Young people benefit from new resident-led service at JRHT
29 September 2026
What started with residents volunteering to open and close a gate has created an opportunity to invest in the next generation and develop activities shaped around the needs of the community.
Younger residents could soon benefit from more community facilities such as a new six week boxing programme, thanks to a resident-led initiative at Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust that is keeping investment within the local community.
The idea for the boxing programme has grown out of the success of Derwenthorpe’s Park Lock-Up Service, which saw residents take over responsibility for opening and securing the local play park – a service previously delivered by an external security contractor.
What began as a practical solution to support the locking and unlocking of local parks has grown into something much more significant, creating a safer and better managed environment for local residents while generating opportunities for wider community benefit.
The success of the service has led to the establishment of a Community Interest Company, enabling income generated through the initiative to be reinvested directly back into the local community. This has opened the door to new opportunities that will benefit residents of all ages with one of the exciting initiatives being explored being the introduction of a community boxing programme, providing a positive space for young people to build confidence, develop new skills, improve their physical wellbeing and participate in meaningful activities close to home.
This journey demonstrates how a resident-led idea has evolved into a sustainable community venture, creating lasting social value and delivering benefits that extend far beyond the original purpose of the service.
Previously, the play park was opened and secured through an external security contractor. Through conversations with JRHT, residents shared a desire to become more actively involved in supporting this valued community space. A number of residents began volunteering their time to help with the opening and closing of the park, demonstrating the strong sense of community that exists within Derwenthorpe.
One resident posed a simple but powerful question: could residents take responsibility for opening and closing the park themselves, and could the money previously spent on an external contractor be reinvested back into the community? Reflecting on this, a resident said: "Volunteering, as residents, to lock the play park seemed to be the right thing to do - giving us more accountability - and also enabling funds to be released for the community." This sparked a wider conversation about community ownership, resident leadership and how local people could play a greater role in shaping services within Derwenthorpe.
Over the following two years, residents worked closely with JRHT to explore how this community effort could be formalised into a sustainable long-term arrangement. Together, they developed governance arrangements, operating procedures, safeguarding requirements and contractual agreements that would allow residents to safely and effectively deliver the service through a Community Interest Company (CIC).
What began as a small group of resident volunteers quickly evolved into a much larger community-led project. Residents developed a clear proposal and, with support from JRHT, established a formal community structure to deliver the service.
To support the initiative, volunteers undertook a range of activities, including safeguarding training, role-specific responsibilities, health and safety arrangements, reporting procedures and agreed escalation routes. Clear processes were established to ensure that any maintenance, safety, security, anti-social behaviour or cleanliness issues identified during lock-up duties could be reported and acted upon. The service is responsible for locking and unlocking the park daily and reporting any issues identified, helping to keep the space safe and welcoming for the whole community.
The result has been far more than simply opening and closing a gate.
The project has enabled residents to take greater ownership of their community, strengthen local relationships and create a service that is delivered by people who live within the neighbourhood themselves. It has also allowed funding that was previously spent on an external contractor to be retained within the community creating additional Social Value and helping to strengthen community resilience.
The Park Lock-Up Service has become an excellent example of co-production in action. Residents identified an opportunity, worked collaboratively with JRHT to develop a solution and successfully created a resident-led service that continues to support the wider community.
Chris Simpson, JRHT Managing Director, said: “For those who have visited Derwenthorpe you will know it is an amazing place, what we also know is that resident involvement and influence is also growing and flourishing. This initiative is a great example where JRHT have responded to resident aspirations to take on more in their own community. We think this is a great way to empower local people and develop local services.”
Most importantly, the project demonstrates what can be achieved when residents are empowered to take the lead in shaping their community. The Park Lock-Up Service is a lasting example of resident leadership, community ownership and successful partnership working between residents and JRHT, creating meaningful benefits for the wider community and ensuring local investment continues to support local people.