870 731 oldhampfi@greatplaces.org.uk
Bangla
Urdu
Chadderton central
Montaz Ali Azad - 07974 100 242 cllr.m.azad@oldham.gov.uk Abdul Jabbar - 0161 678 6048 abdul.jabbar@oldham.gov.uk Abdul Malik - 07932 967 479 abdul.malik@oldham.gov.uk Shoab Akhtar - 0161 287 2005 shoab.akhtar@oldham.gov.uk Fida Hussain - 0161 626 5263 fida.hussain@oldham.gov.uk Javid Iqbal - 0161 345 7637 javid.iqbal@oldham.gov.uk
Medlock Vale
Kaiser Rehman - 0161 652 4444 cllr.k.rehman@oldham.gov.uk Yasmin Toor - 0161 770 4013 yasmin.toor@oldham.gov.uk Ateeque Ur-Rehman ateeque.urrehman@oldham.gov.uk
Police contact details Oldham West
Mike Quarmby - 0161 856 8927 michael.quarmby@gmp.police PSCO Paula Mills 62069@gmp.police or oldhamwest.npt@gmp.police.uk
Chadderton central
PCSO Tony Bowker - 0161 856 8825 tony.bowker@gmp.police.uk PSCO Sarah Ward - 0161 856 8825 or email sarah.ward@gmp.police.uk or oldhamborough@gmp.police.uk