We were shown around the College Grove area today by a local resident who pointed how the council has been neglecting the area. We saw huge piles of refuse bags on street corners, graffiti and general litter everywhere. Wakefield Council has been infomed by many residents about the refuse problem only for all this to fall on deaf hears; the Council will not clean up the area nor send enforcement officers. We saw many piles of refuse which, due to the latest hot weather, have started to generate bad smells and attract rodents. The local resident said, ' This is disgusting; I have never seen anything like this in all the time I have lived in this area. The local landlords are creating overcrowding problems with high occupancy lets which in turn creates the refuse problem'. Jaan is in the process of writing to Councillor Olivia Rowley. Residents of College Grove area should also contact Councillor Rowley at
, Councillor Ron Halliday or Councillor Ros Lund and demand that the refuse problem is resolved immediately and the overcrowding issue looked at. Update: Jaan sent an email to Cllr Rowley and received immediate attention - the refuse bags were removed on Wednesday. The council has asked that if you see anyone dumping refuse on roads and pavements illegaly then please report them to the council. You can report it to the council call centre on 01924 306090.
British Citizenship course with Esol for people who need to apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or British Nationality. We work with the Home Office. The course is mainly on speaking and listening skills. You get a certificate which helps you to apply. You need to speak a little bit of english before you start. For further information ring 07747042189 or 07985446643.
A reader has written in to highlight a forthcoming issue: "Next month, the government will put forward new laws to counter terrorism. The new measures include holding people without charge or trial for 42 days, an increase from the current 28 day limit. A solid argument for the proposed legislation has yet to be made. The following is an example of what the legislation, as it stands, meant for one Muslim woman. These laws have been designed to target the Muslim community. Now in contrast, consider the case of the two former BNP members who stockpiled explosive chemicals, air pistols, crossbows, materials which could have been used as shrapnel etc. This wasn’t considered terror-related, but say downloading some material or reading literature considered extreme is.
If you have learning disabilities, are a family carer or friend of someone with a learning disability from a black and minority ethnic community you can contact Wakefield Council to find out what support it can offer. Arshad Mahmood is the Council’s new Black and Minority Ethnic Development Worker for learning disabilities. He works with communities in Wakefield to make sure services for people with learning disabilities and family carers are appropriate and that they are receiving the support they need. If you would like to get together for a friendly chat about learning disabilities, or know someone who might want to speak to Arshad contact him on 07919 696429 or email
today.
News has reached us that Voluntary Action Wakefield District (VAWD) is to ditch the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Project. In a proposed organisational restructure, the BME Project is to be ended and the post of BME Project Coordinator is going to be desolved. Some of the BME Project work is going to be incorporated into a wider brief which will address all voluntary groups in the district. This news has come as a shock to the number of BME groups which have either been setup with the help of the BME Project or were assisted by the project. Representatives of BME groups today met the VAWD management and expressed their disappointment at the proposals. The groups plan to meet to plan a course of action if this restructure is approved. The future of the BME Forum, which was setup recently after much effort, looks bleak. Keep watching this space.
Are you aged 16-18 and not currently in education, employment or training? Rathbone in Wakefield have limited places available on our Childcare Apprenticeship programme. The training is to NVQ Level 2 and is at no cost to you. There are no entry requirements for this programme. Immediate starts can be arranged following initial interview and assessment. Don’t miss out. To find out more contact us on 01924 299097 or email for further details.
After successful tours to Pakistan, Kenya, the Far East and Dubai, members of Azaad are on tour of South America. Taking in Chile, Argentina and Brazil, the tour party will be visiting local places of interest as well as meeting up with cricketing clubs. This ambitious tour took four years of planning and many weeks of extensive research. You can read the tour diary here and view the photo album here.
Read the latest news from Sports 4U and find out what they have been upto. Sport 4U is a multi sports club aimed at 8-19yrs old that runs every Saturday at the City High Community Sports Centre from 11am-1pm. A variety of sports are available including football, cricket, table tennis, badminton and basketball.
West Yorkshire Police are organising one hour talks to address the issues of drugs and give details on how to combat this in communities. All fathers, especially those who are worried about their children and drugs, are invited to the talks. The talk will take place at the Agbrigg Community Centre and Lightwaves Leisure Centre as follow:
Agbrigg Community Centre: 4th Feb 5:00 - 6:00 upstairs hall Lightwaves: 5th Feb 13:00 - 14:00 Next Gen Rooms
All are welcome. PC 2453 Richard Marsh, Community Engagement Officer.
Community Change is an all expenses paid weekend training course for campaigners that Oxfam is running across the country between March and May. The event in Leeds will take place 4-6th April. The aim of the course is to provide campaigners with all the skills and knowledge they need to then campaign with Oxfam in their communities over a 6 month period. The time commitment for the volunteers during this time is completely flexible and dependant on the volunteers circumstance. The volunteers will receive full support and advice from the Activist team at Oxfam during this time. The course is open to anyone over the age of 18, who has had experience or is interested in campaigning and or event management and demonstrates an interest in development issues. Please look at our website for the event which will provide you with more information and also the application pack: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/changeminds
The Wakefield District Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Forum has been established to bring together BME organisations in the Wakefield District and to support their development and growth. It provides an opportunity for them to come together and share their experiences and provides a link to other groups across the district. In addition, the Forum provides a way for the BME sector to be represented on strategic partnerships to ensure that it is included in all aspects of strategic developments in Wakefield.
Hello, my name is Ben Brearey and I am the NHS Health Trainer for the area of Agbrigg and Bellevue and I am based at the recently improved Agbrigg and Bellevue Community Centre. I am one of 25 Health Trainers around the Wakefield area. If you are someone who wants to improve your health and enjoy all the added benefits of living a healthier lifestyle, but are uncertain of which direction to go, then you could use our support. We work with members of the community, in a confidential capacity to motivate individuals towards their goal of positive health improvement. Your goal could be to eat healthier, increase physical activity, reduce stress or stop smoking for example. We have many links with community groups and other agencies - if you feel isolated and anxious we are able to accompany you to any local group or agency which may be of benefit to you. Put simply we are a "critical" friend - here to support and motivate you ! If you would like to book an appointment or discuss any of the above further, then don't hesitate to call me on 07900136774 or the main office number on 01977665717.
We were shown around the College Grove area today by a local resident who pointed how the council has been neglecting the area. We saw huge piles of refuse bags on street corners, graffiti and general litter everywhere. Wakefield Council has been infomed by many residents about the refuse problem only for all this to fall on deaf hears; the Council will not clean up the area nor send enforcement officers. We saw many piles of refuse which, due to the latest hot weather, have started to generate bad smells and attract rodents. The local resident said, ' This is disgusting; I have never seen anything like this in all the time I have lived in this area. The local landlords are creating overcrowding problems with high occupancy lets which in turn creates the refuse problem'. Jaan is in the process of writing to Councillor Olivia Rowley. Residents of College Grove area should also contact Councillor Rowley at
, Councillor Ron Halliday or Councillor Ros Lund and demand that the refuse problem is resolved immediately and the overcrowding issue looked at. Update: Jaan sent an email to Cllr Rowley and received immediate attention - the refuse bags were removed on Wednesday. The council has asked that if you see anyone dumping refuse on roads and pavements illegaly then please report them to the council. You can report it to the council call centre on 01924 306090. 
After successful tours to Pakistan, Kenya, the Far East and Dubai, members of Azaad are on tour of South America. Taking in Chile, Argentina and Brazil, the tour party will be visiting local places of interest as well as meeting up with cricketing clubs. This ambitious tour took four years of planning and many weeks of extensive research. You can read 
Read the latest news from Sports 4U and find out what they have been upto. Sport 4U is a multi sports club aimed at 8-19yrs old that runs every Saturday at the City High Community Sports Centre from 11am-1pm. A variety of sports are available including football, cricket, table tennis, badminton and basketball.
The Wakefield District Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Forum has been established to bring together BME organisations in the Wakefield District and to support their development and growth. It provides an opportunity for them to come together and share their experiences and provides a link to other groups across the district. In addition, the Forum provides a way for the BME sector to be represented on strategic partnerships to ensure that it is included in all aspects of strategic developments in Wakefield.