Unity Homes and Enterprise has joined forces with Leeds Federated and Leeds City Council to deliver ‘Common Ground: Meanwood,’ a youth engagement event exploring the initiatives local young people would like to see in their community.
Working with local organisations InterACT and Hello Hip Hop, the partners brought a community ‘paint by numbers’ mural to the gathering to help break down barriers, and gathered lots of useful feedback including requests for more outdoor spaces for teenagers, such as a skate park and safer spaces for girls.
The next step for the partners is to liaise with local stakeholders and agencies to explore how everyone can work more closely together to deliver some of these projects for young people in Meanwood.
Established in 1987, Unity Homes and Enterprise is a Leeds-based BME housing association which manages almost 1,400 properties for tenants from all communities and ethnic backgrounds.
Rhiannon Oliver, Unity Homes and Enterprise Customer and Community Lead, said: “A massive shoutout to Arthington Property Services, Equans UK & Ireland, YESSS Electrical and Huws Gray for donating their time, skills and materials to the event and mural project – another win for social value!
“The mural is now proudly installed at the entrance one of Meanwood’s largest estates.
“As Georgie Kay from Leeds Federated added the finished touches following the event, various members of the community came up to say how much colour it adds to the area.
“Several residents said they now want murals on their own fences. They also spoke of their pride that it was young people that helped to paint it. That’s the power of art when the community is involved – ownership and pride-in-place can go a long way.”
Cedric Boston, Unity Homes and Enterprise Chief Executive, said: “It was a really positive day and hopefully heralds the start of something new and exciting for young people in Meanwood.
“As a relatively small housing association, we are always keen to pool resources with partners to boost life opportunities in local communities.
“Leeds is fortunate to be home to a multitude of organisations that share this outlook.
“We look forward to continuing our work with them to deliver real benefits for the city.”
