Josh's video transcript

Leeds. It’s one of the UK’s largest cities. One of the most diverse.

From April to July 2008 I was working in Area Management in a neighbourhood called Harehills. The project targeted six streets. Six of the most densely populated and deprived streets in Leeds.

And the problem we were dealing with was the bin yards. It doesn’t sound like a complicated issue. It doesn’t sound that serious. But this was the situation:

These streets are dominated by back-to-back terrace houses built in the mid 20th Century. Originally they had outdoor toilets, but as these moved inside it left empty yards at the side of the houses. These yards – with high, gated walls and empty spaces behind them – are now used for bins.

All of them had seen better days; most of them were a mess, and some were falling down.

The effects were obvious. Fly tipping was a constant problem. No-one took pride in their area. The yards were a public health problem and an eyesore. No-one wanted to spend time in them. Neighbourhood relationships had broken down, and there was widespread crime.

That’s why it was important to do something; it’s why the City Council and Groundwork Leeds had joined forces to find a solution. When I joined the project, much of the consultation had already been carried out. But someone needed to step in and manage it through. Which is exactly what I did.

I really wanted to understand the issues involved, so I talked to as many people as possible: the council, the housing associations, landlords, and local residents. Not everyone wanted to open up to us. But, along with others, I went door-to-door and leafleted to get people talking. And when they got talking – everyone had a different view.

We identified the key options:

• Firstly we could do nothing!
• Secondly we could sort out the existing gate and wall and make it useable.
• Thirdly we could lower the front wall and put up bright blue railings to make it less intimidating.
• And fourthly we could knock it though completely at both sides and develop the yards as new open spaces with planters and greenery.

Whatever we chose to do, there would be implications. There’s so much detail to consider. If a wall is taller than 1m and adjacent to the highway, we need planning permission. If it’s not, we don’t. If one of the properties is owned by the council, we don’t. If not, we do!

So we made a plan.

That involved a lot of work – from estimating costs and timings to getting partners on sight and on-board, overseeing the tender process, choosing the right contractors, deciding which options were right for which yards.

And after working all that out, it was time to start.

Initially, we only have funding for those 20 yards. But it’s the start of a rolling project. And in that small Harehills community we’ve made a noticeable impact on people’s yards and in people’s minds. I’ve played an integral role in giving the council a face. My face!

And that’s the point. Because no matter what project I’m working on – whether I’m talking to residents, contractors, or dealing with the necessary paperwork and sums – I’m changing the local community in a really tangible way.

I’m Josh. And I’m a management trainee on the NGDP. It’s real life. Real work.