Meeting the Partnership Team

It’s now easier than ever to contact any member of the Heart of Burton Partnership team. The five strong team are all based at the Partnership’s shop at 73 Horninglow Road, so why not call in and find out more about the projects they’re supporting which you can get involved with?

Becky Elson, Neighbourhood Manager, heads the team, which also comprises Deputy Neighbourhood Manager, Clinton Simmons, Community Outreach Workers, Nighat Younas and Sally Walkley, and Administration Officer Claire Keen.

“We’ve a strong team which is making a big difference locally and it makes sense for us all to be based from the Partnership shop,” said Becky. “If you have any questions about local issues or want to discuss ideas about areas we should be focusing on, get in touch.”

To contact the team, call freephone 0800 328 6925.

The Door's Always Open

“The kettle’s always on and there’ll be biscuits waiting!” says new Neighbourhood Manager, Becky Elson, who’s joined to head up the Heart of Burton Partnership team. She’s keen for many more local residents to call into the Partnership shop at 73 Horninglow Road and discuss how their area could be improved.

Becky is no stranger to the Heart of Burton as she previously spent two years as Programmes Manager for Burton Community Partnership.

She managed two projects - a rural regeneration programme in Uttoxeter and a large urban regeneration programme which invested substantial amounts of money into an area which included the Heart of Burton. “I know the area well and have already worked with a number of the partners involved,” she explains. “I also live in Tutbury so am local to the area.”

Becky sees the Neighbourhood Manager role as an exciting opportunity. “I’ve been working alongside the Heart of Burton Partnership and have seen how well neighbourhood management works,” she says. “Now I want to engage far more residents in the Partnership and begin to focus our attention on the legacy we are going to create.”

Her immediate priority is to make sure that the Partnership team is getting the support it needs to make a real difference in the community and she’s looking forward to working with the new Partnership Chair, Maria. “My aim is to get to the end of the Heart of Burton Partnership programme in 2009 and see that we’ve empowered local residents to take on neighbourhood management themselves. To do this, we need residents to get involved now.”

Becky wants residents to come in for a chat or to call her on 01283 547036 to talk about any local issues. She’s also happy to go out and talk to any groups or individuals in the area. Get in touch!

Meet the face that greets the face

Claire Keen, aged 23, is the Administration Officer at the Heart of Burton Partnership and her aim is to point everyone who gets in touch in the right direction.

If you call into the shop on Horninglow Road or phone 01283 547036, it’ll be Claire you speak to. She’s also likely to pick up any messages you leave on the Partnership’s freephone line 0800 328 6925 and make sure that your enquiry is dealt with efficiently.

Claire has officially been in post since December but was working in the office on a secondment before that so she’s already well known to many. She’s also worked for Burton Community Partnership so knows a lot about the area. We thought we'd find out a bit more about Claire.

Q: What do you like about the job?
A: It's always good as it’s always different. There are the general jobs you do day in and day out, but then you get residents calling in and asking questions which is nice.

Q: Are you local?
A: I live 10 minutes away - I can get out of bed late and roll into work!

Q: Have you got any pets?
A: My little cat Jasper, but technically we have three cats and they’re all strays.

Q: What sort of holidays do you like?
A: I haven't been on many as I don't do holidays, I just work! Last year was my first holiday for a while and I went to Skegness for a week. It was nice to have a break.

Q: What do you like watching on TV?
A: I prefer the radio - the TV is just a bit boring.

Q: So what's your philosophy on life?
A: You have to do it! You have no choice in that one, so just go with what happens.

Staff Profile - Clinton Simmons

Clinton recently joined our team as the Deputy Neighbourhood Manager. After five weeks in post I thought I’d find out about our ‘new boy on the block’ and his ideas for the future of Heart of Burton.

Nighat Younas: You are one of two recent appointments to the Heart of Burton. What specifically attracted you to the post?

Clinton simmons: My very first job was working in a small community based team where I had a lot of contact with local residents and service providers. I really enjoyed the environment and the chance to help people in a variety of ways.

NY: What are your first impressions of working in the Heart of Burton Partnership?

CS: The residents and service providers within the patch have been very supportive and welcoming. This has helped me to quickly settle into my work. I am also surrounded by a fantastic team – including you Nighat! There is a great relationship between residents, service providers and staff which should make the future of HoB very bright indeed.

NY: Is there anything you don’t like about the job?

CS: It’s too early to say yet. If I do find something I’m sure everyone will know about it!

NY: What do you hope to achieve in your role as Deputy Neighbourhood Manager?

CS: I’m a small cog in a bigger wheel. However, I hope that I can provide some drive and leadership in helping the Heart of Burton to continue to respond to the needs of local residents. There are some exciting challenges ahead including finding the right option to continue Heart of Burton as a community led project. I’m looking forward to making the HoB an even more successful and well-respected initiative.

NY: What’s you hope for the future of the Heart of Burton?

CS: I hope to see even more residents get involved. Resident participation is vital to identify issues and make the area a better place to live, work, learn and play. I would also want to see a new facility developed that is managed and run by local people. This will allow the work of the Heart of Burton to continue.

NY: What do think you will be doing in 3 years time?

CS: Probably still working in Burton.

NY: Thanks Clinton and good luck in your new role

A buzz to the office

Sally started her role as Community Outreach Worker on 5 March, having previously worked on the patch as one of the Neighbourhood Wardens.

Sally is really keen to continue to develop partnership work in her new role, and has already brought new energy and a buzz to the office.

Sally said ' I'm so excited at the prospect of working with partners and the rest of the team. I've had some experience of working in the patch as one of the Neighbourhood Wardens and developed some very useful contacts. I've been able to talk to residents about their concerns and now that I'm in my new post I hope I can help to make changes in the neighbourhood.

I'm already involved in working on a couple of important projects including Streetscene and the establishment of a youth forum for the area. I'm sure I will make these and many more projects successful and improve the environment and services within the Heart of Burton.

'

Sally is friendly and approachable and hopes to see more residents coming into the Heart of Burton Advice Shop for a coffee and a chat.