A community-led approach to social care being championed in Scholes is gaining momentum and we are encouraging people to get involved. Wigan Council is one of just five councils in the UK to receive Creative Councils funding. It’s being used locally for the Heart of Scholes project to bring new ideas about how public services are delivered to life.
You might live in Scholes, have a business either based in Scholes or able to deliver a service there, be part of a charity or voluntary organisation, or have ideas about services you would like to see in Scholes.
We can help develop what is already available or support small enterprises to start up. Many local people have already volunteered their time, which can range from perhaps just an hour a week to several days to the Heart of Scholes initiative, but more are being encouraged to get involved.
If you want to find out more about how you could part of the Heart of Scholes project:
E-mail scholesnesta@wigan.gov.uk
or call Liam Swann on (01942) 487371 or Sunshine House (01942) 515519.
I’m a business person. What does it mean to me?
The Heart of Scholes project offers an exciting opportunity for businesses to get involved in providing products and services that will address local needs. By getting involved you will have the opportunity to:
- Hear about local needs and desires and to shape or increase your business activities to meet the identified gaps
- Develop new ideas that could be readily tested with the local community
- Contribute your skills and resources for the benefit of Scholes
- Have access to a previously hard to reach customer base
- Receive support from volunteers to support your business to grow
- Participate in an exciting project that is the first of its kind in England
I work for the council. What does it mean to me?
The Heart of Scholes project offers an exciting opportunity for Council employees to get involved in improving the lives of local people. By getting involved you can:
- Share your ideas about new ways of making social care residents, socially isolated people or carers feel independent
- Bring people into the project who could benefit from its work or contribute to its ambitions
- Offer your skills, enthusiasm and time to particular projects to help turn the ideas into reality
- Participate in an exciting project that is the first of its kind in England
I’m an individual. What does it mean to me?
The Heart of Scholes project offers an exciting opportunity for the local people of Scholes to get involved with helping other locals and improving our community. By getting involved you can:
- Share your ideas about new ways of making more people, and especially those with support needs, to feel more independent and part of Scholes
- Bring people into the project who could benefit from its work or contribute to its ambitions
- Offer your skills, enthusiasm and time to particular projects to help turn the ideas into reality
- Gain new skills, raise your confidence and learn from others
- Meet new people who are also interested in improving Scholes
- Contribute to improving the lives of local people
- Participate in an exciting project that is the first of its kind in England
I’m interested in social care and opportunities. What does it mean to me?
The Heart of Scholes project offers an exciting opportunity for people interested in social care. By getting involved you can:
- Share your ideas about new ways of making social care residents, socially isolated people or carers feel independent
- Bring people into the project who could benefit from its work or contribute to its ambitions
- Offer your skills, enthusiasm and time to particular projects to help turn the ideas into reality
- Share your best experiences of what works to involve local people, neighbours, community groups and businesses in addressing social care needs
- Participate in an exciting project that is the first of its kind in England
The Heart of Scholes project has received support from Nesta, a national charity focused on increasing innovation.
NESTA funded Dementia services now available or coming soon in Scholes:
Dementia Awareness & Role Play
After consulting with people with dementia and their carers, Green Room Creative Productions will
develop awareness raising workshops using actors and dramatic scenarios for local businesses, transport and schools. For details call Martin Green on 07947 031 234.
Mobile Sensory Service
Providing a mobile multi sensory service for people with dementia in the Scholes area, in a home setting, care home, day centre or community centre. For details call Amy Cotter at Sensoriel 07899 924 696.
Music & Memories
Using music to trigger interesting memories of their lives, generating a discussion and recording the person’s memories that can then be shared with friends and family. For details call John White at Everyone Wigan 01942 207335.
Music Reminiscence & Memory Lane Café
An intergenerational project, uniting the young and people with dementia in the Scholes Community. Young musicians play music, which stimulates memory recall and singing; enjoyed with a cuppa and cake. For details call Phil or Jayne at 21:12 Music Community 07585 123 405
Dementia Pinnies
Catherine will make dementia pinnies for less active people with dementia who live in Scholes, enabling them to improve their circulation and promote conversation. For details call Cat Martland 07525 939 953.
Happy Heritage—Contented Dementia
Reminiscence workshops for people with dementia and their carers in Scholes. For details call Dianne Teskey at Museum of Wigan Life 01942 828103.
Forget-Me-Not Café at St George's Care Home
Over afternoon tea we welcome everyone who has been touched by dementia to come along, have a chat and join in the activities, support and advice on offer. For details call Sarah Leigh Cook 01942 821399.
CCTV
This will be a pilot project to install CCTV in the home, enabling piece of mind for family members who constantly worry about their loved one. It enables them to ‘remotely’ make sure they are safe in their own home. For details call Mark Lee / Paul Towler at Simply Solve IT 07923 035 356
Sensory Garden
Engaging with the local community to plan and design a Scholes Sensory Garden. This concept will then be developed into a garden in Scholes that people can use and work in. For details call Dawn Galletly Sense Nature 07547 922 309.
Pottery Workshop
Pottery is a sensory therapeutic medium offering people with dementia an opportunity to develop and socialise while developing a new hobby and interest. For details of the pottery sessions call Lizzie Griffiths at Craftworks Community Arts 07904 931 003.
Understanding & Supporting Challenging Behaviour
There are many challenges faced by those diagnosed with dementia and their carers. This is a pilot project which will be evaluated to ascertain the value in carers gaining the skills to problem solve when new behaviours appear. For details call Nigel Lyons at Thoughtism 07914 170 024.