I have lived and worked within University Ward of Middlesbrough for well over 40 years and have in depth personal knowledge and experience of the issues affecting the residents. I am also proud of the fact that I am one of the very first intake of students to attend Breckon Hill Primary School (of which I am now also a Governor) when it was first built on Breckon Hill Road. In fact, my children have now followed my footsteps and this has become a bit of a family tradition of being educated, working and living all within University Ward!
I then went on to undertake social work training at Teesside Polytechnic, which is now known as University of Teesside. My first posting was to setup social work and community development provision within the ward based at Granville Road. I have worked for a number of local agencies and organisations both voluntary and statutory including:-
- Cleveland County Social Services
- Neighbourhood Community Development Work (based within Westbourne/University ward since 1983)
- Middlesbrough Victim Support
- Cleveland Housing Aid Trust (Shelter Charity)
- Cleveland Family Mediation Service
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Longlands College
I have specialised and have extensive experience and knowledge of working with all sections of society, building and creating unique network and linkages with different communities from all faiths and nationalities. I have worked on many voluntary projects within Middlesbrough and have championed the causes of many disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised or hard to reach groups such as the youth, women, disabled and elderly, working with and supporting victims of crime and inequality. Since 1995 I have been involved in a variety of roles participating in many of the council’s committees and forums representing the interests of diverse range of community groups within the voluntary sector. In 1998 my work at the grassroots level within the local communities of Middlesbrough through establishing a Community Link Project commissioned by the council received national recognition, and helped Middlesbrough win a major national award, which was further taken forward to the European level.
There is burning desire within me to help others, less able, to fight poverty, injustice, and to improve the quality of life and provision of services and amenities for everyone, regardless of who they are, or whichever part of Middlesbrough they live in. I will endeavour to do everything within my power, in persuading and seeking the assistance and support of everyone to restore confidence, dignity, pride, and the restoration of community spirit of unity and feeling of belonging to somewhere, which is considered to be very unique and precious. I am well aware that this will not be an easy task, but I am confident in my determination and resolve in bringing my dream into reality together with your support.
I empathise and share the anguish of those residents that feel we need local people with direct personal daily life experiences and understanding of the community’s need and issues to effectively and selflessly representing this ward, if we are to ever make any progress. I am not alone in coming to this conclusion, for everyone I have met with and spoken to within the ward has expressed a similar concern. As a local ward councillor living within University Ward, I am accessible and available to all residents, so please contact me if you think I may be able to help. I have represented a large number of constituents on many different issues and dealt with a huge variety of casework. I have been able to build and support the networking of community groups across the ward.
I am in partnership with local residents and community groups campaigning to draw attention to and highlight the very important and specific problems and issues affecting University Ward (such as flooding, street parking, match day traffic congestion and disruption, prostitution, drugs, crime, anti-social behaviour, dog fouling, vandalism, litter, potholes, face-lifting and environmental improvements etc.), for more in depth details please see “About University Ward”.
My priorities are to continue to serve my constituents in an effective way, working relentlessly and efficiently with my ward colleague, and to speak up on issues of importance to local people both inside the council and outside. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone, especially the staff and officers within Middlesbrough Council for helping me to fulfil my role as a councillor, and also to thank all the residents of University Ward who got in touch by telephone, post, email and are joining & participating in the various discussions and debates through the internet, ward surgeries, residents meetings and patrols, and keeping me informed and updated with all the latest news, views and key issues concerning them and the ward.
Habib Rehman
University Ward
