Young people have been benefiting from new solar lamp posts installed at a park in Tilbury, thanks to a collaborative project aiming to boost the safety of young people.
Thurrock Council's Resident Engagement and Community Safety Teams engaged with young people using Koala Park in Tilbury earlier this year to find out what would make them feel safer using the park. The teams found that young people wanted more outside spaces that were safe and well-lit.
Funding was granted for seven solar lamp posts through the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Grant Fund, which supports projects including environmental improvements and Community Safety Partnerships.
The lights have been installed alongside the paths and overlooking the seating areas within Koala Park to reduce dark areas and make the park more welcoming to young people using it.
Cllr Luke Spillman, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "Ensuring our residents are happy in their neighbourhoods is vital for their community wellbeing. I'm pleased that we've been able to boost young people's safety by installing extra lighting in Koala Park.
"We listened to their concerns, explored avenues to help make them feel safer and worked with other partners to implement this worthwhile project. Thank you to everyone involved for their hard work."
The project was led by findings from the 2021/22 Essex Violence and Vulnerability Listening Project where 70 young people identified areas that they felt unsafe in to the Red Balloon Foundation and the council's Resident Engagement Team.
The Resident Engagement Team works with council tenants and leaseholders in a variety of ways. To find out more, go to thurrock.gov.uk/myhousing
For more information about Thurrock Community Safety Partnership, go to thurrock.gov.uk/tcsp
Photo below: solar lamp at Koala Park.
