Some examples of community action in Croydon

In 2014 a team of students from the Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College sought to clear the huge and regular amount of fly-tipping that blighted a green space in Manor Farm Road close to the school.

They argued that the constant fly tipping was a source of distress to local residents and pupils. Through identifying the correct council department and gaining the support of their local councilor the team managed to get a clear out of the rubbish which through the Council’s Parks Department was extended to a full deep clean.

Valley Park Healthy Living Space

In addition the project offers the opportunity for residents to:

· Learn about the health and economic benefits of growing and cooking with fresh produce.

· Directly participate in the project by growing their own food in the Edible Garden and in their own gardens if available.

· Gain opportunities to learn about the environmental benefits of cultivating and consuming.

Residents have also been talking with the GP surgery as to how patients who want to live a healthier lifestyle, eat more healthily and do more physical activity, including those with long term health conditions, can be referred. This will help many patients are experiencing mental health problems, including stress, depression and anxiety, low self – esteem and confidence and bereavement.

To extend the healthy living concept further, stakeholders led by residents and including those previously mentioned plus all three Housing Associations with properties on the estate are seeking to extend the site for healthy living to include the unused play space opposite across the road from the edible garden.

To date young people on the estate have discussed ideas of using the space as an exercise hub with static equipment and space for outdoor exercise classes. Stakeholders led by local residents aim to make funding applications for equipment and tutor hours that will be accessible to and maintained by all in the area.

The New Year will see the coming together of stakeholders as a Community of Practice to create the opportunity for commissioners and services to how they can identify real action to support the development of this community driven initiative.

During June and July 2015 Thornton Heath shared two examples of the enduring qualities of ABCD with the welcome return of the annual Parade of Nations and the Thornton Heath Arts Week.

Long time connector Jonathan Bobamara led the Parade of Nations activity which brought together citizens to create a day of celebration and conversation that has had a far reaching impact into the daily life of Thornton Heath. Not least influencing the council to follow the communities lead and pay more attention to the Parades venue, Trumble Gardens, a previously unloved green space now fast becoming a well known gem.

Thornton Heath Arts week was developed by a number of connectors who wished to highlight the vast array of artistic talent in the area and promote their work creating employment opportunities along the way.

Last year’s event was so successful that many activities continued throughout the year. These included the Heath Collective made up of local artists and photographers who displayed their work at a major venue in Croydon, and the Well Versed poets who ran regular Open Mic sessions at the Rugby Club as well as running poetry workshops in three local schools.