Gez Watson
Bognor Regis, West Sussex

Trees Residents’ Association.

The Residents’ Association was set up in 1999 to enable the residents to tackle the high levels of crime and deprivation on The Trees estate. The task facing the organisation, to turn the estate around from being a virtual “no-go” area was massive, but one of the residents, Gez Watson, was up for the challenge and became the organisation’s voluntary Chairperson.

Gez’s first task was to get rid of the 49 burnt out and abandoned cars that blighted the estate. Although just the start of what was to come, this improved things almost overnight, and was an important first step in galvanising the support of the residents behind Gez.

Under her leadership, the association soon began to unite the residents, by giving them a voice, so they would be heard by the police, councils and others who wanted to make their lives better. An extremely successful Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, involving nearly all of the residents, was set up and there are regular police patrols by officers who are well known to the residents.

Twelve years on the estate is a much safer, cleaner, more neighbourly place, which people actually want to move to, rather than escape from. It also has one of the lowest crime rates in the district, there are more things for young people to do and the appearance of the estate has improved dramatically. Just some of the popular improvements which Gez has brought about include; providing an outdoor gym; establishing a community fruit and vegetable garden; creating a new children’s play area; and organising bulb and tree planting days.

In addition to her role with the Trees Residents Association, Gez is also a Parish Councillor, a School Governor, a support member for St John Ambulance, and a founder member of Bersted Brooks wetland nature reserve.

Left with an injured arm after rescuing someone from a fire on the estate some years ago, Gez is described by one of the residents as someone who “will always go that extra mile to achieve something for others, in spite of the health problems that would stop anyone else in their tracks. Without her, the Residents’ Association would not have survived, let alone achieved everything it has”.

Commenting on her Services to the Community Award, Gez said: “I’m thrilled that the judges thought I was worthy of this award. However, I couldn’t have done it without the support of the management committee and the support of the residents, so it’s an award to recognise what true community spirit can achieve. Together we’ve transformed the estate from a crime ridden no-go zone to a safe and pleasant place to live.”

Explaining the judges’ decision to present the award to Gez, Terry Ryall the Chief Executive of v, the national young volunteers’ service, said: “At v, we believe passionately in the ability of volunteers to take social action and improve their communities. Gez is a shining example of someone doing just this. She is a complete inspiration; someone who is making a real and lasting impact, of which she can be immensely proud.”