Young People in Gorebridge

HELPP is pleased to annouce a new eight week course for young people, aged 11 to 17, in Gorebridge. The course, in partnership with GO and the Gorebridge Community Development Trust, will provide young people who attend the GO group to access information on physical and mental health and healthy eating.

The course will run from 7pm to 9pm every Tuesday, starting on the 8th of April. The Gorebridge Community Development Trust will host the course at 58 Main Street.

The eight week course – devised with input from Steve Munroe of the GO Project, Laura Adamson from HELPP and the young people themselves – will include contributions from HELPP staff, Midlothian Young People’s Advice Service (MYPAS) and CHIRP. 

As well as being shown simple excercise techniques and easy tips for healthy eating the young people will be asked what kind of healthy food they would like to learn about and what skills they would like to learn for themselves.

For more information contact Laura on 0131 660 5055 or email laura@helpp.org.uk 

Some Updates on HELPP

The HELPP website has some new features that you might like to investigate:

The What’s On Page now has all the information you need about HELPP’s groups in Midlothian but there is also a new calendar allowing you to find out quickly and easily what’s on throughout Midlothian.

The Publications Page has new posters and fliers for the Grandparents Parenting Again and Kinship Carers Group and the Woodburn Women’s Health and Motivation Group (WWHAM) that can be downloaded in PDF format.

Coming soon you’ll be able to find leaflets and posters about the Women’s Health Organisation (The WHO Group), our new healthy living course in Mayfield and our other groups throughout Midlothian.

The meeting room at HELPP’s office in Dalkeith is now almost complete after being decorated – keep checking the blog for pictures and information on how to book for meetings and groups.

Penicuik Maps Launched – And More

HELPP maintains a prescence at community and health events in Midlothian. Often this means showing our display boards or providing IT support. In the last couple of weeks I have been lucky enough to attend two Ageing Well events.

Ageing Well seeks to promote and maintain the health of people over 50 by using the skills and experience of older people. Ageing Well activities in Midlothian include guided walks, singing, dance class, tai chi and yoga. The project is supported by the hard work of a dedicated team of Ageing Well volunteers.

The first event (pictured) was the launch a new guide map called “Seven Health Walks in and around Penicuik.” The map follows the success of a similar guide for Dalkeith. At the launch there was also the chance to see a new DVD, put together by Penicuik Health Walk Leader Colin Herd, showcasing the work of Ageing Well in Midlothian.

The second event was the annual review of Ageing Well projects around the Lothians. Colin’s DVD was again very well received.

HELPP is increasing its partnership work with groups throughout the county and will shortly begin courses in sheltered housing complexes throughout Midlothian.

For more information on Ageing Well contact Kath Laing, Project Coordinator, on 01968 664088 or email kath.laing@midlothian.gov.uk 

If you would like HELPP to display our work at an event you are running please call the office on 0131 660 5055.

HELPP Staff Part 3 – Yvonne

Yvonne Taylor is HELPP’s Project Adminstrator and our financial guru:

“I’ve been with HELPP for 18 months having previously been a Personal Advisor with Leith JobCentre. I’ve recently finished a diploma in finance which included manual book keeping, manual PAYE, SAGE, SAGE payroll and final accounts.

“I provide administrative support to HELPP staff – and the occasional joke. My duties include:

• Reception, dealing with enquiries, taking bookings for the meeting room etc.
• General Office Procedures: Updating database, staff records ie holidays, toil, sick records and filing.
• Setting up system to ensure that all sessional staff have the relevant qualifications, clearances and insurance.
• Accounts: Recording all money in and out, preparing invoices for payments, sending out payments, entering all cash transaction on Quicken system (our accounting system at the moment!), managing and maintaining petty cash and reconciling bank account.
• Budgets: Designing and preparing specific budgets for each area in line with the Business Plan and preparing monthly accounts and budgets for staff, project manager, management committee and MVA board.
• Big Lottery Fund: Preparing accounting information in line with Big Lottery Fund guidelines.
• And any other duties as directed by the project manager. And making the tea.

“I see my role changing quite a bit when HELPP becomes independent. I have already begun to identify the procedures that will need to be changed (e.g changing bank account signatories, payment of salaries etc).

“I have recently become a director of the Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust and I am doing board member training at the moment. This can only help me, and others, when HELPP makes the transition to independence.”

You can get in touch with Yvonne at yvonne@helpp.org.uk.