ISSUE 5
YOUR NEWSLETTER This is the fifth edition of the Knowle West Newsletter “This is the best community newsletter I’ve ever seen!” …“we’re really proud of our newsletter!” are just two of the many votes of approval we’ve had from residents since the last issue. Thanks to all who have given us constructive feedback, and keep letting us know your thoughts.
All ideas for contributions welcome and all comments about neighbourhood renewal please contact Anita Pearce: Neighbourhood Renewal Steering Group Filwood Community Centre Filwood Broadway Knowle West Tel: 908 4248
Don’t forget, all issues of the newsletter and much, o uu rr website: much more can be found on yy o
WWW.KNOWLEWEST.CO.UK
IGLOO ART Front cover shows children having fun in a polystyrene igloo created at the café in the KW Health Park as part of the Art of Wellbeing. The igloos are decorated, put up and pulled down regularly and can be used as ‘safe’ places for people to talk in private. Igloo workshops are run by Youth Workers Ben and Kirsty (See back page). For arty fun like this, find out about the Saturday Art Club at the Health Park. Tel: Annie Beardsley 377 2256
BEST DRESSED HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS Congratulations to 30 Hartcliffe Road, Christmas Competition winner, whose outrageously dazzling display of Christmas lights, both inside and out, were voted the most impressive in Knowle West. The prize? ASDA vouchers! Runners up: 68 Exmouth Rd, 141 Leinster Ave, 100 & 150, 152, 154, 156 Creswick Road - joint effort!
SMART FURNITURE
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...and free driving lessons too! house the project over the next three years.
Are driving lessons just too expensive for you to consider? This scheme might just help you get your licence as well as acquiring practical training and business skills at the same time. No. 6 Filwood Broadway has now been refurbished by South Bristol Community Construction Company (SBCCC) and is home to the Restore Project. Mary Smith has kindly offered the premises rent-free in order to
Restore recycles furniture through a training programme encouraging youngsters to experience ‘hands-on’ practical skills as well as learning elementary business skills. It will be running regular 10-week courses and on completion participants are entitled to benefits ‘in kind’ – in this case the bonus of free driving lessons. There are a few places left and other courses will follow. If you are interested please contact us directly or through an agency. Our contact number is: 9231970 II aa nn SS aa nn ss oo m m Project Manager, SBCCC
PHOTO SHOW The Art of Wellbeing is currently hosting a exhibition of photographs from the South West Photo Challenge2002 competition, including
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the winning under-16’s entry from Knowle West’s Gary Williams. You can visit the exhibition at the Knowle West Health Park until March 14, open 10am-3pm.
EARLY YEARS CENTRE The Knowle West Early Years Centre officially opened on January 1st 2003. The centre has been created by combining two existing local nurseries, Novers Hill Nursery in Leinster Avenue and Knowle Day Nursery in Ruthven Road. Although the Centre is open the new, refurbished building (ex Novers Hill Nursery site) will not be open until after Easter. We are currently at the old Knowle Day Nursery. The contact number is 0117 966 2969. The new Early Learning Centre will be working with Sure Start and others to ensure that we provide the best possible start for our little ones. Sh S ha ar ro on n T Tr ru uc ck k ll e e
GIG AT THE PARK This magical event on December 7th was an evening of world music and song, performed by The Rhythm Project World Music Ensemble, The Gasworks Singers, Anthony Johnston & Living Voice and Paloma Suarez & Hannah Klewin. A fundraiser for the Children’s World charity, the gig was sold out. Look out for the next one! Gig at the Park performers sing Peter Gabriel’s ‘Biko”
BROADWAY PERFORMING ARTS BPAC (Broadway Performing Arts Company) is about to celebrate its 3rd birthday and currently has 3 new productions in rehearsal: Wizard of Oz for 8-10yr olds; Lion King for the Middle group and Abigail’s Party for the Seniors. Interested in joining a group or doing a full time OCN Performing Arts Course for 16-25yr olds? Tel: Su Hopkins 903 9777 Scene from BPAC’s production of Class Act 2 at The Park
KEEP ON WALKING YOUR WAY TO HEALTH “What a wonderful time was had by all, walking around the National Trust Purple Trail in Leigh Woods. The one and a half hour walk took place on a crisp, clear day with a beautiful sky and a thin layer of frost lending a picture postcard view to everything…as ever, and most importantly, the morning finished with a chat and coffee, this time at the Stables Café, Ashton Court.” Tempted? Find out more about the Walking the Way to Health programme Co C on n ttaa cc tt S S ii aa n n o o rr C Ch h ee rr yy ll ttee ll :: 9 90 08 8 4 42 23 32 2
Walking is an easy way to keep fit and many people in Knowle West have joined the Walking the Way to Health group. They send us regular reports of their cross-community walking events and here is a particularly poetic extract!
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NEEIIG N GH HB BO OU UR RH HO OO OD DR REEN NEEW WA ALL............................................ WO W OR RKKIIN NG G TTO OG GEETTH HEER R
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The Knowle West Action Plan
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Bring back the Flyer or community transport
Police don’t come out when called Too much truancy – kids out of school
too much unemployment
nightmare neighbours
Vandalism and Anti-Social Behaviour
These are just a flavour of the comments you made about the most pressing problems for Knowle West in the 2002 Neighbourhood Renewal survey.
The Knowle West Action Plan has been put together in response to these comments – and many others – from the survey and from a number of workshops and events held over the past year. We’ve brought together Knowle West residents and service providers from lots of different organisations to develop ideas about how to improve services work on the estate and how they can deal more effectively with the problems residents live with every day. We’ve called the Action Plan Working Together because it started as a partnership between local people and service providers – and it must continue that way to be effective.
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The drug problem – more help with rehabilitation & treatment
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Over the next year Neighbourhood Renewal in Knowle West will have about £300,000 to spend to put these plans into action. Although that seems a lot it can only work if the main service providers, like the police, the Council, the health services etc. are prepared to change how they do things and how they spend their budgets.
You can have a say in how they do this and how this money is spent. Contact the Neighbourhood Renewal office Anita Pearce tel 908 4248 or Keith Houghton tel 953 1329
KK ee ii tthh H H oo uu gg hh tt oo nn ,, Acting Neighbourhood Renewal Manager, Knowle West
COMBATING
TT hhii ss dd ii aa gg rr aa m m ii ss aa nn oo vv ee rr vv ii ee w w oo ff tt hh ee kk ee yy pp aa rr tt ss oo ff tt hh ee AAcc tt ii oo nn PP ll aa nn aa nndd dd ee ss cc rrii bb ee ss ss oo m m ee oo ff tt hh ee w w oo rrkk tt hhaa tt ’’ ss gg oo ii nn gg oo nn rr ii gg hhtt nnoo w w tt oo ii m m pp rr oo vv ee ss ee rr vv ii cc ee ss..
POSTCODE DISCRIMINATION Diversionary Activities for Young People Hengrove in Knowle West
Disabled people
Alternative Curriculum
More Schools Plus
AN A NTTII--S SO OCCII AALL BE B EH HAAVVII O OU UR R
Improving Police Response
ACCH A HIIEEVVEEM MEEN NTT Getting Effective Management
Involving Local People delivering services Exercise
Hengrove in Community Knowle West Accountability Good Better Transition Food support for junior to senior & senior to work
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FAMILY SUPPORT
Street Wardens
Smoking
Support for RAGS
Anti-Social Behaviour Task Force
Transport to the Health Park
HE H EAALLTTH H& & WE W EL LLL--B B EEIIN NG G
Drug/ Substance misuse
Mental Health & Spiritual Sexual issue Health Dog Mess Lowering Blood in the Streets Pressure
.................................................. LLAATTEESSTT DDEEVVEELLO OPPM MEEN NTTS S
KN K NO OW WLLEE W WEES STT EEN ND DO OW WM MEEN NTT FFU UN ND D The aim of the fund is to support local organisations to become more financially sustainable by spending capital to generate income. C aa p C p ii t ta a ll means money that is spent on major one-off, or specific, items. For example: l
Physically altering your building to bring in and accommodate more paying users, so raising more income. l The purchase of large-scale equipment to enable further contracts to be taken on to increase income. l The purchase of land or buildings as invest ment opportunities to generate income. Applications will be for a MINIMUM of £25,000 to encourage applicants to think longer term. This fund is different from a small grants fund – it’s about creating more income.
Recruitment for the grants panel has just begun. The grants panel will be made up of local residents and members of Bristol City Council technical team. If you are interested in sitting on the panel or if you would like further information you can contact: Keith Houghton NR Manager 953 1329 or Anita Pearce NR Facilitator 908 4248
Applications are open to voluntary and community sector groups or organisations, including community-led, not for profit organisations that are working within the existing SRB2 boundary. Organisations must be based in Knowle West, operating in Knowle West. Hurry! Application packs will be ready 1st week of February; the closing date will be 31st March 2003.
TH T HEE KKN NO OW WLLEE W WEES STT PPAAR RTTN NEER RS SH H IIPP Neighbourhood Renewal in Knowle West is setting up a Partnership that will influence the delivery of all services in the area, starting in March 2003. It is essential local people are involved in this process. An overview of the Partnership, drafted in
November highlights the following aspects: Roles ; Participants; Commitment; Joining; Rules and Expenses. If you would like to see the full draft version, please contact Anita Pearce on 908 4248
CO C OU ULLD D TTH HIIS SB BEE YYO OU U?? We’re looking for Knowle West residents who are committed to the regeneration of our community. Residents from all parts of Knowle are needed to provide good estate wide representation.
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This is what it will mean for local people: l
Attending 4 meetings per year
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Overseeing the KW Action Plan
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An opportunity to work alongside service providers such as Police, Housing, Social Services, Health, Education A chance to influence decisions being made in the community
For further information contact: Keith Houghton NR Manager 953 1329 keith_Houghton@bristol-city.gov.uk Anita Pearce NR Facilitator 908 4248 knowle.safe@blueyonder.co.uk Heather Barham NR Team 953 1329 heather_barham@bristol-city.gov.uk
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ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AND POLICE RESPONSE
BU B UZZ ZZ O OFFFF B BU UR RG GLLAAR R For many years now local Police have conducted a campaign to "Beat the Burglar" called Operation Bumblebee. A worrying statistic is that about 15% of all burglary victims are burgled again within one year. Most have their homes broken into within two months. Why is this? Primarily for two reasons. Firstly, burglars know their home security is poor and secondly, valuable items of property replaced by insurance payouts are tasty targets. So how can you help yourselves? If you become a victim of crime, or hear of local burglaries then take the following action: * Make sure you have good door and window locks * Use them at all times
* Don't leave valuables on view * Leave a light on - make your house appear lived in * Make a point of talking to your neighbours protect each others’ homes So how can the Police help you do this? For those of you unfortunate enough to be victims of burglary or if your New Year Resolution was to "Review your Home Security" and you need help, contact your local Crime Reduction Officer on 945 5438. Any information on burglary - Contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
II nn ss pp ee cc tt oo rr M M aa tt tt AA yy rr ee ss Broadbury Road Sector Inspector
POLICE RESPONSE TIMES
By Inspector Steve Blackburn “To give a bit of background to the amount of “Over 800 calls are received every week at the call calls we have to deal with, here are some facts and handling centre at Broadbury Road. Staff here are figures: the South Bristol District covers the 3 unable to despatch officers directly to incidents police sectors of Broadbury Road, Brislington and and forward the information to the communication Bishopsworth, which include the communities of centre. Recent figures show that we are reaching Southville, Bedminster, Hartcliffe, Knowle, Filwood, our target of answering 70% of calls within 15 Windmill Hill, Hengrove, Stockwood and seconds. Whitchurch. “Between April and December 2002, 5,293 Grade “Calls are first of all received at the communication centre in Portishead and graded according to the speed of response required – Grade 1 =Immediate i.e. a crime is in progress. We aim to attend 90% of immediate reponse calls within 15 minutes and we currently attend 80% within that time). Grade 2 = prompt and Grade 3 = routine response.
1 calls were recorded on the district and over 30,000 calls in total required police attention – an average of 5,000 incidents per month.
HITTING BACK
Local Action
Sue Moss talks about tackling Domestic Abuse in Knowle West 136 domestic violence incidents were recorded on our local police beat in the year between October 2001 and September 2002. It is estimated that women experience approximately 30 attacks before seeking help and therefore these figures are likely to be a small proportion of the abuse that is actually occurring.
During the week before Valentine’s Day there were displays and activities across Knowle West drawing attention to domestic abuse and giving information about where those experiencing it can go for help. One of the aims of the week was to publicise the confidential phone service, available at the Knowle West Health Park Walkin-Centre. Those needing the service just have to tell the receptionist that they wish to use the DAFF phone and they will be shown where to go, alternatively they can ask to see a nurse who would then show them how to use the phone.
What is Domestic Abuse? Domestic abuse can be: PP hh yy ss ii cc aa ll - slapping, punching, beating, kicking, knife wounds, often leading to permanent injuries and sometimes death; SS ee xx uu aa ll - this can include being forced to have sex, sexual degradation, being forced to have sex in ways that hurt and abuse; EE m mo o ttii o on n aall aan nd dM Mee n n ttaa ll - this includes constant criticism, humiliation, threats of violence against the person or their children, intimidation, bullying being locked in or kept away from family and friends, not being allowed money, food, sleep and freedom. (Definition – Women’s Aid Federation)
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“We are always looking at ways of improving our response times incidents and call handling. We are waiting for the result of a bid for more police officers, which would go a long way to reducing the heavy demands on our officers. Improved information technology has also helped in this.”
08 0 80 00 0 6 69 9 4 49 9 9 99 99 9 is the 24 hour free phone number which can be used from any phone (calls made to this number do not show up on the phone bill) Both the walk-in centre DAFF phone and the free phone number put you through to a free confidential support and advice line. Knowle West Health Association is working with other agencies in Knowle West to get funding to employ a worker who will be able to support victims of abuse and help co-ordinate the response of all the agencies involved in helping those caught up in abusive relationships.
FAMILY SUPPORT KNOWLE WEST DEVELOPMENT TRUST - FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES During 2002 the Knowle West Family Support Services expanded from the Teenage and Young Mums Project, successfully led for the past two years by project manager Michelle Cummings and Development workers Lois Temel and Louise Greatrex. The project has had a new base since September, the Ivy Centre, at 49a Filwood Broadway. With the Daisy Chain Crèche providing childcare for pre school children and babies the Teenage and Young Mums Project has now increased to three sessions a week covering different age ranges: under 19s Mondays 12:30 – 2:30 under 25s Thursdays 12:30 – 2:30 free age pop in Fridays 12:30 – 2:30 The Family Support Services aims to extend group sessions to six a week, to include a Men’s and Fathers group, a Grandparents as Prime Carers group and a Perpetrators group, which will focus on anger management and coping as perpetrators of domestic violence. In partnership with other agencies in Knowle West including KWADs, the Police and the Health Association the project’s work is at the centre of the Neighbourhood Renewal strategy.
TENANTS SUPPORT
Lois, Michelle and Louisa
It is about to form a partnership with Bristol Social Services as a contact Centre with a view to becoming a Family Conference Provider. Family Support offers free and confidential advice in a safe and non–threatening environment: one to one appointments, personal development plans, drugs relapse prevention strategies; support for individuals and families concerning drug and alcohol dependency, domestic violence, child protection as well as housing and benefit issues. We are open during office hours Monday to Friday so please call in for a coffee and a chat or alternatively call Michelle, Lois or Louise. Tel: 908 4142. We look forward to hearing from you.
JOIN THE MONEY REVOLUTION
AArr ee yy oo uu aa cc oo uu nncc ii ll tt ee nn aa nn tt ?? The Tenant Support Service offers you individual support to help stay safe, well and independent in your own home. It provides emotional and practical support in times of crisis. Tenants Support is a confidential service and can help with: l
sorting out any with housing problems and help you keep your homes l the practical issues of moving home or setting up a home for the first time. l getting the benefits and services you need and are entitled to l getting grants and loans for furniture l supporting you and acting on your behalf with the council and other agencies l sorting out your bills and debts and organising money l finding training/work and leisure activities Contact: the Tenant Support Workers Maxine Williams tel 07919 536477 Jonathan Ridlick tel 07919 536483 office hours 8.30-5.00
The new Bedminster and Knowle Credit Union provides saving and loan facilities for the people of Knowle West, and now has a full time officer, Mike Crafer. Mike has firm links with the area; his parents have lived here for over 30 years. Credit Unions are community-based co-operatives enabling local people to save on a regular basis and to borrow against their savings. It is run on a notfor-profit basis and welcomes the employed and unemployed, and you can join at any age. The Credit Union aims to encourage saving, to provide loans to members at reasonable rates of interest and to help keep members’ money in the local area for the benefit of the community. Its 12.68% APR is well below that of other moneylenders and the real beauty of Credit Union membership is that you continue to save when repaying a loan. Contact Mike Crafer BAKC, 8 Filwood Broadway Tel: 963 7505 Advice or information available any weekday between 10am and 3pm.
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ACHIEVEMENT TACKLING TRUANCY, EXCLUSIONS AND ACHIEVEMENT Action Group gets to grips with difficult issues The high levels of truancy and exclusions from school affect young people, their families and the community as a whole in Knowle West. A great deal of effort is being put in to try and improve the situation and there are many projects working together with schools; but it is not a problem that will disappear overnight. Knowle West residents met with John Gaskin, the new Director of Education and set up an Action Group to meet Action Plan targets which aim to: l
have 100% success rate in identifying children who do not meet attendance standards with information available on a weekly basis
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have a 100% success rate in establishing a plan for putting this right within two weeks of not meeting those standards
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agree success criteria for tackling poor attendance
Essential to the success of this initiative, the January meeting identified two factors in particular: the Local Education Authority must
improve coordination of all the schools’ and project work, and more local people should be employed as Parent Link workers and learning mentors for young people. If you’re a local parent, pupil or interested resident and you want to share your views we hold resident-only meetings to make sure your views stay at the heart of this work. You can be part of the Action Group, meet up with other residents or simply ask for a regular update on progress. To find out more contact: AA nn ii tt aa PPee aa rr cc ee oo nn 9 90 08 84 42 24 48 8
Hengrove School wins back pupil support we ring home. We’ve also installed a dedicated Attendance Line** , which parents ring to let us know if their child is going to be absent” Reducing Exclusions and Raising Achievement
Stephen Murtagh, the new Head of Hengrove School, talks about improvements to the school as part of their programme to tackle truancy, exclusion and achievement for young people in Knowle West. Truancy “We’ve now got the truancy figures for last year: our attendance rate was 77%. Since then the Education Welfare Service has worked hard to reduce the numbers not in school, with a lot of success. In September we had 61 pupils notattending long-term and in the last three months that’s gone down to just 9. Our attendance rate is 85% this term.
“Truancy is only part of the problem. We want to have complete honesty about the situation with exclusions in Hengrove”, he said. “Many pupils feel like failures at school and switch off completely or behave in an anti-social way. We’ve been working on self-esteem across the school with some success by running a pilot programme called ‘You Can Do It’. Pupils identify what they’re good at and working in groups, learn leadership and study skills. For example, what to do if you don’t know something – we could all probably do with that sort of help! “Another approach is a fundamental review of the curriculum. We’re writing to all parents, asking for their thoughts on how to best serve the needs of all the students. In particular we want a better range of studies for 14-19 age pupils – to include vocational studies such as Travel and Tourism and Business Studies. We want to tap into the different styles of pupil-learning so everyone can achieve more.
“To help us electronic registers are installed in every class so we have more accurate information about attendance.
“We’re committed to working together with the community through Neighbourhood Renewal and very much want our approach to fit with all the other work going on to improve truancy, exclusions and achievement.”
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** T T hh ee AA tt tt ee nn dd aa nn cc ee LL ii nn ee nn uu m m bb eerr ii ss :: 3 37 77 72 28 80 09 9
We’re registering pupils in every lesson and if someone doesn’t appear
YOUTH PARTNERSHIP
Youth Projects in Knowle West have united to form a Partnership, enabling youth work to be delivered as one coordinated service. The Partnership consists of Broad Plain House Youth Centre, Filwood Youth Club, Inns Court Youth Project and Knowle West Youth Forum from the voluntary sector, and Eagle House Youth Centre representing the local authority service provision. Each project will continue to maintain its own individual identity, but partnership working will move things forward. We apply for funds together, giving greater strength to our bids, avoiding the usual competition and duplication. We will now be able to access and share resources that proved difficult on an individual level. Any staff employed from now on can work at any Partnership project, thereby creating more attractive, substantial posts which prevents loss of staff and ensures continuity in youth work on the estate. Young people will recognise a ‘friendly face’ in every project and will hopefully retain workers with whom they have just built a good working relationship.
Joint staff training is anticipated and the instigation of Partnership policies that ensure a concerted approach to issues such as Child Protection and Health & Safety. The Partnership will also offer: l
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An estate wide Youth Information Technology Worker An estate wide Youth Music Worker An estate wide Youth Gender Worker A single coordinated street based Detached Youth Work Team A Youth Inclusion Project A Youth Cafe
The total scheme will cost ca. £3 million over the next 5 years. We have already received funding for our first year of operation of £249, 000 from SRB6 with a further £500,000 to come. Bristol City Council Young Peoples Services have also committed their ‘locality’ money to the Partnership. Young people of Knowle West deserve the best and this is what we hope to deliver. D aa vv ee H D H oow w ee Knowle West Youth Partnership
A NEW LEARNING BEHAVIOUR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Is there a solution to the troubling issues of poor behaviour and under-achievement in schools amongst our 8-16 year olds? Angela White, Deputy Head of Connaught Primary School is involved in a new project designed to try and tackle these problems. The Bristol Learning Behaviour Improvement Project ( BLBIP) is aimed at improving behaviour and raising achievement by focusing on raising school attendance, reducing serious incidents and exclusions and addressing truancy and disaffection. Questionnaires from all the local schools have been collected and will form the basis of the project planning. Liaising teams have been set up, curriculum provision is being looked at and Learning Mentors have already been appointed to start working with disaffected young people. If you are involved in something that might work alongside or in harmony with what we are doing or know of someone/something who might please contact me and tell me about it.
A nn gg ee ll aa W A W hh ii tt ee Programme Manager & Deputy Head Connaught Primary School email: connaught_p@bristol-city.gov.uk
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING DRUGS FORUM
how someone using drugs gets medical, social and treatment support. We’ve discovered that there can be long gaps between someone asking for help and eventually getting it. It can take several months to get effective prescriptions from a GP and there are only 4 treatment beds available on a general basis in Bristol.
Everyone knows that drug use is a major issue on the estate, both in terms of drug dealing and crime and of the support available to people using drugs and their families. The Knowle West Drugs Forum has been set up by concerned individuals, drug organisations and groups who work with drug users in Knowle West. The group wants to bring people together to share ways of working. We also want to improve what is currently available. We’ve started off by looking at treatment and
Neighbourhood Renewal is about changing services so they work better for local communities like Knowle West. The Drugs Forum is now looking at how they might use some of the NR money available for next year to cut down this waiting time and improve the quality of service drug users and their families receive. If you have experience of drug use yourself, with your family or friends and want to help improve things you are welcome to join us – or just to be kept in touch with the work this group is doing. To find out more contact K ee ii tt h K h H Ho ou ug gh ht to on n on 9 95 53 3 1 13 32 29 9 ..
YOUNG PEOPLE’S COUNSELLING SERVICE “Hi, my name is Denise and I am the new Off the Record counsellor at the Healthy Living Centre at the Knowle West Health Park. (See back page). The counselling service is for young people between the ages of 11 and 25 and is free to residents of Knowle West. “I offer a one-hour counselling session each week for six weeks, where I listen and support you (and sometimes offer guidance) in talking about any difficulties or problems that you are struggling with. Talking to friends and family can be helpful, but there may be things you prefer to talk about to someone outside your close circle. It can feel like an enormous relief to get things off your chest in a confidential place with someone trained in listening. “As a counsellor my job is not to sort your problems out or tell you what to do, but to support you in talking through your problems and also to help
you to think about what is best for you and how you may achieve this. “To find out more about counselling, you can telephone me, Denise Bland, at the Knowle West Health Park Tel: 903 0000 “My working hours are on Thursdays 11.00-3.30. The Centre is physically accessible. However to discuss any specific access requirements please call me on the above telephone number.”
BUS AT MEDE following a successful bid to the Urban Bus Challenge and SRB 2. To use the bus passengers will need to join the Mede Community Bus scheme and journeys will cost 50p. A simple phone call will get you picked up from your door and taken to your destination – a real boost for those who want to get to the Health Centre or The Park.
It’s good news all round for the Mede and for the whole of Knowle West! A new bus service for the area is planned, based at the Mede. A partnership of groups have secured funding to run the service
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It is hoped that the service will be up and running by May, with a brand new tailor-made bus. Look out for details of how to join this scheme in the Spring. Th T he e M Me ed de e ii s s c cu ur rr re en nt t ll y y r re ec cr ru u ii t t ii n ng g f fo or r drr ii vv ee rr ss – d – ss ee ee b ba ac ck k p pa ag ge e f fo or r d de et ta a ii ll s s ..
IT’S A MAN THING Knowle West Health Association wants to put the spotlight on men’s health and well-being on the estate as part of a new initiative to make sure projects take account of men’s needs when they plan and provide their services. “We think men have tended to get a bit neglected and we want to start to encourage men to use services – and to encourage services to reach out to men more”, said Graham Blacker, a member of the Health Association’s new men’s group. They are inviting men living and working on the estate to a meeting on Tuesday 25th February at The Restaurant, Filwood Community Centre on Barnstaple Road at 6.00pm. There will be food and refreshments available. Ivor Grimsted is enthusiastic about the group: “We’ve got some ideas about what we want to do, in particular to develop new ways of reaching
men with information and help, but we want to hear from other men what they think and any ideas they have to improve things for men on the estate.” If you want to come along to the meeting or want to be kept up to date with the It’s A Man Thing project contact the Health Association on 963 9569
NEW SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC The Family Planning Clinic which used to be based at the William Budd Health Centre has moved just across the Health Park to the South Bristol NHS walk-in centre and it now offers additional services. It has become an integrated sexual health clinic for men and women, offering contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections. Anyone who is worried that they may have a sexually transmitted infection (such as chlamydia) or who just wants a sexual health check up may attend the clinic.
Pregnancy testing, emergency contraception and HIV testing are also available. All services are confidential and free. The Tuesday afternoon clinic is a walk-in clinic (3.30-6.00pm) for young people under 25 and the Thursday clinic is an appointment clinic for any age (1.30-4.00pm). Make an appointment with Penny Hanes (see back page) at The Health Park. Tel: 903 0000
KNOWLE WEST HEALTH ASSOCIATION Knowle West Health Association is one of the longest running community organisations in Knowle West and is based at Filwood Community Centre. Our aim is to make Knowle West a healthier area in which to live and we want Knowle West Health Association to be a place where people can come with their ideas about how this could happen. Knowle West Health Association is managed by a group of local residents. The groups we currently run include Over 50s, Keep Fit, Healthy Eating and Positive Play. We have representatives on various groups and committees within the community including the Health Park and we work closely with the Healthy Living Centre.
We offer confidential, individual support and in conjunction with other agencies we are developing a project to tackle domestic abuse in the area. (See page 6) We have also been looking at Men’s Health issues and are trying to find ways to help men feel more informed and able to look after their health. (See above article) In February we will be starting to hold drop in sessions on a Friday morning at the Healthy Living Centre for people who need help or support with health or social care issues. If you would like to join us or find out more about what we do please come along to our re launch as a company (limited by guarantee) on Wednesday March 5th at 7pm – refreshments will be served!
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NEW FACES
TT oo pp rr oow w ff rr oom m ll ee ff tt :: Walk-in centre cafe staff: Julietta Gonzalez, Richard Merrill & Tricia Brain SS ee ccoo nn dd rr oow w ff rr o om m ll ee ff tt :: Mandy Hole of SPAN Denise Bland, Off the Record Penny Hanes, Sexual Health Clinic BB oo tt tt oom m rro ow w ff rr o om m ll ee ff tt :: Health Park Youth Workers; Ben Stevenson & Kirsty Claxton Street Warden, Georgina Baber
NOTICEBOARD RR U UM MO OU U RR SS -The Venture is going to be turned into 1. new pub 2. drug rehab centre 3. family support base 4. secret store for weapons of mass destruction FF AA C CT TS S -NO decisions have been made on its future NO decisions will be made without community consultation THE MEDE COMMUNITY BUS PROJECT Experienced Bus Drivers – 2 posts Hours 32.5 per week Salary £13,175p.a.
LONG-TERM HEALTH PROBLEMS?
Applicants must be 21years or over
This could change your life! A free 6-week course is available to help people manage their chronic health conditions. The course will be at the Healthy Living Centre, KW Health Park on Feb 17, 24 and Mar 3, 10, 17, 24 at 10.30-1pm Tel: Elizabeth Williams 953 2064
JOB OPPORTUNITY!
BOOK AT BEDTIME
We are looking for people to deliver this newsletter, and possibly other Neighbourhood Renewal leaflets to all the residents of Knowle West quickly and efficiently. This could be a great opportunity to start a small distribution business. Contact: Anita Pearce tel 908 4248
For those who find it easier to listen than read , there is a free, taped version of the articles in this newsletter. Please contact the Knowle West Media Centre on 903 0444
For application form Tel: Liz 904 1220
All articles express the views of individual contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Neighbourhood Renewal Steering Group. The Bristol Objective 2 programme is part financed by European Community (ERDF)
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THANKS TO..................... Neighbourhood Renewal Participation Group: Anita Pearce, Sister Joanna, Ann Howell, Margaret Jordan, Denise Britt, Sue Baldock, Rene Gough Michael Webb for all his hard work in managing NR; Joy Pollard for all her hard work for the newsletter; and all at the Knowle West Media Centre, who facilitate the production of this newsletter. Photography: Jo Hansford; Tanya Hazell for ‘Sunset over Knowle West’ on front cover and page 11 Editor: Barbara Benson Design: Rowena Dugdale