Ordsall, The Quays, Chapel Street, Islington and Stowell estate SNAP blog
Want to know what happened during the Ordsall, Quays, Chapel Street, Islington and Stowell estate SNAP? Our officers out and about have been reporting back what they have been up to.
Friday 18 December 2009
Making Ordsall cleaner
Howard Lund, Environmental Co ordinator, Salford City Council
My team works to improve environmental issues throughout Salford by sweeping the streets and clearing fly-tipping, fly-posting and graffiti. During this SNAP week, we have been offering a free bulky waste collection service to everybody in the area as well as doing lots of street sweeping, graffiti removal and dealing with fly tipping.
Every day I have attended the morning briefings at the Ordsall Neighbourhood Building to update partners also working on SNAP and receive feedback Residents have left lots of items out for collection for our Refuse Services teams, plus our Street Cleansing teams have been in the area to ensure all streets are litter picked and any fly tipping removed. This has resulted in close to 20 tonnes of waste cleared from the area during the week. The grafftiti team have also cleared over 20 locations of either fly posting or graffiti.
Thursday 17 December 2009
Salix Homes trailer
Amy Welsby, Better Neighbourhoods Champion Ordsall and Islington, Salix Homes
We sited the Salix information trailer on Barrow Street, Islington today. The weather has been bitterly cold today which has prevented local residents venturing out as normal.
Inside the blocks lots of people were watching the comings and goings of what was happening as the Islington Estate has benefited from lots of environmental work today, such as the clearance of fly tipping, cutting back and pruning trees and painting of the railings and gates on Islington Park.
Salford Family Information Service
Michael Rimmer, Locality Information Co-ordinator
Today we are at the Ordsall District Centre with the Family Information Service Mobile Information Unit. The Ordsall District Centre is not as busy as it used to be - most of what were originally retail units are now either homes or offices. We parked up alongside the mobile police unit and the local Fire Brigade and the clean-up team were also there. Compared with the days at Regent Retail Park and Lowry Plaza this is relatively quiet, but we spoke to young mums who were passing, mainly on the way to school or on the way back.
There is a cafe nearby which becomes an obvious focal point. I have been here before - they serve all age groups and carry most of our literature. (I intend to make more of this in the future with an appointment to see them shortly). I provide leaflets about our service, hopefully encouraging people to contact us for information on childcare and services for children and young people. Upstairs they have a private room where members of the public are invited to sit quietly if they have suffered any sort of trauma - we will see what we can do here.
Back outside the temperature is beginning to drop, and although the Primrose Hill Sure Start centre is across the road things are going quiet, so we packed up for now and returned the vehicle to Turnpike House and refuelled ready for next time.
Islington recycling event
Amy Welsby, Better Neighbourhoods Champion Ordsall and Islington, Salix Homes
In partnership with the Environmental Education and Awareness team at the council, Salix Homes have delivered recycling bags to Canon Hussey Court, Arthur Millwood Court and Cornwall House as well as delivering large communal recycling bins to each block.
Salix Homes officers delivered an information leaflet about what and how to recycle their waste and a blue and brown bag was delivered to each property so that they can recycle their waste in their homes and then take the bags to the communal bins located in the car parks.
We are proud that we have been able to be part of this initiative to the Islington neighbourhood and to have been able to play our part in contributing to reducing the amount of waste that we send to landfills.
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Home fire risk assessments
Paul Starling, Station Commander, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Hi, I'm Paul Starling from the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
It's my aim for all residents in the Ordsall area to be safe in their homes by getting people to take steps to reduce the threat of fire and to plan what to do in the event of a fire.
To help meet this aim, we delivered 500 letters to homes in the local area offering free smoke alarms and advice on putting together an escape plan.
Unfortunately, on the first day of the SNAP week there was a major fire in Manchester (which I attended in the early hours!) which meant that the fire engines we were planning to use were called out. This left just two community fire support officers, Sue and Mel to complete the task!
Thankfully, we were back to full strength yesterday and today to give advice on fire safety and to fit smoke detectors in people's homes. If you would like to arrange a visit please call 0800 555 815 to make an appointment for our fire officers to come to your home.
Broadway estate walkabout
Amy Welsby, Better Neighbourhoods Champion Ordsall and Islington, Salix Homes
This afternoon's walkabout on the Broadway estate was very cold, very wet, but very productive!
Joined by officers from Greater Manchester Police, Skills and Work and Environmental Services we picked up issues such as graffiti, fly tipping, loose paving flags and a few untidy gardens.
The issues we picked up on have been distributed between the officers who attended and action is now underway to clean up pieces of land, contact residents who need to tend their garden and to remove the graffiti and fly tipping we found.
Salford Family Information Service
Michael Rimmer, Locality Information Co-ordinator
We're half way through SNAP week now as Barry and I continue on our road trip through Ordsall and surrounding areas in our colourful mobile information unit.
Today, we were at Salford Quays in the centre of the Lowry Plaza between The Lowry and the entrance to the shopping outlet. The weather was slightly damp but we didn't let that put us off as we took it in turns to visit the shopping mall to speak to mums and dads doing their Christmas shopping.
We gave out lots of parenting handbooks, free phone cards and leaflets on other topics, such as home safety and 'Childcare whilst you learn'. We were also visited at the mobile unit and took several enquiries including a mum to be, who was happy to receive information on claiming child tax credits, local nurseries and mother and toddler groups.
As lunchtime approached and our tummies began to rumble, the number of shoppers and visitors increased. There were quite a few coach parties arriving, including some school children who were going carol singing in the shopping outlet. Whilst visiting one shop in the mall I came across a young mum, who had no idea we could search and provide a list of registered childminders for her area, as well as information on baby health clinics. The hours passed quickly at the Plaza and we were soon thinking about our plans for tomorrow when we take the mobile unit to Ordsall District Centre.
Restoring Islington Park...and Christmas Carol singing!
Kevin O'Neill, The Islington Estate Tenants and Residents Association (TIETARA)
8.00am - Mini-sweepers cleaned the paths and surrounding areas.
11.45am - Invited members from Salix Homes, Salford University, Salford City Council, parents of the children, residents, and staff from local businesses arrived and all commented on how bright and fresh the park looked.
12 noon - The children arrived from St Philips School, and standing in a circle around the mosaic they gave a very spirited performance, singing Christmas Carols, both traditional and new. They really did warm everyone with their joy of singing. They also brought along song sheets so everyone could join in. The first part of the project completed!
12.30pm - The children go back to school for their lunch, and the big kids headed for the community room for warming drinks and nibbles. The feeling was it had been a great success and it is great to see the council putting in such an effort and working with the tenants and residents association and our local school to bring a lot of cheer on a damp and grey December day.
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We are off to plan next year's events now. Once the mosaic is repaired we hope to plan more music events in the park. Next Christmas we hope to have a brass band and of course the school choir and to continue caring and encouraging people to use our neighbourhood park.
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Door knocking - environmental awareness
Amy Welsby, Better Neighbourhoods Champion Ordsall and Islington, Salix Homes
To raise awareness of environmental issues, officers from Salix Homes and Skills and Work treaded the streets of Ordsall to carry out a door knocking exercise.
The area targeted has a fly tipping problem so we told residents about the phone number for the free bulk collection service which is offered to all residents in Central Salford. We also made sure residents knew when their bin collection day was.
During the door knocking, we asked residents if they would be willing to help us reduce and stop fly tipping from happening. The exercise proved to be extremely productive with many residents showing their support for a greening project and one resident even said they would take the responsibility for the future watering and care of any plants that were put in!
Police activity
Sergeant Robert Kirby, Salford Central Neighbourhood Policing Team
Today, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been continuing to work alongside our partners from NCP and DVLA in identifying untaxed vehicles. Eight vehicles have been ticketed with three being removed. Can I please remind you of the importance of ensuring you have tax, your vehicle is insured and your driving licence is up-to-date.
We have also taken part in gateway checks with Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE), ensuring that people are using public transport legally. 15 fixed penalty notices have been issued for fraudulent travel, 12 bus passes have been seized and four fixed penalties for fare evasion. A crime reduction exercise was also carried out before Manchester United's home game with Wolverhampton Wanderers which resulted in 18 stop and searches with one arrest made.
Salix Homes information trailer - Gloucester Street
Amy Welsby, Better Neighbourhoods Champion Ordsall and Islington, Salix Homes
Unfortunately we had a problem today as the van that we have to transport the Salix Homes trailer has broken so we couldn't send it to Gloucester Street as planned. Luckily, Inspector Henthorne kindly offered Salix staff shelter in the mobile police station - another fine example of partnership working!
Officers from Greater Manchester Police, Skills and Work and Salix Homes all squeezed on board to give residents advice on policing issues, environmental enquiries and general tenancy enquiries. Fingers crossed, the Salix Homes trailer will be back on the road tomorrow at Howard Street.
Salford Family Information Service
Michael Rimmer, Locality Information Co-ordinator
Well, its day two of the SNAP week for Ordsall and whilst on our travels in the distinctive mobile information unit, Barry Regan and I noticed lots of activity from other service providers. We started on Howard Street and progressed to Primrose Hill which was the target area for today's event.
After a session of providing information to a number of parents, the mobile information unit was then moved to Coronation Street. We were joined by Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire Service, who were in the area visiting homes to check on current fire safety. Local residents were very interested in the free Home Safety Equipment Scheme and many of the free phone cards were distributed.
Barry asked passers-by if they would complete our questionnaire to test their knowledge of the Family Information Service and it was pleasing to learn that we were known to quite a few. Again, residents were keen to learn of the other services provided, including school admissions, nursery activities, information for disabled people and our links to other council departments.
Later in the day, Barry and I checked on the access for tomorrow's location at the Lowry Plaza, where we will have the mobile information unit near the entrance by the waterside. If you are in the area and have any questions for us, then please look out for our brightly coloured bus.
Restoring Islington Park
Kevin O'Neill, The Islington Estate Tenants and Residents Association (TIETARA)
Final touches were being made to the paintwork (despite the rain!). Can't wait for the park to come to life tomorrow when the Christmas Carol singing starts!
Monday 14 December 2009
South Ordsall estate walkabout
Amy Welsby, Better Neighbourhoods Champion (Ordsall and Islington), Salix Homes
At Salix Homes, we carry out estate walkabouts every month. They are a great opportunity to get out on the estates and see first hand the problems there are so we take steps to sort them out. Every three months, we are joined by local councillors and our partner agencies.
Despite the cold weather this afternoon, the walkabout was well attended by officers from Salix Homes, Greater Manchester Police, Environmental Services, Skills and Work and one of our local Councillors, Councillor Ray Mashiter.
During the walkabout we picked up over 20 issues such as graffiti, fly tipping, loose paving and broken glass. Where possible, we dealt with issues straight away including the removal of a mattress and other rubbish on Robert Hall Street and broken glass on Hulton Square.
Salford Family Information Service
Michael Rimmer, Locality Information Co-ordinator
I work for the Family Information Service and this week, my colleague Barry Regan and I will be in Ordsall on our purple and green information bus. You won't be able to miss us! We'll be there to speak to families, giving information about what help the Family Information Service can offer.
We started the SNAP week at St Philips Primary School where we met lots of parents on the ‘school run'. Once the bell had rung to signal the start of school, we moved to the Regent Retail Park where we were joined by a team from Greater Manchester Police to promote our services to shoppers.
As the morning went on, the retail park got busier and busier as people flocked in to do their Christmas shopping. We gave away lots of our free phone information cards, parenting handbooks and advice leaflets. A few parents were pleased to learn of the free Home Safety equipment scheme and we received some positive feedback which is always nice to hear.
Undeterred by the cold weather, we'll be out again - this time to Howard Street where we'll hopefully meet lots more mums and dads and giving them information.
Police activity
Sergeant Robert Kirby, Salford Central Neighbourhood Policing Team
Hi, I'm Sergeant Robert Kirby.
Today, we have executed warrants for wanted persons in the area and we will be continuing with enquiries throughout the week. We are hoping to send out a message that the type of crimes these people commit will not be tolerated. Residents can help us by phoning through information on 0161 872 5050 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Operation Condor is being linked in with the SNAP week and this involves high visibility patrols in the Trafford Road area, stopping and searching potential suspects of car crime. You can help by taking all your valuables, particularly Christmas presents, out of your vehicle. The less attractive you make it to criminals; the less likely you will have your car broken into.
Property marking and crime reduction advice has been issued at the Fusion Apartments so residents are aware of the simple steps they can take to ensure they don't fall victim to burglary. Please make sure you lock all doors and windows, even if you are staying in. If you're going out, always set your alarm (if you have one) and set a timer so a light comes on to giving the impression somebody is home.
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have been involved in joint patrols with NCP and DVLA in identifying untaxed vehicles. Twelve vehicles have been ticketed and one has been removed.
The mobile police station was out in force today at St Philips and Regent Road Retail Park. We spoke to a number of people about their concerns and issues. This facility is an ideal way to tell us how you want your neighbourhood policed and for members of the public to prioritise the issues that need tackling first in their area.
If you can't come to see us this week at the mobile police station, there are lots of police surgeries that take place across the city. For more information on where and what time they take place, log onto the neighbourhood policing section on the Greater Manchester Police website. The mobile station will be located at Coronation Street on Tuesday, Lowry Plaza on Wednesday, Ordsall District Centre on Thursday and Howard Street Place on Friday. They will be open between 8am and 4pm.
Anti-Social Behaviour and hate crime reporting surgery
Amy Welsby, Better Neighbourhoods Champion (Ordsall and Islington), Salix Homes
Salix Homes works closely with Greater Manchester Police, the council's community safety team, community groups and our residents to tackle and prevent hate crime and hate incidents from happening in our neighbourhoods.
This morning, we had information stalls at the Ordsall Neighbourhood Building to showcase the work we carry out to deal with hate crime plus examples of some of the good work that's already taking place.
When I dropped in, officers were busy speaking to local residents and taking customer enquiries and comments about the services we provide and promoting how we can help make their neighbourhoods a better place to live.
Wednesday 9 December
Restoring Islington Park
Kevin O'Neill, The Islington Estate Tenants and Residents Association (TIETARA)
The community payback team arrived in the park and started painting railings and gates. All looking promising for the carol concert!
For the rest of the week a lot of hard work, by all involved, created a fresh, welcoming environment.
Monday 7 December
Restoring Islington Park
Kevin O'Neill, The Islington Estate Tenants and Residents Association (TIETARA)
The gardeners from the council arrived and began clearing shrubs and overgrown bushes. Starting to look good!
Restoring Islington Park
Kevin O'Neill, The Islington Estate Tenants and Residents Association (TIETARA)
There's a small park on the Islington Park Estate which has overgrown shrubs and bushes which made people wary of walking through it.
There is also a great piece of mosaic artwork which was placed in the park in 1991 which is now in disrepair. This had been worked on by children from St Philips School. Many of the original children now have families of their own, who also attend the school now.
With the approach of SNAP week, the tenants and residents association talked to Salford City Council and Salix Homes about the possibility of having the park cleaned and trimmed in time for a Christmas concert in the park on Wednesday 16 December. Once the park has been brought back to life, we also want to repair the artwork, with the help of today's pupils and their parents.
The head teacher from St Philips School, Hazel Brady was very keen for the children to sing Christmas songs for residents and visitors to celebrate the season and get involved in improving the artworks.
This page was last updated on 21 December 2009
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