Pictured above: Far right, Whitefriars' tenant and Mossdale Close resident Julie Adams pitched to a panel of 'dragons' for funding to pay for the physical improvements requested by residents in their 'master plan' for Mossdale, which was carried out by Whitefriars Housing and the council's Neighbourhood Management team

A community improvement project, which has successfully reduced anti-social behaviour by 94 per cent on a Coventry estate, has scooped a national award for its work.

The Mossdale Improvement Project was named the winner of the best practice award for reducing anti-social behaviour and increasing community confidence at the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group (SLCNG) awards. 

The Project is a partnership between residents of Mossdale Close in Radford, Whitefriars Housing, which owns most of the homes on the estate, Coventry City Council's Neighbourhood Management team, the police, and other agencies.

Since it was launched in 2009 the project has tackled problems around Mossdale Close and Bulwer Road, which was classed as an anti-social behaviour hot spot, including fly-tipping, criminal damage, intimidation, and a lack of community spirit.

According to police reports, calls from residents reporting anti-social behaviour fell by 94 per cent in April 2010 compared with April 2009. Whitefriars Housing has also reported that fly-tipping has reduced by 75 per cent and graffiti by 96 per cent.

The project included engaging with residents by holding activities, such as games, arts and citizenship sessions for children and using these as an opportunity to talk with parents dropping children off. There are also monthly estate improvement sessions and assistance for troublesome families.

Residents drew up a 'master plan' for physical improvements to be carried out by Whitefriars Housing and the council's Neighbourhood Management team. Residents were supported to successfully pitch for £35,000 of funding from Whitefriars Housing, to pay for the improvements, which include gating access to paths, new fencing, landscaping and creating a 'home zone' to the entrance.

Youngsters have been encouraged to take pride in the neighbourhood by setting up the 'Mossdale Rangers', which is a group of young people who take part in regular activities to benefit the neighbourhood, such as helping tidy the neighbourhood, helping people in their gardens and planting flowers in community planters. 

Director of housing at Whitefriars Rachel Hobbs said: "We are delighted to have won the best practice award for the Mossdale Improvement Project. This project is a fantastic example of how partners can work together with residents to make a difference to their community.

"Before we started the Mossdale project, taxi drivers refused to enter the estate, people felt intimidated and didn't use community facilities and it was classed as an anti-social behaviour hot spot.

"Now, thanks to the hard work of the partners and more importantly the dedication, energy and commitment  of residents and young people, the area has been transformed and people are proud to live there. There has been a significant change in the attitude of residents, who are happy to work with the organisations involved in the project to improve the neighbourhood."

Julie Adams, a Whitefriars tenant who lives in Mossdale Close, attended the award ceremony to collect the SLCNG award. She said: "It is great that the project has been given an award to celebrate the hard work that has gone into making such a difference to the community. The area used to be rundown, and people would make the same assumptions about the people living here.  But there are really decent people here and we are now committed to turning around the prospects of the area." 

Carol Speed, neighbourhood development officer at Coventry City Council's neighbourhood management team, said: "This project deserves recognition for its exceptional achievements because of the way that everyone, both professional and resident, has pulled together.   

"Everyone in the community has been involved in making Mossdale a better place to live.  People from four-years old up to pensioners have been and remain involved. It is now a community. Residents now have self-belief. They know that they can make a difference, and they do. People now care about their neighbours and look out for them and older residents have told me that they no longer feel scared and that they enjoy living where they do.  To me this is a good job well done." 

Eamon Lynch of the SLCNG said: "The SLCNG awards recognise the huge contribution of residents, social landlords and their partners to tackling anti-social behaviour effectively. This year's awards attracted a record number of entries.

"Protecting individuals and communities, keeping them safe from harm and dealing with the issues that matter most to local people is what tackling anti-social behaviour is all about.

"The Mossdale Improvement Project demonstrates innovation and commitment and is an example of what can be achieved by residents and agencies working together."