Pictured above: Mossdale Rangers, from left, Brandon Harris,
Amy Mitchell, Harry Langstone, Jess Milliner and India Langstone,
filming the DVD about the Mossdale Improvement Project
Youngsters walked up the red carpet at the premier of a short
film they have made to showcase an award-winning project, which has
helped improve the quality of life for people living on a Coventry
estate.
Residents of Mossdale Close, in Radford, organised a celebration
event for the first screening of a DVD about the Mossdale
Improvement Project, run by Coventry City Council's Neighbourhood
Management Team, Whitefriars Housing, the police and other agencies
to tackle anti-social behaviour problems in partnership with
residents.
The event, which was held on Wednesday, December 8 and was
attended by 70 people, was also a chance for the Council and
Whitefriars Housing to hand out awards to residents, who have
played a key part in improving the estate.
Youngsters donned tiaras and black-tie dress to receive awards
for their hard work in the Mossdale Ranger project, which involves
young people taking part in litter picks and other environmental
improvement activities.
Parents also attended and received awards for their input into
the success of the Mossdale Improvement Project, which won a best
practice award at the Social Landlords Crime and Nuisance Group
(SLCNG) awards in November.
The short film shows the improvements made since the project was
launched in 2009, as well as interviews with people living in the
Close talking about how they have benefitted from the community
project.
The Project has tackled problems in the area around Mossdale
Close and Bulwer Road, which was an anti-social behaviour hotspot,
including fly-tipping, criminal damage, intimidation and lack of
community spirit. It has successfully reduced anti-social behaviour
by 94 per cent and has increased community confidence.
Young people helped to produce the DVD by interviewing each
other and adults about how they think the estate, has
improved.
Mossdale Close resident and mother of four Vanessa Mitchell, who
attended the award ceremony, said: "The event was a fantastic way
to celebrate all the hard work the children and adults have put
into the Mossdale Improvement Project and to recognise the
individual skills that different people bring to the community.
"Friends from elsewhere have all commented to me about how
Mossdale has changed. Even just driving past you can see that
it looks smarter and better now."
Rachel Hobbs, director of housing at Whitefriars Housing, said:
"There was a great atmosphere at the event. It is encouraging to
see young people so excited about making a positive impact on the
area where they live.
"The success of the Mossdale Improvement Project has been down
to the residents wanting to empower themselves and make a
difference to where they live. This project has not been about us
doing it for them but about them making real changes
themselves."
Carol Speed from Coventry City Council's Neighbourhood
Management Team said: "Everyone in the community has been involved
in making Mossdale a better place to live so we wanted to say thank
you to everyone who has played such an integral part in the success
of the project.
"The DVD has been a fun project for the young people to get
involved in and we wanted to say thank you for their efforts in
making it by helping residents to organise this event."