Scheme Name

 Community Kids

Key objectives of scheme:

RBH Community kids is an exciting citizenship programme delivered by RBH staff to year 5 classes in local primary schools. The four half day sessions feature a wide range of interactive activities in the classroom and out in the community.   The programme encourages and empowers the children to:

·         respect and value their community

·         develop good citizenship skills

·         identify with the community they live in

·         understand their rights and responsibilities

·         play an active role in building happy and healthy neighbourhoods.

Approximate costs involved in scheme:

• The costs consist primarily of staff costs associated with developing the scheme and delivering the programme.   During the school year 2008/09 we delivered the programme in 9 schools with 1 member of staff leading the programme and the local housing officer and caretaker joining the youngsters in the classroom. During 2009/10 we are planning to package the programme for use by other housing

        providers.

Length of time scheme has been running:

RBH community kids was piloted in June 2008 launched in September 2008 and is now an ongoing programme.

Key Benefits of Scheme:

• Delivers commitments within the Respect Standard for Housing Management and aligns with the aims of the "Youth Task Force - Youth Matters" programme.
• The learning outcomes are set out above under key objectives. The programme gives the children a better understanding of the dynamics of a successful community and aims to improve behaviour on estates resulting in more cohesive communities.
• Feedback from the children is used during our programme of estate walkabouts and their suggested estate improvements are submitted for consideration of funding via our Environmental Improvements programme.
• The programme has raised our profile within the local community and with other stakeholders and agencies

Contact name;

Sue Kershaw (Communities First Co-ordinator)

Telephone number:

01706 273829

Email:

sue.kershaw@rbhousing.org.uk