Renfrewshire wardens and headteacher awarded for efforts on antisocial behaviour

Home > News and Events > News - release archive > 2006 > October

Renfrewshire’s neighbourhood warden scheme and a headteacher from Johnstone were honoured at a national awards ceremony in Edinburgh Castle’s great hall last night (Wednesday 25 October ).

The wardens, together with Elaine Webster of Auchenlodment primary school, have been recognised in this year's 'Standing Up to Antisocial Behaviour Awards', organised by the Scottish Executive and sponsored by the Co-op.

They were among 16 groups and individuals, selected from more than 100 entries, who were awarded at the event attended by justice minister Cathy Jamieson and deputy justice minister Hugh Henry.

The awards aim to recognise the drive, courage and commitment of those who have helped challenge the behaviour of others and encouraged a renewed culture of respect and community spirit in their local areas.

Renfrewshire’s Neighbourhood Wardens scheme was overall winner in the ‘above and beyond’ category and received £5,000 to spend on further work to tackle antisocial behaviour.

The wardens, who are based in Ferguslie Park and work across Paisley and other parts of Renfrewshire, have gone above and beyond the call of duty by establishing and supporting several innovative projects including: creating a junior wardens’ board game, organising outdoor activities for young people, raising funds for a local youth club and transforming an overgrown community garden.

Kathy Tooke, Renfrewshire’s neighbourhood warden co-ordinator, said:

“All the projects that the wardens have been involved in demonstrate how they are there to help the wider community.

“They are doing things over and above what their expected role is and their work on these projects helps them build up relationships with the kids and the rest of the community.

“The presence and work of the neighbourhood wardens has also seen reductions in vehicle crime, housebreaking, vandalism and fire-raising.”

Elaine Webster, headteacher at Auchenlodment Primary School, was also honoured in the ‘above and beyond category’ and received £1,000 for her efforts in setting up Scotland’s first junior wardens scheme.

Young pupils at the school work with Renfrewshire Council’s neighbourhood wardens to make their area safer and more pleasant to live in.

Mrs Webster says the response from the school’s pupils has been fantastic.

She explained: “The junior wardens scheme is very popular with pupils. It shows them the importance of looking after their environment and the effects which antisocial behaviour such as vandalism and graffiti can have on it.

“We look at issues such as binge drinking, showing them at an early age that it is not acceptable and hopefully by tackling these issues head-on, we can have an influence before the kids reach secondary school.

“Local parents have been very supportive of the scheme and the junior wardens share what they learn with all the pupils in the school.”

There were four award categories - ‘above and beyond’, local groups or projects, individuals, and young people - each with one overall winner picking up £5,000 to spend on tackling antisocial behaviour in their area, and three further recipients of £1,000 to support similar work.

Councillor Anne Hall, Renfrewshire council's community safety spokesperson commented: "I would like to offer my congratulations to the neighbourhood wardens for winning this award. They continue to come up with new and exciting ways of engaging with the local community and I am sure this new game will prove a huge hit with Renfrewshire's kids. I would also like to offer my congratulations to Mrs Webster, the head teacher at Auchenlodment school, for winning the runner up prize in this category.

“”I am absolutely delighted that we have two different projects from Renfrewshire Council recognised in the Standing Up to Antisocial Behaviour Awards. It reflects how seriously our council takes anti social behaviour and the inspirational and dedicated people we have working for us who are always looking for new ways to make our local communities better places to live and work."

Martin Beaumont, group chief executive of the Co-operative Group said:

“Antisocial behaviour blights many communities, however, it is encouraging that so many people are working very hard to tackle the problem. The recipients of these awards are inspiring examples of what can be done and they have our full support.

“The Co-op has again been delighted to sponsor the Standing Up to Antisocial Behaviour Awards scheme as part of our continuing efforts to tackle the problems of crime and antisocial behaviour.”

Press Release: Thursday 26 October 2006