Rise in adult learners from poorer backgrounds

Economic uncertainty is pushing more people towards education, with adult learning at its highest level in a decade.
The annual adult learners’ week survey found participation levels at 43%, a rise of 4%, and a reverse of last year’s slump.
In particular, adult learning is attracting the poorest in society in unprecedented numbers. This year 30% of people in the DE social class reported current or recent learning, with older people contributing to the increase.
The UK-wide survey of almost 5,000 adults, published by the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (Niace), reported the highest levels of people wanting to learn since the survey began 20 years ago. Read more at - http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/news/article/rise-in-adult-learners-from-poorer-backgrounds/

Stress & Depression in Children

Stress & Depression in children has rarely been out of the news in the last few years with the BMA reporting that one in ten children, aged one to 15, have a mental health problem. These can include extreme anxiety, depression, and young people self‐harming or having an eating disorder. Because of the current state of the economy the onset of depression may also affect parents’ health and increase difficulties for children.

Recent work by TJB Cymru in two areas in North Wales has highlighted a number of factors that affect the wellbeing of children. They:

• are bullied

• are isolated

• feel under pressure due to school work

• are worried about their parents – especially in these difficult financial times

• are worried about gangs

• are worried about drugs & alcohol

Children & Young people’s stress & depression is often over looked as they have difficulties in articulating their problems. Stress/depression related behaviour is mistakenly assumed to be bad behaviour or an unwillingness to do things.
There are a number of initiatives now being put in place to support children once they have problems but what if we were able to give them some skills to avoid becoming ill in the first place?

TJB Cymru have developed and tested a training programme which helps children to:

· Recognise and understand the way they feel

· Link feelings to what is happening to their body

· Link feelings to the way they think and the way they behave.

· Recognise when they are stressed

· Learn a variety of simple exercises designed to reduce stress

· Understand that when they are sad it is important to talk about it

· Develop strategies to help them feel in control.

· Develop strategies to help them feel safe
The training courses are tailored for parents, childcare workers and, of course children and young people themselves. We also have a course for families in which parents and children learn about stress and depression together. They are available in both languages, English and Welsh.
Contact Gareth Thomas, TJB Cymru Cyf on 01766 770015 for more information about the courses they are currently delivering

New vocational training provider

‘Train to Change (Wales) Ltd.’ is a new Vocational Training Provider, a ‘not-for-profit’ Company Limited by Guarantee, based on the Conwy/Denbighshire border.

They will be delivering a variety of vocational training courses accredited, mainly, through ABC Awards, National Open College Network (NOCN), RTITB and/or ITSSAR, although other Awarding Bodies will also be approached to enable them to offer a wider variety of programmes as and when necessary.
They have the experience of working with a variety of ‘non-traditional learner’ groups for over 14 years with a variety of both Third Sector and Statutory organisations, delivering their own programmes and programmes franchised from mainstream providers.

What Courses will be Available?
They will be opening with limited course provisions, these will include:
Ø Horticulture,
Ø Car Valeting,
Ø Motor Vehicle Engineering,
Ø Painting and Decorating Courses.
As the Company develops, they will offer a wider variety of training courses to meet the needs of the various client groups and the needs of the Local Jobs Market.
Other courses, which will be available, will include:
Ø Construction Trades: Woodwork, Plastering, Bricklaying, etc.
Ø Plumbing
Ø ICT

For more information visit the company's website http://www.blogger.com/www.traintochangewales.org.uk

Deputy Minister announces £500,000 for Rhyl cycling facility

The project to build the Marsh Tracks cycling facility in Rhyl has been awarded £500,000 of funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration Jocelyn Davies has announced. The funding completes a £1 million package and means that building work can start immediately, with completion of the first phase expected by July.

The facility will make use of a disused landfill site on Marsh Road in Rhyl. It will consist of a road cycling track; a national standard BMX track; a club house with café, changing facilities, shop and meeting room; storage facilities; spectator viewing areas, and event camping. The site will also include biodiversity areas at the centre of the track and around the perimeter and will contribute to the regeneration of the Marsh road area.
As well as contributing the physical and environmental regeneration of the area, Marsh Tracks will also provide opportunities for young people, particularly those from deprived areas, to take part in sport at a low cost and programmes run at the site will link to schools, the wider community and tourism. The venue will also be used for other sports such as running, hand cycling and Nordic skiing.
The Welsh Assembly Government’s contribution to the scheme will be matched with funding of £250,000 from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, £250,000 from WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental) and funding and support from Denbighshire County Council who will project manage the construction scheme. For more information see http://wales.gov.uk/news/latest/100408marshtracks/;jsessionid=CxQTL2CJnrL8rNpVslKhNYC0rx5SLHpJyJtjbfRMQTFTkh81RyMq!1135659162?lang=en

Social fund reform, debt,credit & low income households

FINAL GP Social Fund Reform-1

Viva OutTakes

Viva OutTakes is a new monthly film night showcasing lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans inspired cinema.
The next showing is on Tuesday, March 30th at 8.30pm
Viva OutTakes is screening - A Single Man(12 certificate) -
A story that centres on an English professor who, after the sudden death of his partner, tries to go about his typical day in Los Angeles...
­"Delicately, and rather brilliantly, Firth suggests how his quiet heroism is ­mingled with notes of irony and self-deprecation. It is a poignant, deeply compassionate portrait" Peter Bradshaw - The Guardian
Scala Cinema & Arts Centre, High Street, Prestatyn
47 High Street, Prestatyn, Denbighshire LL19 9AH
Viva OutTakes will take place on the last Tuesday of every month.
Please feel free to join our Facebook group for regular updates:
http://www.facebook.com/Vivalgbt?v=app_2344061033&ref=profile#!/event.php?eid=326489843036&index=1
A Single Man Trailor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aypyJtHzC70

Change4Life launches in Wales

An ambitious new advertising campaign that will help families eat well, move more and live longer will hit television screens, billboards, public transport and newspapers in March 2010. The aim of the campaign is to kickstart a lifestyle revolution for every family in order to halt the rising tide of obesity.
In its efforts to improve the health of young families, the Welsh Assembly Government is launching Change4Life / Newid am Oes in Wales and challenging people to lead more active lives and develop better eating habits.
Visit the Change4Life website at http://wales.gov.uk/hcwsubsite/healthchallenge/individuals/change/?lang=en for more information.

Rise of the silver surfer!

South West Rhyl Communities First in partnership with a number of locally run open access ICT venues in the South West of Rhyl spent a week bringing older and younger people from the area to discover the benefits of getting online and as well as working together across the generation divide.
5 young people from the area taught 7 older people who reside in the area to surf the internet, create email accounts, join facebook and discover hobbies online during the spring half term.
With funding secure via South West Rhyl Communities First from The Community Foundation in Wales Development Officer Debbie Holmes working with Marsh Community Association, Rhyl Adventure Playground Association and South West Rhyl Central residents Association facilitated the project, which was to help both generations learn that there are opportunities to learn from each other as well as benefit from each others skills and experiences.
Val Pratt who took part as a learner and said:-
“ I have discovered a new way of keeping in touch with my family and enjoyed not only the online networking but also the social networking between my peers and with the younger people.” Since the sessions I have been to one of the open access suites in Rhyl and will be buying a laptop in the near future.”
Alex Collins and Michael Mays two of the younger people who were part of the project said:- “ The project led us to change our perceptions of older people and realise that they actually pick up things faster than we originally thought and the whole experience made us realise that all ages are capable of learning new skills”
Press the play button on the blogger title bar below to see a video from the project

Working in partnership to bridge generation gap

South West Rhyl Communities First and Denbighshire’s Older People’s Strategy Development Officer have teamed up with Community Focus Schools to deliver a pilot workshop for young people at Rhyl High School around the issue of confidence and self-esteem.
Six students have been referred to the programme which is a simple method in discussing an issue, making a few small changes then discussing the impact of those changes on their lives, hopefully revealing a positive outcome of change.
The model is based on a Swedish model of work which was firstly used for Older People.Once the Rhyl High School students have completed the workshop they will meet a group of Older People who’ve been through the same process and discuss the outcomes together in what’s called a ‘Life Café’.

Source: - Community Focussed schools co-ordinator

New Credit union collection point

South West Rhyl Communities First are pleased to announce a new credit union collection point at John Davies Community Building, 82 Marsh Road starting March 18th 12- 2pm.

The first 20 people to join up will receive a £10 deposit in their newly opened accounts.

Proof of identity will be needed to join!

Free mobile calls for benefit claimants

From 18 January 2010, 6 of the biggest mobile phone network companies will no longer charge their customers for calls to the Department’s 0800 Benefit Claim lines.

Calls to claim benefits and state pension use 0800 numbers which are already free to customers using BT land lines and mobiles. But currently, people calling 0800 numbers from other mobile phone providers are charged for these calls.

DWP has now reached agreement with O2, Orange, Tesco Mobile, T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone to end charges to their customers for mobile calls to around seventy of its 0800 numbers. Customers of O2, Orange, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone will receive free mobile phone calls to these numbers from 18th January; those with T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile from 25th January.

The 0800 numbers concerned are those used by people making initial claims for Jobseeker’s Allowance, State Pension, Pension Credit and the Employment and Support Allowance, and to request emergency payments, such as crisis loans.

Together the six companies with whom the Department has now signed agreements cover over 90% of the mobile market in the UK.

The initial agreements will last for two years.

Are there customers who will not benefit immediately?
The scheme will be phased in by each of the companies over the next week or so, starting from 18 January. People whose mobile phone operators are not part of the initial agreement will not benefit from the scheme. However, the operators who have already signed up have over 95 percent of the mobile phone retail market. The Department has approached the remaining 5 percent with a view to reaching a similar agreement.

Will the scheme apply to calls from overseas, eg from other European countries?
No but there are a number of land line packages that allow people to call more cheaply from abroad.

How will customers know whether 0800 calls from their mobile networks are free or not?
Each mobile phone company has its own arrangements for making their customers aware of the charges and any changes to them. Source:- WCVA

Better off working? Work, poverty and benefit cycling

A new report from the Joseph Rowntree foundation -
Examining poverty, work sustainability and progression among low-skilled workers.
Government policy emphasises paid work as the best route out of poverty and skills policy as part of the way out of recession. Yet even before the recession, concern was growing about job sustainability for low-skilled workers and the lack of opportunities for progressing out of low pay.
This study:
examines low-skilled workers' experiences of work retention and progression; and
offers suggestions for future policy on work sustainability.

Download the report at http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/better-off-working

Vetting and barring scheme could deter volunteers, says Navca

Local umbrella group explains its fears in letter to third sector minister Angela Smith
Kevin Curley, chief executive of local umbrella body Navca, has written to third sector minister Angela Smith setting out his fears that the new vetting and barring scheme will deter people from volunteering and will be expensive and time-consuming for small voluntary and community groups.
The letter warns that the scheme, which was announced in September 2009 and requires volunteers and staff working with children and vulnerable adults to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority, could "curtail the spontaneity and informality that characterises voluntary and community groups".
It adds: "Many volunteers will regard the checks as an intrusion into their privacy and be concerned that their past activities will be made public."
It warns that some people could be dissuaded from volunteering, especially if they have only fleeting contact with beneficiaries and cannot understand why they are covered by the legislation. Read more at http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/rss/article/982268/Vetting-barring-scheme-deter-volunteers-says-Navca/

Patients set to access medical records and book GP appointments online

Health Minister Edwina Hart has announced £1.7 million of funding for a new website which will allow patients to check their medical records at the click of a mouse.

‘My Health Online’ - a bilingual NHS Wales website - will also let people order repeat prescriptions and book appointments with their GP.
Other features of the site will include advice and information to help patients manage health conditions. It will link to the existing NHS Direct Wales website.
Mrs Hart said:
“The demand for online GP services is increasing and we recognise that providing accessible information is critical if we want to enable people to change their lifestyles and improve their health.
“The Welsh Assembly Government is also committed to improving access to health services for people living in rural communities. My Health Online will particularly save lengthy journeys to GP practices.
“The website will also help empower people to take responsibility for their own health through the completion of a health diary which can be shared with their GP.”
Work will now start on developing the exact details and requirements of the website.

Did you know? ......Some local gp's including madryn house & clarence house surgery already offer an online repeat prescription ordering service from their websites

Company targets most vulnerable people

A company offering what they say is free benefit appeals work on the basis that they are paid 45% of any backpay that the client receives from the DWP is working in the area.
As an example - a client who won their appeal ended up paying the company £1500! The company have no official address, just a PO box in Preston.
They have a website www.benefitanswers.co.uk Their website also asks for contact from clients going through the benefits appeals procedure which would indicate that they are likely to receive a high amount of back pay and are therefore vulnerable to end up giving almost half of it to this company.
We would advise people who need support for any type of benefit appeal seek help with organisations such as CAB or the benefit advice shop in Rhyl

Digital decade is leaving vulnerable consumers locked out

Vulnerable groups in Wales are being left behind in the digital revolution – that’s the stark warning from a new report from Consumer Focus Wales.

The consumer champion’s latest report – Logged In or Locked Out? – brings together ten years of data from the Welsh Consumer Council and Consumer Focus Wales. It shows that those who either cannot or choose not to use the internet are in danger of missing out on access to information, and better deals in goods and services.

The findings makes a series of recommendations for national government, local government, regulators, telecoms companies and internet service providers in order to close the growing digital divide.

Sarah Richards, Senior Policy Advocate for Consumer Focus Wales, said: “Wales is in the midst of a digital revolution. The number of people who are online has risen steadily over the last ten years so that nearly seven out of ten adults have personal access to the internet. It is becoming integral to more aspects of our life than ever before.

“But the growing availability of information and bargains means that those who either cannot, or choose not to use with the internet are in danger of being locked out from accessing the best deals, and the most up-to-date information.

“Our research shows that while the debate about ‘not-spots’ is still important, we must not forget the ‘net-nots’ either: those people who either cannot get access, cannot afford access, or simply don’t see the benefit of logging on.

“As public services look to deliver services over the internet as a way to cut their costs, we have to ensure that those who need them are not forgotten. The very people most likely to need support – the elderly, the poorest in our society and those in remote rural areas - are the least likely to be able to access support online.”

The report highlights how age is still the single greatest indicator of whether you are likely to use the internet, with social class and geography also significant factors.

Ms Richards added: “While almost nine out of ten people aged 16-44 have access to the internet, for the over 65s, that figure falls to one in four. Public and private sector organisations who provide public information must ensure they don’t neglect those that are not online.

“The benefits to consumers of the internet are many, but we must ensure we do not end up in a country where people are institutionally locked out from information which may affect them – like weather warnings, or finding out information during food scares or looking at what our elected politicians are saying on our behalf.”

Key facts:
67% of households in Wales have a home internet connection
94% of home internet connections are broadband
People aged 35-44 are most likely to have a home internet connection (83%)

Report available for download-

http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/assets/4/files/2009/11/404_20091120112419_e_@@_engreport.pdf

Cost of paying by cash has little reward

Some of the poorest people in Wales are choosing to pay more for essential goods and services – because they don’t trust or are confused by the banking system.
A new report by Consumer Focus Wales reveals that people in Wales prefer to pay for goods in cash instead of with a debit card or by direct debit because they feel it gives them greater control of their money.
Report author Lindsey Kearton said: “It is clear that people who pay by direct debit are more likely to get better deals than those who use cash. However, confusion and suspicion surround direct debits and until these issues are effectively addressed many consumers will continue to use cash as their preferred payment method, regardless of the fact that in some situations they pay more as a consequence.
“We found that many people are savvy enough to know that the arrangements they make mean they end up paying more. But there is a lack of awareness that there is an alternative.
“Consumer Focus Wales recommends that banks and other financial institutions provide face-to-face support to those opening a bank account for the first time to improve their understanding of how direct debits work. This could include text alerts to enable people to keep track of their account and overcome any fears of losing control
“We also call for the Welsh Assembly Government and UK Government to work with the banking industry to develop the capacity of alternative financial service providers such as credit unions, Community Development Finance Institutions and the Post Office so they are also able to offer bank account services that are appropriate to the needs and circumstance of people living on a low income.” Download the report at:-
http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/assets/4/files/2009/11/404_20091112105252_e_@@_CFWTheCostofCashEnglishWEB.PDF

Welsh Assembly Government leading the way in planning for an ageing society

The Older People’s Wellbeing Monitor for Wales is a milestone research report that will guide the future work of the Welsh Assembly Government and its partners in planning for the demographic changes in society. See the report at http://wales.gov.uk/topics/olderpeople/research/wellbeingmonitor2009/?lang=en

Health, Well-Being & Support Directory

The NHS Direct Wales website http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/ features a Health, Well-Being & Support Directory which contains information about a wide range of health, well-being services and support groups provided locally and nationally across Wales. You can use the directory to search for support to deal with an illness, ways to get more active, opportunities to make new friends or chances to get involved in your local community.

BEAT THE LOAN SHARKS – BITE BACK!

As the recession hits harder, money problems are affecting more and more of us. Who do you turn to when the rent’s overdue, the gas bill’s higher than you expected, or the washing machine breaks down? The Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit (IMLU) is warning local residents not to make the mistake of turning to illegal lenders – male or female.

IMLU was set up by central government at the end of 2007 to search out and prosecute loan sharks throughout Wales, and operates as part of Trading Standards. These illegal lenders operate without a consumer credit licence, and prey on people who are vulnerable – whether because of poverty or debt, or difficulties in their lives such as addiction or health problems.

Loan sharks will rip off borrowers by charging extortionate interest (IMLU say that 150,000% APR is not unheard of!) and adding on penalty payments as and when they want. “Sharks don’t give you paperwork explaining the terms of the loan, and you have to keep paying them back until they decide you can stop. They may appear friendly when they offer the loan, and when you pay - it’s when you can’t pay that you see the other side of them”, explains Steve Tooby, IMLU manager.

It can get worse than just being ripped off. Loan sharks use threats and sometimes violence to make sure their victims keep paying. A loan shark in the north of England was recently imprisoned indefinitely for rape and blackmail. Steve warns that the helpful person who offers to lend you some cash may not be such a good guy. “Victims have found themselves forced into criminal activity to pay back the sharks. We have come across children pushed into shoplifting, and women pressurised into prostitution by these criminals.”

IMLU warns residents to make sure that anyone offering to lend money has a consumer credit licence. If you are a loan shark victim, or think there may be a shark operating nearby, phone IMLU on the 24 hour Hotline: 0300 123 3311. You can phone anonymously if you want.