Local Youth-Designed Sculpture for Rothwell

Published by JenCooke for National Federation of ALMOs in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Aire Valley Homes Donates £18,000 to a Youth Sculpture Project on Rothwell Estate

Aire Valley Homes has donated £18,000 to a Groundwork Leeds project involving a group of young people from the John O’Gaunts Estate in Rothwell who have created designs for a sculpture to crown the entrance of their estate.

Aire Valley Homes, the arms-length management organisation (ALMO) responsible for over 15,000 homes in South and South East Leeds, has partnered with Groundwork Leeds to support the community in Rothwell, to improve the quality of people’s lives, their prospects and potential, and the places where they live, work and play.

The project, part of Groundwork Leeds’ Autumn Watch campaign, saw a group of youngsters from John O’Gaunts attend a workshop where they created elements of the sculpture design in clay and cardboard. The ideas have been sent to local artist Chris Campbell who is currently in the process of creating the metal sculpture. The sculpture is due to be unveiled in the entrance of the John O’Gaunts estate early in the New Year.

Aire Valley Homes has invested in and supported a number of projects in the area over a two year period including the Autumn Watch project, part of an ongoing programme of environmental improvements on the John O’Gaunts estate.

Permanent Secretary for the Department of Communities and Local Government, Peter Housden, visited Rothwell on Friday 20th November to view the various projects taking place in the area and speak to local residents about their thoughts.

Councillor Golton said: “The sculpture is an impressive example of what can be achieved when local people are involved in shaping their community and local environment. John O'Gaunts over the past two years has become a stronger community. This has been thanks to the investment not just of money, but also time and effort, from both residents and Aire Valley Homes employees working in partnership."

The project gives young people an opportunity to be directly involved in the improvements to their estate, therefore increasing pride in their community.

Jason Kerry, Community Coordinator at Groundwork Leeds, said: “We have worked closely with Aire Valley Homes on a number of projects in Rothwell and the surrounding areas. Its financial assistance has been invaluable in supporting us to achieve our shared goal of improving the lives and prospects of people living on some of the most difficult estates in South Leeds.”

Aire Valley Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) and an independent company charged with the management of over 15,000 homes in South and South East Leeds on behalf of Leeds City Council. It has made environmental regeneration a core part of its strategy for improving the lives of people living in its estates.