Would you like to start your business, but are not sure where to begin?
You could be your own boss, provide for your family and even employ other people from our community.

Whether you’re looking to become a sole trader, a social enterprise or any other kind of company we’d like to help you get started.
If you are a St Helens resident and would like to take the first steps in starting a business we can offer you a place on our free business support project, Building Enterprise in Communities (BEiC).

To find out more book a place one of our ‘Thinking About Business’ workshops by emailing Chris Carlin ccarlin@haltonsthelensvca.org.uk or phone us on 01744 457 100.

BOOK your place NOW

Local recycling groups are being encouraged to bid for cash funding under a scheme by Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority and Veolia Environmental Services.

The Community Resource Action Fund has been made available in order to encourage waste awareness in local communities. Grants of up to £3000 will be available for projects.

You can apply for the Community Resource Action Fund 2011-12 if you are a:

• Community or voluntary organisation
• Small to medium sized enterprise;
• Not for profit organisation
• Charity
• Parish/town council
• Youth group
• Uniformed organisation

Examples of projects we have supported in the past are:

• Equipment for testing re-used electrical items
• Community art projects using recycled materials
• Community events that raise awareness to sustainable waste management issues

If you are a community or resident group and wish to apply to the Community Fund, please call us on:

Tel: 0151 255 1444

email: enquiries@merseysidewda.gov.uk

Or write to:
Community Resource Action Fund
Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority
6th Floor, North House
17 North John Street
Liverpool
L2 5QY.

Applications are only accepted via the application form provided by MWDA and will be subject to evaluation by MWDA. Completed applications must be returned to Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority by 5.00pm Friday 30th September 2011.

We are delighted to announce that our funding application to the Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme has been successful!!

A grant of £251,505, has been awarded (over five years) for the ‘Making a Difference’ project which will provide opportunities for people to study new academic subjects, pursue new leisure interests, pursue volunteering opportunities and improve skills and employment opportunities.

The Big Lottery Fund distributes 46 per cent of the National Lottery good cause funding across the UK for projects that make real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need.

This grant will have a huge impact upon the Centre and the community as a whole. Working in partnership with St Helens Adult & Community Learning, St. Helens Healthy Living Programme and the Workers Educational Association, the grant will allow us to deliver courses and activities in response to identified needs, The project will sustain, develop and enhance existing services by providing a greater choice, a natural progression to higher levels and qualifications and greater accessibility – with evening courses and services.

The Centre now known as ‘Hope House’ is unrecognizable after the addition of a brand new front window and refurbishment throughout. This is all thanks to the commitment of a team of volunteers from St Helens Christian Life Centre, who have worked tirelessly and the Seed Bed in Liverpool who provided £5000 towards the refurbishment project.

The work carried out has provided an opportunity to develop the service further, extending the availability of the support and advocacy service to five days a week. On arrival service users are now met with a support team. Facilities such as phones, computers and a new seating area allow the support workers to provide each service user with support regarding benefits enquiries, accommodation searches, applications and forms and signposting to other relevant services as it is required.

Our pre-existing service of dietary and personal care provision still continues with our new Breakfast Club but has been relocated upstairs to a fresh and bright café area with a purpose built kitchen. This allows service users to relax while they eat within a friendly atmosphere.

When asked about the changes service users have provided very positive feedback, describing the new environment as ‘lovely’ and ‘very posh’.

We hope to continue to develop the work that has been started, to keep the service in step with the needs of not only our service users but also to positively impact our community by being a house of hope.