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Search for£200k lottery boost to community pride
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 11:06
A raft of community initiatives implemented by the Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Service has already had a dramatic effect on curbing anti-social behaviour in areas blighted by graffiti and vandalism.
Now the group, which is based at the Hannakins Farm Community Centre, Billericay, and works with residents of Queens Park, will receive more than £200,000 in lottery backing to continue its work for another three years.
Community development worker Artak Poghosyan said: "The money is great because it will help us continue working with the communities to improve their areas."
The charity recently set up a youth club for 11 to 19-year-olds in Hannakins Farm Community Centre as well as fighting to have two new bus shelters in Queens Park.
Artak, 30, said the combination of facilities and initiatives for young and old, as well as regular meetings with residents is reaping huge rewards.
He said: "We try to give residents a voice and help them find all the services and agencies which can help them with any problems they encounter.
"This has had a really good effect. The more input people have, the more pride in their neighbourhood and it really shows.
"I hear from many residents that the amount of graffiti and anti-social behaviour in Queens Park is falling.
"When people have more of a role in the facilities in their area, they take more pride.
"The youth club is a good example because a lot of residents thought Hannakins Farm was only for people who wanted to do sports, but it's not – it's for the whole community."
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CASH WINNERS: Front (l-r) Christopher Landers, community development worker Artak Poghosyan and Victoria Landers with, back, members of the youth group.
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