Fears over location of new care centre for sex workers, drug users and the homeless

UNHAPPY residents have voiced their concerns about the location of a new healthcare centre for sex workers, drug users and the homeless.

As reported, planning permission was granted for the former Strand Infant School in Albion Street, Grimsby, to be turned into a community healthcare facility, incorporating a new Open Door centre.

CONTROVERSY: The former Strand Infant School building which is going to be demolished to make way for a new Open Door centre.

Open Door provides care for problematic drug users, homeless people, those who have recently left prison, sex workers and asylum seekers, among others.

Residents are concerned because the site is next to a school, a children's park and a residential home for the elderly.

Guide Dog steals the show at LINk meeting

When Rachael Allison from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association came to the monthly LINk meeting on Tuesday 19th July 2011 to give her presentation, she brought a friend with her.  Taya, a black Labrador, had no shortage of admirers and won over the LINk members in no time at all.

Our very special guest was just a hint of the meeting in store for them, Rachael gave a fascinating and engaging talk, involving her audience in the subject.  As Taya roamed the hall, giving everyone a chance to stroke her, Rachael blindfolded volunteers and passed around glasses that simulated sight problems.  She quizzed the group and got them voting fact or fiction on common misconceptions.

Social Isolation Event

In honour of Carers' Week, an event took place today to tackle social isolation and raise awareness.

Freeman Street Market was filled with organisations working with the local community who brought many different activities and giveaways.  

The LINk was handing out copies of their nationally recognised young people's DVD which has been praised by the Department of Health and talking to people about local health and social care services.  

Activities included a raffle, guess-how-many (each jelly baby in a jar represented a concern raised with the Safeguarding Adults team), line dancing, chair based exercises, Tai Chi, New Age Kurling and the Knitting Challenge.  

The Knitting Challenge is a quirky fund-raiser for Age UK.  Between now and November, volunteers will knit 650,000 miniature hats to sit on top of Innocent Smoothie bottles.  In exchange, Innocent Smoothies will donate 25p from each smoothie to Age UK.  At Freeman Street Market, attendees knitted over one hundred tiny hats. (I made one in the LINk colours!)

Welcome to the NEL LINk blog!

Well, here we are at the beginning of our blog!

Here you will be able to find out the latest of what's going on in the world of the North East Lincolnshire LINk or discussion of current health and social care issues.

What's going on at the LINk?

Today we're getting ready for our Governing Body meeting at 2pm.

Tomorrow at 10am, we're meeting with Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals to comment and input on their Quality Accounts.  If you want to come along, get in touch!