The power of partnerships

Westlea Housing has been about a lot more
than just bricks and mortar for a long time now –
but our commitment to helping create better, stronger neighbourhoods, and improving the quality of life for residents, has never been stronger.

We know that we can find creative, long-term solutions to issues by working in partnership. Because the issues we deal with cannot be solved overnight, we welcome the resources and expertise of different organisations to achieve the best results for our communities. A few of our partnership projects are profiled below – some are new, some well established, but all show that we are serious about ‘putting our money where our mouth is’ and providing opportunities and services that you have asked for and that really make a difference.

Are these for you? As a Westlea resident, you can access the services and projects outlined here – just get in touch using the details at the end of each section.

Jigsaw Project – with Barnardo's
The aim of this project is to provide individual support for families together with arranging activities and services for children aged 5–13 years of age. We work with children, local parents, adults and representatives from other agencies to build and develop activities and services for children in the neighbourhoods where they are living. It is hoped that widening the experiences of children will help them to become confident, able adults. We arrange a number of free activities where Westlea has homes so that children can take part in a wide variety of events. We can offer confidential advice about a number of child and parenting related issues, and advice on housing, financial management and benefits. If you would like to get involved with any activities or would like further information then please call 01249 816983.

Salamander Project – with the Wiltshire Fire Service
The Salamander Project is run by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and aimed at young people between 12 and 17. It teaches young people about the consequences of anti-social and criminal behaviour. The group typically sees footage about road traffic collisions, participates in a water rope rescue, and learns about the working lives of firefighters and the risks they undertake on a daily basis. Young people work on developing team-building and communication skills, which help to generate mutual respect for peers and instructors. The project enables those taking part to meet others from different backgrounds, to overcome personal fears and even phobias, and learn new skills – such as abseiling 50 feet down the drill tower of a fire station as part of their tuition in rope rescue skills! For more information on the Salamander Project please contact Jamie Salmon on 01249 465465 or e-mail jamie.salmon@westlea.co.uk.

Dreamscheme & street-based youth work – with Wiltshire Council's Development Service for Young People
For Dreamscheme projects, young people carry out community-based work within their local areas for which they earn points. These points can then be exchanged for trips and activities of their choice. Dreamscheme runs during the Easter and summer school holidays and is open to young people aged 11 to 19 years who live in areas where Westlea has its homes. The project helps to develop environmental awareness, community responsibility, citizenship and social and creative skills among local young people and reduces barriers between generations.
In addition, the team's street-based youth work aims to engage young people aged 13 to 19 years and offers a wide range of activities such as the arts, outdoor education, team games, sports, music and lots more. It creates opportunities for young people to make new friendships and have their own space. Youth workers support young people to get advice and information on subjects such as health, work, leaving home, drugs and alcohol, the law and other issues affecting them. For more information please contact Sophie Grist (Street-Based Youth Development Co-ordinator) on 01249 655249 or email sophiegrist@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Link Scheme – with Community First
Link Schemes are local voluntary groups that offer a ‘Good Neighbour’ service to any local people in need of it. For example, the service benefits people who are disabled, living in areas with poor services, are elderly, or temporarily in need because of illness. Volunteers offer practical help with things like small tasks in the home and garden, collecting shopping and prescriptions or even just calling in for a chat, baking a cake or changing a light bulb. Transport can be provided for medical appointments, social visits (including going to luncheon clubs or day centres) or visiting relatives or friends in hospital. Link Schemes provide a free, confidential service, but welcome donations from their users. All donations are used in the provision of the service, which is run entirely by volunteers. There are opportunities for Westlea residents to become volunteers – gaining great experience and supporting the project. For more information, see the website at www.wiltslink.org.uk or contact Marion Mason on 01380 722241 or email mmason@communityfirst.org.uk.

Alternative Sports Partnership – with WASP
Wiltshire and Swindon Activity and Sports Partnership (WASP) is a county-wide organisation whose role is to get people engaged in community sport and physical activity, regardless of age or ability. This is achieved by working closely with key partners including Wiltshire Council's Sport Development Team, School Sports Partnerships, the Primary Care Trust, and many others now including Westlea, to fund, advise on, support, co-ordinate and deliver projects. Jointly funded by Westlea and a WASP bid for Sport England funding, a new sports coach is in place to focus on increasing the number of adults and young people of all abilities involved in alternative sports. The aim is to get people to try something completely different with there being a particular focus on those living in Westlea Housing neighbourhoods. If you’ve never tried power kiting, mountain biking, ultimate frisbee, mountain boarding, armchair yoga or if you want to do more, then this could be an opportunity for you!
For further information or for an informal chat on how you or your neighbourhood could access the alternative sports coach please contact Ric Grover on 07803 044755.

Adult Carers Partnership – with Carers Support North Wiltshire
Carers Support North Wilts is a charity that provides support, advice, information and opportunities to people who have caring responsibilities for a relative, neighbour or friend, which may be for 24 hours a day. Carers have a valuable role in helping people to manage at home, and we recognise that carers need help and support themselves. Carers Support North Wilts provide one-to-one practical and emotional support from experienced Carers Support workers, at times and venues to suit; information and advice about Carers’ rights, assessments and other support; newsletters; access to funding for Carers; and opportunities to meet other Carers and ‘time out’ from the caring role. Activities have included theatre trips, outings to places of interest, digital photography classes, alternative therapy and much more.
For more information please contact
Lindsay Poulsom 01249 444110 or e-mail lindsay@carersnw.co.uk.

Young Carers Partnership –
with Youth Action Wiltshire
Wiltshire Young Carers is a registered charity and this partnership provides confidential advice, information and emotional support to young carers of any age living where Westlea has its homes. A young carer is a child or young person who looks after a family member with a serious or long-term illness, physical disability, mental health problem, drug or alcohol dependency, or a learning disability. The charity arranges a number of free activities so that young carers can take part in a wide variety of events. It is a great way to get to know other young carers in a safe and fun way. Transport and food are provided and it is all free to young carers. If you would like to get involved with any activities or would like further information then please call on 01380 720671 or email yc@youthactionwiltshire.org.