Positive planting kids are winners!

Published by Adriana Neves for B3 Living in Communities and also in Education, Environment, Housing

B3Living has received national recognition for the important community work they carry out. The National Housing Federation awarded B3Living with the Improving Neighbourhoods award as part of the East of England Community Impact Awards 2012.

B3Living’s and Cheshunt Extended Services’ ‘Positive Planting Project’, a community project on the Kennedy Close estate inCheshunt, was recognised as exemplary by a panel of tenant judges. The project engages with six young people fromTurnfordSchoolwho were in danger of falling out of the schooling system.

Jo Gant, Head teacher forTurnfordSchoolsaid:

“Our students were given a wonderful opportunity to engage with the community and to make a difference to people’s lives.”

Working with B3Living gardeners the young people designed and planted seven raised beds on the estate. The project has helped the young people to improve their own learning, learn problem solving and how to work with other people. These key skills have helped motivate and encourage them to engage and remain within school, and have also helped build relationships within the local community. The project has been so successful that B3Living is committed to continuing the project, and to offer it out to other schools.

Pete Maiden, Director Cheshunt Extended Services (ChExs), said:

“The whole project has given young people an amazing opportunity to learn new skills, develop and build on their confidence and self-esteem with the added advantage of enriching and supporting the local community -  fantastic!”

The Community Impact Awards, organised by the National Housing Federation, recognise the vast range of neighbourhood projects - from anti-social behaviour initiatives to support for older people - run by housing associations.

John Giesen, B3Living’s Chief Executive said:

“We’re delighted to have won this award and to have all the hard work we do in the community be recognised. It’s even more special to be chosen by a panel of residents living in social housing – they know first-hand the difference housing associations can make. 

“Every day our staff members give their best to help people and families in their local communities, working with organisations such as Cheshunt Extended Services to make lasting change in our neighbourhoods. We are very proud of the young people who’ve helped us create better communities. We are keen to extend and develop projects like this and work with other schools locally.”