Windmill Estate Poster Campaign Accents Site Safety

Building and construction sites present a significant danger to young people. Nowhere is this truer than on large developments close to schools. The Windmill Estate development at Fulbourn in Cambridgeshire is one such development.

The Windmill Estate is close to the Fulbourn Primary School. Because it takes its community responsibilities very seriously, Accent Nene the local housing association responsible for the development - has been actively encouraging children at the school to understand the danger of playing on building sites.

Staff from Accent Nene and contractor Kier Partnership Homes visited the school and initiated a warning signs' poster competition for the pupils. The aim of the visit and the competition was to entertain, inform and get the children actively involved in learning about the dangers of building sites and how to watch out for them.

Helen Fortune, development officer at Accent Nene, said: "Construction sites are extremely dangerous places and there are plenty of risks for site workers let alone children straying on to the site. With a building site nearby, the temptation to trespass is a very real danger. It was great to have the opportunity to raise awareness among the parents and children.

The children were also invited to visit Accent Nenes Windmill Estate regeneration building site in the Fulbourn. Accent Nene and Kier Partnership Homes staff ensured that they were kitted out in appropriate safety gear each child was given a hard hat and a high-viz yellow jacket.

Following the visits the Fulbourn Primary pupils were encouraged to design their own safety posters.

Helen Fortune said: The standard of entries was high and we were impressed with the quality of artwork from the children. The judges felt that the three winning entries showed a good awareness of the dangers of building sites.

Dave Harper, contracts manager at Kier Partnership Homes, said: "This was a great opportunity for pupils to see diggers and dumper trucks working as well as learning about health and safety on building sites. They all seemed to enjoy themselves and this kind of initiative helps us get really important messages to the children in a fun and informative way."

The winners were presented with their prizes by Kieran, Kier Partnership Homes mascot and their posters have been printed and displayed on hoardings around the Windmill Estate site.
 

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Notes to editors:

1. Accent Nene is a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) registered with the Housing Corporation. The main office is in Peterborough and there are regional management offices in Nottingham.
2. What is now Accent Nene was formerly Nene Housing Society. It became a member of Accent Group in January 2005. Accent is the UKs leading community investment business.
3. Accent Nene is one of the largest locally based RSLs in Peterborough and operates in the East Midlands and East Anglia. It provides a range of social housing and manages around 3,500 rented and leasehold homes mainly in the Peterborough, Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire areas.
4. Accent Nene aims to provide high quality, affordable homes for rent or purchase on an equity share basis for those in housing need. It helps single people, couples, families, elderly and disabled people and some special needs groups such as deaf/blind people.
5. Planning approval for the Windmill Estate redevelopment was granted in November 2007 following many months of negotiations between Accent Nene, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Fulbourn Parish Council and local residents. The master plan for the estate includes new homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale with up to 273 new dwellings being built over a four phase programme. Phase one of the redevelopment includes 120 new dwellings and a new community centre. The community building will replace the existing facility in Haggis Gap and will include a community hall and provision for the Fulbourn volunteer library service. Kier Partnership Homes has started work with the demolition of the existing community centre and houses prior to starting construction work. Phase 1a is due for completion by early 2009.