Southern Housing Group residents celebrate a decade of European Neighbours' Days

Published by Miriam Laverick for Southern Housing Group in Housing

Southern Housing Group Residents in Hackney, Woolwich and the Isle of Wight took part in the tenth annual European Neighbours' Day on Tuesday 26 May.

The aim of the events was to encourage neighbours, staff and local businesses to get to know each other better and to inform residents about the local support available to them. Residents of the Nightingale Estate in Hackney joined in activities including bingo, healthy living advice, dance shows and face painting. At Shanklin Football Club on the Isle of Wight residents enjoyed Punch and Judy shows and activities such as 'plant your own garden' and 'Guess What?'. Residents at the Royal Arsenal estate in Woolwich held an action-packed event at the Greenwich Heritage centre. Family fun and games included a range of competitions from party games, such as musical chairs and statues, to space hopper races and limbo dancing.

Operations Director, Paul Smith, said:

"This event was a wonderful way to bring residents together and reinforce good relationships between neighbours and staff. We place great importance on supporting our communities and fund a range of community initiatives to help create sustainable neighbourhoods where people want to live.

"The Group's contribution to making European Neighbours' Day bigger and better than ever has been hugely enjoyable. Thanks to all of our residents, contractors and partners who have worked hard to make the events such a success, demonstrating the kind of teamwork that the day is all about."

European Neighbours' Day was started in 1990 by the European Federation of Local Solidarity to create opportunities to positively change social behaviour by encouraging people to build good relationships with their neighbours. Last year around 8 million people took part in Neighbours’ Day including housing organisations in 29 countries.

For more information about Southern Housing Group or the Foundation visit http://www.shgroup.org.uk/en/AboutUs/