Love where you live

At Cestria we are passionate about creating thriving communities, and we know you are too, which is why we are taking part in an exciting new project - 'Love Where You Live'.

This is a national campaign, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, which aims to inspire people to make a difference to their local community.

We launched the project in Sacriston, holding an open evening to find out what changes residents would like to see in the area. We are working closely with the residents on our Charlaw Close, Lingey Close, Acorn Close, Fulforth Way, Reeth Court and Richmond Court estates in Sacriston.

In just a matter of weeks an action group has been formed, with members planning to meet soon to discuss the changes they would like to see.

Residents have also completed a 'wish list'of priority issues they would like to be addressed, including adding more salt bins, planting bulbs, installing speed ramps, improving street lighting, tackling drink and drug issues and setting up a community house.

Our Building Services Manager Nik Welsh has been involved in the project and said "Residents in the area are really excited at the idea of making a difference to their community.

"There have been some brilliant suggestions put forward and we are already acting on these - for example we have already installed two extra salt bins.

"Residents in Sacriston have real pride in their community and this project aims to empower them to achieve the changes they want to see."

At the most recent meeting, residents were given disposable cameras to allow them to capture images of the areas on the estate in need of improvement, as well as those they are proud of.

Over the coming months, we'll be organising a range of events, based on those images and suggestions - it could be litter picks, cleaning up graffiti or planting flowers.