Archived News Items
2nd November 2009
Thanks Halton Housing Trust (HITS is one of their 2 nominated charities), a team fine looking young men from Vale Contracts have given our garden a welcome makeover. Thanks lads!
More pictures on Facebook.
27th October 2009: 24th to 31st October is Care Leavers week.
Rich Rollinson, Chair of the Care Leavers' Foundation (and writing in Children and Young People Now 15-21 October) observed that care leavers - a group of young people who so often get less - are recognised every year in a week made the longest in the year by the additional hour given to us by the clocks going back at the end of British summertime. 'So let's doubly appreciate that extra hour at the start of our week this year and every year'.
Go to: www.nationalcareleaversweek.org
21st October 2009 HITS Young Carers first class first aiders
St Johns Ambulance volunteers came to HITS for 3 sessions teaching the group about emergency First Aid and how to react in a emergency. The group had the chance to learn about emergency resuscitation, stopping bleeding and bandaging. The St Johns volunteers talked about their service and how to join.
20th October 2009 HITS celebrates grant from Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales.
We have just learned that we have been successful in securing a grant of £20,000, over 2 years, towards the Chief Executive's salary costs from the Lloyds TSB foundation for England and Wales. This is very good news, it being very difficult to find funding support for overheads such as CEO salaries, and increasingly challenging to cover such costs through 'full cost recovery' on service contracts.
19th October 2009 My Wildspace Celebration event
On Saturday 17th October, young people, staff, friends and relations met at Victoria Park in Widnes to celebrate the conclusion of the My Wildspace project. We went on a walking tour of green men, bird boxes, insect mansion, bat hibernacula, sculptures.......and it was not just the wild life that was being provided for, we enjoyed a buffet under the trees too. The event is not the end, but the beginning of maintenance, care, and development, led by VPET (Victoria Park Environmental Team). This has been a brilliant project with a real legacy, well done to all the young people and adults involved.
Pictures on Facebook.
16th October 2009: MP Derek Twigg visits HITS
Today we were very pleased to have a visit by Halton MP Derek Twigg. We were able to update Derek on our interest in collaboration (where we have received support through the Government Modernisation Fund), and to introduce Derek to our co-residents from Barnardos.
5th October 2009: Halton Housing Trust ran for HITS in the Warrington Half Marathon
In the first Warrington Half Marathon for 21 years, a tream from Halton Housing Trust ran to raise money for HITS and Halton Haven Hospice. Nick Atkin, Chief Executive of the Housing Trust, was among the runners: he said sponsorship was getting close to £2000 - if you would like to help get the runners to that total it's not too late - go to
www.justgiving.com/DaveAtkinson27
1st October 2009: thanks to Halton Housing Trust for helping us install a window shutter
Persistent vandalism and a series of expensive window repairs has forced HITS to protect a downstairs window with a roller shutter, installed with help from Halton Housing Trust. Unfortunately this is a sad necessity, and comes after many years of being pretty much free of mindless vandalism on our Grangeway frontage. We are very grateful for the support of the Trust here. Losing 2 windows in the few weeks between placing the order and installing the shutters left no doubt as to the need for the action. We do not think this reflects poorly on our neighbours or our neighbourhood, which we are very happy with. It only takes one or two people to cause a lot of unnecessary damage.
28th September 2009: Halton Housing Trust running for HITS and Halton Haven Hospice in the Warrington Half Marathon
Employees of Halton Housing Trust (and it seems all their friends and relations) are entering a team in the Warrington Half Marathon on Sunday October 4th. Your website editor was planning to take part but managed to excuse himself with an ankle injury. If you would like to sponsor one of the runners please contact HITS (or phone 01928 564663).
28th September 2009: Barnardos team moving in!
Everybody at HITS is pleased to welcome our friends from Barnardos Wider Horizons Team who are moving in to HITS building in Grangeway today.
21st September 2009: HITS in CWDC Practioner Led Research Programme
For the second successive year, HITS has had a proposal accepted for the Children's Workforce Development Council's Practioner Led Research Programme. This time, we will be looking at outcomes for young carers who are signposted to other services. This will enable us to test our current service model, which requires more signposting of young carers to other services and less direct intervention by HITS. This service model is being adopted in order to meet rising demand and to realise the benefits of integrated service delivery for young people and for families.
26th August 2009 Barnardos Wider Horizons Team
Agreement has been reached between HITS, Barnardos and Halton Borough Council for Barnardos Wider Horizons Team to share accommodation with HITS at Bridgeview, HITS' base since 1982 in Grangeway, Runcorn. As well as finding economies through sharing the costs of running the building, Barnardos and HITS are looking forward to other opportunities to work together for the benefit of young people in Halton. HITS would like to record their appreciation of the support of Halton Borough Council and Barnardos in enabling the new arrangements. It is hoped that the Barnardos team, who support disabled young people and their families, will move in during September.
20th August 2009 My Wildspace!
Today the Wildspace team completed construction of a bat hibernaculum at Victoria Park. Bat hibernacula ('bat caves') provide winter roosting (hibernation) sites for bats. Thank you to John from Halton Housing Trust for help with the brickwork and to Louise Nulty for the photos (go to the Home Page and follow the Facebook link).
17th August 2009 My Wildspace!
This week the Wildspace action has switched to Victoria Park and the team were busy assembling bat boxes, happily hammering away in the sunshine it was delight apart from the occasional squawk when the poorly aimed hammer engaged with carelessly placed thumb. Tomorrow, helped by Halton Housing Trust, the bats will get a further treat with the construction of a 'hibernaculum' - sounds very grand, and so it is
4th August 2009 My Wildspace!
Following confirmation of Greenprints funding, HITS is able to announce a fantastic programme of environmental activities based at various local sites, for 16 to 24 year olds. This builds on the work of VPET (Victoria Park Environmental Team), through which volunteers from HITS and elsewhere have contributed to the well being of a beautiful green space. The programme runs throughout August. Tonight and tomorrow - bat detecting at Wigg Island (or Oxmoor) - and I don't think they mean the cricket variety!
Contact Jane Bennett at HITS for more information.
29th July HITS has winning women!
Congratulations to HITS Womens Team, winners of the annual After Care football tournament, held this year in St Helens. The lads team also did us proud, and all the players looked great in the new kit - thanks to Fred Taylor and Halton Youth Bank for that. Special thanks to coach, Bob Shorter.
Pictures on Facebook!
28th July C Card News on HITS Website
Latest news from C Card will in future be posted direct to the HITS Website. Following the link to Services and then C Card, you will reach the C Card page. Here you will find the latest updates from Halton C Card, and access to C Card and other sexual health related websites. Marvellous!
24th July 2009 New football kit for HITS
Well done Fred Taylor who successfully applied for funding for new football kit, and thank you to Halton Youth Bank for your support. The kit will be on show at the Care Leavers football competition which will be in St Helens next Wednesday 29th July. We will get some pictures then!
22nd July 2009 Michaela Casey leaves HITS
We are sad today saying farewell to Michaela Casey after 17 years service in a variety of roles at HITS. Thank you Michaela and we look forward to seeing you back again soon - as a volunteer! All enquiries and referrals for the Young Carers Service to Jane Bennett or David Atkinson.
16th July 2009 Goodbye Julie we will see you soon
Today we said goodbye to our Julie Mailey who has been a member of our Care Leavers Team since its beginnings back in 2001. Julie joined HITS in a previous millenium (1999) and is going to be a full time foster carer. We know that Julie and her family will provide a great home for the young people in their care and wish them all the best in their adventure. Thank you Julie for all that you have brought to our work with young people at HITS.
15th July 2009 HITS Annual General Meeting held today
We were pleased to confirm Pat McDermott as Chair of HITS and Linda Brown as Vice Chair. We look forward to meeting the challenges ahead with 2 such able and experienced people in these key positions! After ruminating on a year which has seen both difficulties and delights, we adjourned to a fine buffet lunch prepared by the young people at the Grangeway Community Cafe.
HITS Annual Report
13th July 2009 HITS Team stars in Twilight Walk
On 4th July, HITS fielded a fine team of staff volunteers, family members, and friends to take part in a fund rasing event for Halton Haven Hospice. As well as raising much needed funds for the Hospice, we saw it as a contribution to our partnership with Halton Haven as fellow charity of the year for Halton Housing Trust. Thank you everyone and well done.
Click here for more
8th July 2009 Teen pregnancy project ditched
BBC News reports today that a multi million pound project to reduce teenage pregnancies among youngsters deemed at risk has been abandoned after research showed it was not cutting conceptions. HITS was one of 27 Projects across England taking part in the Department of Health funded Young People's Development Programme (YPDP) which offered support to disadvantaged teenagers between 2004 and 2007. The BBC reports that 'some 16%' of the 2,371 teenagers taking part 'fell pregnant'. At HITS, 75 young people engaged with the YPDP over the 3 year period. From follow up contact with the young people we learned that 2 became pregnant before their 18th birthday.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8139315.stm
HITS YPDP Programme
8th July 2009 Grangeway Cafe Project recognised at HVA Awards Night
On June 25th, the achievements of our the young people and our partners in the Grangeway Community Cafe Project were recognised in nomination for the Halton Housing Trust's award for the Project With The Biggest Impact. On the night, the winner (deservedly we think) was Halton Speak Out. Well done to them, to all the other winners and nominees, and to Halton Voluntary Action for arranging such a splendid evening.
Picture
2nd July 2009 HITS Young Carers have been getting creative
Working with Curtis Watt, young carers at HITS have been exploring their creative side and produced lots of interesting written pieces. Click on the link below: scary!
Evil Eagle and The Bad Hair Do
More next week!
26th June 2009 Goodbye Lin we will see you soon!
Our very own Lin Pauls left today after more than 25 years marvellous service to HITS. Lin's first day's work at HITS was 1st January 1984, when her own children were still young, before Halton Borough Council, before any of the young people we work with now were born. She left with a digital photo frame (loaded with lots of HITS pics), a pensioner's survival kit and our love and appreciation. Thank you Lin, we will see you again soon.
19th June 2009 HITS volunteers and young carers are Shining Stars!
There is an exhibition at the Brindley Theatre Runcorn of art work that the younger age of young carers. It is going to there until the end of June.
19th June 2009 HITS group on Twilight Walk for Halton Haven Hospice
On the 4th July, there will be a group of 19 people - staff, volunteers, young people, friends and relations - taking part in the Twilight Walk on behalf of Halton Haven Hospice.
19th June 2009 HITS |Young Carers' work in photography exhibition
On Tuesday 30th June there will be a photgraphy display of young and older carers work. They spent an afternoon during carers week with a photagrapher who inspired them to take brilliant picture in Victoria Park Widnes. The theme of Carers Week
(June 8th - 13th)
was carers are a hidden help. So the photographer worked around this. The display will be in the Pavillion Café in Victoria Park at 4.30pm.
18th June 2009 New interim Chair of Trustees at HITS
Pat McDermott has stepped in as interim Chair of the Trustees following the resignation of Paul Griffith as Chair on 28th May. Pat joined the HITS Management Board after being introduced to HITS as our Matrix Assessor in September 2008. Pat's experience and knowledge has already been very valuable and we are grateful for her willingness to take over as Chair, if only for the time being. We are also grateful to Paul Griffith for his work as Chair, and as an active and committed HITS Trustee for over 2 years. Your humble web site editor thinks people who serve as unpaid Trustees for voluntary organisations are unsung heroes who take on a considerable responsibility for rewards that are never financial ones!
1st June 2009 Halton Housing Trust extends helping hand to HITS and Halton Haven Hospice
We are very pleased to announce the start of a year's partnership with Halton Housing Trust and Halton Haven Hospice, HITS and Halton Haven having been nominated by Halton Housing Trust as their charities of the year.
21st May 2009 Grangeway Cafe Project short listed for voluntary sector award
The Grangeway Cafe Project has been short listed for the Halton Housing Trust Award for the Project with the most impact, to be awarded at the Halton Voluntary Sector Awards night on 25th June. The Project is aprtnership between HITS, Hatlon YMCA, Connexions and Halton Borough Council. To find out more about the Grangeway Cafe Project, click here.
14th May 2009 HITS contributes to VOLA Research on Barriers to Learning
HITS is one of a number of organisations across Merseyside who contributed to a research project led by VOLA (Voluntary Organisations Learning Association). Working with Halton YMCA we listened to learner voices describing their experience of barriers to learning. The individual project reports were compiled into a Final Report produced by VOLA. It can be accessed by clicking the link below.
http://www.therealsite.co.uk/files/Learner%20Voice%20Report
%20(VOLA)%20-%20final%206-5-09.pdf
13th May 2009 HITS Research on Integrated Children's Services to be published by Children's Workforce Development Council
In 2008-09 HITS undertook a research project commissioned by the Children's Workforce Development Council as part of the Practitioner Led Research Programme. It, and other PLR Reports, will be promoted by the CWDC on their website from September. In the meantime it can be accessed by clicking the link below.
http://www.therealsite.co.uk/files/HITS%20PLR%20Report.pdf
8th May 2009 Scrapbook! The Musical Reprised at Halton's first Intergenerational Conference
At the Stobart Stadium on 25th April, Roslin Southgate and Ian Dwyer revived their original Scrapbook parts with the support of Jane Bennett of HITS and Scapbook Director Louise Nulty. They helped to get a very successful event off to a great start and brought a wistful; tear to the eye of those of us who remembered the original Scapbook!
30th April 2009 Young Women's Group
Congratulations and thanks to the young women who have successfully (and joyfully) completed the latest Young Women's Group programme. Sadly, this will be the last for a while because of the ending of a funding stream and news just in that another bid has not been successful. The HITS Young Women's Group has been running for 15 years and it will be back! More on this in the Spring Newsletter.
28th April 2009 Young People's contributions recognised in the VOICE Awards
Congratulations to 7 young people whose contribution to the community was recognised at the VOICE Awards at Halton Stadium on 27th April. Catherine McCabe, Lee Blackmore and Paul Smith were recognised for their outstanding work and committment at the Grangeway Cafe, now in its twelfth week of serving nourishing meals to older people in the local community. Katie Hughes, Debbie Carmon, Ian Monroe and Paula Marshall were recognised for their important work during a consultation weekend which explored the needs of young adult carers. Well done and thank you!
23rd April 2009 Halton Housing Trust to support HITS Young Carers
We are very pleased that HITS Young Carers has been chosen by Halton Housing Trust as one of the 2 local charities that have been nominated for 2009/10. We are also pleased to learn that the other nominated charity is Halton Haven Hospice, which HITS as an organisation, and individual young people and staff, have supported over a number of years. We are grateful to Halton Housing Trust for their support, and are looking forward to working with them and with Halton Haven Hospice.
27th March 2009 Grangeway Cafe Celebration
On 26th March, there were 72 guests at a celebration event who enjoyed a beautiful spread prepared by young people working at the Grangeway Community Cafe. Councillor Marie Wright said that the young people's achievement is a reminder that Halton has many fine young people and that they do not always get the credit they deserve. David Atkinson, HITS Chief Executive, said that the Grangeway Cafe is a good example of what can be done through partnership - in this case, the Council, Connexions, Halton YMCA and HITS.
Get the picture!
24th March 2009 Another Bright Idea from HITS
HITS has been awarded £860 from the PCT Bright Ideas Fund to pay for the publication of recipes developed by young people through the Grangeway Cafe Project.
23rd March 2009 New furniture! Thank you to Halton Youth Bank
Today we took delivery of new furniture for our reception area, replacing our faded red chairs with new dark grey ones, chosen with the help of young people. This part of a larger order funded through Halton Youth Bank - thank you to the Youth Bank young people for your support.
20th March 2009 Latest news about HITS Young Carers Service
HITS Young Carers service is going through a period of change which will mean changes in the way we deliver the service but in the long term better outcomes for young carers and their families. In future there will be more emphasis on working with other providers and with families to ensure that young carers receive the very best from all the services that are available. HITS will still provide direct support for individual young people but where their needs are better met elsewhere, or where they prefer to receive support from another agency,
it will be HITS job to help that to happen.
If you want to talk to us about the changes, please contact Jane Bennett, Michaela Casey or Keir Parsons at HITS.
17th March 2009 Care Leavers Theatre Trip
On February 24th, a group of Care Leavers had an hilarious night out at The Royal Court theatre. Here we appreciated local humour followed up by discussion raised through the many issue based themes in 'Slappers and Slapheads'. The feed back from young people was refreshing they were passionate in their enthusiasm about the night and were keen to organise another one soon.
10th March 2009 young people, staff and trustees in Big Drink Drama
Young people at HITS have been taking a part in a project which used drama as a vehicle for exploring alcohol issues. Themes were found in the Big Drink Debate, a nationwide debate about alcohol, which has recently published findings from the Debate in North West England. Facilitated by Louise Nulty, the project concluded with a drama presented by young people to staff, trustees, volunteers and friends at HITS. Find out what young people and the audience had to say in the Big Drink Drama.
Follow this link to see the results of the Big Drink Debate in the North West.
13th February 2009 Grangeway Cafe team looking for ideas
Young people and staff working on the Grangeway Cafe Project visited Caffi Florence at Loggerheads, near Mold, to get ideas for the cafe in Grangeway Community Centre. Caffi Florence owner Jane Clough took the visitors behind the scenes and helped the young people with ideas for a bid for funding for the Grangeway Cafe. Before visiting Caffi Florence, we enjoyed (?) an icy walk in Loggerheads Country Park.
http://www.caffiflorence.co.uk/
11th February 2009 Grangeway Cafe serving today
Today young people opened the new cafe at the Grangeway Community Centre by serving lunch to lots of satisfied customers. The young people joined the Project only last week, and some for the first time today, so this was a brilliant achievement. The Grangeway Cafe is a partnership between HITS, YMCA, Connexions and Halton Borough Council. The cafe will be open for lunch again next Wednesday at 12 noon.
3rd February 2009 Hits Half Term Activities
Lots going on at half term for young people who attend HITS, see worker for details.
3rd February 2009 Free Driving Lessons for Young Carers
For the first time in the history of HITS Young Carers. There is an opportunity for Hits Young Carers to access free driving lessons. there is a meeting at the Runcorn Carers |Centre on monday 9th February at 6.00pm. If you're interested contact Jane Bennett on Freephone 0800 043 1034, be quick as there are limited places.
20th January 2009: HITS to pilot RASH self harm model in Halton
Working in partnership with staff from the Primary Mental Health Care Team, School Health and Barnardo's, HITS is to pilot an evidence-based group work model for addressing self harming behaviour by young people. RASH is the acronym for Randomized Trial of Group Therapy for Repeated Deliberate Self-Harm in Adolescents.
Staff delivering, and referring young people to, the pilot will receive training and clinical supervision from Gemma Trainor, who was involved in the original RASH Trial, the results of which inform NICE Guidelines for working with young people who self harm in the UK. Follow the link For more information, or contact Kelly Cartwright.
15th January 2009: praise for HITS work in schools
Testimony received today from a Halton High School:
'HITS is absolutely brilliant at working with our most vulnerable pupils, we only have 4 mentors and I cannot tell you the value we get from the service you give us and especially the Young Persons support and John (Chambers). Our staff can only cope with so much, and you have always given us a lifeline, and the ability to concentrate on a particular area of need, working with the family, all the things we struggle to find time to do. HITS gives the stability or props to support children, and the skills are always transferrable, this is your biggest asset, it is much more than any other service provides, we really see the effects of intervention. You also give constant feedback, all the way through, not just at the beginning or end of a project, this helps so much, we know you are always there for the young people. We value the service so much!' Thank you!
14th January 2009: Meet Rebekah, the new young women's mentor
"I have learned more about myself, I have gained confidence in myself, I have learned lots of things and if I didn't go to HITS I don't think I would have been able to go to college. I feel so much better in myself, I have made lots of new friends, I loved my time at HITS, that is why I have accepted to be a mentor and join the HITS KREW. I am so excited to be part of the HITS KREW!" (thanks Becky, well done).
13.01.09 Funding secured for Grangeway Cafe Project
Working together with staff from Halton Borough Council, Connexions and Halton YMCA, funding has been secured for a 3 month pilot which will re-establish community cafe provision in Grangeway Community Centre. For the pilot, this will be for 2 days a week (Wednesday and Thursday) and will incorporate a training and work experience programme for young people. It is expected that customers will be mainly the 'less young' members of the Grangeway community, and this project aims to address community cohesion issues as well as provide opportunities for young people. It is likely to be into February before we start 'serving up' so stick to your usual lunch plans for the time being!
23.12.08 HITS Young Women's Group tell us what they thought of their 12 week programme
Young Women who had taken part in the programme that finished recently told us what they thought of the service. The Young Women's Group is run by HITS in partnership with Halton Youth Service. The picture quality is not great but the happiness in achievement and friendship is clear to see..
22.12.08 Young people meet to discuss the future of HITS Krew
We have been talking about how often the young people would like to meet, also about the HITS Krew Triangle. There was some talk on peoples confidence, and how to get their voices heard. The HITS Krew meetings are a place where young people can give there ideas and talk about them, then hopefully taken them to the management board. Lastly, we talked about what we think about HITS, and what other things we should do.
Today at our meeting we discussed the future of HITS and whether we like HITS and what we can do to make it better one of the things we had discussed was what HITS stood for. HITS stood for Hope Inclusion Time Success. Second thing that we discussed was how many times should the HITS KREW meet? So the young people thought of once a month because young people might have new information and if we met 2 or 3 times a week it would just get boring and people would not have any new information to tell. There was another thing that we had discussed was how important it is to have your voice heard and we had number 1 ,number 2,number 3,number 4 and number 5 meaning number 1 was not important to have your voice be heard and number 5 was important to have your voice be heard. Today a lot of young people put number 5 because they think that it is important that people ,adults, staff, cleaner etc should listen to you .
Amy, Kirsty, Courtney, Kev, Sean, Megan, Erin, Becky, Craig
18.12.08 HITS young people are comedy stars!
Last night (17th December) young people from the HITS 'Time Out' group were displaying their comic talent at the Youth Hub in the Grangeway Centre. This was the culmination of 6 weeks work with the Comedy Store, during which the young people discovered a rich vein of comedic talent and the confidence to perform in front of an appreciative audience of staff, trustees, volunteers, family and friends.
12.12.08 Not So Young Carers on their way to a Lakeside consultation.
9 young people (young carers) aged 16 plus are off to YMCA Lakeside this weekend for 2 days of outdoor (brrrr....) activities and a consultation about young carers services in Halton. The young people's views will feed in to the development of a young carers' strategy for the Borough. Accompanying the young people are HITS staff Jane Bennett and Halton Young Carers Lead Engagement Officer, along with Linda Brown, formely of hITS but on this occasion travelling as an independent consultant. Thank you to Halton Youth Service and the Canal Boat Adventure Project for their support.
09.12.08 Paul Griffith is the new Chair of HITS Management Board.
At a mid-year review meeting held on 9th December, Paul Griffith was confirmed as the new Chair of HITS Management Board. Paul has served as a Trustee for 2 years and brings his experience in the private sector to balance the now significant public and voluntary sector experience that existing and new trustees bring to the Board. We would like to thank Paul for stepping up to the plate at what is a very challenging time for HITS, and Mike Davies for his prolonged stint as Acting Chair.
28.11.08 New Trustees strengthen HITS Management Board.
At the start of 2008, we were very concerned about the gender balance on HITS Management Board - there were 5 Trustees and all were men! All that has changed with the appointment of 3 new Trustees who bring not just their female gender to the Board but also experience and ability directly relevant to HITS work. First to come along was Jan Clitheroe, Project Development Manager at YWCA St Helens. Jan brings not just knowledge and experience but also the potential for partnership work across the St Helens/Halton PCT footprint. Second up was Pat McDermott, a Halton resident who came into contact with HITS came through her being the Assessor for our Matrix Acreditation. It was a real compliment to know that during the 2 days of the Assessment, Pat was persuaded of the excellence of HITS - we think it was the young people that did that for us! Last, and by no means least, we welcomed back our very own Linda Brown, who was Young People Support Manager during her 8 years working for HITS.
Next up, possibly a new Chairperson .....watch this space!
07.11.08 11 Million Take Over Day!
My name is Terri Anne and on the 7th November I got involved in the 11 Million Take Over Day. This included me becoming David Atkinson, who is (HITS Chief Executive) for the day. The take over day has been very useful for the young people that were involved in the take over, we attended an important meeting where myself and the other young people had a say on our views about Halton. This included what there is for young people and children to do. This day has been a great experience. Thank You for the opportunity to be involved in the take over day!
More about 11 Milion Take Over Day
31.10.08 Every Care Leaver Matters Every Day!
Today HITS welcomed young people, trustees, babies, and colleagues from other agencies, at a celeberatory event in recognition of care leavers week. The young people present included some who were regulars at HITS in the past and have now moved on, as well as those we are working with now. It was primarily an informal gathering with good food and good company, but Davd Atkinson (HITS Chief Executive) and Hilary Barker (Halton Borough Council Young People's Team Manager) each said 'a few words': David thanked the young people for the great contribution they make to the life of HITS, and thanked HITS Care Leavers Team and the Council's Young People's Team; Hilary reminded us all that for young people, and for staff, 'success' does not always come first time, and that many of the young people present show that it is possible to get there eventually. They can all be proud of what they have achieved. Get the picture
24.10.08 National Care leavers Week is from 26th to 31st October 2008.
HITS is recognising Care Leavers Week 2008 - but for HITS, 'every Care Leaver matters...every day'. The culmination of the week will be on Friday 31st when there will be an informal gathering at HITS, of young people, our friends, partners and suppporters.....contact Mike Lloyd for more information about this, and about work with care leavers at HITS.
16.10.08 Young People and Self Harm....a cause for concern.
In partnership with other local agencies, HITS is undertaking some development work to better understand self harm behaviour by young people and appropriate responses by services. At a Conference at John Moores University on 15th October, it was found that Halton was not alone in finding that services are limited outside the restricted remit of specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. HITS is currently investigating the possibilty of piloting peer support groupwork, an approach reported to have positive results by Truth Hurts, the National Enquiry into Self Harm (2006). If you are interested in finding out more about this project, contact Kelly Cartwright.
16.10.08 Integrated Children's Services: what does it mean to you?
HITS has been commissioned by the Children's Workforce Development Council to undertake a short piece of research on people's perceptions of Integrated Children's Services. Four focus groups are planned, 2 for young people, 1 for managers, and 1 for practioners. The focus groups will essentially be facilitated conversations to explore people's perceptions of what 'integration' does and should mean in practice. The manager and practioner focus groups will be on 2 of the following dates: 14,17,27 November; 1,2,5,8 December; lasting about 90 minutes and finishing not later than 2.00 pm. Contact Cheryl Slater at HITS if you work in Halton and are interested in taking part, and let her know your availability.
06.10.08 Forward Planning Away Day at Trafford Hall
On Thursday 3rd October HITS staff and tustees spent a day in the relatively tranquil surroundings of Trafford Hall to think about where our journey has brought us to and where we are headed next. A good day was assured by excellent (and some times challenging) faciltation by Sylvia Pearson, and the enthusiastic participation of all the HITS staff and trustees Paul Griffith, Mike Davies and Keith Waterworth. The outcomes of the day will be taken forward by staff involved in the Build a Better Business programme: this provides a framework for organisations in business planning linked to Investors in People acreditation. Click to Get the picture!
15.09.08 HITS gains MATRIX standard for Information, Advice and Guidance
Following assessment on September 11th and 12th we were pleased to be awarded the Matrix Standard for information, advice and guidance (IAG). On our 'Martrix Journey' we learned a lot of things, and one of the most important was that IAG is not a 'bolt on' to our services for young people but the tools for providing those services. The assessor was particuarly impressed with everybody's committment to young people (confirmed by the young people who took part) and by our committment to partnership working, which was in excess of what was required by the Standard.
15.09.08 HITS young people (and staff!) star in Victoria Park heritage DVD
The weekend of September 12th and 13th saw the launch of Victoria Park Life, a DVD film capturing apects of the life of the Park from the years 1900 to 2000. The film, directed by Louise Nulty, who also directed the Scrapbook Musical, features young people from HITS and even the occssional member of staff dressed in period costume. By all accounts it was a joyous weekend, bringing back happy memories for some residents and fun for all who came along to celebrate the life and times of Victoria Park. Enquiries: vickyparklife@yahoo.co.uk
25.09.08 Bright Ideas from HITS and Age Concern.
HITS has been awarded a grant of £1050 from the St Helens and Halton PCT's 'Bright Ideas' fund. This will support some work focusing on alcohol and young people, using drama as a way of engaging young people and allowing them to share their experience. On 24th September David Atkinson and Debbie Carmon from HITS were presented with the cheque at the PCT's Annnual General Meeting in St Helens. Also there was Eula Hersey of Age Concern who will be using WiiFit to enagage older people in excercise. Get the picture!
18.09.08 HITS staff on Halton FM talking about young carers.
Jane Bennett, practice manager for young carers at HITS, and Keir Parson, Lead Engagement Officer for young carers in Halton, were interviewed on Halton FM today. Jane and Keir talked about Halton's young carers - there may be more than 500 altogether and less than half of that number are known to services. Jane also spoke about the 12 young carers who themselves became radio stars earlier this year, thanks to Halton FM.
27.08.08 Young people at HITS web designing
The Halton Care Leavers website is an exciting new project that is currently being set up by young people for young people. All Care Leavers have been invited to contribute to this website in any way – they can either do research, technical work , artwork , editing etc. At the moment we have about 8 young people who are contributing information and using the HITS workshop to meet on a regular basis. It is anticipated that the website will provide valuable information and guidance especially to those young people who are about to leave care. The website will include information on Accommodation, Training and Education, Benefits, Health and Leisure. Any Care leavers who are not currently involved who wish to help with this project are welcome to join us, just ask your Personal Advisor for details.
Buzzy the Budgie takes flight!
Working with NCH Butterfly Project and video production team Jump!, young people at HITS and the Butterfly Project have produced a short DVD film highlighting how the adult world helps (and sometimes does not help) children and young people deal with bereavement. The issues raised also turned up in the recent East Enders 'death of Wellard' episode but the acting there was not as good! If you are interested in finding out about Buzzy the Budgie please contact Jane Bennett at HITS (and by the way it was the cat wot done it - killed Wellard? - no, no - ate Buzzy......).
HITS is getting Clean and Green
This is HITS paying attention to its 'Corporate Social Responsibilty' - that means being concerned about the impact of our activities on people and places in the neighbourhood, the wider community, and the world. The 'Clean' bit is where we look at our supply chain - 'ethical sourcing' in other words - are we buying products and services made and provided by people who are rewarded fairly for their efforts? The 'Green' bit is our environmental policy - reduce, re-use, recycle - and we are looking at our use of paper, energy, and other raw materials.
Young Carers Festival,Isle of Man, 1st to 4th August 2008
5th August. Latest news........our intrepid travellers are safely home after a rocky crossing (including a collision with dock at Liverpool so they had sail from Heysham) and a great few days on the Isle of Man. Click Here for a tale of 2 ferries........
Young Carers Family Fun Day
The Family Fun Day is an annual event at HITS, timed to coincide with Carers’ Week and Volunteers’ Week. This year had a ‘best ever’ feel about it, with good weather on 7th June welcoming over 100 young people, parents (and other relatives), staff, volunteers and friends. The highlight was undoubtedly the ‘HITS Got talent’ show, with 15 young people dancing, singing and showing their acrobatic skills. Celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan were on hand to give their views but the winner was determined by popular vote. Other star attractions were the food (as always), face painting, penalty shoot out, and - new this year and very popular – flower arranging!
The success of the Fun Day this year is a reflection, not just of the magnificent effort by everybody on the day, but also of 10 years work by HITS with young carers and increasing numbers of referrers as others become more aware of young carers issues.