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A procession of colliery banners, led by a brass band will march to Beamish Museum on the 28th of March at noon to help open the museum's latest exhibit of a Colliery Lamp Cabin. Every miner who arrives at the Museum on the day with a full-size safety lamp (working or not) will receive free admission.

Beamish holds a nationally important collection of safety lamps and of mine's safety and rescue equipment. Little of this equipment has been on display to visitors as it requires carefully-controlled environmental conditions. The Lamp Cabin allows Beamish to portray some of the heroic work undertaken by generations of mines' rescue workers, alongside some of the tools used by miners, ranging from wooden tools of the 18th and early 19th centuries up to the late 20th century pneumatic picks and tool kits.

Are you a Voluntary or Community sector organisation based or working in Sunderland who needs free IT equipment on a short term basis, maybe for training purposes, short courses etc? Are you aware you can loan a book from a library, a CD and DVD's but did you know you can loan a laptop, a projector, try out a Wii, capture stuff on a high def video camera or perhaps try out a new more accessible keyboards?

Other than the normal laptops and projectors needed for meetings and the such there is also some very unusual kit. E-voting, Nintendo Wii's and video/camera stuff to name a few, not to mention the PC accessibility equipment and knowledge.

The aim of the project is to provide short term kit which groups/projects would otherwise not have access to for what ever reason in an effort to extend their use of ICT and increase their capacity. Something ICT can easily achieve.

If you would like to find out more information, then please email us at helpdesk@sunderland.gov.uk
quoting “Digital Challenge Equipment Loan Scheme”

Biddick Sports College has received £14,000 from Sunderland City Council to buy a new carbon fibre tumble track to help the club host annual team tumbling competitions, and will provide more opportunities for the gymnasts to brush up on their skills. This will raise the profile of the sports in the Washington area.

Biddick Sports Community Gymnastics Club provides acrobatic and tumble training from age groups ranging from infants to young adults.

Councillor Peter Walker, chairman of the Washington area committee, said: "Biddick Sports College has always been very active in the community and Washington is extremely proud of the club.

"This is a great project which is very popular and what better way to celebrate this than by providing the funding for a new track which will help to showcase the club's talent."

Lynn Hope, head coach at the college, said: "We're delighted that the Washington area committee has granted us the SIB (strategic initiatives budget) money to purchase the new track. "At present, our members practice on an inflatable track which is not ideal and can put a lot of strain on wrists and ankles. The new track will enable our club members to compete on a level playing field and improve their tumbling skills. "We look forward to seeing a rapid improvement in our member’s performance, which will hopefully boost our national ratings."

Lynn said: "This year the club has had five tumblers who have been awarded a place in the British national gymnastic finals, which is a phenomenal achievement and the new track will hopefully see other gymnasts qualifying to the finals."

Organisations that work with young people, whatever their background, to help them achieve their potential have the opportunity to apply for funding through The Learning Launchpad. The Learning Launchpad is a grant making fund delivered by the Young Foundation working in partnership with Edge that provides investment to organisations in their early stages of development. The Learning Launchpad offer investment at two stages. Stage one investments of up to £30,000 are suitable for people or fledgling organisations that are starting out with a new idea. Stage two investments of up to £100,000 are typically suitable for organisations or initiatives that are already up and running and want to grow. In particular, the Learning Launchpad is looking to support ideas that have a profound social impact both on individuals and on society as a whole; are innovative; are sustainable; can be replicated and are run by passionate and competent people. The next closing date for applications is the 31st March 2009....

The Woodward Charitable Trust, one of the Sainsbury Family Trust,has announced that it is seeking applications from registered charities to their Summer playscheme (for children between the ages of 5-16 years). The trust is seeking to fund; small local playschemes that provide a wide-ranging programmes of activities; schemes that involve a large number of children; schemes catering for those from disadvantaged backgrounds or that have a disability; schemes that are inclusive such as projects that work with children from a range of backgrounds, abilities and race; and schemes where past users are encouraged to come back and help as volunteers. Organisations that are not registered charities can still apply but require a registered charity to accept the grant on their behalf. Most grants awarded are in the range of £500 to £1,000 and the number of grants made each year vary from 30-50. The deadline for applications is 1st April 2009....

Parents and carers of disabled children are constantly finding it difficult to find clear, relevant and accessible information. In order to attempt to address this issue plans to hold consultation sessions over the next 2 months to find out what sort of information people want, need and what they currently find difficult to locate. The consultation sessions will be held with parents/carers and are therefore extending an invitation to you to come along and let us know your views and requirements. Details of the sessions are below:

Day Date Time Venue
Monday 16 th March 2009 1pm – 3pm Hendon Young People’s Project,
Church Street East, East End,
SR1 2BB
Wednesday 18 th March 2009 5.30pm – 7.30pm Hetton Centre,
Welfare Road, Hetton le Hole
DH5 9NE
Tuesday 31 st March 2009 10am – 12pm Northmoor Fire Station,
Northmoor Road,
Farringdon, SR3 1TJ
Wednesday 1 st April 2009 1pm – 3pm Millennium Centre,
The Oval, Washington
NE37 2QD
Thursday 2 nd April 2009 5.30pm – 7.30pm Raich Carter Centre,
Commercial Road, Hendon,
SR2 8PD

As there is a maximum of 20 places at each session, would you please ensure that you reserve a place at your preferred session by telephoning 0191 566 2190. Please feel free to book onto whichever session is the most convenient for you.

We would like your views on the internal layout of the new Washington Library and Customer Service Centre, due to open spring 2009.

So that we are able to develop a building that the whole community can enjoy using we held a consultation event as the first phase of the consultation process for the former Washington Town Centre Library. We would like to hear your views on the potential services offered in the new Washington Library and Customer Service Centre.

Sunderland City Council successfully applied to the Department for Children, Schools and Families for Play Pathfinder Status and we are one of only 20 councils in the country to secure the £2.1 million Government grant.

Play Pathfinder is a special award to authorities who have excelled in improving play, and challenges us to strive further. The funding will go towards 28 new or updated play areas across Sunderland and one City Adventure Centre. Such investment into play is unprecedented in the City. Further information is available on The Children's Plan - Play Pathfinder or by visiting Department for Children, Schools and Families website.

Pathfinder funding accelerates our progress against the agreed Play & Urban Games Strategy (Moving Forward 2007-2012). Pathfinder will therefore enable significant progress in Washington.

Development of a sub-area site in Albany Park
Full refurbishment of play provision in Glebe Park in line with the Glebe renewal plan
Development of a teenage multi use games area in Sulgrave
An area Wheeled Sports Park
This is in addition to new developments at Barmston Village, Rickleton Park and upgrades at Swirral Edge, Hexham and Simonburn.

Proposals had been developed for the area Wheeled Sports Park working with young people. Children and young people from across Washington were involved in identifying the location and design of the Washington wheeled sport provision. Consideration was given to a number of sites. Many factors were considered including access by public transport, land ownership, land topography and sub-structure, visibility and informal oversight.

Sites initially considered were Princess Anne Park, Albany Park, Glebe Park - Pitstop and Holley Park. During consultation, additional sites were also identified by Councillors and young people which included Glebe Park – near to equipped area, Rickleton and North East Oxclose.

After considering the range of issues. Young People's preferred site was at Glebe Park, near to the current equipped area. This was largely because of perceived safety and viewed as accessible for all. The proposal has met resistance from some local residents. This was responded to by an extended consultation process.

Following extended consultation, some residents locally still felt other sites are more suitable. On 4 February 2009 at Area Committee, the decision was made to give further consideration and analysis of potential locations across Washington. This will be undertaken through a consultation process with young people, residents and elected Members.

The project has been transferred from Year 1 of the Pathfinder Programme to Year 2 following liaison with Play England. The new consultation process must now take place within a timescale that ensures the project remains eligible for Year 2 Play Pathfinder funding, which requires the facilities to be built before March 2010.

Further updates will be provided via the local media and City Council website. The updates will detail arrangements for the next phase of consultation, where you can nominate additional possible locations for the wheeled sports park.

Further information is available on the discussions to date in the Information Sheets below:-

The annual egg roll on Penshaw Hill, has become a regular feature of the Sunderland calendar, having taken place on Maundy Thursday for over 21 years. This year, the Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Mary Smith will get the fun event off to a ‘cracking’ start at 2pm on Thursday 9th April, when he rolls the first egg down the hill, with Simon Grundy, from local radio station Sun FM, ‘egging’ on the crowd.

Penshaw Bowl is open to children up to the age of 11 years. Each child is asked to bring their own paste egg to roll, clearly marked with their name and age and decorated if they wish. In return for taking part each child will receive a cream egg and the winner of each age category will receive a prize, presented by the Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Tom Foster. No booking is required. Penshaw Hill on Thursday 9th April. 2pm. FREE.

For further information telephone the Events Team on 0191 514 1235. Please note that this event may be cancelled in bad weather.

Seaside Stroll

Seaside Stroll is approximately an 8-mile circular route, which takes in the beautiful Whitburn Village and the amazing views of the South Tyneside and Sunderland coastline. This flat but scenic route starts at Souter Lighthouse and takes you up to the village along the main road and stretching promenade down towards the pebbled shores, before heading back to the promenade and on to the cliff tops where you can see for miles amongst the grass and rugged cliff tops. The walk then takes you along the cycle route, back through the village, where the path will eventually take you back up across the green and along to Souter Lighthouse where you will be welcomed by our Macmillan staff. You will then have a chance to explore this fantastic landmark and enjoy refreshments.

Date: 26/04/2009
Walk length: 8 miles
Location: South Shields - Tyne & Wear, UK
Start time: 10:15
Dog friendly: Yes.
Children friendly: Yes.
Registration fee: £10.00

From April 2009 you will be able to claim a one-off, tax-free payment from H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC) if you're a mum-to-be who is at least 25 weeks pregnant. The payment is called 'Health in Pregnancy Grant'. The grant will be a one-off payment of £190 for each pregnancy. It will not affect any other benefits. Your midwife or doctor will be able to give you a claim form any time from 1 January 2009 onwards - as long as you're at least 25 weeks pregnant and your expected delivery date is on or after 6 April 2009. Your midwife or doctor must fill in their part of the form and sign it before giving it to you. You will need to get your claim form to HMRC within 31 days of your midwife or doctor signing the form - otherwise you may miss out on the grant.

Sunderland Volunteer Centre needs volunteers to support its 'Befriending Service' across the city, including the Washington, Houghton and Hetton areas. Volunteers visit older and disabled people in their own homes and escort them on shopping trips and walks. The Volunteer Centre are also in need of volunteer drivers to transport older people to and from hospital appointments, church visits, health centres, etc.

All out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed for both roles. If you have some spare time and would like more information about any of the above, telephone 0191 5678902.

The PCC was set up late 2007, after the annual Parent Carer Forum after parents were inspired at a workshop by Katie Clark from the Calderdale Parent Carer Council. The held their first meeting in November that year, and are going from strength to strength. In 2008, they were asked to chair the annual Parent Carer Forum.

The group is entirely ran by parent carers - all volunteering their time. They are working in close partnership with many professionals throughout Sunderland, and have taken part in many a consultation. Many of the parents now also sit on various planning/strategic boards and steering groups. We hope in the future to be central point for parent carers, and be able to direct parents to condition specific support groups as well.

In summer 2008, the PCC received lottery funding of just under £3000 to help with set-up and running costs. The Co-Op also donated £100 to purchase supplies for a series of coffee mornings that they held in November 2008.

Some of the aims of the PCC are
1)To provide support and information to parents and carers of children and young people with special educational/additional needs, and/or a disability.
2)To listen to the views of the families, children and young people, and work with them to enhance, and make a difference to, their lives.
3)To promote good working relationships, communications, involvement and transparency between themselves and the families, children and young people.
4)To involve, where practical, the families, children and young people in the workforce development.

We try and meet every month, to discuss what's happened over the last month, and what our next steps are. Everyone is welcome at these meetings (details below), and we often have service providers popping in, including Steve Fletcher(Children's Services) Linda King (youth Development Worker) and Cllr Pat Smith has also been along.

The PCC works very closely with Sunderland Carers Centre, and we are working together on employing a Parent Participation worker.

Since the Washington Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) was opened in 1976, it has provided a lifeline to thousands of people facing problems and in need of help. The service, based in Concord, has secured millions of pounds in benefits for people who where not receiving the money they were due.. But because of a cut in funding the CAB has had to give up the open door system it operated at The Elms in front Street, Concord and has introduced a phone ringback service instead. Providing that clients are based in the Washington, Sunderland or Houghton, they can enter the contact details online and the CAB will call the client back as soon as an advisor is free.

For free, confidential advise on debt, benefits, housing and employment contact Washington CAB on 01916848 or register for a free ringback on www.cabwashington.co.uk

More than £26million has been allocated to the North East from the Landfill Communities Fund. The fund, introduced in 1996, has benefited more than 24,000 projects, 861 of them from the North East. One of these being Washington Wildfowl and Wetlands trust, who have been given £110,000 to help restore a stream and improve other habitat in the park. The money allowed the trust to redevelop ponds, a resevoir and fenced in collection areas.

Other North East projects who have also benefited include Easington Lane Community Access Point and Pennywell Community centre.

BT Community Connections is an award scheme which enables community and charitable organisations to get online and make use of information and communications technology (ICT).

Organisations, working in any field of community benefit, located throughout the UK or ROI can apply for a laptop and a year's free broadband connection. There are more than 1,000 award packages available to groups who can demonstrate how an award will benefit their work and the local community. Community and charitable organisations, working in any field of community benefit, located throughout the UK or ROI can apply for a laptop and a year's free broadband connection.

In the past silver-surfers, cultural dance groups, conservation organisations, mountain rescue teams, family support groups, healthy living clubs, arts and music groups, sports teams and youth groups have all been award winners so don't miss your opportunity - apply now!

Washington Mind (Sunderland West). VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATOR - Salary £23479 p.a. pro rata. Hours 30 hours

The “Opportunities for Volunteering Scheme” have funded this post for three years

Do you want to work within a progressive forward thinking team, with a vision to promote positive emotional well-being and address the health needs of young people experiencing mental ill health? If so, Washington Mind is in an exciting period of development, having secured funding to co-ordinate the Young Peoples Project and is looking to recruit a dynamic, enthusiastic professional as Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Based within local settings, the Volunteer Co-ordinator will co-ordinate and support a team of volunteers working in the Washington Mind Young People’s Project. The post holder will work collaboratively across a range of statutory and voluntary agencies towards improving the health and well-being of young people, by working in partnership with Service Users.

Educated to degree level or equivalent in an appropriate subject, you will have a minimum of 2 years experience of working in a mental health setting. It is essential that you have excellent communication skills, able to engage will all members of the community and be skilled in offering short-term therapeutic interventions. Experience in planning and delivering training, is preferred, although not essential, as full support will be provided.

A full driving licence and access to your own transport is essential to meet the travel requirements of the post.

Successful applicants are required to provide an enhanced CRB disclosure. Disclosure expenses will be met by Washington Mind.

In return we offer an attractive salary, 25 days holiday (under review), contributory pension scheme (qualifying period), regular supervision and continued professional development.

If you are interested, please contact us on 0191 4178043 or alternatively email washingtonmind@btconnect.com for an application pack.

Closing Date: Wednesday 1st April 2009
Interviews will be held: Wednesday 8th April 2009

The Web Team at the Bridge Project have loved the time they have spent working on the Washington Pride Website and learnt a lot, but all good things come to an end, and as of the 30th March a new team will be taking over.

The e-mail address will remain the same - info@washingtonpride.org.uk - but there will be new contatc telephone numbers and addresses. These will be put on-line as soon as the details have been formalised.

The current web team, John and Julie, wish the new team lots of luck and hope they enjoy working on the website as much as they have. Goodbye

Washington Pride E-Newsletter - Issue 8