Communities That Work!

On Friday 16th June Government Minister Rosie Winterton visited Chesterfield to mark the official launch of a Coalfield Regeneration Trust funded project in the St Augustine's (Birdholme) area.

The scheme provides support for residents of the area who want help to find work, training and education, debt advice or help with health problems.

Paul Holmes says... "these streets have been singled out for support because they contain well above average levels of deprivation, unemployment and educational need. There are other areas across Chesterfield that would benefit from this support but funds are very imited. Covering just over 3,000 residents the project is more than three times the size of two previous programs funded in other coalfield areas by the Coalfield Regeneration trust."

Paul adds... "The project is a collaboration between the CRT, the Primary Care Trust, Chesterfield Borough Council and many others. It owes a great deal to Bill Flanagan, formerly Council Leader and now a Trustee of the CRT. I first started 'sparring' with Bill in 1987 when I was first elected to the Council. Over the last 5 years, as Chesterfield's MP, I have been able to work well with Bill in support of CRT campaigns to help the former Coalfield areas hit by massive job losses and deprivation. The Rother area has seen some excellent work by local community groups, such as the Community Garden, and this scheme is another plus for the area."

If you think the Project could help you then contact Rose, Fiona or Maggie at the office on Bacons Lane next to the Housing Office - phone 01246 345438 to make an appointment. The streets included are: Bacons Lane, Baden Powell Road, Birdholme Crescent, Byron Road, Canterbury Close, Carlyon Gardens, Church Street South, Clarkson Avenue, Derby Road, Dryden Avenue, Dundonald Road, Hawthorne Street, Jawbones Hill, Johnstone Close, King Street South, Kingsley Avenue, Lincoln Street, Lord Roberts Road, Melling Close, Milton Crescent, Redvers Buller Road, Rothervale Road, Turnbull Close and St Augustines Avenue, ( and St A. Crescent, Drive, Mount, Rise and Road).