June
Halifax Opportunities Trust Celebrates 21st anniversary with community garden party
Calderdale-based community charity reaches milestone anniversary and reveals plans for community-wide celebrations
Local charity, Halifax Opportunities Trust (HOT), recently launched its 21st birthday celebrations and continues the festivities with a Community Celebration held at the Outback Community Kitchen and Garden, Lightowler Rd, Halifax HX1 5NB, on 15th June 2023, from 1pm – 4pm.
With delicious home cooked and healthy food prepared by the Outback’s kitchen team and live entertainment that everyone can get involved with, the event is truly a community celebration that not only marks HOT’s milestone anniversary but the community spirit, which Calderdale has in abundance. From a children’s treasure hunt to party themed activities, garden games to honey tasting, the event is sure to be a hive of activity for all. And, with stalls from community partners like Overgate hospice and 51st Pellon Scout Group, as well as from HOT’s delivery teams, there’s something for everyone.
The local-charity and community anchor invites all in the Halifax community to its garden party that aims to celebrate all things HOT with a wide range of activities, including:
- Community partner stalls
- Beekeeping demos and honey tasting
- Delicious food cooked by the Outback team
- Sensory stall
- Garden Games
- Children’s treasure hunt and fun activities
- Live entertainment
The Celebrations will bring together individuals, families and businesses to recognise the impactful work that takes place at HOT, within one of the charity’s key delivery sites.
Alison Haskins, CEO of Halifax Opportunities Trust, comments: “In 21 years Halifax Opportunities Trust has become a well-respected community anchor in Calderdale and has stayed firmly rooted within Park ward. While we have evolved and our ambitions may have changed since official operations began, our purpose has remained the same – to create a vibrant, multicultural and self-sustaining community.
“We’re so proud of how far we have come over the past two decades. From a team of just 14 in 2002 to 180 in 2023 we have truly ‘grown-up’ and, as we embark on our journey into the future, the important connections and knowledge we have gained along the way will be instrumental in continuing to create opportunities for the people of Calderdale.”
While HOT has grown to deliver services throughout Halifax and Calderdale, many of its operations remain based at its flagship site, Hanson Lane Enterprise Centre. Staying true to its roots in Park ward, the Community Celebration will acknowledge the importance of place-based delivery and reinforce its role as a recognised community anchor in the area.
Revd Canon Hilary Barber, HOT’s Chair of Trustees, adds: “HOT has grown in many ways. Our work has diversified to meet community needs and respond to many local, national and global challenges. We couldn’t have done this without our employees, volunteers and Trustees.
“We’re delighted that many of our staff, volunteers and board members have grown with us – some since the very start. Our birthday is the perfect way to recognise the work of our teams and the individuals who have shown their commitment to the charity over the past 21 years, helping us to build a thriving community together.”
Halifax Opportunities Trust officially began operating in April 2002, continuing the legacy of the West Central Halifax Partnership, making this year the Trust’s official 21st birthday. It first set out to ‘fly the flag for regeneration’ with the ultimate goal of bringing positive change in Halifax. Today the Trust’s six delivery areas aim to do just that, creating opportunities for a better life and future, reaching around 1,700 people each day.
Join Halifax Opportunities Trust and celebrate Creating Opportunities for 21 years. Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-celebration-21-year-of-halifax-opportunities-trust-tickets-619107345737
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Board Meets in Public on Tuesday 6th of June
West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s Partnership Board (WY HCP) will meet in public on Tuesday 6 June at 1.30pm via digital technology. The meeting will be livestreamed from wypartnership.co.uk with the recording available on the website after the meeting. The meeting will be Chaired by Cllr Tim Swift, Deputy Leader of Calderdale Council and Chair of Calderdale Health and Wellbeing Board.
The Partnership Board further strengthens joint working arrangements between the NHS, councils, care providers, hospices, Healthwatch, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Together, the Partnership improves health and care of all people living across the area.
The Board is an important group for the Partnership, which covers Bradford District and Craven, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield District. It brings together elected members, executive and non-executives in one decision making process. Its work aligns to the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
Board members will consider an update for the Partnership’s CEO Lead, discuss dentistry and oral health in West Yorkshire, receive an update on progress made from the recommendations of the Partnership’s Race Review, which is a standing item for the Board and consider joint working arrangements between the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Working alongside communities, the Partnership Board aims to give people their best start in life with support to stay healthy and live longer. Many factors determine whether someone leads a long and healthy life, including good housing, access to green space, and building an inclusive economy that creates more good jobs, reduces health inequalities, and promotes opportunity for all. These important factors are at the heart of the Partnership Board.
The Board meets in public every three months and gives people the opportunity to ask questions and have their say. Members of the public will be able to ask a question at the start of the meeting. All questions submitted will receive a written response after the meeting and will be published on the Partnership’s website.
Members of the public are asked to email their questions to westyorkshire.ics@nhs.net before Monday 5 June 2023 at 5pm – highlighting the question to be asked at the Board. People can also call 01924 317659 to submit questions.
The agenda, papers, and link to watch the meeting live can be accessed from Tuesday 30 May 2023 evening at: www.wypartnership.co.uk/meetings/partnershipboard/papers
You can find out more about asking questions to the Board at: www.wyhpartnership.co.uk/meetings/partnershipboard/questions
AM I STRONG?
A beautiful, creative project for mums and daughters. The project will be gently and creatively led by creative facilitator Sharon Marsden.
There will be a small, intimate group of six mums and their daughters, aimed at strengthening bonds between Mother and Daughter.
AM I STRONG focuses on building confidence, resilience and strength, in this most precious of relationships, helping you get to know one another in a new way. And there is no pressure in the sessions, the process is one of positivity, creativity and self-awareness.
“I saw my mum doing things she doesn’t normally do. I only ever saw her doing mum things, that was what I was most excited about!” Hamna
“For both of us, we saw each other in a new light. Our confidence grew, together.” Malgorzata
When: Every Saturday – 17th June – 22nd July – 11 till 1pm
Age recommendation 14+ for daughters
Projects book up quickly, so please contact:
email: sharon@verddegris.org
mobile: 07907 822323
Keep up to date with other events as they happen by following the Verd de Gris Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Twitter @verddegris
Instagram @verddegris
Upcoming Events at OSCA
THE OSCA FOUNDATION AT FOREST COTTAGE, COUSIN LANE, OVENDEN will be holding a Gala on Saturday June 17th from 1pm until 5pm.
Attractions will include a Minion inflatable, children’s rides, climbing wall, cave, dog training display, side stalls, football shooting game, children’s bike give away, As well as a mobile food and drink refreshment stalls. Admission is free to everyone!
Before the Gala there is some wonderful live music on Saturday June 3rd, in the OSCA’S BAR. The top ranked Bradford five piece band “Playing for Kicks” will be appearing from 8.15pm. They play covers from the 60s up to present day. You won’t want to miss them! Admission is free and bar prices are well within your reach.
Positive Parents and Confident Kids Course
North Halifax Partnership still have places available on our 3 week positive parents confident kids course.
So why not come along to meet likeminded parents and talk about any parenting struggles such as behaviour, emotions, power struggles. Get some top tips on how to support your children’s needs and think about looking at your own wellbeing.
To book your place please click on this link: FLT Course selection form (typeform.com)
Walking Tours of Halifax
There two walking tours coming up in Halifax. Both with the Vice Chair of Halifax Civic Trust, David Glover.
The first walking tour is taking place on Saturday the 3rd of June at 6.30pm and is entitled OLD BUILDINGS, SOLDIERS, ROYALTY, AND CIVIC TRUST GREEN PLAQUES.
The walking tour is a fund raising walk for Halifax Civic Trust and the tickets are only £5! To book click here.
The second walk is being run by the West Yorkshire group of the Victorian Society and is call The Crossley Heritage Walk on the 20th of May, from 2.00pm until 4.30pm. Again the tickets are only £5!
This is an uphill walk of just over 1km from Halifax town centre and slightly further from the railway station. Booking is via email. Please email: geoffhughes56@aol.co.uk
Free Family Fun Boxing Session!
Are your children aged 4 years and above? Looking for something to do during half term? Book onto a FREE family fun boxing sessions taking place Friday 2nd June! Book your place here… North Halifax Partnership Sure Start Children’s Centres also have various other activities for you and your family. Find out more…
Virtual Online Courses available from Sure Start Family Support
The family learning programme have a numerous online employability courses that our registered families can access for free. Bookings are now open for our next set of Virtual Online courses.
You will find courses on Health and Safety, First Aid, Customer Service, Food Hygiene, Personal Development and much more.
If you work in an access group and have clients who might be interested, please fill the online booking form in and they will be sent a log on to complete the course at their leisure.
For more information on each course and to find the booking form, please visit Sure Start Family Learning – Activities and Courses
Alternatively, you can scan the QR code on the course poster above.
Elland’s Happiness Lab Showcase Friday 15th July at 7pm
Over the past 8 months we have been dancing, drawing, writing, singing, and making with the community in and around Elland to explore what happiness means to them for our Elland’s Happiness Lab project.- A preview of our happiness exhibition of drawing and writing from local groups, schools, and individuals (the full exhibition will be in Elland Library from 18th July)
- A wonderful documentary film about the project, made by the brilliant Rainbow Trout Films
- A ‘taster menu’ of live dance performance – each one inspired by the themes that have emerged from the project. Performed by local community members and Curious Motion dancers, with choreography by myself and the performers.
- There will of course be brews, refreshments and light snacks available too (vegetarian/ vegan).
Business for Calderdale Nominations Extended by July 7th
The Business for Calderdale Awards 2022
Good news! We’re extending the deadline, get your nominations submitted by 7th July 2022
- New Business of the Year
- SME of the Year
- Manufacturer of the Year
- Employer of the Year
- Promotion of Calderdale
- Entrepreneur of the Year
- Covid Resilience
- Lifetime Achievement
- Business of the Year
Nominate a business nowNominations must be submitted by7th July 2022
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 