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Training is complete for Russet's junior wardens
The project has seen young people from the Airfield Estate attend talks and activities which were organised by affordable housing provider Russet to empower its residents to make their neighbourhood a cleaner, safer and nicer place to live.
Now, after six weeks of training, Russet has named the young people as junior wardens during a celebration event at the estate’s playground where they received certificates and shopping vouchers.
As junior wardens the young people will be responsible for looking out for litter on the estate, reporting minor issues to Russet and inspiring their friends to keep the area clean and tidy. They were also trained to recognise emergency situations and learned how to get help if they needed it.
Marilyn Smith, a community development officer at Russet, said: “Our junior wardens are already having a great impact on the Airfield Estate and we’re pleased to see them taking such great pride in their neighbourhood.
“They have removed seven bags of rubbish from the estate, handed in a lost MP3 player to the police and worked really hard to stop people littering their playground, where a £40,000 revamp took place this summer.”
Russet arranged for several groups to meet the junior wardens during their training including Kent Fire and Rescue, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Kent Police.
Peter Seal, aged 16, was one of the young people who attended the course. He said: “It’s been really useful and I’ve learned a lot and enjoyed it. I’m looking for work at the moment and my parents have suggested I add the junior wardens project to my CV to show potential employers my sense of commitment and community.”
Ten year old Amelia Ashby also completed the course. Her mother Denise Ashby said: “It’s been really great for Amelia to attend the junior wardens training. She has been with her friends, in a safe place and learned about how to look after the area.”
Following the success of the junior wardens project at the Airfield Estate, Russet now plans to expand the scheme for residents aged seven to 16 to other areas of Tonbridge and Malling in the new year. A fresh round of junior wardens will also be trained at the Airfield Estate in 2012.
For further information please contact Clare-Marie Dobing at the Circle press office on 0845 234 0824 or email pressoffice@circle.org.uk
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