Tornado Residents

Sparkbrook District Tornado Bulletin No. 8
31st August 2005

The Tornado Information Centre
The Tornado Information Centre currently based in Newport Road will cease to operate as from Friday 9 September 2005.

Road Closures/Cordon
All affected roads have now been re-opened except the following three roads which will remain closed until further notice: Alder, Birchwood and Taunton Roads.

24 Hour Security presence will continue to be maintained in the area and especially for those three roads. The Security Supervisor has given assurance that foot patrols in the areas will be on a regular basis, and will be conducted in pairs. The times of those patrols cannot be made available in print for obvious reasons, but general advice will be provided for at the residents meeting.

Tornado Advice Line
This service is still in operation – please phone the Council on 0800 073 0440 (free phone).

HEALTH

The AXIS Community Project will be running these sessions entitled ‘Unwind & Open Up’ at the Ashiana Community Project, at 23 Grantham Road, Sparkbrook on the following dates:

Wednesday, 14th September 2005 at 10am – 1:00pm
Wednesday, 21st September 2005 at 10:00 – 1:00pm

There will also be opportunities for a relaxing back massage, head massage and relaxation -
Free of charge. Qualified therapists will also be on duty on both dates. There will also be a qualified counsellor on duty for confidential counselling work. Loose clothing is recommended to be worn by those residents using the AXIS service.

Sessions can also be provided through local networks or on specific days, if there is a need.
For more information about this service, please phone on 464 4133.

Health & Safety Executive
A letter has been sent to the HSE to provide independent advice regarding sampling in the tornado affected areas of asbestos and the effect on for example children.

PROSPERITY

Loans for the Uninsured
More details and information about loans and terms for homeowners without home insurance are available from the Homeworks Team based at Greencoat House – they can be contacted on 303 2645 or 303 6321.

ENVIRONMENT & SECURITY (CLEAN & SAFE)

Skips
We are currently assessing where skips can be sited for communal use further details to follow.

Damaged Vehicles
Any queries regarding damaged or abandoned vehicles please call the following number:
303 3299.

CIVIC RENEWAL

Tornado Street Representatives
After discussions at previous residents meetings it has been decided that we need Street Representatives to ensure that all residents affected by the tornado, receive all relevant information, from both statutory and voluntary agencies, which are helping with clearing up the aftermath of the disaster and looking to get Sparkbrook back on its feet. We therefore need volunteers to share information with all residents in the street through delivering information on meetings, updates, special events etc. We need volunteers to take information from residents to meetings where their issues can be discussed and ways found to solve them.

As we look to regenerate the area we also need street representatives to collate people’s ideas and bring these to focus groups/meetings. If you want to be part of this important community service please fill in the form (attached) and drop it into the Tornado Advice Centre (Portakabin – Newport Road) or alternatively send to:

The Street Wardens at Sparkbrook Family Centre,
31 Farm Road, Sparkbrook,
Birmingham B11 1LT

You can also phone through your details to: 0121 303 9181.

This will be a time limited project which will give you an opportunity to give practical help to your neighbours and friends.