TNT goes with a bang!

Photo: DARREN ROBINSON

COMMUNITY spirit . . . pictured (front) is Sylvia Patterson with other members of The Neighbourhood Team

A MULTI award-winning team which has been instrumental in promoting community cohesion and giving residents a voice to express themselves has been recognised.

The Neighbourhood Team (TNT) in Hathershaw and Fitton Hill, set-up three years ago, has now earned a Pride in Oldham nomination for its community work.

The group is made up of 13 executive members and has more than 100 people supporting it.

Sylvia Patterson, who is part of the team, nominated the group for giving the people in the area an avenue to raise concerns and make a difference.

The 64-year-old said: “I always wanted a multi-cultural group to get together to help sort out people’s differences because residents in Hathershaw and Fitton Hill always saw each other as ‘them and us’. I wanted all of us to get on one level. We started with just six members, and now we have 13.

“We have a mixture of black minority ethnic people, disabled and young people.”

Since the group was established it has started the five neighbourhood agreements, including Clean and Green, Peace and Quiet, Home Sweet Home, Street Wise and Health. The agreements are a contract between the council, police, health service, housing and residents.

They contain information about how to keep the area litter-free, safe and where to look for health and housing information, with support from the appropriate agencies.

Mrs Patterson added: “The agreements were such a success that people from across the country wanted to know more about them and implement them.”

The group has been the winner of the NDC Achiever’s Awards for the third year running for its community work.

Mrs Patterson said: “There were times people wouldn’t say hello unless they knew you, but now you walk around and people have smiles on their faces.

“Crime is down and we have pushed for alley-gates so children can play safely at the back of their homes. Everyone who meets is aware of each other’s culture and we all have a good understanding.”

On receiving the nomination, the chairman of TNT, Abid Jaweed, said: “It’s fantastic! We don’t do the work to get recognition but because we want make the area a better place to live and work in.”

Anyone willing to join TNT should call Maxine Moar on 0161-785 9716.