Shawn Frazer joined Barking and Dagenham Council in May 2007 as Neighbourhood Manager for Gascoigne ward.
Shawn has over 20 years experience in neighbourhood renewal and Community empowerment and development. He previously managed and delivered projects for the public, private and community sectors. Specialising in neighbourhood renewal and regeneration, he has recently acted as a consultant and evaluator on a number of high profile neighbourhood management schemes in Waltham Forest, Haringey, and Tower Hamlets.
Shawn's first priority for Gascoigne ward is to increase the level of resident participation and to get residents involved in what's going on in their ward. He will inform them about how residents can lead on Neighbourhood Management and how the scheme will respond to peoples' needs.
Shawn said:
"The launch of Neighbourhood Management will raise awareness about the new exciting programme and inform residents on how they can get involved."
Once the message is out there, Shawn plans to get local community and voluntary organisations working more effectively with the Neighbourhood Management team to ensure residents' concerns can be responded to and tackled as quickly as possible.
He will also use existing services on the estate to capitalise on and set up a virtual team to link into all service providers including the Met Police, Primary Care Trust, council especially crime and grime, community safety and the environmental services to make the area more liveable.
Shawn walks around the estate every morning to meet residents to introduce himself, the scheme, and to take in what's happening on the estate.
Shawn said:
"Neighbourhood Management isn't a quick fix and will take time. I have the experience, interpersonal skills, and professional skills to take this all on board for the people of Gascoigne ward."
Shawn's main current issue he faces is changing the residents' perception about the local area. Gascoigne has a large population and he wants people to enjoy living there and not think they live there because they have to. Gascoigne has lots of resources including a children's centre, a community centre, a health centre, primary school, numerous play areas and its own local shops.
Shawn says the one thing that is lacking is the feeling of community spirit.
"The building blocks already exist for a nice place to live but we need to refine them. We need to improve the appearance of the public spaces to make them safer, cleaner and greener so residents can be proud of their surroundings."
Shawn is very excited about working in Barking and Dagenham and says
"This is a wonderful exciting opportunity, to be at the cutting edge of the implementation of neighbourhood management in the borough. We have a real chance to make a difference to people's lives by being able to join up existing services and shape them to the need of our communities. I'm proud to be associated with a forward thinking council."
Shawn Frazer
Neighbourhood Manager
129a St Mary's Parade
Barking
IG11 7TF
Tel: 020 8724 1096
Mobile: 07772 229 112
Fax: 020 8724 2098
Email: shawn.frazer@lbbd.gov.uk|
