Three people from London were among the 27 Community Champions
from around the country that received awards in February in
recognition of their outstanding contribution to improving
the quality of life in their communities. Since its launch
in 1999, the Community Champions Fund has given around 3,500
people the opportunity to turn their good ideas into reality.
Residents in the West Ham & Plaistow New Deal for Communities
area now have a new GP surgery. Converted from a residential
building, the surgery offers longer appointment times, and
a range of services including a diabetes clinic, heart disease
prevention, family planning and mental health counselling.
Set up in 1997, Refugees into Jobs helps refugees and asylum
seekers living in Brent and Harrow into jobs by offering them
better access to training and employment opportunities. They
provide training, assistance with job search, voluntary work
experience placements and clinical attachments with local
hospitals for medical personnel. Over 700 people have found
a job as a result of the project.
The Government Office for London hosted the launch of a new
scheme to encourage people from ethnic minority groups to
become planners. The scheme gives trainees the opportunity
to study for a post-graduate degree in town and country planning,
and gain practical experience in local council planning departments
or the Planning Inspectorate
Work has begun on a new extension of the Docklands Light
Railway to London City Airport. The 4.4 km extension will
run from Canning Town to the airport and on to North Woolwich
via four new stations, and is expected to be completed late
in 2005. Bob Kiley, London's Transport Commissioner, set work
on the extension underway at a groundbreaking ceremony at
Pontoon Dock on 4 March.
Government Office for London marked Fairtrade Fortnight with
a foyer display and free samples of Fairtrade products such
as chocolate, muesli bars, coffee and tea, and a special promotion
of Fairtrade goods in its canteen. The Fairtrade Fortnight,
from 10 to 23 March, is the biggest annual opportunity to
raise the awareness of the Fairtrade Mark.
