A WESTBURY community group has thanked a Sovereign Housing officer who instigated their formation, as he leaves his role for pastures new.
Tina, Sam and Brian from POPCAN (Penleigh Oldfield Park Community Action Network) said, “Please could we through the White Horse News take this opportunity to say a very big community thank you to Scott Jacobs-Lange from Sovereign who instigated the forming of our local community group POPCAN and who was instrumental in helping Westbury Community Project in getting funding to help open the former youth centre on Eden Vale Road.
“Scott has been Sovereign’s community engagement officer in Westbury for the past three years. In that time, he has put together a group of residents who have developed a good working relationship with Westbury Town Council, Wiltshire Council and other service providers, in improving the local area for the residents of Westbury.
“He has brought an array of knowledge and experience of all things community to the town of Westbury, making good links with other organisations in the town, including the police and support from the White Horse News who, by running our reports, continues to get the name POPCAN out there.
“Through being involved with POPCAN we have learned so much from Scott. “We have organised Pop-up Fun days at Penleigh recreational park, got funding for a new resurfaced path through the park. He supported Westbury Junior School in receiving a set of class iPads and enabling the school to support underachievement, helped Team10 to find their voices and who even went to a Westbury Area Board meeting to raise their concerns about their local park. Incidentally, Team10 went on to be nominated and were finalists for a national award for inspirational young tenant of the year at the annual TPAS awards.
“But unfortunately all good things come to an end. Scott is moving on to pastures new to continue his line of work in another area of the country.
“He is however leaving us with the foundations of an excellent local group who are always looking forward to the next project. Unfortunately Covid-19 has put a halt on many, many opportunities this year, but we vow to continue with our group, to carry on learning and sharing with the town of Westbury.
“We would like to wish Scott every success in his new job, and to say we are very grateful for all his time, effort and commitment he has put into us over the past three years.
“He will be sadly missed here in Westbury.”
