Rushmoor Extended Services E-Newsletter

Rushmoor Extended Services E-Newsletter – February 2009

Extended Services Update

MIDAS Driver Training for Schools

There are still spaces on the next Rushmoor Voluntary Services (RVS) free MIDAS minibus driver training sessions for school staff and volunteers on Wednesday 22nd April. If you wish to book a place phone Viv Walker at RVS on 01252 540162. Unfortunately, we can only provide the free training for those people with pre-1997 licences.

****************************** Extended Services Website

A reminder that Rushmoor’s Extended Services ‘Rushmoor Schools Plus’ website is available at www.rushmoorschoolsplus.org - the site signposts to local and national information supporting children and families, and also points to local news and what’s on stories. All schools and organisations can be a part of the site by sending links, news and events information, including photos, (as long as we have clearance to use them), to [email protected]

Schools and organisations should feel confident in adding a link to the site from their own website, and in promoting the site in any other way. 14,500 pages are being viewed each month, (up from 8,000 in November). St.Bernadette’s, Cove School, Rushmoor BC, RVS, CAB, Rushmoor Healthy Living, Pavilion HA, and Aldershot HIVE are organisations I know of that have added a link.

This newsletter is added to the homepage to give families easier access to its content, so please signpost your families to the site.

****************************** Funding

A funding supplement has been compiled alongside this newsletter. It includes both local and national new funding opportunities. Rushmoor Schools Plus is also subscribing to the Grants4Schools funding website so that regular updates will be cascaded to schools and partner organisations. Importantly, the Hampshire Extended Services Partnership Activities funding for voluntary organisations working in schools has a deadline of 18th February – more details in the supplement.

****************************** What’s On

Rushmoor Borough Council Half-term Playschemes, Mon 16 th - Fri 20 th February

Wavell-Cody Playscheme Princes Hall Playscheme Wavell Cody Community Campus Princes Way Lynchford Road Aldershot Farnborough GU11 1NX GU14 6BH 01252 329155 01252 317603

Both playschemes cater for 4 year olds at school full time up to 11 years 8.30am - 4.30pm £14.00 or 5.30pm £15.00 per child per day

1 Connaught Playscheme Connaught Leisure Centre Tongham Road Aldershot Hants GU12 4AS 01252 344438

9.00am - 3.30pm £13.00 or 5.30pm £15.00 for 4 – 11 year olds

****************************** Farnborough Grange Infant School Playscheme

Monday to Wednesday 16th – 20th February from 8.00am to 5.00pm at Farnborough Grange Infant School, Moor Road, Farnborough.

9am to 12am £6.00, 9am to 1pm £8.00, 1pm to 5pm £8.00 All Day £12.00

To book a place phone 07592 310246

****************************** SCL Holiday Activities

‘SCL’s Club Energy and Soccer camps are the perfect way to ensure your child enjoys their school holidays. Our action packed days and fun filled activities for children are all delivered within a safe and supervised environment at the following venues: St. Augustines Primary School, Tomlinscote Way, GU16 8PY Velmead Junior School, Velmead Road, GU52 7LG Frensham Heights School, Rowledge, GU10 4EA

There are two programmes delivered at the same venues: Club Energy: OFSTED registered play scheme providing high quality day care in a secure, friendly environment with a fantastic choice of activities, which include Arts & Craft, Multi Sports, Adventure games, Go Karting, and much more! Soccer Camp: FA Charter Standard Holiday courses offering fun filled games and coaching practices.

Both programmes run from 10am - 4pm daily with an option of an extended day for working parents from 8:30am – 5:30pm.

The daily charge is £18/£21 (£75/90 for the week). Contact the SCL office for more information or booking form on 0845 644 57 47 or visit the web site www.scl-online.co.uk to book online.

****************************** Princes Hall Half-term Activities for Kids

SNAP Disco - Friday 13th Feb, Ages 11- 16 Tickets: £6 / £5 if purchased at least one week in advance

Craft Workshop - Thursday 19th Feb, 10am - 4pm, Ages 4-7. Tickets: £14 Why not come along to one of our fantastic craft workshops! Learn new skills and make something you can give as a gift! Remember to wear your messy clothes and bring a packed lunch!

The Singing Kettle – Thursday 19th Feb at 2.30pm Tickets: £9 / Family (4) £32 / Friends £7.50 www.princeshall.com or telephone 01252 329 155

****************************** Aldershot Military Museum

Magic in the Nursery - 10 January to 28 February A colourful exhibition of illustrations from Victorian nursery books including images by Walter Crane and Randolph Caldecott.

14 to 22 February - Family Friendly Monty Mouse quiz trail around the museum.

Myth & Legend - 14 March to 25 April A hands on exhibition for all the family looking at many myths and legends from around the world.

Open daily 10am – 5pm Tel: 01252 314598 or www.hants.gov.uk/aldershot-museum

****************************** West End Centre

Tickets for the West End Centre’s amazing Children’s Festival, taking place in the February half- term, are on sale. Phone 01252 330040. Festival details can be found at www.westendcentre.co.uk

Forever Young Family Saturdays 10.30am – 12.30pm £4 per adult/£4 per child (£3 concs) Ideal for children age 3 to teens and accompanying adults of any age (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Please dress for mess. Forever Young is a concept unique to the West End Centre giving you the opportunity to create art WITH your kids and grab some precious quality time along the way. All these activities are fun for adults and children and will get your creative juices flowing. Materials provided.

Give It A Go Classes every term for Adults & Children We have excellent classes run by expert tutors for anyone keen to learn without exam pressure. On top of that they are a great place to meet new people, have fun and take a well-earned break from everyday life too. Beginners welcome at all classes.

MONDAYS - Starstruck Drama for 7–11’s 5 – 6.30pm £44 (£40 concs) Develop self confidence and have fun while exploring a range of drama techniques. Led by the amazing Bekki Budd. These sessions are brilliant!

TUESDAYS – WHAT! Drama for 11–14’s 6 – 8pm £49 (£44 concs) Improve your acting skills and have fun at our brand new drama group led by the fabulous Bekki Budd.

WEDNESDAYS - After-school Craft Club for 7-11’s 5 – 6pm £36 (£32 concs) 3D artist Penny Eccles leads this fun creative session, giving you the chance to explore junk sculpture, painting, mosaics, plasterwork and more. Dress for mess!

****************************** Youth Matters event with Chris Tarrant– ‘Who wants to be aware?’

A free event for young people and parents takes place at Oak Farm Community School, Ballantyne Road, Farnborough on Thursday 12th February from 7.00 – 8.30pm. This is an information evening for young people and families, with special focus on Drugs and alcohol, IT safety, Parenting, and Sexual Health.

The main event will be an interactive Parents v Young People ‘Who wants to be aware?’ quiz hosted by TV star Chris Tarrant.

Organisations wishing to provide an information stand at the event should contact PC Mark Ranola at [email protected]

****************************** Beginners’ Conversational English – Free Sessions for Ladies only!

Starting on Tuesday 27th January, 1.30 – 3.00pm at the Civic Offices, Harlington Way, Fleet, GU51 4AE.

To book a place contact Amanda Lee on 07900 913785 or email [email protected]

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3 Farnborough 6th Form College Fun Run

The College’s Leisure Studies students are organising a Fun Run in association with Sebastian’s Action Trust. The event consists of a 6 mile and 3 mile run as well as a 1 mile on-site FUN RUN. It will take place be held on Sunday 8th March from 11.30am.

The students are very keen to get some pupils from local schools taking part. 50% of all proceeds will be donated to Sebastian’s Action Trust – a local charity providing a specialised holiday homes for terminally children and their families.

On the day there will be a number of stalls and amusements. Supervised storage, male and female changing, shower facilities, toilets, on site car parking and refreshments will be available for all runners. Entry fees range from £2 - £8. Application forms are available at http://www.farnboroughsfc2.ac.uk/RunningEvent.aspx

****************************** Sport Unlimited

This spring term, Sport Unlimited is giving young people the chance to take part in Badminton, Basketball and Taekwondo sessions free of charge, at two local leisure centres. The scheme has been organised by the North East Hants School Sport Partnership (NEHSSP) and is available for anyone aged 11-16yrs. Just turn up and play! No experience necessary!

Badminton - Saturday 11am-12pm Hart Leisure Centre. Taekwondo - Saturday 10.30am-12pm Farnborough Leisure Centre. Basketball - Friday, 6.30pm- 8pm at Hart Leisure Centre.

Leaflets will be distributed in schools and for further information contact Richard Francis at [email protected]

****************************** Farnborough Falcons Rugby League – Junior sessions every Saturday

Farnborough Falcons Rugby League Club run junior training and taster sessions on Saturday mornings from 9.45 – 11.30am. They play at Farnborough RFC, Tile Barn Close, Farnborough, GU14 8LS (next to St.Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School).

For more details look at their website www.farnboroughfalcons.co.uk

****************************** Hart & Rushmoor NAS (National Autistic Society)

Dads n Lads Pub Evening Tuesday 10th March 8pm The Tweseldown Pub, Church Crookham, GU52 8DY Contact Andy on 078 252 80274 or [email protected] for more information.

NAS Gaming Zone Sessions Mayfield Community Centre, Farnborough, GU14 8TX *FREE*10am - 1pm Saturday 31st January and every other Saturday * Contact Mary on 077 33 421 841 or [email protected] for more information.

Special Needs Sessions at Fizzy Kids Fizzy Kids Indoor Playcentre, 10 Camp Road, North Camp, GU14 6EW £3.50 per child - The usual height and age restrictions do not apply* 5pm - 7pm First Tuesday of every month * Contact Mary (as above) for more information.

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4 CHATTERBOOKS Group at Farnborough Library

Tuesday 10th February 4-5pm Tuesday 10th March 4-5pm

Do you like reading? Come along and share your favourite books with us, discover new authors and make new friends. Refreshments provided. For children aged 8 – 11 years. For more information contact Christine Sheikh Tel: 01252 516 458 or email [email protected]

****************************** A Healthy Lifestyle for 2009 at Maple Vue Children’s Centre

A FREE 10 hour course for adults, at Maple Vue Children Centre, Belle Vue Road, Aldershot with a free crèche available on site, and an option to lead on to a nationally recognised qualification.

The course includes Understanding food labels, Food on a budget, Getting enough exercise, Positive thinking, Alcohol and tobacco, Raising a healthy family, etc.

It starts Monday 23rd February, 10 – 11.15am for 8 weeks, excluding the Easter break. Contact [email protected] or tel. 01252 322 560 (Aldershot Library) for more details.

****************************** News

Welcome to Tracy Clement and Lesley Moffat, Parent Support Advisers

We are pleased to announce the appointments of two Parent Support Advisers (PSAs) for Rushmoor’s schools. Tracy Clement, known to many through her work at ‘The Gaming Zone’, is the new PSA for the Fernhill cluster of schools, (Fernhill, Fernhill Primary, Manor Junior, Manor Infant, Guillemont Junior, Pinewood Infant, Parsonage Farm and Southwood Infant). Lesley Moffat, who has over 20 years experience in Childcare and Education working as a Childcare Provider, is the PSA for the Aldershot cluster, (Newport Junior, Belle Vue Infant, Beaumont Junior, West End Infant, St. Michael’s Infant, St. Michael’s Junior, Park Primary and Connaught School).

Parent Support Advisers are new roles introduced to help schools to provide greater support for parents and families. Their role is to offer support, help and guidance to all parents and carers.

In addition to helping to set up groups, courses and workshops they will also be responsible for:  Providing access to information  Supporting parents and families in all issues relating to school life  Improving school attendance  Improving behaviour in school  Supporting parents through ‘transitions’ – from pre-school/home into reception and from primary into secondary school

Tracy and Lesley are both setting up ways in each school where you can pop along and meet them for a chat. In the meantime if you have any questions, queries or concerns, or would like to raise any issues relating to your child at school contact Tracy at tracy.clement@guillemont- jun.hants.sch.uk (Tel. 0754 541 5192), and Lesley at [email protected] (Tel. 0759 030 5065).

There will be four Parent Support Advisers working across Rushmoor schools by the end of this term.

****************************** ‘ The Drop In’ – Free confidential advice for young people in Farnborough

This new drop in facility has opened for business at Oak Farm Community School. Funded primarily by the PCT and Hampshire Youth Service the facility will provide a friendly and informal clinic for young people, run by specially trained nurses, giving confidential advice on sexual health. A full range of contraception will be available along with information on drugs, relationships and other issues that may concern young people. There is no appointment needed, and there are walk-in sessions on Tuesdays from 3-5pm.

5 Telephone 07543 804 167.

Rushmoor’s Free Swim Programme

Rushmoor BC will be offering free swimming for people aged 60 and over and children and young people aged 16 and under from this April, at Farnborough Leisure Centre (Tel: 01252 370411) and the Aldershot Indoor Pools (Tel: 01252 323 482). This programme will run for two years.

Swimmers will need to sign up and register on the programme from 16th March at either venue or on-line at www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk – for more information contact either venue. Children & Young People consultation

In 2008, Rushmoor Borough Council commissioned Childwise to carry out comprehensive consultation of the borough’s children and young people. This was:

 To inform the priorities of our Children & Young People’s Plan  To find out longer term aspirations and needs of children and young people for the local development framework core strategy and community strategy  To repeat the Rushmoor Healthy Living survey carried out in Sept 2004

The consultation involved nearly 1,000 children and young people aged 9 – 19 years, parents and those working with minority groups through a series of focus groups and a self-completion questionnaire. The survey has provided a great deal of information that will be useful to a wide range of partners.

The results have been posted on the Rushmoor website for all organisations/individuals to view and use in their own areas of work, for example when making grant applications, etc. The web link is www.rushmoor.gov.uk/childwiseresearch

For a hard copy email [email protected] or tel: (01252) 398741.

****************************** ‘ Get moving, Get active’ in Rushmoor

Just a few small changes in your daily life could help you to become fitter. That’s the message from Rushmoor Borough Council in a new booklet published.

The booklet suggests lots of simple ideas to help people get moving and get active, including using the stairs, walking to school or work, getting off the bus early, gardening and kicking a ball around with the kids. It only takes 30 minutes a day to become fitter, healthier and happier, ideally doing some activity five times a week.

The booklet also includes tips on eating well, stress and mental well-being, and information about local leisure facilities and activities like cycling, tennis, dancing, swimming, bowling, walking and jogging.

Copies of the brochure were delivered to all homes in Rushmoor. They are also are available at the Council Offices in Farnborough and Aldershot and local leisure facilities, and on the Rushmoor BC website – www.rushmoor.gov.uk/getactive

****************************** News from Maple Vue Children’s Centre

The drop-in session and Parent group will continue through the holidays.

An opportunity for you to stay and play with your children, as well as have refreshments in our Community Café area and make use of wonderful Crèche facilities available at the centre. Stay & Play - Monday afternoons from 11.30-3.00 Parent & Toddler group - Thursday 1.00pm -3.00pm

Workshops for you and your children, older Children welcome. Craft (Make a book) - 17th February 2009, 1.00-3.00 Musical Workshop - 19th February 2009, 10.00-12.00

6 Maple Vue Children Centre, Belle Vue Road, Aldershot, GU12 4RZ. Telephone: 01252 316963 Rushmoor in Bloom 2009 - Best Young Gardener

Green fingered children from Rushmoor are invited to enter Rushmoor in Bloom 2009. The ‘Best Young Gardener’ category is open to all children up to 16 years of age in Rushmoor. Entries are welcomed from children working in their own garden or allotment, or from groups of children working together.

Judging takes place at the end of June and all children entering the competition will be invited to the Princes Hall to receive their awards on Monday 28th September.

For further information or to enter contact Susan Jones, Rushmoor in Bloom co-ordinator, on 01252 398005 or email [email protected]

****************************** Partner Organisations

Rushmoor Healthy Living - Ready For A Change In 2009?

If you are thinking about cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink, giving up smoking, taking up exercise or eating more healthily, then why not get some free, confidential support?

Through free, one to one support our service can help you to make the changes you want, which will fit in with your day to day routine, and get you on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

Our local community based Health Trainers, Jackie Boyton and Sylvia Betts, are holding regular sessions in Rushmoor at a variety of venues, including The North Town Base in Aldershot and The Prospect Centre in Farnborough.

Pick up the phone today and call Rushmoor Healthy Living on 01252 362 665 to find out more information or to make an appointment.

****************************** Parentline Plus / Gotateenager.org.uk

This is a new service for parents living in Hampshire. Parentline Plus is launching a free of charge text service that parents can use to receive useful tips and information via their mobile phones by texting 84400 with one of these key words; Anger, Alcohol, Bullying, Divorce, Drugs, Sex, Smoking, Teen.

****************************** HIVE Information Service

The HIVE Information Service is a network available to all members of the Military Services community – serving personnel both married and single, together with their families and dependants as well as civilians employed by the Services.

HIVE Information Centres offer an extensive range of information on relocation, the local unit and civilian facilities, places of interest, schools and further education, housing, healthcare facilities, employment and training opportunities. All staff are professionally trained to fulfill their role as HIVE Information Officers.

Communication is fast and effective. Information on future relocations is one of the key areas of information support and is available either in advance or on arrival at the receiving unit.

HIVE Information Officers are not trained in welfare counselling but they are able to offer initial support to individuals and can advise referral to those professional agencies best suited to the individual's circumstances.

The HIVE continues to develop information support, intent on delivering the right information, to the right people, at the right time. Military families living in the Rushmoor area can contact Aldershot Garrison HIVE for all of their information requests.

7 ALDERSHOT HIVE, The Connaught Community Centre, Alanbrooke Road North Camp, Aldershot GU11 2NX Tel: 01252 347650 Mob: 07792 827958 Fax: 01252 347650 E mail: [email protected] Website: www.hive.mod.uk OPENING HOURS: 9.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday

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Many thanks to all the organisations who contribute information to this newsletter