Rhyl's Fit For Work Service helps 153 back to work!

A pilot project to help people in deprived areas back to work after sickness claims to have helped around half who joined to keep their job.

The Fit For Work Service was launched in Rhyl, Denbighshire, in May 2010, and has helped 153 people back to work with 125 (82%) remaining in those jobs. It is the only such project in Wales, although 10 others were also launched in England and Scotland. The north Wales scheme has now expanded and had funding extended for two years.

The project sees people assessed and offered treatments or physiotherapy, as well as advice.

It was initially a year-long pilot, and manager Bridgette Handley said more than 500 people had been referred to the service by GPs and local employers, all seeking help to return to work while in the early stages of sickness absence.

It aims to get them back to work as soon as possible and keep them in work, "so reducing the risk of job loss and the need to claim benefits". She added: "Of the 500-plus referrals, we have registered 318 on to the service.

Psychological counselling

"Some referrals have been ineligible, either due to the nature of their illness being more chronic/long term or the individual being unemployed."

Of the 318 people registered, 153 have completed the course and 125 have remained in work.

Funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, (DWP), the pilot was originally intended to help people living or working in Rhyl, Abergele and Colwyn Bay, and it has now extended to Prestatyn, St Asaph and Kinmel Bay.

The service works by appointing a case manager to assess clients, and, if appropriate, the client can be referred for treatments including physiotherapy and psychological counselling.

The service can also help provide information on issues such as debt, housing, drug, alcohol or relationship advice.

Ms Handley said: "Ours has been a very successful pilot, and DWP has extended our funding by a further two years. We were one of only seven of the original 11 pilots that have received further funding from DWP."

The UK minister for welfare reform, Lord Freud, said too many people, through no fault of their own, have fallen out of work due to sickness absence.

"The Fit for Work Service has played a vital role in helping people stay in work or return more quickly than they otherwise would have done." He said as well as benefiting workers, employers and the taxpayer, it helped reduce pressure on GPs and other health services.

Rhyl exhibition ‘helps us to be healthier’

An exhibition will open next week showing different approaches to looking at health and wellbeing through the arts.

Many of the artists have enjoyed arts workshops over the last few months. Their exhibits will appear alongside work by professional ceramics, textiles and mixed media work artists.

The show has been set up with the aid of a grant from the Arts Council of Wales. Denbighshire Arts Service had worked with South West Rhyl Communities First, Count Me In and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to run the recent workshops. The main aim was to improve participants’ wellbeing.

The exhibition has three parts. One is called Held with a selection of work from a touring exhibition created by Start at Manchester Mental Health & Social Care Trust. Another is by Alison Mercer Textiles with results from local workshops. A third section is by Sue King Ceramics, alongside results from recent workshops.

A spokesman said: “The exhibition is about how we manage the tensions of living and draw on our inner strength to fulfil our hopes and dreams. The ‘Held’ section is an exhibition about keeping a balance in life, about managing stress and building fulfilment.”

The Arts In Health and Wellbeing exhibition runs at Rhyl Library Arts Centre, Church Street, Rhyl from August 20 until October 8.

Ladder of Life Information Days

Ladder of Life is an individual coaching and Personal Development Programme available to develop and maintain your confidence and self-esteem. We will be holding FREE accredited courses, short courses and fun activities in the following areas:

• Arts and Crafts
• Sports Development
• Sewing
• Catering
• Digital Photography
• Woodwork
• Office Administration

Find out more information by dropping in to one of the information days:

• St. Mary’s Church, Wellington Road. Thursday 18th August, 11:00am—2:30 pm

• Rhyl Library. Monday 22nd August, 10:30am—3:00 pm

• South West Rhyl Communities First. Thursday 25th August, 11:30am—3:00pm

• Botanical Gardens. Friday 9th September, 10:30am —3:00pm

Free food, free advice and free raffle at each of the information days.

Need information? Want advice? Wish you had support? Contact Meic

Meic is a new helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. From finding out what's going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen when no-one else will. They will give you quality information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change.

Contact them in Welsh or English – it’s up to you! They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can contact them by phone, email, SMS text and instant messaging. Meic is confidential, anonymous, free, and just for you.

Phone: 080880 23456

Text: 84001

Online: http://www.meiccymru.org/

SWRCF Lunch Clubs

This month South West Rhyl Communities First are holding Lunch Clubs for people in the local community. They will take place at John Davies Community Facility, 82 Marsh Road, Rhyl (opposite Good news Mission) from 12pm until 2pm.

Dates of future lunches: 11th August & 25th August.

Admission: £3.00 per adult, to include 1 main meal, a cup of tea/coffee, a raffle ticket and a small food hamper (hampers are on a 1st come 1st served basis).

Kids eat free – up to 2 children under 14, with a paying adult. £1 for extra children.

Menu

Adult menu: Sandwich & salad, OR choice of hot meal (varies each week), OR cheese & bacon toastie with salad. With a choice of tea or coffee.

Kids smiley meal for children under 14: meal consists of sandwich, drink, crisps OR yogurt OR a piece of fruit.

For more information please call 01745 332528.

Communities First Trust Fund

Just to remind you that there are only 16 weeks left for eligible groups to submit an application to the Communities First Trust Fund.

To date we’ve received over 470 applications which is a great uptake – but to date 234 + of these have been returned to groups for information that is missing/ End of Project Report not completed for previous grants etc.

However, because they have been returned early in the process it means that these groups do have time to resubmit their application within ample time before the deadline.

Therefore I would urge to you encourage as many groups as possible to do the same and submit an applications as soon as possible so that funding allocated to your ward / area is spent and not returned to Welsh Government at the end of the year. The later you leave it the less chance we have of sorting any problems!

Can you also make sure that the groups read and understand the CFTF guidelines themselves when submitting an application  - We’ve had some incidents recently where groups are blaming Co-ordinators for mistakes they are making when not spending / accounting for the grant award properly. They have stated that they were not made aware of any guidelines when they were told to fill in applications.

Finally – if you want a member of the CFTF to visit your area / assist with groups submitting an application, please do not hesitate to contact us – 0800 587 8898.

Home Fire Safety Survey - South West Rhyl & West Rhyl

Most fires in homes in Wales are accidental. Because they are accidental, things can be done to help stop them from happening. And if you do have a fire in your home, having working smoke alarms and a planned escape route can help you and your family to escape without harm.

Some areas of Rhyl have many more of these accidental house fires, compared to other areas in North Wales. The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service work to protect communities before emergencies occur and they are keen to see this situation improve for the people of Rhyl.

Wards	Unitary Authority Area	Accidental House Fires	Injuries
West Rhyl	Denbighshire	114	32
Glyn	Conwy	50	24
South West Rhyl	Denbighshire	48	9
Rhiw	Conwy	42	17
Tudno	Conwy	39	13
Hermitage	Wrexham	35	6
Llandrillo yn Rhos	Conwy	34	15
New Broughton	Wrexham	34	5
Queensway	Wrexham	33	12

(The table above shows the 9 highest wards in the region for accidental house fires during the period 2001 - 2007).

Why is this survey being done?

The survey is being done as part of a project to improve home fire safety in South West Rhyl and West Rhyl. We are looking to get the views of people who live in these areas, to understand more about what needs to be done.

Who is doing the research?

This research is being carried out by Firebrake Wales, the Welsh fire safety charity, along with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Communities First

Who is the survey for?

This survey is being carried out in Rhyl and we are keen to get the views of people living in the areas of West Rhyl and South West Rhyl.

About the Survey itself

• All answers you provide will be strictly confidential
• There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers – we are interested in your views
• We do not ask for your name or your address
• Taking part in the survey is of course completely voluntary
  

We really appreciate you taking time to complete the survey. Your feedback is important and will help inform the project to improve fire safety in your community.

Rhyl Football Club In The Community Courses

Rhyl Football Club In The Community have the following courses available to book, each course costs £50 per person (price includes tea and coffee).

Emergency First Aid at Work

Available dates -   Friday 19th August 2011

                              Friday 18th November 2011

                              Friday 24th February 2012

                              Friday 25th May 2012

                              Friday 17th August 2012

CIEH Level 1 Health & Safety in the Workplace

Available dates -   Friday 23rd September 2011

                              Friday 20th January 2012

                              Friday 20th April 2012

                              Friday 20th July 2012

CIEH Level 1 Food Safety Awareness

Available dates -   Friday 21st October 2011

                              Friday 16th December 2011

                              Friday 16th March 2012

                              Friday 22nd June 2012

All courses start at 9am and finish at 4pm.

Venue - Rhyl Football Club, Belle Vue, Grange Road, Rhyl, LL18 4BY.

Zumba Fitness with Roxy

Fun Classes and a Great Atmosphere to suit all fitness levels.

 

Classes £4 per session.

 

Monday - Ysgol Cynfran, Dolwen Road, Llysfaen. 6pm - 7pm, 7pm - 8pm.

Tuesday - Craig-Y-Don, Community Centre, Queens Road. 6pm - 7pm, 7pm - 8pm.

Wednesday - Village Hall, Llysfaen (Starting 7^th September). 6pm - 7pm.

Thursday - Llanfairfechan Sailing Club, Promenade. 7pm 8pm.

For further details please contact Roxy on 07743827962

Work Programme provides tailored support as latest figures show people are being found fit for work

New statistics published by DWP today show that over a third (39 per cent) of those who claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are assessed as fit for work. The figures also show that a further 17 per cent can do some work with the right help and support.

People who are found fit for work will now be supported through the new Work Programme, which rolled out across Britain last month. The Work Programme provides tailored support for people to get into sustained employment. People who are found too sick or disabled will continue to receive unconditional support and a higher rate of benefit.

DWP Minister Steve Webb said:

"These figures show that many people are able to work with the right help. We have strengthened the support now available tailoring it to individual needs so they can overcome whatever barriers they face.

"Those who cannot work will always receive our unconditional support but for those who can work it’s right that they get the help they need to get into employment.

"We are continuously improving the medical test to ensure that it is as fair and effective as possible."

The Work Capability Assessment (WCA), which determines whether someone is fit for work, has been substantially improved – the majority of Professor Harrington’s recommendations are now in place. Changes have been made including making improvements to the decision making process. A second Independent Review of the WCA is now underway and will be published before the end of the year.

For all new ESA claims from 27th October 2008 to 30th November 2010, the result of the initial WCA is as follows

• Support Group – 7%
• Work Related Activity Group – 17%
• Fit for Work – 39%
• Claim closed before assessment complete – 36%
• Assessment still in progress – 1%

Delivering the Work Programme private and voluntary sector organisations are investing £581m upfront in the biggest welfare to work programme this country has ever seen to provide tailored support built around the needs of individuals. Organisations will be paid by results and allowed to develop support that really addresses the needs of jobseekers.

The full Employment and Support Allowance: Work Capability Assessments statistics are available here: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_wca

£15 million to unlock the 'Potential' of young people in North Wales

More than 4,000 young people across North West Wales who are at risk of falling out of school or further education are set to benefit from a new £15 million scheme to improve their chances of success, First Minister Carwyn Jones announced today.

 

The Potensial (Welsh for Potential) initiative will target 11-16 year olds who are facing difficulties such as under achievement or absenteeism. It will help target 16-19 year olds who are already in college but are at risk of dropping out.

Backed with almost £9 million from the Convergence European Social Fund through the Welsh Government, the scheme is being led by Gwynedd Council in collaboration with Anglesey, Denbighshire and Conwy councils along with Coleg Menai, Coleg Llandrillo and Careers Wales.

Aimed at reducing the number of young people becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), Potensial will provide alternative curriculums and innovative training to motivate students who are experiencing problems learning.

Tailored to the needs of each individual, a range of techniques will be used such as vocational training, one-to-one intensive support and activities to raise self-esteem to encourage them to remain in education and improve their skills.

The project will also provide specialist support for young people with disabilities or who are in care as well as young carers to help them achieve their full learning potential.

Denbighshire Hydro Power Event

Denbighshire Hydro Club - Cadwyn Clwyd

Venue: Ruthin, Llanfwrog Community Centre 

Friday 15^th July 2011

Registrations and Tea and Coffee - 9:30 – 9.55 am

Welcome and Introductions

Silas Jones, Cadwyn Clwyd - 9.55 – 10:15 am

A summary of Denbighshire’s Hydro Power Potential

Simon Taylor,

Renewable Design Consultants (RDC) - 10:15 – 10:45 am

Hydro Power and Abstraction Licences - an Environment Agency Perspective

Jacques Sisson, Environment Agency TBC - 10:45 – 11:15 am

A summary of the Hydro Club member schemes

Simon Taylor, RDC - 11:15 am – 12:00 pm

LUNCH BREAK 12:00 – 12.45pm

(A buffet lunch and refreshments will be provided)

Informal Session - 12:45 – 14:00pm

This gives you the chance to ask any questions of the experts available on the day.

Money health check

Whatever the situation with your finances, it’s good to know where you stand and that you are making the most of what you have. The health check, a new online money planner from the Money Advice Service, is for everyone.

The Money Advice Service is independent and it’s here to help everyone understand and manage their money better.
It takes just 10 minutes to answer some straightforward questions and the health check will give you a personalised action plan which identifies the top three things you can do to make the most of your money right now, and to plan for future goals.
Best of all - it’s free and it’s unbiased. The Money Advice Service won’t recommend a particular product or provider or try to sell you anything.
Click here to take the health check now. https://healthcheck.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/?

BTCV Engagement Gateway Project – Lone Parents

This FREE course is aimed at lone parents who are looking for a career in the outdoors, want to learn more about conservation, gain accredited training, or simply gain confidence and improve their health and fitness. We are offering a 5 week course where participants will take part in horticulture and environmental activities in a friendly, sociable setting. The course will also include Skill Build sessions, with help and support into further learning and employment.

Over the 5 weeks participants will:

1. Gain practical environmental and horticulture skills, including environmental art, willow weaving, allotment activities, habitat creation, healthy eating, etc, in various sites around Denbighshire.
2. Improve health, fitness and confidence, meeting new people in a relaxed and friendly environment.
3. Work towards accredited training.
4. Improve job search skills, including CV writing, applications and interview techniques.
5. Receive access to further volunteering opportunities, career advice and training in the local area.

Applicants must be:
- A single parent – living alone with primary responsibility for a child.
- Aged 16 and above.
- Unemployed or economically inactive.
- Reside in Denbighshire.

For more information please contact Alex Fairclough at BTCV on 01978 261538 or email a.fairclough@btcv.org.uk.

North Hoyle Off Shore Wind Farm

Operated by RWE npower Renewables Limited and Rhyl Community Partnership, Prestatyn and Meliden Community Partnerships Community Fund.

• Is your group in need of a grant?
• Are you based (or deliver a service) in Rhyl or Prestatyn and Meliden?
• Is your group a formally constituted body?

If you have answered yes to the above questions why not apply to the Rhyl or the Prestatyn and Meliden Community Partnerships, who are distributing a total of £45,000 for Rhyl and £30,000 for Prestatyn and Meliden on behalf of the North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund owned and operated by RWE npower renewables.

If your group has a project which will make a lasting difference to the community and you want an application pack, please call in and pick one up:

For: Rhyl Community Partnership, c/o The Clwyd Coast Credit Union, 17-19 Bodfor Street, Rhyl, LL18 1AS.

or

For: Prestatyn and Meliden Community Partnership, c/o First Class Clothes, 12 High Street, Prestatyn, LL19 9BB or the Pop In, Meliden Road, Prestatyn, LL19 9RT.

Or email: rhylcommunitypartnership@yahoo.co.uk

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS is 31st August 2011 and should be returned to:

For: Rhyl Community Partnership, c/o Tynewydd Community Centre, Tynewydd Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire, LL18 3RD.

For: Prestatyn Community Partnership, Pop In, Meliden Road, Prestatyn, Denbighshire, LL19 9RT.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM TO CLWYD COAST CREDIT UNION OR FIRST CLASS CLOTHES.

Flintshire Care & Repair Vacancy

Senior Administrator
Temporary 6 month contract (initially)
Salary: £16,355

Flintshire Care & Repair require a Senior Administrator for a developing and busy office that provides services to older people and younger disabled adults. The contract will be for 6 months with the potential of a long term contract. The post holder will be expected to oversee a team of administrators whilst providing administrative and finance support. This is a varied position within a fast pace and developing Agency where we are committed to providing a quality service. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity please contact, Laura Bennett on 01352 758700 or by email laura.bennett@flintshirecr.co.uk. Application forms are available by email or by phone at sharon.harrold@flintshirecr.co.uk or 01352 758700.

£100,000 boost for North Wales coast communities

Community projects along the North Wales coast are benefiting from over £100,000 of funding as a result of the latest grants from the North Wales Coast Community Fund, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage Huw Lewis announced
The Community Fund is available for projects in the regeneration area which covers the coast from Mochdre to Prestatyn. The fund amounts to over £1m over the next three years and is the result of a unique partnership between RWE npower renewables (RWE NRL) and the Welsh Government, which offers local groups easy ‘one stop’ access to the fund.

The RWE NRL element of the fund is specifically available to communities between Mochdre to Kinmel Bay as a direct result of the operation of Rhyl Flats Windfarm and is managed by the Welsh Government.
Projects benefiting from this round of funding are:

AFASIC Cymru (All Families Affected by Speech Impaired Children). The group has applied for support for a youth project which helps 11 – 19 year olds with a speech, language and communication need so they can take part in social activities. £2,942 and £7,980 from Rhyl Flats Fund.

Colwyn Bay FC Football in the Community – This not for profit company provides healthy lifestyle courses, afterschool clubs and support employment programmes through the motivational power of football. Since September 2009 they have involved 75 adults and 912 children in their activities. Funding will go towards the purchase of their own portacabins and two computers. £17,024

Colwyn Bay Town Council - The funding will go towards a Participatory Budget scheme which will allow residents to make decisions about funding for their community. £20,000 and £10,000 from Rhyl Flats Fund.

Abergele Youth Action – The group, which has worked with young people since 2001, would like to improve its facilities by providing additional training rooms, an office, community music studio and fully equipped IT training suite. £20,000.

The Benefits Advice Shop – This registered charity has provided a specialist welfare benefit advice and advocacy services for 20 years. It now plans to provide an outreach service to Kinmel Bay, Abergele and Mochdre. £26,100 from the Rhyl Flats Fund.

Huw Lewis said:
“All of the projects which are benefiting from this funding today are providing an important service for their communities and have a positive impact on the area. What makes the Community Fund special is that it is local people who decide where the funding should go. Local people are at the heart of decision-making.
“The Regeneration Area is about working with the communities who are in the area, and know what that area needs. I look forward to seeing the impact this fund has on the coastal area, and I look forward to seeing how these projects develop.”

Kathryn Hall, Community Investment Officer for RWE npower renewables, which built and now operates Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm, said:
“We’re delighted that through the operation of our Rhyl Flats Offshore Wind Farm, and our partnership with the Welsh Government, we’re able to help local communities bring such vital and important projects to life.“These latest awards demonstrate our continuing commitment to supporting the local communities in which we work and operate, and in a way that really works for them. We’re also very pleased to see the level of local engagement in taking up the opportunities available through this fund, and the success of the single application process.”

Access Denbighshire County Council services now on your TV, Mobile, Wii or PC

You can:

• Look for a job
• Report a pothole or broken street light
• Check leisure centre opening times
• Get local news

Find out about Council services
Sky

Go to Community channel (539) and press the RED button.

Virgin Media

Press the Interactive button
Select News & Info
Select Looking Local
 
Mobiles*


Wii & PC

Insert the following url into your browser:

lookinglocal.gov.uk/denbighshire

* usual mobile network charges will apply

Money issues -cccs is here to help

If you’re worried about debt, The Consumer Credit Counselling Service Debt Remedy will help you find the best solution. The service is completely free, you don’t have to provide your name and all the advice you receive will be based on your situation. Once you have completed your CCCS Debt Remedy we will provide you with:

Tailored advice from our expert debt counsellors
A personal budget showing your income and outgoings
Practical help to make the most of your money
All you need to do is answer a series of questions about your household, income and outgoings. To do this go online at https://debtremedy.cccs.co.uk/start.aspx

Home Start Fund-raising Evening

Home Start are holding a fund-raising evening on Friday 24th June 2011 at Brookhouse Mill Marquee, Denbigh. The event will take place from 7.30pm- 11pm.

Join us for an evening celebrating our work in Denbighshire for the last 10 years

Hog Roast, Jazz Band, Auction of Promises, Sale of Hats and Handbags- new and gently used!

Tickets £15- includes food and entertainment.

For more information or to book your ticket, please call 01745 814819.

Denbighshire County Council using art to promote good health

A COUNCIL and a community group have joined force to use the arts as a way of promoting health and well-being.Denbighshire County Council’s community Arts Service and South West Rhyl Communities First have signed up artist Alison Mercer, who's work challenges and explores the diversity of parental relationships.She has been working with a variety of groups in Rhyl, the Bookstart Parent and Baby and Parent and Toddler groups.With Alison’s help, the Bookstart group members have been busy creating small keepsake quilts, altered babygrows and fabric books. They have also been using safe inks to make prints of their children’s feet and letter stamps to personalise their quilts, along with techniques such as embroidery and stitch.All parents and children who took part in the scheme will return to a workshop with the artist at Rhyl Library today.All of the artwork produced during the workshops will form part of the Arts in Health and Well-being exhibition being held at Rhyl Library Gallery from August until October 2011, alongside Alison's own pre-selected artwork.Community arts development officer Sian Fitzgerald, said: “The work will look amazing and the project is a fantastic opportunity to prove that textile arts and skills can create unique benefits for all participants, whatever their age and ability."

End Wales free school meal stigma, says Joyce Watson AM

Wales should put an end to the "stigma" children face for claiming free school meals, an assembly member claims.
Joyce Watson, Labour AM for Mid and West Wales, backs a fingerprint ID system of cashless payments to help poorer children.

She is due to launch a debate on the issue in the Senedd on Tuesday and says some pupils are going hungry to avoid being seen to claim free meals.
She says there is a mixed picture on the use of cashless payment systems.

Her office's research indicates that in Denbighshire, for example, all secondary schools use some sort of cashless system, whereas in Anglesey none do.

Most commonly, in schools where children still pay with cash for their dinners, pupils eligible for free meals are given tickets.

The AM believes this makes it easy for such children to be identified and put at risk of bullying.

She recommends rolling out a system by which children have accounts to pay for school dinners which can be topped up either by their parents or by the local authority if they qualify for school meals.

All pupils would then pay for their meals by a biometric reading of their fingerprint at the till without anyone knowing how their account was funded.

Ms Watson said: "68% is the average take up of free school meals where we have a system that identifies against a near 100% where we have a system that doesn't identify those who have free school meals and those who don't.

Sugar levels


She claimed that in schools without a cashless system there were "an awful lot of children simply going hungry" to avoid being seen to have free meals.

"[They] can't concentrate. Their sugar levels fall and their behaviour is also adversely affected by what's happening," she said.

Ms Watson intends to use her short debate during the assembly plenary to remind fellow AMs of a government commitment to roll out such cashless systems.

She said: "[Education Minister Leighton Andrews] did commit to rolling this out by September 2012.
"I want to know that that is happening. And I really think that this archaic practice of identifying children has to stop."

Addressing security concerns, Ms Watson said pupils' fingerprints were stored securely by the company that installed the biometric technology away from the school and could not be accessed by authorities.


One disincentive to move to a biometric system may be the cost, which the AM estimates at up to £30,000 for installation and £2,000 a year for maintenance.

However, Stephen Jones, head teacher of Ysgol Glan-y-Mor in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, said its piloting of a biometric payment system over the last four years had delivered results.


He said it had cut the time pupils queued for lunches as well as removing any stigma attached to free school meals.

"The children like it," he said.

"It's almost a fun element to having their lunch, the fingerprints.

"It's much quicker so they're happy about that.

"The offshoot, I suppose, would be that parents can actually have computerised printouts of all the food and drink that their children consume and they can keep an eye on whether they're having a healthy diet or not."

My Way, My Life is coming to an area near you!

On Thursday 21st July 2011, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, My Way My Life is coming to the Royal Pavillion in Llangollen.

Do you sometimes feel that time is passing you by?

Do you feel you could do more?

Would you like to have more control over your life?

Would you like to have the confidence to just “go out and do it”?

Would you like to find the new you?

Would you like help with training, volunteering or employment opportunities?

If the answer to any of these questions is “YES” then come along to the Pavilion, Llangollen and see what My Life My Way has to offer. Find out how you, like others, can change your lifestyle for the better.

If you would like more information regarding My Life My Way please contact Vicky Hoban or Sandra Jones on 01745 334976.

OCN Music Course

South West Rhyl Communities First will be holding an OCN accredited music course, open to any 16-25 yr old's living within the Rhyl area, who are not in employment, education or training.

There will be two trained and experienced Community Music tutors, guiding and supporting the beneficiaries through the activity. At the end of the course the participants will have produced original pieces of music and gained accreditation for their achievements.

The music workshops will be available in both English and Welsh.

For more information please contact Sarah Breeze Project Officer on 014286 685248, or by email on sarah.breeze@communitymusicwales.org.uk.

To view the flyer for this event please click here.

* You will be charged for non attendance (£25), if you reserve your place and do not to turn up to the sessions.

Get on your bike!

Marsh Tracks cycling facility is now officially open. If you would like to book the track for use for your groups please contact Justin Lewis on 01745 353335 or email justin@marshtracks.co.uk.

There are a range of cycles and helmets available for use.
Let's make the most of this fantastic facility in Denbighshire

Can a welfare-to-work scheme get Rhyl back on the job?

Panorama's Vivian White visited Rhyl on the north Wales coast to meet some of the people affected by the government's planned welfare reforms. In one area of Rhyl, half of the adults are on out-of-work benefits - one of the highest figures in the UK.

Plumb in the centre of this seaside town that was once a popular holiday destination, there is a pub called Last Orders. It is a somewhat challenging name because it happens to be right in the middle of an area where things have gone badly, depressingly wrong. The dire unemployment numbers here are what brought us to Rhyl.
We came to meet some of the people affected and to see what the town itself has done to try to solve its welfare problem.

This month sees the launch of the Work Programme, which pays organisations - from voluntary groups to public and private organisations - incentives if they get people off welfare and into work, as long as they stay in work.

Other changes proposed include replacing six income-related work-based benefits with a single universal credit from 2013.

The government says it will make sure people are always better off in work, there will be an annual benefit cap of about £26,000 per family and those refusing to work face a loss of benefits for up to three years.

Labour MP Chris Ruane was raised in Rhyl and is involved in local back-to-work initiatives.

He arranged for Ray Worsnop, who has worked in markets all his life, to set up the new open-air market in the town centre, where he ran a course which aims to turn people on benefits into market traders.

"I was brought up when there were lots of jobs and I was brought up with work ethic," Mr Worsnop said. "And now that we have two or three generations of unemployed, I'm really worried that the work ethic isn't there."

Mr Worsnop said he hoped teaching others the life of a market trader might make a difference and encourage them to not give up on finding work.

Christine Ibbotson is one of his students in the market experiment.

She is on incapacity benefit as she waits for an operation to treat a chronic wrist problem and says she would much rather be working.

"I'm not staying on the sick, no way, I don't want to," she said, although she added that after being out of the workforce for a long time, she was daunted by the government's move to reassess everyone receiving incapacity benefit with an eye to returning many to work.

"It's not the thought of getting up or anything like that. It's just, I don't know, it is a bit frightening," she said of being reassessed.

'Complete revolution'

MP Mr Ruane was also a key player in creating Rhyl's "City Strategy" which helped to fund a new cafe and restaurant on the waterfront called the Taste Academy.
At the cafe, you will likely be served by, and your food prepared by, people recently on benefits. It is a six-month training scheme and new eatery all in one. It should turn out people poised to find employment in the sector.

But Mr Ruane has a bleakly critical view of the plan for welfare reform: "If you get the big stick out too soon, too early, when there's no jobs there or even worse, when the job opportunities are diminishing, you'll be driving people back on the streets."

Employment Minister Chris Grayling disagrees: "There's absolutely no reason for anyone to end up on the streets as a result of what we're doing."

In the ward of West Rhyl, half of adults are on out-of-work benefit.

Mr Grayling called the government's plans "a complete revolution in welfare to work" and defended the new approach to providing benefits, including the three years' loss of benefit if someone repeatedly turns down jobs that are on offer.

"The only people who put themselves in danger of finding their benefits stop are those who are capable of doing so and wilfully say 'I refuse to engage with the system,'" Mr Grayling said.

Steve Falvey, 21, father to a baby girl, has taken part in the local football club's Strikers programme that aims to boost self-confidence and life skills and get the long-term unemployed used to being on time and organised.

He has already had his benefits reduced under the existing rules for not applying for a job that he did not like the sounds of.

He said he wants to work, but added: "Not any job. I'd have to like the job, like I said."

Panorama: A Job to Get Work, BBC One, Monday, 6 June at 2030BST and then available in the UK on the BBC iPlayer.

Rhyl is still unemployment capital of Wales - North Wales News - News

According to the Daily Post today, Denbighshire County Council say's that parts of Rhyl are still the unemployment capital of Wales. Click the link below to read more
Rhyl is still unemployment capital of Wales - North Wales News - News

Women Making a Difference - Engendering Change Summer Courses

For women who want to ‘make a difference’ in their communities and in public life in Wales

Following the success of our previous Engendering Change courses we are delighted to announce the dates and venue of a number of new courses to be held across Wales this summer.

This unique training programme gives women, particularly those women who are currently underrepresented in civic society because of race, religion, disability, sexuality or age the confidence and skills to take a more active role as leaders in their in their community as well as public and political life in Wales. Giving women a voice in the decision making process.

The training is FREE, a crèche is provided (or childcare costs covered) and transport and access costs reimbursed.

May 2011:
Young People’s Engendering Change, Mold, Flintshire
Four consecutive days : 31 May to 3 June (inclusive) between 9.00am - 4.00pm
For young people between the ages of 16 and 21, both male and female.

June 2011:
Engendering Change, The Lighthouse, Llanelli
Tuesdays, 9.30am – 3.00pm starting 7th June for five weeks.

Engendering Change, WEA Swansea
Wednesdays, 9.30am – 3.00pm starting 8th June for five weeks.

July / August 2011:
Engendering Change, Adamsdown Resource Centre, Cardiff
Saturday mornings, starting late July and running through the summer holidays.


Do you have any contacts who would like to enrol on any of these courses? Please feel free to circulate this information to any women (or young men where applicable) you think would be interested in taking part.

For more details and an application form please contact Jane Fisher either by e-mail: wmad@btconnect.com or phone 029 2022 1965.

Closing dates apply and are usually two weeks before the start date of each course. Places are limited - there will be a maximum of 20 on each of the training courses - so it is recommended that places are booked early.

Communities First backs campaign to bring back nit nurses at local school!

The Step up Project & Staff from Communities First have been supporting a local girl campaigning to bring back the nit nurse. A partnership comprised of communities first, The step up project, Christchurch school, Local parent Kelly Payne and the school nurses raised awareness of the problem at an event today at the school.
To see coverage of the event by ITV Wales go to http://www.itv.com/wales/nit-nurse-return10395/

Saving Money - Energy Best Deal

Ofgem and Citizens Advice have produced a series of seven short films covering - how to reduce your energy costs and what help is available from both suppliers and Government if you are struggling to pay your energy bills.
The short videos include


•Shopping around for the best energy deal
•How to be energy efficient
•Avoiding debt and disconnection
•Dealing with sales people
•How to make a complaint
•Getting help with your energy bills
•More money in your pocket – consumers talking about the savings they have made thanks to Energy Best Deal
Read more & view the videos at: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Consumers/smebd/Pages/smebd.aspx

Is your property at risk of flooding?

HOW DO I FOUND OUT?
You can check by phoning Floodline on 08459 881188.
Alternatively, you can visiting our website:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwales and enter your postcode.


I’M AT RISK OF FLOODING, WHAT CAN I DO NOW?
There are many things you can do to prepare your property for flooding. The first step is to sign up to our free Floodline Warnings Direct service either by phone (08459 881188) or online. This enables you to receive a warning of flooding in your local area via phone, text or email. However, it is important to regularly monitor the weather forecast for your area.

There is also information online about how you can protect your property from flooding, or contact Floodline on 08459 881188 for further advice.

WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY DOING?
We have been given government funding to work with local residents to produce a community flood plan and we are identifying volunteer flood wardens from within the community. The role of volunteer flood warden involves being part of a communication chain between the Environment Agency and the residents of Rhyl. Flood Wardens are not expected to enter flood water or put themselves at risk in any way.

We are looking for community spirited people to help us.

If you wish to become a volunteer flood warden, or are interested in learning more about the role, feel free to contact Sabina Dunkling on 01248 484029 or by e-mail: sabina.dunkling@environment-agency.wales.gov.uk