Heeley Advice Centre Reaches out for help!

Heeley Advice Centre has secured some major new funding allowing it to employ a new Advice Worker to restart outreach sessions in the Gleadless Valley and Arbourthorne areas.

These extra outreach sessions will allow the Centre to give much needed Advice to more local people on their own doorstep. The Advice Worker will give generalist advice but will also assist with welfare benefits, debt, consumer and housing queries. If you need independent advice on any of these matters, keep a look out for the outreach sessions starting in April or get in touch with the Centre (contact details below)

Heeley Advice Centre is also looking to recruit new Volunteers, could you spare any time to help give advice, carry out receptionist duties or help with the administrative tasks that these sessions require? Full training and support will be given to all those interested.

You would become part of a team of 8 paid workers, 4 volunteer receptionist workers and 7 volunteer advice workers working in a busy, much needed local resource. Go on, think of the difference volunteering one morning or a day a week could make to your life and to the lives of others!!

If you think you would be suitable, or able to offer some other help to the Centre, then please contact Sue Congreve or Heeley Advice Centre on 0114 2588751 or email heeleyadvice@live.co.uk or call in to Heeley Advice Centre, 344 Gleadless Road, Heeley Green, SHEFFIELD. S2 3AJ.

Easter News from Heeley City Farm

There's loads going on at the farm over the Easter holiday for people in our local community to get involved with, kicking off with our annual Spring Fayre on Sat 31st March at 11am. Bring the family down and get musical with the Yorkshire Tea Bag Skiffle Band or coo over all the new baby animals we have, including four sets of twin lambs. We are expecting lots of new arrivals over the next two weeks as part of our programme to help save endangered farm animal breeds; the farm was recently given Rare Breeds Park Farm status by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and we are working with them closely to do our bit!

Welsh Badger Faced twin lambs one boy, one girl born to Gladys

If you can't make the Fayre we have an Easter Egg Hunt on Sat 7th April starting at 11am and the kids can make some last minute Easter cards in reception. During the week children can volunteer to help look after the animals and as we are a Learning Destination for Sheffield Children's University they can pick up credits for their passports for every hour they work on the farm. There will be two Roundhouse Activity Days on Monday 2nd April and Friday 13th April 10am - 3pm which kids can also get credits for or do just for fun! The Roundhouse at the farm is in need of some repairs to its structure before the roof goes on - if you want to join in with daubing the walls wear wellies as lots of mud stomping is needed.

For more info and news from the farm join our mailing list below - if you sign up before the end of March 2012 you will be entered into the draw to win a cake from The Farm Kitchen.
Heeley City Farm Mailing List
See you soon!

Come to the AGM on 17th May 2012

    The TARA is made up of a small group of volunteers who have been involved since the association was formed, but we need new and fresh blood to join us, perhaps even take over the reins for the future.
    Every tenant and resident who is a member of the TARA can play an important role by taking part in activities and helping to make decisions about our area.
    So what decisions need to be made? Well, have you noticed the blossom Trees on Derby Street we got planted? We help organise the trips, we’ve got a play area improved, we got a vegetable patch organised, and there is a play area and climbing boulder about to be put in, and does anyone remember the free bulbs and planters we gave out?
    We have found it’s the same small handful of people coming along, and we often wonder if local tenants and residents are really bothered about the area they live?
    We think people are! We’re very lucky to live in an area that has great views across the valley, we have good local transport and shops, and some really nice friendly people living in the area, but we know it’s not perfect!
    Come along to our AGM and join us, we’re providing a hot pie and peas so you wont miss out on your tea..!!

  

Rise to the Challenge with our new climbing boulder

    Why not go and have a climb on the climbing wall that’s been installed on the open field at the top end of Derby Street.
    Whilst not the same as the one pictured below, it was designed by zigzag climbing walls and  funding was obtained with support from Sheffield Homes. It’s sure to be a treat for young people.

Wall Calendar for 2013

     The TARA committee are in the process of ordering these new fabulous wall calendars for 2013; and will be given free of charge to all households in the area we cover.
    We’re sure you will agree these will look great on your walls, but which will also give us a chance to remind you we do exist and will have our contact details and meeting times as an aide memoir!
     We will distribute in December of this year, ready for your use over the coming year in 2013.

   

Dig in for Free Food

     Everyone has noticed food is getting more expensive and we are not getting as much for our money these days. How about a great way of growing your own with other local residents using a community garden?
    The TARA has got the first one going at the top end of Derby Street (pictured above), and when we have a good solid group of volunteers, we can do more.
    Thanks to a grant via Sheffield Homes Dragon’s Den, we have £1,500 to spend for tools, materials and seeds, and we also have the ideas to create raised bed areas in some washing line areas that hardly get used!
    The idea is simple, you dig in and do some work, even if it is only a little weeding, and you get to take a share of some crops. Take an onion, and plant an onion seed for somebody else to enjoy!
    If you are interested in having a go, you can either go along and do something in your own time as it is well overdue for a big weed, or get in touch to join us!

Coach Trips for summer 2012

    Heeley Rise TARA would like to know where you want to go for this year’s trips. Do we have two trips, three or perhaps even four?
    Each year we have always asked members who attend the AGM to come up with suggestions, and this year we have decided to ask your suggestions via this newsletter.
    For many tenants and residents, especially under the present financial climate, a day trip is perhaps the best chance for a short break and a trip away from Heeley, to get out of Sheffield and go somewhere nice!
    In the past, we have been to Bridlington, Lincoln, Scarborough, Skegness and York, and we have got there by the famous yellow buses owned by Coopers Coaches.
    We either can either book a coach with a toilet, or we could book a coach with a lift and ramp for wheelchair or scooter users. It seemed the choice for the on board toilet was most popular, although it wasn’t working on our last trip .!!
    So, to make life easier, make your choices on the back of the AGM form below, and don’t forget to order your tea time food for the AGM in May! We need your support to keep the community together..!!   

Heeley Millennium Park Climbing Boulder

Carrield Farm Community Garden AGM

(FRIENDS OF HEELEY & MEERSBROOK ALLOTMENTS)

 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & SOCIAL FRIDAY 23rd MARCH at 8pm at THE INSTITUTE

(Hartley Street – between Ann’s Grove School and Heeley Church)

If you would like to get involved, or just find out more about the group and the Community Garden then please come along and join us.  Our guest speaker will be from the Community Supported Agriculture Hazlehurst project. Refreshments provided.