Don't forget the childcare!
Concern was expressed recently that childcare didn't figure greatly in the New Deal for Communities Plan at this stage.
Mellissa Edwards-Azores, new Surestart co-ordinator said:
"If there are all these local people training up for jobs, what are they going to do with their kids? Are all the jobs going to be from 9.00am to 3.00pm?"
The problem is made more difficult by the shortage of childcare workers in the City. It could need a dedicated project to train up local people to do the childcare.

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New Support for Council Tenants!

A new service will ensure that new and current vulnerable tenants will receive support to live independently in the community.

The service aims to prevent tenancy breakdown, disconnection of essential services such as gas and electricity, homelessness or admission to institutions.

Access to health and social care services will be improved and tenants will be encouraged to get involved in other community initiatives including any training and employment opportunities available. Tenants will be supported until they are established in their own homes and community and feel able to live independently.

The service will also be a pilot for a model of community based support which, if successful could then be used in other neighbourhoods.

The project is being run as a partnership between Housing Services; the Health Authority and two voluntary sector organisations, Nomad and the Somali Mental Health Project, both of whom have experience of providing support services.

Ann Ellis, project development manager said:
"The Healthy Housing Project, funded by the Sheffield Health Action Zone has provided an opportunity to develop this new model of support. Growth in neighbourhood support services is vital to ensure that residents benefit from service at a local level, and the community sees it as a local resource. We hope that the work we are doing can be used as a model for future neighbourhood schemes in the way that the programmes are delivered and funded."
For further information please contact Ann Ellis at diva on 0114 203 9486

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New Help for Home Owners over 60!

The Home Inspection Service (HIS) is a brand new, not-for-profit service. Our aim is to improve quality of life for older home-owners by helping make homes safe, secure and free from serious disrepair. We can help with any type of problem, from fixing light bulbs to giving advice on major structural repairs. Our services are free to any owner-occupier over sixty. We provide:

A property survey by an experienced surveyor

Information and advice about assistance that may be available

Help to obtain grants where possible

Assistance with finding builders and getting quotes

Referrals directly to other people who can offer help

Monitoring building work to ensure it is completed to reasonable standards

Follow up advice to help you keep routine repair problems within control

Ring 272 3434.

We will arrange a home inspection within 10 working days and then work with you or the client to achieve the best solutions for their particular housing problems.

We are part of Yorkshire Metropolitan Housing Foundation working in partnership with Sheffield City Council, Age Concern Sheffield and Sheffield Health Action Zone.

Sam Sykes, Project Manager.