Rainham

Thompson Close - awarded £7,000

Thompson Close in Rainham, Kent, is made up of three different housing shelters providing housing for young families, sheltered accommodation for the elderly and adapted housing for disabled people. Under these delicate circumstances young people in the area with nowhere to play ball games were proving to be an irritation to those who lived there.

Meetings with residents and young people identified four issues, mainly the damage caused to vehicles and properties from ball games, the formation of two opposing groups of residents, the intimidation and anguish felt by ball games being played against disabled residents properties and a general lack of respect for the environment, residents and young people.

The Barclays SiteSavers helped Groundwork provide youth work, consultation sessions, community cohesion work and team building exercises as part of a process to develop a "kick-wall" play area on the space available with the aim of alleviating tension between young people and residents.

This project helped to build relationships and respect amongst residents, while also enhancing young people’s self-development and confidence. The kick-wall has provided young people with a safe place to play, removed from the road, residents’ properties and vehicles. Young people have stopped playing football in the roads resulting in less damage to property.