Barbara Cobbett

What a difference a team of determined residents can make. When Barbara Cobbett first came to live on the St John’s estate in Walton-on-Thames, anti-social behaviour, mostly children’s, was such a problem that after just a month she wanted to move. “It made life very difficult for everyone,” she says.

Since then, Barbara, now chair of STARS – St John’s Tenants and Residents Society – and other residents have worked hard to get local young people involved in a range of activities.

“Anti-social behaviour on the estate has really quietened down,” Barbara says. “People say they notice that things have changed.”

And their efforts were boosted recently through the opening of the new £300,000 Cromwell Community Centre on the estate. The centre, which includes a play area and sensory garden for older people, has been provided by Elmbridge Housing Trust, in consultation with residents.

“The new centre enables us to run clubs after school and at weekends and gradually we are getting more and more people taking part,” Barbara says.

“We are working especially with the younger children to make sure they don’t start getting into trouble in the first place. It’s hard work for us, and quite a responsibility, but very worthwhile.”

What a difference a team of determined residents can make … when Barbara Cobbett first came to live on the St John’s estate in Walton-on-Thames, anti-social behaviour, mostly from children, was such a problem that she wanted to move after a month. “It made life very difficult for everyone”, she says.

Since then, Barbara, now chairman of STARS - St John’s Tenants and Residents Society – and other residents have worked hard to get local young people off the streets and involved in a range of activities.

Their efforts have been boosted recently through the opening of the new Cromwell Community Centre on the estate. The Centre, which includes a play area and sensory garden for older people, has been provided by Elmbridge Housing Trust (EHT), in consultation with residents.

Barbara says: “The Centre enables us to run clubs after school and at weekends and gradually we are getting more and more people taking part.

Young residents are learning the first rules of involvement through the setting up of a junior committee, where they can discuss the activities they want to get going and act as a first point of contact for other youngsters who have problems.

The £300,000 Centre has proved valuable in providing a base for STARS and the junior committee, was well as somewhere to hold events and activities. STARS worked closely with EHT’s participation worker on the development of the centre as well as the new housing on the estate which made its funding possible.

And with facilities including a games room, main hall, kitchen and office, they have ensured that the centre is just what residents wanted

Activities so far have included a summer Artfest, Halloween and Easter parties and coach trips, basketball and other sports. There are plans for the Territorial Army to run an 8-week course for some of the children during the summer and for yoga and IT courses through the Learning and Skills Council.

For Barbara Cobbett and all the other residents who have been so active in getting things done on their estate the rewards are clear to see: “When people come up to you and say ‘well done’ you know you’ve really made an impact”, she says.