http://kensingtonregeneration.com/ Kensington Regeneration is the largest New Deal for Communities project in the country, it is currently delivering the final year of the programme to improve Kensington, an inner city area of Liverpool. en kris.waite@liverpool.gov.uk Copyright 2009 2009-12-10T05:59:38+00:00 http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/the_two_normas_named_as_champions_of_champions_in_kensington/ http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/the_two_normas_named_as_champions_of_champions_in_kensington/ A dynamic duo from Kensington have been crowned regeneration champions for their dedication in helping to improve their community. Norma Lee and Norma Williams – known locally as ‘the two Normas’ – have been at the centre of efforts to support residents throughout a major housing programme. Last night (25 November) they were presented with a Champion of Champions award by Kensington Regeneration, at a celebration event held to mark the final year of the partnership’s programme.  Norma Williams has been chair of Kensington Regeneration for three years and a resident Board member from the start of the partnership in 2000. Both Normas led a group of residents in the Edge Hill Housing Focus Group, at a time when feelings were running high after compulsory purchase orders had been announced. Together they tackled the issues of bridging the financial gap between the value of the homes being demolished and the cost of the new homes being planned to replace them. A shared equity scheme was developed which enabled home owners to buy the new properties. They secured practical help and support for people left feeling isolated and vulnerable as their neighbours’ homes became vacant and ‘tinned up’. And they worked with Bellway to ensure the new homes being built were suitable for the mixture of young families and older, disabled people being displaced by the housing programme. Kensington Regeneration chief executive Lynn Spencer said: “These two amazing women have shown enormous strength of will and determination. They have not been afraid to hold the developers and the council to account and to keep pressing until all their concerns were answered. “Many people would have given up when things became difficult, but the two Normas battled on and it is largely thanks to them that friends and neighbours in Edge Hill have been able to relocate together, to the same street of a new development in Tunnel Road.” The event took place at Liverpool Cathedral, compered by Gordon Burns of BBC Northwest Tonight, with speeches from Gee Walker of the Anthony Walker Foundation and Colin Hilton, chief executive of Liverpool City Council. Other award winners were: employment and enterprise champion – Dream High; education and Training Champion – joint winners, head teachers Charles Daniels of Sacred Heart School; and Denis Hardiman of St Sebastian’s School; community safety champion – Sgt Simon Joyce; neighbourhood management and development champion – the Clean Team; homes and streets champion – Community Wardens; community engagement and health champion – Siddi Majubah; resident champion – Bernie Hunt; agency champion – the Health, Energy and Advice Team (HEAT); regeneration worker champion – Maria Curran; Board member champion – Pat Dermott. To download a brochure showing the winners and the highly commended please click here. 2009-12-10T05:59:38+00:00 http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/double_awards_success_for_kensington_regeneration/ http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/double_awards_success_for_kensington_regeneration/ The Partnership has been judged the best community-led regeneration organisation in the country by industry specialists Regeneration & Renewal magazine. And the Chair of Kensington Regeneration, Norma Williams, has also collected the Leadership in Regeneration Award. The honours were presented by Tony Blair’s former spokesman and well-known political and media figure Alastair Campbell at a glittering ceremony at London’s famous Royal Lancaster Hotel. Norma Williams, a resident of Edge Hill who has been on the Board of Kensington Regeneration since it started in 2000, said: “The overall award for the partnership is a fantastic achievement and I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has made a contribution to our work over the years.  This honour reflects all their hard work and commitment.” Commenting on her own involvement she added: “Sitting on the sidelines is no good. You’ve got to have the drive to stand up, get involved and make a difference.” Under Norma Williams’ leadership, Kensington Regeneration has been assessed as an ‘excellent partnership’ by the Government. In addition, a recent independent evaluation of its work by the European Institute for Urban Affairs said that it has had a very positive impact on life in the area. Several Kensington Regeneration programme areas - for example, its work with local schools - have been hailed as examples of nationwide regeneration best practice. And projects as diverse as Kensington New Deal Police Team and Kensington Community Learning Centre have been recognised by the judges of other prestigious national award schemes. 2009-10-05T09:40:19+00:00 http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/work_under_way_on_flagship_project/ http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/work_under_way_on_flagship_project/ The project will provide a new fire station, apartments and shops on the corner of Beech Street and Prescot Road which was once occupied by the Silver Blades ice rink. The Beech Street site is one of Kensington Regeneration’s flagship projects and follows several years of enabling work, acquiring properties and preparing the land. The £9.5-million scheme has been planned and funded by Kensington Regeneration in partnership with developers CTP, Liverpool City Council, Riverside Housing Association and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. Kensington Regeneration has invested £3.5 million in the development, which will be an important focal point for the local community. Andrew Kingsley of developers CTP said: “CTP is glad to be working alongside Kensington Regeneration and Liverpool City Council on this important scheme within the heart of Kensington. “We are pleased to be bringing in several new occupiers who will immediately benefit the Kensington district, including a new purpose-built fire station for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, 28 new apartments for Riverside Housing Association and new shops including a new Iceland store.” The fire station will replace the existing station at Low Hill. It will house the same resources but will also be a modern community fire station with facilities that can be used by local residents and groups. This will help raise awareness of fire safety in the community and build stronger links with residents. Cllr Peter Millea, Liverpool City Council’s Executive Member for Assets and Development, said: “This development will be a fitting legacy of the work of Kensington Regeneration. It will provide real benefits to the community, introducing new shops and apartments into the area as well as a state-of-the art fire station, and contribute greatly to Kensington’s revival.”   2009-10-05T09:30:47+00:00 http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/kensington_regeneration_hailed_as_a_success/ http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/kensington_regeneration_hailed_as_a_success/ A new independent report by the European Institute for Urban Affairs (EIUA) has taken an in-depth look at the Partnership’s work, and the changes for the better it has helped to bring about with the help of New Deal funding from the Government. The comprehensive study - which runs to well over 100 pages - reveals that Kensington Regeneration has already achieved 29 of the 32 targets that were set at the start of the programme, with 22 of them being exceeded by a considerable margin including: • Four times as many homes (1,897) being improved or built than the target of 465. • 4,273 people benefiting from healthy lifestyle projects compared with the target of 1,396. • 1,497 people being helped to find a job, more than 700 over the target of 794. • 469 new childcare places being created, as against the target of 265. • 163 Community Chest-type grants being awarded to local groups, compared with the target of 85. The study also highlights the Partnership’s success in supporting local community groups and voluntary organisations (2,417 instances compared with a target of 1,491) and in the number of young people getting involved in youth projects (2,941 compared with the 1,332 target). At 3,822, the number of accredited qualifications obtained by Kensington residents was also higher than expected, with other particularly encouraging results in terms of the number of security improvements in homes and business premises and the total of grants and bursaries awarded for study purposes. The number of new businesses receiving advice and support was also much higher than anticipated, as was the figure for the number of crime victims receiving support. And, of course, many of these figures will rise higher still before the end of the Kensington Regeneration programme in March next year. It’s also worth making the point that the three targets not yet achieved relate to matters such as traffic calming measures and feasibility studies which do not detract from the overall success of the programme in a serious way. The authors of the EIUA report also put the spotlight on what they see as examples of particularly good practice within the Kensington Regeneration programme. Projects singled out for special praise include: • Kensington Community Learning Centre, the award-winning facility which has helped hundreds of local residents to acquire new skills and qualifications. • The Health Energy Advice Team (HEAT), who address the health needs of local people linked to housing and benefits issues, as well as supporting unemployed residents, victims of domestic violence and the families of drug users. • Kensington Property Investment Fund, which was established to help residents bridge the gap between the compulsory purchase order valuation of local homes and the purchase price of new ones. • The community wardens, who are a reassuring presence on Kensington’s streets, providing information and advice to residents and reporting problems such as vandalism and graffiti to the relevant agencies. • Kensington New Deal Police Team, another award-winning project.  Officers have done an excellent job in terms of tackling crime and improving community safety in the area. • Music for Life, which has forged a unique link between the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Kensington’s five primary schools. The study also highlights good practice in terms of Kensington Regeneration’s overall approach to improving the area, especially the way the Partnership has: • Engaged with developers and contractors to get jobs for local people. • Influenced where and how services are delivered in the area. • Linked up with the Excite Education Action Zone and head teachers on schools projects. • Collaborated with Liverpool City Council on public realm and environmental improvements. • Championed the views of Kensington residents. • Kept the programme under constant review in order to respond to changing circumstances as appropriate. Community involvement is also seen as one of the great strengths of the Kensington Regeneration programme by the authors of the EIUA report, in particular: • The evolution of engagement structures as the programme progressed. • The Partnership’s BME outreach and diversity work. • The Housing Focus Groups and Neighbourhood Assemblies, • The creation of the thematic Task Groups. The study says that the positive effect of Kensington Regeneration’s work and total investment of more than £80 million is evident throughout the area. For example, attainment is up at all levels in local primary and secondary schools, with significant rises in the number of students gaining five A* to C grades at GCSE and in the proportion of young people staying in full-time education after the age of 16. The proportion of residents in paid employment rose by 10 per cent between 2002 and 2008, with average household incomes moving closer to the Liverpool average over this period.  The percentage of people on low incomes has also decreased. In the area of of community safety, the total of recorded offences per 1,000 population has fallen, and the crime figures for Kensington have improved relative to the average for Liverpool as a whole. In addition, the most recent MORI household survey in the area revealed that all respondents were less concerned about community safety issues than had been the case in 2002 and, in almost all cases, the difference was a significant one. Other encouraging signs of change for the better highlighted in the EIUA report include a significant increase in local house prices, narrowing the gap between property prices in Kensington and the city as a whole. A higher proportion of people were also reporting their health as having been good over the previous 12 months in 2008 than in 2002. The report highlights a lot of positives, but the authors haven’t been frightened of addressing some of the more problematic issues that have occurred during the Kensington Regeneration programme. One such issue is managing expectations, and ensuring that people are realistic about what can be achieved with the funding available.  Another is the friction that can occur when the community’s desire to get things done in a certain way, or within a certain timeframe, comes up against the ‘rules and regulations’ that are an inevitable part of a Government initiative. The report also acknowledges that certain projects have taken a lot longer to implement than originally envisaged.  Sometimes this has been as a result of the Partnership’s wish to consult fully with local residents before proceeding.  In other cases, there has been an operational factor, for example the time taken to acquire all the land required for the new Beech Street complex. Notwithstanding these issues, the authors of the EIUA report are very clear that Kensington Regeneration’s work has been of huge benefit to the area. They point to the Partnership’s physical legacy in the form of the Academy of St Francis of Assisi, Kensington Community Sports Centre, the Life Bank, the Field of Dreams Nursery, the new housing developments and the improved shops and environment. Equally importantly, they highlight the community infrastructure legacy.  Individuals and groups across Kensington now have the knowledge, skills and confidence to continue improving the area by taking advantage of future regeneration funding opportunities, as and when they arise. And the study also emphasises that the effects of the Partnership’s work will be felt for years to come, for example as children grow up who have benefited from the significant investment in early years education in the area. Commenting on the report Kensington Regeneration Chair, Norma Williams, said: “Everyone associated with the Partnership is delighted that the European Institute for Urban Affairs has been so positive about our work. “Although there is plenty of evidence in the area of the success of our projects and initiatives, it always very gratifying to have this confirmed by an independent and well-respected source. “However, this certainly doesn’t mean that we’ll now be resting on our laurels. There’s still a great deal of work to be done and a lot to be achieved between now and the end of the programme in March next year.” 2009-10-05T08:59:15+00:00 http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/new_training_centre_opens_in_kensington/ http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/new_training_centre_opens_in_kensington/ The new training centre, Empreinte, has been funded by Kensington Regeneration and is run by the Congolese Association of Merseyside. Project manager Mathieu Kapasi explained that there is a need for training in basic skills for people whose first language is not English. “A lot of people need help to access services and we set up the Congolese Association of Merseyside to give them bilingual information and to help them integrate into the local community,” he said. “Now, thanks to Kensington Regeneration, we have our own centre where we can give people training towards the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence) and CLAIT, the Computer Literacy and Information Technology qualification. “We called the centre Empreinte as that is French for fingerprint and we are aiming to make our mark in Liverpool.” English language training is given at a basic level, to help pople prepare to enroll on an ESOL – English for Speakers of Other Languages – course.  All training is free.  A charge of £1 per hour is made to anyone who would like to use the centre for internet access only. “We are also planning to offer training in customer care, business administration and other skills to help people find jobs,” said Mathieu. Kensington Regeneration Board Member, Enid Bristow, said: “This centre is a great new facility for the community which will play an important role in helping people from non- English backgrounds. “I am delighted that we have been able to support the Congolese Association of Merseyside with this initiative,” she added. 2009-10-05T08:56:16+00:00 http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/tep_success_brings_jobs_for_kensington_residents/ http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/tep_success_brings_jobs_for_kensington_residents/ Thanks to the Transitional Employment Programme (TEP), 43 per cent of Kensington residents are now in paid employment. The Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) rate has dropped from 14.8 per cent in 2000 to 8.7 per cent - despite the current economic climate. The Kensington TEP, run by Liverpool City Council and funded by Kensington Regeneration, evolved following extensive consultations with the local community. The flexible programme involves an initial training period offering qualifications in customer care, health and safety and IT. Participants can then choose from further training and study modules, and continue to receive support after securing a job. George Allen, Lifelong Learning, Employment and Enterprise Manager for Kensington Regeneration, said: “Improving the job prospects of local people has been one of our main objectives throughout the programme. “As our track record shows, we have been able to make a positive contribution to the lives of hundreds of residents by helping them to find work in a range of sectors. Since 2005, more than 70 people a year have progressed into sustainable employment through the TEP.” One man to benefit from the programme is 33-year-old Jude Uweri, who came to Liverpool from Nigeria in January this year. Despite having a degree, he struggled to find work. Jude was put in touch with South Liverpool Personnel (SLP), one of the agencies that runs the TEP, and he began a three-week intensive training programme, taking in a variety of skills. As a result he secured a three-month placement as a web researcher with Urban UK, a local PR agency. In July, he began a new placement with SLP as an advisor. “It makes me appreciate what I went through and how the TEP helped me. SLP are the best friends I have ever made - they really understood me and helped me to develop, both emotionally and psychologically. They allowed me to adapt to the challenges of a new environment and supported me through the tough times,” said Jude. Carolyn Boyce, Chief Executive of South Liverpool Personnel, said: “Kensington Regeneration funded the TEP and other BME-focused programmes that we have delivered, and have been a great partner to work with. “The TEP offers a comprehensive programme of customer care and participants can gain recognised qualifications, such as Academy of Excellence in Customer Care, which was set up for Capital of Culture year by key employers and public sector agencies. “We also offer GCSE equivalent qualifications in English and maths and, for those who have them already, alternatives such as food hygiene and NVQ courses. The centre is equipped with a Learn Direct IT suite and we have a job club and an employment advisor for those preparing to enter the job market.” Anyone who would like to find out more about employment and training opportunities through Kensington Regeneration and the TEP should call 0151 233 6175. Anyone looking for more information about SLP and opportunities on offer should contact Carolyn Boyce on 0151 709 1650. 2009-08-30T17:12:17+00:00 http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/olympic_medals_for_kensington_special_athletes/ http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/olympic_medals_for_kensington_special_athletes/ A group of Kensington athletes have swept the board in the national Special Olympics. A team of nine boccia players from Kensington and Fairfield Multi Sports Club scooped 17 medals including three individual golds, while gymnast Miriam England won bronze, silver AND gold. Club organiser Joan Bateman said: “For some of our players it was the first big event they had ever entered, so I am so proud of them. “I am very proud of all our athletes, who were a shining example, while our five volunteer coaches did a brilliant job. They all did the city of Liverpool proud.” The Special Olympics are held every four years, following on from the para Olympics. This year the national games were held in Leicester and were attended by more than 2,300 athletes over five days. “It was an amazing experience, with thousands of people with learning disabilities from all over the country, marching into the stadium in their new kit, applauded by a huge, enthusiastic crowd,” said Joan. The club trains every Friday evening at Kensington Community Sports Club. It was founded in 2000 as a spin-off from Liverpool Special Needs Gymnastics Club.  Newcomers are always welcome, the only criteria being that they have a disability which prevents them from taking part in mainstream sport. The team who triumphed in this year’s Special Olympics boccia were: Jacky Brown, individual gold, team silver; Karen Moore, individual gold, team silver; Nicky Brown, individual silver, team gold; Brendal Farrell, individual gold, team silver;  Adam Crank, individual 4th place, team silver;  Alex O’Brien, individual 5th place, team silver; Vicky Hargreaves, individual bronze, team 4th place; Simon Grey, individual 5th place; Adam Munro, individual bronze. Joan thanked hard-working coaches John Crank, Alan Russell,  Steve O’Brien and Rob Munroe. 2009-08-28T13:22:41+00:00 http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/planting_event_brightens_up_kensington/ http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/planting_event_brightens_up_kensington/ Residents from the GEARS residents’ association got together to plant around 100 hanging baskets at houses and community buildings in the area. The event was funded by Kensington Regeneration and attended by local agencies including Community 7 and the community wardens as well as Cllr Louise Baldock. BCA Landscape Architects and Acorn Services were also on hand to help and offer professional advice. The project is part of a £1.1-million environmental improvement scheme in the Fairfield area covered by Kensington Regeneration. The programme also includes the refurbishment of front boundary walls and railings at around 650 properties. Catherine Taylor, Project Manager for Kensington Regeneration, said: “The event was well received by the local community and was really good fun. “We wrote to local residents asking them if they wanted to take part in adding some greenery and colour, and the response was fantastic. We have also piloted a Good Neighbourhood Agreement, which encourages residents to take ownership of their area and help with improvements.” 2009-07-23T15:23:07+00:00 http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/baby_room_named_in_honour_of_nursery_worker/ http://kensingtonregeneration.com/news_and_events/press/baby_room_named_in_honour_of_nursery_worker/ A new nursery baby room has been opened in memory of a much-loved teacher in Kensington. Sue’s Room at the Field of Dreams Nursery in St Sebastian’s School has been dedicated to Sue Jeffcote, who died last year. The room was created with funding from Kensington Regeneration, who were also one of the main funders of the Field of Dreams, which opened in 2004. Sue was a teacher at St Sebastian’s and part of the team which planned and secured finance for the nursery. Deputy Head Margaret Hagan said: “Sue worked with passion in everything she did. She was a talented teacher and brought many initiatives into school and the Field of Dreams, many of which still continue today. She loved drama and literature and instilled in her students a love of these too. “Sadly, Susan passed away before the new baby room was finished but she would have loved the idea of the enrichment and continuity of care that the room symbolises, nurturing children from birth to 11 years at St Sebastian’s. “Sue was well respected by everyone who met her; she loved children and was a wonderful mother and grandmother. The idea of naming the room after her means that all Sue did will always be remembered.” Sue’s husband, mother, father, daughter in law and three grandchildren were present at the opening ceremony, along with staff, pupils and supporters. 2009-07-22T17:13:34+00:00