Bolton at Home runner-up for top housing award

10-NOV-06

Bolton at Home’s approach to preventing and tackling anti-social behaviour borough-wide shortlisted the organisation for a prestigious national accolade this week.

Beating off competition from hundreds of organisations to make the finals of the UK Housing Awards, innovations developed and implemented by Bolton at Home’s anti-social behaviour team were recognised in the Chartered Institute of Housing’s ‘Excellence in Delivering Safer Neighbourhood’ category.

The innovative approach to tackling anti-social behaviour taken by Bolton at Home is a four pronged attack and comprises:

• Prevention – through education by developing and producing a DVD for school age children which tackles subjects such as vandalism, bullying, graffiti and racism. The organisation also funds positive activities such as community football sessions through local neighbourhood panels.
• Rehabilitation – by working in partnership with other agencies, including Bolton Families Project, to improve the behaviour of offenders.
• Enforcement – by working in partnership with Bolton Council and the Police to take legal action as a last resort
• Support – by working with offenders aged 17-21 years old, to help them maintain their tenancies. The organisation also supports victims and witnesses in court.

Noel Spencer, Chair of Bolton at Home, said: “We are delighted to be nominated for this award. It is a special recognition of our commitment to make our neighbourhoods safe and a pleasant place to live. Bolton at Home takes a zero tolerance of anti-social behaviour and works in partnership with Bolton Council and the Police to manage issues, support victims and help to improve the behaviour of offenders. But make no mistake, we will prosecute offenders when all else fails.’’

Sheffield Homes was announced as the category winner at an awards ceremony in London on Thursday 9 November.