Published on 8th April 2011

CBHs community junior warden scheme is going from strength to strength after the successful graduation of its newest batch of recruits.

Hot on the heels of the previous wardens who graduated at the end of last year, the scheme has now trained up 26 young people to make a difference in their local community.

At a graduation ceremony, held on 6 April 2011 at the Oasis Youth Centre on Goldsmith Road , 14 pupils from Hester's Way Primary School graduated with flying colours. The successful recruits were presented with a certificate and enjoyed a celebratory party with their friends, family and all those involved in helping to deliver the scheme.

This inspirational scheme, which has just been short-listed for a top national award from TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service), was launched to raise awareness of environmental and community issues to children aged 8 - 10 years old, living within the neighbourhoods CBH manages.

The children, all pupils at Hester's Way Primary school , were from a mixture of family housing backgrounds from CBH tenants to private owners, private rented and housing associations tenants.

Caroline Walker, head of community services at CBH said:"I am delighted that we have seen a second group of recruits successfully through the junior warden scheme. Developing this scheme has been really rewarding and has provided an opportunity for some of our youngest residents to be involved in helping us build strong communities.

 "I want to congratulate all the young people who took part and I hope that many of them will continue to work as a junior warden and build on the positive contributions they have made in their community."

The scheme took place at a local school and out and about in the community. The packed programme of activities included an estate walkabout with CBHs neighbourhood wardens who taught the junior wardens how to identify and report issues such as dog fouling, fly-tipping and graffiti. The young participants also visited a local animal shelter, a sheltered housing scheme and the local fire and police stations.

Highlighting the importance of environmental issues, the young wardens were fascinated to visit Cheltenham Borough Council's recycling centre. They also had an enlightening visit from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust who spoke to the children about the local wildlife and natural habitats in their community.

CBH will continue to build on the successes of the junior warden scheme and after spending the Summer working with the graduates will welcome the next round of recruits in September 2011.  

ENDS 

Notes for editors

Cheltenham Borough Homes:

  • CBH is one of the top rated ALMOs in the country, assessed as providing 'excellent services with excellent prospects for the future' by the Audit Commission.  
  • Currently CBH manage and maintain around 5,000 tenant and leasehold properties with an overall satisfaction level of 85%, placing them in the top ten ALMOs nationally. 
  • The organisation's approach to community development and participation; governance and equality and diversity has been recognised as good practice nationally. A new ten year management agreement, which will run until 31st March 2020 , was recently finalised.
  • CBH continue to develop excellent services by working closely with customers.  It will include building new homes and continuing to regenerate communities whilst tackling issues of worklessness and addressing social enterprise.

For further information visit: www.cheltborohomes.org

Press contact: Catherine Best e: [email protected] t: 01242 775317