Young Russet residents make a noise at Platform 51

Published by Barbara H for Russet Homes in Housing and also in Communities, Education, Environment, Health

Eight young Russet residents made their voice heard by taking part in a range of activities at Platform 51 (formerly YWCA) in Tonbridge.

Russet has worked closely with Platform 51 for several years offering young female residents the opportunity to attend various training courses for free.  It has meant they have gained vital new skills to help them find work, take care of their families set up a new home and act responsibly as a tenant.

Recently many of the young residents have got involved with other interesting projects including interviewing three candidates for the position of the new CEO of Platform 51.

One resident Kelly said: “It was a great experience meeting them and now that I know what interviewers are looking for I should do really well when I’m looking for a job!”

Others have joined the Citizenship Group and after completing a course in citizenship went on a tour of Parliament to help put the course into perspective.  They also invited two local councillors to explain to the group what it means to be a councillor and what councils do.  They prepared a number of probing questions asking about the work life balance and the percentage of women on the local council.  Tonbridge and Malling Borough councillors, David Aikman and Owen Baldock, said the visit “was a pleasure” and that the discussion was “useful and enlightening”.

Steve Woodcock, Russet’s MD, said: “As the borough’s leading landlord we feel a responsibility towards young people living in our neighbourhoods and offer practical help and advice whenever we can.  Enhancing life chances is at the heart of our organisation and we hope by working in partnership with Platform 51 we can help equip local young people to get off to a better start in life.”

The YWCA has recently changed its name to Platform 51 to more accurately represent who they are: 51% of people are female, and many use it as a platform to have their say and as a place from where they can move onto the next stage of their lives.

Part of Circle Anglia, Russet owns almost 7,000 properties making it the largest provider of rented social housing within Tonbridge and Malling.