BackScouts do their best for better streets
First Hainault Beavers and Scout movement is enjoyed by many children of various ages, and is an important asset to the local community. Living Streets visited the Redbridge area where the Hainault scout hut is located to audit the surrounding area, looking to make it a safer place for the children and wider community.
Located behind a tube station the alleyway and general area leading to the group’s new scout hut was found to be unwelcoming and intimidating. Living Streets carried out an informal street audit of the area, adapted to include the children’s input.
The audit took place over two nights, and started with guided walks around the area. This involved a quiz with the children to keep them searching for clues during the audit and the distribution of prizes to everyone. The children took pictures of what they liked and didn’t like to encourage them to consider the area around the scout hut.
The report identified that the route should be made more accessible, especially as the hut is expected to be used by the whole community in the future. The alleyway is the only route to the scout hut and therefore it’s essential that it is safe. Suggestions have included cutting down an obstructing tree, and also to ask the council to improve the street lighting in the area.
The objective of involving the children was to encourage them to get involved with community projects in the future. Additionally it is hoped that through their children’s involvement in the project, parents would be inspired to take a greater interest in how to improve their local area.
Published on: 14/06/2010
