John Warnock appointed as the new post of community development officer

30/04/2010

John Warnock

A former policeman who spent decades pounding the beat has swapped crime fighting for community work in the East Midlands.
 
John Warnock has been appointed to the new post of community development officer at East Midlands Housing Group (EMHG), which has its headquarters in Coalville, Leicestershire.

The 53-year-old father-of-two will develop and oversee varied community projects across the group.  John will work with all members of EMHG - East Midlands Housing Association (HA), Midlands Rural HA, both based in Coalville, Leicester-based Foundation HA and Three Oaks Homes in Blaby.


John, of Melbourne in south Derbyshire, served for more than 34 years as a constable with Derbyshire Police, after three years as a cadet.

He was based mainly in Derby city and south Derbyshire before becoming more involved in the force’s community development, youth involvement and crime prevention initiatives.


His new role includes a bid for up to £5,000 of government funding for a “Silver Surfers” initiative.  This involves young people teaching computer and technology skills to elderly residents in sheltered housing schemes.

Another project in the pipeline is extending the use of a mobile consultation unit onto more housing estates to get feedback from tenants about services and future plans.

John said: “I am enjoying settling into my new role. It is a very different atmosphere working here, compared to the police – it is much less regimented and more informal, which is a refreshing change.

“Latterly with the police, I was very much involved with liaising with local councillors, community groups, schools, Neighbourhood Watch coordinators and housing associations. That experience will stand me in good stead for my work at EMHG.”