Wirral Wardens is a scheme running in the HMRI areas of Wirral consisting of Neighbourhood Wardens and Environmental Wardens. The two teams have differing objectives but work in unison to improve the areas they work in.

Neighbourhood Wardens

Neighbourhood Wardens work closely with the community and other agencies resolving issues and problems raised by local residents. The team are very focused on Community Engagement and encourage the interaction and participation of the community at every opportunity. The team has set up several community groups in areas where community consultation has shown problems with the environment and Anti-Social Behaviour. Working with these groups the Neighbourhood Wardens run projects and initiatives to help improve the environment and raise community spirit including excursions for Community Groups to help raise community spirit and interaction between residents and foster social inclusion by inviting residents who have previously felt isolated. Health Walks are also organised and fun walks to encourage residents to participate in a social and healthy activity. Other activities the Wardens are involved in include football sessions, dance lessons, day trips and wrestling to provide safe and organised events during school holidays and other times of high ASB.

Wardens are constantly looking to improve their services and build upon their skills base, an example of this in the Wallasey area is in partnership with NHS and PCT wardens from Seacombe, Egremont and Liscard are currently undergoing a programme to become NHS Health Trainers. NHS Health trainers will develop a personal health plan with individuals and be a practical resource to help connect people into services at a local level and achieve their own personal goals. Health Trainers are not expected to have any specialist knowledge in any one area of health, illness disease or disability. Rather, they specialise in communicating effectively with people from their neighbourhood about opportunities to pursue healthy lifestyles. This will become another useful tool for the Warden Teams when engaging with the community and provide another useful service.

Environmental Wardens

Environmental Wardens keep areas clean and tidy through removal of fly tipping, boarding up void properties, litter picks, graffiti removal, maintaining green spaces and special environmental works. The team patrols areas of regeneration on a daily basis removing high numbers of fly tipping for example between October and December 2007 the team removed 26 tons of waste that included over 380 individual incidents of fly tipping in just the Rock Ferry and Tranmere areas alone. The Environmental Wardens also work with the community as much as possible and take part in community events, for example:

Environmental Catwalks - The team take part in the catwalks organised by the Wirral ASB team and other agencies, helping to highlight problems in different Neighbourhoods.

Junior Wardens Litter Pick - Along with BnBeag the team provides support to young people as they take part in litter picks as part of the junior warden's initiative.

Community Fun Days - The team have taken part in several community fun days helping to organise and take part on the day.