Everybody needs good neighbourhoods!

A community art club in Airedale is just one of many local projects that has been able to flourish in recent months due to the work of the Airedale and Ferry Fryston Neighbourhood Management Board.

Airedale Art Club, which is based at Airedale Library, was given a share of a £20,000 Home Office fund by the Board to provide local children with a chance to work with paints, pastels, clay, ModRoc and a variety of design materials.

And now there is a chance for you to join the Neighbourhood Management Board to support local projects like the art club and influence the future development of the area.

Part of the Board’s role is to decide how money is shared out across the community, and you could be part of that management process as the Board is looking to recruit a new member.

Graham Haslam, Neighbourhood Management Co-ordinator for Wakefield and District Housing (WDH), says the key to carrying out positive changes to the area is for local residents to work together with local agencies – an opportunity that the Board provides.

“By holding regular meetings the residents can inform agencies, local councillors and other residents about the issues that concern them,” explains Graham. “As a result, we are in touch with residents’ views and we can act on them to improve the area.

“Board members have the power to shape the future of their community.”

The art club project, which was due to run for 12 months, has over 70 registered members – and it’s been such a hit with the children that there are hopes it can continue for another 12 months.

Project Manager Jane Carter said: “It’s been brilliant - we’ve been able to buy all sorts of materials that the children just love to work with. Before, it was all paper, pencils and sticky tape – now we have paints, canvas panels and lots of colour!”

Art club member Megan Bolderson, 10, says she’s not just drawn and painted, but moulded and sculpted. “I’ve managed to do a lot of different things,” says Megan. “Just the other week we made our own jewellery!”

Board Chair Mike Dixon believes the success of the art club is just one reason why local people should want to play a part in improving local services.

“Airedale Art Club is a glowing example of how the Board works to deliver better services, and we want to make sure that this can continue,” explains Mike. “This is a great chance for someone who feels passionately about improving their community to get involved and make a real difference.

“They will be able to identify issues in their area and decide which ones need addressing first.”

Priorities for the Board this year include health, crime and community safety, boosting educational achievement and supporting young people’s activities.

If you are interested in joining the Board to influence the future development of Airedale and Ferry Fryston, or for an informal chat about the recruitment process, contact Graham Haslam on 01977 788124 or email neighbourhood@wdh.co.uk.

The deadline for submitting applications to join the Board is Friday 20 November 2009.