March 2010 - Adobe PDF - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

<strong>Stockton</strong> News <strong>March</strong> / April <strong>2010</strong>
Page 29
Viva Volunteers –
Do Something
different!
Anyone can volunteer,
so it was balloons
away at the recent
official launch of Viva
Volunteers in February a
brand new and exciting
volunteering service for
<strong>Stockton</strong> on Tees.
Viva is a partnership between
Tees Valley PSG, Catalyst
<strong>Stockton</strong>, <strong>Stockton</strong> Council
and <strong>Stockton</strong> Residents. It is
unique in that it will bring a
cross section of organisations
together to form a solid
group of volunteers to create
meaningful volunteer
opportunities in public, private
and third sectors.
On tour
Some residents took
part in bus tours to
unfamiliar parts of the
Borough recently, as part
of a scheme to bring
communities together.
The tours, funded by the
North East Improvement and
Efficiency Partnership, visited
several neighbourhoods where
residents could see where
regeneration and development
is taking place.
Viva can help individuals
looking to volunteer,
organisations in search of
volunteers and private sector
businesses wanting to become
socially responsible. It plays a
crucial and major part within
communities on all levels
whether for older people,
groups or working with young
people.
To find out more about Viva,
whether it’s to become a
volunteer, find a volunteer
or to learn more about
social responsibility , call
0800-8600-214 or visit www.
viva-volunteers.org.uk or Text
‘Viva’ to 8<strong>2010</strong>.
opened my eyes to the size
and amount of work which has
taken place.”
Representatives from the
Area Partnerships showed the
residents exactly where their
involvement has helped make
improvements.
The Area Partnerships bring
representatives from various
sectors together including
public, voluntary and
community, local businesses,
agencies and resident
associations to give local
people a chance to influence
developments in their area.
Visit the Borough’s
‘virtual’ hall of fame
Last year a virtual hall
of fame was launched
on the Council’s website
to celebrate and
acknowledge people from
the Borough’s past and
present who are worthy
of special recognition.
Local peoplewere asked
to nominate deserving
people who had a link to
the Borough and these
ideas went before a
commemoration panel.
The website www.stockton.
gov.uk/halloffame will show
who currently features,
these include:
• Brass Crosby, <strong>Stockton</strong>’s
own Dick Whittington
• Harold Macmillan,
former UK Prime
Minister
• John Walker, friction
match inventor
Mosque takes shape
Building work on
<strong>Stockton</strong>’s new purposebuilt
mosque, between
Bowesfield Lane and
Westbourne Street, is
progressing.
It will replace the existing
mosque on nearby
Hartington Road, which
became too small as
worshippers increased.
It will provide larger and
improved prayer halls,
• George Stephenson,
engineer of the
<strong>Stockton</strong> to Darlington
Railway (pictured).
If you can think of anyone
who should be in the hall of
fame, please get in touch.
Email your nominations to
halloffame@stockton.gov.
uk or post them to Hall of
Fame, Room 66, Municipal
Buildings, Church Road,
TS18 1LD.
ablution facilities, a dining
room, community library and
educational resources for the
local Muslim and non-Muslim
community.
Designed by West Yorkshire
architects, Archi-Structure
Ltd, the finished mosque
will boast traditional Islamic
features.
Private businesses,
organisations and residents
have donated £2.2 million.
Those taking part were
surprised at what was going
on, one commenting: “I can’t
believe the immense amount
of work which has, and still
is, being developed across
the Borough. This tour has
A DVD showing the Area
Partnerships’ work will be
available from April 10 – for a
copy call the Partnerships and
Engagement team on (01642)
528677.