Inspired Living Spring 2015

InspiredLiving
Spring 2015
THE MAGAZINE FOR OLDHAM PFI RESIDENTS
POWER TO
PLE!
THE PtsEO
are shaping
How residen
oods
your neighbourh
THE KEYS TO A NEW LIFE
We meet one of the final families
to move into their new home
No more roominating
Sandra Hearne and her family
get the space they’ve longed for
WIN
!
£20
w
high orth of
s
vou treet
che
rs
How to get in touch with us...
CALL Great Places or Wates, dial 0300 123 2003
A full range of services are available between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, with an extra
out-of-hours repairs service provided by Wates, which can be contacted on the same number. PRESS 1 – for Wates Living Space who can help you with repairs, refurbishment and
new-build enquiries
PRESS 2 – for Great Places Housing Group who can help you with housing management
and information on sales units
EMAIL: the Great Places team at [email protected] and Wates
at [email protected]
IN PERSON: you can also drop in to see us at the Great Places office – 119 Union Street,
Oldham, OL1 1TE. The office is staffed and is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
You can also drop in and say hello at the Crossley Centre, 323 Denton Lane, Chadderton, OL9 9GA,
0161 652 1419 and The Primrose Bank Centre, Magnolia Gardens, Primrose Bank, 0161 624 7202.
The team are available to visit you in your home. Please don’t hesitate to ask for an
appointment when it’s convenient for you.
We’re online!
Visit www.greatplaces.org.uk and
search for Oldham PFI
Like us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/OldhamPFI
www.facebook.com/CrossleyCent
re
www.facebook.com/PrimroseCen
tre
Follow us on Twitter
@CrossleyCentre @Primrose_C
entre
Write to Inspired Living at:
Communications
Great Places Housing Group
Southern Gate
729 Princess Road
Manchester M20 2LT
Email:
[email protected]
Access for all
If you’re visually impaired let us know if you
need a magnifying sheet. An audio version of
Inspired Living is also available.
If you need this magazine in a different
language, please also let us know.
Editor: Rachel Machin
([email protected])
Designer: Simon Crossley
([email protected])
2
Welcome to
InspiredLiving!
Welcome to the spring issue of
Inspired Living. There have been
so many milestones achieved
since the last issue not least the
completion of our home building
construction phase.
Turn to page 10 to read about one of the
last families to move into our properties in
Kent Avenue, Crossley.
There’s also the opening of Primrose
Bank Community Centre (page 12) which
will provide a fantastic facility for the
immediate community and beyond.
It’s sometimes astounding to look at how
far we’ve come and what we’ve achieved
since 2011. We’ve done all this because
you, our residents, have supported
and bought into our vision for your
communities.
Our cover story about how residents
are shaping your communities is a great
example of this.
Ryan Smith
Oldham PFI manager
Members of the Re
sidents’
Committee who m
ake important
decisions about th
e PFI areas
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Features
5 Housing construction complete: Information on what
we’ve achieved so far
6-7 Power to the people: How residents are shaping your
neighbourhoods
10-11 The keys to a new life: We meet Alison Oliver and
family, one of the last families to move into our new homes
at Crossley
15 Live to work: How resident Sandra Hearne got a home
through Working Extra
18-19 Health is wealth: How Oldham PFI is supporting
Oldham Council’s strategy for health and wellbeing
pages
NEWS – from the
borough
8-9
10-11
Primrose Bank
Community Centre
pages
14-15 Primrose Bank then and now: A look through
past and present photography at the changes to the
neighbourhood
Keys to a
new life
pages
12-13 Primrose Bank Community Centre is open: We join
the community on this momentous day
12-13
Regulars
4 Have your say events: details of all our forums, walkabouts
and residents’ panel meetings
8-9 News: from across the borough
16-17 Neighbourhood news: what’s been happening in your
area?
20 Competitions: your chance to win high street vouchers!
3
HAVE YOUR SAY EVENTS
WALKABOUTS 2015
23 April (Crossley Centre) 10-11am
23 May (Tower Gates) 10-11am
21 June (Crossley Centre) 10-11am
FORUMS 2015
Housing surgeries
for Crossley
Tuesday morning surgery held at
Stockfield Mount communal room
from 10am-12pm
RESIDENTS’ PANEL 2015
15 June (Primrose Bank Community
Centre) 12-2pm
26 March (Lansdowne Court) 6-8pm
23 April (Crossley Centre) 11am-1pm
28 May (Stockfield Mount) 6-8pm
Thursday morning surgery held at
Crossley Community Centre from
10am-12pm
Notes: All of these dates have lunch
available from 12-12:30pm. PFI
property’s welcome.
Primrose Bank estate
inspection then residents
meeting – Meet at the
Primrose Bank community
centre:
Keswick Avenue area estate
inspections meet at the green
landscaped area on Thornby
ave and residents meeting at
Fitton Hill community centre:
Dew Way area estate
inspection meet at Mallow
Close and residents meeting
at the OBA Millennium centre
Featherstall Road:
Monday 6 April 2015
Inspection and residents meeting
5.30pm – 7:30pm
Monday 4 May 2015
Inspection and residents meeting
5.30pm – 7:30pm
Monday 1 June 2015
Inspection and residents meeting
5.30pm – 7:30pm
Tuesday 13 April 2015
Inspection and residents meeting
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Tuesday 11 May 2015
Inspection and residents meeting
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Tuesday 8 June 2015
Inspection and residents meeting
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday 22 April 2015
Inspection and residents meeting
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday 20 May 2015
Inspection and residents meeting
5.30pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday 24 June 2015
Inspection and residents meeting
5.30pm – 7.30pm
ales will be
Nick Summersc
ekly housing
conducting we
– 5pm every
surgeries 2pm
Primrose Bank
Monday at the
ntre from 5th
community ce
January 2015.
to call in or
e
e
fr
l
e
fe
e
s
a
Ple
intment:
make an appo
77
Tel: 0161 484 32
8 8961
Mobile: 0781 37
merscales@
E-mail: nick.sum
.uk
greatplaces.org
4
HOUSING CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE!
Since 2011 we’ve been transforming your communities building quality much-needed homes
and refurbishing existing ones, creating green spaces and revitalising tired neighbourhoods. In
December 2014 the last brick was laid. Below are some key highlights from the project so far.
36 newbuild homes
fully occupied at
Dew Way, Westwood
since Oct 2013
Primrose Bank
Community Centre
completed in December
2014 with opening
events planned in 2015
Refurbishment of existing
homes completed – 44
properties fully refurbished
and completed at
Primrose Bank in July
2013. 121 newbuild homes
completed
December 2014
Refurbishment
program of existing
homes completed.
273 properties fully
refurbished and
completed in June
2013 in Crossley. 83
new build homes
completed and fully
occupied in Dec 2014
Village greens at
both Primrose Bank
and Crossley were
completed in December
2014. Village green
at Keswick Avenue
will open in early
2015. Children’s play
equipment is
installed at all.
77 newbuild homes
completed and fully
occupied in November
2014 on Keswick
Avenue, Fitton Hill
LIFETIME HOMES
Homes that can be adapted to meet the needs of disabled residents
Comply fully
with Design For
Access 2 and Part
M of the Building
Regulations
(Dwelling)
Gold Standard
for the Quality
criteria from
Building for Life
All homes
achieved full
certification of
the Code for
Sustainable
Homes Level 3
317
homes fully comply
with 16 criteria of
Lifetime Homes
15
wheelchair
access
homes
5
55
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
The Residents’ Panel is an extremely important source of feedback and helps us
tailor our services for you. Inspired Living found out more.
There’s a buzz in the air as residents huddle round the table in
Great Places’ Union Street offices. They’re here to talk about what’s
happening in the new communities being created across the Oldham
PFI areas.
It’s the Residents’ Panel meeting, a gathering of several volunteers
who meet quarterly to talk about the issues affecting them in their
neighbourhoods. Representatives from Crossley, Primrose Bank, and
the newly built Magnolia Court, give much-needed feedback on the
performance of Great Places and Wates, and whether they’re meeting
the needs of residents.
All residents are invited to the meeting, which acts as an overarching
panel for the neighbourhood walkabouts, inspections and residents
forums. “The Resident Panel is incredibly important to us so we can
get feedback from our customers on the services we provide,” says
Ryan Smith, PFI manager.
“This coming year we are really focusing on working with our
residents and the council to increase the opportunity for them to
scrutinise our services. We are also looking at what levels people may
wish to get involved, from being a neighbourhood inspector reviewing
our grounds maintenance services for example, to reviewing and
working with us to change policies and procedures that may impact
the way we allocate homes or collect rent. We’ll also be asking
residents to give feedback on how we carry out repairs.
“There is an opportunity to work alongside other PFI residents across
Oldham on the other housing PFI project (Housing and Care 21) to
transfer scrutiny opportunities. We want to ensure residents really
feel part of this project.”
6
6
WHAT RESIDENTS THINK...
Sonja Costello, chair of the Crossley Residents’
Association, and Carol Taylor, vice chair of Primrose
Estate Tenant and Residents’ Association, both attend
the meetings every three months.
Sonja: “The panel gives us residents a chance to
review the performance that Great Places and Wates
are contracted to deliver. It’s also a great opportunity
to meet residents from across other neighbourhoods.
The panel gives us the opportunity to suggest how
local people can help in the delivering of
neighbourhood services day-to-day and how we can
suggest improvements.”
Carol: “I have been involved in resident scrutiny
with Great Places for some time and we really want
to increase the level of interest to do the same for
the PFI services. I get to see the facts and figures of
performance and can speak directly to the people
responsible there and then. From on the ground
inspectors, to people who attend the full panel
meetings, I am really looking forward to new residents
taking an interest and shaping local performance.”
“
Cover
stars!
Have you got time every three months to tell us what we’re doing right and
highlight where we’re going wrong? We’d love to hear what you have to say.
For details of venues and times please contact your neighbourhood co-ordinator,
check www.facebook/OldhamPFI or call 0300 123 2003.
777
NEWS
from the wider borough
Grand designs for the new Coliseum and Heritage Centre
The Council has been working with the Oldham Coliseum Theatre on this exciting new development on
Union Street, home to great places. The scheme will bring the borough’s cultural jewels together at one
integrated town centre site.
Architects, Mecanoo, have now drawn up these new images
showing the proposed front elevation of the modern newbuild Coliseum Theatre and how it would look alongside
the Grade II-listed former Oldham Library and Art Gallery
building, which will become a new Heritage Centre.
The development, just yards from the Oldham Central
Metrolink stop, will seamlessly link up with the adjacent
Gallery Oldham, Library and Lifelong Learning centre.
When complete it would provide two theatre auditoria of 550
and 100 seats with stateof- the-art facilities, a heritage centre
telling the story of Oldham's proud past, galleries, archives,
public research rooms, foyers, bars and meeting spaces.
Jim McMahon, Oldham Council Leader, said: "This latest
vision is the result of careful work which aims to showcase
the beauty of our future – an eye-catching modern Coliseum
Theatre building – in a setting that fully respects and
First stage of leisure
centre complete
complements the grand former library building that will be
given new life as a Heritage Centre."
"This scheme is fundamental to our wider plans that will
make Oldham a destination, help to grow our visitor economy
and inspire civic pride.”
A planning application for the proposals was submitted
just before Christmas – a crucial next step to meet funding
requirements for the plans.
This is a pre-condition for a second round bid that has been
made to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for around £4m in
funding. A separate bid to Arts Council England (ACE) for £5
million was submitted earlier this year. Decisions on both are
expected in Spring 2015.
Subject to confirmation of successful funding bids to the HLF
and ACE – and planning permission – building work is due to
start in 2016.
The steel frame is now finished on Oldham’s new £15m leisure
centre. Now this work is complete it will allow the builders to
start on the next phase of construction.
The centre, which is set to open in autumn 2015, will have a 25m,
eightlane swimming pool with a spectator gallery, eight court sports hall,
80-station fitness studio and four-lane indoor bowls hall. It will mean
Oldham can now host regional and televised sporting contests for the
first time. Don’t forget you can keep an eye on what work is taking place
by watching the council’s time lapse camera at www.oldham.gov.uk/
oldhamleisurecentre
8
8
The new facility is located at the junction of Manchester Street and St
Domingo Street in the town centre.
M&S helps raise the bar
After 130 years Oldham is getting a Marks & Spencer (M&S.) The retail giant’s new store will be
the focal point of the Prince’s Gate at Oldham Mumps development and will occupy a stunning
glazed 51,000 sq ft store selling food, clothing and homeware.
This will have a natural wave form roof, plus around 200
underground parking spaces. A further 66,000 sq ft of retail
space is also available for more high street names. The
retail development will be built on the current Park and
Ride site with a replacement facility being built over the
road at Mumps.
Gate at Oldham Mumps, with up to 800 planned. The
landmark NatWest bank building will also be refurbished
for apartments, plus café/bars and leisure.
Another new retail unit is also proposed for the RSPCA/
Roscoe Mill site to the west of Prince Street. Talks between
the landowner and a major supermarket chain are ongoing.
Above this 18,000 sq ft store there would be around 50
apartment units set across three storeys.
“It is one of the most ambitious redevelopments for
Oldham town centre since the 1980s and will be developed
in phases starting on-site in 2015. The next significant
phase, including opening the new retail development – and
the proposed M&S store – is set for 2017.
Oldham Council began developing retail ideas in 2013,
but quality new homes are now a major part of Prince’s
“We’re again raising the bar: taking positive action to
change Oldham’s story and create a brighter future.”
Councillor Jim McMahon said: “This is a massive piece in
the town centre regeneration jigsaw.
Want the quick, safe and convenient
way to see if you are entitled to
housing benefit or manage your
Council Tax? Then get a new online
My Account with Oldham Council.
It only takes a few minutes to create an
account and once you are up and running
and your details have been verified you can
access services and report problems to the
council.
For example, you can check how much
Council Tax you owe or set up a direct debit.
The online claim forms for Housing Benefit,
Council Tax reduction and free school meals,
which are already available online, are also
accessible via the account.
Along with these services you can also
report up to 21 environmental issues such
as graffiti, potholes and problems with
streetlights.
Life is busy, so being able to get information
and services 24-hours a day is vital. Over
time many more services will be available
through the online account.
Want to improve your basic online skills? Book onto the free computer courses at
the Lifelong Learning centre and your local libraries.
Call Lifelong Learning on 0161 770 5805 or call libraries on 0161 770 8000.
9
The keys to a new life
Alison Oliver was reluctant to leave the home she shared with her husband, Michael
and two sons, but she admits that their new home on Kent Ave in Crossley, one
of the final streets to be built on the new-look estate, will be life-changing for the
family, helping them to meet the needs of their youngest son, who has Down
syndrome and autism. Inspired Living went to see how they’d settled in.
10
Living in a two-bed house with a 19-year old son and a seven and a half
year old son sharing a room doesn’t sound ideal, but when you factor
in that the youngest has Down syndrome, sleep apnoea, and autism,
it seems like an almost impossible scenario for Chadderton-born Alison
Oliver. But, testament to her positivity, she’s not grumbling.
“We were only living five minutes from here. We’d been there ten years and it was a
beautiful street, I absolutely loved it,” explains Alison. “I loved the neighbours and we’d
just had the house re-wired with a new kitchen and central heating. But we knew for our
sons’ future we had to move,” she admits.
The family put their name down on the register, and because of her youngest son’s
needs, were offered one of the last newly built homes on the Crossley estate. They
received the keys just before Christmas and Alison says the extra room and toilet
downstairs have been life-changing.
“Where we were before, when my other son was on leave from the army we could only
fit a blow-up bed in the room for him,” says Alison. “His sleep was disturbed because
the oxygen machine was going off and sometimes he had to sleep on the sofa. With his
own room he can now have his mates round and play on his X box. My youngest son also
doesn’t seem affected by the move at all. He loves doors and there are a lot more in this
house!
“It’s also brilliant having a downstairs toilet because before, if I went upstairs, he’d tried
climbing the stairs to follow me. You had to make sure he was engrossed in something
before you legged it to the toilet!” she laughs.
The new home is classed as a Lifetime Home, which means it can be adapted in the
future. For example, the downstairs toilet can be turned into a wet room.
Even better that the home is only five minutes from his school, Kingfisher Community
Special School. It’s also literally two minutes work from the new Crossley Centre.
“I’ve put my name down for volunteering,” says Alison. “I already work part-time but also
volunteer with First Choice Homes’ mentoring and befriending service which is really
rewarding – I love it. Although there’s nothing for my youngest at the moment I’m hoping
that there eventually will be as there a number of children on this estate with needs
similar to his.”
So what does Alison think about the work that has been done. “I used to play in this area
as a child. It definitely needed improving and I think the work that has been done has
transformed the place.”
11
Primrose Bank Community
Centre is open for everyone!
Hundreds of locals came out in force to celebrate the opening of this fantastic
facility in the heart of Primrose Bank. Inspired Living went to join in the fun.
Oldham Council and Great Places have officially unveiled a new community
centre on Primrose Bank. The new facility – The Primrose Bank Centre – will
provide a hub where a wide range of services and activities can be accessed
not just by local residents but also anyone living across Oldham.
Members of the public are already using the centre and taking part in health
and fitness sessions, housing surgeries and attending IT drop in sessions.
To ensure everyone can have a say on how the centre is run Great Places
Housing Group has set up a management committee made up of councillors
and residents that will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the
centre.
The Primrose Bank Management Committee Group is also applying for
funding to operate a work club in the near future.
The board members will ensure that the centre generates enough income to
cover its costs. Great Places has also contributed £20,000 as an initial start-up
grant.
Long-term resident Carol Taylor, is a member of the management committee.
She said: “I’ve lived on Primrose Bank since 1990 and I’m really pleased with
all the improvements that have taken place recently.
“The estate has a great community spirit and the new centre is a place where
residents can come together, access services or take part in the activities on
offer.”
12
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing,
Planning and Transport, said: “The Primrose Bank Centre is at the centre of
the regeneration of this estate and I’m pleased it is now open so residents
can use it.
“This new facility is right on the doorstep for tenants and means they
don’t have to travel to a place where they can meet friends and take part
in leisure activities and also access a range of services.
“The running of this centre is a great example of co-operative working as it
brings together residents, volunteers, councillors and council officers – all
pulling together to make it a success.
“The regeneration of Primrose Bank and other construction schemes,
such as at St Mary’s and Crossley, are transforming housing estates across
Oldham.
“The building work has also seen local residents provided with
employment and training opportunities and given a boost to the Borough’s
construction industry.”
The centre was built by Wates Construction, on behalf of the Inspiral
consortium which consists of John Laing and Great Places Housing Group.
The centre will be managed for the council by Great Places and maintained
by Wates Construction.
To find out more on how you can access services at the Primrose Bank Centre, enquire about booking
the hall, or just want to volunteer, contact Jan Wade on 0300 123 2003 or the centre on 0161 624
7202, or email [email protected]. Visit The Primrose Bank Centre, Magnolia Gardens.
For more information log onto www.facebook.com/PrimroseCentre
@Primrose_Centre @MyGreatPlace @CrossleyCentre
13
13
PRIMROSE BANK THEN AND NOW
The final bricks were laid in December 2014, and the community centre opened its doors a couple
of weeks ago. Inspired Living shares some memories of what Primrose Bank used to be like before it
was transformed by Oldham PFI.
Primrose Bank pre 2012
Under construction
Ready for action
14
14
Demolished
love Ave
New homes on Foxg
Liz Moss in her new lifetime home
New homes
Ma hmood Azhtar, resid
ent
LIVE TO WORK...
Sandra Hearne moved from an overcrowded home with her family to a brand new home at
Crossley, which she bid for under the Working Extra scheme. Inspired Living went to meet her.
“
I’m already doing
a bit of voluntary
work at the Crossley
Centre which I love
“
“
We were living on the other side of Chadderton in
a First Choice Homes house. We knew that these new
homes were being built so we bid. To be honest we
nearly didn’t get one because First Choice homes had
messed up our application. They didn’t have us down
as Working Extra so we were bidding on Working Extra
homes and not getting anywhere.
We love the house we’ve got now – we’re facing a
field, have our own driveway and it’s four-bedroom. In
our previous home me and my husband were sleeping
on a sofa bed in the lounge which wasn’t very nice.
We’ve got five children so we needed the space!
My husband is a site manager at a school in Lees, St
Edwards – he’s been there eight years. I’m also trying
through Great Places to get back into work. I’m already
doing a bit of voluntary work at the Crossley Centre
which I love. There’s lots going on in the community
centre and you can help a wide variety of people. I
was also one of the first to get on Great Places’ Work
Search programme in Manchester, so hopefully that
will help me get a job.
The voluntary work has helped me because I’d not
worked since my third child was a year old. It’s given
me that confidence to get back into work. It’s nice not
to just talk babies and children! Our neighbours are
lovely. It’s a good community and everyone seems to
be getting on. The great thing is we’re not enclosed
in our little house – if you need anything, people help
out.
I’m encouraging new residents to go to the community
centre – it’s a place we can all be together – you’re not
segregated on your own. Because this estate is big and
open it’s making a difference to how we’re all living.
“
Working Extra homes are only allocated to
bidders who have been doing any of the
following for the previous six months:
• Working at least 16 hours a week
• Volunteering for at least 4 hours a week
• Doing work-related training
• Caring for a household member (as a
registered carer)
To find out more about these new schemes
and how you could qualify, please
contact the One Point Housing Options
Centre on:
T: 0161 700 6699 E: [email protected]
www.fcho.co.uk or go in person to
FCHO at 1 Medtia Square, Phoenix Street,
Oldham, OL1 1AN
15
Neighbourhood NEWS
SONJA AND AMJAD SHINE AT
COMMUNITY STARS AWARDS
The red carpet was laid out for a second time as many
excited residents attended the calendar event of the
year – the Community Stars Awards 2014!
Over 200 Great Places residents attended a glittering ‘Hollywoodstyle’ award ceremony at Gorton Monastery to celebrate their
inspirational achievements in local communities across the north
west and Yorkshire.
The second ever Community Stars Awards was a chance for Great
Places to thank the residents who show compassion, selflessness
and courage on a daily basis. Crossley resident Sonja Costello was
Highly Commended in the Community Champion Award category
for her tireless work in the Oldham PFI communities.
Amjad Khan was also Highly Commended in the Great Places Staff
Award category again for all the work he has done over the last
couple of years to encourage community cohesion.
WATES ON THE MOVE
Crossley has been the
temporary home Wates
for the last three years
but now the site they
called their home (next to
Crossley towers) is now
being transformed into a
car park for visitors.
PLAY SAFE
Children are enjoying the brand
new play areas at Stockfield Lawn
and Primrose Bank.
They’re now open to the public
so please come down and bring
your kids!
16
We won’t
fob you off
Thanks to all our residents who have patiently
waited for the completion of the parking courts.
Car parking gates are now in the process of being
energised across Primrose Bank. Residents who
have parking provision in the parking courts
must use these rather than the highways or road
spaces.
Fobs are currently being issued to applicable
households. Please note that replacement fobs
are chargeable (£46) so please take care of them.
DEW WAY
DEVELOPMENT PLOTS
Development plots have now been top soiled
ready for grass seeding in the spring. The plots
are still expected to be developed out for housing
however timescales at this stage are not available.
Property
DEFECT
INSPECTIONS
Wates Living Space will be contacting all residents
in the coming weeks to arrange initial inspections
for both refurbished and new build refurbished
properties across the Oldham PFI project areas in
order to start any required remedial work.
Appointments will then be made to carry out the
identified work. Please read your letter carefully
once it arrives.
GOING
GREEN-FINGERED
Greenfingers have been appointed as the new
grounds maintenance contractor across all
neighbourhoods. Greenfingers have experience
of delivering high class services across other PFIs
(even one in Oldham!) and are in the process of
opening a local base in Hollinwood. Greenfingers
also carry out grounds maintenance works across
other Great Places housing stock.
Apprentice opportunities will soon be developed
and Great Places, Housing 21 (another housing
provider in Oldham) and Greenfingers are in early
discussions to ensure local residents have the
opportunity to work alongside and scrutinise the
new service. Keep a look out for updates on social
media (see all address details at the front of this
magazine) and in the next issue.
Service charge consultation to be held discussing
services currently provided for those residing in
the towers.
Primrose Bank re
sidents enjoyed
30 days of activiti
at the Primrose
es
Centre which ra
n until 2nd March
preparation for
in
the big open day
(read all about th
open day on page
e
s 12 and 13).
We currently ha
ve Housing and
Police drop-ins
every Monday, 2
– 5 pm, compute
r workshop ever
Thursday 1 – 3p
y
m, and from Mar
ch we’ll be runn
English classes, m
ing
aths homework
classes, chair
based exercise,
football fitness
tr
ai
ning, fencing,
archery and muc
h more.
The way you pay for your water is changing…
Oldham Council and United Utilities have recently decided to end their agreement with how your charges are
collected. For residents who currently pay their charge with their rent this will come to an end from he 6th April
2015, and water charges will be collected directly by United Utilities.
Both United Utilities and Great Places have provided letters to residents affected with guidance on available
payment options. If any residents have any queries that cannot be answered by the letters and questions sheets
issued, please contact Great Places on 0300 123 2003.
17
Health is wealth!
Oldham Council’s first Health and Wellbeing strategy aims to ‘transform the social,
economic, and physical environment into one that positively supports people to
achieve the best possible level of health and general wellbeing across all of Oldham’s
communities’. Inspired Living finds out how the Oldham PFI project is supporting this vision.
We’re in the state-of-the-art community centre in Crossley limbering up for our first ever Zumba class. It’s a
week since the new Primrose Bank centre, on the other side of town, was also opened. These two facilities are,
and will, transform the lives of the people living in the communities surrounding them.
Ryan Smith, Oldham PFI manager, explains: “When we started out on this journey it
was all about providing so much more than bricks and mortar. These two centres will
literally be life-changing for some people. They may have only just opened but
already they are fulfilling Oldham Council’s strategy to improve the health and
wellbeing of the town’s inhabitants.”
As well as Oldham West Football Academy running weekly football
fitness sessions at Primrose Bank centre, there’s fencing and archery, and
hopefully a new 6-week ‘Eat Healthy and Be Active’ course. Zumba will
also be a mainstay at the centre, just as it is in Crossley.
“I only live across the road and saw them building the centre,” explains
Wendy, the Crossley Zumba teacher. I already did a class nearby so I
thought this is ideal and on my doorstep.”
Sheila and Anne, regulars at the Zumba Gold class, also think the
existence of the centre is vital for the area. “We were so pleased when the
centre was built. We’re really into Zumba now because we know what to do.
We’d never done it before but this is low impact so it’s ideal. It’s also perfect
for all ages.”
Visit www.greatplaces.org.uk and search for Oldham PFI
Like us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/OldhamPFI
www.facebook.com/CrossleyCentre
www.facebook.com/PrimroseCentre
Follow us on Twitter:
@CrossleyCentre
@Primrose_Centre
Contact Jan Wade ([email protected]) or
Lynne Anderson ([email protected])
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Oldham Council’s
key themes
Giving every child the best start in life recognises
that children who are healthy from the outset and
ready for school by five years of age are more likely
to achieve their full potential throughout their school
education and lead healthier lives in the long-term
Living, learning and working well recognises the
positive impact that being in work can have on
individuals’ health and wellbeing and focuses on
ensuring that people in Oldham are supported to
be healthy enough to be in work and stay in work
and that communities are resilient to challenges
Ageing well and later life is about ensuring that
appropriate information, services and support are
available to keep older people healthy, active
and engaged in the life of their communities
A Zumba class at the Crossley Centre
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4
Competition time
You could win £20 in vouchers!
Wordsearch
Words to find are:
Primrose Bank
Bouncy Castle
Firemen
Community Centre
Face painting
People
Cake
Sandwiches
Together
Climbing Wall
Mayor
Fun
CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST ISSUE’S WINNERS:
Wordsearch - Mrs Merryman, Chadderton, Stephen
Chilton, Chadderton, Hilma Safeer, Oldham
Spot the difference - Dorothy Sweatman, Chadderton,
Noura Said, Primrose Bank, Abdul Khalik, Chadderton
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Just circle the FIVE differences on picture number
two, cut it out, pop in an envelope and send it in!
You could be one of three lucky people to win £10
worth of vouchers.
Send your entries by post to:
FREEPOST, RLSC-HLLJ-EZRZ, Inspired Living,
Great Places Housing Group, Southern Gate,
729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT.
Don’t forget to include your name, telephone
number and address. The three winners will be
drawn out of a hat so get your entries in by Friday
29th May 2015.
All entries must
be in by Friday
29th May 2015
Remember you
don’t need a stamp!