Echo Winter 2015

10 / 16

One of our recognised
community associations, The
Young Pensioners’ Club, meets
every week at the Monyash
community room in Cotmanhay,
Ilkeston, to socialise and
organise events. Through
activities such as trips to the
seaside and festive celebrations,
the group provides mutual
support for one another, and
highlights the fact that there is
no need for anyone to be
isolated or lonely.
The group organises all of its
own fundraising, and this
year has made a successful
bid to the Lottery Fund,
completed a sponsored walk,
and sold handmade crafts at
Ilkeston market to raise money.
This means activities can be
subsidised and opened up to
the wider community.
If you love the sound of
The Young Pensioners’
Club, why not follow in
their footsteps and start
a group in your local
area?
Contact Customer and
Community Investment Officer
Liz Dane by emailing
for more information.
A group of pensioners is proving that getting older
does not mean becoming lonelier.
NORTH
Erewash Voice leads the way
The Young Pensioners’ Club
Residents of Erewash are
making a difference in their
community by giving it a
voice and getting it heard.
Erewash Voice was formed in
2014 when a group of residents
came together to bring local
issues to our attention and
ensure they were dealt with.
They initially decided to focus
on grass cutting across the
borough, a neglected piece of
land on one of the estates,
and improving the condition of
our ready-to-let properties.
Do you want to make a
difference in your
community by giving it
a voice?
Find out how to set up or get
involved with a Local Voice in
your area by contacting the
Customer and Community
Investment team on 0300 123
Having previously reported
concerns with some of the
properties they inspected, the
group was pleased to see a
significant improvement in the
condition of homes during a
recent review.
Rob Nightingale, group
member and inspector, said:
“It feels like our efforts have
really achieved something.
The issues we raised were
not dismissed, but instead
emh homes actually listened
and did something about
them.”
This shows the real impact the
group has on our services and
its community.
LOCAL INVOLVEMENT
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