HELP DIRECT is a new service open to all adults in Lancashire, commissioned by Lancashire County Council. Its purpose is to help people get that bit of extra support they need to stay independent, to keep healthy, to stay in touch with and see friends, to keep their home and garden in good order, to take part in leisure activities or have opportunities to get involved in their local community. 

The main aim of Help Direct is to help people get the right practical support, some individual guidance or simply the right information and advice they need before a problem becomes a crisis. We support them to reconnect with community and mainstream services, and also act as a way of promoting these services.

We maintain an online Wellbeing Directory (that will shortly be publicly accessible) of all such services within West Lancashire, and operate an Advice line, 0303 333 1000, which is open Monday-Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9-1. People can speak to an experienced Advisor at these times who will deal with each call on an individual basis and take appropriate action to resolve the issues, whilst out of hours they can email askus@loc.helpdirectlancs.org.uk and we will respond the next working day.

We will also be providing Outreach workers supported by volunteers who will be available in local centres, and are interested to hear from anyone in the Parbold area who might be able to provide such a venue.  

Mandy Naylor, Help Direct Coordinator West Lancashire     Tel: 01695 586504   Mob: 07812 029685

LOCAL RECYCLING INITIATIVES: 

UNWANTED RE-USABLE ITEMS OF FURNITURE can now be collected free of charge.  It will be sold in a showroom in Skelmersdale by a 'Not for Profit' Community Interest Company, run for the Community by the Community  (West Lancs Recycling)  All items must be in a re-usable condition.

17 Gladen Place, West Gillibrands, Skelmersdale.  WN8 9SX.  tel: 01695 557 230 admin@wlcrs.co.uk
www.wlcrs.co.uk

All used stamps can be taken to Parbold Post Office where they are collected for Cancer Research
Batteries, Printer Cartridges and BRITA water filter cartridges can be taken to the Parbold DIY Centre for recycling 
Clean, squashed aluminum cans are being collected at Parbold Fruit and Veg for the Guides/Scouts 'Hut on the Hill' appeal
Tetrapak cartons (fruit juices, milk etc) can now be recycled in Tesco car parks and at Abbey Lane Recycling centre in Burscough
Fluorescent tubes and bulbs can now be taken to the Rufford recycling centre

HELP THE AGED have a new handyman initiative.  Working with Lancashire County Council it has launched a scheme called HandyVan, aimed at older people in the district.  It offers fitted carbon monoxide alarms, door chains, window locks, mortice locks and door viewers.
Dennis Jones, HandyVan man for the district will also undertake small home improvement jobs for the price of the materials.
For more information tel: 01255 473999 or see www.helptheaged.org      

FOR MORE TRAVEL INFORMATION - TRAINS, FERRIES AND PLANES SEE 'BEST TRAVEL WEBSITE:'  

www.seat61.com

FREE HOME SAFETY CHECKS by Lancashire Fire Rescue Service, available - plus FREE SMOKE ALARMS FITTED IF NEEDED.   TEL 0800 1691125     www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk

ROUND O QUARRY, COBBS BROW LANE, NEWBURGH -  To lodge a complaint  the following contacts should be used:
Mud on the road or Highway problems: Lancashire Highways Customer Service Centre 0845 0530011 (Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm.
Environmental or Planning issues:  Mr G Harding, Executive Director of Environment, Lancashire County Council, PO Box 9, Guild House, Cross Street, Preston.  PR1 8RD
Problems with Quarry vehicles - Inglenorth are the main users, but other Companies may also be involved.
Inglenorth Ltd. Unit 138, Bradley Hall Trading Estate, Bradley Lane, Standish, Wigan.  WN6 0XQ
Accidents and dangerous conditions:  Contact southern Command Police Operations Room. Tel: 0845 1253545Please provide specific details.  Ask for a response.  Keep notes and a copy of what action you have taken. Keep Newburgh Parish Council informed as appropriate - Clerk Mr B Howard 01257 462423 www.newburghlancs.co.uk
 

HEALTH MATTERS:  Parbold Surgery now has a  website at www.parboldsurgery.co.uk  On it patients can book appointments as well as view and request repeat prescriptions via a secure web browser. This means patients can now book appointments when the phone lines are closed or busy.
You can even use it via an internet enabled mobile phone. Thus it should appeal to those of you finding it difficult to get through via phone or who have difficulty phoning during working hours. 
Accessing the secure web browser to book appointments requires a pre-arranged password available from our practice manager rita.hitchen@gp-p81096.nhs.uk
Each member of a family needs their own passwords.  At this time we are unable to issue passwords to children under the age of 16.
 NHS DIRECT - PHONE 0845 46 47 or see www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
MINOR INJURIES UNIT (including adults) - at Ormskirk and District General Hospital provides a range of minor injury services, including XRAYS. HOURS: Weekdays 8 am to 8 pm Weekends and bank holidays: 9 am to 5 pm TELEPHONE: 01695 667865 THERE IS A BUS SERVICE FROM PARBOLD TO THE HOSPITAL.
WALK IN CENTRE, CONCOURSE SHOPPING CENTRE, SKELMERSDALE For minor injuries and illnesses - no appointment necessary.  HOURS - Patients accepted up to 9 pm weekdays and 4 pm at weekends and Bank Holidays TELEPHONE: 01695 554260The rest of the website does not require a password.