A Day in the Life of a Selsey Community Warden

 

Not a day goes by without being asked ‘So, what does a Community Warden do?’  This job is so varied; it can take a while to explain the whole range of issues we get involved in, so read on to find out more about a day in the life of your Community Warden….

 

 

8.00 I start the day on patrol outside Medmerry School and Manhood  College, to keep an eye on the students and watch out for bullying or  any anti-social behaviour.

 

8.25 Next, I meet up with Pam Bushby, Anti-social behaviour Co-ordinator for Sussex Police and her associate, Tony Rayner to visit and talk with Year 10, Manhood students.  The purpose of our talk is to explain about the dangers of getting drunk, how it changes your behaviour and what action a police officer or PCSO would take if they found someone involved in underage drinking.  We hope that by educating them about the effects of drinking and getting into trouble, it will make them think twice about underage alcohol abuse.

 

8.55 After saying my ‘goodbyes’ I pop back to the office to check my emails  and phone messages

10.15  It’s time to visit Seaview Court, a sheltered retirement complex, for a  coffee and a chance to introduce myself and meet with the residents and  get to know their concerns.  Getting to know people is an important part of  of my job, because if residents feel they can talk to me, then they are  more likely to call me if they have a problem.

 

11.00  I walk back to the office, all the while checking for litter and graffiti,  During  the summer months, with the lighter evenings and the increase in  visitors to the area, I have to ensure that littering is kept to a minimum to  keep Selsey looking clean and tidy.  Our flower beds in the High Street are  blooming –  a great project for the Magpies.

 

11.30  It’s time to catch up on paperwork and update the wardens’ incident  database.  The database helps us to keep a record of all the calls we have  received and the incidents we have reported.  Each month we report to  the Parish Council and provide details of what’s happening in Selsey  based on this information.

 

12.30 I lock up the office and set off to deliver ‘thank you’ letters to the many  businesses who supported the Family Fun Day and barbecue at Manor  Green Park to raise money for local charities including the Lion’s Club and  Doorstep Green, a voluntary organisation who plant trees and created  the Sensory  Garden at Manor Green Park.  I contributed at the event by  sitting in the  stocks and allowing people to pay to throw wet sponges at  me - it was a  very enjoyable day!

 

2.00 After lunch, I headed off to land on the edge of Oval Park, to dismantle a den built out of scrap in a tree.  Although children love to build dens they are dangerous and can become  a fire risk, so removing them prevents oungsters harming themselves.

 

3.00 It’s time for my final patrol until my shift ends at 4.00pm.  I bump into one of the Magpies who tell me how much they enjoyed the.carnival procession.  Everyone really worked hard to create our High School Musical float and we were delighted to win first in class for our efforts.  Well done to the Magpies!

 

4.00 Time to go home.  Yesterday, I was on a late shift so I’m looking forward to a cup of tea and putting my feet up, after another satisfying day at work.

 

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