Greenwich (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Greenwich Council’s Woolwich Common Estate project is shortlisted for the LGC Community Involvement Award, recognizing its efforts to create a cleaner, safer area.
For its efforts with the Woolwich Common Estate, Greenwich Council is running for the Community Involvement Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Award.
Councillor Averil Lekau, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Sustainability and Transport said:
“It’s been inspiring to see the transformation of the Woolwich Common Estate, so it’s amazing to be recognised for the council’s hard work on this project.
The project not only transformed the look of the estate, but also improved residents’ physical and mental wellbeing, fostering a greater sense of community.”
Councils that show community involvement by working with residents to co-design services that fit their needs are eligible to receive the Community Involvement Award.
In collaboration with DG Cities and the Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency (GCDA), the Woolwich Common Estate Improvement Project encouraged locals to take greater charge of their estate’s appearance, safety, and security.
Residents participated in gardening, educational workshops, and multiple clean-up days over the course of a year, which led to the collection of 10.5 tonnes of trash from the neighborhood.
Through workshops for families and kids, TARU Arts worked with the locals to create recycled-material artwork that would be displayed on the estate.
Following reports of an upsurge in anti-social behavior on the estate, the council increased Community Safety Enforcement Officer patrols and erected extra bins to curb fly-tipping and littering.
Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement said:
“This project demonstrates how councils can effectively work with communities to deliver impactful and sustainable change that addresses real challenges.
As a result of this community engagement work, residents reported that they felt safer on their estate, with cleaner spaces and increased patrols contributing to a greater sense of security.”
At a ceremony held at Grosvenor House on June 11, the LGC Award winners will be revealed.
How did residents contribute to the transformation of the Woolwich Common Estate?
In a joint endeavor with Greenwich Council and the Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency (GCDA), residents of the Woolwich Common Estate made a substantial contribution to its renovation.
In order to prioritize changes and make sure the project addressed their particular needs and concerns, residents took part in focused outreach and engagement activities.
By cultivating food, controlling overgrowth, and planting bulbs, they gained control of green spaces and improved their usability and aesthetic appeal.
Alongside the council’s caretaking crew, residents planned and took part in multiple clean-up days. During these events, more than 10.5 tonnes of trash were gathered.
The Woolwich Warriors were a group of residents who continued to assist the care workers in keeping the estate tidy.
By setting up more dog waste containers, holding workshops, and creating dog parks, locals took the lead in reducing dog fouling.