Neighbourhood Wardens in Boscombe and Springbourne
What are Neighbourhood Wardens? And what do they do?
The Neighbourhood Warden Scheme has been running for 5 years in the Boscombe and Springbourne area.
Neighbourhood Wardens work with the following groups to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to Bournemouth:
- Local Community
- Local Authority
- Police
- Other Agencies
Boscombe and Springbourne have two Neighbourhood Wardens. Their main duties are:
- Carrying out patrols of Boscombe and Springbourne
- Reporting environmental and/or maintenance problems to the local authority:
- Abandoned Cars
- Fly Tipping
- Dog Fouling
- Street Lights
- Distributing educational and crime prevention information on the streets, in schools and community centres;
- Visiting vulnerable residents and victims of crime to offer assistance and support;
- Attending local group meetings, forums and open days as required; and
- Running community projects and initiatives such as:
- Anti Dog Fouling Days
- Anti Litter Campaigns
- Junior Wardens Scheme
- Clean-up Days
- Street Reps
- Community Art Projects.
For more information please contact Hannah Beech or David Hamilton on 01202 394431.
Older People's Neighbourhood Warden
There is also another Warden assigned to Boscombe West and Springbourne who in partnership with Help the Aged works with older people in the area.
For more information please contact 01202 451165.
Successes and Project work
- National Warden Awards 2006
The most recent success of the Wardens Scheme was winning the Environmental (Liveability) Award at the National Wardens Achievement Awards in Manchester. This was awarded for the schemes work in improving the local area through its activities and community project work. This was one of only 6 awards given out nationwide to Wardens for the work they do in their local communities.
A Junior Wardens scheme was piloted working with a variety of youth and family groups. The scheme set out to engage young people, encourage appreciation and involvement in taking care in the local environment. So far activities have involved monitoring issues such as graffiti, dog mess and other items in ‘the wrong place’, taking part in litter picks, nature walks, visiting the police station and trips to streetwise.
Due to popularity, the Neighbourhood Wardens plan to continue the Junior Wardens Scheme in 2008. If you would like to find out more or become involved please conatct Hannah on 01202 394431.
- Community Photographic Art Project
The Wardens carried out an art project by engaging several local community groups in taking photos of their favorite places within Boscombe and Springbourne. The chosen photos were turned in to large images that would be placed on permanent display in the Boscombe Bus Station underpass. The walls of the subway were coated with a bright anti graffiti coating before the artwork was attached to the walls. The aim is to eliminate the blank canvass and as a result deter graffiti and make the underpass a more welcoming space.
During 2007, a number of highly successful 'enviro-clean' days were run in the Boscombe area. The Wardens worked with various council departments such as Highways, Cleansing and Waste, and Lighting in order to tackle all the issues on one road in one day. This has included getting road marking repainted, lightings fixed, drains unblocked, tree cut back, abandoned vehicles removed and road signs renewed.
A football project has been set up for boys and girls to positively engage young people, build trust and provide diversionary activity. Coaching takes place at Boscombe Chine Gardens and is delivered by Neighbourhood Warden Dave in partnership with Dorset Police, crime reduction charity NACRO and local volunteers. For more information please contact Dave on 01202 394431.
- Other Project work includes:
- Promoting responsible dog ownership by providing free bio-degradable dog waste bags,
- Giving away free cigarette butt and gum pouches to tackle litter,
- Running seasonal community events which have so far included Halloween and Christmas activities at Churchill Gardens in Boscombe.
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