Community reassurance to continue at rec

By timesecholife on in All News, Community News

A community reassurance programme which is proving to be a success at a town’s park is set to continue – at least for another month. The initiative, which is currently being funded and trialed by Cheadle Town Council, has seen lots of community engagement take place on the Tean Road Recreation Ground by youth worker Nicky Derrett and volunteer Annie Devereux who have been delivering the programme for the past eight weeks.

A community reassurance programme which is proving to be a success at a town’s park is set to continue – at least for another month.

The initiative, which is currently being funded and trialed by Cheadle Town Council, has seen lots of community engagement take place on the Tean Road Recreation Ground by youth worker Nicky Derrett and volunteer Annie Devereux who have been delivering the programme for the past eight weeks.

The initiative has also seen a number of events and activities take place on the rec supported by the programme including a community picnic and a Cheadle Trix Competition.

Cheadle Town Council discussed the initiative at their meeting on Monday and voted to continue funding the programme for another month, as put forward by councillor Kate Martin, while additional funding can be sort after to continue the programme going forward.

Prior to the decision to proceed funding the programme for another month, Town Clerk Dave Mullington made a presentation to councillors about what the initiative had achieved so far including: Signposted information as to other groups/activities in the town (Sporting Communities, SPACE, Staffordshire Clubs for Young People); Encouraged litter picking, responsibility for rubbish, identifying bins, football litter; and working with a range of partners such as Police/PCSO, YOT, Ladies refuge (lighthouse), Park View Children’s Home, Bowling Club, Community participation with Goldfish Bowl, St John’s Ambulance; to name but a few.

Mr Mullington also read out an email which had been sent to the town council by teenager Lewis Hide who had organised the Cheadle Trix Competition.

Lewis said: “I am writing this email to ask if you can renew or let Nicki stay as community reassurance worker as she has made such a huge difference to this park in the space of eight weeks she has been here.

“All of us children and teenagers, including myself, really really like Nicki. She is so nice and understanding and so easy to talk to.

“She has also helped me so much to make the Cheadle Park Trix Competition and much more events which has been happening round the Cheadle park which a lot of people have enjoyed and made them remember how good Cheadle park is. We are all sad to see her leave so we want her to stay as long as possible.”

Cllr Martin said of her colleagues voting to approve the funding for another month: “I am so pleased that the town council and the users of the recreation grounds have recognised the value of having the team on the park.
“I am looking forward to watching this develop and with this support of council this will form part of the future open space project.

“Well done Nicki and Annie, thank you for your hard work.”

ADD A COMMENT