Windmill Park Youth Space

Windmill Park Estate in Southall is in one of the most deprived areas of West London, and the estate itself is identified as one of the top four estates most in need in the borough of Ealing. The estate sits in Norwood Green ward, which has a population of around 3,000 young people under the age of 16, and has proportionally more than twice the borough average for young people. The ward is culturally diverse. This very diverse and young population indicates a demand for facilities that will help to bring the community together and promote cohesion.

The project funded new play areas within the community, which featured tyre swing, basket ball hoop, climbing boulder, quarter pipe and a teenage shelter. Biffaward funding specifically went towards the teenage shelter, quarter pipe, climbing boulder and basket ball hoop. This project created a safe community place for teenagers to go. The space is designed to offer a place for people to go and chat, do nothing if they want, be active, or be creative according to how they feel. The project has also reduced anti-social behaviour, both real and perceived.

The estate's teenagers were involved throughout the project. They were extensively involved in the design of the play area, and personally selected the play equipment to be featured and determined the most suitable locations. They also designed the seating area for their youth shelter and in collaboration with a graffiti artist, designed the mural and painted the shelter.