Day on the farm for Moat's younger residents » Housing » 24dash.com

Residents from The Vineries in Gillingham aged between five and nine, known as the ‘Little League’ travelled to Godstone Farm in Surrey and enjoyed all the fun of the farm.

The fun and educational trip was organised by Moat Housing Group and resident volunteers from the community. It offered an opportunity for younger residents to venture out of The Vineries and learn more about life on a farm.

The young people were able to feed and handle small animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, baby chicks and a cockerel.  Other animals they saw were horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs and chickens. At the end of the day, the young people took a trip around the farm’s nature trail in a tractor drawn trailer.

The Little League is run by volunteers at The Activity Loft, the local community house at The Vineries. These volunteers keep younger residents of The Vineries involved in the community and promote respect at the same time.

Ellie Chaplin, age six from Poppy Close, says: “It was really good! I loved stroking the white horse and playing in the indoor play area!”

Anne Atkinson is Moat’s community development officer and says: “Everyone had a great time at the farm. The Little League is a symbol of the success of the new community spirit at The Vineries and fun days out like these prove that the community continues to work together in a positive way.

"I would also like to thank the resident volunteers for their help.  They volunteer many hours of their time while holding down full time jobs and looking after their families. The work they do  has really made a difference to the community.”

The Vineries in Gillingham, Kent consists of 159 homes that are owned and managed by Moat. In the past, the community has had challenges with anti-social behaviour and a lack of community spirit but that has all changed.

To turn the neighbourhood around, Moat worked directly with residents and external partners to determine that what residents really wanted in their neighbourhood was a place where they could meet to hold events to bring the community together.

Through Moat’s Neighbourhood Fund, a grant of over £24,000 helped turn a previously vandalised vacant property into that reality. In July 2006 ‘The Activity Loft’ community house was officially opened and ever since it has become the hub of the community and surrounding area.

Since the house opened over two years ago, there has been a significant reduction in crime, homes at The Vineries have become easier to let and most importantly, residents have expressed how much happier they are to live in their community.