InspiredLiving
Spring 2015
THE MAGAZINE FOR OLDHAM PFI RESIDENTS
POWER TO PLE! THE PtsEO are shaping How residen oods your neighbourh
THE KEYS TO A NEW LIFE
We meet one of the final families to move into their new home
No more roominating
Sandra Hearne and her family get the space they’ve longed for
WIN ! £20 w high orth of s vou treet che rs
How to get in touch with us... CALL Great Places or Wates, dial 0300 123 2003 A full range of services are available between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, with an extra out-of-hours repairs service provided by Wates, which can be contacted on the same number.
PRESS 1 – for Wates Living Space who can help you with repairs, refurbishment and new-build enquiries
PRESS 2 – for Great Places Housing Group who can help you with housing management and information on sales units
EMAIL: the Great Places team at oldhampfi@greatplaces.org.uk and Wates at infooldhampfi@wates.co.uk
IN PERSON: you can also drop in to see us at the Great Places office – 119 Union Street,
Oldham, OL1 1TE. The office is staffed and is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. You can also drop in and say hello at the Crossley Centre, 323 Denton Lane, Chadderton, OL9 9GA, 0161 652 1419 and The Primrose Bank Centre, Magnolia Gardens, Primrose Bank, 0161 624 7202.
The team are available to visit you in your home. Please don’t hesitate to ask for an appointment when it’s convenient for you.
We’re online!
Visit www.greatplaces.org.uk and
search for Oldham PFI Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OldhamPFI www.facebook.com/CrossleyCent re www.facebook.com/PrimroseCen tre Follow us on Twitter @CrossleyCentre @Primrose_C entre
Write to Inspired Living at: Communications Great Places Housing Group Southern Gate 729 Princess Road Manchester M20 2LT
Email:
communications@greatplaces.org.uk
Access for all
If you’re visually impaired let us know if you need a magnifying sheet. An audio version of Inspired Living is also available. If you need this magazine in a different language, please also let us know.
Editor: Rachel Machin (rachel.machin@greatplaces.org.uk) Designer: Simon Crossley (simon.crossley@greatplaces.org.uk)
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Welcome to
InspiredLiving!
Welcome to the spring issue of Inspired Living. There have been so many milestones achieved since the last issue not least the completion of our home building construction phase. Turn to page 10 to read about one of the last families to move into our properties in Kent Avenue, Crossley. There’s also the opening of Primrose Bank Community Centre (page 12) which will provide a fantastic facility for the immediate community and beyond.
It’s sometimes astounding to look at how far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved since 2011. We’ve done all this because you, our residents, have supported and bought into our vision for your communities. Our cover story about how residents are shaping your communities is a great example of this.
Ryan Smith Oldham PFI manager
Members of the Re sidents’ Committee who m ake important decisions about th e PFI areas
WHAT’S INSIDE? Features 5 Housing construction complete: Information on what we’ve achieved so far 6-7 Power to the people: How residents are shaping your neighbourhoods 10-11 The keys to a new life: We meet Alison Oliver and family, one of the last families to move into our new homes at Crossley
15 Live to work: How resident Sandra Hearne got a home through Working Extra 18-19 Health is wealth: How Oldham PFI is supporting Oldham Council’s strategy for health and wellbeing
pages
NEWS – from the borough
8-9
10-11
Primrose Bank Community Centre pages
14-15 Primrose Bank then and now: A look through past and present photography at the changes to the neighbourhood
Keys to a new life pages
12-13 Primrose Bank Community Centre is open: We join the community on this momentous day
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Regulars 4 Have your say events: details of all our forums, walkabouts and residents’ panel meetings 8-9 News: from across the borough 16-17 Neighbourhood news: what’s been happening in your area? 20 Competitions: your chance to win high street vouchers!
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HAVE YOUR SAY EVENTS WALKABOUTS 2015
23 April (Crossley Centre) 10-11am 23 May (Tower Gates) 10-11am 21 June (Crossley Centre) 10-11am
FORUMS 2015
Housing surgeries for Crossley
Tuesday morning surgery held at Stockfield Mount communal room from 10am-12pm
RESIDENTS’ PANEL 2015 15 June (Primrose Bank Community Centre) 12-2pm
26 March (Lansdowne Court) 6-8pm 23 April (Crossley Centre) 11am-1pm 28 May (Stockfield Mount) 6-8pm
Thursday morning surgery held at Crossley Community Centre from 10am-12pm
Notes: All of these dates have lunch available from 12-12:30pm. PFI property’s welcome.
Primrose Bank estate inspection then residents meeting – Meet at the Primrose Bank community centre:
Keswick Avenue area estate inspections meet at the green landscaped area on Thornby ave and residents meeting at Fitton Hill community centre:
Dew Way area estate inspection meet at Mallow Close and residents meeting at the OBA Millennium centre Featherstall Road:
Monday 6 April 2015 Inspection and residents meeting 5.30pm – 7:30pm Monday 4 May 2015 Inspection and residents meeting 5.30pm – 7:30pm Monday 1 June 2015 Inspection and residents meeting 5.30pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday 13 April 2015 Inspection and residents meeting 5.30pm – 7.30pm Tuesday 11 May 2015 Inspection and residents meeting 5.30pm – 7.30pm Tuesday 8 June 2015 Inspection and residents meeting 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday 22 April 2015 Inspection and residents meeting 5.30pm – 7.30pm Wednesday 20 May 2015 Inspection and residents meeting 5.30pm – 7.30pm Wednesday 24 June 2015 Inspection and residents meeting 5.30pm – 7.30pm
ales will be Nick Summersc ekly housing conducting we – 5pm every surgeries 2pm Primrose Bank Monday at the ntre from 5th community ce January 2015.
to call in or e e fr l e fe e s a Ple intment: make an appo 77 Tel: 0161 484 32 8 8961 Mobile: 0781 37 merscales@ E-mail: nick.sum .uk greatplaces.org
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HOUSING CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE! Since 2011 we’ve been transforming your communities building quality much-needed homes and refurbishing existing ones, creating green spaces and revitalising tired neighbourhoods. In December 2014 the last brick was laid. Below are some key highlights from the project so far.
36 newbuild homes fully occupied at Dew Way, Westwood since Oct 2013
Primrose Bank Community Centre completed in December 2014 with opening events planned in 2015
Refurbishment of existing homes completed – 44 properties fully refurbished and completed at Primrose Bank in July 2013. 121 newbuild homes completed December 2014
Refurbishment program of existing homes completed. 273 properties fully refurbished and completed in June 2013 in Crossley. 83 new build homes completed and fully occupied in Dec 2014
Village greens at both Primrose Bank and Crossley were completed in December 2014. Village green at Keswick Avenue will open in early 2015. Children’s play equipment is installed at all.
77 newbuild homes completed and fully occupied in November 2014 on Keswick Avenue, Fitton Hill
LIFETIME HOMES
Homes that can be adapted to meet the needs of disabled residents
Comply fully with Design For Access 2 and Part M of the Building Regulations (Dwelling)
Gold Standard for the Quality criteria from Building for Life
All homes achieved full certification of the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3
317
homes fully comply with 16 criteria of Lifetime Homes
15 wheelchair access homes
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POWER TO THE PEOPLE The Residents’ Panel is an extremely important source of feedback and helps us tailor our services for you. Inspired Living found out more.
There’s a buzz in the air as residents huddle round the table in Great Places’ Union Street offices. They’re here to talk about what’s happening in the new communities being created across the Oldham PFI areas. It’s the Residents’ Panel meeting, a gathering of several volunteers who meet quarterly to talk about the issues affecting them in their neighbourhoods. Representatives from Crossley, Primrose Bank, and the newly built Magnolia Court, give much-needed feedback on the performance of Great Places and Wates, and whether they’re meeting the needs of residents. All residents are invited to the meeting, which acts as an overarching panel for the neighbourhood walkabouts, inspections and residents forums. “The Resident Panel is incredibly important to us so we can get feedback from our customers on the services we provide,” says Ryan Smith, PFI manager. “This coming year we are really focusing on working with our residents and the council to increase the opportunity for them to scrutinise our services. We are also looking at what levels people may wish to get involved, from being a neighbourhood inspector reviewing our grounds maintenance services for example, to reviewing and working with us to change policies and procedures that may impact the way we allocate homes or collect rent. We’ll also be asking residents to give feedback on how we carry out repairs. “There is an opportunity to work alongside other PFI residents across Oldham on the other housing PFI project (Housing and Care 21) to transfer scrutiny opportunities. We want to ensure residents really feel part of this project.”
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WHAT RESIDENTS THINK... Sonja Costello, chair of the Crossley Residents’ Association, and Carol Taylor, vice chair of Primrose Estate Tenant and Residents’ Association, both attend the meetings every three months. Sonja: “The panel gives us residents a chance to review the performance that Great Places and Wates are contracted to deliver. It’s also a great opportunity to meet residents from across other neighbourhoods. The panel gives us the opportunity to suggest how local people can help in the delivering of
neighbourhood services day-to-day and how we can suggest improvements.” Carol: “I have been involved in resident scrutiny with Great Places for some time and we really want to increase the level of interest to do the same for the PFI services. I get to see the facts and figures of performance and can speak directly to the people responsible there and then. From on the ground inspectors, to people who attend the full panel meetings, I am really looking forward to new residents taking an interest and shaping local performance.”
“ Cover stars!
Have you got time every three months to tell us what we’re doing right and highlight where we’re going wrong? We’d love to hear what you have to say. For details of venues and times please contact your neighbourhood co-ordinator, check www.facebook/OldhamPFI or call 0300 123 2003.
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NEWS from the wider borough
Grand designs for the new Coliseum and Heritage Centre The Council has been working with the Oldham Coliseum Theatre on this exciting new development on Union Street, home to great places. The scheme will bring the borough’s cultural jewels together at one integrated town centre site. Architects, Mecanoo, have now drawn up these new images showing the proposed front elevation of the modern newbuild Coliseum Theatre and how it would look alongside the Grade II-listed former Oldham Library and Art Gallery building, which will become a new Heritage Centre. The development, just yards from the Oldham Central Metrolink stop, will seamlessly link up with the adjacent Gallery Oldham, Library and Lifelong Learning centre. When complete it would provide two theatre auditoria of 550 and 100 seats with stateof- the-art facilities, a heritage centre telling the story of Oldham's proud past, galleries, archives, public research rooms, foyers, bars and meeting spaces. Jim McMahon, Oldham Council Leader, said: "This latest vision is the result of careful work which aims to showcase the beauty of our future – an eye-catching modern Coliseum Theatre building – in a setting that fully respects and
First stage of leisure centre complete
complements the grand former library building that will be given new life as a Heritage Centre." "This scheme is fundamental to our wider plans that will make Oldham a destination, help to grow our visitor economy and inspire civic pride.” A planning application for the proposals was submitted just before Christmas – a crucial next step to meet funding requirements for the plans. This is a pre-condition for a second round bid that has been made to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for around £4m in funding. A separate bid to Arts Council England (ACE) for £5 million was submitted earlier this year. Decisions on both are expected in Spring 2015. Subject to confirmation of successful funding bids to the HLF and ACE – and planning permission – building work is due to start in 2016.
The steel frame is now finished on Oldham’s new £15m leisure centre. Now this work is complete it will allow the builders to start on the next phase of construction. The centre, which is set to open in autumn 2015, will have a 25m, eightlane swimming pool with a spectator gallery, eight court sports hall, 80-station fitness studio and four-lane indoor bowls hall. It will mean Oldham can now host regional and televised sporting contests for the first time. Don’t forget you can keep an eye on what work is taking place by watching the council’s time lapse camera at www.oldham.gov.uk/ oldhamleisurecentre
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The new facility is located at the junction of Manchester Street and St Domingo Street in the town centre.
M&S helps raise the bar
After 130 years Oldham is getting a Marks & Spencer (M&S.) The retail giant’s new store will be the focal point of the Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps development and will occupy a stunning glazed 51,000 sq ft store selling food, clothing and homeware. This will have a natural wave form roof, plus around 200 underground parking spaces. A further 66,000 sq ft of retail space is also available for more high street names. The retail development will be built on the current Park and Ride site with a replacement facility being built over the road at Mumps.
Gate at Oldham Mumps, with up to 800 planned. The landmark NatWest bank building will also be refurbished for apartments, plus café/bars and leisure.
Another new retail unit is also proposed for the RSPCA/ Roscoe Mill site to the west of Prince Street. Talks between the landowner and a major supermarket chain are ongoing. Above this 18,000 sq ft store there would be around 50 apartment units set across three storeys.
“It is one of the most ambitious redevelopments for Oldham town centre since the 1980s and will be developed in phases starting on-site in 2015. The next significant phase, including opening the new retail development – and the proposed M&S store – is set for 2017.
Oldham Council began developing retail ideas in 2013, but quality new homes are now a major part of Prince’s
“We’re again raising the bar: taking positive action to change Oldham’s story and create a brighter future.”
Councillor Jim McMahon said: “This is a massive piece in the town centre regeneration jigsaw.
Want the quick, safe and convenient way to see if you are entitled to housing benefit or manage your Council Tax? Then get a new online My Account with Oldham Council. It only takes a few minutes to create an account and once you are up and running and your details have been verified you can access services and report problems to the council. For example, you can check how much Council Tax you owe or set up a direct debit.
The online claim forms for Housing Benefit, Council Tax reduction and free school meals, which are already available online, are also accessible via the account. Along with these services you can also report up to 21 environmental issues such as graffiti, potholes and problems with streetlights. Life is busy, so being able to get information and services 24-hours a day is vital. Over time many more services will be available through the online account.
Want to improve your basic online skills? Book onto the free computer courses at the Lifelong Learning centre and your local libraries. Call Lifelong Learning on 0161 770 5805 or call libraries on 0161 770 8000.
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The keys to a new life Alison Oliver was reluctant to leave the home she shared with her husband, Michael and two sons, but she admits that their new home on Kent Ave in Crossley, one of the final streets to be built on the new-look estate, will be life-changing for the family, helping them to meet the needs of their youngest son, who has Down syndrome and autism. Inspired Living went to see how they’d settled in.
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Living in a two-bed house with a 19-year old son and a seven and a half year old son sharing a room doesn’t sound ideal, but when you factor in that the youngest has Down syndrome, sleep apnoea, and autism, it seems like an almost impossible scenario for Chadderton-born Alison Oliver. But, testament to her positivity, she’s not grumbling. “We were only living five minutes from here. We’d been there ten years and it was a beautiful street, I absolutely loved it,” explains Alison. “I loved the neighbours and we’d just had the house re-wired with a new kitchen and central heating. But we knew for our sons’ future we had to move,” she admits. The family put their name down on the register, and because of her youngest son’s needs, were offered one of the last newly built homes on the Crossley estate. They received the keys just before Christmas and Alison says the extra room and toilet downstairs have been life-changing. “Where we were before, when my other son was on leave from the army we could only fit a blow-up bed in the room for him,” says Alison. “His sleep was disturbed because the oxygen machine was going off and sometimes he had to sleep on the sofa. With his own room he can now have his mates round and play on his X box. My youngest son also doesn’t seem affected by the move at all. He loves doors and there are a lot more in this house! “It’s also brilliant having a downstairs toilet because before, if I went upstairs, he’d tried climbing the stairs to follow me. You had to make sure he was engrossed in something before you legged it to the toilet!” she laughs. The new home is classed as a Lifetime Home, which means it can be adapted in the future. For example, the downstairs toilet can be turned into a wet room. Even better that the home is only five minutes from his school, Kingfisher Community Special School. It’s also literally two minutes work from the new Crossley Centre. “I’ve put my name down for volunteering,” says Alison. “I already work part-time but also volunteer with First Choice Homes’ mentoring and befriending service which is really rewarding – I love it. Although there’s nothing for my youngest at the moment I’m hoping that there eventually will be as there a number of children on this estate with needs similar to his.” So what does Alison think about the work that has been done. “I used to play in this area as a child. It definitely needed improving and I think the work that has been done has transformed the place.”
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Primrose Bank Community Centre is open for everyone! Hundreds of locals came out in force to celebrate the opening of this fantastic facility in the heart of Primrose Bank. Inspired Living went to join in the fun. Oldham Council and Great Places have officially unveiled a new community centre on Primrose Bank. The new facility – The Primrose Bank Centre – will provide a hub where a wide range of services and activities can be accessed not just by local residents but also anyone living across Oldham. Members of the public are already using the centre and taking part in health and fitness sessions, housing surgeries and attending IT drop in sessions. To ensure everyone can have a say on how the centre is run Great Places Housing Group has set up a management committee made up of councillors and residents that will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the centre. The Primrose Bank Management Committee Group is also applying for funding to operate a work club in the near future. The board members will ensure that the centre generates enough income to cover its costs. Great Places has also contributed £20,000 as an initial start-up grant. Long-term resident Carol Taylor, is a member of the management committee. She said: “I’ve lived on Primrose Bank since 1990 and I’m really pleased with all the improvements that have taken place recently. “The estate has a great community spirit and the new centre is a place where residents can come together, access services or take part in the activities on offer.”
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Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Transport, said: “The Primrose Bank Centre is at the centre of the regeneration of this estate and I’m pleased it is now open so residents can use it. “This new facility is right on the doorstep for tenants and means they don’t have to travel to a place where they can meet friends and take part in leisure activities and also access a range of services. “The running of this centre is a great example of co-operative working as it brings together residents, volunteers, councillors and council officers – all pulling together to make it a success. “The regeneration of Primrose Bank and other construction schemes, such as at St Mary’s and Crossley, are transforming housing estates across Oldham. “The building work has also seen local residents provided with employment and training opportunities and given a boost to the Borough’s construction industry.” The centre was built by Wates Construction, on behalf of the Inspiral consortium which consists of John Laing and Great Places Housing Group. The centre will be managed for the council by Great Places and maintained by Wates Construction.
To find out more on how you can access services at the Primrose Bank Centre, enquire about booking the hall, or just want to volunteer, contact Jan Wade on 0300 123 2003 or the centre on 0161 624 7202, or email jan.wade@greatplaces.org.uk. Visit The Primrose Bank Centre, Magnolia Gardens. For more information log onto www.facebook.com/PrimroseCentre @Primrose_Centre @MyGreatPlace @CrossleyCentre
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PRIMROSE BANK THEN AND NOW
The final bricks were laid in December 2014, and the community centre opened its doors a couple of weeks ago. Inspired Living shares some memories of what Primrose Bank used to be like before it was transformed by Oldham PFI.
Primrose Bank pre 2012
Under construction
Ready for action
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Demolished
love Ave New homes on Foxg
Liz Moss in her new lifetime home
New homes
Ma hmood Azhtar, resid ent
LIVE TO WORK...
Sandra Hearne moved from an overcrowded home with her family to a brand new home at Crossley, which she bid for under the Working Extra scheme. Inspired Living went to meet her.
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I’m already doing a bit of voluntary work at the Crossley Centre which I love
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We were living on the other side of Chadderton in a First Choice Homes house. We knew that these new homes were being built so we bid. To be honest we nearly didn’t get one because First Choice homes had messed up our application. They didn’t have us down as Working Extra so we were bidding on Working Extra homes and not getting anywhere. We love the house we’ve got now – we’re facing a field, have our own driveway and it’s four-bedroom. In our previous home me and my husband were sleeping on a sofa bed in the lounge which wasn’t very nice. We’ve got five children so we needed the space! My husband is a site manager at a school in Lees, St Edwards – he’s been there eight years. I’m also trying through Great Places to get back into work. I’m already doing a bit of voluntary work at the Crossley Centre which I love. There’s lots going on in the community centre and you can help a wide variety of people. I was also one of the first to get on Great Places’ Work Search programme in Manchester, so hopefully that will help me get a job. The voluntary work has helped me because I’d not worked since my third child was a year old. It’s given me that confidence to get back into work. It’s nice not to just talk babies and children! Our neighbours are lovely. It’s a good community and everyone seems to be getting on. The great thing is we’re not enclosed in our little house – if you need anything, people help out. I’m encouraging new residents to go to the community centre – it’s a place we can all be together – you’re not segregated on your own. Because this estate is big and open it’s making a difference to how we’re all living.
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Working Extra homes are only allocated to bidders who have been doing any of the following for the previous six months: • Working at least 16 hours a week • Volunteering for at least 4 hours a week • Doing work-related training • Caring for a household member (as a registered carer)
To find out more about these new schemes and how you could qualify, please contact the One Point Housing Options Centre on: T: 0161 700 6699 E: onepoint@fcho.co.uk www.fcho.co.uk or go in person to FCHO at 1 Medtia Square, Phoenix Street, Oldham, OL1 1AN
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Neighbourhood NEWS SONJA AND AMJAD SHINE AT COMMUNITY STARS AWARDS The red carpet was laid out for a second time as many excited residents attended the calendar event of the year – the Community Stars Awards 2014! Over 200 Great Places residents attended a glittering ‘Hollywoodstyle’ award ceremony at Gorton Monastery to celebrate their inspirational achievements in local communities across the north west and Yorkshire. The second ever Community Stars Awards was a chance for Great Places to thank the residents who show compassion, selflessness and courage on a daily basis. Crossley resident Sonja Costello was Highly Commended in the Community Champion Award category for her tireless work in the Oldham PFI communities. Amjad Khan was also Highly Commended in the Great Places Staff Award category again for all the work he has done over the last couple of years to encourage community cohesion.
WATES ON THE MOVE Crossley has been the temporary home Wates for the last three years but now the site they called their home (next to Crossley towers) is now being transformed into a car park for visitors.
PLAY SAFE Children are enjoying the brand new play areas at Stockfield Lawn and Primrose Bank. They’re now open to the public so please come down and bring your kids!
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We won’t fob you off
Thanks to all our residents who have patiently waited for the completion of the parking courts. Car parking gates are now in the process of being energised across Primrose Bank. Residents who have parking provision in the parking courts must use these rather than the highways or road spaces. Fobs are currently being issued to applicable households. Please note that replacement fobs are chargeable (£46) so please take care of them.
DEW WAY DEVELOPMENT PLOTS
Development plots have now been top soiled ready for grass seeding in the spring. The plots are still expected to be developed out for housing however timescales at this stage are not available.
Property DEFECT INSPECTIONS
Wates Living Space will be contacting all residents in the coming weeks to arrange initial inspections for both refurbished and new build refurbished properties across the Oldham PFI project areas in order to start any required remedial work. Appointments will then be made to carry out the identified work. Please read your letter carefully once it arrives.
GOING GREEN-FINGERED Greenfingers have been appointed as the new grounds maintenance contractor across all neighbourhoods. Greenfingers have experience of delivering high class services across other PFIs (even one in Oldham!) and are in the process of opening a local base in Hollinwood. Greenfingers also carry out grounds maintenance works across other Great Places housing stock. Apprentice opportunities will soon be developed and Great Places, Housing 21 (another housing provider in Oldham) and Greenfingers are in early discussions to ensure local residents have the opportunity to work alongside and scrutinise the new service. Keep a look out for updates on social media (see all address details at the front of this magazine) and in the next issue. Service charge consultation to be held discussing services currently provided for those residing in the towers.
Primrose Bank re sidents enjoyed 30 days of activiti at the Primrose es Centre which ra n until 2nd March preparation for in the big open day (read all about th open day on page e s 12 and 13). We currently ha ve Housing and Police drop-ins every Monday, 2 – 5 pm, compute r workshop ever Thursday 1 – 3p y m, and from Mar ch we’ll be runn English classes, m ing aths homework classes, chair based exercise, football fitness tr ai ning, fencing, archery and muc h more.
The way you pay for your water is changing… Oldham Council and United Utilities have recently decided to end their agreement with how your charges are collected. For residents who currently pay their charge with their rent this will come to an end from he 6th April 2015, and water charges will be collected directly by United Utilities. Both United Utilities and Great Places have provided letters to residents affected with guidance on available payment options. If any residents have any queries that cannot be answered by the letters and questions sheets issued, please contact Great Places on 0300 123 2003.
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Health is wealth!
Oldham Council’s first Health and Wellbeing strategy aims to ‘transform the social, economic, and physical environment into one that positively supports people to achieve the best possible level of health and general wellbeing across all of Oldham’s communities’. Inspired Living finds out how the Oldham PFI project is supporting this vision. We’re in the state-of-the-art community centre in Crossley limbering up for our first ever Zumba class. It’s a week since the new Primrose Bank centre, on the other side of town, was also opened. These two facilities are, and will, transform the lives of the people living in the communities surrounding them. Ryan Smith, Oldham PFI manager, explains: “When we started out on this journey it was all about providing so much more than bricks and mortar. These two centres will literally be life-changing for some people. They may have only just opened but already they are fulfilling Oldham Council’s strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of the town’s inhabitants.” As well as Oldham West Football Academy running weekly football fitness sessions at Primrose Bank centre, there’s fencing and archery, and hopefully a new 6-week ‘Eat Healthy and Be Active’ course. Zumba will also be a mainstay at the centre, just as it is in Crossley. “I only live across the road and saw them building the centre,” explains Wendy, the Crossley Zumba teacher. I already did a class nearby so I thought this is ideal and on my doorstep.” Sheila and Anne, regulars at the Zumba Gold class, also think the existence of the centre is vital for the area. “We were so pleased when the centre was built. We’re really into Zumba now because we know what to do. We’d never done it before but this is low impact so it’s ideal. It’s also perfect for all ages.”
Visit www.greatplaces.org.uk and search for Oldham PFI Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OldhamPFI www.facebook.com/CrossleyCentre www.facebook.com/PrimroseCentre Follow us on Twitter: @CrossleyCentre @Primrose_Centre Contact Jan Wade (Jan.Wade@greatplaces.org.uk) or Lynne Anderson (Lynne.Anderson@greatplaces.org.uk)
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Oldham Council’s
key themes Giving every child the best start in life recognises that children who are healthy from the outset and ready for school by five years of age are more likely to achieve their full potential throughout their school education and lead healthier lives in the long-term
Living, learning and working well recognises the positive impact that being in work can have on individuals’ health and wellbeing and focuses on ensuring that people in Oldham are supported to be healthy enough to be in work and stay in work and that communities are resilient to challenges
Ageing well and later life is about ensuring that appropriate information, services and support are available to keep older people healthy, active and engaged in the life of their communities
A Zumba class at the Crossley Centre
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Competition time You could win £20 in vouchers!
Wordsearch Words to find are: Primrose Bank
Bouncy Castle
Firemen
Community Centre
Face painting
People
Cake
Sandwiches
Together
Climbing Wall
Mayor
Fun
CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST ISSUE’S WINNERS: Wordsearch - Mrs Merryman, Chadderton, Stephen Chilton, Chadderton, Hilma Safeer, Oldham Spot the difference - Dorothy Sweatman, Chadderton, Noura Said, Primrose Bank, Abdul Khalik, Chadderton
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Just circle the FIVE differences on picture number two, cut it out, pop in an envelope and send it in! You could be one of three lucky people to win £10 worth of vouchers.
Send your entries by post to: FREEPOST, RLSC-HLLJ-EZRZ, Inspired Living, Great Places Housing Group, Southern Gate, 729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT.
Don’t forget to include your name, telephone number and address. The three winners will be drawn out of a hat so get your entries in by Friday 29th May 2015.
All entries must be in by Friday 29th May 2015
Remember you don’t need a stamp!