“Pride in our Road” project improves neighbourhoods in Waveney
Posted on Tue 27 September 2011
Case Study: The Yard – Pride in our Road, awarded £89,230
The Yard works with local NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) young people in Waveney to develop a sustainable, locally managed project to improve and enhance the environment in three Fair Share Trust wards, those of St Margaret’s, Normanston, and Harbour. It operates from an old builder’s yard which itself was rebuilt by the young people. All of the Pride in our Road activities have been resourced and supported from the Yard with the help of staff, young trainees and many volunteers from the local community. By engaging with the local community in a face-to-face way, the community was encouraged to become involved in the project.
The Yard has been particularly successful at encouraging local people to participate in the project by building a good reputation and speaking directly to residents, often with representatives visiting at their homes. They targeted 270 properties of which 63 per cent decided to take part. The personal and community focused approach used by The Yard has proved very effective and hopefully will enable other organisations to work successfully in the area in the future.
The work involved improving and renovating the fronts of houses through various tasks such as clearing gardens, painting, repairing walls, laying paving and planting flowers and shrubs. The first phase was in Norwich Road and involved brightening up a large section of the road. People took the time to come out of their homes, got involved and started talking to each other. They have taken pride and ownership in the project and have successfully repeated the project over the last two years on their own.
As an endorsement of their success the group went on to win the Lowestoft in Bloom 2009 contest. This group is now self sustaining as they grow their own plants and sell spares to pay for seeds the following year. The Norwich Road group is all volunteer-based and is able to deliver the project without The Yard’s help or resources.
In Normanston ward, a group of young people from the Yard volunteered to help local residents look after their shared front gardens. The intergenerational activity was very well received by residents and young people alike. In addition, an area called The Pit was been fenced off for local children to play.
Another phase was in the St Margaret’s area, where the residents chose to get involved in growing fruit and vegetables. All the residents contacted gave 100 per cent positive feedback. The areas look cleaner and brighter and people are much happier with their environment. One resident said that project has changed her life, she is much happier now, ‘I feel better about living here!’
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