A local website is launching a new page to help young people with their problems. Ask Jo is the new advice page being launched by YouthDen.com, the website for children and young people in Denbighshire.
The website co-ordinator said, “We are always asking children and young people what they would like to see on YouthDen and one of the most asked for items is a problem page. We are very glad that we have been able to meet that need and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us to set Ask Jo up.
“Obviously we will not be able to go into details on a one to one basis, but Ask Jo should be able to help with many of the problems that young people face.”
If you have a problem that is worrying you and you don’t know who to talk to or you have a friend who has told you a problem and you don’t know how to help them, you can Ask Jo by:
Texting “Jo” to 07800 140088. Texts are charged at your normal network rate.
You can e-mail your question to askjo@denbighshire.gov.uk
Write to Ask Jo, YouthDen.com, Customer Care Service, County Hall, Ruthin, LL15 1YN.
You don’t even have to say who you are, problems and replies will then be published on the website.
If you need to talk to someone, why not call ChildLine on 0800 1111.
A taste of South Africa comes to Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen next week (Monday, September 28), as two visitors from the rural Drakensburg Mountain region head to the Dee Valley as part of an educational exchange programme.
This is a reciprocal visit after two teachers from Ysgol Dinas Bran spent a week in Mazwendoda High School at Easter, forging links and setting up a mutual sports project. This visit was funded by the British Council.
The South African headteacher and link teacher will spend four days at the school where they will observe lessons and become immersed in the Welsh culture. Part of their visit will also include learning some basic Welsh which will then be used on the first ‘Welsh Day’ on their return to their school in the Kwa-Zulu Natal region.
Headteacher at Ysgol Dinas Bran, Alison Duffy, said: “The link between both schools has already been made and we will be delighted to welcome the South African delegation to our school for a true taste of Welsh life and an opportunity to see how our education system works in Wales.
“The delegation will also attend assemblies, will meet the Mayor of Llangollen and have a tour of the local area. The meeting will also be an opportunity to further develop the Sports Project, as well as initiate some new links between departments in both schools”.
Conwy and Denbighshire County Councils have put together a code of practice that sets out how they will work with youngsters with disabilities between the ages of 14 and 25 who need help as they move in to adult life.
Becoming a grown up can be a trying time for anyone, but can be especially challenging for youngsters with disabilities. The Councils have been working together to put principles and best practice in place and learn from each other about things they can do and ways they can help. The Social Services Departments, Education Departments, the NHS Trust and Careers Wales have all been involved in looking at what should be included.
The councils work with youngsters to help them think about what they want out of life as they become adults and then help them to plan how they will achieve their life goals. Both authorities work closely with partner organisations to make sure that everybody knows what the plan is and that all organisations are working in a co-ordinated way to help the young person.
More information about the code of practice, called the Transition Protocol, will be available at a launch event on 25 September at 10am, at Kinmel Manor Hotel in Abergele where the key note speaker will be Sally Rees of Care Co-ordination Network UK. Sally works with the Welsh Assembly Government on developing best practice in supporting young people with disabilities in the transition to adult life across Wales.
Anyone interested in attending the launch, should contact Julie Pickman, Transition Officer for Denbighshire on 01824 712750 or e-mail Julie.Pickman@denbighshire.gov.uk
It will be murder at Nantclwyd y Dre, Ruthin on the night of Friday, October 23rd.
Historic re-enactor Ruth Moore Williams will lead participants on the trail of clues, red herrings and puzzles in this participatory evening full of intrigue and deception – an ideal night for anyone who has ever wanted to play detective.
Prices are £10 each of £30 per team of four. The event begins at 7pm.
To book a place, please telephone 01824 708281.
Denbighshire County Council is set to launch a series of roadshows next week to consult on its deposit Local Development Plan.
The Local Development Plan is key to providing land for new homes, land for jobs, open space, community facilities and helping to protect those things which make our county unique: the environment, wildlife, landscape and built heritage.
The council consulted on the first stage of the Plan last summer and feedback has helped the council shape the current plans being consulted on.
The roadshows will be held at:
5th October Bodelwyddan Community Centre 2pm – 8pm
7th October Trefnant Village Hall 1pm – 4pm
7th October St Asaph Theatre Elwy 5pm – 8pm
8th October Prestatyn Scala Cinema 2pm – 8pm
10th October Rhyl White Rose Centre 10am – 1pm
12th October Rhuddlan Community Centre 2pm – 8pm
14th October Waen Goleugoed Parish Hall 2pm – 8pm
16th October Rhyl High School 2pm – 8pm
17th October Bodelwyddan Church School Room 10am – 1pm
19th October Denbigh Town Hall 2pm – 8pm
20th October School, Cyffylliog 4pm – 8pm
21st October School, Betws Gwerfil Goch 4pm – 8pm
22nd October Ruthin County Hall 3pm – 8pm
23rd October Clawddnewydd Community Centre 2pm – 8pm
26th October Llandrillo Village Hall 2pm – 8pm
27th October Llandyrnog School Hall 2pm – 8pm
28th October Llangollen Town Hall 2pm – 7pm
29th October Llandegla Village Hall 1pm – 7pm
30th October Prestatyn Clawdd Offa School 2pm – 8pm
31st October Llanfwrog Community Centre 10am -1pm
2nd November Loggerheads meeting room 2pm – 8pm
4th November Corwen Sports Pavilion 2pm – 8pm
5th November St Asaph Cricket Club 2pm – 8pm
12th November Rhyl College 2pm – 8pm
13th November Bodelwyddan Community Centre 2pm – 8pm
LDP surgeries will also take place at the Caledfryn offices, Denbigh every Friday between 5th October and 30th November. Anyone interested in speaking to a planning officer should make an appointment by phoning 01824 706916 or e-mail: ldp@denbighshire.gov.uk
Information is also available on www.denbighshire.gov.uk/ldp
The deadline for comments is 5pm, Monday November 30th. Written responses should be sent to Local Development Plan Consultation, Denbighshire County Council, Caledfryn, Smithfield Road, Denbigh, LL16 3RJ, by fax: 01824 706709 or e-mail: ldp@denbighshire.gov.uk
Calling all local library users in Denbighshire!
From the week commencing 12 October all libraries will be involved in carrying out a Public Library Users Survey.
The survey will be asking library users for views about their local library, what are the strengths and identify any areas in need of improvement.
As a gesture to thank library users for participating in the survey, Denbighshire Library Service will be giving one random winner from every library an opportunity to take advantage of a month’s free DVD rental from their local library.
Although the General Election has yet to be called, council officials in Denbighshire are already working hard to make sure that all eligible residents can have their say on polling day.
Registration forms were sent to over 44,000 households in the County at the end of August and now reminders are being issued to households who have not yet confirmed or returned the annual electoral registration form.
Dr Mohammed Mehmet, Electoral Registration Officer for Denbighshire said: “We are trying to ensure that all eligible residents are included in the next Register of Electors. A general election can be called at any time, but must take place by June 3, 2010. Electors may find that once an election is called that there is very little time to register. Typically a minimum of 17 working days between the announcement of a general election and polling day.
“It’s simple to register, all you have to do is complete the annual registration form and you’ll be able to help choose the people that make the decisions which affect your everyday life. If the information on the form is correct, it’s even easier as you can confirm the information by using the telephone, internet or text registration services.”
“For some people, this may be the first General Election that they get to take part in and may be worried about what to do. You can find out more by calling 01824 706101 or go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.”
Kay Jenkins, Head of the Electoral Commission’s Wales Office said: “There’s a General Election coming between now and June 2010, If you’re not registered to vote, then you can’t make a decision about who represents you in Westminster. Secure your voice on the issues that matter to you now: it only takes a few minutes.”
A host of free activities have been arranged to keep people entertained in the Denbighshire countryside over the coming weeks.
Friday 2nd October , 10am – 2pm In Search of Blackberries
A fun 5 ½ mile circular walk from Loggerheads Country Park to Moel Famau, picking blackberries on route. Recipe suggestions shared on the day. Don’t forget to bring a container for your berries!
Saturday 3rd October 2pm – 4pm Nut Hunt
Search for evidence of the nationally rare dormouse by investigating nuts on the ground! Meet at Loggerheads Country Park.
Friday 16th October 9am – 5pm Taking in the Sites
A 10 mile autumn walk to Eryrys enjoying the different habitats and wildlife at the heart of the Clwydian Range. Meet at Loggerheads Country Park.
Tuesday 27th October 1pm – 3pm Feeding the Birds
Come and make a variety of bird feeders for your garden to give them a feast for the winter. Loggerheads Country Park. For those aged 5+
Wednesday 28th October 10am – 12pm If you go down to the woods today…
Explore the woods hunting for chewed nuts to see what animals live there. Can we find the elusive dormouse? NWWT Nature Reserve Coed Cilygroesllwyd, meet at the lay-by by Ruthin Rugby Club.
Saturday 31st October 2pm – 7pm Samhain Scare
Wear your scariest fancy dress and take part in some craft activities before going on a bat hunt in the park. Loggerheads Country Park
To book a place at these free activities, please contact Denbighshire Countryside Service, on 01352 810 614 or 01352 810586 at weekends.
Denbighshire County Council is highlighting the availability of the Mortgage Rescue scheme, in an attempt to assist people in the county who may be having difficulty in meeting their mortgage payments.
The Mortgage Rescue Scheme is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd. Its intention is to help homeowners avoid mortgage repossession where this will result in homelessness.
Councillor Christine Evans, Denbighshire County Council’s Homelessness Champion, said:“This is an important scheme that aims to support and assist those who are experiencing difficulties with their mortgages to remain in their homes and avoid homelessness as a result of the current economic downturn.
“I am pleased to see the Welsh Assembly Government and the Council take such active steps to try and assist any residents who may be in danger of homelessness because of difficulty in meeting mortgage payments”.
Gwenan Jones, Senior Affordable Housing Officer at Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd said:“A number of home owners have been assisted to date. The scheme is excellent ways of assisting homeowners to remain in their homes, and as a result, the family is able to remain close to family and friends, and the children can remain at their school.”
The Mortgage Rescue Scheme will not be the best option for everyone. It may be possible for people to get back on track with their mortgage payments without having to sell their home. If people are having difficulty paying your mortgage you must talk to your lender and take independent advice to find out what options are available to you as soon as you think there may a problem
The scheme is open to people who would be a priority for re-housing with a local council or housing association. Denbighshire County Council can tell you if this applies to you but in the first instance you must be able to answer yes to all of the following:
· Your home is in danger of being repossessed. That is, your lender has indicated the intention to repossess your home.
· You will be homeless if the property is repossessed.
· The property is your only or main residence.
· The property is clear of any legal reasons that would prevent it being sold.
· You are unable to sell and buy a cheaper home locally.
If you are eligible, the housing association will look at the level of your debts, the cost of buying your home and any repairs or other works that are necessary. In some cases, it will not be possible to go ahead with your application if the costs are too high to make it practical.
If you think that the Mortgage Rescue Scheme could help you, you should contact:
Denbighshire County Council’s Homelessness Team on 01824 706100 (Welsh Language) and 01824 70 6101 (English Language)
Before applying for the Mortgage Rescue Scheme we recommend you firstly seek independent advice. Contact details can be found below
Housing Debt Helpline Wales: 0800 107 1340 or visit
www.housing-debt-helpline-wales.org/
Shelter Cymru 0845 075 5005 or visit www.sheltercymru.org.uk/shelter/home
Citizens Advice Bureau: Local office numbers in the phone book or online: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Belly dancing, nordic walking and confidence workshops will be some of the activities on the agenda at a day of activities being staged by the Denbighshire Over 50s Forum.
The Celebration of Age Festival is being staged at the Rugby Club, Vale Road, Rhyl on Thursday, October 1st from 10am – 4pm, to celebrate the United Nations’ Day of Older People.
Participants will also be able to get the grey matter going in a prize quiz, experience Nordic walking, take part in happiness and confidence workshops and get advice on looking after older skin.
The pensions bus will also be available to provide advice and information.
Anyone wishing to attend should contact Paula Stubbs at Denbighshire County Council, on 01824 712970.
The event is funded by Denbighshire County Council’s Older People’s Strategy.