15/10/2009 : Residents take on training opportunities

As part of its resident involvement strategy, BHP's Neighbourhood Services Team is providing a programme of training courses for residents in a variety of areas. These courses include IT training, fundraising, managing conflict, chairing and meeting skills and producing newsletters.

All sessions are free and provide grounding in key areas which will be useful to residents in everyday life as well as being a useful background for those who are involved in resident associations and community work. At the end of the course residents receive certificates and can claim back expenses.

Residents on the 10 week IT course gave very positive feedback about what they had learnt so far.

Jenny Halpert, Treasurer of the Alexandra Court Residents Association, said:
"The training course is wonderful. I look forward to coming every week and have learnt so much. I am able to use my knowledge in the work I do with the Residents' Association, and have recently typed up a story on the laptop, which I will present at the next residents' meeting."

Evelyn Donaldson, a resident from North Kilburn said:
"I really enjoy the training and have been increasing my knowledge of using computers. I have a laptop and can make use of all the facilities now."

Christina Byrne, Neighbourhood Services Manager, said: "Resident involvement is at the heart of everything we do at BHP. We are keen to equip our residents with the necessary skills they need in order for them to access opportunities and excel in various areas of their lives. There has been a brilliant response to the training courses and it is good to see that residents are taking advantage of these opportunities and benefitting from them."