Customer Services
Riots, Communities and Victims panel come to see Circle 33’s community programmes at Priory Court
Circle 33, part of the Circle housing group, has been leading on partnership work with the police, other landlords and voluntary organisations in Priory Court to increase youth and community involvement, reduce barriers between communities and cut crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
The visitors spent time talking to the young people involved in the projects. Especially those who were affected by serious youth violence on the estate and who have been supported by Circle 33 and partners to improve the area and put back into their community as peer workers or volunteers on the sports, music and media projects being delivered.
They heard from young people who had been victims of crime, either directly or indirectly.
These include: Elisabeth, who had left school early before gaining a place on Leyton Orient Football Club’s voluntary sports coaching team for three years, and is now studying hard towards a sport coaching qualification.
She said: “The coaching schemes has put me back on track and allowed me to fulfil my ambitions and put something back into the community.”
The Baroness also heard from Richard, who began using the community centre after being made redundant and now runs workshops. He said; ”I’ve been there myself. But I came here and got involved in peer working with young kids in the music studio.
“Music is a language that all the kids speak but with many it begins and ends in their bedroom. I can help them make their ambitions come true.”
Richard said: “We show young people that there is another alternative to being in a gang,”
The Baroness also met the Managing Director of Circle 33, Maggie Sherlock, and saw presentations on youth activities at the community centre, led by Circle’s Partnership Manager Nickie Wilson.
Maggie Sherlock said: “Circle 33 is really proud of the strong links that we and our partners have built with residents here and our successes in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.
“We are committed to working to ensure that residents here at the heart of all we do.”
Summing up her visit, Baroness Sherlock said: “I am very impressed by the way the project is communicating imaginatively to young people and to all sections of the community to produce positive results.
“There are many examples of good practice I will take away.”
• The accompanying photograph shows Customer Services Manager Yomi Maja showing Baroness Sherlock around Priory Court.
For further information please contact James Henderson at the Circle press office on 0845 234 0824 or email pressoffice@circle.org.uk.
