Manchester & District housing association’s Junior Wardens scheme in Crewe has been nominated for the Government’s Taking a Stand Awards, which recognises the commitment of people who have made real improvements in their local community.
The Junior Wardens scheme successfully engages young people in a diverse programme of activities to encourage citizenship within their local community including neighbourhood inspections, litter-picking, clean-ups, bulb planting etc. – all to involve them in the life of the neighbourhood and take ownership of, and pride in, the area.
They have also, through the Junior Wardens scheme, taken part in a Family Community and Fun Day at Marshfield Community Centre that included games, cake stalls and face painting, and have also held a Junior Neighbourhood Impact Day, when they collected 2 skips of rubbish, making the neighbourhood much cleaner and greener for all the residents living there.
Amanda Jones, Neighbourhood Regeneration Officer at Manchester & District who is behind the scheme said:
“The kids are having a lot of fun as Junior Wardens. They are meeting new friends and growing in confidence; they’re learning to take responsibility for their neighbourhood and are learning about good citizenship and environmental issues. The effort they’re putting in is brilliant and I’m really proud of them all.”
The results of the Junior Warden scheme have been fantastic and the young people are gaining a real sense of worth at making such a huge difference in their neighbourhood.
If the Junior Warden Scheme wins a Taking a Stand Award, they will receive prize money of £1,000, which will go towards funding tools and equipment to continue the scheme’s work and expand it further.