Since then there has been no stopping the residents of Cleadon Park. Not only have they finished their play area but they now have a fully equipped community centre providing advice and training to local residents in everything from computers to cookery. Gangs of kids still roam the estate but now they're more likely to be picking up litter than breaking windows. The fire brigade and the police are still frequent visitors but now they are running regular roadshows on home security and fire safety. The long-term unemployed still walk the streets but that's because they're being trained in how to fit energy insulation in their neighbours' homes.
People have a right to clean streets, safe play areas and good quality housing.
The fight against environmental poverty must be as big a part of the Government's agenda as any other. After all, it can affect all of us. And all of us, of course, also have a responsibility to look after our environment, to respect our surroundings. Groundwork is committed to supporting this right and building this responsibility. We can only do this through partnership and our partnership with Government is vital.