Communities First in your areabtckstorage.blob.core.windows.net/site1619/newsletter.pdf · What is Communities First? Communities First is a long term Welsh Assembly Government programme

Issue 1 Rhifyn 1

Communities First in your area

Communities First have been working in your community since March this year and have been getting to know you and finding out what you feel your community needs. We have made links with local residents of all ages, Brackla Residents Association, local Police Community Support Officers, housing officers and community groups including the Food Co-op and Parents committee. As Community First workers our roles are to support and work with local community members in addressing the needs of their community, it is important that local people work together, and with other agencies to make their community a better place for all to live and work in.

Communities First Area Brackla Meadows Chorleywood close Georgian way Waunscil Avenue Meadow Walk

Key

Communities First Area 1

What is Communities First?

Communities First is a long term Welsh Assembly Government programme that looks to improve the living conditions and prospects for people in communities that are of most need. It is above all a programme about local people deciding what is needed in their community and then working together, and with other agencies to realise their ambitions. There are six main themes that the Communities First programme focuses on these are:

Communities First Aims

We aim to work closely with local people and help them to get involved in improving their community, to work with voluntary, statutory and private organisations that will offer a range of support and advice, to bring in funding from external bodies and to develop new and flexible ways of thinking to overcome problems and break down barriers. In essence we aim to get everyone working together to make their community a better place for all to live and work in.

Communities First Partnership

The Communities First Partnership is a group of local community members and other key stake holders from statutory and voluntary organisations, each group making up one third of the Partnership. The aim of the Partnership is to enable local people to contribute to the improvement and regeneration of their community through promoting community engagement and Partnership working. Communities First staff are here to work with the Partnership and support them in identifying and addressing the needs of their community and assist in bringing in other agencies that will aid in achieving those goals.

How can you get involved • Talk to your Communities First officers about what is needed in your community and find ways

in which you can bring about change • Attend meetings, discussions, consultations and give your views about what is needed in your

community • Talk to other people in your community – form groups with the help of Communities First

officers to look at ways of addressing need • Get involved in local projects to bring about change • Get involved in joining the Communities First Partnership If you would like to know more about Communities First, and how you can go about improving your

community please contact us either via email or telephone Telephone: 01656 815121

Email : [email protected]

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On Saturday 5th July Brackla Community Council held its 10th annual Festival,

the day was geared up to provide a fun day out for all the family. The festival included a bouncy castle, climbing wall, face painting, sumo westling, stilt walker, magician and much more to get the children involved. There was also a wellie throwing competition which was very popular, and Bric a Brac tables with plenty of bargains to be had for the adults.

Dancing and music was provided by children from Dance Crazy who performed a fantastic routine which really got the crowd going, this was followed by The Blue Deltas Jazz band who played a series of fantastic musical pieces.

The Community First team were present at the festival providing information about what they are doing in the area and getting to know the local community. The local Brackla Meadows “Fruits of Love Food Co-op” also had a stall at the festival promoting healthy eating and the importance of purchasing food that is local and of good quality and value, three food hampers of fresh fruit, veg and salad were raffled off by the food co-op. Wales and West Housing Association and Linc-Cymru were also on hand to give help and advice about housing matters. The festival was planned to take place on the football fields however due to the terrible weather it was relocated to Brackla Community Centre. Despite the awful weather there was a good turnout of people and many happy faces enjoying the activities. The festival raised approximately £350 which is to be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society and Bridgend Carers Centre. The Brackla Residents Association worked with the Community Council on this event and was very pleased to be involved.

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Bridgend Lifesavers Credit Union

DID YOU KNOW THAT

• THERE IS A CREDIT UNION AT THE BRACKLA FAMILY CENTRE EVERY TUESDAY FROM 10.00 TO 11.30

• THAT YOU CAN START SAVING STRAIGHT AWAY WITH JUST £2.00. YOU WILL NEED

TO TAKE IDENTIFICATION AND YOU CAN PAY BY CASH OR CHEQUE

• YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR A LOAN. STAFF AT THE CENTRE CAN GIVE YOU A LOAN APPLICATION FORM

• INTEREST RATES TO SUIT ALL POCKETS. FROM A DOOR LOAN PROVIDER IT MAY

COST MUCH MORE . THINK WHICH IS THE BEST DEAL

• BRIDGEND LIFESAVERS CREDIT UNION IS A NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANISATION SERVING THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF ANYONE WHO LIVES OR WORKS IN BRIDGEND.IT WAS FOUNDED IN 1997. REGULATED BY FINANCIAL SERVICES AUTHORITY

• IF YOU NEED A SMALL INSTANT LOAN, CONSOLIDATION OR FINANCE FOR

SOMETHING LARGER THEY MAY BE ABLE TO HELP.

• SAVINGS ACCOUNTS ARE FLEXIBLE AND IDEAL FOR YOUNG AND OLD

IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION CONTACT BRIDGEND

LIFESAVERS CREDIT UNION ON 01656 729912 OR THE WEBSITE ON blscu.co.uk

BEAT THE LOAN SHARKS … BITE BACK

Are you a loan shark victim? If you’ve been a victim of a loan shark or know a victim, then help is at hand. The new Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit has recently been set up to help people having problems with illegal money lenders throughout Wales. These lenders, more commonly know as loan sharks, typically lend money and charge extortionate rates of interest. They are not licensed as they should be, and regularly use threats of violence to intimidate those unable to pay money back on time. Victims of loan sharks, or anyone who knows someone affected by their activities, can call the newly launched 24 hour hotline number on 03001233311. All calls to the hotline are completely confidential .

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Recycling Container If you are a new resident and need a new recycling container or if you have lost one. Contact Bridgend Council and they will arrange for a new one to be delivered to you. You can get a lid so that the bins can be stacked and the contents won’t get wet. Ring Bridgend Council and they will send you a voucher to collect the lid from one of the four civic amenity sites in Bridgend. Bridgend County Borough Council Recycling Telephone 01656 643443

Dog Ownership Day

Over 20 dogs from the Brackla area of Bridgend benefited from a Free PDSA PetCheck and owners were given free responsible dog ownership advice, thanks to a new partnership formed between WWHA and the PDSA. The PDSA’s health check trailer visited the car park to Pen Onnen flats on 26th June. Residents with dogs were invited to bring them along to the event that was part of the seventh annual PDSA PetCheck UK tour, in which qualified veterinary nurses undertake free PDSA health checks (dogs only for safety reasons) which cover: diet and nutrition; dental care; coat condition and general fitness. Bridgend County

Borough Council’s Dog Warden and Officers from the Publ ic Protect ion Department were there to offer advice and to hand out free poop bags to residents to reinforce their bag it, tie it, bin it message. The event was undertaken as a pilot project and due to its success it is hoped that events will be planned to cover further areas during the 2009 PDSA PetCheck UK Tour

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BRACKLA TENANT PARTICIPATION COMPACT Wales and West Housing Association and Linc Cymru are working with Brackla Residents Association to review the Brackla Residents Compact. The compact has been up and running since 2000 when it won a UK Housing Award in the ‘Outstanding Achievement In Social Housing In Wales’ category. The Tenant Participation Compact is an agreement between Brackla Residents Association, Wales and West Housing Association and Linc-Cymru to work in partnership in order to create a unified, sustainable community and a safe and healthy environment for Brackla. It belongs to the residents of Linc- Cymru and Wales and West Housing Association who live in the Brackla Local Authority electoral ward in Bridgend. We are working on a new action plan to look at the priorities in the area. From the original action plan the Brackla Compact Achievements have been:-

• Most residents of Wales and West Housing Association have enclosed gardens. (it will remain on the action plan until the whole WWHA estate is completed)

• There is a weekly surgery on Brackla where residents can see their Housing Officer

• Every 3 months representatives from Wales and West Housing Association, Linc-Cymru

and Brackla Residents Association inspect every site in Brackla. Looking at outstanding repairs, condition of gardens and communal areas, illegally parked vehicles and any other issues raised by the residents.

• Residents receive this newsletter twice a year

A copy of the compact and action plan will be available for any resident who would like to see copy.

DEBT ADVICE

Wales and West Housing Association is working with a Debt Management Specialist to give residents help on how they can help themselves to get out of debt. They are being provided with debt advice and how to set up Debt Management Plans. Residents can be referred by Wales and West Housing Association. They will then be contacted directly by the specialist and will be interviewed by phone. This interview is completely confidential and

residents do not have to share the information with WWHA .You can chose for WWHA to be provided with details of the outcome.

WWHA has held debt surgeries with the same specialists on Brackla Meadows and if residents would like to attend one of these please let us know. If you feel that you need help please contact your Housing

Officer on 0800 052 2526 and we can refer you to the organization.

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BRACKLA JUNIOR FOOTBALL

CLUB FUNDAY

On Saturday 28th June 2008 Brackla Junior Football club held their funday on the Brian Drew Playing Fields in Brackla. Over 600 children aged between 6 and 11 took part in the event from 42 football teams from the Bridgend and Cardiff area. In the morning the under 7's, 8's and 9;s played and then in the afternoon it was the turn of the under 10's and under 11's. The funday was totally non competitive ( no winners, no losers ) and the focus was on having fun through playing football. The teams were made up of boys and girls and everyone received a commemorative medal at the end of the day. The weather was very kind on the day despite the previous day being a total washout. The purpose of the event was to have fun but also to raise funds to provide winter training facilities for all age groups. There were many other attractions besides football, BBQ, hair spraying, sweet stall, bouncy castle, sumo wrestlers, ice cream and a football target shooting competition. The club would like to say thank you to all the helpers both during the build up and on the day, also to the many sponsors who contributed to the match day program and for the generous raffle prizes. Brackla Junior Football Club is looking for players boys and girls from school years 1 to 5 to come and join them for summer training evenings. Why not go along you may meet some new friends or you could bring your own along. Enjoy some fun and exercise in the fresh air. Every age group has qualified coaches who will ensure that you have a good time and will help develop your skills and talent. All sessions start at 6.00pm on the fields behind Tremains School and sessions finish between 7 and 7.30pm.

Years 1,2 and 3 Thursdays Years 4 and 5 on Wednesdays

The first 2 weeks are FREE and then it costs just £2 per week

Just turn up or for more information contact

Andy ( Chairman)

01656 647314 (evenings) call or text 078 1066 3241

Communities First will be producing four community newsletter a year and we really want YOUR input. If there is anything you would like to see in the newsletter such as stories, poems, information, jokes, recipe ideas, please contact your development worker. It really is your community newsletter so why not get involved and see your article in the next edition. Contact- Ruth Hounsell on 07815527053 or email [email protected]

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OAKWOOD AND TENBY DAY OUT

B r a c k l a R e s i d e n t s Association decided this year to arrange a summer trip and arranged a trip to

Oakwood and Tenby. On 31st May 2008 3, 70 seater coaches headed west and took over 200 Mums ,Dads and Children. The sun was o u t a n d everyone had a fabulous day. Gordon Taylor, Chair

of Brackla Residents Association said “it was a pleasure to see the children enjoying themselves” The trip which cost £3,500 was funded by Brackla Residents Association and residents paid £6- a bargain for such a brilliant day. A big thank you to Gordon for

arranging the trip. Children who attended the trip were asked if they would like to tell us about their day by drawing a picture or writing a story. These were then

entered into a competition and the winning entries are printed here for everyone to see. The winning entries have also been printed in Wales and West H o u s i n g Associations Drake’s D e n / I n T u n e Sections. We l l done to

everyone, the pictures and stories were absolutely fantastic.

Holly: Age 7

Paris: Age 10

Liam : Age 5

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Estate Agreement Update

The Estate Agreements for Clos Y Waun / Clos Y Wern and Clos Tan Y Fron/ Clos Tan Y Cefn have been in place for over six months now resulting in a reduction of low level nuisance complaints. There has been a consistent reduction in the number of nuisance complaints since the introduction of the estate agreements, Clos Tan y Fron was implemented 13th August 2007. 31 complaints were received between 1st January 06 and 13th August 07 and reduced to 14 since implementation. Clos y Waun/Clos y wern was implemented 18th October 2007. 105 complaints were received between 1st January 06 and 18th October 07 and has now reduced to 26 since implementation. An estate agreement is a set of rules for a community, agreed by residents who live there and suit estates where there is low level nuisance eg ball games, litter, car parking issues. By asking residents what changes they would like to see, estate agreements can be created as a means of resolving these. On 8th May 2008 and 8th April 2008 review meetings were held with residents of both schemes. This was an opportunity for residents to let Wales and West Housing Association know how the Estate Agreements had affected the streets and to look at what was and wasn’t working. If you would like more information about Estate Agreements please contact your Housing Officer.

Since the last newsletter in December it has been a busy time for the Residents Association. I have been working closely with

Wales and West Housing Association and Linc-Cymru on the Brackla Tenant Participation Compact and this has now been updated from the original version from 2000. I would recommend that committee members attend as these meetings are held every six months and are relevant to the estate. We will continue to work on the action plan and you will see from the article the results that have already been achieved. I attend lots of meetings on behalf of the residents of Brackla. In June I was at the Millennium Centre meeting with ministers from the Assembly to discuss the need for more affordable housing in Wales. I attended a Welsh Tenants Federation meeting which was held at Bryntirion Football Club in Bridgend. At these meetings we have other groups from Cardiff, Rhondda and Merthyr, we always have a guest speaker to discuss relevant issues i.e. service charges, anti social behaviour, the benefit system. I am allowed to take three others with me, if any committee members want to come along please let me know. On the 31st May we had our day trip to Oakwood and Tenby everyone had a great day. On 5th July we held the Brackla Festival, the rain meant that we had to move into the

community centre but the event was well attended. Chair: Gordon Taylor

Brackla Residents Association

Update

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Brackla Meadows Footpath Communities First became aware that members of Brackla Meadows community were unhappy about the state of the footpath that runs from Clos y Waun to Bridgend town centre. Two consultation days were held: one on Friday April, 18th and another on Saturday, April, 26th. The consultations were delivered by Communities First, members of Brackla Residents Association, Wales and West Housing Association, the Parents Committee, the “Fruits of Love” Food co-op, local Police Community Safety Officers and many children from the Meadows. We managed to talk to over 200 people in the two days and the general consensus has been that the footpath is overgrown, needs more lighting and generally feels “scary” especially at night. There are also major problems with fly tipping and needles left lying around which is causing much concern to members of the public. Communities First and the Local PCSO’s have been in contact with the relevant Bridgend CBC agencies, “Keep Wales Tidy” and the Communities First Wildlife Officer to see if we can try and sort out some of these issues. We hope to hold a community project when we can all work together to make the footpath area a much nicer, safer place. To date we are still waiting to hear back from Paddle Homes, who own the bridge and are based in Lancashire, to receive permission to clear the bridge, however various agencies have already come on board and started removing the litter and needles in the area. Many of the children and young people feel strongly about the poor condition of the footpath. Ben, 9, from Brackla Meadows has been helping the Communities First Team to take pictures of the footpath and has this to say about it: As the surrounding area is cleared of the dangerous litter Communities First will be letting you know when we, as a community, can work together to make the footpath a cleaner, safer and more attractive route to and from the Meadows and the town centre.

Me and Jason and Tom and Alex and Jack We went to the bridge and we saw things like litter and unstable trees, sharp sticks, sharp glass, lots of litter, sharp things like glass and bottles. From Ben

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Brackla Neighbourhood Policing Team The Brackla Neighbourhood Policing Team is led by Sergeant Steve Rees who joined the Bridgend Division earlier this year. He leads a dedicated team consisting of PC Owain Watts; PC Neil Loveridge and PCSO’s Meurig Coleman and Richard Mathews. This dedicated team to Brackla has reinforced the Bridgend Divisions commitment to Neighbourhood Policing and targeting offenders to reduce the fear of crime amongst the residents of Brackla. Over the past year, the Team has organised many policing operations targeting drug dealers; burglars; handlers of stolen property and opportunist criminals targeting vehicles and have had excellent results. Cars speeding through the Brackla estate are a constant worry to both residents and the Police and this is a PACT priority. With the purchase of the Brackla Speed Camera by the Brackla Community Council, this has allowed officers to target hot-spot areas for speeding vehicles and is now used as part of their normal patrol areas identified through the PACT process. The team is fully committed to dealing with youth annoyance and behaviour that affects the lives of residents in Brackla. With the lighter evenings upon us, scrambler and mini motor cycle annoyance is inevitable and the Team has already identified and spoken to known residents who have these machines with proactive action resulting in one motorcycle being seized and crushed. You can contact your local police officer by either attending the drop in surgeries, monthly PACT meeting or when on patrol.

BRACKLA MEADOWS YOUTH WORKER

Brackla Meadows now has its very own Youth Worker—Steve Brookman. Steve will be in the meadows every Wednesday evening from 5-7pm, he works with people aged 11-25 years old. If you have any concerns or would like information, advise or simply just a chat please don't hesitate to contact him. Tel number: 01656 724 057

FREE YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMME The BCBC Youth Service– Detached Youth Work Summer Programme 2008 is now out and includes a 5 week programme of FREE activities people aged 11-25 yrs old. Activities include a graffiti workshop, mountain biking, dance, bike maintenance, Indian Head massage and MUCH MORE! The activities are at various venues in Bridgend but are based at Bridgend Recreation Centre from the 28th July-1st August and then the 18th August-22nd August. For more information please contact Steve Brookman or look at the NCH display board. 11

Noise Action Week

Wales & West Housing Association (WWHA) took part in a number of initiatives across South

Wales to raise awareness of the impact of noise in its housing schemes, as part of this year’s

Noise Action Week.

Noise Action Week, which ran from 19 – 23 May 2008, aims to promote practical solutions to

everyday noise problems.

Noise can cause disruption and distress to everyone. Research shows that 50% of the

population say noise affects their quality of life and in 2007 around 1 million people moved

home because of noisy neighbours. WWHA receives approximately 1,000 complaints each

year and noise is one of the most common complaints.

As a result WWHA staged roadshows with local partners in:

Cradoc Close and Cwrt Tarell, Brecon (19 May)

Tatem Drive, Fairwater, Cardiff (20 May)

Brackla, Bridgend (21 May)

Twyncarmel, Merthyr Tydfil (22 May)

Lidl car park, East Tyndall Street, Splott, Cardiff (23 May)

Queens Square, Wrexham (3 June)

For the Bridgend roadshow, WWHA was joined by V2C, Linc Cymru, Bridgend Community

Safety Partnership, Communities First, Bridgend Council’s Environmental Protection

Department, local Police Community Support Officers and the Brackla Residents Association.

Staff demonstrated how loud music and other noise impacts on

neighbours, and showed how noise monitoring equipment works.

They also provided general advice and handouts on how

individuals can reduce noise etc.

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LINC CYMRU ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR FOCUS GROUP FEEDBACK

In January 2008, a series of focus groups took place which examined our approach to anti-social behaviour. We were really pleased with the feedback we had from residents and were even more pleased that most of the tenants we spoke to who had made complaints felt they had been dealt with well by their Housing Officers. Having said that we recognise there is always a need for improvement which is why we are currently revising our anti-social behaviour policies and procedures. The below table shows a sample of the types of things raised in the focus groups and what we are doing about them.

YOU SAID HOW WE ARE RESPONDING

Can you tell us more about Neighbourhood Watch Schemes?

We arranged for a police officer to visit one particular area to tell residents more about Neighbourhood Watch. We are actively supporting a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Cardiff, which has been set up as a result of individual tenants liaising with the local police. More information is available at www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/neighbourhoodwatch, or you can contact your local police if you and your neighbours are interested in setting up a scheme.

Can tenants be involved in Estate Inspections? Tenants on some estates are already involved in estate inspections and we would welcome others becoming involved. We will publish all the dates of future inspections on our website and in future editions of the Grapevine and Brackla Newsletter.

Can visits be made to “problem” tenants? If complaints are received about nuisance from a particular tenancy, the Housing Officer will visit the tenant to discuss the complaints and any breaches of the tenancy agreement. We will only do this if the complainant was happy for the family to be spoken to. There are a number of preventative and legal actions available to us to tackle the issues.

Can you work more closely with other landlords when there are issues of nuisance affecting tenants of several different Housing Associations?

There are existing agreements with landlords in some areas, these are known as Compacts. We are currently liaising with landlords in St Mellons to try and re-establish a compact agreement and have a well established Compact in Brackla. When dealing with nuisance complaints, we will try and consider if the issues may affect other landlords, and if so will try and work with them.

Can we have a no ball games sign? Research has suggested that signs aren’t always effective in reducing problems, and can even act as a magnet for further problems. We would prefer to work with you to identify when ball games become an issue and look at other possible remedies to resolve the problem.

We really liked the Summer of Football Initiative but can there be schemes like this running throughout the year?

We will continue with initiatives like this and have recently sent youth workers into several areas to consult with young people about what they would like. We are unable to resource initiatives all year but continue to support Childrens and Young Peoples Partnerships across our stock in trying to engage with young people.

Can you carry out checks on prospective tenants before they are housed?

References are requested if an applicant has had a tenancy elsewhere and applicants are asked to disclose any previous convictions before a decision is made to house them. Housing Officers also carry out a home visit before offering accommodation.

Can Linc Cymru provide assistance with maintaining gardens ?

We are interested in doing some further research on this issue and intend holding a series of focus groups to look at this in more detail. If you are a Linc Cymru tenant and want to be involved in future discussions please contact the Community Involvement Team on 0800 072 0968. 13

DOG FOULING BAGS

Pick up your FREE dog fouling bags from Brackla Community Council office

situated at the side of Oak Tree doctors surgery

Gas Safety CORGI registered engineers will call to your property to carry out safety checks. These checks are to make sure that

All gas appliances are serviced Flues and ventilation required for the appliance are sufficient Carbon monoxide is not leaking Your mains smoke alarms are working correctly TO KEEP YOU SAFE

Make sure you get your free gas service. You must allow the CORGI registered engineer’s access to your property. Failure to do so could result in legal action being taken against you which may result in you being

liable for a fine and court costs. Carbon Monoxide Can kill Kills around 30 people in Britain each year You can’t see it, taste it or smell it It gives you flu like symptoms such as headaches and drowsiness Look out for yellow or brown staining on or around you gas appliances and pilot light flames that burn yellow rather than blue.

If you are a Linc Cymru resident and have any queries or concerns regarding Gas Safety please contact us on 02920 474735 For Wales & West residents please contact 0800 0522526

Having Trouble Getting Around the House? If you are having mobility issues we may be able to help make adaptations to your home to make life easier for you. These can include stair lifts, walk in showers and access ramps. If you are a Linc Cymru resident and require further information on possible adaptations please contact Sarah Jones, Asset Management Officer on 02920 474738 or speak to your Housing Officer.

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Brackla Residents Association Meets last Tuesday of every month at NCH building

6-7:30pm Contact Gordon Taylor (chair) 01656 649030

Wales and West Housing Association & Linc-cymru drop in surgery

Every Thursday 10:30-12:30pm No appointment necessary Police Surgery - 10-12pm

PACT

Brackla Junior School 6:30-7:30pm Dates on www.saferbridgend.org.uk or 01656 679935

Communities First Co-ordinator Allison Pesticcio 07815525016 Communities First Development Worker Ruth Hounsell 07815527053 Brackla Residents Association Gordon Taylor (chair) 01656 649030 Wales & West 0800 0522526 Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 88 22 00 BAVO 01656 872614 Bridgend Youth Service 01656 724057 Bridgend County Borough Council 01656 643643 Technical Waste 01656 643443 Bulky Waste 01656 643438

Births & Deaths 01656 642392/642393 Marriges 01656 2391 or 01656 642395 Age Concern Cymru 02920371566 Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111 National Rail Enquires 0845 484950 Genesis 0800 1804320 Job centre Plus 0845 6013614 Oaktree doctors surgery 08333771795 NHS Direct 0845 4647 Co-op Pharmacy 01656 669802 Bridgend Citizens Advice Bureau 01656 762800

Police Community Support Officers Meurig Coleman: 07805301476 Linc–cymru 02920 473767 NCH Family Centre 01656 766067 Valleys2 Coast 01656 762487 Just@sk 01656 651585 Drinkline 0800 9178282 Drugscope 0870 7743682 Safer Bridgend 01656 679935 Macmillan cancer relief 0808 8082020 Bridgend care & repair 01656 648417

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Your Communities First Team

Professional: I am a qualified Youth and Community Worker and have 12 years experience in this field. I worked with the Vale of Glamorgan’s Youth Offending Team as their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Officer for 4 1/2 years and was the Team Leader for the South Wales officers as well. I then worked in Rhondda Cynon Taff with the Youth Offending Service as the Anti-social Behaviour Youth Worker for 3 1/2 years.

Personal: I was born in Cardiff (a long time ago) but lived in Vancouver, Canada for 10 years. I enjoy surfing and outdoor pursuits of the extreme variety which include rock climbing, ice climbing and mountain walking. I looking forward to working with all of the Brackla Meadows community and hope you will support the Communities First Team!

Professional: I previously worked in Caerphilly County Borough Council as a Communities First Support Officer for over 1 year before I took this post. I have had experience with working alongside community groups and organisations. I am a trained walk leader and used to go on healthy walks with my community groups. I have a BSC (hons) is Forensic Science, but really enjoy working out in the community where everyday is different. Personal: I have been living in Brackla for 19 months now, I was in Pontypridd where I went to university. I am learning to play the Saxophone and also attend trampoline classes. I look forward to working with you all and hope we can work together to meet your community needs.

Professional:I have been working with Brackla Communities first for three months and am responsible for all the administrative needs of the team. Prior to this I worked as a Clerical Assistant for Social Services until I opted for a change of career to work in a community that is close to my heart. Personal: After living in Brackla for ten years, my family and I moved to Porthcawl, where I completed a BTEC in performing Arts. I now live in Pyle with my son and partner. I love cheesy rock music and going to festivals (camping not always being great with our British sunshine!) I am looking forward to supporting the community that I grew up in and working in the school I attended many, many years ago!

Allison Pesticcio Communities First Co-ordinator

Ruth Hounsell Communities First Development Worker

Adele Jones Communities First Administration Assistant

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Our office is based at Brackla Junior School in the Ray Hollow Unit, we also have the use of a portacabin where we are available for visits from the community from the 3rd September, we look forward to seeing you. To arrange a visit please contact us on 01656 815121.