5Alive Magazine October 2012

Your community magazine serving 31,000 homes in North Sheffield

www.soaregen.org.uk

In this issue…

Dereck’s Health Plan Enjoy the positive benefits that leading a healthier lifestyle can bring.

Church Feeds Hungry Two local organisations operate local food banks to help people in the midst of a crisis.

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Call for U-Turn on Buses Residents call on transport bosses to reverse plans to axe their bus service.

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Photograph by Guy Weston

5Alive5Alive is financially supported by SOAR, NHS Sheffield, Museums Sheffield and the North East Community Assembly

TAKE ME

I’M FREE!

October 2012

2 5Alive email [email protected]

5Alive is a not-for-profit, community magazine produced by SOAR.

We offer competitive advertising rates with introductory offers for new advertisers and discounts for local businesses and new business start ups.

SOAR Works Enterprise Centre Knutton Road, Sheffield, S5 9NU Tel: 0114 213 4065 Email: [email protected]

www.soarcommunity.org.uk www.soarworks.co.uk

www.facebook.com/soarcommunity www.twitter.com/soarcommunity

Do you have a long-term health condition or want help to get active?If you have one of these health conditions:

• Cardiovascular disease • Diabetes • Mental health condition • Pulmonary disease • Overweight (BMI 30+)

Contact Active for Life on the number below Active for Life is a 12 week programme of FREE community-based walks.

If a walking programme is not suitable, you may be offered a gym-based programme at reduced rates at Zest or at a Sheffield International Venues gym.

To find out more about Active for Life call Zest for Health on 0114 270 2040 ext 226

ACTIVE FOR LIFE

Saturday 27th October ‘Clear Mind’ & Saturday 8th December ‘Kind Heart’ Both from 10am - 1pmThese half-day courses are great for people who are new to meditation or those with some experience. They feature 2 guided meditation sessions with a break for refreshments in-between. Both chairs and cushions are put out in the meditation room, so you have a choice of what to sit on.

Saturday 3rd November, 10am - 5pm ‘Advice From The Heart’This day courses features guided meditations, teachings, and a vegetarian lunch. Atisha is an Indian Buddhist Master who gave timeless advice on how to bring peace and harmony into our daily life. This course will explain how everyone can benefit from his advice and live a meaningful, compassionate and peaceful life.Gyaltsabje Kadampa Buddhist Centre 685 - 691 Ecclesall Road Sheffield, S11 8TGTel: 0114 266 1142 Email: [email protected]

Meditation ClassesDear ResidentsWelcome to another jam packed issue of 5Alive! Please remember that this is your community magazine and we welcome contributions from all local residents in the form of stories, articles, poetry or artwork. All the 5Alive contact details can be found at the bottom of the page.

The SOAR Team x

SHIREGREEN NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

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Training Bursary Grants Available!

Do you live or volunteer in Southey or Owlerton Area? Do you want to enrol on an accredited or vocational course but need help with the fees?SOAR may be able to help, through its Bursary Grant Scheme. This funding is available to help overcome the barriers that can stop people from learning. It can be used to pay for, or contribute to the cost of:

For more information contact Diane at SOAR on 0114-213-4065 or email: [email protected]

Facts & Fun Day & the launch of our new Digital Media Centre! Saturday 13th October 10am-4pmWhat’s happening? Come along and find out about the services SOAR provides including; job clubs, health advice, training and development. Meet SOAR Works tenants and resident artists and grab a snack at the local café, which will be serving hot meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day.

For more information contact Ruth on 0114 213 4065 or email [email protected]

SOAR due to launch Digital Media Centre Designed to support the success and development of local businesses and individuals.

SOAR is happy to announce we have been successful in securing funding by European Regional Development Fund to develop and manage a Digital Media Centre running from SOAR Works Enterprise Centre. With support from Sheffield Community Network, we will provide video conferencing facilities, Apple iMacs, Adobe design software, PC’s, camcorders and digital cameras. This will enable the local community and other organisations to learn photography, video and editing skills and access equipment that, without funding for the Digital Media Centre, they might not have had the opportunity to use. The Digital Media Centre will fully launch on Saturday 13th October during the ‘Facts and Fun Day’ (see below) held at SOAR Works Enterprise Centre.

For more information contact Vanessa on 0114 213 4065 or email [email protected]

‘This project is supported financially by the European Union. The project has attracted £1 million investment from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF programme’

• Course fees • Childcare • Transport• Required materials• Specialist equipment

• Learning support• Educational visits• Placements• Accreditation


100’s of residents from Sheffield’s Shirecliffe estate are calling on transport bosses to reverse plans to axe their bus service.Under the proposed Sheffield Bus Partnership, set to be given final approval at a meeting of Sheffield Council’s cabinet on August 22, the number 72 bus will cease to run.The route currently operates several once an hour between the city and Shirecliffe via Cookswood Road and past Parkwood Academy school.

Sheffield Residents call for U-Turn Over Buses

But under the new arrangements, due to be launched in October, the only high frequency service to the area will be the 83 and 83a, which will not run along Cookswood Road or near Parkwood.Burngreave Labour councillor Ibrar Hussain, supported by fellow ward councillor Talib Hussain, said:

“We have had 391 people sign the petition calling for the number 72 to be reinstated. There are many residents supporting the campaign and also Paul Howard, Community Liaison Manager at Parkwood Academy.“The 72 is the only frequent bus running by the Academy, so its loss would cause a lot of problems for young people wanting to travel to school independently.”Under the Sheffield Bus Partnership plans, Parkwood Academy would be served only half-hourly by the 35 and 36 buses.Councillor Hussain said: “The consultation period may have officially ended but many users did not know it was taking place.

“Nobody from South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive came to Shirecliffe to find out the passengers’ views and a lot of people did not know this change was being proposed.

“We would urge them to reconsider these plans which will cause a lot of problems for people on the estate who depend on public transport to get around.”

Councillor Hussain has handed the petition to the office of Councillor Leigh Bramall, the cabinet member whose role includes public transport. Councillor Bramall is also vice chairman of the authority overseeing SYPTE.

Shirecliffe Bus Protest. Councillors Ibrar Hussain and Talib Hussain received a petition from Shirecliffe residents Maureen Wright, Paul Howard, Keith Donston, Vince Conroy and Mick Smith against the withdrawl of the 72 Bus.

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Photography by Hannah Knights

Alongside the PX Story there will be as always an abundance of free tea and an opportunity to explore the building and talk to other people involved in the work in and around the area.

Interested in learning more about the project? Contact Ania at [email protected] or tel. on 077 3150 9854.

You can also read her blog at: www.tinyurl.com/7g3fch4

Ania regularly displays her blog entries in the post office window on Margetson Crescent so if you don’t have internet access you can read it at your local post office instead.

PX Story Winter: DialogueFREE winter event in the atrium at SOAR Works Enterprise Centre — Saturday 17th November, drop in between 11am - 4pmThe last event dedicated to the creation of Parson Cross Story is on this November. This is your last chance to contribute any piece of writing for inclusion in PX Story - a book exploring contemporary Parson Cross compiled with direct input from residents and visitors to Parson Cross.

PX Story is a platform for discussion about your area, exploring and capturing its current shape and imagining the future. This event is open to everyone and you can drop in between 11am and 4pm and is organized by Parson Cross artist in residence Ania Bas.

Some of you might have seen the growing trolley out and about on the streets of Parson Cross. So what is it all about?

The growing trolley is part of TRAILING - a green arts project in Parson Cross. I hope to start using the trolley to hand out seeds to people and help decorate green spaces.

So far I have had some little helpers decorating the Trolley; Megan, Kieran and Ruth helped out outside the Library. We have also been rattling along Buchanan Road and around Parson Cross park testing the off road skills of the wheels and handing out radish seeds and postcards to passers by. Watch out for the trolley and its whereabouts near you, get involved, be part of the trail: share stories about green spaces and gardens, plant some radishes, help create artwork and plant swapping.

Put your garden on the trail…For more information call Charlie on 07979 604 640 or email [email protected]

Meet the Growing Trolley!


The NEAT, Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team, are trainees who do horticultural work in the area and are funded by the Assembly. The support and work they do helps them to find employment elsewhere. This is some of the work they have done this year.

Wincobank – Treat Japanese Knotweed at various sites Windmill Lane – Cut back brambles, litter pick, remove fly tipping from wasteland. Skelwith Drive – Strimming sides of gennel, litter pick, spade and grub off vegetation. Herries Road/Moonshine Lane/Southey – Cut grass on traffic islands, edge off, weeds flower beds and planters on a regular basis. Newman Road Church – remove remains of collapsed wall, weed and dig raised bed. Deerlands Avenue – Mow grass on traffic islands, edge off. Remove fly tipping from behind gardens. Shiregreen Lane – Cut back gennel to allow access to Jacobs Drive. Cut hedge and clear footpath to Wincobank Close. Barrow Road/Meadowhall Interchange – Strim a 2m strip along the footpath edge and remove litter.

If you know of a ‘grot spot’ in your area that needs tidying please contact us.

Last October around 100 people came along to Sheffield City Council’s Cabinet in the Community meeting.

This was such a successful event that it is planned to take place again on

Wednesday 31st October 2012 6-7.30pm at Shirecliffe Community Centre349 Shirecliffe Road, S5 8XJ (you are invited to join your local Councillors and Cabinet members for refreshments from 5.30pm).

Questions can be submitted (use the contact details above) up to 5 days before the meeting. If time is available questions can be asked on the night.

The North East Community Assembly Public Business Meeting will be held following this meeting from 8-9pm.

Other dates for your diary:

• Shiregreen & Brightside Area Ward Meeting Tuesday 9 October, Shiregreen Community Centre, 172 Sicey Avenue, S5 0RN from 1-3pm

• Burngreave Area Ward Meeting Thursday 11 October, Fir Vale School, Owler Lane, S4 8GB, 6-8pm

North East Community Assembly Firth Park Library 443 Firth Park Road Sheffield S5 6QQ

Email: communityassembly [email protected] Tel: 0114 203 7562

Helping to keep the area tidy!

NORTH EAST COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY

Meet the Cabinet

Blog: www.sheffield.gov.uk/northeastnews

Website: www.sheffield.gov.uk/northeast

We know people have ideas about how we could improve or change what we do. If you live in the Southey Ward your local Councillors have asked the Assembly team to find different ways of talking to local residents. One idea is to meet people outside local shops and another idea is to attend local community meetings.

The Assembly team will trial this over the next few months and have already attended the Zest Health Roadshow at St Thomas More Community Centre, Information Day at the Library Learning Zone and met local people shopping at Asda.

Contact us to tell us your views.

Tell us what’s on your mind!

Flowers Brighten up the AreaHanging baskets, tubs, planters and summer bedding have brightened the area this summer, encouraging people to visit, benefiting local businesses and helping the community to feel that their area is cared for. The floral features have been funded by the Community Assembly and Community First and were placed at Longley 4 Greens, Firth Park, Wincobank, Hartley Brook and Nethershire Lane shops and Fife Street. Roundabouts in the Southey ward also benefitted being planted and watered by the Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team.

Contact us if your community group would like FREE daffodils and crocuses to plant.

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“All of our food is provided through the generosity of local people – they are the real stars!” says Chris Marriott, leader of the Jubilee Food Bank, part of City Church North. “We regularly hold collections days in some of our local supermarkets, and we’re amazed at how generous people can be… on a few occasions we’ve literally had people give us whole trolley-loads of food”

Each food bank works slightly differently, but they have one thing in common: to practically help those in need at a time of real crisis. Nick adds, “obviously we would prefer it if food banks weren’t needed, but they are an unfortunate sign of the current difficulties in society at present”.

Both food banks operate on a ‘referral basis’ – meaning that you can’t just ring up and ask for help directly. “If you’ve got no food, it usually means you’ve got no money. And if you’ve got no money, then realistically you need some help to sort things out” say Nick. “In those cases, it is best

Local Churches Team up to Feed the HungryIn todays “austerity” climate, benefit delays, budgeting skills, and unforeseen events, can often lead to an immediate crisis in the lives of many people in our local area. Often the result is that people go days without food, or choose to feed their children instead of themselves.

Two local organisations, PXI - Parson Cross Initiative (A Methodist church project working in partnership with churches and other community groups in and around Parson Cross) and City Church North (who meet at Shirecliffe Community Centre and run Minikidz and Ladies’ Night) – both operate local food banks to help people in the midst of a crisis. They work with other organisations, such as Advice Centres, Children’s Centres, and GP surgeries to provide emergency, non-perishable food to people who are really struggling.

Nick Waterfield, who coordinates activities at PXI’s Food Bank, at Mount Tabor church said,

“Whilst we are glad that as a church we can offer this support – it is very wrong that the current economic crisis has led to more and more families having to turn to such help in this way – and that is why as well as trying to provide this support for as long as it might be needed, PXI and others in the local churches also take every opportunity to speak out about unfairness, injustice and the need to create a greater equality within our economic system.”

to contact the people who can help you sort out your benefits, or come up with a plan to tackle long-term debt or budgeting problems. An advice centre – such as the Foxhill and Parson Cross Advice Centre on Wordsworth Avenue – is a great place to start.”

Perhaps you’re reading this article and wondering how you can help?

“The great thing about food banks is that everyone can be involved in some way” says Chris, “even if it is buying an extra tin of beans, or a packet of tea bags, it all adds up and goes directly to help those in need”. For more information or to arrange a drop-off of donated food, visit our websites: mounttabor.wordpress.com/food-bank or www.jubileefoodbank.org.uk


We can all enjoy the positive benefits that leading a healthier lifestyle can bring…

Dereck is a 66 year old retired bus driver. He retired earlier than anticipated due to poor health and this resulted in weight gain from reduced mobility and poor diet. Dereck was visiting his GP regularly for medication for joint pain, heart fibrillation and high blood pressure but no-one had offered him any support to lose weight or become more active. He suffered an aneurism 2 years ago when he had to be resuscitated several times and was hospitalised for two weeks. After this he went back to his normal lifestyle, and was given no information to suggest that he should make any changes. When he asked his GP in March 2012 if there was any support available for him to lose weight, Dr Starbuck referred him to SOAR’s health services.

SOAR’s Health Trainer supported Dereck to set goals around improving his diet and increasing his physical activity levels. A personal health plan was put in place to help him achieve this and involved changes such as increasing fruit intake by two portions a day and grilling or poaching rather than frying or roasting. Dereck attributes this structured package of support to his success.

Dereck (pictured above right) is one of many beneficiaries of SOAR’s GP Signposting Service and a great role model for anyone looking for the motivation and commitment needed to achieve a healthier lifestyle. This is his story…

He says “I have tried losing weight before on my own… it’s difficult knowing what foods you can eat.”

Also, due to his joint pain he found it difficult knowing what physical activity he could engage in. He was referred to the Active 4 Life scheme, a twelve week programme managed by Zest and this has helped him to exercise at his own pace and in an environment in which he feels comfortable.

6 weeks after his final Health Trainer appointment, Dereck is continuing to go to the gym twice a week and his wife now attends with him. Through the healthy hearts programme at Concord, Dereck’s daughter is able to benefit from free gym membership and so she and her own children now go swimming regularly as well. He has also quit smoking with the support of the Stop Smoking Service through Shiregreen Medical Centre.

When asked if he still has to go for regular GP appointments he said that he “hasn’t been back” and he attributes this to his improved health and wellbeing since engaging with the Health Trainer service.

“Through engaging with his personal health plan Dereck is now enjoying some of the positive benefits that leading a healthier lifestyle can bring and is a great role model for what can be achieved when someone is motivated and committed to achieving their goal.”

Paul Nash, Health Trainer at SOAR

To contact your local Health Trainer please ring either Patrick Edwards 213 4065 or Paul Nash 244 0401. Alternatively you can book an appointment via our website www.soarcommunity.org.uk

This page is funded by NHS Sheffield as part of the Healthy Communities Programme Health and Wellbeing

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Norm and Norma are the faces of the SONIC project, which stands for Social Norms In the Community. The project is designed to understand what residents think and feel about their community.

Norm and Norma have been popping up all over the place, passing on information obtained from local questionnaires, completed around the SOAR area earlier on this year. The questionnaire results revealed a number of interesting facts, including that local residents perceived that 60% of people in the area smoked, when in fact the total is a lot less, nearer 40% and that 20% of residents did not allow smoking in the home whereas the percentage was much higher at 70% - a fact that took a lot of people by surprise. It just goes to show, sometimes things are not as perceived!

The project aims to let local residents know what it is like to live in the SOAR area. It is hoped that letting people know what it is actually like to live in this community will improve health and effect people in a positive way.

Big thanks to all that took part at every stage, it’s been fab to have your support, we couldn’t have done it without you. Massive thanks from the Sonic Team and Norm and Norma..!

Over the past two months the SOAR area has welcomed two new residents, have you seen them?

We are The IBS Network A national charity based here at SOAR Works!

Did you know that 1 in 3 people experience symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome at some point in their life?

We are the only charity to offer support for individuals with IBS by providing a variety of resources to help you take control of your symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome has no known cause or cure, each individual is affected differently and symptoms can change over time, this makes IBS difficult to manage.

Our brand new self-help program and bespoke symptom tracker allow those affected to track symptoms and work out what may be triggering flare ups. We have a growing online community providing support for individuals with IBS; forums where you can chat to others, as well as our very own Facebook and Twitter accounts, so do come say hello!

Although online we aren’t just limited to the internet, we also have a helpline to connect individuals to our specialist nurses and publish our own quarterly magazine! By providing these resources, we are able to help people live with IBS.

We’re currently offering a free trail of the self-care plan online, so if you or someone you know would like to see what we offer you can check us out for free! Please visit our website for more information.

www.theibsnetwork.org

We are also looking for people who might be interested in setting up self-help groups, where individuals can get together and discuss IBS! We can help you through the provision of materials, for you to help yourselves! If you think you could help you can contact us on 0114 272 32 52 or send us an email to [email protected].

Health and Wellbeing This page is funded by NHS Sheffield as part of the Healthy Communities Programme


MONDAYSSlimming World 9.30-11am. Discover how to lose weight and keep it off as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. £4.95 per weekly session or sign up for 6 or 12 weeks for £4.12 per session. Call Christine, on 0114 240 3225

TUESDAYS YOGA Class 10.30am-12pm. Exercises for health and wellbeing including breathing techniques for dealing with stress & Deep Relaxation. Qualified and experienced instructor. Beginners Welcome. Everyone can do Yoga! £5 per session. Contact Chris Noon, Sheffield Satyananda Yoga School on 0114 233 8340

SMART Recovery 1-2.30pm. Do you feel it’s time to make changes? Are you thinking of changing your drinking or drug use? Many people help themselves & each other with SMART Recovery. FREE. For further details contact Danny Wild on 0114 213 4065 or via email at danny.wild@ soaregen.org.uk.

Kids Street Dance 4-5pm. Have fun and make new friends while exploring the excitement of music and dance. £3.50 per weekly session. Contact Lesa Parkin on 07946 608 164

WEDNESDAYSWeight Watchers 10-11am & 6-7pm. Slimming and lifestyle group. Call in and see Emma or go to www.weightwatchers.co.uk for fees and membership offers.

FRIDAYSWriting Well Group 11am-12.30pm. Whatever you enjoy writing, and for whatever reason you enjoy it, why not come along and share your thoughts and ideas with others who enjoy writing too? From

beginners to experts they’ll be space for you to work on developing your style and skills with others. There is a small charge for refreshments only. Contact Nick Waterfield on [email protected]

The Community Guide Email your community activities info to [email protected]

MONDAYSLongley 4G Job Club 10am–12.30pm. Help with CV’s, interview techniques, how to fill in a job application, job searches. No referrals needed and you don’t need to be unemployed. FREE

Longley Little Ones 9.30am–11.30am. Play group aimed at carers & children under 5yrs every Monday, no booking required. £1 per family

All Stars Street Dance 4–5pm. Ages 4+. Contact Lesa for details on 07946 608 164. £3.50

TUESDAYSZumba 6.30–7.30pm. £3.50 no booking required

WEDNESDAYSLongley Wrigglers 9.30–11am. Aimed at carers with newborns to pre-walkers & pregnant families, older siblings are welcome

Rounder’s with Activity Sheffield* 4–5.30pm. Ages 8–16. On the MUGA games area. FREE *Weather permitting

THURSDAYSConfidence Through Singing 10am-12pm. No experience needed to attend. Meet people in your local area. Small charge.

FRIDAYSLongley 4G Job Club 9.30am-12pm. Help with CV’s, interview techniques, how to fill in a job application, job searches. No referrals needed and you don’t need to be unemployed. FREE

The Learning Zone Wordsworth AvenueS5 8NL

Longley 4 G 41 Southey Avenue S5 7NN

SATURDAYSFootball with Activity Sheffield* 10.30am–12pm. Ages 8–16. On the MUGA games area. FREE *Weather permitting

Longley 4G now offer a debt and benefit outreach advice service. Please contact direct for more info.

Café now open under new management, Mon–Fri, 7.30am-2pm

For more details: Tel: 0114 233 2984 www.longley4g.btck.co.uk

PX Forum 56 Margetson Crescent S5 9NBMONDAYSChairobics 10–11 am, £2 per session, 16 years+ Contact Health Works on 0114 234 4445

Zumba 12–1pm, £3, 16 years+ Latin American style music a great way to meet friends, have fun and lose weight.

School of Theatre Dance 4pm–9pm, £4, 3 years+ Contact Sharon Berry on 0114 246 6126

Pilates for Back Pain 6pm-7pm, £3, 16 years+ Places must be booked

TUESDAYSBokwa 10am-11am, £3.50, 16 years+

School of Theatre Dance 4pm–8pm, £4, 3 years+ Contact Sharon Berry on 0114 246 6126

Taekwondo 6pm-8pm, £6 Contact Darren Kilner on 07765 394 299

Tap Dance 8.15pm-9.15pm, £3, 16 years+

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Its Back to Business at The Learning ZoneAfter the Summer Holidays, it’s back to business as usual, here at The Learning Zone. The Yoga class is running again, after its’ August break, and continues to be very popular, with both regulars and new comers enjoying the weekly sessions.

Other regular groups include Slimming World and Weight Watchers. Both groups are happy to take new members, so if you are wanting to lose a few pounds before Christmas, pop in and have a chat. Details of the sessions can be found on the Community Guide page.

Along with our usual activities, a NEETs Drama Project has recently started as well as a Drama project for children and young people funded by Sheffield City Councils, Libraries, Archives & Information Service.

We also have Satori Group Counselling sessions, which can be accessed through SOAR Health and Writing Well sessions available to all.

For further details on any of the above or to book a room here at The Learning Zone please contact Sheila on 0114 232 6211, or pop in to the office on the first floor.

WEDNESDAYSWiggleTots 10am-11am, £3.50, 12 mnths-5 yrs

Lunch Club 12pm-2pm, £4 for a 2 course meal 16 years+

Boxercise 6.30pm-7.30pm, £3 Contact Darren Kilner on 07765 394 299

THURSDAYSIT Word Processing Level 1 9.30-11.30am, 16 years+ Cost to be confirmed

PX Batters 10am-12pm, £2, 16 years+

IT Drop In 1.30pm-3.30pm, 16 years+ Cost to be confirmed

Line Dancing 6pm-8pm, £3, 16 years+

FRIDAYSCooking for Christmas 10am-12pm, 16 years+ 5 weeks £10 total

EVERY DAYThe Appletree After School Club 3pm-6pm, £8, 2nd child £7.25, 3-12 years. Can pick up from schools; Monteney, St Thomas More and Mansell. Contact Ann on 0114 257 1427 or 07702 185 958 or email [email protected]. If not otherwise stated please contact the Forum for more details: Email: [email protected] Tel: 0114 327 9727 www.pxforum.org

Activity Sheffield

TUESDAYSWalk, Jog and Run 6.30pm - 7.30pm, £1. Starting 25 September. All abilities welcome. Foxhill Medical Centre (come to the back door)

WEDNESDAYSChairobics & Games 10.30am - 12.30pm Wolfe Road Centre

Call Activity Sheffield on 0114 273 4266 for more information!

Thanks to funding from the Award of Positive Activities small grants, Parson Cross Community Development Forum will be delivering a creative arts project for young people aged 8 to 13 at the forum in Parson Cross. We will be running a full week of theatre/drama workshops during the October half term, giving young people the opportunity to work with Point Blank Theatre Company. At the end of the week the kids will be putting on a short production which they will showcase to friends and family.

They will be acting, singing, dancing, making costumes and props and learning what work goes into putting on a production. They will gain an insight into the world of theatre, learn new skills and find alternative ways to express themselves. There is a maximum of 35 places available. If you would like more information or you are between the ages of 8 and 13 and would like to attend then get your parent/guardian to give us a call 0114 327 9727 or email [email protected].

Show Stopper at PX Forum


Firth Park Community Allotment on Vickers Road in Firth Park is going from strength to strength thanks to the support of local people. The food growing project has become a vital resource where adults and children alike learn to grow, pick and eat the food grown in the allotment, which is funded by the Big Lottery Local Food Fund.

Started in 2004 by Heeley City Farm in partnership with Firth Park Surestart, the initial double plot has grown to three in the last 18 months and has recently been awarded a Green Flag Community Award in recognition of its progress.

Dot Rodman, who manages the site on behalf of the Farm along with Vicky Cooper, is beaming with pride on behalf of all the people who have helped to turn the allotment into such a well loved resource.

Childminders Helen Hall and Jill Schofield have been bringing children to the allotment to take part in the growing sessions since they first started.

‘We like it here because it’s contained and safe for the kids to explore,’ they said ‘It gives them freedom to wander round and it’s nice that they can just get mucky! To have such a brilliant facility on our doorstep is great and it’s a wonderful experience. A lot of kids think that food grows in supermarkets but here they can see where food really

comes from. The kids will eat loads of fruit and vegetables here even if they don’t eat them at home, because they’ve picked them themselves.’

Tracey Billups-Naylor attends Veg Patch Kids with daughter Luna. She said ‘Luna is much more confident as a result of coming here – she runs around all over. She is also much better at eating vegetables because she is around food when she’s here. She gets really excited about visiting!’

Paul Harrison is the allotment’s longest serving volunteer; he started in 2009 and has been helping out ever since. Paul said ‘I’d be lost now if the allotment weren’t here. I love helping with gardening and projects – I’m looking forward to work starting on the polytunnel

extension. I’m always learning new things and it’s therapeutic too; the kids are kept busy and it’s peaceful – I come here to de-stress!’

‘People are blown away when they come to visit us’ says Dot ‘They are amazed at how much there is to do here and how fantastic the

site looks. The Green Flag Award is a massive pat on the back for everyone involved. We’re so grateful for all the hard work that has been put in by adults and children alike and we are going to have a BBQ party to say thank you!’

If you would like to attend any of the sessions including the Dad’s group, toddler’s groups or the adult volunteering session please contact Dot Rodman on 07985 421 346 for details.

FIRTH PARK ALLOTMENT GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

I’m always learning new things and it’s therapeutic too; the kids are kept busy and it’s peaceful – I come

here to de-stress!’

5Alive Magazine October 2012

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Transcript of 5Alive Magazine October 2012