Residents sitting pretty thanks to joint working with Shropshire’s Youth Offending Service

News from our partners: Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing

Residents at Monkmoor Court in Oswestry are sitting pretty on a new bench thanks to the skills of some of Shropshire’s Youth Offending Team and funding from their local housing provider, Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing.

Tenants had applied for funding for the materials from ST&R Housing as they had no communal seating in the grounds.

The wooden bench was made by users of Shropshire’s Youth Offending Service who worked with the local housing support officer to create the new seating which now sits overlooking the communal gardens.

Julie Lloyd, housing support officer at Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, said:

“It’s great to see that tenants at Monkmoor Court have come together to show a commitment to improve their local neighbourhood. I would also like to thank users of Shropshire’s Youth Offending Service for utilising their skills to make this wonderful seating.

“The bench is lovely and now gives residents a great place to relax or chat with friends.”

Ray Phillips, of the Youth Offending Service, said reparation or “repaying the harm” was an important part of the restorative justice work West Mercia Youth Offending Service undertook with young people and the victims of crime.

He said:

“Supporting community projects is the mainstay of the reparation work, and by working with partners such as Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, young people can make amends by improving neighbourhoods for our communities.

“Not only do young people make items at our Telford workshops, but they are also involved throughout the service area in helping improve the outlook of neighbourhoods.”

Housing support officer, Julie Lloyd, added:

“If any of our tenants and residents have a community project that could benefit from some added skill and elbow grease, please get in touch and we will do our best to make it happen.”

People can call 01743 210205, or for more information about Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing, visit the website at http://www.starhousing.org.uk.

You can also follow them on Facebook by searching for “Shropshire Towns and Rural Housing” or on twitter @star_housing.

Further notes

Picture caption: Pictured with the bench are Ray Phillips (Youth Offending Service) and Julie Lloyd (supported housing officer), with residents Kath Harper (sitting down) and Marion Collinson (standing up).