Welcome to Rochdale Petrus Community

Bernard Gallagher, Lynda Robinson,
Simon Danczuk and Jim Dobbin
by the opening plaque

Everybody gets hands-on
with the hanging baskets

Beswicke Royds Street Official Opening

In June Petrus closed its project at River Street and relocated to 90 Beswicke Royds Street. The official opening ceremony of the new project took place on 4th November 2011. Bernard Gallagher, C.E.O of the Regenda Group, the developers of the property, officiated and during his speech reflected on the long standing relationship Regenda has had with Petrus. The event was filmed by Petrus and a D.V.D will be produced to mark the event. The day was attended by the M.Ps for Rochdale and for Heywood and Middleton, Simon Danczuk and Jim Dobbin, as well as a number of local councillors, service users and Petrus staff. An excellent buffet was prepared by Petrus staff which was enjoyed by all and a demonstration of making hanging baskets was given by the caretaker, Rikki Holroyd, in which a number of the guests participated.

Martin Topham
Project Leader
Beswicke Royds Street
November 2011

Petrus and Rochdale Probation Service - Women's Intervention Project re-launch

The re-launch of the Women's Intervention Project event on Monday 7 November was attended by over 65 people from various different agencies from around the borough. There was an awards ceremony for all the women who had completed various workshops who were presented with a certificate of recognition for their hard work. The presentation by Emily Lamb (Magistrate and Board Member of the Greater Manchester probation service).

The Women's Intervention Project is a partnership between Petrus and the Probation Service. It is an environment that provides a realistic and robust alternative to custody. The group is also open to women in the community so that it offers a holistic approach to rehabilitation. There is provision for structured group work which looks at various empowering topics, such as health and wellbeing, financial management, first aid, harm minimisation, substance misuse and mental health. There is a big emphasis in the group on peer support. It is also a forum that has taken a multi-agency approach in providing workshops with the women. Some of these have been cancer awareness, smoking cessation, healthy eating, dental hygiene and domestic violence. The probation service has also incorporated their health trainers to do on going work with the women which has proved to be a real success within the group.

Petrus is very happy to have such a successful partnership with the Probation Service and we are really starting to see positive results for the women and the local community. I would like to thank the women and the staff for all the hard work that makes this exciting partnership a real success.

Jonathan Wilmot
Petrus Hub Project Leader
08 November 2011

What's in a name?

Petrus Trustees have decided to rename the Day Centre. From now on it will be known as the Petrus Hub.

The change reflects how the project has become a proactive service provider to Petrus and other homelessness services in the Borough, running a range of services including the Roughsleeper and Outreach services, training and individual support for the homeless or those at risk.

Philip Foster, Deputy Coordinator
December 2010

3rd annual sponsored walk around Hollingworth Lake

Petrus held its 3rd annual sponsored walk around Hollingworth Lake on Saturday 11 September, to raise money which will go towards the provision of services for homeless people in Rochdale.

Among the 30 Petrus supporters who took part in the sponsored walk were Councillors. Daalat Ali and Rosemary Jones. Simon Danczuk MP also attended to show his support.

Denis Skelton, Co-ordinator for Petrus said 'we are delighted at the turnout on what was a very wet miserable morning and we hope to raise in the region of £1,000 from this event. A big thank you to everyone who helped plan the event and who took part'.

Philip Foster, Deputy Coordinator - September 2010

Rochdale MBC Cabinet Member Visits the Day Centre

Councillor Keith Swift, The Cabinet Member for Skills and Economic Recovery, visited the Day Centre on 25 August. He spent a couple of hours with a large number of Petrus service users at one of the Cook and Eat groups organised at the Day Centre. Councillor Swift clearly enjoyed his time with the service users and at the end was able to sit down and share an impressve meal that they put together.

Philip Foster, Deputy Coordinator - August 2010

Rotary Club of Rochdale Donations

Peter Galvin, Petrus Trustee, recently accepted a cheque for £500 from Dr Elvet Smith, Chair of the Rotary Club of Rochdale. Altogether, the Rotary Club has raised £1,500 this year for Petrus. Thanks to all who have been involved in this effort on our behalf.

Volunteers Needed

Petrus is seeking to recruit volunteers to assist in our Day Centre kitchen, particularly in the preparation of breakfast food. Help is needed Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 10.30am.
» more information...

PETRUS DAY CENTRE - NEW ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS

Petrus has secured £10,000 from the Rochdale's Health & Wellbeing Fund to deliver health related workshops and activities over the next year.

The workshops and activities will be run from our Day Centre and will include arts & crafts, cooking, keep fit, smoking cessation, a walking group, swimming and much much more.

The activities and workshops will be open to people living in the Borough of Rochdale who are in supported housing, people without any accommodation and those who have their own tenancy but need support to maintain it.

We hope to commence running the programme of workshops and activities from July 2010.

In addition Rochdale College are also to commence running 'bite sized' short courses at the Day Centre over the next couple of months. Courses will cover a wide range of IT and literacy related matters.

All the courses and activities are FREE and run in a relaxed and inclusive manner.

For further information contact Petrus Day Centre, telephone number 01706 526289, email day.centre@petrus.org.uk.

Denis Skelton, Coordinator - June 2010

Petrus Trustee Recruitment

On 17 June, Petrus had an evening event aimed at recruiting new trustees. Lynda Robinson, Chair of Petrus, introduced the proceedings. Chris Blackwell, a founder member of Petrus, spoke about how and why petrus was established. Finally, Pat Culkin talked about the responsibilities and duties of a trustee. The event was well attended and was hopefull successful in recruiting a number of new trustees.

Anybody wishing to find out more about becoming a trustee should contact Denis Skelton on 01706 345844.

Philip Foster, Deputy Coordinator - June 2010

Successful Assessment of the Roughsleeper Service

The Roughsleeper service had a verification visit recently by the Rochdale Supporting People team, looking at our assessment and support planning processes. We’re happy to say that the assessment was a very positive one and overall awarded a level A. This reflects the high value we place working to engage service users effectively and on working in partnership with relevent agencies in and around Rochdale. At the same time we were pleased to hear that the contract for the service has been extended until next March. Congratulations to Sue, Chris and Sonia for their great work.

Philip Foster, Deputy Coordinator - June 2010

Andy Whitaker

Andy Whitaker, a Petrus Service user, who is just about to move into a place of his own, is currently featuring in a poster campaign whilst highlights the fantastic progress he’s made in his life in the past few years.

You can read more about Andy's success by following these links.

• Page 1
• Page 2

We wish Andy all best for his future - particularly the prospective modelling jobs!!!

Claire Jefferies - Project Leader Floating Support - March 2010

Falinge women learn to build with the Jericho Project.

» For more information click here...

Ideas Wanted for Diversity Events

We're looking to organise a series of events for staff/service users to take place perhaps on a monthly basis, around bringing in groups relevant to the theme of diversity. The idea is to be as diverse about hearing from diverse groups as we can!

We'll be looking to build a programme and are looking for any ideas staff or service users might have about groups we might contact for this. The list of kinds of groups is practically endless – any groups addressing needs around gender, ethnicity, sexuality, health, age, belief etc is potentially relevant. Also these groups do not specifically need to be based in Rochdale.

If staff or service users have specific suggestions for groups they think might be important then please let me know. You can use the form at http://www.petrus.org.uk/contact.php or use the above address to write if you have any ideas.
Thanks.

Philip Foster, Deputy Coordinator - 1 February 2010

The Rotary Club Donation

Petrus has recently received a substantial donation from The Rotary Club. You can read more by following this link.

For more information please follow the link: www.rochdaleonline.co.uk.

January 2010

Petrus Roughsleepers Project - First Year Report

The Petrus Roughsleepers project was commissioned for one year in September 2008 by Rochdale Supporting People in partnership with Rochdale MBC Homelessness. It's aim was to address issues relating to rough sleeping in the Borough. Petrus started the contract in mid-September 2008. In September 2009 the service was extended for a further year.

You can read more about the service's successful first year in this report.

January 2010

Petrus Trainee Development used as a National Case Study

The way Petrus has developed Trainee posts on the Roughsleeper Project for people who have previosuly experienced homelessness has been used by Thamesreach as a case study to promote service user employment nationally.

For more information please follow the link: www.thamesreach.org.uk

November 2009

Petrus Community Day
 

Petrus held a Community Day at Castlemere Community Centre on 25 October 2009 which was attended by more than 100 service users, staff and trustees.

 
 

Amongst other activities, service users from Falinge Road and Ruth House put on a fashion show and staff from Long Street did a much appreciated presentation of cooking. There was a stall of items of embroidery and of Christmas Cards by service users. The event was a huge success and you can read more about it here: Rochdale Online.

October 2009

Petrus welcomes Pat Culkin

Petrus is glad to welcome Pat Culkin onto the Board of Trustees. Pat has long experience in the Social Sector, working most recently, ahead of retirement as the District Manager of the Probation Service in Rochdale. He was also Chair of the Rochdale MBC Commissioning Board for Supporting People. We are sure that Pat's experience will be of great value to Petrus.

September 2009

Sponsored Walk

A sponsored walk around Hollingworth Lake on September 5th in aid of the work of the Petrus, is hoped to have raised around £1,000, which will go towards the provision of services and activities at Petrus’ day centre service. The Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Keith Swift and Suzanne Etchells, supported the event. 30 members and supporters of Petrus took part on the day despite driving rain.

Amongst the supporters were Paul Rowen MP & Cllrs. Rosemary Jones & Robin Parker who celebrated his 65th birthday by taking part in the walk and raised sponsorship for Petrus in lieu of birthday presents. Petrus Co-ordinator, Denis Skelton said 'the sponsored walk has become an annual event and we wish to give a big thanks to all the members and supporters for turning out in such appalling weather to support our work.'

The walk raised £1142.50.

September 2009

Christmas Cards by Belly Button

At Christmas a set of Christmas cards will be available for sale from which Petrus will earn a contribution per sale. This has been arranged in partnership with Bellybutton, a Manchester based company who produce a variety of cards. For more news on this visit the Bellu Button web site, www.bellybuttondesigns.com and have a look in the news/more news section.

August 2009

Long Street Take Female Referrals

As of July our house in Middleton at Long Street has now started accepting female residents. This is working well with two female residents already at Long Street. Staff are happy to answer enquires about this development.

August 2009

Nicki Pilkington

Nicki Pilkington, Deputy Coordinator, left Petrus in August after working at Petrus for over 15 years. Staff and trustees are well aware of the hard work that Nicki put in in her time with Petrus and want to wish her well for the future.

August 2009

Vacancies for Trainees

In an innovative partnership with Rochdale Council, Petrus seeks to recruit two trainees, resident in Rochdale, who have had experience of homelessness. They will work with Petrus on a part time basis for a fixed twelve month term, supporting homeless people on it's "Roughsleepers Project".

This will be an ideal opportunity for somebody who has actually received homelessness support services to bring their experience to bear in a work setting to receive training and experience in providing support themselves and hopefully lead on to full time employment in the sector.

Philip Foster, Manager of the Petrus Roughsleeper project said: "We're grateful to Rochdale Council and to the CLG, who are funding the post. This is an opportunity to show that even having been homeless, you can go on to contribute to your community, support yourself and others, and that you can do it in a paid capacity".

» Full details...

June 2009

New referral system

As of April 6th Petrus is operating a new simplified referral system which aims to improve access to Petrus' supported housing services, by introducing a more streamlined and efficient route in to our services. There are now just two routes in to the agency, one for male & one for female, with a quicker turn-around for interviewing applicants and making decisions on acceptance. For further details see the referrals information on the website.

April 2009

Supporting People review of single homelessness

Supporting People are concluding a review of single homeless services within the Borough and we expect to be fully engaged in the outcomes of that review, which we hope will help to improve services and create better ‘joined up' working arrangements.

April 2009

Community Day

Petrus is planning to hold a Community Day during the Autumn which will involve & be open to all service users, trustees and staff. The day will be both fun and involving. If you are involved in Petrus and wish to take a part in planning the day please contact Denis Skelton on 01706 etc.

April 2009

Visit by Council Portfolio Holder for Vulnerable Adults

Petrus were very pleased to recently meet Cllr. Dale Mulgrew the portfolio holder for Vulnerable Adults, which includes oversight of the Supporting people Programme in Rochdale. Cllr. Mulgrew visited our River Street and Falinge Road services and had an opportunity to meet both staff and service users with whom he had lengthy discussions about life at Petrus.

April 2009

Day Centre Re-launch

Sally Trench nationally acclaimed author and social campaigner officiated at the day centres' re-launch & celebration event held during February. The event included a presentation of art and poems performed by service users. Over a hundred people attended the event including local councillors and officers representatives from a wide range of local agencies and service user, staff and Trustees from Petrus.

April 2009

Spark Funding

Petrus made a strong bid to the 2009 Spark Challenge, a pot of money established via the government and supported by a number of businesses to fund social enterprises which help reduce homelessness and create employment. Although Petrus were not one of the 15 organisations shortlisted the programme director of Spark has written to Petrus expressing interest in further developing Petrus' plan to set up practical services to help rehouse people and provide training & employment opportunities.

April 2009