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Street Champions act as the link between residents on their street and the wider Sherwood Dales Neighbourhood Watch and Community Group. The role helps ensure information flows smoothly from the street into the wider community, while allowing each street to retain its own identity and autonomy.
Each street will usually have one or two Street Champions, depending on the number of households.
This is a light-touch, community-focused role, not an enforcement or surveillance role.
What’s Involved
1. Sharing Information
Street Champions may:
- Share messages originating within their street with the wider community where:
- The issue may have wider relevance.
- The wider community may be able to help (for example, locating missing pets or parcels, or sharing useful local information).
- Highlight patterns or recurring concerns, rather than one-off disputes or rumours.
2. Encouraging Participation and Sign-ups
Street Champions help by:
- Encouraging neighbours—particularly new residents—to sign up to the community.
- Helping residents become aware of relevant schemes, initiatives, or events.
- Acting as a recognisable and friendly point of contact for their street.
3. Supporting Positive Community Conduct
Street Champions help promote a positive and respectful atmosphere on their street in line with the community’s Terms and Conditions, particularly the Community Conduct Standards.
Where conduct falls short, Street Champions may:
- Intervene informally if they feel comfortable doing so.
- Report concerns to members of the committee so they can be handled appropriately.
Street Champions are not expected to manage difficult situations alone, nor to investigate incidents.
Time Commitment
This role is highly flexible and low-pressure, and typically involves:
- Less than 15 minutes of effort per week.
- Occasional messages.
- Informal conversations with neighbours.
- Slightly increased activity when relevant issues arise.
Street Champions can step back or pause the role at any time. They are not expected to respond immediately to messages and are not on call. There is no expectation to monitor channels 24/7 or to catch everything. The community chairs and committee also keep an eye on activity, so Street Champions only need to engage when it suits them.
Skills and Experience
Street Champions typically have:
- Good communication skills.
- The ability to keep up with small amounts of messages on WhatsApp and Facebook.
- Basic WhatsApp and Facebook skills, although guidance and support will be provided where needed.
No formal experience is required—local knowledge and approachability matter more.
Support and Access Provided
Street Champions will be given:
- Access to a dedicated Street Champions channel to:
- Share information.
- Exchange hints and tips.
- Ask questions and raise concerns.
- Appropriate admin or moderation access on WhatsApp and/or Facebook where needed, to help promote messages and support the smooth running of street groups.
Access levels will be proportionate and supported by the committee.
What the Role Is Not
Street Champions:
- Are not law enforcement or security.
- Do not investigate incidents or collect evidence.
- Do not act as safeguarding leads.
- Are not expected to be available at all times.
- Do not take responsibility for emergencies (these should always be directed to appropriate services).
Help and Support
Please see the Street Champions How to Guide for tips relating to this role.