One of the main issues we have faced has been the loss of local facilities including local shops, meeting facilities and even the local public house has closed down. This may sound all like doom and gloom but the group has stuck together and we have campaigned long and hard to bring new life and prosperity to the estate.

We began to turn things around in about 2006 when we helped secure the new Community Centre facility for the estate which replaced the old one which had been condemned! From this victory for the estate we are now encouraging local businesses to come back onto the estate and provide some of the much needed services for those living here.

The new Community Centre we helped establish is now up and running with such initiatives as Sure Start for toddlers (up to the age of 5), a mothers and toddlers group and a Young Women’s Group (who meet on Monday evenings). Such usage of the new facilities is helping revitalise and energise the estate and many here are now noticing the improvements and a re-emerging sense of community.

The sense of change on the estate may best be reflected in the steady increase in numbers attending our regular meetings – with people coming forward to take part and have their say now they can see for themselves the impact and difference being made on the estate. We would encourage everyone and anyone who lives on the estate to come along and join in at our next public meeting, were you will be able to voice your opinions and concerns to those who provide our local services and support. If you don’t voice it – it isn’t going to change or get better! Solidarity and numbers help ensure those that should listen to our concerns, hopes and needs do just that.