Residents of one local community teamed up with local authorities and organisations to host a week of activity in their neighbourhood.
The Mile Cross, Catton and Fiddlewood Respect Action Week was organised by Norwich City Council with the help of Norfolk Constabulary local people, groups and organisations.
The week began on Monday 15 June with information sessions on training courses to boost confidence followed by finance and debt advice.
During the week, services on offer ranged from free name engraving for dog collar tags to cycling proficiency training; fire alarm installation and safety checks, along with advice on how to quit smoking and first aid courses. There were lots of activities for young children and parents provided by the Hamlet Centre and SureStart.
People did their bit to tidy up their neighbourhood by joining the council’s Families’ Unit in a litter pick, collecting 10 bin bags of rubbish. And CityCare helped to add a splash of colour to the streets by donating more than 50 hanging baskets.
The council’s Norwich warm homes team helped many people on the way to warmer, more energy and cost efficient homes by handing out hundreds of energy saving light bulbs. They visited homes to tell people about grants they could be entitled to for loft and wall insulation and have already received 60 new applications, with more coming in.
Norfolk Constabulary police officers and PCSOs marked bicycles to help trace them if stolen.
District superintendent Nick Dean says: “Events such as these demonstrate the strong community spirit and desire of the local community to work together with a number of agencies to improve the area.
“There was some really positive events and action taken and it was very pleasing that Norfolk Constabulary could play a part in making it a success. The real winners are the community and I am sure the stronger relationships built will be maintained.”
The week of activities culminated on Saturday with a community fun day held on Catton Grove Primary School field. Hundreds enjoyed the event which included face painting, a circus skills workshop, inflatable slides, badge making, beat the goalie and much much more.
The event was made possible through the help, hard work and dedication of local people. Local resident Donna Breed who was one of the key organisers of the week’s activities and fun day, and whose five year old daughter Lily-Marie performed as part of the Heather Millan School of Dance, says: “The event was such a success and as chair of the Catton residents’ association I am planning to organise another community fun day for next year.
“It was a real boost to community spirit and despite the bad weather, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves”.