helenaCommunity news

Blackbrook, Newton and Haydock

Residents at a sheltered scheme in Haydock have been gathering up goodies to send to British troops in Afghanistan.

Kind-hearted tenants and residents from O’Connell Close and Haydock Lane have been busy rummaging through their cupboards and collecting special gifts in their community centre to send to the soldiers and show their support.

With everything from shower gels and soaps to soups and biscuits, the residents have filled up boxes bursting with toiletries and tasty treats - and now they are set to send on the home comforts to the soldiers.

The donated items will be collected by the British Legion, who will distribute the gifts among the troops.

Susan Killilea, Scheme Manager at O’Connell Close, said: “The residents have worked really hard and have thoroughly enjoyed collecting goodies for the soldiers in Afghanistan.

“Donating to the troops is a cause very close to the residents’ hearts, as many have family and friends who fought and lost their lives at war – so the collections are their chance to show appreciation and give something back.

“It has been lovely to involve the residents in such a worthwhile and rewarding project, and they have relished the opportunity to contribute and help make a difference - so we will continue to hold collections for the troops in the future.”

To donate items and find out about the next collection, contact Susan Killilea on 01744 637383.

Residents Box off donations to tRoops

HELENA HEADLINES SPRING 2011

SPRING 2011Helena HEADLINES

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Residents Go Latino At Zumba ClassesYoung people across Haydock, Blackbrook and Newton have been dancing to the Latin beat at Zumba fitness classes.

The Latino-loving lot have been heading to Grange Valley Youth Centre, where they have been getting fit through new dance fitness craze Zumba, with a qualified instructor.

The popular new aerobic fitness programme combines Latin and international music with a range of hip-shaking dance routines.

Do you fancy getting into the Zumba groove? Classes are completely free and available to ages 14-24, running every Wednesday, 6.15pm-7.15pm, at Grange Valley Community Centre, Clipsley Lane.

Check out our ‘What’s On’ guide for further information.

Do you have time on your hands to help out in your neighbourhood? Ashurst Tenants and Residents Association (TRA) are looking for volunteers to lend a helping hand with organising activities in their local area.You can get involved in supporting events such as fun days, trips and environmental clean ups, or have your say and make a positive difference to your estate by attending meetings with local partners such as Helena and the police, taking part in estate walkabouts, or by becoming environmental inspectors.Whether you have one hour or many hours to spare – any support will be welcomed and appreciated and will help to deliver further improvements in the area.To volunteer and get involved in Ashurst TRA or for further information, contact Kurrita White or Joanne McMahon on 01744 63 73 83.

Meet Up For Free at new Helena oFFice!

Planning a meeting with your neighbours or community group? Now you can meet up for free at one of our neighbourhood offices.

After undergoing a recent makeover, Helena East, on Newton Road, is now open for business and welcomes you to come along and make use of a free meeting room to discuss issues and events with your tenant or voluntary group.

To book the meeting room or for further information, contact One Call on 01744 63 73 83 and ask for Helena East Reception.

A Haydock community centre is boasting colourful new surroundings thanks to Helena staff.

Helena’s Furnished Accommodation Team volunteered their services and painted up a storm when they redecorated rooms at the TANGO (Together As Neighbours Giving Out) charity office on Park Street.

The charity restores reclaimed furniture and any funding raised goes to less fortunate people.

After a fresh lick of paint and a bit of TLC, Helena staff helped to kick-start work on the new-look office, and a major revamp on the rest of the office is soon to begin.

Christine Kay, TANGO Co-ordinator, said: “Everyone at TANGO is thrilled with how clean and welcoming our office looks now – what a difference a fresh coat of paint makes!

“We are very grateful to our Helena helpers for giving our refurbishment such a positive start – now we can see how much potential the TANGO

office has, we can’t wait to get started on the rest of the work and are looking forward to improving our role in the community once it has been completed.”

Janet Ruse, one of the volunteers from Helena, said: “We were only too happy to help out with the office revamp - TANGO regularly recycle items from our

furnished schemes and they are an important community partner, so it was great to show our appreciation for the charity’s good work and give our colleagues a chance to help out.”

To find out more about TANGO, call 01744 628957

Haydock Office Gets Tangoed!

Get involved With ashurst tRa

cHildren SHoot For tHe (dark) StarSChildren across Haydock, Blackbrook and Newton have been enjoying fun-filled days with action-packed games of laser tag at the Dark Star arena in St Helens Town Centre.

Exploring the huge ‘Hex’ arena, the children grabbed their lasers and made an exciting journey through the Dark Star maze, ‘shooting’ their opponents who were lurking in the shadows.

Joanne Lyon, Community Engagement Officer at Helena, said: “The Dark Star trips are hugely popular with the children - they always have a fantastic time getting lost in the maze and ‘shooting’ each other with their laser guns!

“Events like these give children something to do and keep them occupied out of school – it’s great to see them all having fun making new friends.”

Find out more about Helena events by checking out our ‘What’s On Guide’ at the back of Community News.

What’s on - Haydock/newton/Blackbrook

BINGo Every Tuesday 1.30pm-3.30pm, and every Wednesday 6.30pm-8pm West End Road Sheltered Scheme, Haydock. Contact Jean Baddley 01744 677883 / 07919110620

StREEt DANcE SESSIoNS Every Tuesday 6.30pm-7.30pm, at Grange Valley, Clipsey Lane. Contact Mark Jennings 01744 675923

F REE dance classes for anyone aged 14-24 years. Come along and bop to the street dance beat!

ZumBA DANcE cLASSES Every Wednesday 6.15pm-7.15pm, at Grange Valley, Clipsey Lane. Contact Mark Jennings 01744 675923

Get into the zumba groove with F REE dance classes for anyone aged 14-24 years.

FooD SHootS Every Wednesday 2pm-4pm, at Newton Family and Community Centre, Park South Road, Newton-le-Willows. Contact Andy Cave 01744 637383

Every Wednesday 2pm-4pm, at CETRA Base, Pimblett Road. Contact Andy Cave 01744 637383

LocAL AccESS PoINt Every Thursday 10am-12pm, at FETRA base, Frawley Avenue. Contact Paul Humphreys 01744 677951 / 07525673047

Every Thursday 11am-1pm, at CETRA base, Pimblett Road. Contact Jeff Keenan 01744-677937 / 07966 318579

Every Thursday 10am-12pm, at CETRAN base, Sturgess Street. Contact Dave Adair 01744 677939 / 07525673043

Every Friday 10am-12pm, at Crown Street Community Centre, Earlestown Contact Jeff Keenan 01744 677937 / 07966318579

muSIc mEccA – ScRAP BAND Every Thursday (excluding school holidays) 1pm-2pm, at The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St Helens Town Centre. Contact The Citadel Box Office 01744 735436

Enjoy making music and rhythms from around the world with everyday household objects.

muSIc mEccA – StREEt DANcE Every Saturday (excluding school holidays) 1pm-2pm, at The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St Helens Town Centre Contact The Citadel Box Office 01744 735436

Hit the dance f loor and bop to the street dance beat.

muSIc mEccA – DJ-ING Every Saturday (excluding school holidays) 1pm-2pm, at The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St Helens Town Centre. Contact The Citadel Box Office 01744 735436

Take to the decks and mix your own musical masterpieces.

muSIc mEccA – mc-ING/ muSIc PRoDuctIoN Every Saturday (excluding school holidays) 2pm-3pm, at The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St Helens Town Centre Contact The Citadel Box Office 01744 735436

Develop your production and lyric-writing skills and get support in producing and recording your own music.

aprilEStAtE WALkABout Wednesday, April 13, 10am Brunswick Road Estate, meeting at 20 Athol Place. Contact Paula Ashworth 01744 677008 / 07515191767

Wednesday, April 13, 10am Fairbrothers, meeting at FETRA Office, 24 Frawley Avenue Contact Paul Humphreys 01744 677951 / 07525673047

Thursday, April 14, 10am Common estate, meeting at CETRAN Office, Sturgess Street Contact Dave Adair 01744 677939 / 07525673043

Tuesday, April 19, 10am Elizabeth Road estate, meeting outside shops at Sherlock Avenue Contact Jeff Keenan 01744 677937 / 07966318579

EAStER BoNNEtS Thursday, April 21, 12-4pm West End Road Sheltered Scheme, Haydock.Contact Jean Baddley 01744 677883 / 07919110620

Limited places. Create your own Easter bonnets, and treat yourself to a hotpot lunch and a Terryoke sing-a-long.

may EStAtE WALkABout Wednesday, May 11, 10am Fairbrothers, meeting at FETRA Office, 24 Frawley Avenue Contact Paul Humphreys 01744 677951 / 07525673047

Thursday, May 19, 10am Blackbrook estate, meeting at 29 Bidston Avenue Contact Kurrita White 01744 677955 / 07515191773

Tuesday, May 24, 10am Manor Road estate, meeting at corner of Manor Road and Penny Lane. Contact Jeff Keenan 01744 677937 / 07966318579

RAmP RIDERS 20-week project starting Monday, May 16, 4.30-7pm. Vista Road Playing Field, Haydock. Contact Jo Lyon 01744 677938 / 07850288404.

It’s back! Get ready to saddle up for once again for some ‘wheely’ good fun!

juneEStAtE WALkABout Wednesday, June 8, 10am Fairbrothers estate, meeting at FETRA Office, 24 Frawley Avenue Contact Paul Humphreys 01744 677951 / 07525673047

Wednesday, June 15, 10am Wargrave estate, meeting at Trees Community Centre Cark Park, Alder Street. Contact Kevin Waring 01744 677956 / 07850288046

Tuesday, June 21, 10am Elizabeth Road estate, meeting outside shops at Sherlock Avenue Contact Jeff Keenan 01744 677937 / 07966318579

juLYEStAtE WALkABout Wednesday, July 13, 10am Brunswick Road Estate, meeting at 20 Athol Place. Contact Paula Ashworth 01744 677008 / 07515191767

Wednesday, July 13, 10am Fairbrothers, meeting at FETRA Office, 24 Frawley Avenue Contact Paul Humphreys 01744 677951 / 07525673047

Thursday, July 14, 10am Common estate, meeting at CETRAN Office, Sturgess Street Contact Dave Adair 01744 677939 / 07525673043

Tuesday, July 19, 10am Manor Road estate, meeting at corner of Manor Road and Penny Lane. Contact Jeff Keenan 01744 677937 / 07966318579

Thursday, July 21, 10am Blackbrook, meeting at Bidston Avenue. Contact Kurrita White 01744 677955 / 07515 191773

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Helena HEADLINES

NoRmAN LovES HHtv… Norman Harrison, a tenant at Helena’s o’connell close Sheltered Scheme, loves Helena’s new digital tv site HHtv.“I have just had my HHTV demonstration, and I can’t wait to go home and try it out for myself! There is so much useful information on there, and it’s really easy to access. I can find out about what’s going on in my local area or report a repair, and I can even check the bus times!”

one call 01744 637383 www.helenahomes.co.uk