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Islington Compact Award Winners 2010

17/11/2010

The Mayor of Islington with the Compact Awards winners

Community projects celebrate partnership success

Community projects working hard to make Islington a better place have been celebrated at the Islington Compact Awards.
The awards recognise outstanding examples of partnership work between community organisations and statutory partners such as Islington Council, the NHS and the Police.

Mike Sheriff, Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Islington, which represents Islington’s 600 community and voluntary organisations said:

“The Compact Awards show that real improvements can be made to services for residents when community organisations work closely together with the police, the local authority and the health service.”

The awards ceremony was hosted by the Leader of the Council – Councillor Catherine West, and the presentations were made by the Mayor of Islington, Councillor Mouna Hamitouche.

Among the winners on the night was an innovate partnership between the Police, the Islington Somali Community and St Marks Church, to address anti-social behaviour and crime amongst young Somalis in Finsbury Park and Highbury West.

Abdul Ali, from the Islington Somali Community (ISC) said “By going out to talk some of the young Somalis on the Andover, Six Acres and Harvist Estates, we discovered some of the reasons behind the anti-social behaviour. We found out that many were struggling at school or had problems at home. They told us that some of their parents had poor English, and couldn’t help them with their homework. So we set up a homework club for them. We also ran workshops to tackle problems like substance misuse and to prevent religious extremism and gangs. I’m delighted the partnership has been recognised at these awards.”

Finsbury Park, Safer Neighbourhoods Team sergeant, Chris Walsh said “In dealing with the large gang of Somali youths, the Islington Somali Community proved to be very helpful. Without them we were left with enforcement as the only option. In short they are an integral part of partnership working and have undoubtedly helped with the great success we are enjoying on this ward.  Local residents have told me the estate is very much more peaceful, people don’t feel intimidated or threatened going to or from their homes.”

NHS Islington also triumphed at the awards for their work in training community organisations, developing website resources and for their work in the engagement of Islington’s GPs in tackling health inequalities.
Other winners on the night include Islington Central Reference Library, Islington Childcare Trust, All Change Arts, Islington Timebanks Network, Islington Faiths Forum and Islington Schools.

For more information on the Islington Compact click here

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