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Community Gateway Association’s charitable subsidiary, Preston Vocational Centre (PVC), has been accepted as one of the beneficiaries of this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge.

This will enable the centre, which delivers hands on construction training courses for pre 16s, post 16s and adults, to run a “Festival of Skills Building” project throughout the school holidays in 2019. 

This project will deliver new, exciting, creative vocational training opportunities for the people of Preston, particularly young people and their families.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK's largest online match funding campaign. Charities that are signed up have the chance to double donations made to them. For example, an online donation of £100 is doubled to £200. One donation, twice the impact.

PVC must raise £10,000 in order to access the match funding they have secured. With your support, a potential £20,000 of additional income could be heading their way this Christmas for 2019.

There is a catch though; all donations must be made between midday on 27^th November and midday on 4^th December.

Centre Manager at PVC, Martin Grayston, said: “Please help us to deliver this amazing project and to continue to provide a safe and welcoming environment where young people can build their skills and build their futures.

“Any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated and kindly accepted.

“If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact us here at PVC.”

To make a donation, and learn more about PVC and the Festival of Skills Building project, visit www.prestonvocationalcentre.co.uk

In this digital age, CGA want to understand and support our customers, tenants and members to gain access to the internet. We are beginning a piece of research  to gauge the different ways the internet you use the internet and how to support you in the ever changing world of digital technology, when many external services are only available on line. CGA want to ensure our customers, tenants and members  have access to services like Universal Credit and online banking.

By completing this short survey, you help us better support our tenants

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/digiCGA

Community Gateway Association (CGA) has won a prestigious Sword of Honour from the British Safety Council.

CGA, was one of 61 organisations worldwide that achieved a Sword of Honour, which is awarded to companies which have demonstrated excellence in the management of health and safety risks at work.

In order to compete for the Sword of Honour, an organisation first had to achieve the maximum five stars in the British Safety Council’s health and safety management audit scheme in the period August 2017 – July 2018.

They have also demonstrated to an independent panel of experts that they are excellent in their health and safety management throughout the business – from the shop floor to the boardroom.

Rob Wakefield, Chief Executive of CGA, said: “At CGA we put the health and safety of our colleagues and tenants at the heart of everything we do and everyone is delighted to receive this award in recognition of our hard work and commitment to achieving health and safety excellence. 

“We will seek to maintain our strong track record in this area, while also managing the social and environmental impact of the organisation.”

Lawrence Waterman, Chairman of the British Safety Council, said: “On behalf of the board of trustees and staff of the British Safety Council I would like to congratulate CGA on achieving the very highest standards of health, safety management. 

“Excellence at this level is very hard won. We are proud to have supported you in your achievements, and I am delighted that you have chosen to celebrate with us today.”

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, added: “I would like to congratulate CGA and its staff for their huge commitment to keeping their workplace safe and healthy and minimising risks to the environment from their organisations’ day-to-day activities.

“All of the Sword winning organisations share a commitment and resolve to achieve the highest standards of health and safety management. We are delighted that they are partners in helping achieve our vision that no-one should be injured or made ill at work.”     

CGA Greener, Cleaner Days is a series of new events coming this October with the aim of improving environmental appearance and promoting wellbeing and healthy living for our residents.         

On Tuesday 2nd October we will be at St Bernards Club on Larches Estate and on Thursday 4th October 2018 at the Community Centre on Grange Estate.

Both events will run from 10am – 3pm, so come along and join in the fun!

We’ll be addressing key environmental issues in the areas including recycling, fly tipping, dog fouling, garden conditions and unlawful structures.

At the first event at St. Bernard's Club, we will also be holding a Food Hub.

Working with partner organisations which include Preston City Council, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Cross Gates Church and Lancashire Constabulary, activities will include:

• Recycling advice, information and education through schools and on the street
• Dog chipping and advice on responsible pet ownership
• Provision of skips
• “Larder” to educate on healthy eating
• Door to door consultation
• Improvement of residents gardens and properties
• Grounds maintenance and shrub bed improvements

Our thirteenth Annual General Meeting took place on 13th September at the Gujurat Hindu Centre on South Meadow Lane. 

Alongside the AGM, attendees got to learn about the work of our teams, were treated to great food, raffle prizes, and chose the winners of the 2018 AGM Community Fund Awards.

The event was a huge success with over 160 people in attendance, including 92 members of the Association.

Thank you to all of our tenants and members who attend the event and voted.

To read all of the answers from our Directors Question Time panel at the event, head over to our AGM page to see what they had to say!

 

AGM Community Fund 2018

At this year’s AGM, members had the opportunity to vote on community projects they wanted Gateway to support across four categories: Environmental, Health and Wellbeing, Performing Arts and Equality and Diversity.

Winners received £2,000 towards their project and runners up received £250.

 

Environmental Project

Winner: Let’s Grow Preston

Let’s Grow Preston bid to build an outdoor kitchen at Grange Community Gardens from which they will run cook and eat sessions with local people and utilise excess crops from local allotment sites.  

Runners Up: Larches and Savick Community Association Oaktree Gardens Project, Grange School Armistice Memorial Garden.

 

Equality and Diversity Project

Winner: Friends of Winckley Square

The Friends of Winckley Square bid to deliver a programme of family walks in Winckley Square and will bring to life the diverse stories of people who lived around the square with follow up activities delivered through their website.

Runners Up: Afghan Community Association publicity project, The Windrush Group men’s health survey project.

 

Performing Arts Project

Winner: Preston Caribbean Carnival

Preston Caribbean Carnival bid to create two new dance troupes for the ages 8-14 and 15-18 focussing on the City Centre and Ribbleton areas with the new troupes taking part in Carnivals in Preston and beyond in Summer 2019.

Runners Up: Meladrama, Cacophany Arkestra

 

Health and Wellbeing Project

Winner: Dig In

Dig In has set up a new carpentry workshop, and their project will deliver a series of carpentry workshops for local community members with a celebration event at the end of the project to enable participants to showcase their finished articles.

Runners Up: Ascension Community Pantry, Ribbleton Bike Revival Get Cycling project.