A Salford residents' group's dedication to improving their neighbourhood was rewarded first prize in a new competition to find England's top community space project. A Picture of Change was open to local groups in England who have been working voluntarily to make their neighbourhoods cleaner, safer, or greener.
Entrants were required to illustrate in words and pictures what has changed in their local park, street, or housing estate, and the impact the change has made on the people that live there. Entries included action against anti-social behaviour, the creation of community green space and allotments, and neighbourhood tidy-up operations. The standard of the projects entered was high; all entries will be showcased on the website www.cleanersafergreener.gov.uk
In a highly competitive field of over 400 entries, the Albion Residents' Group also impressed the judges with an ongoing project to tidy up their estate. The Group are based on a housing estate known locally as the dog track, which was listed for possible clearance. The whole community were involved in clean-ups and physical improvements. Starting off with small activities, such as putting up hanging baskets, the Group soon moved onto bigger planting projects, involving local children in the painting of pot plants, and the planting of seeds and trees. The Group are now working to develop a plot of space into a community garden where all members of the community can meet and enjoy their local area.
The winning project received £6,000 to enhance their work, which includes a plan to tackle graffiti with a large scale mural project.
