Young People brave the cold to take part in Respect and Reward Scheme

Residents of St John's Close, Hayling Island turned out in force yesterday to take part in a community scheme, aimed at tidying up and improving their local street.

Over 25 children and adults turned out on a very chilly October morning, eager to get involved in the various activities that were taking place throughout the day, which included litter picking, fence-painting, weeding and hedge trimming.

The scheme, which is known as a Respect and a Reward scheme (sometimes also referred to as a Dreamscheme), is a community initiative, designed at helping to get young people involved in their local community, and to teach them to respect and look after the area in which they live. This scheme was able to go ahead thanks to a £5,000 grant from Barclays Bank, which helped to pay for all of the tools, the protective clothing, the hire of a lorry which came to take away any large items of rubbish that the residents needed to dispose of, and all of the other materials that were used on the day. These materials have already been used once in a previous Dreamscheme that was run in the Close back in April, and will be re-used in all future schemes that take place.

As a reward for all of their hard work, a party will be held in the street on Saturday for all of the children who took part in the scheme, as well as their neighbours. A marquee will be set up on the green within the estate, with food being laid on for all of those who were involved, and entertainment for the children including a bouncy castle, a face painter, a sack race and a tug of war. Again, this party will be funded thanks to the kind donation from Barclays Bank, so a big thank you to them for making this all possible.

The scheme was advertised for 8-16 year olds, but on the day there were children from as young as 6 out with their parents, as well as a number of 17 year olds who had come out to help the younger ones. A couple of local policemen also came and got involved, with Havant Borough Council also offering their supportto the scheme.

Martyn Griffiths, Community Investment Manager from Guinness Hermitage, who organised the day, was delighted with the turnout. He told me, 'We ran the same scheme on the estate back in April and had quite a few children turn up, but this year some of the parents have come out to help as well which is fantastic'.

Mrs Simpson, who lives at number 19, has lived in the Close for 4 years, and thinks that the Dreamschemes are a fantastic idea. "The pick-ups make a tremendous difference to the community' she told me. 'Getting rid of old mattresses etc. is very expensive for people, and it really helps having the lorry come along to take them away'. Mrs Simpson was also involved in the previous Dreamscheme that took place back in April and feels that these schemes have led to a great improvement in the general upkeep of the street. 'It is all about building respect for where you live' she said.

Amy (17), who lives in the street with her mother and older brother, was also out helping. She wanted to clear up the street for her niece and nephew who were going to joining her for the party on Saturday. She told me 'This scheme is great. There is nothing for us to do around here and this gets all of us together doing something positive'.

There was a little girl standing by Amy, and I asked her if it was her sister. 'No' she replied, 'but she is like my sister. We are all one big family around here'. Now if that isn't community then I don't know what is.

Catherine Fenlon
Administration Officer - New Media

Back to news listing