Calico Homes' new training scheme to help local residents become more active and involved in their community has won national recognition as a great example for other areas to follow.

The twelve-week Calico Academy course is delivered in weekly two-and-a-half hour sessions. The aim is to teach residents about the wide range of services and projects delivered by Calico, and encourage further involvement in their neighbourhoods.

Following a successful pilot at the end of 2009, the Academy has now been given the official seal of approval by the Homes and Communities Agency, after a panel of independent experts included the programme in their “Place-Making Recognition Scheme”, a directory of best practice.

The endorsement recognises the difference the Academy is making to people’s lives, as well as the hard work that customers and staff have put into making it a success.

This month, nine more Burnley residents were celebrating following their graduation ceremony, which took place at Turf Moor, home of Burnley Football Club.

The highlights of the event were the emotional speeches from some of the Academy’s recent success stories, who discussed how the knowledge and the confidence they have gained has helped them overcome major obstacles in their everyday lives.

Nathan White, an Academy graduate whose experience with the programme has helped him to secure a full-time position in Calico’s Neighbourhood Services department, said:

“Whilst on the Academy, I got the chance to work with customers and gain a vast amount of knowledge of how the company works.  I will now be able to use everything I have learnt in my everyday work.”

Fellow graduate Damien Bennett said:

“If I had a choice, I would make everyone in Burnley take part in the Academy.  No-one realises just how much Calico does for the community, and how much the local people could do in return.”

Mike Birkett, chief executive of Calico, added:

“What we have seen today is a celebration of people who have shown commitment, dedication and the will to make a real difference to the town and to their own lives.”

The service was also attended by graduates of the Academy pilot, who have since gone on to become more involved in how Calico serves their communities.

The graduates, wearing traditional mortarboards, were formally presented with their certificates by Stuart Smith, head of Thomas Whitham Sixth Form, with whom Calico are set to become a business partner through the business in the community project “Business Class”.

To register for a place on the next Calico Academy course, which starts in September, please contact Cat Greenwood on 0800 169 2407.