Homes for Haringey youth project wins award
Thursday 12 March 2009
Young people across Haringey are jubilant as they celebrate their part in winning a prestigious award. The Youth Outreach Film Project, led by Homes for Haringey’s Resident Involvement team, scooped the trophy in the Best Practice in the Community category at the Southern Regional TPAS Connecting People Awards ceremony last night (Wednesday 11 March 2009).
They beat off stiff competition from 100 other entries to collect the award at a glittering reception held at the Royal National Hotel in London’s West End.
A total of 44 young people from four local estates: Coldfall, Edgecot Grove, Northumberland Park and The Sandlings, made 10-minute films depicting life for young people in their neighbourhoods.
The ‘shorts’ covered facilities for young people, safe places to play, antisocial behaviour and general aspects of modern urban living. Their documentary style reflected the feelings and experiences of young people living on the estates.
Each of the four films was planned and shot over a single weekend. The 14-18 year-olds worked with local film companies, Fig Tree Films and Two Twelve Films, commissioned by Homes for Haringey in partnership with Haringey Council’s Neighbourhoods teams and the Bridge New Deal for Communities Project.
Over the 2-3 days they learnt a range of video-making skills, from creating a storyboard, use of camera, and production techniques such as cutting and editing to create ‘rushes’ prior to final production.
Two of the groups of young people subsequently used the films to support presentations they made to local Area Assembly meetings run by Haringey Council.
Many of the points they raised about play facilities and problems with general repairs have been addressed. A new football area at Edgecot Grove is just one example of how the young people involved in the films have brought about a positive improvement in their area.
Representatives from each of the four estates attended last night’s event: Charlie Shepherd and Jimmy Russell from Coldfall, Junaid McClymont from Sandlings, Akbar Choudury and Thanh Ngayen from Edgecot Grove, and Adarrly Walker-Ashley and Tiffany Gordon from Northumberland Park.
Tiffany Gordon from Northumberland Park said: “I really enjoyed it, and it was fantastic winning. It was great recognition for the good work that has been going on in Haringey.”
Junaid McClymont from The Sandlings said: “It was very good and very positive, and a great event to attend.”
Paul Bridge, Chief Executive of Homes for Haringey, said, "Young people in Haringey can give tremendous insight into what makes life both good and bad on our estates, and I believe they should be listened to. I am delighted that they and our Resident Involvement team, who worked extremely hard to make the project a success, have been recognised in this way. I congratulate them all on this tremendous achievement.”
The project will now go forward for the national TPAS awards to be announced at their Annual Conference to be held in Birmingham in August.
For further information contact Homes for Haringey’s Resident Involvement team on 020 8489 4476 or 4483.
To watch any of the four films follow the links below (opens in a new window):
The Sandlings Estate youth film
Northumberland Park Estate youth film
ENDS
Notes for editors
TPAS is the Tenants Participation Advisory Service
Homes for Haringey is the Arms Length Management Organisation managing Haringey Council’s housing stock.
It is responsible for:
- Services to approx 21,000 council owned properties: 16,700 tenanted and 4,500 leasehold
- Tenancy and estate management
- Housing management of supported housing
- Rent collection and arrears management
- Repairs and maintenance
- Leasehold management
- Resident involvement
- Meeting the Decent Homes Standard.
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