helenaCommunity news

Tenants at a Helena Homes sheltered scheme in Eccleston have been becoming ‘web whizzes’ thanks to a new computer course.

Residents at Trapwood Close are becoming silver surfers by brushing up on their technology skills through a 10-week computer course at the scheme’s community centre, after getting brand new equipment through the National Institute of Adults Continuing Education (NIACE).

The bid for funding was placed by Helena staff after residents at the scheme asked for up-to-date computer facilities in order to become St Helens’ ultimate silver surfers.

The tech-loving tenants are now making the most of a modern PC and printer, and getting snap happy with a brand new digital camera.

Bill Bridge, Trapwood Close tenant, said: “The computer course is absolutely brilliant - I am thoroughly enjoying it so far. The instructor is fantastic and I am learning something new at every class – I especially like playing games.”

Julie White, Scheme Manager at Trapwood Close, said: “The residents were thrilled and thankful when we received funding from NIACE to improve facilities in the community centre.

“The equipment is having a positive difference on the residents, who are thoroughly embracing opportunities to get stuck in and have a go learning new skills at the computer classes.”

To find out more about Helena Homes, visit www.helenahomes.co.uk

Trapwood TenanTs GeT Techy

Thatto Heath and Eccleston

HELENA HEADLINES SPRING 2011

SPRING 2011Helena HEADLINES

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Trapwood Tenants Give Green Thumbs-Up To Propertycare FundsGreen-fingered tenants from a sheltered scheme in Eccleston are looking forward to spring-time in the garden thanks to funding from Helena Propertycare.

Residents from Trapwood Friends Association secured over £900 from Propertycare’s ‘Giving Something Back’ fund – a programme where community groups, tenants associations or voluntary organisations can place bids for funding towards community improvement projects.

With their (plant) pot of funds, the residents purchased some pretty planters, and had a garden shed constructed by the Propertycare team.

Trapwood’s green plot is now complete, and residents are looking forward to welcoming some warmer weather and making the most of their new garden area.

Julie White, scheme manager at Trapwood Close, said: “The residents were over the moon to receive the Giving Something Back funds – many of them are big gardening fans and have already filled the shed with tools ready for work in the spring!

“The garden looks fantastic, and we can’t thank the Propertycare team enough for all their hard work on it.”

Nichola O’Brien, Business Development Manager at Propertycare, said: “We were happy to dip into our Giving Something Back funds to help give the residents of Trapwood the garden they wanted – it is a very rewarding feeling to be able to get involved and offer people support with projects which will benefit and improve their community.”

children shooT For The (dark) sTarsChildren across Thatto Heath and Eccleston enjoyed February half-term fun with an all-out, action-packed game of laser tag at the Dark Star centre.

Exploring the huge ‘Hex’ arena, the children grabbed their lasers and made an exciting journey through the Dark Star maze, ‘shooting’ their opponents who were lurking in the shadows.

Tanya Roberts, Community Engagement Officer at Helena, said: “The children had lots of fun at Dark Star – it was lovely to see them making new friends, who quickly became their enemies when they went head-to-head in the laser tag game!

“It was great to give children something so exciting and fun to do in their school holidays, and it gave us a good opportunity to consult with the children about the area where they live. Events like Dark Star help us to break down barriers and build new relationships, as well as keeping children occupied and allowing them to make the most of their half-term holidays together.”

Helena staff are about to start their search for perfectly spruced-up green spaces by touring the front and back gardens of houses and flat blocks on the Queensland, Harlow Hempstead, and Basildon estates.

Helena’s green-fingered teams will be on the look-out over the next few months for litter free lawns, trimmed and tidy planters, and flocks of fancy flower

arrangements – so for your chance to get a green thumbs-up from Helena, keep your green spots looking smart and we could be ‘planting’ a big prize on you!

The garden competition winners will be announced on Monday, July 25.

For further information, contact Tanya Roberts on 01744 63 73 83.

Search Is On For Best GardensThe search is on for the best-looking gardens in Thatto Heath.

Get Involved In PorticoDo you have time on your hands to help out in your neighbourhood?

Portico Community Group is looking for volunteers to lend a helping hand with activities in their local area.

You can get involved in organising events such as fun days, trips and environmental clean-ups, or have your say and make a positive difference to Portico by attending meetings with local partners such as Helena Homes or the police, or by taking part in estate walkabouts.

You can get involved in some or all of the activities, so whether you have one hour or 100 hours to spare, any support will be welcomed and appreciated and will help to deliver further improvements to the Portico area.

Penguinelena Comes To Thatto Heath!

Thatto Heath residents can now visit their new penguin pal – Penguinelena – who is ‘chilling’ out at its new home at the Helena West Office.

After making a winter move from St Helens Town Centre, Penguinelena has now happily settled into its new Thatto Heath home like a duck - oops, penguin - to water.

Penguinelena is part of the Go Penguins art project, which sees more than 150 penguins – standing at 5ft tall - on display across Liverpool, St Helens and the Wirral.

You can find out more about our not-so-feathery friend when you next pop into Helena West, or by visiting www.gopenguins.co.uk

Meet Up For Free!Planning a meeting with your neighbours or community group? You can meet up for free at Helena West.

The neighbourhood office gives local residents free use of a meeting room where you can catch up about your latest activities for your community. If you fancy combining discussions with a bit of fresh air, the decking area in the garden is also available to use.

To book the meeting room or for further information, contact Carol Brougham on 01744 63 73 83.

To get involved in the Portico Community Group or for further information, contact Tanya Roberts on

01744 63 73 83.

Tenants Hot To Trot At Tea Dance SessionsTwinkle-toed residents from Thatto Heath have been boogying on down to the Haven Centre for exciting over-55s tea dance sessions.

After tucking into an energy-boosting lunch, the dancers have been hitting the floor and waltzing away the afternoons with classic tunes and tracks.

The tea dance sessions have been a firm favourite with residents, who have relished the cha-cha chance to master the latest dance moves with a dance instructor.

Check out our ‘What’s On’ guide for further events, or visit www.helenahomes.co.ukMeet up for free at Helena West

Trapwood tenants thank Propertycare for new garden surroundings

Helena HEADLINES

What’s On - Thatto Heath / Eccleston

AprilLINE DANCING Every Monday 6pm-7pm, at Trapwood Close Sheltered Scheme, Eccleston. Contact Julie White 01744 677843 / 07919110609

FooD SHooTS Every Wednesday 1pm-2.30pm, at Thatto Heath Children’s Centre, Brisbane Street.Contact Andy Cave 01744 637383

PoLICE SURGERy DRoP-IN Every Wednesday 2pm-3pm, at Helena West, Thatto Heath Road. Contact Tanya Roberts 01744 675687 / 07766791893

Pop in and discuss issu es in conf idence.

CookERy CLASSES Every Thursday 1.30pm-3.30pm, at Trapwood Close Sheltered Scheme, Eccleston. Contact Julie White 01744 677843 / 07919110609

Turn up the heat on your cooking skills.

LoCAL ACCESS PoINTEvery Thursday 2pm-3pm, at the PERTH Centre, Dunedin Street. Contact Nicola Boardman 01744 677131 / 07525673044 or Liz Devine 01744 677130 / 07850288438Meet your local neighbourhood off icer and discuss any issues

THAI CHIEvery Friday 10am-11am, at Trapwood Close Sheltered Scheme, Eccleston. Contact Julie White 01744 677843 / 07919110609

Come along and try out a modern martia l art.

MUSIC MECCA – SCRAP BAND Every Thursday (excluding school holidays) 1pm-2pm, at The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St Helens Town Centre. Contact The Citadel Box Office 01744 735436Enjoy making music and rhythms from around the world with everyday household objects.

MUSIC MECCA – STREET DANCE Every Saturday (excluding school holidays) 1pm-2pm, at The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St Helens Town Centre. Contact The Citadel Box Office 01744 735436Hit the dance f loor and bop to the street dance beat.

MUSIC MECCA – DJ-ING Every Saturday (excluding school holidays) 1pm-2pm, at The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St Helens Town Centre. Contact The Citadel Box Office 01744 735436

Take to the decks and mix your own musical masterpieces.

MUSIC MECCA – MC-ING/ MUSIC PRoDUCTIoN Every Saturday (excluding school holidays) 2pm-3pm, at The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St Helens Town Centre. Contact The Citadel Box Office 01744 735436Develop your production and lyric-writing skills and get support in producing and recording your own music.

CELEBRATE ST GEoRGES DAySaturday, April 23, 12pm-5pm Smithy Heritage Centre, Kiln Lane, Eccleston. Contact Jennifer McKenna 01744 676886 Free admission. Fun event for all the family with craft activities for children.

CoFFEE MoRNINGWednesday, April 27, 10am-12pm Trapwood Close Community Centre. Contact Julie White 01744 677843 / 07919 110609

ESTATE WALkABoUTThursday, April 28, 10.30am Thatto Heath, meeting at Helena West. Contact Mark Gibbons 01744 677141 / 07515191733

may ESTATE WALkABoUTTuesday, May 3, 10am Portico, meeting at Upland Road. Contact Allan Worthington 01744 677129 / 07515191735

RAMP RIDERS 20-week project starting Thursday, May 19, 4.30pm-7pm at Elmfield Road car park, Sutton Heath. Contact Tanya Roberts 01744 675687 / 07766791893 It’s back! Get ready to saddle up once again for some ‘wheely’ good fun!.

CoFFEE MoRNINGWednesday, May 25, 10am-12pm Trapwood Close Community Centre. Contact Julie White 01744 677843 / 07919110609

ESTATE WALkABoUTThursday, May 26, 10am Gillars Green/ Trapwood Close, meeting at Gillars Green Shops. Contact Jennifer Morris 01744 675672 / 07515191764

Thursday, May 26, 10.30am Thatto Heath, meeting at Helena West. Contact Mark Gibbons 01744 677141 / 07515191733

juneESTATE WALkABoUTWednesday, June 1, 11am Queensland, meeting at Emmanuel Hall, Elephant Lane. Contact Liz Devine 01744 677130 / 07850288438

Wednesday, June 1, 12pm Harlow and Basildon Estates, meeting at Emmanuel Hall, Elephant Lane. Contact Nicola Boardman 01744 677131 / 07525673044

CoFFEE MoRNINGWednesday, June 29, 10am-12pm Trapwood Close Community Centre. Contact Julie White 01744 677843 / 07919110609

ESTATE WALkABoUT Thursday, June 30, 10.30am Thatto Heath, meeting at Helena West. Contact Mark Gibbons 01744 677141 / 07515191733

juLYESTATE WALkABoUTTuesday, July 5, 10am Portico, meeting at Upland Road. Contact Allan Worthington 01744 677129 / 07515191735

CoFFEE MoRNING Wednesday, July 27, 10am-12pm Trapwood Close Community Centre. Contact Julie White 01744 677843 / 07919110609

ESTATE WALkABoUT Thursday, July 28, 10am Gillars Green/ Trapwood Close, meeting at Gillars Green Shops. Contact Jennifer Morris 01744 675672 / 07515191764

Thursday, July 28, 10.30am Thatto Heath, meeting at Helena West. Contact Mark Gibbons 01744 677141 / 07515191733

one call 01744 637383 www.helenahomes.co.uk4

SHEILA LovES HHTv… Sheila Brogan, a tenant at Trapwood Close Sheltered Scheme, loves HHTv…“I like to use HHTV to find out about events going on in my area, and read about the latest Helena news. It’s very easy to use – I can’t believe you can find out so much information by pressing a few buttons!”