Community award for Lower Falinge project

Jackie Robinson (RBH Priority Area Team), Andy Jones (Pride Partnership In-Focus Team), Eamonn Boylan (Chief Executive of Stockport Council), Dave Broome Pride (Partnership In-Focus Team), Andy Roache (Lower Falinge resident), Helen Bellis, (Rochdale Council Strategic Housing Manager), Gareth Swarbrick (RBH Chief Executive and Pride Partnership public service board member)

In Focus, a Pride Partnership community initiative, has received a prestigious award for its success in connecting with and involving local people on the Lower Falinge estate in Rochdale.

The award and a small cheque to invest in the local community were presented to the team by the sponsors North West Together We Can (NWTWC) at Stockport Town Hall. NWTWC champions empowerment and active citizenship through learning, innovative practice and research by local partnerships or councils.

The award acknowledges the work that In Focus has achieved on the Lower Falinge estate to build trust and a shared desire to make Lower Falinge a happy, healthy thriving home.

The joint efforts of services and residents has resulted in increased access to services and support from a range of services including the council, Police, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, NHS and Employment Links.

In the 12 months to Sept 2009, reported crime has seen a 42% reduction, anti-social behaviour is down 29%, and residents have reported feeling safer in a second set of resident interviews earlier this year. Over a third of residents now feel they can influence decisions and over 40% of residents interviewed have seen more services in the area – a direct response to the In Focus work.

In Focus was set up in 2008 by the Pride Partnership, a body of key organisations delivering services throughout the borough, to examine the route cause of the high levels of unemployment in Lower Falinge. The area hit the headlines on TV when it was dubbed’ sick note capital of Britain’ by the media which had a negative effect on residents and frontline workers working in the area.

Roger Ellis, Chairman of the Pride Partnership said: “I am delighted that this initiative has been recognised as good practice. The council and our partners want to build on this success. The project is a great example of partnership working between service providers and residents.”

Dave Broome, manager of the In Focus team and Rochdale Council’s Principal Sustainable Neighbourhoods Officer said: “It’s great to know that our ‘In Focus’ pilot approach has been recognised as a positive way to empower local people. Our approach was to value people’s experiences and to create a future together in a positive way. Put it together like we did, and changes start…..relationships develop, trust builds …resulting in a more engaged and cohesive community.

“We could not have succeeded if we did not have support of the Pride Partnership Board, and the positive involvement and energy shown by residents, staff and councillors.”

Mr Broome continued. “Some parents who have attended parenting classes are now volunteering and looking to move into paid work as play and teaching assistants and members of a cooking group plan to take qualifications in catering. We want this good work to continue here and in other areas of the borough … this is only the start!”