Centre Review 2010/2011

St Antony’s Centre

for Church &

Industry

Centre Review 2010/11

Accrington Community & Training Centre

Preston Learning Hub Liverpool Learning Hub

Oldham Learning Hub

St Antony’s Centre 2 Centreview 2010/11

Subject Page Contents Inside cover Director’s Comments 3 The Centre Team 4 Management Committee 5 Staff Changes 6 Facts & Figures 6 Reports Diocesan Work 7 Diocesan & Ecumenical 8 The Plater Initiative 9 Reach Out Partnership 10-11 Trafford Park Heritage 11 Training Report 12-13 Conference & Hire 14 Background and Aims Inside back cover

Contents

Centreview 2010/11 3 St Antony’s Centre

Dear Colleagues The country is going though a considerable amount of change, not just in the public sector but across the Community, Voluntary and Faith Sectors. Significant cuts are taking place in areas of funding especially in relation to training. This is happening against the backdrop of an economy that is still struggling while the need to support people in the World of Work and the community is increasing. The last six months have been some of the most challenging we have faced for many years as we adapt to the changing agenda and enter into a series of discussions with potential new partners in order to secure contracts and funding for our vital work. The difficulty is that many of the funding streams and programmes are being re-written during the period of negotiations. I am extremely disappointed with the way in which the Community, Voluntary and Faith Sector has been treated despite the rhetoric of a “Big Society” and the Government’s desire to see greater community involvement in delivering services. At present the strategy appears to be to give contracts to large providers with no obligations on them to share resources with those community groups who have been extremely successful in working with some of our marginalised and excluded communities and people. At the same time the Diocese and Catholic Church in England and Wales along with other Faith Communities have been looking at how best to respond to the circumstances we find ourselves in. As previously reported, we are in discussions regarding the creation of “Caritas - Salford Diocese” and the future role of the Centre. These continue to be important discussions adding to the pressures on the Centre Team and Management during what is already a challenging period of transition. We will need your continued support and encouragement over the next year as we discern the best way in which to preserve and extend our services in line with the mission that we have delivered for 30 years with a high degree of success. It is against this backdrop that I have great pleasure in presenting to you the excellent work that the Centre Team has undertaken and the exciting ways in which we have been able to serve many people and communities across the Diocese and increasingly the North West Region. I believe the Report speaks for itself of the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of an inspirational group of people. I offer my sincere gratitude to the Centre Team, Management Committee and our support agencies for the way in which they have collaborated and enabled the quality provision to continue and our mission to be provided to a high standard, during a very challenging period in our history. During 2011/12, we will need your ongoing support to help us find new income and supporters if we are to continue to respond to the needs of the people we serve.

K W Flanagan Director

Director’s Comments


Centre Team

Mr Kevin Flanagan Director

Mr Paul Callaghan Contracts Manager

Fr Martin Saunders Centre Chaplain

Mrs Patricia Gallagher Centre Secretary

Philip Unsworth Plater Project Worker

Mr Patrick Perry Employment Rights

Training Department

Miss Melissa Griffiths Training Manager (from April 2011)

Mr Tom Fredrickson Training Manager (to April 2011)

Miss Dorothy Kneen Trainer

Mr Martin Breary Training Assistant

Kathryn Moore Community Learning Tutor

(Plater Project)

Reach Out Project

Mr Dave Flanagan Senior Reach Out Officer (Accrington)

Mr Matt Bowe Reach Out Officer

Mr Peter Callaghan Reach Out Officer

Miss Lisa Mullan Administrator (Accrington)

Heritage Department

Mr Joe Brookes Heritage Archive Recorder

Mrs Helen Lentin Heritage Volunteer

Administration & Accounts

Mrs Elizabeth Flanagan Accounts / Wages

Miss Joanne Connor Conference & Hire

/ Admin

Maintenance

Mr Tim Riley Maintenance (Retired April 2011)

Mr Stephen Bowe Maintenance Assistant

Mrs Margaret Farrell Site Maintenance

Mr Marik Krolik Maintenance and Project

Support (ACT Centre)

The following people are employed by GMIM Trust:-

Caroline Wyke Cohesion Project Worker

Mary Mimmack Cohesion Project Worker

Karen Openshaw Cohesion Project Worker

Rev Les Allmark Chaplain to Bolton Town Centre


The following members of the Management Committee served during the period of this Report:

Mr Vin Sheedy Head Teacher (Chairperson) Rev Brian Tomkins GMIM Mr Terry Crowther World Of Work & NCLA Representative Mr Jim Furlonger Private Sector Manager Mrs Mary Howarth Teacher Mr Brian Turner USDAW - Retired Kellogg Employee Mr John Mallon British Aerospace Mr Gerry Ginty Retired Chairman of TNT (September 2009) Fr Martin Saunders St Joseph’s Accrington (Chaplain to Centre) Fr John Hitchen St Ambrose Barlow Deanery Representative

We record our thanks to Rev Brian Tomkins, Terry Crowther and Jim Furlonger for their service and commitment to the Management Committee. The two-term rule of service under the Constitution means these three members will retire from the Committee in June 2011. Vin Sheedy, John Mallon and Brian Turner have served a period of 3 years and are eligible to be re-nominated for a further 3 years service, subject to AGM approval in June 2011. Elections for new members take place at the AGM in June 2011.

The Centre Management Committee has two sub Committees which are made up of Management members and have powers to appoint other external advisors as required. Finance ~ This Committee deals with the financial, staffing, audit and contract management matters. The chair is Vincent Sheedy. Members serving on this Committee during 2010 were Jim Callaghan (ex-Officio), Terry Crowther, John Mallon, Mary Howarth and Gerry Ginty. Gerry oversees the internal audit processes. Training ~ The Training Committee oversee the Training Contracts, Training Department and related activities at Outreach Centres. The Committee also assists with Quality Assurance and accreditation processes. Members serving during the year were Vincent Sheedy, John Mallon, Mary Howarth and Richard Deloughry (ex-Officio).

Management Retirements

Management Sub-Committees

Management Committee


Staff Changes

In October 2009 the Centre submitted an application to the Plater Trust to develop a new initiative in Accrington. Following the award of the grant the Centre recruited two new members of staff to deliver the project. In August 2010 we appointed Kathryn Moore as the Community Learning Tutor for the project. Kathryn is based at the ACT Centre in Accrington and is responsible for supporting unemployed, lower-skilled and other marginalised people into learning to reduce their economic and social exclusion. To complete the project team Philip Unsworth joined the Centre in September 2010 as the Project Worker. Phil is also based at the ACT Centre and using his local knowledge provides the lead on the development of a group of volunteer community advocates drawn from local parishes who are working

together to address social and economic issues in their area. The most recent addition to the Centre Team is Joanne Connor, who was appointed to the position of Administrator in November 2010 to oversee use of the Centre’s Conference and Hire facilities and support the delivery of the Centre’s various projects. Kathryn, Phil and Joanne have brought a range of skills and knowledge to increase the capacity of the Centre and to extend the impact of its projects and services into new communities. We thank them for all their efforts to date and wish them continued success in their work.

Facts and Figures

During 2010 over 3,500 letters were sent out, this has increased from last year. In an ideal world that would be an average of 13 letters a day!! The cost for postage

across all projects was £1,499.34. Counter sales has generated a total of £797.44 over the past year, of this £355.84 was on the purchase of stamps and £115.00 was spent on confectionery from the coffee bar. The remaining £326.60 has been raised through the sale of Heritage Books and Trafford Park Merchandise. During the past 12 months, the Centre has produced several leaflets and reports. This has consumed over 84,000 sheets of paper, that’s over 175 reams of paper, with an extra 2,500 sheets being used on the “monster” photocopier

to meet the demands of our various projects. All publications in 2010 were reproduced in pdf format for download from our new website saving distribution costs and paper as the demand for information has continued to grow. Over 200 people were directly engaged in Training Courses run by the Centre and a further 3,500 engaged through other projects and initiatives. Our policy is to continue to encourage our supporters and projects to use on-line file sharing and to view electronic versions of our publications in order to reduce the consumption of paper and resources. The Reach Out Project, for example, has recently begun issuing e-mail bulletins and updates to keep Union Learning Reps and other stakeholders up to speed with new developments that affect their work.


Papal Visit September 2010 saw Pope Benedict XVI visit the UK. We were delighted to be invited to participate in the Prayer Vigil and event at Hyde Park. The Centre Banner joined the parade of National Catholic Lay Associations and Agencies that wound its way through the huge crowds to the main platform where they were presented to the Bishops of England and Wales. We record our appreciation to Lisa and David who represented the Centre and carried the banner. Many of our supporters and co-workers joined their parishes at the events in London and Coventry.

Many have seen this as a pivotal point in relations between the Catholic Church and the State and few could not but be moved by the important words shared by the Pope during his visit and the welcome given by the Government and people of the nation. (Copies of the special Publication marking the visit are available from the Centre, price £3.)

GEPO Three members of the Centre Team attended the GEPO Conference in Portugal during April 2011. This continues a pattern of work that we have established with our European Partners over the past 5 years. The Conference

a d d r e s s e d t h e important theme of Migration in Europe as ag r e e d a t o u r g a t h e r i n g i n Luxembourg in 2010.

A full copy of the visit and report can be

obtained from the Centre upon request and we will continue working on this European theme during the next 12 months. It is now increasingly likely that the GEPO delegates will converge on Manchester early in 2013 to mark the GEPO Annual Conference. They are keen to see our work first hand and to engage with our Partners on this important theme. We will be working with our Partners in Germany, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Malta, Spain, Portugal and an increasing number of colleagues from Eastern Europe on this theme.

Caritas Discussions The discussions we requested early in 2010 with the Department of Social Responsibility did not commence in earnest until early 2011, due to ongoing restructuring and the creation of Caritas. In January 2011 a presentation was made to Representatives from the Diocesan Trustees, Cathedral Centre, the Vicar General and the Episcopal Vicar for Social Responsibility about the work of the Centre. A constructive dialogue took place and we have agreed to work in “partnership” with Caritas to explore ways in which we can effectively collaborate in ensuring that the distinctive services being offered across the area by Caritas and St Antony’s Centre can be extended. The Centre is continuing to explore the most appropriate way in which we should be structured to enable us to maximise the level of resources we need for the important work that we undertake. We hope that this will lead to joint projects and new opportunities to serve Parishes and Community needs. We record thanks to Mark Wiggin, Director of Caritas, for his input and engagement to date.

Changemakers We have continued to support the development of Changemakers in Manchester. The model of community engagement and partnerships between agencies to build community capacity has continued. The campaign on the Azure Card which is used by Asylum Seekers has led to the Bishop of Manchester meeting with representatives from the Supermarkets to try and ensure that the users of the card are treated fairly when they present them in their premises. They are continuing to liaise with stores such as ASDA and Tesco to ensure that staff are aware of the cards and the limitations. Further work is also being done to draw the attention of the Border Agency to the inadequacies of this system and the dehumanising way in which the cards limit individuals’ choice and the problems that they cause. The Changemakers Annual Assembly took place at St Peter’s Chaplaincy in September 2010 with four representatives from the Centre present.

Diocesan Work

The German delegation at

the GEPO Conference


Diocesan Work

GMIM & Ecumenical Work

On Easter Saturday 2011 on the Town Hall Steps in Victoria Square, Bolton, an inspirational and dramatic 2-hour presentation of the very first Easter story took place in the presence of Civic Dignitaries, Church Leaders and four thousand people from the area.

The Christian Community Cohesion Project is supporting the work of the Passion for Bolton Group under the auspices of Greater Manchester Industrial Mission co-ordinated from St Antony’s Centre. For 2011/12, Bolton Council has, despite cuts and pressures on its budget, offered a further £45,000 to support the Project which has three workers in the town. This funding is an important and positive recognition of the work done through the Project to promote co-operation and understanding within and between different faith communities in Bolton. We congratulate Caroline Wyke, Mary Mimmack and Karen Openshaw for their work in the town.

New Training Opportunities Negotiations to develop online training courses for people in the Diocese have led to the creation of a new scheme which was launched in May 2011. The scheme provides online access to basic IT and computing skills with a series of introductory sessions being held in venues across the Diocese to encourage participation and involvement, particularly among hard to reach groups. The courses will help people make better use of computers, the internet and online media. Once registered through the Centre, participants can access learning materials from their computer at home, at work or in their local Library. The aim is to bridge the digital divide that still exists for the poorer members of our communities. This is one of the Centre’s key contributions to the “Year of Education” launched by the Bishop’s Conference last Autumn.

Speaking Engagements In October 2010 the Director addressed a Manchester Prayer Breakfast on the Role of Mission and Chaplaincy to the World of Work. The speech was warmly welcomed and highlighted the need for frontline ministry in the economic, commercial and business arena that supported and engaged people at their places of work. The Director also addressed the Rishton Churches Together gathering in March 2011 on the role of laity in the World of Work and the Church’s Mission to Communities. In June 2011 the Director will address a gathering of “Catholics in the Professions” at a meeting in Manchester. He is expected to deal with the issue of “Integrity and Mission in Professional Life”.



In January 2010 St Antony’s Centre was awarded a Plater Trust grant to develop a learning-led, community capacity building project targeting isolated and marginalised people in Hyndburn, Lancashire. The grant has been used to appoint a Community Learning Tutor (Kathryn Moore) and a P r o j e c t W o r ke r ( Ph i l i p Unsworth), who are both based at the ACT Centre in Accrington. We started by engaging in a Conversation & Listening Exercise with the parishioners in the six parishes in Hyndburn (which includes Accrington, Great Harwood, Clayton-le-Moors, Rishton and Oswaldtwistle). We asked them what would make a difference to their community. The process of engaging 14 worship groups took six weeks and the ideas they provided were discussed at an open meeting attended by 35 Volunteers, all of whom wished to be involved in projects to emerge from the process. Some 30 or so ideas were discussed and later analysed in detail by the project team. Three main themes emerged – Money Matters, Youth Matters and Social Inclusion. The views of the community were reflected back to the Volunteers who have formed 3 Workgroups to develop projects responding to these themes. The Workgroups have a Core Group of 23 active and committed members who meet regularly. The whole body of Volunteers and Parish Priests meets together once a month to share progress and plans. The Volunteers are involved in a process that gives them ownership over sustainable projects in their community, catalysed by the funding from the Plater Trust and aided by staff at St Antony’s Trafford Park and at the ACT Centre in Accrington. For the first time, the parishes are interacting on issues that affect their wider community and not just their individual parishes. The two project

staff are engaged in training and aiding disadvantaged learners and the unemployed. We are also helping to develop a structure with the community, for them to build upon, by supplying IT skills and the capability to create an inter-parish online network. This will aid communications and the sharing of information between the parishes. The six parish priests are also supporting the project and recently attended a retreat at Llandudno. In the summer of 2011 we hope to see sustainable projects emerging from the foundation work that has been occurring. These include a Dementia Awareness Training session; the setting up of Shared Reading Groups; the results of Mapping/ Signposting exercises that are in progress, which will be shared among all parishioners and the wider community. We are also evaluating a community based learning scheme for young adults who have dyslexia, utilising the ACT Centre’s IT resources and Plater Project Volunteers as Mentors. We are helping to coordinate an inter-parish social network that will be the first step toward an inter-parish retreat. We are planning a series of Outreach events in the parishes, including access to IT via the new St Antony’s Centre onl ine tra ining scheme. A celebration mass and inter-parish event to publicise the good work of the Volunteers will be held in the autumn of 2011. A final project report and evaluation will be prepared and we will be discussing with the parish communities the sustainability of the project beyond the pilot phase to ensure that effective services and support continue to be available to the marginalised and excluded in the area longer term.

Philip Unsworth

Diocesan ~ Plater Project


Reach Out

The Reach Out project was formed to support GMB Union members their friends and family in the North West and Irish Region with the support of the current Regional Secretary Paul McCarthy. The project is funded through the Union Learning Fund (ULF) and managed by St Antony’s Centre. The Project is specifically designed to help build and support a network of Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) across the region in partnership with employers, training providers and other unions as part of the national strategy for developing workforce skills, especially for those with few or no skills qualifications. This time last year I was reporting we could have entered our last funded year however I am pleased to say we have secured funding for a further 12 months which will take us to April 2012 and the Centre again will manage the Contract. The last year has been a difficult climate in which to operate with increased demand for our services to support those in redundancy but with ever decreasing resources. At the time of writing (May 2011) all Response to Redundancy funding has ceased meaning people facing job losses have literally no place to turn with regard to funded re-skilling opportunities. This is devastating news for those who are looking for quick routes back into the labour market. The Reach Out Team have been delivering a scheme of support and study to employees at the DHL depot in Risley Warrington. Nearly 200 individuals are set to lose their jobs by the end of July.

The only s u p p o r t that has b e e n

received on site has come from the Reach Out and St Antony’s Team. Other better resourced providers and organisations refused to engage with these individuals because profit margins may not be as handsome here as opposed to other locations. All delivery currently takes place 2 nights a week between 8pm and 12 midnight when colleges will not attend.

The project has also seen great success in other areas. Our intention this time last year was to get our dedicated learning hubs set up and ready for operation by the end of 2011. I am pleased to say that 4 out of the 5 centres are now fully equipped and already responding to local need.

The “learning hubs” at Liverpool, Manchester, Accrington and Oldham are now fully functional with courses on offer. The Preston site will be ready for the Summer of 2011. We are in the process of seeking individuals to join working groups at each site to carry the centres forward.

In the last few months we have been working very closely with ULRs, Union Reps and the management of the Crown Paints Group at Darwen to help them develop a learning strategy for its employees. This has proved to be a huge success with visits from the GMB Learning Bus, several meetings with

s e n i o r managemen t a n d t h e formation of steering group to help drive the learning agenda.


Reach Out Trafford Park Heritage

T h e C h i e f Executive of Crown paints has recently signed a learning agreement with GMB and the Reach Out project committing the c o m p a n y t o providing facilities and time off for employees to improve their basic skills during work time.

We are already starting to discuss the formation of a dedicated learning facility at the Head Office site in Darwen open to all employees’ friends and family as well as the local community.

The Learning Bus continued to make an impact by visiting 39 sites during the year including the GMB Congress held at Southport last June.

We will shortly launch the “Redundancy Toolkit” to help those faced with job losses.

While we have had a successful year, we cannot afford to be

complacent over the coming months as uncertainties with the economy remain.

All our efforts over the coming months will be to protect and utilise the current resources as effectively as possible to ensure a bright future for those who look to us for assistance.

The model is a good one that was recognised in a recent independent Quality Review of the Project. Our aim is to consolidate and develop it further to extend opportunities for low skilled workers.

To date, Reach Out has supported and helped over 10,000 workers in the Region.

Dave Flanagan

The Centre continues to receive regular donations to our heritage archive and we are very grateful for these generous additions.

Recent items of note include a copper wall plate from Thomas Hedley & Son, a poem about a GEC workers’ strike and a medal commemorating the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal. As the only Centre committed to celebrating the history of Trafford Park our aim over the coming months is to update our exhibitions and display equipment and make the Centre more accessible. In order to raise our profile, we have registered our Centre details onto a number of Heritage and information websites. We will be taking part in Trafford Council’s “4 Weeks of Culture” initiative which aims to increase participation in cultural activities. We will be holding digital recording sessions and have invited former residents and workers of the area to share their memories with us. In the 4 week period, we will also be holding a family history day and a heritage afternoon. Since July 2010, we have been in talks with the Ford Model T collectors club in relation to the centenary of the first Model T built in Trafford Park. Friday 2 September 2011 will see approximately 40 Model T cars arrive in the park and assemble outside the Heritage Centre at 11am. There will be an exhibition on show inside the Centre and the procession will then visit the site of the 1911 Ford factory before moving onto the next part of their 4 day tour celebrating 100 years of Ford manufacturing in Britain. Following negotiations with the local council, we were pleased to see benches being installed next to the Marshall Stevens Memorial on Third Avenue in Autumn 2010.


Training

Overview It has been a challenging year for the Training Department which has seen us travel all over the North West delivering Literacy, Numeracy and ITQ, as well as supporting those at risk of or facing redundancy. We have achieved significant results through a small but dedicated, hardworking team. The number of people we have helped this year develop new skills and obtain qualifications are testament to this.

The Training Department has grown this year in response to an increased number of contracts and levels of ITQ delivery. In September 2010,

we welcomed Kathryn Moore to the team. Kathryn is largely based in Accrington and has done some excellent work on the Plater and Response to Redundancy Projects as well as supporting delivery on the mainstream contracts for excluded and marginalised groups. We are also grateful for the support of Peter Callaghan. This has allowed us to increase capacity in terms of ITQ delivery. Peter has started a number of ITQ classes at both Levels 1 and 2 for the Reach Out Project. He has proved to be an asset to the Training Department in recent months and enabled us to strengthen the growth in training demand from the Reach Out Project. The demand for taught IT classes has been higher than ever this year, largely due to the uncertainty of the current

economic climate. Tom Fredrickson and Dorothy Kneen have been at the forefront of our ITQ provision, delivering courses

across a range of sites, developing resources and helping over 250 people gain access to a course. Martin Breary, our volunteer tutor, has been consistent and valued support to Dorothy and Tom in the delivery of these courses. St Antony’s Centre has recently been granted approval by City & Guilds to deliver

ESOL qualifications for the first time. This has extended the number of people we are able to help, particularly migrant

workers and the Polish community in Accrington. Mary Mimmack from the Community Cohesion Project has joined the team and is delivering two ESOL classes at the ACT Centre. The learners on this provision are now ready to take their exams. Summary of existing contract performance to May 2011:- Mainstream Train to Gain Provision: This contract runs until 31 July 2011 and supports learners in Literacy and Numeracy up to Level 2 (projected to the end of May). The target figures are:- Actual outcomes:-

This programme (along with the ESF / Train to Gain funding) has allowed people to gain their first nationally recognised qualification, increase their confidence and progress into Higher Education.

Total Starts 55

Achieved 38

Total Starts 50

Achieved 24


Literacy and Numeracy Training

Train to Gain / ESF Provision Enrolments on this programme ended as of 31 March 2011. Learners who have begun a programme of study have until 31 July 2011 to complete a course in Literacy, Numeracy or ITQ at Level 2. Literacy and Numeracy outcomes (projected to the end of May 2011):- ITQ target figures:-

ESF Funded ITQ Enrolments ended on this programme as at 31 March 2011. The final uptake for this course was extremely high and as a

provider we have aimed to allow anyone who wanted to complete the course the opportunity to do so. The figures at the time of writing (May 2011) were as follows:- I am extremely pleased with the depth and quality of learning services provided by all members of the Training Team in making these contracts successful. They continue to demonstrate their ability to put the learners first in spite of contractual obligations and increasing workloads and bureaucracy.

A big well done to you all!

ITQ - List of Sites Tameside Council (at 12 locations)

DHL, Risley GMB Regional Office, Liverpool

St John Vianney’s School ACT Centre

Tyco Fire Products SCAPA

Stretford Fire Brigade

Skills for Life - List of Sites Tameside Council

Crown Paints, Darwen Manchester City Council Bennett’s Safety Wear

As well as in-house delivery to a

number of individuals and groups

Other Achievements We have been working closely with Tyco Fire Products and have helped to re-launch their Training Centre.

Also as part of our dedication to continuing staff development, members of the Training Team have enrolled on Assessor and Internal Verification courses as well as ITQ at Level 3.

Key Priorities Our key priorities over the next 6 months will be ensuring all those currently on programme are successful. We will be sourcing new avenues of funding as well as supporting the Reach Out Team in their delivery.

We look forward to another successful year.

Melissa Griffiths

Total Starts 26

Achieved 16

Total Starts 77

Achieved 52

Total Starts 240

Achieved 90

In learning 80

St Antony’s and Tyco Staff at the Re-launch


Conference & Hire

2010 was another good year for Conference and Hire at St. Antony’s Centre. Although we were just over 3% down on the 2009 total, the income generated for 2010 was a respectable £29,686. This was generated by 114 bookings from 28 different organisations, bringing a total of 1815 visitors to the Centre. The Centre continued to be the venue of choice for our regular users including Greater Manchester Probation Service, Open College Network and Trafford Housing Trust. For the second year running, the main user of the Centre was Greater Manchester Probation Service holding 45 separate events throughout the year. We were also pleased to welcome five new users including Gamma Telecom and The Matrix Standard. Feedback from Janet Fagan of Altus UK stated that “St Antony’s is an interesting and very comfortable venue”. ITV productions also returned to the Centre twice in 2010 and early in 2011. We were again transformed into “Weatherfield Community Centre”. Our Cardijn conference room was featured, along with the staircase and corridor for scenes involving Peter Barlow and Carla Connor. The famous scene of “Blanche” travelling down the Centre stair lift after attending one of Peter’s Alcoholics Anonymous sessions, was voted the number 1 scene as part of Coronation Street’s 50 years celebration. New Technology In October 2010, the Centre invested in new equipment for the Conference Room. A new digital projector, screen and LCD television were integrated into the room, along with the introduction of Wi-Fi technology across the centre. Two LCD televisions were also installed into our reception area to allow us

to have presentations running and welcome visitors to the Centre. Feedback from clients has been very positive about the equipment and it has proved to be a worthwhile investment. As part of an ongoing evaluation of the service offered at St Antony’s Centre, our pricing structure was reviewed towards the end of 2010. When offering our service, it is very important that our prices stay in line with current market rates whilst remaining competitive with other venues in the vicinity offering similar facilities. The recession is having an impact and we have experienced a dip in the number of bookings for early 2011 compared to 2010. We believe that by implementing a new marketing strategy we can increase the usage of the Centre before year end. We have introduced the use of social media networking to enable us to reach an even wider audience. 50% of all internet traffic is for Facebook and there are 350 million Facebook users worldwide, therefore the use of a Facebook fan page and Twitter allows us to be part of this traffic flow and engage people that we would otherwise not be able to reach. To follow us

on Twitter, search @stantonyscentre

Priorities for 2011 will be to complete the marketing strategy, attract new users and develop new client bases. We are keen to maintain a high quality meeting environment and will be looking to further improve and update the facilities and services we offer. As ever, hire of the Centre continues to be an effective means of generating funding for new initiatives of community benefit and supporting our core costs.

Joanne Connor


Background and Aims

Background 2010 was the 31st year of operation for the Centre for Church and Industry. The Centre was originally established in St Antony’s Presbytery as a joint project with Fr Joe Carter, the Parish Priest of St Antony’s R.C. Church, Trafford Park. The first year saw work with the YCW, young workers, trade unionists, local employees and community trusts. In 1982, the Centre moved to the recently closed St Antony’s Junior School following the decision to re-develop the former “Village” Area within Trafford Park. The Centre went from strength to strength and launched its first government funded training programme the following year and a job creation scheme. In 1993, the former School building closed for re-development with the Centre moving temporarily to premises previously occupied by Barclays Bank on Third Avenue, Trafford Park. The Centre re-opened in January 1994 as a purpose-built facility, consisting of Conference, Meeting and Training rooms with a library, office accommodation and a new reception and exhibition area which features the Trafford Park Heritage Centre. The funding for the re-development project was supplied by the Trafford Park Development Corporation and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford, establishing the first Centre for Church and Industry in the country. In 2009 we opened the Accrington Community and Training Centre (ACT Centre) in Accrington, Lancashire in partnership with the Reach Out Project, local Churches and the community.

Aims ~ To promote better understanding and knowledge of Christian Social Thinking, especially in relation to industrial and economic issues ~ To establish a Centre offering training, advice and support to those seeking to apply this thinking to their own spheres of influence ~ To develop community based projects in response to social, economic, industrial and ecumenical issues and concerns ~ To promote, through study circles, publications and seminars, the application of Christian Social Thinking and development of Adult Lay Apostolate ~ To encourage Church-based organisations and people to understand and act upon the changing nature of industrial society and the challenges such changes present to the Church and community

The Centre is a not-for-profit organisation working under the Trusteeship of the Diocese of Salford and is a member of the Salford Diocesan

Department for Social Responsibility. Registered Charity No: 250037-R

It seeks to work with a wide range of community groups, organisations, churches and individuals to develop common objectives and to benefit the wider community

through specific projects.

The Centre works closely with the Ecumenical Greater Manchester Industrial Mission Trust, acting as its administrative base.

Office Address St Antony’s Centre for Church and Industry

Eleventh Street, Trafford Park, Manchester M17 1JF Tel: 0161-848 9173 Fax: 0161-872 9480

www.stantonyscentre.org.uk

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Centre Review 2010/2011

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