 |  | Over the coming months, people in the community of Wood End, Coventry are going to be involved in the landmark Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ project, Voices.
The aim is to provide residents with an opportunity to express their feelings about their community creatively, broadcasting on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM and appearing on this website.
Voices is running in communities across the nation and the aim is to empower communities with the skills to broadcast their ideas and views.
By doing this, it is hoped people in the areas involved will change their views about living there - and people outside will change their views too.
There are 50 different Voices projects around the UK and every one is unique. What unifies them all is that each is a response to the needs of local people, seeking to improve their everyday lives.
Wood End is an estate of about 1,700 homes on the north-east edge of Coventry. Originally built in the 1950's the estate was highly acclaimed, but with hindsight it's become clear there were design flaws which quickly led to a decrease in the popularity of the area
The area now has high unemployment levels and high numbers of teenage pregnancies, coupled with low life expectancy averages. These are some of the problems that have created a poor image for the area.
The Voices project will use local Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ output to try and change people's preconceptions and opinions on the area and give Wood End a more positive image. To this end, it is working alongside the community itself, the New Deal for Communities, Coventry City Council and other partners.
Μύ| Μύ |  | People working on computers, like those at the St Chad's Online Centre
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We plan to work closely with Deedmore School, Eburne Adult Education Centre, Henley College, St Chad's Online Centre, Wood End Community Centre Association, the Coventry City Mission and the Wood End Family Project.
We are inviting the people who live in Wood End to tell us how they would like to improve where they live, what their favourite parts of local history are or simply just showcase their hidden talents!
ΜύWhat's going to happen?
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| Μύ |  | Uncovering hidden talents. Artwork at Deedmore School
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There are lots of projects and ideas being discussed and planned at the moment.
Radio station
In one of them, we'll be setting up a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ community radio station at the new lifelong learning centre at the former Eburne School when it officially opens in April.
This will be broadcasted on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM for Coventry and Warwickshire frequencies: 94.8, 104 and 103.7 FM.
Exercise and healthy eating
Another idea in the pipeline is an exercise and healthy eating day, possibly to be held at Deedmore School, which would challenge young people's ideas on food and exercise.
The North East Health Action Group are holding a healthy lifestyles day at Henley College on Saturday 29 March between 11am - 3pm.
All activities including drug awareness, fitness traning, a creche, buffet and lots more will provided to visitors for free.
Teenage pregnancy
Involving people from the Wood End Family Project, Voices could also encourage teenage mums to get involved with information and support at Eburne College, where child care and discussion groups can help young mothers.
Garden project
We are aiming to transform an area of wasteland (pictured below) in the centre of Wood End into a garden with the help of locals and gardener Steve Brookes.
Are you a local business who would like to invest in the project? Do you have any unused garden tools lying around the house or shed? Would like to volunteer some of your time to help into the creation of the garden?
We are currently looking for donations of compost, fencing, benches, bark, chippings, shrubs, trees and plants. So if you can help, please contact us on the numbers below.
No Smoking Day
We will be developing a radio and short video documentary on smoking will be filmed and edited by a number of women who live on the estate, including Joan Pindfield, who has lived on the estate since 1957.
This will be part of the No Smoking Day on 26 April at Wood End Health Centre.
If you are a smoker, live in Wood End and would like to recruit yourself to give up, your diary could be followed on radio and online.
For free information on how to give up smoking, call the NHS Smoking helpline on: 0800 169 0169.
For a free copy of the Quit With Us booklet, call: 0800 085 2917.
Hidden talents
If you're a DJ, musician, dancer or have any other hidden talents, then we'll be looking at ways to build and showcase your skills through the website, digital video and radio.
If you're from Wood End and would like to be involved, get in touch with us using the details on the right.
Μύ| Μύ |  | St. Chad's church was built out of remains of Coventry's old Cathedral
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Did you know that Wood End was formerly a mine? That there is an old railway carriage under Eburne College? Or that St Chad's church was built out of remains of Coventry's old cathedral?
These are just a few aspects of Wood End's history that we plan to uncover in the Voices project.
Local residents, including Wood End's lunch club for pensioners, will be sharing their memories of local history in stories and old photographs.
Μύ| Μύ |  | The aim of Voices is to change people's thoughts on Wood End and make them look past the exterior
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We want to hear the truth about living in your community - the highs, the lows and the struggles and rewards. Life as it really is.
Whenever possible, we'll turn the tables on conventional reporting so you'll decide on the issues we cover and how you want to cover them - your world, in your words.
We'll give you access to the airwaves and websites, and all the tools you'll need to get your message across.
Moira Rawlings, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Voices co-ordinator for the area, and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Coventry and Warwickshire website team will be happy to share their skills and let you do the talking.
Μύ| Μύ |  | Do you feel strongly about Wood End and want to change things for the better?
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This is your chance to have your say about where you live, so if you feel strongly about the area, then email us at the website or pop into Eburne College over the next few months.
You could also call Moira Rawlings on 07736 481 275.
If you're interested in getting involved in the garden project, then please contact Maggie Smith at WM Action on: 08453 030 030 during office hours, or leave a message on the answerphone after 5pm.
You can also email WM Action via the link on the left.
ΜύTake a tour of Wood End
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Click the IMAGES button below to take a tour of Wood End with the Voices picture gallery.
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