February/March - The Greets Green Partnership Legacy Website

Do you read theGreets Green Magazine?What has had the mostpositive effect in Greets Greenin the last 7 years?How have local healthservices changed?How have schools changed?How has policing inGreets Green changed?How has the localenvironment changed?How has housing inGreets Green changed?How has community involvementin Greets Green changed?How has jobs and businesssupport in Greets Green changed?Haveyour sayIf you have any views about the work of the Partnership, come and talk to us!We’d love to hear what you think and are keen to get as much feedback fromresidents as possible. We will be undertaking more ‘Families of 99’ discussiongroups. Let us know if you’re interested in taking part. Come into thePartnership offices on the High Street or call freephone 0800 953 0215.Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007 5

Q&AWhat are Neighbourhood Forums?A Neighbourhood Forums aremeetings for residents that havehistorically taken place in each of thenine neighbourhoods which make upthe Greets Green Partnership area.Who are the meetings for?A Local residents – and everyone iswelcome. It’s a chance to meet yourNeighbourhood and Community Repsand Partnership staff – and get your voiceheard. The aim is for residents to let usknow of any specific problems or issuesaffecting people in their neighbourhood.Representatives from organisations suchas West Midlands Police, SandwellHomes and Environment Direct are alsoinvited to the meetings to hear people’sviews first-hand.Q Can you explain the changesthat have just been agreed in relationto Neighbourhood Forums?A Two Joint Neighbourhood Forummeetings were held in December andNeighbourhood Forums Explained...by Neighbourhood Management Theme Leader, Rohit Mistry.QQJanuary where we discussed reducingthe number of Forums to two, combiningneighbourhoods as follows:-North Neighbourhood ForumLodge Road Area, West BromwichCentral, Carters Green, Hambletts(North & South) and Swan Village.South Neighbourhood ForumOak House (North & South) andGreets GreenWe hope that reducing the number ofoverall meetings will make them moreeffective - encouraging more residentsto get involved and ensuring serviceproviders invited to attend give themeetings top priority.QWhat is the Small Sites project?A Last year, we introduced the SmallSites project for Forums to identify smallenvironmental or community safetyprojects that residents would like to seeundertaken in their area. Our total budgetfor the year (which ends on 31st March2007) was £70,000 and work has includedclearing of overgrown shrub areas, treepruning, fencing and improvements tosome general open spaces. We’ll beexplaining more about the kind of workwe’ve been doing in the next issue.We anticipate having a similar amountavailable next financial year, so we needresidents to come along to the Forumsand let us know where they would liketo see the money spent.Q How does the Greets GreenCleaner & Safer Environment Charterfit in?A The Cleaner & Safer EnvironmentCharter, developed by Greets GreenPartnership, is a joint commitment fromSandwell Council’s Groundcare Servicesand West Midlands Police to thestandards residents can expect in termsof keeping the streets of Greets Greenclean and safe. The NeighbourhoodForums are key to the success of theCharter. It’s at these meetings thatresidents can feedback to serviceproviders on progress – are improvementsbeing made and, if not, why not?SWAN VILLAGEHAMBLETTS SOUTHCARTERS GREENHAMBLETTS NORTHNORTHNeighbourhoodForumWEST BROMWICH CENTRALSOUTHNeighbourhoodForumLODGE ROAD AREAGREETS GREENiDates for forthcoming Forums will bepublished in the next issue of the magazine.In the meantime, if you’ve got any queriesor need more information, please call RohitMistry, Neighbourhood Management ThemeLeader on freephone 0800 953 0215.OAK HOUSE SOUTHOAK HOUSE NORTHGreets Green Magazine February/March 2007 7

PARTNERSHIP NEWS HealthGetting fitter step by step!Walking is one of the easiest ways to improve your health. So in the run up to the2008 Olympics in China, the ‘Walk to Beijing’ project has been launched bySandwell Primary Care Trust to encourage you to get fitter – one step at a time!Residents are being encouraged to take part in the project, which starts with a mini healthassessment measuring blood pressure, hip-waist ratio, height and weight. You’ll be givenadvice about keeping fit and a step-counter to measure your progress over the subsequentthree months, after which you’ll receive another health assessment.Anyone who has shown improved fitness will qualify for a rewardwhich includes shopping and leisure gift vouchers. ‘Walk to Beijing’Co-ordinator, Lindsay Manford, said: “This is something residents can doto improve their health and we’re hoping it will catch their imagination.”8BOSSES MEANBUSINESSBusinesses in Greets Green are soenthusiastic about a local healthproject that plans for a healthscreening event have snowballed.Sally Sandel, Greets GreenPartnership’s Health Theme Leader,had been looking at ways to getinvolved with businesses in the AlbionBID Company Ltd, in conjunction withChair Stuart Fell, Business ConsultantGeraldine Thomas and Workwell.The plan had originally been to holda health screening event in Januarywhere workers could check their BodyMass Index (BMI), height, weight,blood pressure and cholesterol.But when the team started planning theproject, they found over 60 businesses,with more than 1,000 employees, whowanted to get involved.Sally said: “We were originally talkingabout a couple of health screeningsessions, but it’s turning into a muchbigger project and we’re thinkinglong term now. There are so manyopportunities – the smoking bancomes into force in July and people inworkplaces are going to need supportto give up smoking.”Workwell have already done a lot tohelp workers at William King steelservice centre to give up smoking,which has been very successful.iIf your business wants to getinvolved, call Sally Sandel on0121 612 1663 or Marie Carroll atWorkwell on 0121 557 4733.Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007More than 380 residents haveregistered to take part so far andthe steps taken by all of thoseparticipating in the project, whichruns until March 2008, will beadded up at the end to see ifSandwell succeeded in walkingto Beijing!It will also be possible to workout which of the area’s six townswalked the furthest, so let’s getWest Brom going!Greets Green Active LifestylesCo-ordinator, Nathan Moore (pictured) explained: “Walk to Beijing is a great way forpeople to become active and stay motivated. They can set themselves goals and thereare rewards at the end. I think it’s a fantastic initiative.”iIfyou would like to take part in the ‘Walk to Beijing’, call Lindsay Manford on0121 612 1651, or Nathan Moore on 07817 009 062.STOP & THINK BEFORE CALLING 999The sight of an ambulance rushing toan emergency call is always worrying– but in Greets Green the crew oftenfind there isn’t an emergency after all.Greets Green, or the B70 postcode area,has the highest number of unnecessaryambulance call outs in Sandwell. Thismeans people are calling 999 when it’snot an emergency.As well as costing a lot of money, thiscould also slow down a response toanother call which might be a genuinelife-or-death emergency, such as a heartattack or road crash.Sandwell Primary Care Trust and WestMidlands Ambulance Service are urgingpeople in Greets Green to think twiceabout calling 999 when other types ofhealth care are more appropriate. Forexample, when people are suffering fromWinter complaints such as earache, colds,coughs, flu and minor sprains from falls inicy weather.Sally Sandel, Greets Green PartnershipHealth Theme Leader, said: “There arelots of alternative things people can dorather than call an ambulance. If peoplewant to find out more about minorailments or conditions, they can go alongto one of the sessions which are beingrolled out across Greets Green.“Residents can also look for chemistsshowing a Pharmacy First sign wherethey can get advice about treatingminor ailments, as well as appropriatemedicines. You can also call NHS Directon 0845 46 47 at any time.”Learning about the alternatives availablebefore calling 999 will save the ambulanceservice money and could even help savesomebody’s life.

PARTNERSHIP NEWSJobs & SkillsAnotherboost forLACEThe Looked After Children inEducation (LACE) project iscelebrating the success of its‘virtual school’.KIDS GET ACTIVEYoungsters at Newtown Primary School are among those being encouragedto enjoy sport through the Active 5, 6 and 7s project funded by Greets GreenPartnership. Children from the school took part recently in a special activitysession to launch a 10 week programme due to start in all of Greets Green’sprimary schools in March.The scheme is aimed at children in Key Stage 1 of primary school and their teachers,and is organised by Hat-Trick Community Football Officer, Rus Smith. Primary schoolchildren took part in the project last year and are now looking forward to making themost of this year’s sessions as well, which will be led by local lad Ray Shelton.Ray has spent two years on an apprenticeship with West Bromwich Albion FC and is nowemployed as a community coach under the Hat-Trick project in the Greets Green area.“The Department of Health recommends that young people should be participating inat least one hour of moderate exercise every day,” explains Rus Smith. “This project willhelp to tackle obesity and raise skills in young children.”iTo find out more, call the Hat-Trick project on 08700 662 840.The school offers additionaleducation support for ‘looked after’children - those who are in care andchildren from outside the area wholive in foster homes in Greets Green –and is a joint project between GreetsGreen Partnership and LACE.It has achieved such good resultsthat it’s been highlighted as anexample of best practice in theGovernment Green Paper ‘CareMatters: Transforming the Lives ofChildren & Young People in Care’.Roger Cunningham, Greets GreenPartnership’s Jobs & Skills ThemeLeader, says: “The most pleasingthing is to see the children who aregetting support from our work withLACE, being given the opportunityto make up for some of the inevitabledisruption to their education.“It is also important to let peopleknow that good work is recognised– right up to a senior governmentlevel.”Paula Rushton (pictured above)from LACE added: “Feedback fromyoung people has been positive,particularly from the Study Zoneand residential activity, so to get thisadditional recognition from Whitehallis a real boost.”iTofind out more about LACE, callPaula Rushton on 0121 588 8337.Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007 9

PARTNERSHIP NEWS Crime & Community SafetyCRIMETOGETHER WE CAN BEAT IT!Ongoing work by Greets Green Partnership and West MidlandsPolice is continuing to make the area a safer place to live and work.Latest initiatives range from better quality street lighting to makingit easier for residents to report crime.Lighting the wayResidents in Greets Green have seen the light and are feeling safer thanksto a project which has replaced hundreds of old lampposts.New stainless steel street lights now shine down on many roads in GreetsGreen, some of which were chosen for the initiative because they had a higherincidence of road accidents and crime.So far about 235 lampposts havebeen replaced thanks to fundingfrom Greets Green Partnershipand a further 201 new lamppostsare due to be put in place by theend of March 2007.Greets Green Partnership’s Crimeand Community Safety ThemeLeader, Phil Hartley, said: “We’rereplacing street lights which are20 to 30 years old with betterquality new ones which are easierto maintain and provide betterquality, brighter light.”Phoenix Street resident, Pam Jackson, who is the new Neighbourhood Rep forSwan Village, said: “It’s been a big improvement. Before it was dark and therewere people hanging around and it was really frightening sometimes. Peopledon’t hang around as much now and it feels safer.”10Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007

✄WE NEED YOUR HELP!Do you want to reduce crime in your area?The Greets Green Crime Fighting Team has created a simple form so youcan pass on information about crimes and anti-social behaviour in your area.You don’t have to give your name, address or telephone number if you’dprefer not to. Just write down any information you have and send it to theaddress at the bottom of the form.ADVICE TOSTAY SAFEResidents from several streets inGreets Green have been offeredwide-ranging advice to help maketheir homes safer from fires and crime.The Greets Green Community SafetyInitiative was carried out over two daysin January.Representatives from West MidlandsPolice, West Midlands Fire Service,Greets Green Neighbourhood Wardensand Urban Heart housing associationjoined forces to knock on doors in theHambletts South neighbourhood.There are other simple ways you can report crime too. If you have anyinformation about drugs or drug dealing, call the Hitback drugs informationline anonymously on 0800 850 2206 or call your local neighbourhoodPolice team on 0845 113 5000 Ext: 7912 6391.If you experience any problems with anti-social behaviour, you can call theanti-social behaviour hotline on 0845 359 7500 or call your local Police.INTELLIGENCE SUBMISSION FORMYou do NOT have to give your name, address or telephone numberName:Address:Tel no:Subject:Information:Police officers provided security adviceand Urban Heart was able to arrange tofit extra security equipment to propertiesthat needed it.The Fire Service offered free Home FireRisk Assessments in which residents aregiven practical advice to reduce the riskof fire in their homes and are shown howto get out safely if a fire does start. Anyhomes which didn’t already have a smokealarm were given one for free.How did you find out this information?Phil Hartley, Crime and CommunitySafety Theme Manager, said: “The HomeFire Risk Assessments are available toall residents. Fire fighters come roundfree of charge and help you develop anescape plan in case of fire.“Very few people are taking up thisfree service and we’re trying to let morepeople know about it.”iTo request your free Home FireRisk Assessment, call freephone0800 389 5525.Please return this form to:PC 5085 Carter at Greets Green Crime Fighting Team,West Bromwich Police Station, New Street,West Bromwich, B70 7PJ.Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007 11

FAREWELLTO FRIEThe outstandingwork of GreetsGreen’sNeighbourhoodWardens iscoming to aclose but theirlegacy willcertainly live on.The Wardens have become key figures in the community, patrolling the streets,providing practical help to residents and groups, helping them to access servicesand initiatives, and generally making Greets Green a better place to live.When the team disbands at the end of March, they will be missed by many, but residentswill continue to benefit from their work for years to come. Many new initiatives have alreadybeen introduced as a result of their work and others are in the pipeline.The Wardens demonstrated the benefit of neighbourhood-based patrols. Many organisationsare now following their example including the Police and the Council. Closer links are beingdeveloped with residents and more responsive services provided.The award-winning Greets Green Crime Fighting Team, which is dedicated to reducing crimeand anti-social behaviour locally, is funded directly by West Midlands Police with a contributionfrom Greets Green Partnership. Over the last two years total reported crime in the area hasreduced from 72% to 50.3% which is not only below the Sandwell average but also belowthe England average, showing the impact of the Crime Fighting Team.In addition, the introduction of the Partnership’s Cleaner Environment Team, workingwith the Sandwell Enforcement Wardens Scheme, will continue the good work ofthe Neighbourhood Wardens in responding to issues such as litter and fly-tipping.Neighbourhood Support Workers have been focusing on building links with localpeople through the ‘Down Your Street’ initiative, and the Neighbourhood Forumsprovide opportunities for residents to raise any problems or concerns.Kerbcraft with the WardensGreets Green Partnership’s Crime and Community Safety Theme Leader, PhilHartley, said: “The community has clearly benefited from the NeighbourhoodWardens over the past four years. There have been real and lasting changesin the way services are delivered and the links which have been forged withresidents. These will continue to be developed so that the excellent work ofthe Wardens will continue.”12Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007

NDS ON THE STREETResidents raise issuesGreets Green Neighbourhood Wardens have been working to empower residentsso they have the confidence to raise their concerns directly with the Police,Council and other local services once the project ends.The introduction of the Greets Green Cleaner & Safer Environment Charter is also helpingresidents to identify which agency is responsible for different issues and who they shouldcontact. Senior Neighbourhood Warden,Neil Woodfield, said: “Over the last12 months we’ve tried to empowerpeople to use the information we’vegot to help themselves. We’d like tothink there’s a lot more people outthere who know a lot more than theydid before.”“I want to say thank you to thecommunity for supporting us overthe last few years. The entire teamwould like to say thanks to all localresidents for their help and support.”THANK YOU!removing graffitiThe Wardens project is overseen by Accord Housing and managed day to day by GreetsGreen Partnership. It was due to have finished a year ago but gained a 12 monthextension thanks to the support of residents and local organisations.Here are just some of the comments local people have made about the Wardens...“Many older people from this Centre have benefited. Wardens have supplied personalalarms and Christmas hampers. Perhaps the most important contribution they havemade is to those who are older / housebound. There have been many occasions wherethey have been the link between the housebound person and the community.”Pat Briscoe, Manager, Ryders Green Methodist Day Centre“They have brought pleasure and understanding of older people when visiting our clubsand also bringing small gifts useful to their safety at home. They will be missed by manypeople just for having a friendly chat or the faithful cuppa with those who are lonely andout of touch.”A Payton, Royal Navy Over 60s Clubfact fileFrom 2003 to 2006, the work of theNeighbourhood Wardens includeddealing with:■ 1,938 anti-social behaviour counterpatrols■ 1,685 environmental issues■ 442 housing issues■ 380 abandoned/untaxed vehicles■ 85 drugs cases■ 35 fires■ 287 faulty street lights■ 7 racial incidents■ 1,634 information visits (to individualresidents and surgeries)■ 349 road safety incidentsReported& sorted!During their time on the streets, theWardens have been kept busy helpingresidents with a whole range of issues,from dealing with crime and anti-socialbehaviour to tackling fly-tipping andsorting out broken street lights.During the first six months of the financialyear starting in April 2006, the Wardens:■ supported 64 victims of crime■ dealt with 770 anti-social behaviourincidents■ carried out 10 joint Police patrols■ were involved with 3 youth and 28older person’s initiativespromoting healthy eating❝My family and I are verygrateful for all the effort theWardens have put intosolving our problems.They have also made ourarea feel safe by offeringadvice in resolvingproblems. Thank you.❞Mr Joki Uddin, local residentThe last two years have also seen them:■ co-ordinating the alley gate projectwhich has installed about 90 gatesin the area■ collecting approximately £450 forcharity■ distributing 2,000 datalink boxes■ handing out 1,350 CO2 patches■ giving 1,100 stubbies to smokers■ offering 250 time switches■ providing 800 burglar alarmsGreets Green Magazine February/March 2007 13

PARTNERSHIP NEWS Housing & Urban FormPUPILS RAP AGAINST ASBYoungsters in Greets Green are busy working on a computer ‘blogging’ projectfocusing on anti-social behaviour and how it affects them.The Year 5 pupils from Guns Village, Ryders Green, Newtown and Lyng Primary Schoolshave access to a website set up by the Menzies City Learning Centre which containsinformation from the Police and other organisations. Each of the schools are looking atdifferent aspects of anti-social behaviour and are recording their thoughts andexperiences on the blog.Pupils from Ryders Green visited Menzies City Learning Centre and used a specialcomputer programme to record what they had learned from the blog, and turned it intoa cartoon-type feature. The school was the first to add something to the website, puttingpoems and recorded raps on it.SARAH MAKESHER MARKSarah Webb, Service ImprovementOfficer for Sandwell Homes, is leavingthe area and will be missed by manyresidents in Greets Green where shehas made her mark.Paul Gregg, Leader of e-learning at Ryders Green Primary, said: “As part of thecurriculum and anti-bullying week, some of the children wrote anti-bullying raps whichwe recorded. They also did plays about emotions and how it feels to be bullied. Thesehave been put on the website and people can post responses to them.”The youngsters are also looking at ways to improve the environment to make it less likelyto encourage anti-social behaviour. All their thoughts have been passed to their localcouncillor and to Greets Green Partnership so that the local area can be improved.iIfyou'd like to find out more about the blog, call Ryders Green Primary School on0121 553 0658.She’s well known in the area, havingvisited every single local tenant! Sarahexplained: “I carried out a survey of allSandwell Homes customers and visitedevery one in the area along with theHousing Officer. We compiled a detailedreport based on residents’ ideas forimproving the housing service.”Sarah has also been involved in runningcustomer care training sessions for staffand has represented Sandwell Homes athousing and Neighbourhood Forums inGreets Green. Plus she responded tocustomer complaints that the office neededimproving by getting it refurbished.The work Sarah has been doing so wellwill be continued after her departure. Wewish her all the best in her new job.Housing Latest!The Government has nowapproved Urban Living’s£44.5 million capitalprogramme for the next 18months, which will ensurethat plans to redevelop keyhousing sites in the area willbe able to move forward.14Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007

NEW LOOKFOR PARK£6 million plan to improve homesPlans for spending on housing inGreets Green have now beenapproved by the Greets GreenPartnership Board for the next fewyears. And it’s good news forresidents.More than £6 million will be spent onimproving housing in the area between2007-10 and residents will have lotsof opportunities for influencing whatgoes on. Planning for this work wasincluded in the original Greets GreenHousing Plan, which was approved aftera public consultation in 2003/04.The aim is to ensure that by 2010:Ideas are being put together to give The Rec a newlease of life as Greets Green Park.Birmingham-based landscape consultants, Fira, have been appointed to comeup with some designs for what The Rec, which is part of the Claypit Laneclearance area, could look like in the future.Neighbourhood Representative, Janet Sayce, was on the shortlisting committeewhich chose the consultants. Janet was born in a prefab on The Rec and nowsteps out of her door in Wattle Road straight on to it! She said: “Some of thehouses in Claypit Lane and Wattle Road were demolished to make a gatewayon to the park. Any plans have got to fit in with the way new houses will be builtwhich will come slightly on to The Rec.“I’d like to see a nice open way through with the trees thinned out and thebracken cleared. It would be good to have a seating area, a proper play areafor the kids, and for The Rec to become somewhere the whole family can beinvolved. It should be a pleasure to walk across it.”The consultants are expected to come back with their designs in the Spring.Their proposals will feed into the new Developer Panel, which will identifypotential opportunities on site.iFormore information on any local housing issues, call the Greets GreenHousing Team on freephone 0800 073 0798.■ Council and housing associationproperties meet the Decent HomesStandard■ More privately owned homes meetthe Decent Homes Standard■ More homes have central heating■ More residents are happy with theiraccommodationThere are plans to work with partners tobring empty and unfit properties backinto use, provide larger family homes byextending or converting properties, offersupport for self-build housing schemesand help young and vulnerable peoplemoving into accommodation byproviding furniture and household items.Others initiatives include:■ Greets Green garden enhancementservice to help residents redesign,improve and sustain their gardens■ Small sites improvement scheme toidentify and improve areas of land■ Providing housing advice and supportto local residents most in need of help■ Energy generation project to tacklefuel poverty■ Home maintenance project to offerresidents construction and practicalskills training■ Landlord accreditation scheme toimprove private rented housing■ Developing additional CommunityCharters aimed at bringing residentsand organisations together to improvelocal services■ Recreation Ground improvements■ Community alarm service to provide24-hour care services to privatelyowned homes■ Encouraging young people to take partin housing and planning decisionsAll the projects within the housingprogramme will be fully developed overthe next few months and residents willbe able to influence them every step ofthe way.iTofind out more, call the HousingTeam on freephone 0800 073 0798.Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007 15

COMMUNITY PAGEIf you would like your community group to be featured on this page,contact Communications Officer, Brian McKinstrie, at Greets Green Partnershipon Freephone 0800 953 0215 or email brian_mckinstrie@sandwell.gov.ukGREETS GREEN COMMUNITYENTERPRISES... be a part of the futureGreets Green Community Enterprises Ltd (GGCE) is taking its first steps to carry on the work startedby Greets Green Partnership. And the exciting news is – you can be part of it!The Board of GGCE has agreed to offer membershipstatus to local people who come forward. This meansyou can attend Board meetings, vote on the electionof directors and stand for election as a director at theAnnual General Meeting, which will be held this Spring.“It’s really important that the people we want to work with getinvolved now – it’s your community enterprise and you can helpshape our future,” says Andrew Rainsford, Chief Executive ofSusan Bartleet-Cross isa long-time supporter ofGreets Green Partnership,having represented thelocal business communityon behalf of WestBromwich Building Society.For Susan, already a Boardmember herself, gettinglocal people involved iscrucial. “To make Greets Green Community Enterprisesreally work we need local input,” said Susan. “We havethe business expertise, we have the managementexperience, what we need are people with the ideas andinspiration to help us to ensure that Greets Green keepschanging for the better.”Communities celebrate togetherGreets Green residents joined peoplefrom throughout Sandwell for anevening of fun and food at a recent‘Celebrating Each Other’ event atWest Bromwich Town Hall. Organisedby Greets Green Partnership’sDiversity Team and SandwellTogether, the aim was to bring peopletogether from different cultures. Andwhat a huge success it proved to be!Syeda Nessa, from the Confederationof Bangladeshi Organisations, said:“A few of the young people sang somenasheeds, which are devotional songs.There was a very good atmosphere.”Gurcharan Mall took along his group the‘Bhangra Blasters’ who play dhol drums,and there was Punjabi singing andBhangra dancing. He said: “It wasfantastic. There was a mixed audiencefrom different communities with young,middle aged and old people. Everyonehad a good time.”Irene Ellis from the All Nations steel bandsaid the 10-strong group had reallyenjoyed the evening, and performed anumber of songs including Under a BlueMoon, Unchained Melody and TheWonder of Me.In the kitchen there were Cook, Look andTry sessions where residents could cookdishes then take home recipe cards sothey could try them at home.Afrah Muflihi, Health Education Officerwith the Yemeni Community Association,Gurbachan Dhinsa, who ispresently the Chair of theGreets Green CommunityEnterprises Board is clear thatit’s an exciting time. “We’regoing to be making someimportant decisions about justwhat kind of things GGCEcan get involved in and howwe can help to continue thePartnership’s work,” he said.GGCE. Andrew also confirmed that membership of GGCE isfree and is open to adults living or working within the areacovered by Greets Green Partnership’s New Deal forCommunities programme.The first GGCE Annual General Meeting will take place on 10thMay 2007 from 6:30pm at the Guru Nanak Community Centre,in Victoria Street. Look out for more information in future issuesof the Greets Green magazine – we’ll keep you right up to date.iFormore information, contact Andrew on 0121 5255810 or email ggce@btconnect.comsaid: “We held a samosas makingdemonstration which was very successful.Some of the parents and their childrenwrapped up the samosas and I fried them.Then they went away and ate them!”An African-Caribbean resident also dida cooking demonstration and showedpeople how to prepare ackee and salt fish.A local resident from Oakhouse North,said: “Greets Green Partnershipis good at bringing people together fromdifferent communities. We need morethings like this event.”iFor more information about thisevent call Diversity Officers RuphsanaNahar-Qayyum and Sam Watts on0121 532 6978.16Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007

PARTNERSHIP NEWS Community EmpowermentCrossing HeroesThe crossing patrol staff of Greets Green have beennominated by local resident, David New, as ourCommunity Heroes for this issue.David doesn't think lollipop men and women get enough recognition forgoing out there in all weathers to make sure youngsters cross roads safelyon their way to and from school. He said: "They have got to be reliableand the kids look up to them."David has watched his neighbour Denise Barry, and her colleague TraceyRichards, at work outside Guns Village Primary School and sees howimportant they are to the children. He wrote to Greets Green Partnershipcommending the crossing workers, saying: "I am sure you will agree withme that lollipop men and women do a fantastic job and are not recognisedenough for all the good work they do for the community. Parents rely onthem to cross their children safely over these increasingly dangerous roads.“I personally know three lollipop ladies in the West Bromwich area, twoof them with at least 20 years of service. Listening to what local childrenand their parents say to them about what they do, warms my heart. Theyare a vital part of our community."iDo you know someone who deserves to be recognised as a CommunityHero? Call Brian McKinstrie at Greets Green Partnership on 0121 5326835 or email brian_mckinstrie@sandwell.gov.ukMUSICAL EVENING MAKES AN IMPACTYoung people showed off the fruits oftheir work for an African Caribbeanmusic history project at a glitteringevening at West Bromwich Town Hall.The Young Black Impact Music HeritageCompetition saw young people aged 13to 20 of all ethnicities researching thecontribution made by African Caribbeanpeople to the UK music industry from the1950s to the present day.They then put on a display of their workand an evening of entertainment, whichwas attended by more than 250 delightedspectators, including Sandwell Mayor,Sadie Smith. Musical heroes whose musicwas performed on stage included Nat KingCole, the Three Degrees, Chaka Khan,Dennis Brown and Bob Marley, plus severalpopular bands and singers of today.Rachel McFee, Greets Green AfricanCaribbean Development Officer, said: “Wehad themes from different decades andsome people thought the performers wereprofessionals. It was really positive andpeople said they’d like to see somethinglike this again, which is great. We gaveout certificates to all the young peoplewho took part and created a catalogue ofthe whole project.”The project also involved some youngstersinterviewing Stan Simms, a Greets Greenresident since 1960 when he came overfrom Jamaica. They asked him about themusic he listened to in the Caribbean andwhat he liked to hear over here.iThe catalogue, which features aninterview with Stan Simms and asynopsis of the whole project, is availablefrom OSCAR Sandwell, priced £5. Tocontact OSCAR, call 0121 525 0556.Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007 17

FUN, FUN,Residents young and old gotinto the festive spirit at theGreets Green Christmas Festivalat the Memorial Gardens withcarols, Santa in his grotto andplenty of fun and games.18Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007

FUN!Despite the Winter weather, there wasno reason to get cold as the event onSaturday 9th December also offered achance to score a goal past Baggie Bird,learn some badminton techniques andeven have a go atice-skating.Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007 19

greetnewsa round-up of Partnership and Community newsTEA DANCE WITHA MESSAGEMore than 100 older people in GreetsGreen got together for a Christmastea dance as well as watching a playwith a serious message.If you have any news get in touch.Call Barbryn on T: 01564 741847,E: susan@barbryn.co.uk or the GreetsGreen Partnership on T: 0800 953 0215,E: brian_mckinstrie@sandwell.gov.ukThe Healthier & Safer Older Age teamorganised the event for over 50s, whichstarted with a performance from FizzogTheatre Company called “I’ve Come toRead the Meter”.The play features characters Hilda and herneighbour Bert and uses comedy to lookat issues that can affect older people,including how to deal with bogus callers,fire safety, falls prevention, safety in thehome and mental health issues. After theperformance, residents tucked into somefestive food before the dancing started.Terry Chikurunhe from the Healthier &Safer Older Age team said: “We tried touse the event not just as a tea dance, butalso to address some of the issues thataffect older people.”iTheHealthier & Safer Older Age teamcan be contacted on 0121 612 3143.HAIR RAISING GRANTThere's a new place to get your hair done in Greets Green!Kit's Hair Design in Bromford Lane hasbeen set up by Karen Abercrombie withthe help of a Business Start Up grantfrom Greets Green Partnership,administered through Business LinkBlack Country.Karen, aged 38, has been a hairdresserfor 18 years, 14 of them in Lodge Road.She said: "I wanted the satisfaction ofhaving my own place, plus hopefullyI am going to build a future for mychildren and offer job security to people.The Start Up grant was brilliant.It paid for all the solicitors' fees.Without it I would have struggled. Itwas really useful."Four local women are working withKaren in the salon. Judith Bayliss fromBusiness Link said: "This is Karen’sfirst venture and she’s supporting thelocal economy, which is the purposeof the grant."iFor more information on starting yourown business, call Judith Bayliss on01386 552619.Cleaner & Safer Environment Charter launchedThe Greets Green Cleaner & Safer Environment Charter has now beenofficially launched and all 5,000 local residents have had their owncopy delivered to their door.The Charter is a joint commitment to the standards residents can expectfrom Sandwell Council’s Groundcare Services and West Midlands Police, interms of keeping the streets of Greets Green clean and safe. “It’s important tosay to people ‘these are the standards of service you should expect’, but likeany contract, it’s a two-way thing,” explained Geoff Fisher, Chair of the GreetsGreen Partnership Board, pictured left with Councillor Mahboob Hussain andNeighbourhood Management Theme Leader, Rohit Mistry.“The Charter was developed through our Neighbourhood Forum networkwhere local people can talk through issues around management of theirarea on a neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood basis,” added Rohit Mistry.20Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007“It is important to have the backing of Sandwell Council's GroundcareServices and West Midlands Police, but it's also about what local people cando themselves. The information in this Charter gives people the contacts tohelp them speak up and ask for the services that will make Greets Green acleaner and safer place to live.”iFormore details about the Charter, call Neighbourhood ManagementTheme Leader, Rohit Mistry on 0121 533 1866.

NEW HEADWELCOMEDPupils at Lodge Primary School havestarted the new year and new termby welcoming a new Head Teacher.SPOTLIGHT ONHEALTHY EATINGWomen attending a healthy eating workshop became the stars of a MidlandsToday programme focusing on the Fit for Life project in Greets Green.TV cameras filmed women at the Shree Krishna Mandir listening to a talk on healthyeating before seeing a low-fat Indian recipe being prepared. Shaleen Meelu, Fit forLife Development Officer, said: “Midlands Today ran a series of special features aboutthe work we are doing and how we are trying to stop obesity and other diet-relatedillnesses.” Crews filmed at George Salter High School, where Fit for Life is based,and the Hindu Community Centre.Shaleen said: “The Visamo Gujarati Hindu ladies were filmed and within thatcommunity there’s a high incidence of diabetes and heart disease. Our aim is to runevents which are a fun, friendly social gathering around food, rather than focusing onthe medical side. We’re raising awareness of healthy eating and how to enjoy it.”There are now plans for similar events with Sikh and Yemeni women, and any othersmall groups of women who are interested.iFor more details, call Fit For Life Development Officer, Shaleen Meeluon 0121 612 1554.Nationalaward wonLocal decorating store,Decoron, beat off stiffcompetition to win the titleof Britain’s Best DécorRetailer at the RetailAwards in November.This is the second time thefamily-run store, based onHigh Street, has been recognised, as theycame second in last year’s awards.Judges made their decision based on thestore’s strengths in customer service,choice and value for money.Mark Welch, Director, said: “Winning thisaward is a reflection of the choice, quality,value and service we offer our customers.Over the last 40 years, we have firmlyestablished ourselves as the area’s leadingdecorating store and have now beenrecognised as the country’s best. It is aproud feeling for all our staff who havecontributed to the success of ourbusiness.”Comedian Ed Byrne presented staff withtheir award at a ceremony at the HiltonHotel.iDecoron is based at 466 High Streetand is open Monday to Fridays 8.30amto 5.30pm and 9.00am to 5.00pm onSaturdays. For more information,telephone 0121 553 3707.James Pearce joined the school thisterm from Summerfield Primary inBirmingham. The school wishes formerHead Teacher, Mohinder Riat, all thebest for the future. Staff and pupilsalike are now welcoming Mr Pearceto the school and to Greets Green.USE YOURVOTECouncil chiefs in Sandwell arelaunching a study into why only a thirdof voters bother to turn out for localelections.Councillor Simon Hackett said: "Thebiggest chance for the people of Sandwellto have their say in the running of theCouncil is by voting in the local electionseach May."Staggeringly, only about 34% of peoplewho are eligible to vote bother to turn out.We want to find out what we can do toencourage more people to register onthe electoral roll and to vote in local andgeneral elections.”“The select committee, therefore, wantsto hear people's views on all aspectsof elections.”iFor more details, visit the Council'swebsite at www.sandwell.gov.ukand follow the link from Council andDemocracy to Elections to SelectCommittee on Electoral Participation.Or email sue_phelps@sandwell.gov.ukwith your views, or call 0121 569 3183.Flipmagazinefor‘YoungGreetsGreen’Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007 21

youngFEBRUARY/MARCH 2007YOUNGPEOPLECOMETOGETHERActivities for allcommunitiesHave a go at ourprize competition,open to all agessee page 23

ts green young greets green young greets green young greets green young greets green young greets green young greets greenGETTING SPORTY!Youngsters across Greets Green aremaking 2007 the year to get fitand have loads of fun! If you’ve notgot involved yet, what are you waiting for?Having fun GETTING FITChildren at Newtown Primary Schoolare taking healthier food to schoolafter enjoying some sessions whichlooked at what they eat.The Fit for Life project, which encouragespeople to eat healthily and take part inphysical exercise, is now being taken intothree primary schools including Newtownwith the help of part-time project workerJulie Nichols, funded by SandwellChildren’s Fund.What’s in your lunchbox?In the summer, the school held a Fit forLife health week, with a sports day, visitorsfrom West Bromwich Albion ‘Sport in theCommunity’, a run in the park and aThe newly formed sixth form at George Salter High Schoolhas scored a goal with its very own football team. Theteam has entered the Sandwell Sixth Form League andwon its first two games against Sandwell Academy andTividale High School.It is run by George Salter’s Jon Morris and Steve Moore.Steve recently earned his FA Level 2 Coaching Certificate aspart of the Hat-Trick community football programme in GreetsGreen, which is jointly funded by the FA, Sandwell Council,West Bromwich Albion and Greets Green Partnership.penalty shoot out. There have also beenhealthy lunchbox sessions and cookerylessons for Years 5 and 6.Julie said: “I’m also speaking to local shopsabout a food discovery day which will lookat where exotic fruits come from and howto prepare them. We’re trying to encourageparents a lot more this term. We’ll beorganising lots of things aimed at havingfun, getting healthy and keeping fit.”Plus, a Birmingham University team willbe taking pupils’ measurements such asheight, weight and waist and the resultswill be analysed to see if the project ismaking a difference over time.Newtown Primary has also been involvedin lots of other healthy activities recentlyincluding:● Walk to School day. It was sosuccessful that a ‘Walk to School bus’is now planned so pupils can walk toschool together in safety every day● Multi-sports. Year 6 are enjoyingsports twice a week including football,tennis, basketball and, from this term,trampolining● Monday 90-minute club. Pupils takepart in 45 minutes of physical activityand receive 45 minutes of help withhomework● Triple S. A group from SandwellLeisure Trust run sports sessionsiWantto find out more about Fit for Life?Call Shaleen Meelu on 0121 612 1554.SUCCESS FOR SCHOOL footy playersIn addition, the school has a newly qualified Level 1 coach inPE teacher Simon Evans, who is also using his FA coachingskills to benefit youngsters in the school. He too gained hisqualification via Hat-Trick.The school has seen more football success with the Year 10 teamgetting to the final of the Midland area Playstation cup, beatingteams from Wolverhampton and Wales to get to the Londonnational finals. Greets Green player Shaun Geddis won ‘playerof the tournament’ on the day. The school also has girls’ footballteams and a busy extended schools sports activity programme.iTo find out how you can join in the footballing opportunitiesin Greets Green, call Rus Smith from Hat-Trick on08700 662 840 (local rate) or 07904 588095.22Young Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007

young greets green young greets green young greets green young greets green young greets green young greets green young grYOUTH BROUGHT TOGETHERYoung people in Greets Green are being asked what activities they want run in their area in aproject aimed at bringing communities together.A lead youth worker, Parvinder Singh Chadha, has been taken on by the Sandwell Community Youth Networkto co-ordinate the scheme, which is funded by The Big Lottery. The Sandwell Community Youth Network linkstogether the Guru Nanak Community Centre, which is leading the project, with the Yemeni CommunityAssociation, the Confederation of Bangladeshi Organisations and the Jamia Community Association.Guru Nanak Community Centre Manager, Baljit Singh, said: “Parvinder will be working with all four communitycentres and speaking to the youngpeople to find out what their needs areand how we can support them.“He will be promoting healthy sport foryoung people, as well as safety aspects,and learning about different cultures.The aim is to bring communitiestogether and build communitycohesion.” Parvinder only started hisnew role in January but is alreadygetting to know young people acrossGreets Green.iFindout what Parvinder hasplanned by calling him at theGuru Nanak Community Centre on0121 525 6923.COMPETITIONCORNERSimplysend your entry by 16th March 2007 to:Magazine Competition, FREEPOST GREETSGREEN PARTNERSHIP (no stamp required).The first three correct entries out of the hat willeach win a £10 voucher.Congratulationsto Mardiyah Begum, CassondraHerman and Jacqueline Grantwho each won a £10 voucherfrom the December/Januarycompetition.Find these winter weather words in the wordsearch grid to bein with a chance of winning one of this month’s three £10shopping vouchers. The words can appear up, down, across,diagonal or backwards.FOGGYSLIPPYRAINCLOUDYSNOWName:Address:ICECOLDWETCHILLYDULLTel No.F O G G Y Q K E Q CA O F V U J K L Y OD S D D J C X B V LS N H U W H H J C DA O G L F I G N M XP W I L M L W E T ZI E L T Z L I K M RC L O U D Y O D U AE R R W N S B T P IC S L I P P Y A N NThis competitionis open toall agesYoung Greets Green Magazine February/March 2007 23