5Alive December 2013

5Alive5Alive is financially supported by SOAR and Sheffield City Council

December 2013

Your community magazine serving North Sheffield

www.soarcommunity.org.uk

Sheffield United Striker launches reading schemeThe official launch of the Patron of Reading Scheme at Concord Junior School welcomed a very special guest, Diego De Girolamo – Sheffield United Striker!

On Wednesday 13th November, Diego De Girolamo attended Concord Junior School in Sheffield to support the launch of the Patron of Reading Scheme. Cid and Mo, local children’s authors, are the new Patrons for the school and will spend time at the school over the next few years helping to encourage children to read for pleasure and write for fun.

England has performed poorly in recent surveys with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ranking us 22nd out 24 countries for Literacy skills for 16 to 24 year olds.

The Department of Education has stated that ‘reading for pleasure is a more important determinant of a child’s future success than their family’s socio-economic status’.

Continued on page 2…

02 5Alive — your community magazine

Dear Residents,Welcome to the Christmas edition of your community magazine, 5Alive.

As we come to the end of another year, we’ve been reflecting on all of our annual achievements. It has been a really exciting and successful year for SOAR Works, culminating in us winning several design awards for our fantastic building (see page 3). Please don’t forget to come along and help us celebrate Christmas at SOAR Works on the 7th December. We’re holding a free Winter Warmer event and it promises to be a great day for all. More info on this and other events on page 10.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

SOAR Works Enterprise Centre Knutton Road, Sheffield, S5 9NU Tel: 0114 213 4065 Email: [email protected] www.soarcommunity.org.uk www.facebook.com/soarcommunity https://twitter.com/soarcommunity

FEELING FED UP?Get out the house, meet new people,

build confidence and boost self esteem.

Discover a new you at the New Brew!

Fortnightly Fridays 10am — 4pm The Learning Zone, 320 Wordsworth Avenue, Sheffield, S5 8NL

Free refreshments and lunch (donations are welcome)

Contact Miriam on 0114 213 4065/07507 798 054 or email miriam.densham @soarcommunity.org.uk

LE PETITE CAFÉ UNDER NEW MANAGEMENTSOAR Works Enterprise Centre Knutton Road, Sheffield, S5 9NU (near Margetson Crescent shops)

Open Monday – Friday 9:00am - 2:00pm

SOAR Works welcomes Phil and Zoe to the café who took over back in November serving hot and cold food, drinks, snacks and daily specials.

Le Petite Café welcomes all new and existing customers!

Continued from front page…

It is often boys who are labelled as ‘reluctant readers’ and, with this in mind, who better than a striker from Sheffield United to launch this new scheme. Diego spent the morning signing books and chatting to children, many of them taking great delight in informing him that they supported Sheffield Wednesday! The main message of the morning was that reading is important and it is also lots of fun!

Cid and Mo write books that encourage children to read for pleasure and they believe that if reading is fun, children will read more books and become better readers!

They believe that to create readers the spotlight needs to be put back onto reading aloud - and not the children reading aloud, but the adults instead! Reading aloud to children brings the stories to life and gives children the opportunity to experience the amazing adventures, exciting worlds and fantastic characters that books have to offer.

Listening to a story triggers a feeling of pleasure in a child. This encourages the child to associate books with pleasure. As humans, we are driven by that which brings us pleasure and, consequently, it would follow that children would go on to develop a positive attitude to books and view them as something worthwhile and enjoyable.

To find out more about Cid and Mo, please go to their website: www.cidandmo.co.uk

www.patronofreading.co.uk

03Email your contributions to: [email protected]

SOAR Works Enterprise Centre has just passed its 2nd year since opening the doors in October 2011.

We continue to offer affordable, state of the art, office, light industrial and studio space to suit a wide range of businesses. If a unit isn’t what you are currently looking for but need a registered business address, we also offer virtual tenancies. If you have out grown your premises or fancy a change of office then contact us directly for further information or drop in to have a look around.

Paul Clarke from Web Equip says:

“SOAR brings us so many advantages, there’s a community feel about the place, the neighbours are friendly and the brew points are where the world is put to rights, the meeting areas face into the Atrium where the cafe is, free parking for visitors, full disabled facilities, and a bunch of reception staff who want to help and actually do what they say they will.”

As well as office space we also have meeting rooms and conference space to suit anything from 1-2-1 meetings to up to 25 people. We can provide laptops, projectors, flipcharts and refreshments and can even take the hassle away from you and arrange catering.

For more information contact Hannah Downes Centres Manager on 0114 213 4120 or email: [email protected]

www.soarworks.org.uk

It’s been a winning year for SOAR Works Enterprise Centre after receiving some prestigious awards:

RIBA AwardsSOAR Works Enterprise Centre scooped a Regional and National RIBA Award from the Royal Institute of British Architects, for the Yorkshire Building of the Year and Sustainable Building of the Year RIBA Award which were presented at a prestigious ceremony in Newcastle Civic Centre in June.

After our success at the 2013 RIBA Awards; SOAR Works had the great honour of being short-listed for the RIBA Stirling Award 2013 which is regarded as the most coveted prize in British and European architectural excellence.

Civic TrustWe were was presented with the Community Recognition award by the Civic Trust; SOAR Works was described as:

“… a building with real heart, with thoughtful and humane gestures at every turn.”

It’s been a corker of a year for SOAR Works Enterprise Centre!

Photo: Ian Drayton, SOAR’s Partnership Manager and General Manager, Phil Wright from SOAR Build receiving their Celebrating Construction in South Yorkshire (CCISY) Award.

SOAR Works celebrates 2nd birthday!


SOAR has vacancies for Community Trustees on it’s Board.

Your role will be to help SOAR deliver and develop its health, employment and training services that are delivered across North Sheffield. Your local knowledge and contacts will be invaluable in this respect. You will be able to learn new skills: finance, management, team working, decision making, etc.

There are 10 board meetings per annum that you will be expected to attend. Full training and support is provided to all Trustees, including meeting and travel expenses.

If you are interested please contact Ian Drayton on 0114 213 4065 or email: [email protected].

Would you like to develop your skills, broaden your horizons and have a say in what goes on in your community?

Board Members Christmas Family Karaoke

(& Carols)December 12th

5—6pm

Come to sing or come to listen… But whatever you do…

Come to have a good time!

Plus… a special visit from Santa Claus!

This event is organised by the PXI Parson Cross Initiative

in partnership with the Learning Zone

The Public Square (outside the Learning Zone)

Whether you want to start learning, get into volunteering, look for work or start your own business.

All you need to do is call:

Annie Grant — 0114 244 0401/07961 013 597 Danny Webb — 0114 213 4065 Lesley Pearson — 0114 281 2645 Michele Ward — 0114 213 4065

We can help you find the right pathway.

LEARNING & EMPLOYMENT CHAMPIONS


International Author Inspires Students

Photo – students Amnah Yasin and Bradley Cowley (back L-R) and Demi Haimeed and Maria Iqbal (front L-R) with Qaisra and their signed copies of her latest book.

Critically acclaimed novelist and scriptwriter Qaisra Shahraz visited Longley Park Sixth Form College this week to talk to students about her work and influences. The award winning author worked with students in lessons as well as talked to a larger group of students about her work and read extracts from some of her novels. Students were also given copies of her book and got the opportunity to get them signed by Qaisra. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn more about what inspires a writer like Qaisra and find out how she started out.

Born in Pakistan, Qaisra moved to Manchester at the age of 9. She has a successful career in education in many roles including school teacher, examiner, teacher trainer, lecturer and Ofsted inspector. Last year she was listed as one of Pakistan Power 100 Women. Her stories explore the issues faced by women of all origins including love, marriage, sexuality and cultural identity and have been translated into several languages and sold around the world.

The Dance On project has been entertaining the local community and beyond at many events throughout the year, but on Saturday 28th September we saw the final event in the series of outdoor performances on Chaucer Square.

Dance groups from all over the city performed, along with local choir Glee Bah Gum and the Learning Zone Drama Group, led by Stacey Sampson.

The performance came to a triumphant finish with a performance of ‘SCOOT’. Local groups worked with professional dancers Charlotte Armitage and Tara Baker (Wayne Sables Project dance company) to create a new piece of dance, especially for Chaucer Square.

Wayne Sables said: “We were inspired by all the kids we have seen enjoying riding their scooters on the square. So, using scooters as the initial theme, SCOOT incorporated all aspects of commuter travel. With brollies, newspapers and trolly cases, and the odd scooter, the piece was set to the sounds of traffic and transport and was an energetic collaboration by all participants.”

Local groups taking part were: AllStarz Dance, Longley College, A Mind Apart Theatre Company, Firth Park Sparklers.

One of the legacies from the project will be the donation of a portable PA system, available for use by the local community. Contact Sheila Bhandal at the Learning Zone for more details on 0114 232 6211 or email: [email protected]

Dance Project’s Grand Finale

Dancers performing ‘SCOOT’ on Chaucer Square


Health & Wellbeing Funded by Sheffield City Council as part of the Healthy Communities Programme

At this time of year, it is normal to see an increase in the number of people suffering from the winter vomiting virus, Norovirus. Symptoms include vomiting (often sudden and “projectile”), and/or diarrhoea, raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs. The illness is very infectious and can readily pass from one person to anotherThat is why the NHS in Sheffield is advising anyone with symptoms including diarrhoea and/ or vomiting to stay at home to avoid spreading the virus to patients, other people and vulnerable groups in our communities.

Washing hands with soap and water are particularly important as a means of reducing spread to others. You can remain infectious for 48hrs after symptoms have settled so children should be kept off school for 48 hours after their last symptoms for this reason.

Although unpleasant, the illness is generally short-lived and most people make a full recovery within a few days. The most important part of management is to maintain fluid intake. This is especially important for small children and those adults with other chronic disease. So keep drinking plenty of fluids. Compounds like dioralyte can be very effective and can be obtained from your local pharmacy.

The NHS also advises people who may have had Norovirus not to visit their GP practice or hospital until after 48-72 hours of being symptom free. If you think you may be affected by Norovirus, stay at home and use the symptom checker on the NHS Choices website, which is also available on web-enabled mobile phones. Just go to www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect from any web browser or from your mobile.

If symptoms worsen or persist for more than 48 hours, you can get additional advice from NHS111 or from your GP.

Every year, around 16,600 people in England are diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer. Around 7,500 people die from bladder or kidney cancer in England each year. That is why we are urging people who find blood in their urine to visit their doctor.The NHS is running a national campaign, ‘Be Clear on kidney and bladder cancer’. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of kidney and bladder cancer. Detecting bladder and kidney cancers early makes them easier to treat, so knowing the symptoms, and seeing your doctor quickly if you think you may have them could save your life.

These diseases affect both men and women, although they are most common in men over 50, unfortunately these are often the people that are most likely to put off seeing their GP with a problem. It might not be anything serious, but your GP will want to see you.

Although blood in your pee is the most common symptom of both types of cancer, other signs include: Needing to pee very often or very suddenly and pain while peeing

Kidney cancer symptoms may include: A pain below the ribs that doesn’t go away A lump in your stomach

For further information about the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer, please visit nhs.uk/bloodinpee or speak to your GP.

Protect Yourself From The Norovirus

Be Clear On Cancer


Even though it’s Winter, Heeley City Farm’s Firth Park Allotment Project is still open and going strong.The site is at the junction of Vickers Road and Vickers Drive just off Hucklow Road in Firth Park and is one of the Farm’s flagship Local Food Growing projects supported by the Big Lottery Local Food Fund.

Once through the gate, visitors are met with a riot of colour and laughter, plants and children playing in a safe environment. There are many free or low cost activities, led by Local Food Worker Dot Rodman who specialises in engaging young children and their families with food growing. These have included a series of dad’s cooking workshops, family cooking sessions, craft sessions, theatre shows, regular toddler groups and school holiday schemes for older children. Even if it’s raining there are polytunnels and potting sheds for children to play in.

Firth Park Community Allotment Still Open For Growing!

Winter is a a quieter time for food growing and play schemes tail off at the end of November but there is still plenty to do! Dot is expanding site facilities for adults by building another potting shed using a recycled conservatory given to them by WICAT and there are also plans to run more women only construction courses in the next couple of months. ‘We would love more volunteers here too’, said Dot ‘there’s lots of site maintenance that we need help with to get the site ready for next year’s play schemes.’

Play schemes start again in February and Dot welcomes enquiries from individual families but child minder groups and nursery groups are also more than welcome to take part in the fun!

For information about any of the play or learning sessions that are offered and the courses and workshops for parents or volunteers please contact Dot Rodman by email: dotrodman@heeleyfarm. org.uk or call: 07985 421 346. Main volunteering sessions are on Thursdays 9:30-12:00.

Photo: Shaymar harvesting peas

Photo: Iris planting pumpkins


The Community Guide December — March 2014The Learning ZoneMONDAYS

Slimming World 9.30-11.00am Discover how to lose weight and keep it off as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle £4.95 per weekly session or sign up for 6 or 12 weeks for £4.12 per session. Telephone Christine, group consultant on 0114 240 3225.

TUESDAYS

YOGA Class 10.30-12pm Exercises for health and wellbeing including breathing techniques for dealing with stress & Deep Relaxation. Qualified and experienced instructor. Beginners Welcome. Everyone can do Yoga! £5.00 per session. Contact Chris Noon, Sheffield Satyananda Yoga School on 0114 233 8340

FRIDAYS

Social Café Fortnightly. 10am–4pm Are you feeling fed up? Need to get out and meet new people? Build your confidence and boost your self-esteem? Then come along to ‘The New Brew’ Social Café. It is a great opportunity to make friends and get involved in exciting local activities.

Refreshments are FREE, with a small charge for lunch.

Contact Miriam on 0114 213 4065 or 07507 798 054 or email her at [email protected]

The Learning Zone Wordsworth Avenue, S5 8NL Tel: 0114 232 6211

PX Community Development ForumMONDAYS

School of Theatre Dance By Sharon Berry. 4-9pm. Dancing Classes for Children. Contact Sharon Direct on 0114 246 6126 for more information.

TUESDAYS

Young at Heart 1.30-3.00pm Activity and social group for people women over the age of 50. Call for cost and more info.

Taekwondo 6.30-8.00pm A great way to have fun and keep fit. £6 per session

Beginners Adult Tap Dance 8.15-9.15pm Get your dancing shoes on and join in the fun! £3 per session.

WEDNESDAYS

Lunch Club 12-2pm. Come along and have a cooked meal, socialise and take part in an activity. Open to all ages. £4 for 2 courses

Boxercise 6.30-7.30pm An hour of boxing related exercise including jogging, push ups, crunches, skipping, stretching & punching bag. Bring water and wear appropriate clothing. £2 per session.

Step into the 80’s 8-9pm This hour long class is run by a qualified gym instructor offering an all over body workout. It’s a fat burning, muscle toning, fun, motivational dance fest with all the best music from the 80s. £2 per session.

THURSDAYS

PX Batters 10-12pm Badminton, Table Tennis, Darts, Snooker, Curling. Contact us more information. £2 per session.

IT Basics and Beyond 6-8pm. If you need any help with general IT then this class if for you. £2 per session.

We will be running a variety of courses dedicated to IT starting early January 2014. 9.30-11.30am, 11.30am-1.30pm. Contact us for more details.

FRIDAYS

Family Fun Friday Toddler Group 9.45-11.45am. A fun way to meet other families with young children in your area - lots of great activities on offer for you and your child to learn, play and have fun!! FREE

Chairobics 10-11am. Come and do gentle exercise to music in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. £2 per session


SATURDAYS

School of Theatre Dance By Sharon Berry 10am-4pm. Dancing Classes for Children. Contact Sharon Direct for more info, vacancies and prices on 0114 246 6126.

Parson Cross Community Development Forum 56 Margetson Crescent, S5 9NB Tel: 0114 327 9727

Longley 4G Community Centre

MONDAYS

Longley 4G Job Club 10am–12.30pm Get help with CV’s, interview techniques, how to fill in a job application and job searches. No referrals needed and you don’t need to be unemployed.

Free and open to all. (Session repeated on Friday)

Longley Little Ones 9.30–11.30am Play group aimed at carers & children under 5yrs every Monday, no booking required. £1 per family

All Stars Street Dance 5-6pm. Ages 4+. Contact Lesa on 07946 608 164. £3.50

Cake Decorating 6-8pm. £2.50 per week (new course starting January)

TUESDAYS

Autastic 12.30-2.30pm. Parent led stay and play group for families and children touched by autism.

Benefits Advice outreach 10am-1pm. Appointments required.

Social Media Explained 5 week course. New course starting in January.

WEDNESDAYS

Longley Wrigglers 9.30–11am. Play group for carers and children under 5. No booking required.

Basic Computer Skills Classes 9.30am-12.30pm. Register as a UK online learner and receive support from our volunteers to master the basics.

THURSDAYS

Cake Decorating 12.30-2.30pm. £2.50 per week New class starting January.

FRIDAYS

Longley 4G Job Club 9.30am-12.30pm (Same as Mondays session)

Together Women Project 9.30am-12.30pm. Women’s drop in for help and advice with Health, Parenting, Benefits, domestic abuse.

Drop in or call 0114 275 8282 for an appointment.

Longley 4G Community Centre 41 Southey Avenue S5 7NN Tel: 0114 233 2984

www.local41.org.uk Facebook.com/longleycentre Twitter.com/longley4g

Shirecliffe Community ForumChristmas Fair Sat 7th Dec, 12-4pm

Shirecliffe Community Forum are holding a Christmas fair and there will be stalls, a Santa’s grotto, carol singers, festive food, face paints and a children’s Christmas craft section.

Winter Warmer

Saturday 7th December

10am-2pmAt SOAR Works Enterprise

Centre, Knutton Road

Join us for a fun filled day with activities and loads of

giveaways.

Including:

• Santa’s Grotto

• Fun and games for all ages

• Christmas activities and cake decorating

• Health Checks and information stalls

• Face painting

• Raffle

• Soup bag giveaway

• Table top sales

• And much, much more!

There may still be time for you to have a stall at our Winter Warmer Event.

Please contact Michele Ward on 0114 213 4065 or email: michele.ward@

soarcommunity.org.uk

Free Entry


Healthy Me and U Are you 19+ and in receipt of benefits, interested in healthy living options? Then this is the course for you. Level 1 accredited ten week course looking at healthy eating on a budget and making positive lifestyle changes. Cost: Free

Understanding Child Development (Part or Child Care Pathway)Various start dates. Cost: Free

Social Media Explained Level 1 Five week course with various start dates. Social media explored: Twitter and Facebook. Cost: £47.50 or £10 if in receipt of benefits.

Food Safety Level 2 One day course. Start dates to be confirmed. Cost: £50

Fire Safety Training One day course with various start dates. Cost: £30

Understanding Customer Service Level 1 Various start dates. Understand the benefits of an organisation’s customer service. Cost: TBC

Principles of Health & Safety in the Work Place Level 1 One day course with various start dates. Cost: £40

Did you know you could do the following courses at SOAR?

Emergency First Aid at Work Level 2 One day course. Various start dates. Cost: £50

First Aid at Work Level 3 Three day course. Various start dates. Cost: £150

BTEC Award in Work Skills Six session course with various start dates. Help with career progression, application forms, interview techniques etc. Cost: Free

Award in Community Development Level 1 Learn about the main purposes and process of community development, community development values and how to learn from community development activities. Start dates TBC

Award in Paediatric Emergency First Aid Level 2 One day course. Various start dates. Cost: £50

Award in Paediatric First Aid Level 2 Two day course. Various start dates. Cost: £80

For more information call 0114 213 4065 or visit: SOAR Works Enterprise Centre 14 Knutton Road (Behind Margetson Crescent shops)

Photo: These guys did. SOAR’s clients receive their Emergency First Aid at Work qualifications.


Charlie Hill, artist on Yorkshire Artspace’s Engaged Practice Starter Studio Programme is now nearing the end of her second year in Parson Cross. She recently made a successful application to the local Community First funding pot which support local activity. Charlie devised her Exploring Nature project to encourage people to engage with nature around them in creative ways.

As Charlie explains:

“We’re getting back to nature in Parson Cross this November with funding from Community First and the support of the Parson Cross Initiative we are delivering free sessions exploring nature in different creative ways. The last two weeks have included jam and jelly making with seasonal fruit, hunting for bugs with local families in Parson Cross Park and we still have chutney making, walking and writing, willow weaving and a celebration event showcasing the work all to come!”

For more information about this project check out Charlie’s blog: charliehill1.blogspot.co.uk

Exploring Naturein Parson Cross


LIZ CUMBERBATCH CONSULTANCY

Liz offers tailored services including facilitation, developing and delivering training in equality, human rights and inclusion, managing performance and creating a coaching culture. I can also provide support for restructuring and change management, strategy and policy development.

“I found working in the DMC has inspired me to go ahead and use social media in a way I wouldn’t have had the knowledge or courage to use before.“

www.lizcumberbatch consultancy.co.uk

MIKES AVIATION

Latest news from around the world on Civil Aviation and personalised gifts for all, such as photos, mugs, placemats and mouse mats - all at very reasonable prices.

“I would not be where I am today without the help of the DMC with the modern equipment and latest software and Vanessa’s business knowledge.”

www.mikesaviation.co.uk

BforB

Peter Rose came across the Network Referral Organisation called Business for Breakfast (BforB) and decided to buy the Sheffield & South Yorkshire franchise. Since that day he has opened a number of groups based at a Sheffield city centre hotel and has helped develop some fantastic business relationships between attendees.

www.bforb.co.uk

The SOAR Works Digital Media Centre has been a free service provided to individuals and businesses since opening in October 2012. We have supported over 45 individuals and businesses with general business support, hiring of camcorders and digital cameras, access to design software, funding advice and searching, accessing business development workshops covering various aspects such as: social media, marketing, content management systems and more.

Here are profiles on some of DMC’s users:

SUE HOUSLEY

Sue Housley is a Doris Day tribute act with a difference. Sue decided that she wanted to make her performance a bit more “theatrical”, so she set about writing a script which Sue narrates over a 60 minute show that incorporates 15 classic tracks, moving clips of Doris’s life in pictures and numerous costume changes and wigs, to re-live the 50’s and 60’s era.

In early May 2013, Sue approached Vanessa at the SOAR Digital Media Centre, with a particular interest in using the cameras and editing facilities available at the centre that would help Sue to create a “showreel” to promote the show.

www.dorisdaystory.co.uk

Free Digital Media Service helps businesses start off on the right track

If you would like any information about the DMC please contact Vanessa Kirby on 0114 213 4120 or email: [email protected]

Documents

5Alive December 2013