The All Saints neighbourhood (with its boundaries drawn with reference to local perceptions) previously straddled three wards in the Luton area of Chatham, it now lies in the new ward of Chatham Central. It is an area consisting of a mixture of closely packed Victorian terrace housing built to accommodate workers from the former naval dockyard nearby, and 1970s built social housing. The local hospital that was formerly at the heart of the community has been developed to provide private housing. The area has steep narrow streets and is isolated by main roads. Currently, the neighbourhood comprises approximately 1,400 homes that are made up of a mixture of private, council and housing association stock. It is one of the largest Sure Start areas in the country with over 1,400 under 4s.
A community led initiative has been in existence for almost three years (since Autumn, 2001) and intends to bring together existing agencies to focus activity in the neighbourhood with the local community to make a positive impact. It will demonstrate that not only does North Kent encompass communities that are facing challenges on a par with those in other parts of the country, but also that it can rise to those challenges and make a real difference to the lives of its people.
The local group has already had some early successes, having organised and produced an initial survey report into the condition of the area, a community clean up day (removing 34 tonnes of rubbish from the streets), a youth fair and delivered a substance abuse education programme. Ongoing projects include an after school club and an On-line education centre. Future plans include the redevelopment of the church hall site to compliment other initiatives such as the Surestart headquarters and potential new health centre.
by Russ Patrick, North Kent Gateway Partnership, North Kent
