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In 1980 the council in Walsall set up a system of Neighbourhood Offices on council estates so residents had a local point of call for advice, help and support. This film looks at the benefits of the neighbourhood system in the Leamore and Caldmore areas of Walsall.
The programme opens with a series of b/w stills showing urban poverty (see end credits).
We see a tracking shot from a car driving through an estate in Walsall as the voice over provides the background to the story.
We see the exterior and interior of the Neighbourhood Office at Leamore. Inside each member of staff is introduced with a caption, we learn about their roles and see them working with residents. They are:
Gordon Smith (Neighbourhood Officer); Jayne Collins and Julie Watkiss (Assistant Neighbourhood Officers); Julie Wilkins and Nicola Winsper (Neighbourhood Assistants); John Walker (Caldmore Community Care); Ivy Barrett (Social Services); and Eric Townsend (Mobile Technician).
A section of shots of industrial dereliction is used to discuss local unemployment.
Next, Eric Townsend is seen on a home visit fixing a resident's toilet and Ivy Barrett is shown visiting an elderly couple in their home. We also see Julie Watkiss arriving home from work. Two members of the team are seen visiting the Conway House high-rise block and then Gordon Smith and a colleague visit an elderly Asian couple where a Mrs Khan is housebound.
Smith is next seen chairing a community meeting and finally to show hope on the estates events at the Caldmore Green Fete are shown.
The Producers would like to thank the people of Leamore and Caldmore Neighbourhoods.
Photographs from "Survival Programmes" by Exit Photography Group.
Camera - Ian Hollands
Sound - John Marshall, Robin Ward
Production Assistant - Val Nieberle
Research - Liz Hetherington
Film Editor - Francis Robertson
Producer - David Naden
Executive Producer - Brian Lewis
Director - Richard Key
Production number 6733/85.
Press release bills this as part of a series called Central Week but title is not carried on screen.