New community project is ‘here to help’ South Telford residents

Beginning on Tuesday 31 March, the project, called 'Here to help' will see a bus visiting different community centres across South Telford over the next eight weeks as part of a trial run by Telford & Wrekin Council and more than a dozen partner organisations who jointly make up the Vision 2032 Partnership, including the NHS, Telford College, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Mercia Police and charity organisations.

Residents are invited to visit the teams on the bus to chat about any challenges they're facing regarding their health, access to jobs or skills training or keeping safe, and the dedicated teams will provide support and guidance.

This work by the Council and partner organisations supports the Partnership's collaborative Vision 2032 – a 10-year plan for Telford and Wrekin which was developed following consultation with residents. Vision 2032 seeks to create a place where everyone can prosper, whatever their background, and to tackle some of the big issues facing the Borough.

Cllr Lee Carter, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said:

“Since becoming leader I have continually challenged the Council and its partners like Health and the Police to ensure that every resident can access our advice and support.

“The pilot area for this new street-by-street approach are communities with a strong sense of identity and community spirit, and seem the ideal place to start given recent Government announcements on the £20million Pride in Place investment and the Council matching this with a further £10million.

“As a Council, we work tirelessly to help people with health, community safety, and access to jobs and skills across our communities. Every single Telford and Wrekin resident should be able to thrive in our wonderful Borough.

“Working collaboratively with our partner agencies on this project, we’re looking to make a tangible positive impact on people’s lives. I’m excited about this project as this is our clear attempt to break down barriers.”

Simon Hardiman, Chief Fire Officer at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, said:

"We are delighted to be part of this innovative project to deliver services in the heart of the communities that we serve. It allows us to be flexible and responsive on a truly local level whilst building on our strong relationships with our partners to make Telford and Wrekin safer."

Jeni Kuczynska, Chief Executive at Telford and Wrekin CVS, said:

“Engaging the Voluntary Sector throughout the proposal, planning and preparation has been integral to the ‘Here to help’ pilot. TWCVS is proud to be playing a part in bringing valued services directly to neighbourhoods, the heart of our communities. We look forward to meeting and supporting our residents, working together to shape this offer further.”

The ‘Here to help’ bus will be in Park Lane Centre (Woodside) car park from 10am to 3pm on Tuesday 31 March where Telford & Wrekin Council’s Health Improvement Team and Telford and Wrekin CVS will be supporting residents with mini health checks, wellbeing advice and education guidance. Then on Thursday 2 April, the Council’s Job Box Team and Telford College will be helping residents with information around courses and getting into employment.

The bus will be visiting Woodside, Brookside and Sutton Hill over the next eight weeks, with the schedule of location, dates, times and services on offer published weekly on the Council’s Facebook page.

Partner organisations involved in the project include Telford & Wrekin Council, Axis Counselling, Cranstoun, Dr Bike, Department for Work and Pensions, Harper Adams University, NHS ICB, NHS ICS, NHS MPFT, NHS SaTH, South East Telford PCN, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, STaRS, Teldoc, Telford and Wrekin CVS, Telford Business Board, Telford College, Telford Interfaith Council and West Mercia Police.