By Dan Barron, Community Organiser
Sarah and I were preparing for a day of engaging with the community in Springwell. As we approach our first resident’s door, I was standing their waiting for the answer on my first day of training.
The resident opened the door and enthusiastically prompted us to come inside for a chat. This resident expressed her views on the estate and highlighted the history of her involvement in a previous project that saw £36 million transform Oak meadows flats into Springwell Gardens in 1994-1999 through the Single regeneration Budget 2. The next thing we know 3 hours have passed and we were hooked on the resident’s passion for her community.
During the following weeks an informal group was formed with other residents regarding local community issues and now within 1 month of first meeting this resident, a constituted group called the Springwell TARA has formed. The group has already engaged with over 30 Springwell residents to complete Public Spaces Protection Orders consultations and have made plans to engage with the local ward councillors, RMBC, the Guinness housing association and other local authorities.
They are already building relationships within the community and they have the POWER to create positive change with the 20th anniversary of Springwell Gardens arriving August there could be more than one reason to celebrate this summer.