Councillor Sara Armstrong (East Cliff & Springbourne) writes: “Thank you Cllr Kieron Wilson (Independent, Muscliff & Strouden Park) for taking the time to meet with myself, staff and residents at Vale Lodge this afternoon.
“We caught up on progress made regarding the gates (still some work to do but getting there), heard about the partnership with Grounded Community and how residents are benefitting from nutritious meals made in the kitchen, the social activities planned by staff and residents to combat loneliness (can’t wait for the bingo!) and saw how the plants from Kings Park Nursery are settling in.
“These informal meetings with residents and staff are vital as a way of staying connected and engaging with residents where they are. From this engagement at community level, we’ve been able to get to the sources of anti-social behaviour and start tackling it together. Thank you Dorset Police, BCP Homes and St Mungo’s for your partnership and to residents for on going reporting. There are still things to solve but we are starting to see green shoots!
“Funding from HACT has enabled the purchase of some games and a radio – it was great to get a game of darts in!”