Who Does What to Help You?
Have you ever wondered who these people are who are employed to improve our community and help support us if we are having difficulties? They can sometimes have job titles that are not easy to understand. For example, I once saw a job vacancy for an ‘ambient replenishment assistant’, which in our language simply means ‘a shelf stacker’.

Well, I did not find anybody in Miles Platting or Ancoats with a fancy complicated job title. But what I did ask them for was a simple explanation of what it is they actually do and how we can get in touch with them.

My first stop was to Lance Bell, our Community Support Worker. This is the man who knows the doors to knock on for any number of problems. Not that he will be dealing with them all personally, but he’ll certainly find for you the right people that do. If you or someone you know is suffering with an alcohol, drug, homeless or mental health problem Lance can help you get the right support.

Also, if you run a group in the community and would like some help with applying for funding for example, please get in touch with Lance. He is very approachable and down to earth. He is paid to help and support us and he will be happy to deal with any enquiries you have.

My next stop was to Focus on Butler Street, Ancoats. I spoke to Jackie McGinty, the organiser there. Focus is a stepping stone to jobs and training for young people in our area. I decided to speak to someone local who had used the service, to check if it was any good.

I met 17 year old Gary Coyne, who said,”Being at Focus was hard at first, cos I was not too good at reading. But I am much better now. Being at Focus is much more relaxed than school. We did many different things. I went to a builder’s yard on work placement.”

After a few months, Jackie McGinty helped Gary enrol for a college course in joinery. First of all she took him to have a look around and meet the tutor. “I really like it and I can talk to people more now. Talking to you today is an example of how I’ve got more confidence,” Gary said.

Said Jackie, “Gary has stuck with the training programme and also with college. Once young people are in, it’s something they enjoy doing.”

The last word is from Gary, “Go and see your careers advisor.” There’s one on site at Ancoats Youth And Community Centre, Butler Street. His name is Mike Solomon.

P.S. Did you know that we have three people in our area chosen to speak up on behalf of us residents? Why not give them a ring? The three elected councillors are found on Tel: Jim 256 0414 - Gordon 292 5573 - Bill 223 0062.

All these people have one thing in common and that is to help and support us with any problems that we find hard to deal with. If we don’t use these services, it is a waste of money paying them to help us.

Marie Chapman.