In 2007 we signed a two year partnership with Groundwork Leeds and plan to invest a further £1.3 million on a range of environmental improvements in the Aire Valley Homes area. We have already carried out a number of joint projects, including the John O'Gaunts Community Allotment Environment Project which was shortlisted for an award from the National Federation of ALMOs as Best Community Initiative.
Junior Wardens
Groundwork have been working with young people from Belle Isle and Hunslet to get them involved in their local community and provide a safe supervised environment for their personal development. Please see the Junior Wardens Interim Report on the right for more details.
Environmental Response Team: Training Programme
Groundwork Leeds and Aire Valley Homes are developing a new training programme for young people aged 16-24 which will offer a real opportunity for young people to access practical work experience and training in the housing and environmental sectors. The programme aims to offer young people the opportunity to work on real projects within the Aire Valley Homes housing estates that will help to contribute both to the local regeneration initiatives and to the creation of safer, cleaner, greener neighbourhoods, in areas of disadvantage. The programme includes a complimentary package of vocational training that relates to the construction and environmental fields, as well as one day per week of employment skills training and access to tutors for developing skills in literacy and numeracy.
The programme will be made up of the following aspects:
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4 days each week, trainees will gain practical work experience in the construction and environmental fields to enhance their employability skills through practical work experience. Under the guidance of experienced Groundwork Supervisors, trainees will work on Aire Valley Homes sites and projects that will contribute to improving the public realm and local environment in the South and South East Leeds ALMO estates. The skills of the Supervisors and teams are utilised and developed fully to achieve maximum benefit. General site clearance is interspersed with practical constructive work (pocket parks, flower beds, path laying etc).
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Trainees will have access to Groundwork's training facility and experienced tutors where they will be able to develop their employability skills for ½ day per week. The key areas of focus will be to improve their literacy and numeracy skills and access accreditation; CV development; Job Shop and Job Application sessions; Interview skills; other employment related advice.
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A rolling programme of specialised vocational accredited training to include: CSCS card; NWSRA; Health and Safety training; Construction Site Safety; First Aid at Work; Manual Handling; Sharps training.
Strong partnership links with over 20 organisations, programmes and self interest groups are the means by which an appropriate mix of work and potential job opportunities will be identified, pursued and realised. Both Groundwork Leeds and Aire Valley Homes have made a commitment to offer any suitable trainees on the programme an interview for posts that become available through their organisations in their environmental sections. Groundwork will continue to work with private and public sector bodies such as Construction Leeds, Re'build, CSLC, Leeds City Council Environmental Services and private-sector partners working within the sector.
The programme will work closely with local communities, with local people and Aire Valley Homes Area Panels helping to direct the work of the Environmental Response Team with the support of Groundwork's Community Coordinator. The programme aims to put local people at the forefront of the decision making process as suggested in the Government's 'Strong and Prosperous Communities' White Paper.
Groundwork and Aire Valley Homes are keen that the programme links to the wider regeneration arena and will be encouraging the programme to tie into regeneration initiatives such as the development of Middleton Regeneration Strategy.
The programme (subject to successful funding bid) will be funded by Aire Valley Homes and Access to Employment funding.
For further information contact:
Glen Duckett
Community Regeneration Manager
Groundwork Leeds
Environment & Business Centre,
Merlyn-Rees Avenue,
Morley,
Leeds,
LS27 9SL
Tel: 0113 238 0601
Email: Glen.Duckett@groundwork.org.uk