So we have been busy during the last few months trying to help as many projects as possible.

• We have seen the start of the renovation of  West Runcorn Youth Centre  which is all very exciting.
• SHAP launched their fishing trips in Ditton with vulnerable adults.
• We are working with Victoria Road Primary School to launch their gardening project with building an outdoor classroom and planetrs at Halton Housing Trusts Queens Close bringing some intergenerational work.
• Help with funds to Ditton Primary School to offer skills and training to parents and locals.
• Sponsored 12 Health Walk schemes for SHAP.

We are now starting to work in Upton  attending exisitng groups, so if anyone has any issues in Upton or knows of any projects and grousp that may need some assistance be it finacial or volunteers then please get in touch.

Thanks

Michele

 Widnes residents enjoyed a day of fishing last week as part of a new project designed to reduce social isolation and get people back to nature.

 Service users from charity SHAP Ltd spent the day at popular beauty spot Clincton Woods in Widnes, learning how to prepare equipment for fishing and how to catch fish, in a project jointly funded by Halton Housing Trust’s Beyond the Garden Gate programme and Partner Construction.

 Richie Boswarva, SHAP Project Leader, leads the project. He said: “SHAP works to provide involvement opportunities for ‘excluded groups’ such as people with mental health issues, older people and the homeless. I thought that a fishing project would be ideal, as it helps people relax, clear their minds and forget about their problems. It also gets people outdoors to appreciate nature in a setting that helps to break down barriers and tackle stigma and discrimination.”

 The £3000 donation from Halton Housing Trust’s Beyond the Garden Gate programme and Partner Construction has bought 10 sets of brand new fishing rods and equipment for SHAP, meaning that groups can enjoy regular sessions at the Clincton Wood pond throughout the year.

 21-year-old Darrell O’Hare has been homeless for the past three months. Currently living at the YMCA hostel in Runcorn, he said: “I’m really enjoying myself today and it’s good to get out of the hostel. It’s quiet and relaxing here and I’ll definitely come again. I used to fish when I was a kid so it’s good to pick it up again.”

 Michele Murphy runs Halton Housing Trust’s Beyond the Garden Gate project, a neighbourhood investment programme that works with Halton communities to prioritise funding for local projects.

 “We didn’t hesitate to help when Richie approached us for funding, as it’s a fantastic project,” said Michele. “The reserve really is a hidden gem and it’s a fantastic resource for the local community, so hosting a fishing project was a great idea.”

 Partner Construction pride themselves on building relationships with local communities. Marketing Manager James Farrell said: “Partner Construction developed the Avondale Drive scheme for Halton Housing Trust.  It’s important for us that we establish partnerships with local organisations to give a little back to the locality after our construction programme has completed.

 “We asked the Trust if we could support in any way and Michele suggested the fishing project. It’s fantastic to be involved and to create a sustainable community activity that everyone can enjoy.”

 SHAP plan to host many more fishing days for service users at Clincton Woods, including separate half term and summer sessions for local young people. Fishing days will run in the May, June and summer school holidays for one day a week. For further information about SHAP’s fishing projects, contact Richie on 0151 257 7502 or email richieboswarva@shap.org.uk.

Things may have seemed a little quiet lately over at Beyond the Garden Gate however I have been busy working in the office helping to get some of the projects for Weston underway.

 Weston held a community vote in May, the vote were collated and a top ten list produced, going through the list we are going to help these projects the top ten list was as follows:

 1.Weston Point Pre School new outdoor area with work currently underway

 2.Weston School area more lighting leading to the golf course. Street  lighting is something dealt with by Halton Borough Council but Beyond the garden Gate is happy to support the community in raising this issue with the Council

 3.Russell Road Youth Centre- refurbishment of the centre in which we are planning with the committee there.

 4.Demolition of Russell Road derelict bungalow. This is being dealt with by Halton Housing Trust

 5.Lambsickle Lane environmental tidy up of overgrown footpath. Although this is the responsibility of Halton Borough Council Beyond the Garden Gate is happy to support this and help with the initial tidy up.

 6.St Johns Church- Post Office. Due to lack of information with costings and ability to set up we are therefore unable to provide funding currently for this project, however are happy to support this project within the future.

  7.Castner Avenue additional lighting around the small play park.Street lighting is something dealt with by Halton Borough Council but Beyond the garden Gate is happy to support the community in raising this issue with the Council

8.Christ Church- new industrial oven. Just waiting for the cheque to be signed and sealed before we post it out to Rev Beth Gardner

9.Companys Close additional street lighting and off road parking. Street  lighting is something dealt with by Halton Borough Council but Beyond the garden Gate is happy to support the community in raising this issue with the Council

 10. Community clean up day

 It is really exciting working with all the different projects so hopefully I will be able to put some photos up soon with the progress!!! Until then please visit and like our facebook page for more regular updates

 Thanks Michele

Neighbourhood Regeneration Officer

Any ideas to put forwad please contact Lesley Keeble email address: lesleykeeble@theapollogroup.co.uk

Michele Murphy, Neighbourhood Regeneration Assistant, will soon be writing a fortnightly blog about all things Beyond the Garden Gate.

I’m sure you all want to know what projects are in the pipeline. We work very hard behind the scenes – planning, costings things up and working with a wide variety of partners to make things happen.

Check in here over the next few weeks to view Michelle’s first post

A courtyard has been transformed thanks to one woman’s hard work and a donation from Halton Housing Trust’s Beyond the Garden Gate programme.

Bumblebees, pear and grape trees now adorn the courtyard at Alice Court in Widnes after resident Kathleen Yates used her green fingered magic to transform a communal area next to her home.

New resident Kathleen, 60, received five tonnes of soil from the Trust after her request was picked up via online networking site Facebook: “When I moved into Alice Court three months ago, I bought lots of plants from my previous home. There was an unused raised bed and I thought that I could sow my plants there. I just needed some soil, so I contacted Halton Housing Trust via Facebook and they got back to me straight away.”

“Within a few days, workmen had delivered the soil. I’m so pleased with the garden – it looks lovely now.”

The funds were provided by Halton Housing Trust’s Beyond the Garden Gate.

Kathleen has filled the communal bed with flowers including lupins and sunflowers, and also created a leaf covered archway and planted grape and pear trees.

Michele Murphy, Neighbourhood Regeneration Assistant at the Trust, said: “I’m thrilled that our donation has led to the creation of a beautiful garden. This is a great example of how our customers are helping to transform the communities that they live in.”

For further information about Beyond the Garden Gate, please contact Michele on 0151 510 5087. To view the photos of the Alice Court courtyard, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Halton-Housing-Trust/105856779324

People of all ages came together yesterday to enjoy a Fun Day at St Paul’s Church in Widnes.

Organised by St Paul’s Church with Halton Housing Trust’s Beyond the Garden Gate programme, the popular event saw hundreds of Central Widnes residents enjoy face-painting, a BBQ, cakes and a balloon race.

As well as playing badminton in the Church, children took part in outdoor games, a colouring competition and balloon race. Guests were also treated to dance and drama performances.

The Fun Day also saw visitors from further afield lending a hand. A thirty strong youth group from Sweden, Youth with a Mission, mingled with guests and threw themselves into the activities.

Halton Housing Trust’s Beyond the Garden Gate project is a neighbourhood investment programme that works with its communities throughout Halton to prioritise funding.

Michele Murphy, Neighbourhood Regeneration Assistant, helped organise the Fun Day and said: “The Beyond the Garden Gate project is all about bringing communities together to find out their views. An event such as this is great, because it raises awareness and hopefully encourages people to get involved.”

Jeremy Duff, Reverend of St Paul’s Church, was pleased with the high turn-out, he said: “The idea of the Fun Day is to open up the Church to local people, so they can come in, meet each other and have some fun. We wanted to bring everyone together because there aren’t any community centres around here. The Church, the hall and all its facilities are here for all people who live in Central Widnes to enjoy.”

Councillor Sue Edge also attended and took part in some of the activities, whilst local Police Community Support Officers gave tips to residents about how to keep safe.

New outdoor classroom is a breath of fresh air

Pupils and teachers at a school in Widnes are celebrating the opening of their new outdoor classroom.

Funded by Beyond the Garden Gate, the classroom at St Bede’s Catholic Junior School is transforming learning by bringing teaching outdoors.

Ideal for the school during term time, local community groups can also use the classroom throughout the summer holidays.

Headteacher Angela Pagett is thrilled with the new classroom: “We are delighted with the outdoor classroom.  It’s a great place where children can relax, play, socialise and entertain – it even has a stage.”

The outdoor classroom was identified by local people through Halton Housing Trust’s ‘Beyond the Garden Gate’ project, a neighbourhood investment programme that works with its communities throughout Halton to prioritise funding.

The Beyond the Garden Gate programme has worked closely with Halton Borough Council and the school to get the project off the ground.  Michele Murphy, Neighbourhood Regeneration Assistant at the Trust said: “The classroom is a great asset for the school but also the local community.  Local schools, St Bede’s Catholic Church, cub and scout groups and social clubs can also book the classroom, so it really benefits the whole area.”

Students from Warrington Collegiate College used their skills to build the timber structure and local company Finn Forest donated wood for the flooring and seating. The classroom also has disabled access, so the space is accessible for all.

Local Councillor, Sue Edge, thinks the classroom is a great asset to Appleton Village:

“The classroom is an additional platform for learning and talent.  It’s ideal for the summer and gives people a feeling for nature.”

For further information about Beyond the Garden Gate, follow us on Twitter @beyondthegardengate or please contact Laura Beckett, Communications Officer at Halton Housing Trust on 0151 510 5219.

A COMMUNITY centre will be given a new lease of life after receiving almost £60,000 of funding.

 The money will enable St Mary’s Church Community Centre in West Bank, Widnes, to replace its 70-year-old heating system.

 Halton Housing Trust provided £8,200 towards the project, which allowed Reverend Jeremy Duff from the centre to gain match funding of £50,000 from WREN.

 “This is fantastic news and we are delighted to have been able to help the centre offer an improved service,” said Noel Sharpe, Executive Director of Customer Services at the Trust.

 “St Mary’s is used by a whole range of groups from businesses to children’s groups and this new system will have a lasting impact, allowing them to continue providing a vital community service.”

 Halton Housing Trust was able to help through its ‘Beyond The Garden Gate’ scheme which funds projects aimed at improving neighbourhoods.

 The funding will enable the centre replace its current system which is expensive to run and will allow them to reduce the costs for groups using the centre as well as enable them to attract more new users by making the centre more welcoming.

Voting is currently underway in the neighbourhood of Weston which includes the areas of Weston Village, Weston Point and Weston. Beyond the Garden Gate is hoping to make a difference to Weston through regeneration schemes that the communities have proposed.

A number of projects have been proposed for the area and residents, and those who work in the area have been busy voting at out events and through our online vote facility.

Once voting closes end of day Friday 25th May all votes will be collated and Beyond the Garden Gate will be able to see what is the favourite projects in Weston. It is all very exciting!!!!

The results will be published here , through our facebook site and by mail to all those that attended voting sessions… so watch this space!