West Sussex Safer Places reward Junior Wardens

NTRC

Young volunteers in Tangmere have been awarded for their innovative work in Chichester district.

Young volunteers in Tangmere have been awarded for their innovative work in the district.

Judges at the Sussex Safer Place Awards presented the Tangmere Junior Wardens with the 'Community Innovation Award', recognising the excellent work the scheme has done in the community over the last few years. The Tangmere Junior Wardens, all aged between nine and ten, were nominated for their work in raising awareness of environmental and safety issues, and working with their community.

Initiatives include patrols to look out for issues, such as day burning streetlights, graffiti, litter and fly-tipping. Problems were then reported to the relevant agencies and acted upon. The Junior Wardens then monitored the issues to make sure that they were dealt with safely and effectively.

The Junior Wardens also took responsibility for the six bus shelters in the village. As part of this, they became aware of the impact of anti-social behaviour on public property.

Other tasks included neighbourhood clean-up campaigns, and organising community events and activities.

Hugh Parson, Deputy Head teacher of Tangmere Primary School, says: "The award is thoroughly deserved and demonstrates once again that actions speak louder than words. Through their regular involvement in a range of local events and activities, contact with our Junior Wardens helps many members of our community move towards an improved understanding of each other and our different needs. Being a Junior Warden positively influences a young person as they grow and take increased responsibility for their own communities."

Andrew Pilley, Community Development and Wardens Manager at Chichester District Council, says: "This award has been earned by all the children, past and present, who have done such a brilliant job in helping keep their neighbourhood safe and clean. Over 60 children have benefited from this project, which encourages good citizenship, and I am very proud of them all."

The Junior Wardens were also commended by the Chief Constable of Sussex Police for the professional manner in which they recorded information in their special warden notebooks. Any litter or damage is noted down and then reported to the relevant agency for action.

The Sussex Safer Place Awards is an annual event to promote the work carried out by young people to help make West Sussex safer. The Junior Wardens were established with Tangmere Primary School in 2005 to reflect the needs of the local community. The scheme develops a sense of community pride, and helps tackle anti-social behaviour by providing constructive, supervised activities that benefit the local community. There are also opportunities for the Junior Wardens and the residents to work together and understand important social issues.

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