Middlesbrough

St Aidan's Community Courtyard - awarded £9,500

The St Aidan’s community courtyard is located in the heart of a residential area, close to the centre of Middlesbrough. The courtyard to the rear of a community hall is attached to the church and was underused due to its unappealing state resulting in incidences of anti-social behaviour.

The hall is essential for a number of community groups including the youth group, mother and toddlers, mental health groups and the alcohol and drug abuse support group. Representatives from the various groups discussed their vision for the area with Groundwork with the aim to make the courtyard accessible and valuable to all users.

The finished site provides a safe kick about area for the older children, complete with basketball/netball hoops, a sandpit surrounded by safety surfacing for toddlers, raised flowerbeds which the members from the mental health group were able to paint and a large paved area for socialising, barbeques and events.

The project has made a significant impact providing the community with a free of charge facility and meeting space. It offers a safe place to play or relax in contrast to the green spaces dotted throughout the local streets. As a result, more members have been encouraged to join activities at the community centre.