After the huge success of Radford & Lenton Weeks of Action in April, the Respect campaign moves back to where the Weeks of Action began, back in August 2006, for a special week of activity.

Respect for Bulwell pioneered the Week of Action programme that followed; bringing together services and agencies to work in an entirely new partnership way for the benefit of the local community.

The Week of Action programme continues to go from strength to strength and many of the improvements made during these weeks continue to be felt by the communities. Some of the milestones include:

• Nearly 18,000 homes in the City have been property Smartwatered
• Two parades have taken place in St Ann’s, with over 900 children taking part in both
• Over 700 tonnes of rubbish and over 7000 square metres of graffiti have been removed
• Around 600 arrests made
• A brand new Multi Use Games Area installed in St Ann’s
• A recyling-themed murial painted onto the side of a recycling centre in Basford, which received praise for highlighting the green issue.

And Respect for Bulwell 2008 will continue to innovate, led by the Neighbourhood Management Team the entire programme will be devoted to activities for children and young people, after youngsters in Bulwell asked for the Week of Action to be focussed around them.

The Education Improvement Partnership (EIP) Student Council along with the Youth Forum and Play Forum came together and thought up a plan of action, from designing the leaflet promoting the week to organisation; young people have played an active part in shaping the week. Activities include a day focussing on the environment, bulb planting, sports activities, and a Carnival Parade and Teddy Bear’s Picnic in Bulwell Marketplace which will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of the first Paddington Bear book.

The ongoing success of the Weeks of Action programme is testament to the collaboration between partners and the local community in fulfilling the pledge to make ‘neighbourhoods cleaner, greener, safer and healthier for everyone.’

Katrina Curnow, Neighbourhood Manager for Bulwell, said:

"Respect for Bulwell was a great success and proved to be the springboard for a number of initiatives that have followed since. Following on from our experiences in 2006 and from what our local residents have told us, this week of action will be for our local young people.

"Young people have been at the centre of the consultation and planning processes and we hope that the range of activities planned will give many of the young people who live in Bulwell the opportunity to get involved."

Bulwell Week of Action events:

Monday 2nd   Killing Speed Poster Competition

Children from six schools are taking part in a competition to design a poster around the theme of reducing vehicle speed near and around schools. The overall winning design will be turned into a piece of street furniture and displayed in a prominent place at schools across Bulwell. (Bonington Infant & Junior, Bulwell St Mary’s, Cantrell Primary, Rufford Junior & Snape Wood Schools, all week).

Tuesday 3rd   Environment Day

A series of events taking place across Bulwell to address cleanliness and environmental issues, with additional focus around the Bogs area, with a NEAT team assisting young people who will be coordinating a litter pick. Children from Rufford School will also be learning gardening skills as they tend the school’s allotment. (All Day, Bulwell Bogs, Blenheim Allotment).

Wednesday 4th Positive Contribution Day

Young People from Bulwell EIP will be taking part in an event to develop the allotments on Crabtree Farm. There will also be an event through the PEDAL, a YIP scheme, which helps young people achieve by developing skills around bicycle maintenance (All day, Bulwell EIP, Crabtree Farm allotments).

Thursday 5th  Carnival Parade/Paddington Bears Picnic

Children from schools across Bulwell will be coming together for a Carnival parade and Picnic in Bulwell Marketplace to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Paddington Bear. Children from Cantrell Primary, Bonington Infants and Junior, Snapewood, Rufford Infants and Junior, Springfield and St Mary’s will converge on the Marketplace for a series of activities themed around Paddington Bear. Marmalade Sandwiches will be on offer, along with games which the children themselves have designed and made (Parade start from 1430, to arrive Bulwell Marketplace 1515).

The event will also be raising money for Paddington Bear’s nominated charity ‘Touching Tiny Lives’, which helps sick and vulnerable babies.

Friday 6th  Sports Activity/Party

A day of various sports activities across Bulwell, including a 5-a-side Football Tournament on Hempshill Vale Park (1600, Hempshill Vale Park), to an education event at Ken Martin Leisure Centre, which will also entitle visitors to free access to the Swimming pool and gym facilities (1500-1700, Ken Martin Leisure Centre).

Finally to round off the week, a fancy dress disco for years 7, 8 & 9 will take place at Club One (1830-2100, Club One, Bulwell Youth Centre, Coventry Road).