News story

13 October 2009

Neasden nursery gets a lesson in the dangers of construction sites

The children of St Mary’s nursery in Neasden have today been given a hands-on lesson in the dangers of construction sites by industry mascot ‘Ivor Goodsite’.

Ivor Goodsite took the children – aged between three and five – to visit nearby ’Ebony Court’, to teach them and their parents how to stay safe around building work.

Organised by Catalyst Housing Group and Higgins Construction, the visit is part of national initiative: ‘The Considerate Constructors Scheme’. As members of the scheme, Catalyst and Higgins both work closely with neighbours to ensure building work causes minimal disruption and to involve the community in the development.

Phil Thompson, Head of Development for Catalyst Housing Group said: ‘Safety is the number one priority for Catalyst with any development we work on. We hope that the children of St Mary’s had a fun day with Ivor Goodsite and that the learnt about the risks of going near construction sites.’
 
Steve Rolfe , Higgins Site Manager commented: ‘The ‘Ivor Goodsite’ character is a clever but educational and fun mascot which gets the children involved with the aspect of Health & Safety even at this early age. With the Nursery being 40 feet away from the site gates it is essential that we involved them in the construction of Ebony Court on their doorstep.’

Higgins have also donated the extra-small hi visibility vest to the Nursery and these can be used for when the children are walking to and from school during the winter months.

Ebony Court is a new development of 27 homes for Fortunegate Community Housing, part of the Catalyst Housing Group. Ten of the new homes will be available to buy through the popular ‘New Build HomeBuy’ (shared ownership) scheme, with the rest allocated for affordable rent.

Media contact: Jennifer Riley, Media Relations Officer, on 020 8832 3142 or email: jennifer.riley@chg.org.uk