Pat Middleborn (Patches) on Neighborhood Rehabilitation

Urban neighborhoods were built out of necessity – people had to be close to work and therefore many neighborhoods sprung up in urban areas. The problem with this say’s Pat Middleborn, is that many of these neighborhoods were built quickly and without much thought for the quality of life that the people that would be living in these areas for years to come may have to face.

Neighborhood rehabilitation is a way in which these run down, and sometimes neglected areas, can be spruced up, making them nicer places to live.

The federal government has decreed that neighborhood rehabilitation schemes are important and therefore set aside some capital to help small community groups or any one who has a good to help rehabilitate an area gain the money they need to make that happen.

There are some common and popular neighborhood rehabilitation schemes that have seen much success within their local communities. Some of these include: Playgroups, coffee mornings, transportation for the more vulnerable members of our society and access centers for teens.

Some rehabilitation schemes are run solely by the community, whereas others have outside help. If you are a member on your child’s school of governors, then that would be a perfect place to begin discussions about how to gain access to some of the money that the government have set aside to help your child, and the children of your community, have better utilities in your area.

It can’t cost an awful amount of money to get some people to clean up your child’s local park? Equally, new play equipment could be installed, separating the area for toddles and older kids. This is just the type of scheme that neighborhood rehabilitation grants were designed for.

If you already volunteer down at the local old folks home once a week and fancy taking them to the sea side, apply for a grant for a mini bus.

If you are keen to help your neighborhood spruce itself up and become a thriving and happy community, the rehabilitation scheme is just what you need. Pat Middleborn feels that getting out into your neighborhood is the first step of making your area into an actual community.

For more information speak with your local counselor about the neighborhood rehabilitation scheme or pop down to your local community center to see if there is anything you can get involved in.

Neighborhood rehabilitation is only going to begin when people from the neighborhood start to engage with their community.