St Helens Council’s
community magazine
THROUGH
THE LENS
Winter
2016
LOCAL PLAN
CONSULTATION
PAGE 20
RAINHILL’S
RAILWAY
HISTORY
PAGE 5
PAGE 4
OUR NATIONAL
LOTTERY WIN
SEE PAGE 16-17
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 1
2 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
St Helens Council’s
community magazine
Winter
2016
Welcome
EDITOR: Sean Doyle St. Helens Council, Press and Public Relations Office, Town Hall, St. Helens WA10 1HP.
To contact your news team with suggestions for articles about you or your organisation.
T: 01744 676164/5/6 E: [email protected]
W
elcome to the
winter edition of
St Helens First, a
prominent feature of which is a
celebration of the funding for
the arts and culture scene that
the borough has benefitted
from this year.
In case you missed the news, we
won big in the National Lottery
Awards for our arts in libraries
programme Cultural Hubs (pages
16-17) – make sure you check out
the iconic trophy as it makes the
rounds of the borough’s libraries.
In other news, St Helens is
beginning to take form as the
centre for logistics I know it can
be, for the benefit of our residents
and our local economy. With our
CONTACT US
Whether it’s finding out how to
recycle your household waste,
check what’s on, pay your Council
Tax or to request a specific
service, the way you contact the
council is up to you!
Wesley House, Corporation Street,
St.Helens WA10 1HF
Tel: 01744 676789
Minicom: 01744 671671
Fax: 01744 676895
Email:
[email protected]
Online: www.sthelens.gov.uk
Please contact us to request
translation of council information
into Braille, audio tape or a foreign
language.
TALKING PAGES
St Helens
Council
Leader’s
column
prime position on the motorway
and rail networks and our links
to exciting transport projects
elsewhere in the North West,
we’re ideally placed to seize
opportunities for employment
and growth. One such golden
opportunity – Haydock Green – is
covered on page 5.
And with winter upon us, you’ll
find some great advice on page
14 for vulnerable members of the
community on how to stay warm
and well. We’re also asking that, if
you have elderly relatives, friends
or neighbours, don’t forget to look
in on them and check they’re okay
during the cold weather.
Councillor Barrie Grunewald
St. Helens First is now available
in talking book form for visually
impaired people.
For details contact the Press and
Public Relations office on Tel:
01744 676164
HATE CRIME
No form of hate crime should
be tolerated. If you or someone
you know is being victimised
or targeted because of age,
disability, gender, sexuality, race
or religion this can be reported
confidentially to the following
numbers:
5
16
News
St. Helens Council:
01744 676789
Crimestoppers:
0800 555 111
Merseyside Police:
Non-emergency 101
Emergencies only 999
ADVERTISING
St Helens Council does not
warrant the accuracy of any
description or statement, nor
does it endorse any product
or service, contained in any
commercial advertisement within
this publication.
6
9
St. Helens First is printed on
environmentally-friendly paper.
22
St. Helens Council has achieved:
Follow us
on Twitter:
@sthelenscouncil
5 Haydock Green development
6 Multihog takes on potholes
9 Ancient crafts
Features
4 Rainhill remembered for railway
12Thatto Heath ladies rugby success 16Borough gets arts funding
22Penkford School showcased
Like us on
Facebook:
sthelenscouncil
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 3
Feature
RAINHILL’S PLACE IN
HISTORY CONFIRMED
Leading engineers from the UK and
US converged on Rainhill Library for a
ceremony that reaffirmed the village’s
status as the birthplace of the railway.
Rainhill was the site of the 1829 Rainhill Trials
– won by George Stephenson and his Rocket
locomotive. The contest led to the opening of
the world’s first public railway the following year
between Liverpool and Manchester.
To commemorate the event, the library hosts a
permanent Trials exhibit – staged in a British
Railways Mark 1 carriage within its grounds.
Recently however, the Liverpool to Manchester
line was celebrated by the British Institution of
Civil Engineers and the Institution of Mechanical
Engineers, as well as their companion
organisations from the USA, the American
Society of Civil Engineers and the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The esteemed visitors unveiled a plaque at
Rainhill Library that sees the line – with a route
substantially unaltered since its construction
– take its place alongside some of the world’s
most iconic structures. The Eiffel Tower and the
Brooklyn Bridge are among the select group to
gain the American Society of Civil Engineers’
Historical Civil Engineering Landmark status.
The plaque was unveiled at the library for
temporary display and will be moved to a
permanent home at Rainhill Station early next
year.
St Helens Council Leader Barrie Grunewald
said: “As both Leader and a Rainhill Councillor,
I’m delighted that our place in history is being
commemorated in this way.
“The world owes much to the pioneering
developments that took place in and around
St Helens. The economic and social impact
of the railway across the globe was, without
exaggeration, immense.”
Darrell Matthews, North West Regional
Director of the Institution of Civil Engineers,
said: “George Stephenson came from very
humble origins with no formal education and
yet became one of the world’s great pioneering
engineers. His son Robert went on to become
President of the Institution of Civil Engineers,
and their achievements literally helped create
the modern world. I feel this is a very fitting
tribute to them and their work.”
Derek Houghton, Chairman of Rainhill Railway
4 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
ABOVE: Liibrary service staff with representatives of
the Rainhill Railway and Heritage Society, Institution
of Civil Engineers, Institution of Mechanical Engineers,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers and
American Society of Civil Engineers. BELOW: The British
Railways Mark 1 carriage attached to Rainhill Library,
which houses the Rainhill Locomotive Trials exhibit.
and Heritage Society (pictured above, third from
left) said: “Our thanks go to the sponsoring
organisations for this important recognition
of the significance of Rainhill in the history of
transport and engineering.”
“It emphasises the place in history of Rainhill
and the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, and
supports our ambition to see the line become a
World Heritage site. The society, in conjunction
with Rainhill Parish Council, is working towards
a major celebration of the 190th anniversary of
the Trials, to be held in 2019.”
Logistics centre
gets the green light
St Helens Council has given the green
light to an ambitious new development
that will see an estimated 617 jobs
created in Haydock.
The Haydock Green plans will see 11 hectares
of greenbelt land adjacent to Haydock
Industrial Estate prepared for 46,500 square
metres (sq m) of warehousing, ancillary office
space and a new access off Penny Lane.
Great care will also be taken to protect local
wildlife, including an ecological mitigation zone
for great crested newts.
Construction of Phase 1 (11,689 sq m) is
expected to get underway later this year.
Upon completion, the site – developed by
Morley Estates – will provide state-of-the-art
accommodation for three major employers.
Council Leader, Barrie Grunewald said: “More
and more big distributors are recognising
the unique logistics offer that St Helens
can provide, so we must be ready and able
to seize opportunities that can grow our
economy.
“We’re continuing to attract large-scale inward
News
investment to the borough, creating skilled
jobs, and we’re strengthening our logistics
ambitions, with Chartered Institute of Logistics
and Transport (CILT) qualifications now
available at St Helens College’s new Logistics
Academy.”
The council is confident that this is the start of
up to 300,000 sq m of new commercial space
that will be submitted as applications over the
next 18 months, on sites adjacent to the M6
and M62 demonstrating that St.Helens is a
location of choice for business.
Help shape St Helens’ future
It’s time to share your views and
help shape the borough’s future,
with two consultations that
will each have significant
bearing on the years
ahead taking place
over the next couple
of months.
St Helens Council
is preparing a
new Local Plan
Preferred Options for
the borough, which will set
out the council’s preferred
approach on how much
development is required
and where new development
should be located. It is
envisaged that consultation on the
Preferred Options will take place over
December 2016 and January 2017.
Please keep an eye on the
council’s website – www.
sthelens.gov.uk – for
information and dates
on the forthcoming
consultation.
Alternatively, if you
would like to be
kept informed you
can sign up to our
Local Plan Consultation
Database by emailing
us at planningpolicy@
sthelens.gov.uk or
writing to: Development
Plans Section, Town
Hall Annexe, Victoria Square, St Helens,
Merseyside, WA10 1HP.
Why not take the budget challenge using the
online ‘You Choose’ budget simulator?
With St Helens Council facing unprecedented
financial pressures down to continued
spending reductions – despite a growing
demand for services – the local authority is
looking to consult on its budget for 2017/2018
with the people who matter most – residents!
Residents are tasked with taking on the
difficult challenge of cutting the expected £7.8
million from the 2016/2017 budget, keeping
it balanced while continuing to protect critical
services.
Residents can also provide their comments
and views by contacting the council’s Contact
Centre at [email protected]
or on 01744 676789. To take the simulator
challenge, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/
budgetsimulator.
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 5
News
A very vintage Christmas
Vintage advocate, Phoenix Apparel is soon to
host a Christmas vintage arts and crafts fair at
the Town Hall.
Back by popular demand following two hugely
successful events earlier this year, over 60
businesses will once again set up shop in
the historic building, selling everything from
vintage clothes, accessories and home ware,
to arts and crafts, cruelty free skincare,
alternative therapies, vegan food and ecofriendly products. Father Christmas will also
make an appearance!
If you can’t wait for the fair on Saturday 3
December, 10am-4pm, why not visit Phoenix
Apparel’s vintage nirvana on the town centre’s
Corporation Street, consisting of three floors of
eclectic independent boutiques.
Follow Phoenix Apparel on Twitter @
PhoenixApparel_ or like them on Facebook
@PhoenixApparelUK.
Multihog takes
on potholes
War on potholes: The Multihog in action.
St Helens Council tax payers and motorists
will reap the benefits of a new machine that
looks set to change the face of highway
maintenance in the borough.
In road repair mode the Multihog delivers a
more permanent repair by removing underlying
imperfections. It produces less dust and is
quieter than traditional jack hammers.
The Multihog repairs highway defects,
including potholes, in a fraction of the time it
would normally take. It means more repairs
can be carried out daily.
St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for
Green, Smart and Sustainable Borough,
Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, said: “The
purchase of the Multihog demonstrates the
council’s continued commitment to maintaining
the highway network to the highest possible
standards within our available budgets.”
The versatile vehicle can also be fitted a range
of attachments to tackle road gritting, flood
prevention, grass cutting and snow ploughing.
Cleaner streets Age UK opens new
town
centre
office
and parks
Dog owners won’t get caught
short when walking their pets as a
ground breaking scheme to tackle
dog waste arrives in St Helens.
TiksPac stations are due to be
installed at popular dog-walking
locations across the borough and
outside local libraries providing
dog walkers with 24/7 access to
free dog waste bags.
Residents of Billinge, Eccleston,
Haydock and Thatto Heath are
likely to see the first stations
installed with other areas of the
borough quickly following on.
The scheme allows local
businesses to demonstrate their
support for improving the local
environment and at the same time
promote themselves. If you’re
interested please contact TiksPac
UK Head Office in Newton-leWillows on 01925 593982 for
more details.
The Mayor and Mayoress of St
Helens, Councillors Dave and
Jeanette Banks were guests of
honour as Age UK Mid Mersey
launched its new town centre
office.
Based in Barrow Street, SHAIR (St
Helens Advocacy & Information
Resource) provides a range of
insurance products and services,
independent living aids, lottery,
and funeral plans, as well as
extensive information, advice,
advocacy and signposting.
6 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
It is a free, confidential and
impartial service for all eligible
people (aged 18+) and their
families, helping them to make
informed choices to improve their
lives. Working in partnership with
St Helens Coalition of Disabled
People, and Deafness Resource
Centre, SHAIR are able to give
a comprehensive service from
signposting right through to
advocacy.
To contact the new office, call
01744 454 530.
News
Council’s commitment to digital
St Helens Council is
demonstrating its commitment to
the digital age with a range of new
and improved digital services.
Earlier this year the council’s new
website went live, with clearly
marked tabs and a brand new
‘self-service’ section that allows
people to do business with the
council quickly and easily.
And self-service kiosks are now
available in the Contact Centre!
Easy to use, the kiosks allow
residents to beat the queues and
get served faster when applying
for a service, reporting a problem,
finding out about Universal Credit
or checking the progress of an
outstanding call.
One kiosk even enables residents
to make payments, including
Council Tax, school meals,
mortgages and business rates.
The council has also brought the
historic Town Hall building into the
21st Century, with a unique virtual
tour, provided by Google Maps.
Google search ‘St Helens Town
Hall’ and click ‘see inside.’
Digital advocates... council staff with the new self-service technology.
Good
luck
artists!
Historic
Earlestown
preserved
Good luck to all local artists
who have entered submissions
to feature in the world’s smallest
temporary pop-up gallery ‘Tight
Modern’, a miniature replica of
the world-famous Tate Modern
that will be stuffed full of works by
those on the margins.
Set up by Creative Future – the
Brighton based national arts
charity – the competition is open
only to those who find it difficult
to access the visual arts either
because of mental health issues,
disability, ill-health or social
circumstances.
Entries from across the country
will now go to an expert judging
panel, with 60 works to feature in
the Tight Modern tour, stopping
at four UK locations including
St Helens libraries from 15
December 2016 and 15 February
2017.
Learn more at www.
tightmodern.org.uk.
Tight fit... the pop-up gallery will come to St Helens libraries.
St Helens Council has taken steps
to preserve a significant part
of the town’s heritage with the
designation of a conservation area
in Earlestown town centre, and
has recently followed this up with
a Townscape Heritage bid to the
Heritage Lottery Fund.
Earlestown originally developed
around a spine road that
connects the Liverpool and
Manchester Railway – the world’s
oldest passenger line – with an
impressive listed town hall, and
is recognised as one of the birth
places of the Industrial Revolution
in the North West.
The aim of the bid is to celebrate
the original planned layout, reveal
original building frontages and
shop fonts, as well as provide for
improvements to the public realm
that will promote additional activity
in the town, including in and
around the Market Square.
Should the bid be successful, it is
hoped that the funding will bring
about a thriving and sustainable
Earlestown.
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 7
News
Feature
Skills boost
with adult
learning
service
St Helens
Council’s Adult
and Community
Learning
(ACL) service
is offering
exciting new
opportunities
for adults to
develop their
skills, interests
and prospects
across the
borough. Many
courses are
free, run up to
five and ten
weeks and start this January.
Need to brush up on your maths or English
skills? Want to help your children with their
homework? Learn a new language; boost your
employment prospects; become more adept
with technology – it’s all possible with ACL.
There are loads of courses on offer from
positive thinking to first aid. Go to www.
sthelens.gov.uk/adultlearning to find out more
about the courses in your area, and register
your interest by calling the team on 01744
677314 or emailing adultlearning@sthelens.
gov.uk.
Support for blind veterans
New research from national military charity
Blind Veterans UK shows that 237 Armed
Forces veterans in St Helens are living with
severe sight loss – some of whom may not
be aware of the free, lifelong support they
can access.
Blind Veterans UK provides training and
rehabilitation, equipment, employment advice
and emotional support to help veterans
discover a life beyond sight loss. The charity
runs local lunch clubs to bring veterans
together and social activities at their centres in
Llandudno and Brighton.
It also runs training sessions to teach veterans
how to cook and use a computer whilst living
with a vision impairment, and has helped
The
adventure
begins here
veterans to learn photography, archery and
many other hobbies they never thought
possible since losing their sight.
If you know someone who served in the Armed
Forces or did National Service and is now
battling severe sight loss, find out how Blind
Veterans UK could help them by calling 0800
389 7979 or visiting noonealone.org.uk.
The Boys’ Brigade 1st St Helens
Company is ready to welcome
more boys to weekly activitypacked sessions.
One of the biggest youth
organisations in the UK, the
Boys’ Brigade is well known for
offering boys with opportunities
for adventure and personal
development, drawing on Christian
values.
And the group is looking for adult
leaders and helpers too. Could you
8 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
spare a few hours each week to
help enrich the lives of local young
people? No formal experience
is required and full training is
delivered.
Company meetings take place on
Fridays, 6:30pm at the Ormskirk
United Reformed Church, King
Street. There’s no joining fee – just
a nightly £2 subscription. For more
information, contact Iain Paul on
01744 454933 or iainpaul1939@
gmail.com.
News
Green
flags
fly over
borough
Victoria Park has joined the
1,600 parks and green spaces
across the UK entitled to fly the
prestigious Green Flag.
Managed by Keep Britain Tidy,
the Green Flag award is judged
by an army of more than 700
‘green space experts’, who assess
parks against eight strict criteria including horticultural standards,
cleanliness, sustainability and
community involvement.
St Helens Council’s Cabinet
Member for Green, Smart
and Sustainable Borough,
Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron,
said: “This award is proof that
Victoria Park boasts the highest
possible standards, is beautifully
maintained and has excellent
facilities.
“Quality green spaces are
absolutely essential to happy,
healthy communities. They are
fundamental to our quality of
life, whether in cities, towns or
villages.”
Elsewhere in the borough, the
GreenAcres Woodland Burial Park
in Rainford was celebrating its
second consecutive Green Flag
award.
Diane Fusco Customer Services
Advisor at GreenAcres said: “This
award recognises and highlights
that people in St Helens and the
surrounding areas are benefitting
from a green space of the very
highest quality.”
Police launch new
messaging service
A new free community messaging
service which allows members of
the public to receive personalised
news and crime updates in their
local area has been launched by
Merseyside Police and the Police
Commissioner.
MerseyNow will be used to send
out appeals, crime prevention
messages, offer support to victims
and give advice about ongoing
incidents.
Members of the public can
register for the free service and
then control the way in which they
receive messages – either via text,
email or voice message.
They can also choose which
updates they receive based on the
topics that are of interest to them,
such as crime prevention and
burglaries.
To register, all that’s needed is
either an email address or a mobile
number.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner
Jane Kennedy said: “MerseyNow
has been developed to bring the
communication of essential police
and crime information to the public
right up to date.
“The aim is to modernise
communication between
Merseyside Police, their key
partners and the communities they
serve to reduce crime and keep
people safe.”
To register for the service go to
www.merseynow.org
Ancient
crafts
Mixed weather failed to dampen
the spirits of hundreds of visitors
as St Helens Council’s Ranger
Service recently showcased some
ancient ways of working at Victoria
Park.
Falconry displays, harp making,
pole lathe demonstrations and
even tarot card readings were just
some of the activities that helped
turn the clock back hundreds of
years for those who attended a
craft fair at the park, but there
were also some modern, highoctane pursuits, like chainsaw
sculpting.
St Helens Council’s Cabinet
Member for Green Smart and
Sustainable Borough, Councillor
Seve Gomez-Aspron said: “As
well as providing some fabulous
entertainment, events like this help
to ensure that traditional crafts
aren’t lost to future generations.”
The event was just one of an
ongoing series of events at the
newly-refurbished – and now
Green Flag award winning –
Victoria Park.
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 9
News
New
wellbeing
website
is BOSS!
Help young people to
flourish with Scouts
The national children’s charity Barnardo’s has
unveiled a universal support website for young
people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Could you help local young people achieve
their full potential?
Scouting in St Helens has grown remarkably
in recent years with over 700 young people
across Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers
making friends, learning skills and sharing
adventures.
But there are still many stuck on waiting lists
for local groups. Scouting needs more adult
volunteers to become leaders and helpers to
allow the organisation to grow and let more girls
and boys join the adventure.
And the rewards are massive! An awardwinning training scheme means that adults get
as much from Scouting as young people. The
approach focuses on what you want to get out
of volunteering, while respecting how much time
you want to offer.
Over 90 per cent of Scout volunteers say that
their skills and experiences have been useful in
And it’s all specific to services available right
here in St Helens. Check it out at www.bosssthelens.co.uk.
their work or personal life.
Call Scouts on 01744 26848 for an informal,
no-commitment chat.
To find out more about Scouting in St Helens
visit www.sthelensscouts.org.uk or for the
bigger picture visit www.scouts.org.uk
BOSS is free, safe and confidential; has been
designed for 11-19 year olds, parents/carers
and professionals; and has a range of highly
accessible services, including, live chat, online
counselling and self-help information on topics
as diverse as anxiety, depression, bereavement,
low mood, anger, self-esteem, friendship and
relationship problems, self-harm and eating
problems.
Are you a good listener? The BOSS online
service needs volunteers aged 18 and above
to chat to 11-19 year olds about wellbeing,
particularly on Thursday evenings, 6pm-8pm.
Volunteers will work from home, so access to
a computer is essential. For more information,
email Barnardo’s volunteer coordinator at
[email protected]
Neurodevelopmental support
A brand new support service for
parents and carers of children with
neurodevelopmental conditions
has opened in St Helens.
ADDvanced Solutions Community
Network is commissioned by St
Helens Clinical Commissioning
Group to deliver pre-, during and
post-diagnosis learning, coaching
and mentoring.
Mentors have teaching
backgrounds, which lends the
variety of free, open-access, whole
family approach course options
a reassuring and well thought out
structure.
From six weeks, to one day
courses, and weekly Community
Network group sessions in the
town centre, each can impart
some really practical learning
and advice for parents, carers
and professionals to support and
overcome behaviours of a range
of neurodevelopmental conditions,
including Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
10 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
Autism Spectrum Disorder/
Condition (ASD/C), sensory
processing difficulties, dyspraxia
and dyslexia.
For more information, visit www.
addvancedsolutions.co.uk or
call 01744 582 172.
News
Leukaemia
battler Matthew
fights back
to complete
GCSEs
There have been a number of
outstanding achievements from
individual students across the
borough, not least former St
Cuthbert’s pupil Matthew Lee.
In September 2015 just one
day into year 11, Matthew was
diagnosed with Leukaemia.
Students celebrate exam success
For hundreds of students, the
anxious wait came to an end
in August when they received
their A-level and GCSE
results, marking another year
of hard work and academic
achievement in St Helens.
Between them, St Helens
secondary schools and Carmel
College saw 98.6 per cent of
A-level entries graded A*-E, higher
than the national average of 98.1
per cent.
Results at Rainford High this
year showed a 10.1 percent
improvement on last year,
with 44.9 per cent of students
achieving A*-B grades in their A
level results.
At GCSE level, the introduction of
the new Attainment 8 measure,
has led to improvement in our
secondaries. Last year, the overall
Attainment 8 score for St Helens
was 46.0 per cent compared
to the national figure of 48.4
per cent. This year, St Helens’
Attainment 8 figure is 49.1 per
cent.
St Cuthbert’s recorded its best
ever results, with 54 per cent
of students achieving five A*-C
grades. A five per cent increase
on last year’s performance.
Councillor Andy Bowden, Cabinet
Member for Education, said:
“I’d like to congratulate all those
students across the borough who
worked so hard to achieve these
results.
“They can now look forward to
further studies - or the world of
work and training. It is an exciting
time for them all, and for their
futures.”
St Augustine’s welcomes the Anthony Walker Foundation
As part of the school’s personal,
social, health, economic education
and citizenship programme
(PSHEEC), members of the Anthony
Walker Foundation were welcomed
into St Augustine of Canterbury RC
High School to speak to students
about racism and hate crime.
The foundation has been
providing young people across
the North West with education
and information on racism and
hate crime for over 10 years since
the racially-motivated murder of
Anthony Walker in 2005.
Foundation worker, Natalie and
volunteer, Nelson spoke to year 9
students during an assembly about
Anthony in the words of his mother,
Gee Walker, before a 30 minute
film was shown to demonstrate how
racism can take many forms and its
impact on recipients.
After eight months of gruelling
treatment and a stressful time for
Matthew, his family and friends,
he returned to school full of
determination to complete enough
GCSE exams to secure his place
at college, where he is currently
studying to pursue his dream of
becoming a paramedic or police
officer.
A delighted Matthew said: “I am
very proud of myself for everything
I have achieved since I became
unwell. It was a huge shock and
despite being scared at times I
knew that I had to be strong and
fight, which I did.
“I only came back to school after
Easter but I was able to sit some
GCSE exams and did really well. I
am proud to have been a member
of Cuthies school and would like
to thank all teachers and pupils for
all their support over the past year.
I just hope that I can now continue
to work hard and make a success
of the time I have at college, where
I have already received loads of
support.”
Library
expands
Councillor Andy Bowden (back row, second on the left) with St Augustine of Canterbury RC High School
students - and Natalie and Nelson from the Anthony Walker Foundation
St Helens College has unveiled
a new, larger library for students.
Using a charitable donation from
the Gamble Education Charity
Trust, the college has spent
over £1million to create the
new space which features more
PCs, individual study booths, a
performance and exhibition area
and a café serving light snacks
and Starbucks coffee, together
with a wide range of books
reflecting the college curriculum.
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 11
Feature
Family fun...cycling appeals to all ages.
Despite only forming in 2013, Thatto
Heath Crusaders ARLFC women’s
section has certainly come a long
way in such a short space of time.
Last season, the first team were crowned
winners of the Women’s Challenge Cup
for the third time, while the reserves lifted
the Women’s Challenge Shield to add to
their already impressive trophy collection.
Under the guidance of head coach Mark
Brennan, Dave Rotheram, Geoff Allford
and a team of dedicated coaches - the
talent and commitment of the players
has not gone unnoticed. Nine players
were selected to represent the England
Lionesses at the 2013 Rugby League
World Cup.
ABOVE: Thatto Heath Ladies First Team
Thatto Heath
ladies are
on the ball
BELOW: Thatto Heath Reserves (Black & Red) with Whitley Bay
And earlier this year, the first team beat
French champions Biganos XII 52-6 to be
crowned European Champions.
More recently, eight players were
selected for the National Talent
Development weekend, and four of the
girls lined up against France in October
as part of the England squad.
The Crusaders also have four Grand
Final victories to their name, most
recently with a 36-8 win against Bradford
Bulls in the Women’s RL Grand Final
in October, in what was an unbeaten
season.
Jenny Welsby, who captains the first
team, said: “Rugby League has given me
physical health and strength, confidence,
friends for life and I would encourage
anyone to get involved with the sport.
“I am extremely
proud to captain
such a great group
of girls and to have
lifted so many
trophies with them.
It’s an exciting time
to see so many young
players coming
through and the
future is definitely
bright for the team.”
If you are interested in joining Thatto
Heath Ladies or Girls sides , training
sessions take place on Wednesday
evenings 7pm-8pm for the girls (11-16
years) and 8pm-9pm for the Ladies (16
years and above) at Crusader Park,
Close Street, St Helens.
Download the St Helens cycle map to your phone.
12 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
For more information, email
[email protected]
Community News
Local table tennis club
whips up a storm
A local home-grown table tennis
club has been keeping residents
fit and healthy, and making waves
in regional competitions.
Dismayed by what he felt were
inaccessible clubs elsewhere in
the North West, Rainford resident
Geoff Pye set about creating his
own club with a few friends in
2009. Since then, Geoff’s Rainford
Storm Table Tennis Club (TTC)
has become firmly established,
home now to over 40 members of
varying ability.
It’s easy to see why – the group
gives a warm welcome to
newcomers and is proud of its
friendly atmosphere, but members
also have a strong competitive
streak. In fact, they’ve become
quite the contenders in league
competitions around the region.
Geoff said: “We started off as all
clubs do with just a few members
but word soon got out about what
we do and why, and more and
more people came to join. We’re
not professionals at the sport
but we know enough to help you
improve your skills, keep you fit
and have fun doing it.”
The club is now looking for
support from local businesses
if it’s to continue to grow and
contribute to the community.
Want to learn more? Contact
Geoff on 07778215552 or via
[email protected],
or find Rainford Storm TTC on
Facebook.
TOP: The Rainford Storm TTC ABOVE: Eye on the ball…Geoff Pye
Try your hand at Bridge
Lester Drive Bridge Club is
calling on new players to attend
their weekly morning sessions to
discover the benefits of taking up
one of the world’s most popular
card games.
Held every Wednesday morning,
the beginners’ and improvers’
lessons are a great way to
exercise your brain and meet new
people - all within the comfort
of the volunteer-run Lester Drive
Centre in Eccleston.
Gordon Griffiths, who started
playing Bridge two years ago
after giving up golf due to health
reasons, said: “I find the sessions
really good with a friendly but
competitive atmosphere and
I would recommend Bridge to
anyone who enjoys the company
of other people.”
Beginners’ and improvers’ classes
take place every Wednesday
morning from 9:30am to 11:45am
at a cost of just £1.50 which
includes tea/coffee and biscuits
– and experienced players are on
hand to welcome newcomers and
teach the basics.
Experienced Bridge players meet
every Tuesday at 7pm. Single
players welcome as a partner will
be found.
For more information, call Derek
Wilson on 01744 29388.
To find out more what the Lester
Drive Centre has to offer, call
Edith Martlew on 01744 26813
or email lesterdrivecentre@
gmail.com
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 13
News
Feature
Beat the
cold this
WINTER
Winter is just around the corner and
while for most people it’s just a matter
of turning up the heating, for some it can
be far more dangerous. Elderly, infirm
and vulnerable people are at risk when
the temperature starts to drop. In fact,
in 2014-2015 there were an estimated
43,900 extra deaths over the winter
period in England and Wales.
But help is at hand! The council and its
partners including Age UK Mid Mersey
are working to minimize that risk wherever
possible.
Can you help?
St Helens Council and partners are recruiting
cold weather volunteers and urging
neighbours to keep an eye on older and
vulnerable residents in the event of severe
weather this winter.
Cold weather volunteers should have a
reasonable level of fitness as they could be
called on to assist vulnerable residents by
clearing snow from driveways and paths and
gritting.
Project partners also want to hear from
people who can act as ‘tele-befrienders’ –
who can make regular phone calls to those
at risk of becoming isolated in bad weather.
If you don’t feel able to formally volunteer,
perhaps you can look in on your older or
vulnerable neighbours this winter.
Older people who may be frail, or who have
existing health conditions, are particularly at
risk. “We’re asking everyone to remember
the needs of anyone they know who could
be at risk. Many people are not aware that
by not keeping warm enough, they may be
putting themselves in danger”, said St Helens
Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health
and Wellbeing Councillor Jeanie Bell.
WINTER SURVIVAL PACKS
St Helens Council and Age UK Mid
Mersey are once again ready to distribute
thousands of Winter Warmer packs to
vulnerable people across the borough
throughout December at local libraries.
Distribution of these free and handy packs
takes place in the following libraries on
the dates shown from 10:30am-12:30pm,
unless otherwise stated.
1 December – Peter Street
2 December - Billinge
5 December – Newton-le-Willows
“Heating homes to at least 18 degrees
Celsius in winter reduces the risk to your
health. Being too cold can cause serious
problems for your breathing if you have a
bad chest. Sitting for long periods in a cold
home can put pressure on your heart and
blood circulation too – leading to very serious
problems such heart attacks and strokes.”
6 December – Chester Lane
Prospective volunteers or tele-befriender can
register their details with the St Helens Cold
Weather Advice line on
Freephone 08000 355 878.
15 December – Garswood (2:00pm-4:00pm)
14 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
7 December – Haydock
8 December – Rainford
12 December – Thatto Heath
13 December – Moss Bank
14 December – Parr
15 December – Eccleston
16 December – Rainhill
News
BEYOND THE FRINGE salon, Kiln Lane, goes above and beyond for clients living with dementia.
Are you Dementia Friendly?
A move to make St Helens a more dementiafriendly place to live and work has seen major
success.
Residents:
1. Become a Dementia Friend online or
search for a local face to face session by
visiting www.dementiafriends.org.uk
A campaign was launched in collaboration
with the St Helens Star at the beginning of the
year, with the intention of doubling the number
of Dementia Friends within the borough. The
campaign featured real stories from local
people, businesses and organisations that are
each doing incredible things to help people
with dementia.
Already in the campaign, the spotlight has
shone on some every day heroes, like John
Kelly, whose own experience of dementia led
him to establish support groups for others;
some important local voices have been
amplified, including people with young-onset
dementia; and some of the vital work that goes
on to support St Helens’ dedicated carers has
been showcased.
As a result, we’ve seen Dementia Friends in St
Helens rise from 3730 in January – the total for
the preceding three years – to a current total of
8798, soaring over and above the target.
Dementia Friends is an initiative set up by the
Alzheimer’s Society, which seeks to educate
people about the condition that currently affects
850,000 people in the UK alone and to remove
the stigma and misconceptions associated with
it.
2. Spread the word about becoming
a Dementia Friend to 5 people and
encourage them to do the same
3. Do you work in public facing organisation
such as a bank, supermarket, post office,
public transport or retail environment?
Enquire at work about Dementia Friends.
JOHN KELLY established the ‘Looking Forward’ dementia support groups.
Its quick, simple and free information sessions
can be accessed online, or face-to-face
in convenient groups for a more personal
approach.
Talking about dementia can be frightening, but
seeking help from your GP early offers the best
chance of getting the right support, advice and
treatment.
For more information on dementia, call the
Alzheimer’s Society on 0151 420 8010 or visit
www.sthelens.gov.uk/dementia, where you
can read every inspiring local story from the
campaign.
Want to get involved and be more dementia
friendly?
4. Consider becoming a volunteer Dementia
Friends Champion and delivering face to
face sessions yourself by searching online
‘What is a Dementia Friends Champion?’
Organisations and businesses can
follow these simple steps:
1. Identify a ‘Champion’ to lead the work to
provide a dementia-friendly service for
your customers
2. Support your staff to become more
Dementia Friendly by searching online for
‘Dementia Friends How Organisations Can
Get Involved’.
3. Join the St Helens Dementia Action
Alliance
4. Contact [email protected] for
more support
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 15
ARTS ALIVE!
FUNDING
BOOSTS LOCAL
ARTS SCENE…
St Helens’ resurgent arts scene
has benefitted in big ways from
external funding this year, proving
that the borough is a great place
for culture.
CULTURAL HUBS
WINS NATIONAL
LOTTERY AWARD
St Helens Council’s Cultural
Hubs has been crowned the UK’s
favourite Lottery-funded arts
programme in The National Lottery
Awards. The iconic award (see
cover photo) was presented to the
team by actor Ralf Little at a
prestigious London ceremony,
filmed for the BBC.
The achievement and national
recognition comes with a prize
of £3,000 to boost Cultural
Hubs’ diverse programme of
arts based performances, plays,
gigs, workshops, courses and
exhibitions, enabling more
emerging and established artists
and performers to showcase their
talent and creativity in St Helens.
The arts in libraries programme
had beaten off stiff competition
from over 600 other projects within
the Arts category to reach the
finals, where it received the most
public votes.
Councillor Jeanie Bell, Cabinet
Member for Public Health and
Wellbeing, with responsibility for
libraries, arts and culture, said:
“We’re extremely honoured and
proud that our Cultural Hubs –
Arts in Libraries programme has
received so much support in the
National Lottery Awards from the
16 St Helens First | Winter
Winter 2016
2016 | | www.sthelens.gov.uk
www.sthelens.gov.uk | | 01744
01744676789
676789
borough and beyond. Over the past
couple of years, Lottery money
distributed through Arts Council
England’s Grants for the Arts
(Libraries) fund has really helped
us to provide a varied programme
of brilliant cultural activities across
our library network.
“St Helens is a shining example
of how the arts can be used to
enliven library spaces. I’d like to
thank everyone who helped us win
by promoting and voting for our
nomination, and the library and
arts services for their dedication
and passion.”
NEW HEART OF
GLASS PROJECT
The innovative arts commissioning
project Heart of Glass was
successful in its Ambition for
Excellence application to Arts
Council England. A whopping
£487,500 was granted to support
a project designed to raise the
aspirations of women and girls in
St Helens through interaction with
local history and the arts.
Rachel Anderson’s ‘With the past
in front of me I walk backwards
into the future…’ will develop in
2017 and 2018 and will include
activities such as readings by
psychic mediums, story-telling and
sessions led by local historians,
family tree researchers and a
family constellation practitioner.
The project will also see a
team of local women trained in
construction and design and
tasked with transforming a St
Helens house into a huge artwork
for public enjoyment.
Heart of Glass director Patrick
Fox said: “We are delighted to be
working with our partners [idle
women and ANU Productions]
on this significant project over
the coming years. What we are
proposing will be a bombastic
collaborative arts project,
something that breaks new ground,
and is a first nationally.
“Working with women across the
borough of St Helens, and creating
a new set of productions in the
year that the town celebrates its
150th birthday will be a dramatic
moment to present stories that
have been untold, and realise
St Helens as a fertile ground
for ambitious collaborative arts
projects that reflect the politics of
our times.”
For more information, visit www.
heartofglass.org.uk.
VITAL BOOST
FOR CITADEL
The Citadel, one of St Helens’
most popular venues, has been
awarded £141,050 of funding by
Arts Council England. The Waterloo
Street venue was given the sum
as part of the Catalyst Evolve
initiative, which aims to support
organisations with a limited track
record in fundraising to attract
more investment.
The Evolve fund – a pot of
£17.5 million split between 140
organisations nationwide – will
enable the Citadel to build
from individual giving, private
sponsorship and private trusts and
foundations, and is part of a bid
to create a more resilient arts and
culture sector.
Citadel chief executive, Fay Lamb
said: “This funding represents
a significant opportunity for the
Citadel to create a step change in
diversifying its income base and
helping us develop successful and
sustainable fundraising models for
the future. Investing in the Citadel
also further demonstrates Arts
Council England’s commitment to
St Helens.”
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 17
Feature
Showcase your talent
Introducing roomoo, the new online
platform that can revolutionise the way
you build your personal and professional
CV and portfolio.
roomoo is a highly-accessible and completely
free-to-use website that enables people of all
ages to take ownership of their portfolios, and
the way they find employment.
roomoo makes it easy to showcase
your talents to potential employers.
You can add images and videos
to your portfolio to create a
truly unique representation of
what you have to offer. Users
can also choose which parts
of their CV and portfolio
are visible to employers at
any time, putting them in
complete control.
What’s more, roomoo was designed as a onestop-shop for modern living, containing a vast
wealth of practical advice and information,
on everything from jobs, training, interview
preparation and opportunities abroad, to
money, housing, food and events.
Hundreds of people have built their
personalised portfolios since roomoo
launched in August 2015, including Gary
and Brian, who attended a roomoo
support session.
Gary, aged 21, said: “roomoo
has made job searching
easier and more fun for
me because it allows me
to upload pictures I have
taken of my certificates and
achievements, making it
easier for employers to see
my skills.”
Brian, aged 52, concurred: “We
were shown how to make our CVs
better and how to bring them to life.
We can now all add photos and videos of our
achievements to our CVs, which is going to be
a massive help gaining employment. I would
really recommend roomoo to anyone; it’s a
fantastic service!”
Conceived and developed in St Helens by
young people aged 18-25 who volunteer with
Helena Homes, the website is co-funded by
click
start your
future
You can search for live
vacancies, and using your unique
URL link – generated once you create
your roomoo account – you can direct
employers straight to your portfolio.
Employers are also encouraged to search
roomoo for potential candidates, and with
its filtering facility, the website is truly able to
match clients with the right employers and
vice versa!
18 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
Fusion 21 and Helena.
Having received much positive feedback from
users, roomoo – currently touring the UK – is
now building up its partnership base, looking
to work with universities and colleges and
big-name employers, and is already advocated
by Job Centre Plus, The Princes Trust and St
Helens Chamber.
Still in its infancy, roomoo is constantly
growing and developing. Why not give roomoo
a go now at www.roomoo.co.uk, follow it @
room_oo, and let the team know what you
think by emailing [email protected]. You can
even attend a personal group demonstration
of all that roomoo has to offer by emailing the
same.
Business News
Helping hand Eco travel
for workplace is good
health
news for
companies
There is a unique opportunity for
St Helens firms to demonstrate
commitment to the wellbeing of
their workforce. Supported by
St Helens Council, local firms
can now access funded support
to help improve the health of
their employees through the
Workplace Wellbeing Charter.
It’s widely known that being
in work is good for people’s
health and wellbeing, but it’s
increasingly being recognised
that a healthy workforce is
beneficial to employers too. By
creating a positive, safe and
healthy environment for your staff,
you can increase productivity,
reduce absenteeism and increase
morale in your business.
The Charter is is a voluntary,
self-assessment scheme funded
by Public Health England.
Whatever the size or sector,
your organisation can benefit
from working towards Charter
standards in many ways.
For further information contact
Sue Waller, Business Liaison
Officer on 01744 676001 or
[email protected].
Businesses across St Helens
could boost their balance
sheets by going green.
Steve Whitehouse, St Helens
Council’s new Business
Support Assistant, has been
appointed to help companies
and organisations put together
sustainable travel plans.
“I’d be delighted to hear from any
company that wishes to discuss
the opportunities and options,”
said Steve. “I’ll visit their site for
a meeting - when I can also talk
about the help that’s available to
increase walking, cycling, eco
driving and the use of public
transport on the journey to work.
“I’d also like to hear about
transport issues affecting
businesses, so the council knows
where to focus its funding on
supporting sustainable growth.”
Steve works closely with
Merseytravel, he can help with
cycle training and can link
employers with the council’s
travel trainer – who will help to
Green travel: Council Business Support Assistant Steve Whitehouse
ensure that travel isn’t a barrier to
opportunities for some residents.
The council has also appointed
an organisation to deliver fuelsaver driver training to local
businesses.
To contact Steve call
01744 676189 or email
stephenwhitehouse@sthelens.
gov.uk
Diamonds in the rough
If you’re a property developer,
vacant properties in St Helens
need your help. Right now there
are 1022 vacant properties
across the borough brimming with
opportunity.
St Helens Council’s Empty
Property Team has been
successful in helping private
owners and property developers
to maximise the re-use of empty
properties, with 581 previously
vacant homes brought back
into use in recent years. The
team provides advice and
information to property owners,
including signposting owners to
organisations willing to buy or
refurbish vacant properties.
If you are interested in being on
the Empty Property Developers
List, call the Empty Property team
on 01744 673473, or visit www.
sthelens.gov.uk/housing.
Before and after: Unloved house, now a desirable home.
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 19
Feature
Janette’s picture
perfect discovery
ABOVE: Janette (second from left) in her mint-coloured bridesmaid dress. The wedding was held at St Thomas CoE Church, Peter Street. BELOW RIGHT: Janette recognised this picture of her late brother Gerald, and sister-in-law Doreen, which
is available to view in St Helens Central Library as part of the St Helens Through The Lens project. BELOW LEFT: Janette (right) uncovered family photographs taken over 61 years ago at a recent Heritage Open Day event at Central Library.
the St Helens Through The
Lens project. Little did she
know that in that collection
contained photographs
taken on the wedding day
of her brother and sister-inlaw, Gerald Parr and Doreen
Mason on 1 October 1955, for
which she was a bridesmaid.
For St Helens resident
Janette Leatherbarrow,
a recent Heritage Open
Day celebration event at
Central Library proved to
be a worthwhile experience
when she uncovered
several family photographs
from over 61 years ago.
As part of Heritage Open Days
2016 in September, Janette,
from Windle, attended St
Helens Central Library to view
Having not seen the images
for 61 years, a flabbergasted
Janette couldn’t wait to return
home to call Doreen, who has
most of the photographs in her
wedding album back home in
Inverness, to tell her all about
her discovery.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,”
said Janette. “The day
came flashing back to me. I
recognised everyone in the
photos straight away. Even
though the pictures are in
black and white, I could
immediately recall the colour
of our bridesmaids’ dresses.
And given the quality of the
photographs, I could almost
feel Gerald’s tweet suit.
“I would encourage anyone
to attend the exhibition
because you never know what
hidden gems you might come
across.”
St Helens Through The Lens
is a Heritage Lottery funded
project which aims to engage
the public with the George
Street Photography Collection,
3000 digitised images
including weddings, portraits,
sport, events and factories
from around the 1950s.
Members of the public are
invited to come along to see
the display of images in the
Local History & Archives
Room at Central Library.
For more information and
to follow the progress of
the project visit www.
sthelenslens.wordpress.
com
20 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
News
Free sports
for Year 7s
New high school pupils can exercise for free at
any of St Helens’ four leisure centres until 31
December 2016!
This not-to-be-missed offer from Go Active
grants current Year 7 pupils free access to a
range of leisure activities and sports including
swimming, squash, table tennis, badminton,
gym and athletics across Queens Park Health
and Fitness Centre, Selwyn Jones Sports
Centre, Parr Swimming and Fitness Centre and
Sutton Leisure Centre.
Ellie Hughes’ (pictured) mum said: “Both Ellie
and Eva are always asking to come to the
gym. They’ve previously enjoyed swimming
sessions but wished they could start using the
gym and now they can. It’s also encouraged
PHOTO: Ellie (left), with best friend Eva Yorke from Sutton Academy, Daniel
Macdonald from De La Salle, and Go Active’s Beth McCartney.
me to join and come regularly to classes with
Eva’s mum!”
Ask your school for an application form and
simply drop it off at your chosen leisure centre.
For more information follow or like
GoActiveSTH on Twitter and Facebook or
visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/GoActive.
Born to Move Sutton Leisure AstroTurf gets a refresh
A new and unique exercise programme that
enables young children to explore and enjoy
different ways of getting fit has launched at
Selwyn Jones Sports Centre.
Specifically designed for children aged 2
to 5 years, Born to Move classes teach age
appropriate motor skills that improve agility,
coordination, endurance, flexibility and speed
through music.
Led by a highly trained teacher who knows
how to coach the best from each child – while
inspiring a love of movement – the 30 to 45
minute classes for 2-3 year olds includes
imagination, exploration and music, allowing
them to sing and dance their way through
a series of simple moves that builds body
awareness and balance.
Classes provided for 4-5 year olds include
an adventure of discovery, action and song
to help them discover how their bodies work
as they develop a sense of self awareness,
balance and coordination and concentration
skills as they interpret music, explore and
move to a beat.
For more information, contact Colette Leather
on 01744 677970 or email selwynjones@
sthelens.gov.uk
You’ll have to be quick off the mark to get a
place on Sutton Leisure Centre’s AstroTurf
pitch, which has recently benefitted from a
complete rejuvenation process.
The facility at Sutton is very popular and is
used for football, hockey and a range of other
sports.
The rejuvenation process involves the
replacement of the used, dirty sand with a
new clean layer, which helps to keep the
grass fibres upright – key to maintaining good
performance. The result is an ‘almost new’
surface which players have really noticed.
One of the regular football teams said:
“The last two weeks’ games have been
fantastic; it’s as if a new pitch has been
installed! All of the players have said how much
better the pitch has been for the past couple
of games since there’s much more cushioning
when running and it has helped to make the
games more enjoyable.”
Book your next match at Sutton Leisure Centre,
open throughout winter, by calling 01744 677
375 or visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/goactive
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 21
Feature
Success every
Penkford
Penkford School is by no
means an ordinary school.
It’s a day-maintained special
school for children and young
people with social, emotional
and mental health (SEMH)
issues, but more than that,
Penkford boasts some quite
remarkable innovations in
its curriculum and support
structure – leading the way
forward for SEMH schools.
Accommodating 55 young people
from Year 4 to Year 11, the school
prides itself on being a beacon
of best practice for behaviour
management, pastoral care,
teaching and learning.
With Head teacher Julie Johnson
at the helm, Penkford’s senior
leadership team has guided
the school from requiring
improvement to good Ofsted
ratings across the board,
including effective leadership;
quality of teaching, learning
and assessment; personal
development, behaviour and
welfare; and outcomes for pupils.
Julie, praised by Ofsted as an
inspiring leader, said: “We choose
to work at Penkford because we
want to make a difference. It is
very challenging but extremely
rewarding. Staff, pupils, parents
and carers and Governors all
worked together to move our
school forward and we were
thrilled by the recent very positive
Ofsted report we received. We are
now on the journey to become an
outstanding school.”
The same ambition fuels a
number of the school’s exciting
innovations, including:
• The procurement of a fulltime school counsellor and
the introduction of holistic
initiatives like the Ozone Zen
Garden and the National
Lottery-funded Quiet Place
project.
• An expert-led mental health
clinic that focuses on
prevention of behavioural
difficulties, and offers
bespoke staff training.
• An involved and active junior
leadership team and pupil
council, who lead on the
pupil-made Penkford Gazette
newsletter.
•
•
•
Employing a Military Mentor,
an amputee who served in
Afghanistan, to help and
support pupils at risk of
exclusion.
Close proactive partnership
working with the local police
with full time Safer Schools
Police Officer coverage at the
school to help and support
pupils and families.
Piloting an LA Employability
Scheme for Looked After
Children offering the first
place to a former pupil.
Academic
achievement
When pupils arrive at the
school, most have experienced
difficulties in their learning,
behaviour and attendance. But
thanks to dedicated support and
personalised learning, pupils are
achieving academically.
The most-able pupils are now
attaining GCSEs in English,
mathematics, science, and art
22 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
and design. Penkford offers the
chance for all pupils to achieve
external academic and vocational
qualifications through different
routes or pathways, including both
English and mathematics as a
minimum.
The Building Futures vocational
centre enables older pupils to
engage in practical learning, such
as painting and decorating or
motor vehicle maintenance and is
staffed by experienced industry
professionals and tradespeople.
Other special schools and local
mainstream schools commission
places for KS4 pupils at the
popular vocational skills centre,
which offers industry recognised
qualifications up to Diploma level.
Connected
Penkford
While you might expect it to
operate in isolation, Penkford
School is incredibly wellconnected, sharing experience
with other SEMH schools in the
region. Teachers are ‘buddied-
Feature
day at
School
up’ with staff from mainstream
schools to share best practice.
The Head and key staff were
recently invited to present their
ideas and approaches at the
annual ADHD Foundation National
Conference. Additionally, all of the
senior leadership team serve as
governors on other school bodies,
which Ms Johnson believes instils,
“a keener sense of accountability
and a much sharper
understanding of governance
leading to outstanding leadership
and management.”
Follow us
if you dare,
Ray Mears!
As part of the school’s Outdoor
Education provision, Penkford
pupils took on an extreme
challenge in the Ardeche region
of France, kayaking down the
Ardeche River gorge and camping
out under the stars.
“This was our most difficult
challenge yet,” said Phil Worgan,
Lead for Outdoor Education at
Penkford. “Ray Mears himself
followed in our footsteps for his
‘Wild France’ programme, when
he canoed down the Ardeche
River – using the route took by
Penkford pupils.
“Our pupils have achieved some
incredible things; visiting Everest
Base Camp, cycling the Tour de
France track around Mont Blanc
and facing the rapids of the
Ardeche River!”
Outdoor Education plays a
key role in the curriculum at
Penkford. All pupils have access
to structured offsite outdoor
provision every week, inspired
by the likes of Bear Grylls and
Ray Mears, who followed in the
footsteps of an adventurous
Penkford trek earlier this year.
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 23
News
Winter warning
on bogus
tradesmen
With winter fast approaching it’s a time when many
homeowners ready their homes for the harsher weather by
completing any outstanding maintenance jobs.
But this is also a time when unscrupulous and opportunistic
bogus tradesmen seek to take advantage of unsuspecting
householders. Cases of “doorstep crime” have risen
dramatically over recent months with conmen often posing
as roofers, gutter cleaners, tree surgeons, council officials or
driveway layers.
Victims are often left traumatised , having paid hundreds or
thousands of pounds for shoddy, incomplete work and in
some cases damage is done to the property leaving it in a
worse state of repair than before.
The advice from St Helens Trading Standards is simple – do
not deal with anyone who knocks on your door and remember;
•
Use your spy hole or chain.
•
Do not open your door to anyone you don`t know.
•
Use the St Helens Council Trader Register to find a
reliable trader – www.sthelens.gov.uk/traderregister
or telephone 01744 676299 if you do not have access
to the internet.
•
Call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454
04 05 06 to find out your rights or report a suspicious
trader.
•
IN AN EMERGENCY RING 999.
In addition St Helens Trading Standards have a supply of
window stickers which make it clear that the resident does
not deal with uninvited traders and advises the would be
tradesmen to leave and to not return. If you would like a
window sticker please email [email protected]
or telephone 01744 676299.
Assistive Technology
group launched
A member of St Helens Council’s People’s
Service has developed a forum to test, trial
and inform people about various types of
standalone Assistive Technology and smart
phone apps.
Assistive technology is an umbrella term that
includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative
devices for people with disabilities, but is
something that can benefit everyone.
The council already provides access to much
of this technology but Commissioning Manager
Carrie Woods’ NHS Innovations sponsored
project aims to highlight how standalone
24 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
technology can be bought directly and does not
have to be connected to any wider social care
system.
“The consumer or focus group will be made up
of ‘real’ people whose appraisal of AT products
and apps will be used to provide meaningful
accessible information,” said Carrie.
To become a member of the consumer group
you would be expected to attend 2-hour
sessions, every six weeks, during the daytime,
in a town centre location.
For more information, email carriewoods@
sthelens.gov.uk.
News
More mums choosing breast
Local mums and babies at a Healthy Living Infant Feeding support group.
St Helens Council is delighted
to see an increase in
breastfeeding rates in the
borough.
The increase, though slight,
hints at positively changing
attitudes to breastfeeding –
reinforced by the fact that 99
per cent of residents said they
would support women who
breastfeed in a recent survey.
than doubled since September
2015.
The news comes as a new
awareness campaign ‘Your Milk’ is
launched, focusing on the benefits
of breastfeeding. The campaign
will build on the great work done
by the council’s Infant Feeding
Team, users of which have more
The team has extended its service
access hours, and is working
closely with key partners in
Midwifery and Health Visiting. Put
simply, more and more mums are
learning the benefits and choosing
to breastfeed.
Know the risks of alcohol
St Helens Council’s Healthy Living
team is this year supporting
Alcohol Awareness Week (14-20
November), which this year is all
about knowing the risks, how it
affects us as individuals, families,
communities and society as a
whole.
The team will also be out and
about around the borough as part
of an awareness campaign over
the coming weeks and into ‘Dry
January’, when many of us resolve
to cut down or cut out alcohol.
The first event will take place in
Church Square (16 November),
where residents can find out
about the hidden dangers of
alcohol – including hypertension,
diabetes, cancer and depression
– and look at trying some healthy,
non-alcoholic alternatives.
And to that end, Healthy Living
has partnered with select bars
and pubs in St Helens to offer a
free soft drink to the designated
driver of your group, upon
presentation of a designated
driver keychain and car keys.
Sign up to the scheme to get your
keychain at www.healthysthelens.
co.uk, call 0300 300 0103 or find
out more at the Church Square
event.
Need support? The
knowledgeable Infant Feeding
Team offers free and friendly
breastfeeding and antenatal
guidance via phone, community
venues or in the home, every day,
8am-8pm weekdays, and 10am4pm weekends.
Call 0300 300 0103 or visit
www.healthysthelens.co.uk.
Protect
your family
from flu
For most of us a dose of flu is
unpleasant and means a few
days poorly in bed, but for some
people flu can be a killer.
Each winter hundreds of
thousands of people in England
see their GP about flu; tens of
thousands are hospitalised by it;
and hundreds end up fighting for
their lives in intensive care with flu
complications.
The only way to protect against
flu is by having the flu vaccine,
which you are eligible to receive
free if you’re over 65, pregnant
or have health conditions. 2-4
year olds can get a free nasal
spray vaccination, and 5-7 year
olds can get the vaccine through
school. Having the vaccine can
protect your family, friends and
colleagues too!
Ask your GP or a participating
local pharmacy about the flu
vaccine today!
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 25
St Helens Council’s
community magazine
Winter
2016
What’s on
SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
Musical fireworks display
Sherdley Park
Saturday 5 November
November
RAINHILL BEER FESTIVAL
Rainhill Recreation Club
Thursday 10 - Saturday 12 November
THE INVISIBLE CITY
Pop-up drive in cinema,
Alexandra Business Park
Saturday 12 November
TWOPENCE TO CROSS THE MERSEY
Stage play, Theatre Royal
Saturday 12 November
BETFAIR CHASE FESTIVAL
Haydock Park Racecourse
Friday 18 – Saturday 19 November
SCREENING OF ‘THE COMMUTE’
Lucem House Community Cinema Plus+
Friday 18 November
COMEDY NIGHT
Ruskin Drive Sportsground
Saturday 19 November
THE CLONE ROSES
The Stone Roses tribute act,
The Citadel
Saturday 19 November
EARLESTOWN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
SWITCH ON
Market Street
Thursday 24 November
BLADE RUNNER
Part of Small Cinema Book Film
Festival, Central Library
Wednesday 23 November
HAYDOCK CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
SWITCH ON
Haydock Library
Friday 25 November
26 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON
WITH UNION J
Victoria Square
Saturday 19 November
ST HELENS BEER FESTIVAL
St Helens Town Hall
Friday 25 – Saturday 26 November
CRAFTY CHRISTMAS FAIR
Mansion House
Sunday 27 November
December
RAINFORD CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
SWITCH ON
Church Road
Thursday 1 December
DISABILITY FOR DUNCES
Comedy, Central Library
Friday 2 December
ALADDIN
Theatre Royal
Saturday 3 December
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Multi-faith ceremony, Central Library
Saturday 3 December
FATHER CHRISTMAS
AND REINDEERS
Church Square
Sunday 4 December
NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS
CHRISTMAS FAIR
AND LIGHTS SWITCH ON
High Street
Sunday 4 December
CRACKED
Theatre production
Central Library
Sunday 4 December
CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT
Sutton Walsh Chapel
Sunday 4 December
HANSEL AND GRETEL
The Citadel
Saturday 10 December
ECHOES THROUGH THE YEARS
Theatre and historic photos, Central
Library
Wednesday 14 December
TIGHT MODERN
Pop-up gallery, St Helens libraries
Thursday 15 December Thursday 15 February
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL SING-ALONG
(BOOKING ESSENTIAL)
Lucem House Community Cinema
Plus+
Friday 16 December
M:ZONE
Under 18s gig, The Citadel
Sunday 18 December
PHOENIX APPAREL’S
VINTAGE
& VEGAN XMAS FAIR
St Helens Town Hall
Saturday 3 December
January
HOW CAN LIFE GO ON?
Holocaust Memorial,
St Helens libraries
Saturday 7 - Saturday 21 January
THE FUNNY THING ABOUT…
Stand-up for over 6s, Central Library
Friday 20 January
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
SERVICES
St Helens Central Library/St Helens
Town Hall
Friday 27 January
For more information
about what’s happening in
St Helens, go to
www.whatsoninsthelens.com.
For regular updates go to
facebook.com/whatsoninsthelens and ‘like’ our page,
or follow us on Twitter at
@whatsonsthelens.
Alternatively call
01744 676740.
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 27
First Feedback
St Helens Council’s
community magazine
Winter
2016
What’s your
problem?
We do all we can to fix problems quickly and efficiently. But
sometimes you’ll become aware of an issue before we do – so
we depend on our residents to tell us what needs fixing, moving,
inspecting or clearing. If we don’t know about it – we can’t help.
BY PHONE – 01744 676789
BY EMAIL – [email protected]
USING THE COUNCIL APP - search ‘St Helens Council’ in your app store
BY MINICOM - 01744 671671
VIA OUR WEBSITE - www.sthelens.gov.uk/self-service
A big thank you to everyone who flagged up local issues to us
over the last few weeks. Here are just a few of the problems we’ve
helped people with.
Your Problem
Action
Flytipping on Skitters Grove,
Haydock , with possible asbestos
material.
All waste was removed and the area
cleared.
Damaged play equipment at
Gaskell Park, and broken glass.
Play area was cleared and swings
repaired.
Two black and white birds were reported to be seemingly in distress
in Willow Park, unable to fly.
Ranger Service and RSPB confirmed
the birds were fledgling magpies learning to fly, and monitored them until
they could.
Street light on Railton Road,
Rainhill, was not working.
Light was repaired.
Numerous residents reported
cold calls from someone falsely
claiming to be HMRC.
Matter was reported to Action Fraud,
and local media assisted us to spread
news of the scam.
Overhanging vegetation was
reported on Moss Bank Road, obstructing access.
Vegetation was promptly pruned.
Follow us
on Twitter:
@sthelenscouncil
28 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
Like us on
Facebook:
sthelenscouncil
Survey
Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour
– What do YOU think?
St.Helens Council, Merseyside Police and other local
agencies which form the Community Safety Partnership
(CSP) want to know what you think about crime and
anti-social behaviour where you live. Simply fill in this
quick survey and send it back to us freepost at the
following address.
Safer Communities,
St.Helens Council,
Freepost, NAT 22039,
Wesley House,
St.Helens WA10 1HF
Your views are important to us, and will be used to
determine policies and actions to help fight crime and
keep St.Helens a safe place to live, work and visit for
everyone!
Ethnicity, please select one:
q White British
q White Irish
q Other White Background
q Indian
q Chinese
q Pakistani
q Bangladeshi
q Other Asian Background
q Caribbean
q African
q Other Black Background
q White & Black Caribbean
q White & Black African
q White & Asian
q Other Mixed Background
q Other Ethnic Group
q Not Stated
Your Details.....................................................................
Name:...............................................................................
Address:...........................................................................
..........................................................................................
Do you consider yourself disabled? About You - Your Gender: ..........................................................................................
..........................................................................................
Postcode:.........................................................................
1. How important do you think it is
for us to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour where you live?
(Please tick one)
Your Age: q 16-24 q 25-34 q 55-64 q 65-74 Very important
Fairly important
Fairly unimportant
Very unimportant
Neither important nor
unimportant
2. How well do you think St.Helens
Council and its partners are doing
in tackling crime and anti-social
behaviour in your neighbourhood?
(Please tick one)
Very well
Fairly well
Very poorly
Neither well nor poorly
3. How well-informed do you feel
about the work that St.Helens
Council and its partners are doing
to reduce crime and anti-social
behaviour where you live?
(Please tick one)
Very well-informed
Fairly well-informed
Fairly poorly informed
Very poorly informed
Neither well nor
poorly informed
4. How safe do you feel in the
areawhere you live?
(Please tick one)
Very safe
Fairly safe
Fairly unsafe
Very unsafe
Neither safe nor unsafe
q
q
q
q
q
q Yes q No
q Female q Male
q 35-44 q 45-54
q 75+
Have your say
(additional comments)
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
q
q
q
q
q
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
.....................................................................................
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 29
Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage.....................................
People using or dealing drugs....................................................................
People being drunk or rowdy in public places.........................................
Rubbish and litter lying around...................................................................
Abandoned or burnt out cars......................................................................
Street prostitution...........................................................................................
Begging/rough sleeping...............................................................................
Nuisance vehicles in public spaces (off-road motor bikes etc.)...........
Dog Fouling.....................................................................................................
People being abused because of their skin colour.................................
People being abused because of their sexuality.....................................
People being abused because of their disability.....................................
People being abused because of their age..............................................
6. We take all crime and disorder
issues seriously, but we would
like to know what you think we
should be prioritising?
(Please tick three in total)
7. St.Helens Council should use
CCTV cameras to openly
monitor
activity in public places for the
purpose of reducing, deterring
and detecting crime.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Business Crime
Child Sexual Exploitation
Domestic Burglary
Domestic Violence & Abuse
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
8. Clear visible CCTV monitoring
in public places reduces crime.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
9. Clear visible CCTV in public
places makes me feel safer.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neither Agree or Disagree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don’t Know
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
30 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
Drugs
Hate Crime
Shop Lifting
Vehicle Crime
Violent Crime
tk
no
w
Do
No
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
n’
ta
ll
bi
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
ta
tv
er
y
g
No
bi
g
bi
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
y
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
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CCTV
The Council’s CCTV service makes
an important contribution towards
delivering Community Safety
Partnerships’ Strategy by helping the
Council and Police to prevent and
tackle priority issues such as anti-social
behaviour, violence and burglary and
by making a significant impact on
residents’ perceptions of safety.
Public responses helps to ensure that
we continue to operate an effective
CCTV system whilst taking into account
the right of privacy of our residents.
There are more than 100 CCTV
cameras across St.Helens which are
constantly monitored 24 hours a day.
Please tell us whether you agree or
disagree with the following:
Information provided on this form will be processed
in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
It will be treated as confidential and used only for
the reduction of crime, disorder and anti-social
behaviour. By completing and submitting this form
you are consenting to your details being used to let
you know about future community safety surveys
or news, unless you have indicated an objection by
ticking the box here.
q
!
Teenagers hanging around on the streets................................................
Fa
irl
y
Nuisance neighbours or loud parties.........................................................
Ve
r
5. How much of a problem are the following types of
antisocial behaviour in your neighbourhood?
(Please tick one box for each type)
g
Survey
!
01744 676789 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | Winter 2016 | St Helens First 31
Stay in the home you love,
with a stairlift from Ableworld
Our aim at Ableworld is to provide caring solutions for our customers, enabling
them to enjoy greater independence and more comfortable and active lives. We do
this by providing quality products and services at value for money prices.
Ableworld are very proud of our highly skilled stairlift division. Our local 'in house'
stairlift engineers provide a service second to none. We have new and
reconditioned stairlifts, and a range of rental stairlifts. This is ideal for customers
who do not need the lift for a long period of time.
Our engineer will first do a FREE survey and assessment, to agree which stairlift
best suits your needs, and he will quote you a price. You are under no pressure or
obligation to buy. If you decide to go ahead, our engineer will fit the lift at a
convenient time and date, usually within a half day.
* Ableworld only send trained engineers to undertake visits – no sales teams.
* New stairlifts come with 3 years parts warranty and 1 year's labour as standard.
Additional packages are available.
* Ableworld have a 24/7 help line which is manned locally by trained stairlift
engineers.
* All staff are CRB / DBS checked.
STAIRLIFTS
FREE
SURVEY
Straight
&Curved
Lifts
Sale &
Rental
Options
0800
470 4877
Your one stop shop, for all your needs
Engineers available for stairlift call-outs, scooter & wheelchair repairs
Bedroom & Lounge Furniture : Wheelchairs : Continence Care : Tables
Slippers & Shoes : Mobility Scooters : Dining Aids : Medication Aids
Lighting & Magnifying Aids : Walking Sticks : Bathroom & Kitchen Accessories
WIGAN
A B L E W O R L D
17 Caroline St, Wigan,
WN3 4EL
Tel: (01942) 233200
[email protected]
Adjacent to Anrich
Pet Healthcare Centre
ST HELENS
A B L E W O R L D
WAVERTREE
A B L E W O R L D
9 Eccleston St, St Helens,
WA10 2PG
140 Rathbone Rd, Liverpool,
L15 4HH
info@ ableworldsthelens.co.uk
info@ ableworldwavertree.co.uk
Tel: (01744) 453038
2 mins from ASDA
Tel: (0151) 733 1118
Near
Wavertree Railway Station
Further details on all our stores can be found on: www.ableworld.co.uk
32 St Helens First | Winter 2016 | www.sthelens.gov.uk | 01744 676789
SALFORD
A B L E W O R L D
Burrows House, Priestley Rd.
Wardley Ind. Est. Manchester,
M28 2LY
Tel: (0161) 728 1880
[email protected]
200 yards from BOC Gas