Showing posts with label press release. Show all posts
Showing posts with label press release. Show all posts
Friday, 25 May 2012
Rochdale Homeless: Common Sense Prevails
Town Hall Sleep-Out Event Postponed
Following high level talks with senior council officials, Chill-Out has called off the mass-sleep out at the Town Hall in protest at the cuts in the provision of emergency bed provision due to council cutbacks as they believe that significant progress has been made in order to address the homelessness crisis that has seen homelessness spiral by 200 percent within the past year.
After intense pressure from ‘Chill-Out’ over the past five weeks, the council has offered :-
• An immediate, high level review of the protocols involving emergency beds.
• An immediate high-level review of care management. (Both of these in the light not only of the evidence that we have produced based on actual cases but also on cases picked up by the council's own Team.)
• A Directory to be produced which will be distributed showing precisely what, where and how help is available.
• An early meeting to be set up with the Portfolio Holder to take this forward.
• Meetings between Chill-Out and senior council officers who will work with us on policy and to feed back to us on hostel provision and statistics.
• A pilot scheme based on Heywood involving volunteers and resources to provide supported tenancies.
This is NOT the end of 'Chill-Out'. Although the sleep-out is postponed, there is vital work for us to do in helping to draw up and monitor new policies that will provide an effective, caring and compassionate response to those in need that will put people rather than pounds, shillings and pence first.
We are doing a photo-call with Jimmy Cricket the renown Irish comedian this morning at 11.10 in the Memorial Gardens where we will announce the news.
There will be opportunities to photograph Jimmy wearing appropriate comedy night-attire doing a mock sleep-out on a park bench with the Town Hall providing a fitting back-drop.
Additional information
1. Chill-Out’ is an apolitical group and you can find out more about us by following our Blog at http://chilloutrmbc.blogspot.co.uk and also on Twitter @Chil1Out .
2. A homeless man died in Heywood, Rochdale just before Christmas when temperatures plummeted.
ENDIT
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Jimmy Cricket & Chill-Out Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10.00 May 23rd 2012
Jimmy Cricket: Publicity Event
In preparation for the sleep-out event at Rochdale Town Hall on May 29th to coincide with council cabinet meeting.
Jimmy Cricket (http://www.jimmycricket.co.uk/) the well known Irish comedian and Rochdale resident will be doing a photo-opportunity and interview in the Memorial Gardens opposite Rochdale Town Hall at 11.15 am on Friday 25th of May 2012.
There will be opportunities to photograph Jimmy wearing appropriate comedy night-attire doing a mock sleep-out on a park bench with the Town Hall providing a fitting back-drop.
This is in protest at Rochdale Council’s plans to cut emergency bed provision for Rochdale’s homeless. This has already seen the closure of the Salvation Army Hostel at Providence House.
.
All members of the media welcome to attend.
Additional information
1. Chill-Out’ is an apolitical group and you can find out more about us by following our Blog at http://chilloutrmbc.blogspot.co.uk and also on Twitter @Chil1Out .
2. A homeless man died in Heywood, Rochdale just before Christmas when temperatures plummeted.
3. In the recent local elections, Labour won 17 out of 20 contested seats massively increasing their control of Rochdale council.
ENDIT
Jimmy Cricket: Publicity Event
In preparation for the sleep-out event at Rochdale Town Hall on May 29th to coincide with council cabinet meeting.
Jimmy Cricket (http://www.jimmycricket.co.uk/) the well known Irish comedian and Rochdale resident will be doing a photo-opportunity and interview in the Memorial Gardens opposite Rochdale Town Hall at 11.15 am on Friday 25th of May 2012.
There will be opportunities to photograph Jimmy wearing appropriate comedy night-attire doing a mock sleep-out on a park bench with the Town Hall providing a fitting back-drop.
This is in protest at Rochdale Council’s plans to cut emergency bed provision for Rochdale’s homeless. This has already seen the closure of the Salvation Army Hostel at Providence House.
.
All members of the media welcome to attend.
Additional information
1. Chill-Out’ is an apolitical group and you can find out more about us by following our Blog at http://chilloutrmbc.blogspot.co.uk and also on Twitter @Chil1Out .
2. A homeless man died in Heywood, Rochdale just before Christmas when temperatures plummeted.
3. In the recent local elections, Labour won 17 out of 20 contested seats massively increasing their control of Rochdale council.
ENDIT
Sunday, 13 May 2012
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 12.30 May 13th 2012
Chill-Out Group Meeting
In preparation for the sleep-out event at Rochdale Town Hall on May 29th to coincide with council cabinet meeting.
There will be a final meeting before our planned sleep-out to be held at Woolworth’s Social Club, Gypsy lane Castleton, Rochdale OPL11 3HA on Tuesday May 15th from 7pm – 9pm. Licensed bar available.
We hope to give feedback from our letters to MPs, Councillors and Party Leaders and also discuss strategy and arrangements for the sleep-out.
All members of the media are cordially invited to attend.
Additional information
1. Chill-Out’ is an apolitical group and you can find out more about us by following our Blog at http://chilloutrmbc.blogspot.co.uk and also on Twitter @Chil1Out .
2. A homeless man died in Heywood, Rochdale just before Christmas when temperatures plummeted.
3. In the recent local elections, Labour won 17 out of 20 contested seats massively increasing their control of Rochdale council.
ENDIT
Chill-Out Group Meeting
In preparation for the sleep-out event at Rochdale Town Hall on May 29th to coincide with council cabinet meeting.
There will be a final meeting before our planned sleep-out to be held at Woolworth’s Social Club, Gypsy lane Castleton, Rochdale OPL11 3HA on Tuesday May 15th from 7pm – 9pm. Licensed bar available.
We hope to give feedback from our letters to MPs, Councillors and Party Leaders and also discuss strategy and arrangements for the sleep-out.
All members of the media are cordially invited to attend.
Additional information
1. Chill-Out’ is an apolitical group and you can find out more about us by following our Blog at http://chilloutrmbc.blogspot.co.uk and also on Twitter @Chil1Out .
2. A homeless man died in Heywood, Rochdale just before Christmas when temperatures plummeted.
3. In the recent local elections, Labour won 17 out of 20 contested seats massively increasing their control of Rochdale council.
ENDIT
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Open Letter to Grant Shapps MP
Tuesday May 8th 2012
Grant Shapps MP
Minister of State for Housing & Local Government
House of Commons
Westminster
LONDON SW1A 0AA
Dear Mr Shapps,
We are writing to you on behalf of ‘Rochdale Chill-Out’, an apolitical group of people who came together as a result of the decision of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council to cut the number of emergency beds for the homeless from 500 to under 200. We are informed that virtually all of the 500 beds were almost always in full occupancy.
These cuts have already resulted in the closure of Providence House, the hostel and support facility run by the Salvation Army.
We are particularly concerned that the council apparently thinks that it can somehow plug the gaps by setting up a ‘Dial-a-Bed’ service. Given the client group that this is aimed at and having daily contact with workers from homeless charities, we are deeply sceptical about the viability of this. Given the risks in terms of mental and physical health issues, we cannot endorse some sort of ‘suck it and see’ policy that could result in increased early mortality rates on our streets. Neither are we prepared to accept assurances that the matter will be kept under review.
Many homeless people have a variety of ongoing issues relating to health, dependency and social factors. It is not simply a matter of finding them a bed for the night but also putting in appropriate support measures to help them to deal with and manage their problems.
You can discover more about us by following our Blog:
http://chilloutrmbc.blogspot.co.uk and also on Twitter @Chil1Out.
As well as meeting with councillors, charity-workers and other interested parties, we plan to hold a mass sleep-out outside the Town Hall on May 29th to coincide with the cabinet meeting in order to draw attention to the plight of Rochdale’s homeless but more importantly, to try to persuade our councillors that this policy is wrong.
We are asking you to examine this as a matter of urgency and use your influence or take any action possible in order to prevent more deaths on the streets.
Yours sincerely,
Pete Hinchliffe & Shirley Kennedy
Chill-Out Co-Organisers
Grant Shapps MP
Minister of State for Housing & Local Government
House of Commons
Westminster
LONDON SW1A 0AA
Dear Mr Shapps,
We are writing to you on behalf of ‘Rochdale Chill-Out’, an apolitical group of people who came together as a result of the decision of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council to cut the number of emergency beds for the homeless from 500 to under 200. We are informed that virtually all of the 500 beds were almost always in full occupancy.
These cuts have already resulted in the closure of Providence House, the hostel and support facility run by the Salvation Army.
We are particularly concerned that the council apparently thinks that it can somehow plug the gaps by setting up a ‘Dial-a-Bed’ service. Given the client group that this is aimed at and having daily contact with workers from homeless charities, we are deeply sceptical about the viability of this. Given the risks in terms of mental and physical health issues, we cannot endorse some sort of ‘suck it and see’ policy that could result in increased early mortality rates on our streets. Neither are we prepared to accept assurances that the matter will be kept under review.
Many homeless people have a variety of ongoing issues relating to health, dependency and social factors. It is not simply a matter of finding them a bed for the night but also putting in appropriate support measures to help them to deal with and manage their problems.
You can discover more about us by following our Blog:
http://chilloutrmbc.blogspot.co.uk and also on Twitter @Chil1Out.
As well as meeting with councillors, charity-workers and other interested parties, we plan to hold a mass sleep-out outside the Town Hall on May 29th to coincide with the cabinet meeting in order to draw attention to the plight of Rochdale’s homeless but more importantly, to try to persuade our councillors that this policy is wrong.
We are asking you to examine this as a matter of urgency and use your influence or take any action possible in order to prevent more deaths on the streets.
Yours sincerely,
Pete Hinchliffe & Shirley Kennedy
Chill-Out Co-Organisers
Monday, 7 May 2012
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 08.30 May 7th 2012
Chill-Out Group plan mass ‘sleep-out’ at Rochdale Town Hall as protest at emergency bed cuts.
Protest set for May 29th to coincide with council cabinet meeting.
Rochdale, May 1st 2012: The Chill-Out Group held their first meeting tonight at which they vowed to oppose the cuts by the Labour-led council which will see emergency bed provision for the homeless cut from about 500 beds to about 160. The cuts will also see the introduction of a “Dial-a-Bed” policy for those seeking emergency accommodation.
• At the meeting, Co-Organiser Pete Hinchliffe, a Labour Party member for many years cut up his party card in protest and said, “Since these savage and cruel cuts, I can no longer carry this card with a clear conscience.”
• The council plan to replace the service with a helpline number and keep the situation ‘under review’ but Chill-Out believes that these measures are ineffectual. Pete went on to say, “Emergency beds are often accessed by people with mental issues and are destitute. A helpline will in no way meet their needs and many will find it impossible to access.. As for ‘keeping it under review’, this means nothing and is a slap in the face for those in the most dire need.”
• The Chill-Out Group is apolitical but has attracted support from politicians of all parties, including Labour plus others including clerics, workers with homeless charities, concerned members of the public and medical staff.
• Pete, a retired nurse and former trade union convenor in the NHS said, “This is a personal embarrassment to me as it was actually the Labour Group that drove through this heartless policy. They really are attacking our most needy and vulnerable citizens.”
• Chill-Out have also attracted wide interest through blog and twitter activity.
• The Twitter account can be found at @Chil1Out
• The Blog is at http://chilloutrmbc.blogspot.co.uk
• The Chill-Out Group is hoping to attract as much publicity as it can for the event.
• The Salvation Army Band has been asked to play suitable music to lull the protesters to sleep on May 29th and an operatic singer has agreed to perform suitable nocturnal pieces.
• The event is designed to be peaceful and good-humoured with the intention of getting sanity to prevail and the policy reversed.
• The group is also asking for an emergency meeting with the council’s new CEO to discuss the issue ‘as a matter of urgency’.
Additional information
Email friendsofchillout at gmail dot com
or tweet us for contact details and photographs.
Chill-Out Group plan mass ‘sleep-out’ at Rochdale Town Hall as protest at emergency bed cuts.
Protest set for May 29th to coincide with council cabinet meeting.
Rochdale, May 1st 2012: The Chill-Out Group held their first meeting tonight at which they vowed to oppose the cuts by the Labour-led council which will see emergency bed provision for the homeless cut from about 500 beds to about 160. The cuts will also see the introduction of a “Dial-a-Bed” policy for those seeking emergency accommodation.
• At the meeting, Co-Organiser Pete Hinchliffe, a Labour Party member for many years cut up his party card in protest and said, “Since these savage and cruel cuts, I can no longer carry this card with a clear conscience.”
• The council plan to replace the service with a helpline number and keep the situation ‘under review’ but Chill-Out believes that these measures are ineffectual. Pete went on to say, “Emergency beds are often accessed by people with mental issues and are destitute. A helpline will in no way meet their needs and many will find it impossible to access.. As for ‘keeping it under review’, this means nothing and is a slap in the face for those in the most dire need.”
• The Chill-Out Group is apolitical but has attracted support from politicians of all parties, including Labour plus others including clerics, workers with homeless charities, concerned members of the public and medical staff.
• Pete, a retired nurse and former trade union convenor in the NHS said, “This is a personal embarrassment to me as it was actually the Labour Group that drove through this heartless policy. They really are attacking our most needy and vulnerable citizens.”
• Chill-Out have also attracted wide interest through blog and twitter activity.
• The Twitter account can be found at @Chil1Out
• The Blog is at http://chilloutrmbc.blogspot.co.uk
• The Chill-Out Group is hoping to attract as much publicity as it can for the event.
• The Salvation Army Band has been asked to play suitable music to lull the protesters to sleep on May 29th and an operatic singer has agreed to perform suitable nocturnal pieces.
• The event is designed to be peaceful and good-humoured with the intention of getting sanity to prevail and the policy reversed.
• The group is also asking for an emergency meeting with the council’s new CEO to discuss the issue ‘as a matter of urgency’.
Additional information
1. A homeless man died in Heywood, Rochdale just before Christmas when temperatures plummeted.
2. In last week’s elections, Labour won 17 out of 20 contested seats massively increasing their control of the council.
3. Jim Taylor started work as RMBC’s new CEO two weeks ago.
4. He replaces Roger Ellis who retired early.
ENDIT
Email friendsofchillout at gmail dot com
or tweet us for contact details and photographs.
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