NEAT scheme aims to build skills and a better environment in Rochdale

L-R Steve Hughes (Rochdale Boroughwide Housing), Dave Parker (NEAT Supervisor, Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale), Tom McConkie, Kayne Welsh, Kyle Marriot, Ashley Reynolds, Jonathon Horridge (all NEAT team members) and Adam Holt (Contracts Manager, Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale)

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A new scheme called NEAT (Neighbourhood Environmental Action Team) is being launched by Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), the Arm’s Length Management Organisation responsible for managing and maintaining Rochdale’s Council estates.

The scheme is designed to give young unemployed people in the Rochdale area an opportunity to further develop their environmental skills, improve the environmental aspects of RBH estates and to support the long term unemployed back into sustained employment.

The one year pilot programme follows on from the successful Green Team partnership between RBH and Groundwork. Participants will develop their construction skills through the improvement of derelict, underused or neglected land on Rochdale’s council estates. This will give them the security of a contract of employment and where appropriate, skills and qualifications to then go on to find further sustained employment.

Ashley Reynolds, NEAT Team member, said: "The NEAT team has kept me in work doing something that makes me feel good. We’re making the local area cleaner and safer which will benefit residents of Rochdale. Thanks to RBH and the Green Team scheme for making this opportunity possible.”

The improvement work will be in addition to the current maintenance schedule so residents will see more people than normal maintaining RBH estates, improving the environmental quality of the area and bringing disused land back into use.

Eugene Wilson, RBH Director of Property Services, is pleased the company has been able to support the project. “This scheme will help us build on the success of the Green Team and address issues of concern for our tenants, worklessness and the local environment,” he said.

One of the first tasks for the newly recruited NEAT Team will be supporting the development of properties on Dover Street by constructing gardens and fences and a communal space for the residents who will move into the new sustainable homes.

The new team is expected to learn accredited skills in health and safety, manual handling, fencing and landscaping and other specific training together with the opportunity to progress onto an apprenticeship.

Phil Treaton, Commercial Manager at Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale, added: “We’re delighted to build on our partnership with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and continue to change places and change lives across Rochdale. The training we are able to provide together with the experience of real projects that will benefit local residents will no doubt have a lasting impact on our NEAT participants.”