MyClubmoor Newspaper Issue 3

www.myclubmoor.co.uk

Issue No. 03

Summer 2014

JULIE BARRY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS PG 8

WHAT’S INSIDE...

MYCLUBMOOR - PG 2

DEBBIE’S STORY - PG 6

FRANK MCKAY - PG 10

WHAT A SPRING- PG 3

P90 FITNESS - PG 7

CAROL’S BLOG - PG 11

YOUTH & SCHOOLS - PG 4 - 5

- PG 9

ABOUT THE BOARD - BACK PG 1

www.myclubmoor.co.uk

Issue No. 03

A NOTE FROM THE CHAIR

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s spring turns into summer, I’m always amazed at the colours on display throughout Clubmoor. Firstly, we’re treated to the hanging blossom along Queens Drive, followed by patches of daffodils, snowdrops and bluebells – soon enough, everyone’s gardens come to life. I’ve concluded that we’re a talented bunch when it comes to gardens; never mind Chelsea, just check out our gold medal frontages!

Julie Barry’s green fingers have seen her make the front page this month. Julie’s gone above and beyond her personal efforts in Grandison Road allotments to find a way of selling on some of her produce for re-investment in the community.

Allotments have featured prominently in the life of MyClubmoor so far - perhaps you’ve managed to

COMING SOON TO CLUBMOOR bag yourself the ingredients for a soup, or have a handmade flower pot on your window sill? My daughter planted a radish seed she was given at the recent family fun day which is coming on nicely.

It made me think what amazing things seeds are; tiny and insignificant at first, but from such small beginnings come colour, growth, fruit and flavour.

For the last two years, MyClubmoor has been planting and watering its own seeds and we are now on the verge of seeing these things start to bloom.

Our events programme is looking great; we have lots of opportunities for you to volunteer and get involved in MyClubmoor. We’re also just about to launch our new community grant to allow you to start up and grow your own idea for a community project. To find out more you’ll have to put 20th September in your diary.

Kevin Peacock, MyClubmoor Chairperson

MYCLUBMOOR CONFERENCE

20th September @ St Andrew’s Church

INVITATION 20TH SEPTEMBER ST ANDREWS CHURCH ADSHEAD ROAD L13 OAL

MYCLUBMOOR BRIGHT NIGHT EVENT

31st October @ Clubmoor Recreational Ground

THE NEW BISHOP OF LIVERPOOL

MYCLUBMOOR CHRISTMAS

December @ Clubmoor Recreational Ground

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’m sure some of you saw the announcement of the new Bishop of Liverpool on the TV a few weeks ago. He seems like a great man, and spoke really passionately about community transformation and fighting poverty - some of the things that we are keen on at MyClubmoor.

However, you may not have noticed that he chose to make the announcement from St. Andrew’s

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Community Network, based in Roscoe Primary School, to showcase some of the great things that go on there. Brilliant news, Clubmoor! Well done to the whole Network - a real triumph for the community. Anyway, ‘our Lianne’ never misses an opportunity to spread the news of our area so here’s the new Bishop leaving with a copy of MyClubmoor under his arm!

OTHER EVENTS To find out more about upcoming events, simply head to the website for the latest news.

Web: www.myclubmoor.co.uk

www.myclubmoor.co.uk

Issue No. 03

WHAT A SPRING PICNIC IN THE PARK

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n the 31st May, MyClubmoor attended Liverpool Mutual Homes’ fantastic Picnic in the Park event at the Walton Clubmoor recreational ground.

Hundreds of people attended on the day and were given free picnics to enjoy in the sun, whilst listening to Juice FM and watching some of the amazingly talented local people we have here. MyClubmoor was in the World War tent with some local stalls, live music and free cake. The day was a great success with families enjoying a day out in sun, collecting information and having fun together. Dot Fowell, Customer Involvement Officer at LMH said:

“THE PICNIC IN THE PARK EVENTS ARE A CHANCE FOR LMH TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WHILST SHOWCASING THE POSITIVE LOCAL IMPACT WE HAVE. BY KEEPING THEM A FREE EVENT, IT ALSO ALLOWS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TO COME ALONG AND ENJOY THE DAY!”

“IT WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL DAY AND IT WAS GREAT TO SEE SO MANY OF THE COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER AND USE THE CHURCH AS A PLACE TO RELAX, HAVE FUN AND SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH EACH OTHER.”

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

NEWSHAM PARK SPORTS AND ART FESTIVAL

St Andrew’s Community Network is looking for volunteers to help out with north Liverpool foodbank. Could you spare an hour or two a week to help tackle food poverty in your community?

Email: Vicky@standrewslive.org.uk

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n the 21st June, Liverpool City Council, in partnership with St Francis of Assisi Academy, organised a free family festival of sport and arts to encourage people to take up a more active lifestyle. St Andrew’s Community Network and MyClubmoor attended the Newsham Park event; the weather was great and it had a fantastic local community turn out. Over 25 sports signed up to exhibit and promote their sport, encouraging families to take up a healthier lifestyle and become more active. Each sport offered free taster sessions to be enjoyed by people of all abilities to encourage grassroots sports participation.

The festival also offered lots more exciting activities aimed at families and young people creating a real carnival event. Live bands, zip wire, dance displays, food, martial arts and drama performances were just some of the interactive opportunities available on the day.

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pril saw around 250 people from the local community come and enjoy a free café and child-friendly activities at the annual Easter Fun Day. The event gave parents the opportunity to relax at a table whilst they were served with home-made soup and cakes - all washed down with tea and coffee. In the meantime, children were able to enjoy the bouncy castle, crafts, face painting and egg hunt. It worked well with good weather and many people commented on how much they enjoyed their time there. It was all part of St Andrew’s mission to show the community that they are loved and valued by God. Andy Radford, Community Pastor said:

Liverpool City Council’s Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:

“THIS WAS A GREAT DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY, WHATEVER YOUR AGE OR SPORTING ABILITY. IT WAS A FANTASTIC WAY TO HAVE A GO AT SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND LEARN HOW TO KEEP FIT AND HEALTHY AT THE SAME TIME.”

NEW TO THE BRIDGE CENTRE

Disability Disco Tuesday 6:00pm - 9:00pm Drama Group with ex Brookside star Monday 1:00pm - 3:00pm

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www.myclubmoor.co.uk

Issue No. 03

YOUTH AND SCHOOLS MARLBOROUGH ROAD / SPORTS ALIVE

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t Tuebrook Community Centre, Marlborough Road, we have lots going on for young people over the summer and the coming months. We want the centre to be a safe space for young people to explore their worth and potential through sports and positive engagement with staff and volunteers. We are also now working with Sports Alive and are providing free sessions throughout the summer for people who would like to take part.

From 7pm on Tuesdays, we also have our Drop-In Youth Café. The Youth Café is also open for tea

and coffee for parents who want to wait whilst our self-defence session is running. SWITCH was set up in order to get young people from the community engaged and it is run by St Andrew’s Church. Chris is a SWITCH volunteer. He said:

“IT’S GREAT SEEING YOUNG PEOPLE DISCOVER NEW THINGS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE TOLD YOU THEY CAN’T ACHIEVE OR

CLUBMOOR 4KIDZ

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lubmoor 4Kidz is a Community Interest Company (CIC) set up in 2014 by husband and wife team Jenny and Darren Bowen that aims to provide high quality, affordable childcare for local families. The project also plans to offer employment and training opportunities and has been actively encouraging young leaders.

Along with being a parent, Jenny has extensive experience and qualifications in childcare and is passionate about her local community.

This year Altitude Holiday Club will be focussing on running a holiday play scheme for 5-13 year olds and childcare provision for 2-4 year olds in a pre-school setting.

The first session of Altitude Holiday Club took place in February half-term with the theme of recycling.

The children were encouraged to build robots from materials that may otherwise have been thrown away, such as plastic bottles, cardboard and fabric. A display was created from the finished robots which included factual information about recycling and activities to

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help children identify which items should be recycled.

At the end of the week, the children were able to take their robots home to keep and remind them of the importance of recycling.

Children were free to choose which activities they took part in; drama, dance, arts & crafts, free play and sports were also on offer.

During the Easter holidays the themes included tent building using newspapers, fabric, Sellotape and bamboo canes, designing a superhero character, self-esteem workshops, relaxation sessions, sports activities and even Easter themed crafts.

Altitude Holiday Club is held at Clubmoor Youth Centre, Larkhill Lane. The club opens for when school closes and provides affordable and fun child care provision for children aged 5+. To find out more details please contact Jen or Clubmoor 4Kidz at: Tel: 0772 233 1280 Email: clubmoor4kidz@gmail.com

DO SOMETHING. IT REALLY SHOWS THAT WHEN YOU GIVE SOMEONE ENCOURAGEMENT AND CHEER THEM ON, THEY CAN ACTUALLY ACHIEVE WHATEVER THEY WANT TO.” You can follow us on Facebook by searching Tuebrook Community Centre Marlborough Road or call us on: Tel: 0795 295 3367

www.myclubmoor.co.uk

Issue No. 03

BREAKFAST CLUB PUT YA SHOES ON, IT’S COOL TO BE IN SCHOOL!

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lubmoor is proud to pioneer a new community outreach project for local schools aimed at improving attendance, the Breakfast Club.

In conjunction with Greggs Foundation and LMH, Roscoe Primary School has set up the free breakfast club for all of its students. Over 12,000 primary school children are supported by Greggs Breakfast School Programme which was established in 1999 to help primary school children get a healthy start to their school day.

The children in Roscoe have really taken to their Breakfast Club and it is fast becoming a hit.

In order to increase the number of children catered for, Roscoe is now looking for adult volunteers to help at the club. Volunteers will need to be consistent in the time they give and will also receive a free enhanced CBS check from the school. Partner LMH has also pledged that they will provide training free of charge for adults

who help! The training will include regular Health and Safety Training as well as Food Hygiene. If a volunteer puts in enough consistent hours, Head Teacher of Roscoe Primary School, Mrs Anders, has said that she will write references for any jobs that participants are applying for. Debra, aged 9 says:

“I LOVE COMING TO BREAKFAST CLUB, BECAUSE I GET TO SPEND SOME FUN TIME WITH MY FRIENDS BEFORE LESSONS - THE FOOD IS LOVELY TOO!” If you want to help out, contact the office at Roscoe Primary School on:

ADVANTAGES OF THE BREAKFAST CLUB

Improved health and nutrition in children Improved capability for children to socialise and make friends Improved attendance and punctuality Improved relationships between children and school staff Improved concentration in children, including better results

Tel: 0151 226 1536

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www.myclubmoor.co.uk

DEBBIE’S STORY THE MAIN SYMPTOMS

THE MAIN SYMPTOMS Debbie recalls: “I was going back and forth to my GP for around 5 months as my symptoms were worsening. The part that worried me the most was the fact I could fall asleep at any time – at one point, I was fearful of driving and it was even affecting me at work. At its worst, I couldn’t stay awake for longer than 3 hours.”

It wasn’t until Debbie asked to see the nurse over another symptom that she explained how she had been feeling. Debbie told her nurse that she was thirsty and sleepy all of the time – along with her new symptom of craving sugar. Her nurse soon asked Debbie if diabetes ran in her family and gave her a random blood test to rule the disease out.

“IT WAS A LIFE CHANGING DIAGNOSIS AND I NOW HAVE TO CHECK MY BLOOD LEVELS FOUR TIMES A DAY BEFORE MEALTIMES AND BEFORE BED. IT ALSO TOOK SOME TIME TO GET USED TO HAVING TO INJECT MYSELF AND WATCH WHAT I AM EATING THROUGHOUT THE DAY.”

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ebbie Price is 52 years old and has two sons, aged 23 and 20. At the age of 38 Debbie was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after months of symptoms and numerous doctor visits.

During her second pregnancy, Debbie developed gestational diabetes and her son was born weighing a whopping 11 lb 4 oz.

“HAVING DIABETES WASN’T SOMETHING I HAD THOUGHT OF AND I WASN’T OVERWEIGHT. PLUS THE SYMPTOMS I WAS NOW EXPERIENCING FELT DIFFERENT FROM LAST TIME WHEN I WAS PREGNANT.” Debbie says: “My brother has type 1 diabetes and I had gestational diabetes with my second son however I wasn’t overweight and my GP hadn’t tested me for diabetes.”

Four years after the birth of her son, Debbie’s marriage broke down and she and her husband split. The breakdown of her marriage caused Debbie a lot of personal stress and she found the experience very traumatic. It was during this time she began experiencing symptoms including extreme thirst, tiredness and even falling asleep during the day.

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Debbie says: “The nurse asked if I had anyone in the family with diabetes and I explained about my brother and also that I had gestational diabetes when pregnant with my second son. However, having diabetes wasn’t something I had thought of and I wasn’t overweight. Plus the symptoms I was now experiencing felt different from last time when I was pregnant.”

However the blood test results came back to reveal that Debbie had type 2 diabetes and would need insulin injections, steroids and a strict healthy diet to be able to live a symptom free life. Debbie was referred to Walton Hospital Diabetes Unit and later on to Fazakerley where she now attends every 6 months for a check-up.

Debbie’s daily routine now also includes carbohydrate counting – she explains: “You can download an app now on your smartphone which makes it a lot easier for you to keep track of what you have been eating throughout the day.

I need to make sure my diet has low sugar and fewer carbohydrates to make the insulin effective and I now always check the food labels in the supermarkets.”

It is now nearly 15 years since the diagnosis and Debbie is healthy, happily remarried and feeling positive about the future.

She says: “As long as you’re strict with yourself at the beginning, it becomes part of your everyday life.

I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything it’s just ‘normal’ to me now.”

• • • • • • •

Passing urine more often than usual, especially at night Increased thirst Extreme tiredness Unexplained weight loss Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush Slow healing of cuts and wounds Blurred vision

TYPE 1 DIABETES:

The signs and symptoms are usually very obvious and develop very quickly, typically over a few weeks. The symptoms are quickly relieved once the diabetes is treated and under control.

TYPE 2 DIABETES:

The signs and symptoms may not be so obvious, as the condition develops slowly over a period of years and may only be picked up in a routine medical check up. Symptoms are quickly relieved once diabetes is treated and under control.

If you are experiencing similar symptoms to Debbie or are concerned about having diabetes, you can get checked out by a simple finger prick test at your GP surgery or for more information, head to: Web: www.diabetes.org.uk

Issue No. 03

P90 FITNESS UP WHERE THE SKY BEGINS

INSANE HIIT @ MUSHIN MARTIAL ARTS “I LOVE RAISING MONEY FOR ALL CHARITIES AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO! IN SEPTEMBER, I WILL MARK P90FITNESS’S 2ND BIRTHDAY WITH A CHARITY NIGHT CELEBRATION.”

Saturday 11:00am – 12:00pm Tel: 0759 061 2610 Tw: @TeamMushin Web: www.mushinmartialarts.org.uk

Jason continues:“We like to get you in and get you out, keep you moving and burn fat from the first minute to the very end! We use a scientifically proven exercise formula known as E.P.O.C. (excess post exercise oxygen consumption) to increase your metabolism for up to 12-16 hours after your workout!”

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ason Porter is a 24-year-old local lad from Clubmoor, Walton who has always been into keeping fit and playing sports. He attended Alsop High school and in 2011 attended Liverpool Hope University and completed BA Hons in TV and Film Production. Jase, as he is known locally, then decided that this wasn’t really the career path he wanted and instead decided to get into the health and fitness industry. In 2011, Jason applied and secured a job at The Pine Forest Summer Camp in Pennsylvania USA. Whilst over in America, Jase had many opportunities not only to work with many great sportsmen and women but also gained the confidence and qualifications to kickstart his own business back here in Liverpool.

In November 2013, P90FITNESS helped Sue at Mushin to put on a charity night and raise money for Alder Hey. The night was a great success and together Team Mushin & P90FITNESS raised £3,070 for the Alder Hey Children’s Trust. To find out more about the charity fundraiser, head here: Web: www.splitdecisionmmauk.com

“We’ve all done the test at home” •

Jason said: “Pine Forest’s motto is ‘up where the sky begins’, which I loved as it felt like it meant something to me - I still use this motto today and say it to all of my clients. This phrase has now grown to become P90FITNESS’s motto too”.

Linking up with local business Mushin Martial Arts Liverpool’s answer to Insanity & Metafit… INSANE HIIT was born and now runs weekly sessions.

“WE LIKE TO GET YOU IN AND GET YOU OUT, KEEP YOU MOVING AND BURN FAT FROM THE FIRST MINUTE TO THE VERY END! WE USE A SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN EXERCISE FORMULA” INSANE HIIT is a total body, heart pumping, aerobic and strength-conditioning workout.

This interval-based class combines full-body strength training with high intensity cardio bursts designed to tone your body, improve your endurance and clear your mind before the busy days get started. Modifications for all fitness levels are provided and classes are 45 minutes long.

If you are aged between 60-74 and registered with a GP, you will automatically be sent a free kit to help detect bowel cancer

• The screening kit can help detect bowel cancer early, even before you have any symptoms On 18th May, Team Mushin and P90FITNESS raised £300 for Cash for Kids by doing a superhero fun run which began at Mushin Martial Arts on Queens Drive.

BOOT CAMP @ WALTON HALL PARK

• The test can be done in the privacy of your own home •

You post your completed screening kit to a laboratory for testing and the results will be sent back to you in 2 weeks

To find out more, or request your free kit, please call 0800 707 60 60 cancerscreening.nhs.uk Tuesday 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Do your bit, use the kit!

Personal training and group training are also available.

Tel: 0795 024 4090 Email: p90fitness@live.com Web: www.p90fitness.weebly.com

This information was brought to you by Public Health Liverpool

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www.myclubmoor.co.uk

JULIE BARRY ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

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ulie has always had a passion for gardening and after the sad loss of her husband, Julie wanted to do more for her local community, so she started attending local residents meetings. In 2007, Julie got involved with Walton in Bloom, sparking a passion that would last for years to come. Walton in Bloom inspired Julie and she saw the potential of what she could do in her own community.

The following year, Julie focused her efforts on her estate and the Grandison Alloment where she held her plot. After receiving a grant from LMH to help her give the whole estate an injection of floral colour, Julie started to run classes with local people to teach them how to plant and look after hanging baskets. Despite Julie’s own health and mobility issues, she wanted to make sure everyone was able to benefit – even those who couldn’t make it out of the house.

Julie explains: “Well, to reach people who couldn’t make it out of the house, I used to just jump on my scooter and deliver them to their house! I just loved to see the delight on people’s faces.”

Julie’s flowers were soon to be seen all over the area in pots, troughs and baskets. Eventually, Julie decided to enter the allotment and the area into Britain in Bloom and as a result of all the fantastic effort put in by everyone at Grandison Allotments, they received their first RHS Britain in Bloom Neighbourhood Award.

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Julie continued into 2009 transforming the local area with displays of colour, running a project with local school children at Florence Melly, teaching them how to plant and look after the troughs in the front of the school. The children got so much out of the project and the school looked fantastic – blooming with colour. Julie is very humble about what she has achieved, she says:

“I’M JUST DOING WHAT I LOVE AND IT KEEPS ME BUSY. I HAVE MET SO MANY INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY, WHO HAVE ALL KEPT ME GOING AND MADE ALL MY EFFORTS WORTHWHILE. I JUST LOVE TO SEE THE JOY THAT YOU CAN BRING TO ANOTHER PERSON THROUGH A BASKET OF FLOWERS.” Over the following years, Julie continued to draw in funding and brighten the local area with her flowers, acting as the driving force behind getting Grandison Allotments recognised for the fantastic work they were doing. The awards continued to roll in, with the allotment winning the highest level (Outstanding) in the RHS It’s your Neighbourhood

Awards every year between 2008 and 2012. Most recently, 2012 saw the project win the North West in Bloom Best Small Neighbourhood Award.

As a result of the work that she’s done, Julie has made a huge difference to her neighbours; bringing together different generations, giving people a passion and pride in their area, acquainting people with their neighbours and bringing a smile to people’s faces.

Paul Rotheram, former Chair of Grandison Allotments said: “Julie is a real asset to our community - she’s always willing to help out and give a hand where she can, doing anything to help out a good cause. Julie has been such a great help to me and so many other people in the community.”

Julie hopes that her story will inspire others to see that just a small gesture can go a long way.

She says: “I saw a new family that had moved in down the road having a go at doing their garden, so I popped down the allotment and made up some baskets and returned with them. They were over the moon - I just wanted to make them feel welcome and part of the community.”

In the past year as well as working on her allotment, Julie has been down at the Bridge Centre, transforming the community centre’s yard into a colourful haven. The space has been converted from grey to glorious.

Issue No. 03

TIME TO CELEBRATE

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n September, MyClubmoor will be holding its first ever celebration event to showcase the fantastic work local people have been doing.

There will be fun games and activities, as well as free food and lots of opportunities to get involved.

“WE WANT TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE ALL OF THE FANTASTIC STUFF THAT GOES ON HERE IN. WE HOPE THAT WHEN PEOPLE SEE WHAT IS GOING ON, IT WILL INSPIRE THEM TO GET INVOLVED.” The event will launch the MyClumboor I Awards - a programme that will enable anyone with a good idea to access between £500 and £15,000. The scheme gives people who have an idea the chance to give it a go. If you’ve been successfully running a project or organisation and it’s working, then funding is available to help you grow it.

Existing Unltd Star award winners including Su Carson, Ryan Manville and Julie Barry featured in editions of this paper will be there to share their stories and top tips. These are passionate local people who spotted an opportunity and a need in the local area and through hard work, commitment and a little bit of investment have set up their own organisation or project.

WHEN OPPORTUNITY DOESN’T KNOCK...

CREATING A THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMY

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uild a door! When we are out and about in Clubmoor we meet loads of great people with so much to offer, but often without the opportunity to put their skills and enthusiasm to use. People say Clubmoor has a high unemployment rate, few job opportunities and low levels of education. Well we want to challenge this. We want to give people the opportunity to act, and make a difference to themselves and their community. If you’ve got a passion or a dream, we want to help you achieve it.

If you’ve got an idea or big dreams, but need some money to help you achieve it, our award scheme could be for you. We want to invest in people to make the first steps towards their dreams and where it works, help them to grow it.

For people or groups to start up their ideas.

TRY IT

For people or groups to start up their ideas.

DO IT

For people or groups to start up their ideas.

GROW IT

£500

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£5000

£15000

“THERE WILL BE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR

We are looking for a wide range of projects that benefit the community and help us to meet our aims. Awards will be provided to both individuals and groups. To find out more, contact:

PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING

Email: info@myclubmoor.co.uk

INVOLVED, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO CELEBRATE

THE BRIDGE TO SUCCESS!

TOGETHER AND HAVE FUN WHILST DOING IT.” Now, MyClubmoor is looking for three new members to join the Board and the celebration event will be the perfect opportunity for you to find out more! This event will give you the opportunity to talk to current members about the role, their experiences so far and you will also be given the chance to put yourself forward for the position.

The MyClubmoor Board is a team of loval people who really love the area and want to make it the best it possibly can be. The Board is also responsible for things like driving local projects forward and making decisions on where money is invested.

If you think you are right for the role, turn to the back page to find out more information or contact Lianne and Sally.

Tel: 0151 226 3406

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u at the Bridge Centre is a great example of how the award scheme works. Until 2012, Su worked at the Walton Clubmoor Community Centre, running a café and activities for older people. When the centre closed, Su was devastated that the people she had worked with for so many years no longer had anywhere to go.

She had a dream to set up her own centre and this gave her the push to do it.

Su has built up the centre from nothing with a bucket load of passion, lots of hard work, the help of a team of volunteers and a small Star Award grant. This combination meant that Su soon took on the old Bridge Pub and set up the centre.

From this small starting point, Su has gone on to achieve great things; the centre even now funds itself and is proving a great success. Su has set a fantastic example to us all about what one person with a dream, confidence and commitment can achieve.

lubmoor is going through some big changes at the moment, and sometimes it’s easy to look around and think it’s all doom and gloom. With shops in the area shutting down, reduced services for people in need and lots of people struggling to get work it can often be difficult to see the positive side - but times like these bring great opportunities. MyClubmoor is doing all it can to help local people be resilient and make the most of these opportunities so we can turn it around and create a thriving local economy. This is a big goal and it won’t happen overnight but with commitment and patience we can get there.The late author Margaret Mead put it best whenshe said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world.

Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”

This year: we will be carrying out research to help us decide how we can help local young people leaving education to get their dream job. We will be: • •

• •

Providing financial education and support for those struggling with money worries.

Providing grants to local people with a great idea to set up projects or businesses up on their own.

Working with local businesses to support them and build a strong local network.

Looking at bringing empty high street properties back into use.

Come along to our first ever celebration event and find out more about how you can get involved. @St Andrews Church on the 20th September more details on VIP ticket enclosed in this edition of the paper.

Do you have an idea? Could you be our first £500 try it award ? Bring your ideas with you to our event (details on ticket) and win the award plus and ipad.

Tel: 0151 270 3803 Email: info@myclubmoor.co.uk Web: www.myclubmoor.co.uk

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www.myclubmoor.co.uk

Issue No. 03

FRANK MCKAY MY STORY

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rank was born on 20th May 1964, in Ballymoney County Antrim, Northern Ireland at the height of the ‘troubles’. These troubles refer to when the British government and Irish Republicans were engaged in a bitter conflict over ‘home rule’.

Frank recalls: “Growing up in Ireland in the sixties and seventies was a challenge in itself. Men would often walk around the school perimeter trying to recruit me and my friends into various sectarian organisations - and this was when we were still in primary school. I already knew which way I wanted to go - I’d decided that by joining the army, I would be able to help my community and my country and make it safer if you like. I signed up in December 1979; after I’d exaggerated about my age, I was only 15 and a half.”

For the next 18 months, and after staying at 3 different camps, Frank and around 1,000 lads were put though a rigorous training regime, doing a 6 month stint at each camp. After 6 months at Aldershot, Frank was to be stationed at Altcar near Liverpool and having friends there he was delighted. While at Altcar, Frank spent time with friends from Liverpool.

Frank says: “As soon as I arrived at the camp, I asked the first person I saw how close Liverpool was. He looked at me, smiled and said ‘Yer in Liverpool mate!”

After 6 months, Frank was shipped back to Ireland to finish the final 6 months and was stationed at Larne Barracks just north of Belfast. Frank’s partying had caught up with him and his superiors were not pleased.

Being a naive teen from Ireland meant plans of a good night out didn’t always run smoothly. It was then that Frank was told that his attitude had to change or it was the street for him!

Frank remembers: “Well that was me; I knuckled down and finally finished what was probably the hardest 6 months since signing up. The training was intense and out of 1,000 lads who started we were whittled down to just 350.”

At just 16 years old, The Royal Irish Rangers became Frank’s regiment, alongside the Ulster Defence Regiment. This was the start of his tour of Ireland that lasted just 8 months as Argentina had invaded the

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Falklands and Frank’s regiment was shipped off to the South Atlantic. They were the first body of men to land on the Falklands at Stanley beach and became affectionately known as the ‘Mad Paddies’, closely followed by a contingent of the Gurkha Regiment.

Within hours of arriving, intelligence came in about an Argentinian force at a location a couple of miles up the road. A unit of 8 men were sent out to see how the land lay. A few hours later they returned with over 100 prisoners.

she had refused.

Frank remained on the Falkland Islands a further 6 months, returning to England for just 3 days’ rest and relaxation in Portsmouth. It was while here that orders came in to return to Barracks in Larne.

He says: “I wanted to return to my base and carry on where I had left off, but they told me the best I could hope for was a desk job. This wasn’t something I was prepared to do, so I settled for being discharged on medical grounds.”

In 1986 and at the age of 22, Frank was promoted to Sergeant and was stationed at Newry Barracks. Three days after his promotion he received a call to say a bomb had been planted at a farmhouse near the border at Cross Maglen. This area was known as ‘Bandit Country’ and the call had to be taken seriously. Frank received intelligence on one of the occupants inside the farmhouse and as the senior on duty, the order was given for Frank to ready the unit.

Civilian life was difficult for Frank to adapt to and not long after his discharge, Frank began a downhill struggle with alcohol, which lasted nearly 20 years.

Franks says: “We had been given a 30 minute window; I pointed out it was a 40 minute drive even with the wind behind us. Unfortunately for me I heard the noise of helicopter propellers turning and my heart sank - I don’t mind helicopter rides, it’s the jump when you arrive at your location that I don’t like.”

On arrival at the farm, Frank quickly discovered the intelligence had been correct. Within seconds of the regiment getting the family out safely and clearing the area, the house exploded.

Frank recalls: “I literally had minutes, but the mission was successful and I later received notice that the family were safe and they had sent their thanks to us.”

Frank’s first tour of Iraq was in 1987, with the United Nations on a peace mission and was purely to haul food and aid to those in need. However the experience was not a good one and not something he wanted to repeat.

Back to Ireland at the age of 23, Frank was not to know that this would be his final tour of his home country.

In 1991, aged 26 and a Staff Sergeant, Frank found himself in Iraq. This time however he was on a mission to find facilities that could be manufacturing weapons of mass destruction. Frank’s regiment was given coordinates of locations to search and it was on one of these missions Frank’s life changed forever.

Frank remembers: “We arrived at a site and waited for further orders; this was when we heard plane engines approaching and could see 2 American fighter jets heading towards us. That was the last thing I remember, until I woke up in a military hospital in England. I had been in a coma for 2 months and was told that due to injuries to my spine and leg, I would never walk again.”

It wasn’t until much later that his mother confided in Frank that when he had been on a life support machine, the doctors advised her to switch it off but

A new battle had begun; and Frank set out to prove to himself that he was not prepared to settle on spending his life in a wheelchair and slowly began to learn how to walk again. The recovery took a total of 2 years, but Frank managed to finally walk again with the aid of crutches. However his battle was not over yet. Frank soon tried to convince the army that he was well enough to go back to active duty.

Franks says: “I felt I had lost who I was; I even questioned my faith, which I used to get me through all the difficult times during my army career. I didn’t know how to cope.”

Frank remembers Christmas 2011 as the pivotal point.

Frank tried to take his own life with an overdose and believes that the hospital he was taken to helped to change his life.

He says: “I had lapsed into a coma and was pronounced clinically dead by the paramedic staff. I was heading to the morgue, but luckily there was a Christmas party at the hospital, which meant the staff weren’t available to process my body. Instead there was a Canadian trainee medical team who took me from the paramedics, checked me and recognised that there was actually still life in me yet!

Knowing that I was alcohol dependant made them think that I was in an alcohol deprived coma and they decided to drip feed me ethanol which worked and helped to kick start my organs, however I was kept in a coma for several weeks until my body recovered properly.”

It was then that Frank started to again question his faith but now in a positive way. Doctors warned him that if he ever drank again he would die; Frank believes he was given a second chance and was determined to get help with his addiction and finally get his life back.

In 2012, Frank moved to Liverpool and found the help and support he needed at St Andrew’s Church. Today, Frank is still on the road to recovery, but has achieved so much since that Christmas. Not only has he been sober and baptised, but now Frank uses his experience to help others too. Frank became a volunteer listener for St Andrew’s Community network wellbeing, an Ex-Military Volunteer and, more recently, a Community Recovery Volunteer for Addaction and a MyClubmoor Volunteer.

If this story or anything in it has affected you or you’re looking for help, please get in touch.

Supporting Liverpool Veterans & Their Families Liverpool Veterans HQ, 239 Breck Road, Everton, Liverpool, L5 6PT Tel: 0151 261 9878

www.myclubmoor.co.uk

Issue No. 03

CAROL’S BLOG BEING MI CHAMPION

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ello again everybody and welcome to my blog. Recently, MyClubmoor helped out at the LMH Picnic in the Park event, where we had a large marquee that was filled with lots of historical stalls. We had a wartime nurses station and even a dig for victory stall, which was designed to teach kids how to plant and grow vegetables from seed. The lovely Frank McKay, who was displaying his medals and uniform from his days in combat, also joined us.

amazing paper to anyone who stood still for more than 5 seconds - which meant a lot of issues were given away!

As well as all of this, there was a craft stall, free cake for all, a fabulous band and the appearance of our local Slimming World representative. Of course I was there giving away copies of our

In other news, I told you last time about my Health Champion Training - and once more it has been put to good use. My other half, the longsuffering Snr, was diagnosed with diabetes a

Other tents that were there included The Barrow Boy vegetable shop, a burger stall that had wonderful organic meats, circus rides and LMH stalls that included everything from housing officers to DIY lessons from their teams of dedicated experts. The sun was shining all day and it seemed like everybody had a great time.

Juice FM was on hand to amuse the crowds and our local kids’ holiday club, Altitude, put on a show for the parents.

Ways to Help you be more independent

couple of years ago. We did all the courses; but after a while, you tend to rest on your laurels and things begin to slip. Thanks to my Health Champion Training, I was alerted to a change in his symptoms that meant he needed to increase his medication. It also meant that I began to take more notice of what we were eating, altering his diet a little to make him healthier. This, of course, has a knock on effect for the rest of the family, but definitely a positive one!

So there you go - a quick snapshot of what I’ve been up to.

We’re still looking for volunteers to try out the MI products below. If you’re interested in trying them out and giving us some feedback, please fill in the slip on the back of this paper, email us or phone the number on the advert below.

00 £20.

M FRO 99 . £39

00 £20.

Easy-to-use remote control

One-Cup Kettle

Big picture phone

Comfortable to handle, this remote control can be used with any TV, DVD or set-top box.

This kettle boils exactly the amount of water you need, and dispenses it into your cup at the touch of a button.

Place pictures into the slots at the top and you can ring your loved ones at the push of a button.

for more information FREEPHONE 0808 100 1929* www.moreindependent.co.uk/products *Standard rates for mobile phones apply.

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www.myclubmoor.co.uk

Issue No. 03

ABOUT THE BOARD Jenny Bowen

Garry Croll

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enny is a local resident and lives in the ward with her husband Darren (a qualified chef) and their 3 children.

Jenny is currently the leader of Mustard Seeds parent and baby group and the founder and director of Clubmoor 4Kidz CIC. Jenny wants to develop and change opportunities for families and children in the community and hopes that she can go some way to achieving this by being a MyClubmoor Board Member and volunteer.

Amanda Anders

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arry is a Liverpool lad, born and bred, and has lived in Clubmoor with his family for the past 24 years. Garry has worked for Liverpool Mutual Homes Housing Association in the role of Assistant-Director of Housing Services, having always worked in Housing within Liverpool. LMH has worked closely with the MyClubmoor project in its early days and Garry has welcomed the opportunity to join the MyClubmoor Board taking the project forward both as a local resident, Board Member and with the continuing support of LMH. LMH is the principle landlord in the area and over the past five years has invested extensively in its properties with the aim of making people proud of their homes and neighbourhoods.

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manda is Head Teacher of Roscoe Primary School, Clubmoor, she lives in Birkenhead and is married with two grown up children, both of whom are also teachers. During her time as Head Teacher, the school has undergone major changes, including being placed in special measures by Ofsted in July 2009. The school was removed from special measures in March 2011, at its most recent inspection in June 2013, Year 6 pupils at Roscoe achieved well above national averages in all subjects and 100% of pupils scored Level 4+ in Reading and Maths.

Could this be you?

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ave you considered becoming one of our board members? Do you live in, work in or are passionate about Clubmoor? Do you know someone who would be a great addition to our team? Get involved and have your say. Check out the invite below and come along to the event to find out more!

Do you have a dream?

L

ocal people, all of whom are passionate about making a difference in their community, lead MyClubmoor. There is a Partnership Board which meets monthly, made up of residents or people with a personal commitment to the ward. We’ve told you about them in the past editions of MyClubmoor, and there are a few more Board members profiled on this edition’s back page.

better place. No Board member gets paid in any way; they just do it because they want to make a difference to the community that they love.

The Board is made up of just normal, local people, but they have one thing in common – they all have a vision for making Clubmoor a

Not only that, the Board also has a huge £1million to spend to take action and to make a real difference to the area.

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Board meetings are incredibly enjoyable, they give you a chance to think about some of the big issues in the area. Over the past two months, the Board has spoken about young people, business, health, poverty, shops and empty buildings to name but a few.

Now we’re calling on you. We’re on the lookout for new Board members. We’re looking for three local people who share our passion and who are prepared to act responsibily in making Clubmoor a better place for us all.

Could it be you?

If so, contact Lianne or Sally and we will explain how you can get involved.

Tel: 0151 226 3406