When it was fi rst starting out, Parkway Green Housing Trust envisioned itself ‘living the dream’ as it powered ahead on the measures needed to fulfil its promises. Now, over two years later, the organisation is eagerly ‘walking the walk’

Back in October 2006, when it went live, the organisation hit the ground running with its £90 million Decent Homes investment programme to bring West Wythenshawe’s 6,000 or so former council homes up to scratch. Today, it reports it is a year ahead of schedule on meeting that five-year programme.

“From our establishment in 2006, we were clear that getting in to people’s homes on day one was crucial, delivering on our promises particularly in terms of investment. The fact that we’re ahead of programme is hugely pleasing,” said chief executive Nigel Wilson. “Establishing a new organisation is fraught with challenges, but we’ve managed those, and it has been a credit to the board’s support, our partner agencies, and the dedication of staff in terms of their commitment to service delivery, but delivery in partnership with the tenants is crucial.”

Of late, Parkway Green has made tremendous inroads into the provision of apprenticeships and training for local young people. The schemes range from providing work experience to students at the three local high schools, to working with hardcore offenders - so called Priority Prolific Offenders (PPOs) - who want to turn their backs on a life of crime.

The organisation is working in partnership with its contractors, especially GM Procure and IMPACT Manchester, and other partner agencies to provide these schemes, but it has now also taken on its own apprenticeships in addition to those placed with its partners. It’s part of the process of building a legacy for the people of Wythenshawe, but given the current economic climate, it also represents the organisation doing its bit to give local people a little extra ‘edge’ as it were.

“We’re working with Connaught to provide school placements, and we’re making sure there are two places on every placement we do - one for a boy and one for a girl,” said Ian Gregg, director of communities and investment. That gender parity is an absolute, so as to help encourage more young women into the construction and related industries.

“The young people have a structured programme, so it takes them through all aspects of construction, but it’s also looking at the professional office and the support sides as well,” Gregg added. “We also held an open day in the office, with around 60 school children coming in to give them an opportunity to think about their options. We pitched it as ‘realising a dream’, especially the girls, that it was something they could do. It was a very positive message and it got the kids engaged.”

Parkway Green is also set to offer internships. The latter will involve youngsters engaged with putting together specific projects - with real world value, so they are not simply exercises. For example, one project involves young people researching into the issue of Parkway Green utilising bio-diesel to fuel its direct labour organisation’s van fleet.

The company brought the DLO in-house from the council in summer last year, also the contact centre in April this year. The move provides Parkway Green with the scope to develop a greater responsiveness and flexibility to its service provision, but it also adds to its ability to take on apprentices in its own right. Indeed, the first two have already started. As the apprenticeship scheme matures, the aim is take on three apprentices a year.

Meanwhile, in conjunction with GM Procure, Parkway Green has launched PG Turnaround - this is the scheme that aims to give PPOs and other ex-offenders a launchpad into the world of work - and a shot at a future on the straight and narrow.

“In any area you get a small number of people who account for a large proportion of the crime. These are high priority offenders and they are in and out of jail - they’re your typical ‘naughty boys’,” Gregg said. “When they get a bit older and they want to get a job, what happens when they’re given a CRB check it comes back the size of a telephone directory and nobody is prepared to give them a chance. So what they do is fall back into what they have always done - crime.”

This is where the PG Turnaround comes in - to give them a chance. In one sense, what the scheme provides is the chance to familiarise the ex-offenders with the routine and rigours of working life, but it’s also a proving ground for the youngsters involved - the chance for them to show they have the aptitude and the determination to turn their lives around.

It’s paid work, but it’s hard work, Gregg explained - he will put them through their paces clearing out voids and so on. The scheme lasts between six and 12 months, with the later half of the period involving time assessing and assisting them in their next step either into education or further employment. The essence of the scheme is that they have been given the chance, and in turn they have proved the capability to work. And because it is paid employment, rather than community service, they have also experienced the benefits of earning their own way - not to mention gained a boost to confidence and self-esteem.

Parkway Green isn’t just working with young people. With the recession squeezing Wythenshawe, the same as everywhere else, the organisation is also offering work placements to those who have become unemployed. It offers a chance to learn the
application of new skills, say office admin work for someone who previously worked in retail, giving them a valuable addition to their CV. It’s all part of the organisation not only engaging with the community, but in effect being embedded in the community of Wythenshawe.