NCH and SBS are currently delivering an external wall insulation project to seven 3-story residential blocks in Newark Crescent and 4 3-stoy blocks as part of the REMOURBAN project.
Effective communication with residents and the wider community is invariably crucial and to support this NCH and SBS visited two local primary schools to give a series of fun and informative presentations.
The first took place at William Booth Primary School in Sneinton, where staff spoke to around 120 children about Health and Safety. Aiding them in the task was 'Ivor Goodsite' - a friendly builder who had much to say about the rules of staying safe around building work. This was important and relevant to the children since the school itself is located just a three minute walk from the Newark Crescent site.
The presentation was based around the Considerate Constructors scheme and associated guidance, though it was tailored to refer specifically to external wall insulation schemes and the Newark Crescent site. The talk was accompanied by a series of construction-related activities and a poster competition, themed upon construction and site safety. SBS donated all the appropriate materials. The posters were judged by NCH, SBS and teachers, and the winning entries from each of the three age categories were printed on scaffold banners for subsequent display on site.
The winners were presented with gift vouchers and visited Newark Crescent to see their designs displayed on a 'live' construction site. During their visit, the children wore specially ordered hi-vis vests and hard hats.
The second event took place with the children of Southwark Primary School in Old Basford. Here, over a two-week period, 25 girls were shown around the site to promote awareness of career opportunities in the building industry. The girls, who had already shown an interest in the subject, were accompanied by SBS staff and members of the Nottingham City Homes 'Women in Construction' team.
SBS's site manager gave the visitors a full safety induction and, assisted by the resident liaison officer, took them on a guided tour of the site. They were accompanied, of course, by the always enthusiastic Ivor Goodsite.