The event attracted close to 60 people from the two blocks and included face-painting and a caricaturist for the children and free massages and nail-art for the adults.
Earlier this year, Lewisham Homes’ residents had the chance to apply for £2,000 to put towards an event to encourage better community relations. Giffin street put in a highly creative bid for the funding and found out in August that they were among the five winners. Other winners include Sydenham Hill, Home Park, Evelyn and Markwell Close.
The ‘get to know your neighbour’ event was planned, promoted and led by the residents of Giffin Street. Kerry Cowburn, one of the key organisers, worked with her fellow residents to come up with the Halloween-themed event.
Kerry said, “It was great to see kids and adults alike dressing up and having fun in a warm and friendly environment. I hope this event has given everyone the opportunity to simply talk to each other and foster a better sense of community. Thank you so much to Lewisham Homes and Galliford Try for their wonderful support of our day, we couldn’t have done it without them.”
The £2000 funding came from Lewisham Homes’ Residents’ Business Plan project, which saw residents have their say on how a half a million pound budget was to be spent on housing services. Galliford Try are currently working around Giffin Street and generously donated the extra £1000 that was needed to put the event on.
Adam Barrett, Director of Resources at Lewisham Homes, commented, “Our Residents’ Business Plan allocated £10,000 to support five of these ‘get to know your neighbour’ days to help build better communities. Residents told us that a sense of community was important to them and we’re really pleased that we were able to support Giffin Street’s event.”
