Rochdale now a Civic Pioneer

The efforts of local people, voluntary organisations and Rochdale Council to make their borough a better place has seen Rochdale recognised as one of the first 'Civic Pioneers'.

Civic Pioneers are local authorities who are committed to listening to their local community, and make moves so local residents can take part in how their borough is run. This is part of a project run by the Home Office. An important lesson that the scheme has shown is that local or national government can't solve everything, and neither can local communities. It's better that they work together.

Several local examples of good practice were raised with the Home Office:

• The success of the townships system
• The Youth Inclusion Project on the Langley estate in Middleton
• The introduction of Junior Neighbourhood Wardens
• 'Operation Street Sports'

Over recent years, Rochdale Council and other local organisations have supported a sense of belonging and promoted a civic identity through the township structure that gives local people the chance to affect the issues that are most important to them.

In Rochdale township, Area Forums give the Council the opportunity to spread
understanding of the range and limits of local government, and to high light when local people need to take action to create change. 'Operation Street Sports' offered young people access to sports activities and coaching in the heart of communities. Starting from the knowledge that young people got into trouble for a lack of focused activity, the initiative successfully got young people involved, even leading them to volunteer to coach other young people.

In a year and a half, over 20 inter-estate football tournaments were held with 161 teams and 966 players. These continue on a regular basis. All the teams were set up by young people themselves, with their own names and captains. The success led to further funding for two full time community coaches who will build on the work done so far.

Junior Neighbourhood Wardens is an idea enabling 170 children to make a contribution to their community, build their self respect and show how they can make a commitment and develop a sense of responsibility. On the Langley estate in Middleton, the junior wardens were given uniforms and books to record local problems such as vandalism, graffiti, repairs, or poorly maintained buildings and paths. These are reported to Neighbourhood Wardens, and the junior warden with the most reports is rewarded with a family outing.

The junior wardens help community groups with environmental projects, also involving their families to provide adult supervision. Becoming a junior warden is now a matter of some pride - to become one requires a clean record from schools and police, creating motivation. The wardens are also respected and get a positive reaction from young and older residents alike.

The Youth Inclusion Project on Langley targeted 50 young people most at risk of offending or anti-social behaviour, aiming to involve them in a variety of projects and reduce truancy and offending. Over four years more than 1000 young people aged 13-16 have taken part. The project built relationships with them and their families, offering a range of activities, some at peak times for offending such as midnight basketball.

The young people also gained training and life skills through the project, and many became involved in community activities and played a more positive role in the area as a result of their experience with the project. More information on civil renewal and the Civic Pioneer  project is available at www.active-citizen.org.uk