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A group of young people have brushed up their painting and decorating skills by transforming a house into a new community office in Derker which officially opened on 22nd August 2011.
The youngsters, all aged between 11 and 16 years old, took just 3 weeks to convert the three-bed semi-detached property, owned by First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), into a community office situated at 79 Shakespeare Road.
It has been painted and decorated by youths from the Shakespeare Road area who attend the Derker and Greenacres Youth Inclusion Project which is managed by Positive Steps Oldham. The project sets out to educate the young people to deal with behavioural issues in a positive way.
The pilot scheme, which will be in place for the next 3 months, will provide a central point for residents to engage with FCHO about local issues and regular surgeries will be staffed by Greater Manchester Police, FCHO neighbourhood officers and Positive Steps Oldham.
Cath Green, the Chief Executive of FCHO, said:
"We are very grateful to the young people of the Youth Inclusion Project for helping to create this fantastic resource for Derker residents.
"This community office will embrace the community at grass roots level and will encourage local residents to openly discuss any neighbourhood concerns that they might have.
"The service demonstrates the commitment that both FCHO and its partners have when it comes to engaging properly with the wider community and tackling any concerns which might include anti-social behaviour and housing issues."
The Derker and Greenacres Youth Inclusion Project which helped to set up the community office is a service that engages with young people who are then guided and supported to deal with issues such as anti-social behaviour.
The project uses an integrated approach that recognises that young people may need additional support to overcome the barriers they face in a positive way; these may include family or relationship issues, attainment or offending behaviour.
Johnston and Leyland Paints in Oldham also contributed to the project by donating all the paints and materials needed to decorate the property.
Danielle Partington, aged 14, of Kipling Road, has helped decorate the empty property. He said: "I have enjoyed getting involved and stripping the walls and I'm looking forward to seeing it finished."
Safir Rafiq, from the Youth Inclusion Project, added: "This is a fantastic project. Lots of young people from Shakespeare Road and the surrounding area have been involved with the painting and decorating of the new community office. It will provide a centre point for young people to air their issues, especially at the surgeries provided by ourselves, FCHO and the Police."
