12th May 2008
From Helen:
Helen here again to update you on our activities. All our existing activities are continuing whilst the team here at the Link are working on our forward plan for the next three years... and trying to persuiade the Welsh Assembly Goverment to continute funding us. If you have any good ideas about future projects, please could you let us know! Also, if you haven't been asked to fill in a questionnaire (see below) please pop into the office to see Julie or Bob and they'll be happy to help!
Helen
26th February 2008
From Helen:
How to get involved......Forthcoming Events
Café
Once a Dad’s Group is established we hope to create a ‘Curry Club’ - please let Geraint Hughes at Forest Children's Centre know if you're interested on 01633 816774.
Community Consultation
The Parent’s Forum are taking forward a Duffryn-wide consultation exercise to establish a baseline of evidence about the needs and opportunities within the community. The exercise is intended to consult with active groups within the community, including the Trustees of Duffryn Community Link and will be updated on an annual basis. ‘Participatory Appraisal’ training has included information on confidentiality, ethics, equal opportunities and safety as well as research methods. Call Helen on 01633 816916!
Midnight Sports League
Starting mid January a midnight sports league is to be set up over at the Duffryn Sports Centre through a partnership approach, in order to engage young people in positive activity on a Friday night. The project will incorporate many agencies to deliver appropriate workshops focusing on drugs, alcohol, fitness, nutrition and personal safety. Call Lucy 01633 816916 for more information.
General Update
Positive Press
We are very proud of the Chair of the Link who is now Biagio (Joe) Chiummo MBE, following his recent attendance at the Palace by request of Prince Charles H.R.H.
Recent positive headlines from Duffryn, in the Argus, have included:
Welsh Assembly Government feedback
The Assembly are very happy with our current approach and we will be working with partners across Newport to develop a strategic vision for the future of Communities First/Next. We have re-submitted the annual report to reflect more realistic targets for this year.
Staff
Christine Barrall was thrown a good-bye buffet and thanks for her enthusiastic and untiring approach to her job as pre-school co-ordinator. We are very pleased to welcome Chantelle Vaisey as the pre-school co-ordinator.
Cafe
Congratulations to Donna and the volunteers! Café Coed gained a ‘Silver Standard’ award for hygiene from the Food Standards Agency. At a recent meeting, Bob expressed his thanks on behalf of Duffryn Community Link for the constant financial and professional support provided by the staff at FCC.
Food Co-op
This is going well and celebrated it’s third anniversary in October. Chris Kemp-Philp is now responsible for ordering and we continue to give best possible value for money; we deliver to those who are infirm to make it as accessible as possible. As with all health related matters the winding up of the Inequalities in Health/Big Sister project in January will have a detrimental impact. Bob has always enjoyed fantastic support from Bev Pader-Jones and Denise Cox and wishes to say a big thank you on behalf of the group.
Bike Club
Bob recently met with Mark Nichols and Bethan Tucker of Duke of Edinburgh scheme. They are interested in using the Bike Club facility to deliver Duke of Edinburgh to sixth formers from Caerleon Comprehensive School. We hope to get some training for Bike maintenance so please let us know if you're interested.
Parent’s Forum
Parent's Forum are undertaking training to understand the structure of meetings/committees, provided by GAVO.
It is also intended that the Parent’s Forum will take forward a Duffryn-wide consultation exercise to establish a baseline of evidence about the needs and opportunities within the community. The exercise is intended to consult with active groups within the community, including the Trustees of Duffryn Community Link and will be updated on an annual basis. ‘Participatory Appraisal’ training will take place on Mondays 3.15-4.15 throughout December and includes information on confidentiality, ethics, equal opportunities and safety as well as research methods.
Sports
5 young people (4 x male, 1 x female) recently completed the Dragon Sport Generic sports coaching course that took place at Duffryn Sports Centre. This qualification will allow the young people to coach children of primary school age (7 – 11 yrs).
3 young people have taken part in a Netball coaching award. All coaching qualifications are essential for the young people to gain as they provide them with ideas and most importantly the insurance needed to coach children. 2 young people are already paid workers on the Sports Development programme and 2 more are currently being trained up. The young people are doing extremely well at coaching the younger children and are essential role models for the younger children who look up to them.
4 young people have completed their Emergency First Aid.
Community Sessions
Sessions are well attended; football boys and girls, netball, basketball, rugby, yoga and Extend.
After School sessions
Again sessions are well attended; Gymnastics, Rugby, Netball, Football.
Volunteering
Many young people are volunteering and younger children are keen to follow in the footsteps. It is essential that time and money is invested into these young people as it helps their personal development greatly and shows the younger generation what they can achieve. 2 young people received the 16yrs+ award at the GAVO presentation evening. Such awards are essential for young people to gain to give them the recognition they deserve!
Newport Saracens
Newport Saracens have taken control of Maesglas Fields and wish to engage with sports activities run from Duffryn Community Link.
Sports Centre
The Sports Centre Management Committee has been revived and will meet on the 23rd November 2007.
Sports Forum
The Sports Forum will focus on the state of the Cage or Courts area in Duffryn and see whether the facility is being fully utilised and how it could be used in the future.
Youth Forum:
Much of the work taken forward by Youth Forum aligns us with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We will be working further towards this with Ann Culverwell (Newport City Council Children’s Rights and Complaints Officer) to engage younger age groups.
Duffryn Dragons:
Staff involved in ‘Duffryn Dragons’ have met with the youth services Duke of Edinburgh coordinator and we shall be delivering the Award to young people who attend these sessions.
Employment Advisor:
Heather has been very successful in assisting people into work and her client contact list is extensive. There are many opportunities for employment through retail developments, local employers and through the Flying Start recruitment that we hope to run in December for the new facility at Forest Children’s Centre. She is currently working in partnership with Chris Porter, Bob and with Streets Ahead to develop further opportunities.
Creative Communities
Two photography students from University of Wales College Newport have chosen Duffryn as the focal points for their projects. Toby is focusing on the people of the area and Tom on the physical environment. Toby is to meet the authors of thethe Nightingale’s Story and is keen tophotograph some of the participants.
BEST course
The graduation of the BEST course happened on Wednesday 7th November, and included the Senedd tour and presentation of certificates by Rosemary Butler AM. A press release was sent to the Argus. Some members of this group will be involved in the future consultation exercise being led by the Parent’s Forum.
New Flying Start Provision.
The new demountable is now in place in the existing Forest Children’s Centre grounds. Due to delays we will now expect children to enter the programme on the 14th January 2008.