Positive Solutions

Story: Rohan Francis

Pakistan Advice and Community Association (PACA) have been working to find positive solutions to issues raised by residents in the Page Hall area. Some of the work is being funded with a Police Crime Commissioner grant which aims to re-establish pride in the area from all communities.

Keeping the streets clean

Problems with excessive litter and flytipping are being addressed alongside the Council’s contractor Amey. Currently, there are 3 advocates from the local Roma community employed by Amey for 3 days per week. Their role is to provide education and advice on litter and refuse disposal in Page Hall.

Community meetings are held twice a month to discuss local litter and environmental issues and plans are being made to continue the ‘Love where you live’ project, which will help residents to sign up to a pledge to keep their area litter free and to report problems.

Neighbourhood Watch

Coordinated by Julie Blacker, PACA Community Coordinator, a monthly meeting aims to bring local residents together to deal with any issues people are having. The important idea behind this group is to get the whole community communicating.

Their first meeting attracted 20 residents from the Roma, Pakistani and white community, along with 2 PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers). The feeling from non-Roma groups was that the community wanted to get to know the Roma community and understand their needs. This is seen as a positive and beneficial process that can lead to understanding. Many newly arriving families have come from areas without services like refuse collection and where many people socialise on the street. Julie said:

“PACA has begun to host a series of education presentations for residents about litter and refuse collection with AMEY. Popple Street has already received this training and the project will continue to work through the area inviting residents 'street by street'.”

Street Champions

Julie is also managing the new Street Champions project, also supported by PACA’s development worker Miroslav Sandor, which local residents have volunteered to take part in. Currently Street Champions are from Roma, Pakistani and white backgrounds and they walk around the area between 8-10pm each night.

Their aim is to offer advice and educate residents on anything they might need. It is hoped the project will prevent antisocial behaviour, which sometimes means encouraging large groups to separate or reduce the noise they are making. Members of the team receive Conflict Resolution training through PACA.

The Messenger went out with Miroslav and volunteer Street Champion David in September to see what was involved. We met on Hinde Street just after 8pm, where some children were playing. We asked them why they were out on the street:

“It’s not safe to play in the park, people are smoking drugs and fighting. I come here to be with my friends, but I will have to go home in 5 minutes because it’s school tomorrow.”

One of the issues, according to Miroslav, is the lack of activities for the Street Champion to recommend young people get involved in. Existing clubs or venues that can provide activities for young people in the area are full or not open enough. Instead, Miroslav encouraged them to go home soon to be ready for school. Miroslav is conscious that the Street Champions don't want to send residents home – like the Police would – but to advise them what alternatives exist to gathering in large groups outside.

Walking towards Willoughby and Wade Street, the roads were quiet and it was noticeable that they were largely clear of litter. We met four men from the Roma community and one man explained,

“We are waiting for a lift to work. I like living here. I have had a job for 6 years, which is why I stay. We don’t have too much trouble, but sometime people drive too quickly on the roads. And my neighbour complained because I smoke outside, but I have to do that. It's not right to smoke inside with the children.”

Miroslav also told me he and the Roma community were feeling intimidated by the negative press surrounding recent events and Council meetings. He believed there was unfair blame being placed on the Roma. Walking towards the shops on Page Hall Road, we spoke to a group of young men,

“We don’t understand why the Police have a problem with us. There are other people who are selling drugs and fighting. We don’t do that. We just like to talk with each other. If there was a place to play football, we would do that.”

Another man said he thought there should be more for young men to do,

“There should be computers, so they can learn more that will help them find jobs.”

Miroslav agreed that it would be really good if there were more local venues or regular activities that he could recommend to local people who were currently socialising on the street. He hoped his work would bring the whole community together as that was the only way problems could be truly sorted out.