New Season for the Community Gardens

Local residents are continuing to run the Community Gardens at the Memorial Hall and the Rectory

The Community Gardens were set up by Anna Read from the Healthy Living Centre, which has now come to the end of its funding. The gardening group wanted to continue the excellent work that has been done so far so local volunteers and have formed their own organisation as an off shoot from the Poulton Residents Association.
Poulton Neighbourhood Management has supported the project and has continued to do so as they set up their own organisation. They have successfully applied for a Quick Response grant of £1000, which they intend to use to keep up the good work. The grant will be used for equipment, for educational trips and workshops, on Seed Savers, to further develop the wildlife and leisure areas and to encourage biodiversity.
The group work actively in the community with local residents and the primary schools and Poulton Neighbourhood Management are delighted that this project will be sustained, Chairperson, Councillor Shirley Burns said: “The residents have worked very hard over the last couple of years to create a wonderful community garden which has been well utilised. We are pleased to pledge our continuing support for this excellent initiative which has become a sustainable project due to the efforts of local people.”
We would also like to offer congratulations to the group for their recent awards successes. They received a certificate from the ‘Britain in Bloom Neighbourhood Awards 2007’, they were also awarded 2nd prize in the Morecambe in Bloom 2007 awards and received the Whiteside and Knowles Community Project Challenge Trophy.

An ‘Open Door’ for those wanting T@2

The ‘T@2’ sessions provide lonely or isolated members of the community with an opportunity to meet new people and chat over a cup of tea. 

Poulton Neighbourhood Management has funded the T@2 Coordinator based within Christian Help in Partnership (CHiPs) who provide the befriending service.
T@2 takes place every Tuesday from 2pm and a team of volunteer drivers pick up their clients and bring them to the ‘Open Door’ (CHiPs) where they are offered refreshments whilst they meet new friends or chat with old ones. The sessions last all afternoon and there are magazines to read or games to play as well.
Paul Fraser from Poulton Neighbourhood Management said: “Many local residents are already benefiting from this excellent service which also acts as an informal way for people to access additional services through the in-house social workers.”
If you are feeling lonely and would like to join in with the T@2 sessions, please contact CHiPs.
CHiPs would also welcome men to join in, as there aren’t many men currently attending.
More volunteers needed
Volunteer drivers are also needed to assist in the ‘T@2’ project. Part of the service offered by ChiPs is collecting clients and taking them home after the sessions.
Can spare some time on a Tuesday afternoon? It can be on a flexible basis, you don’t have to agree to every week!
If you would like to get involved, please contact CHiPs by calling in to the ‘Open Door’ on Morecambe Street or telephoning 01524 422448.