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Birley Spa lunch club on the lookout for new volunteers

Birley Spa lunch club is on the hunt for new volunteers so that it can continue providing twice weekly sessions to 39 local older people at Hackenthorpe Community Centre.

Birley Spa lunch club receives grant funding from the council and provides a hot, two course meal to its members twice a week. Those who attend enjoy the time to chat and meet friends, play bingo and go out on day trips together.

After years of running the lunch club, the current club organiser, who has volunteered their time freely until now, is stepping down at the end of May, welcoming a retirement from the role. The club has made a real difference to the lives of its members and all those that have been involved in the running of the club.

Unfortunately there isn’t a volunteer team to hand over the running of the club to and the last lunch will be on Wednesday 30th May unless new volunteers step forward. It’s an opportunity for the local community to get together and think about what they’d like to enjoy and run in their area.

Sheffield City Council has supported the development of more than 50 lunch clubs for many years, recognising the important role these clubs play in helping to reduce the social isolation that may accompany old age, frailty and bereavement. The majority of the clubs are independent self-help groups run by older people for older people. They offer an opportunity for older people to meet together, to share a meal and socialise.

If anyone would like to volunteer to set up a new club, Adele Hunt, Voluntary Sector Liaison Officer at Sheffield City Council can provide information on what’s involved in running a club and what skills and commitment are needed. She can offer information and contacts on a range of topics such as working out a budget, health and safety laws, membership referrals, fundraising, equipment needed, volunteer inductions, club constitutions, activities and record keeping. Although the current grant fund isn’t open to new applications, a new club in Birley could be supported with an interim grant subject to meeting funding criteria and having volunteers who can be financially accountable for funding.

Adele said: “We would love new volunteers to come forward with some exciting ideas. There is no restriction on which day of the week the club should run or what other activities they could provide to members. Everything is an option if somebody has the idea and commitment to make it happen.”

Jim Steinke, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety said: “Lunch clubs play an important role in our local communities and rely on volunteers to make sure that they continue. Feedback shows that the regular opportunity to meet and chat is one of the most important things members value and for some, the weekly lunch club is their only opportunity to socialise. We hope that Birley Spa lunch club stays open because of the difference it makes to its local community.”

Adele can be contacted on 0114 273 4631 by anyone interested in setting up a new club in Birley.

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HELP US HELP

Councillor Karen McGowan with Help Us Help volunteers

Councillor Karen McGowan joined volunteers to promote Help Us Help which is a collaboration between services who support those who find themselves homeless or begging. Many have complex needs and Sheffield services have the experience to address these issues. Councillor McGowan said “I am member of the Safer & Stronger Communities Scrutiny on Sheffield City Council and in November 2017 we had a report on Street Culture. I knew there was support in Sheffield but I was so impressed by the work the charities are doing and how they are all working together with Sheffield City Council. When I heard about the Help Us Help I just wanted to show my support by volunteering to promote the good work being done in partnership”. There is a website www.helpushelp.uk that has been designed to educate and help inform members of the public about:

• What support is available, housing, food, health etc
• Which charities operate in Sheffield
• What commissioned services are available
• How people can help, volunteering, donating items, financial donation to preferred charities
• Improving the help for people on the streets

The reasons behind this are that there are lots of myths about vulnerability in Sheffield, we want to raise awareness and to promote the great work of the locally based charities. You can help by:

1. Give time or donations to charities that provide support – research shows that giving money directly to people who beg can do more harm than good.
2. Have a chat with someone and encourage them to access support services.
3. Give food or a drink rather than money. Some local outlets run pay in advance schemes www.pendingcoffee.co.uk
4. Buy a Big Issue – vendors buy The Big Issue North and then sell it on to their customers. Vendors are working, not begging and need public support.

To find out more and to support Help Us Help see www.helpushelp.uk

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Keeping Safe & Well In Birley

co-op 3-7-17

On Monday July 3rd, the Birley Ward Councillors (Cllr Bryan Lodge, Cllr Denise Fox and Cllr Karen McGowan) did a morning outside the Co-op on Frecheville with partnerships from Trading Standards, Housing Services, Community Support Workers and Sheffield City Councils Locality Support Officer. Together they handed out free Community Information packs and talked to local people about keeping safe and well.

In the afternoon they had a stall inside the Co-op on White Lane and repeated the activity. Councillor Karen McGowan said “the people we spoke to really appreciated the information they were receiving and thought it was a good idea. I would like to thank our partner organisations for joining with us and supporting this initiative”.

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Streets Ahead Scheme Feedback Survey

The Streets Ahead Scheme in Sheffield is the city wide highways maintenance project currently upgrading the condition of the city’s roads, pavements, street lights, bridges and other items on or around the streets.

 

A feedback survey has been re-launched with the aim of asking residents what they think about the upgrades that have been carried out across the city so far.

 

This survey is open until the 7th October with the results available in late Autumn.

 

All the team at the Streets Ahead are interested in any feedback you want to share.

 

You can complete the survey in less than 10 minutes at the following link:

 

https://sheffield.citizenspace.com/place-business-strategy/streetsahead.

 

Thanks,

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The Launch of a new Power Cut Number – 105

Please see below information from Northern Powergrid regarding the launch of a new phone number:

 

On 6 September a new national phone number ‘105’ will be launched by electricity network operators for customers to call should they need to report or get information about a power cut in their area.

 

We want to work with our stakeholders to help build a strong awareness of this important new service.

 

We’d be grateful in the weeks prior to the official launch if you could consider any opportunities, and where possible prepare, to help support the communication of 105 so together we can maximise awareness from 6 September and beyond.

 

Key points about this service are:

  • Dialling 105 will put customers through to the electricity network operator who manages the cables, power lines and substations that deliver electricity into homes and businesses in their area.
  • 105 is just one of the ways that customers will be able to contact their electricity network operator. They can also contact them by phone or via their website, and most network operators, including Northern Powergrid, are on social media too.
  • 105 is a free service for people in England, Scotland and Wales.
  • Customers can call 105 no matter who they choose to buy electricity from.
  • Customers can also call 105 if they spot damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put anyone in danger. If there’s a serious immediate risk, they should call the emergency services too.

An awareness campaign will run from September through to next spring and will include PR, media advertising, social media and coordinated messaging through partner channels.

 

Hopefully you can help us to raise awareness of this important new national 105 service through your channels, once the service is launched.  We can provide you with the following materials for use from 6 September:

  • Copy for newsletters, websites and magazines
  • 105 imagery
  • Tips on what to do in a power cut
  • Comment from our spokespeople
  • Images which can be used on your social media pages
  • An animated film explaining 105
  • We can also work with you to co-create bespoke content specifically for your channels, where appropriate.

We will also want to continue to work with partners to raise awareness of 105 in the longer-term.

 

If you have any questions or would like any further information, do let us know.  Also, if you’re able to support awareness raising of 105, please can you let us know when, where and how you can help by emailing yourpowergrid@northernpowergrid.com

 

Thank you for your help.

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Cllr Denise Fox as Sheffield’s new Lord Mayor

We would like to congratulate Councillor Denise Fox who is now Sheffield’s new Lord Mayor.

 

Denise is the 120th Lord Mayor of Sheffield, and the 17th female, and has been a loyal Labour Councillor for the Birley Ward since 2005.

 

Denise said ‘I will carry out my role as Lord Mayor the 1st citizen of Sheffield to the best of my ability, and I look forward to the year ahead’.

 

Congratulations Denise and good luck in your new role!

Mayor

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Thursday 5th May is Voting Day

Thursday 5th May is the chance for Sheffield residents to use their voice (well feet) to come out and vote in the city wide elections.

 

We hope the residents of Birley, Charnock, Frecheville and Hackenthorpe will support your local Labour party and help us continue to make our community better for all.

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Birley Ward Councillor Meetings for 2016

Your Birley Ward Councillors hold regular advice surgeries every month should you need to speak to someone in person. These are held at:

• Hackenthorpe Community Centre, Main Street on the 1st Saturday in the month (9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.)

• Gleadless Library, White Lane on the 2nd Wednesday in the month (4.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.)

• Frecheville Library, Smalldale Road on the 3rd Saturday in the month (11.00 a.m. to 12 noon)

• Open Door Learning Centre, 11-13 Birley Moor Crescent on the last Tuesday in the month (3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.)

(Please note there are no surgeries in August. However, you can contact one of the ward councillors directly for help or advice during this month).

 

The Birley Ward branch meetings are to be held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at the Hollinsend Methodist Cricket Club, Fox Lane, Sheffield S12. All meetings start at 7.30pm. The dates are:

19 January 2016

16 February 2016

15 March 2016

19 April 2016

17 May 2016

21 June 2016

19 July 2016

August 2016 no meeting

20 September 2016

18 October 2016

15 November 2016

December 2016 no meeting

DISTRICT LABOUR PARTY (DLP) MEETINGS FOR 2016

Venue: 7.30 p.m. at the Trades & Labour Club at 7.30 p.m.

All members are welcome to attend but only those that are the Branch delegates are able to vote. These are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (except for August)

SOUTH EAST CONSTITUENCY LABOUR PARTY (CLP) MEETINGS FOR 2016

Venue: 7.15 p.m. at Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Tannery Street, Woodhouse

All members are welcome to attend but only those that are the Branch delegates are able to vote. These are held on the 3rd Friday of each month (except for August and December)

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Congratulations to Councillor Denise Fox – Deputy Lord Mayor of Sheffield

1

Birley Ward Labour Party would like to congratulate Denise Fox on becoming the new Deputy Lord Mayor of Sheffield.

 

She was nominated by her fellow Sheffield Councillors and took up the role on 21st May for the municipal year 2015 – 2016.

 

We wish Denise all the best and look forward to hearing more from her in future about how the role of Deputy Lord Mayor is progressing.

2 (1)

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Councillor Denise Fox interview – Part 2

Continuing the Birley Ward Labour interviews, the second part of our conversation with Councillor Denise Fox is below:

 

Councillor Denise Fox
Councillor Denise Fox

 

Denise, what do you see as the main role of a Councillor?

 

It all starts with serving local residents. As a Councillor I represent every member of the community and also sit in full council meetings, debating issues that are important to all of Sheffield. I also feel its important to help people with issues they feel are significant, and help people understand the political process better.

 

What do you like most about Sheffield?

 

I love Sheffield. I think we have everything a city needs, from great education, theatres, football, cinemas and shops, and to top it all off we are surrounded by lovely countryside!

 

How do you fit the Council duties around your day job and family?

 

You need to have the support of your family, colleagues and friends. Being a Councillor never stops, and so understanding from those around you is key. I like to think I balance the different responsibilities well, and sometimes even combine them by bringing my grandchildren along to the Birley Blitz litter picking events!