Over the past few months, the Drayton Green Estate in West Ealing has undergone a series of improvements and resident engagement activities, much to the benefit of the community.
These initiatives have been made possible through social value funding and highlight the strong collaboration between the estate operations manager and Equans, the contractor who funded the majority of the work and activities.
Social value is about delivering meaningful benefits beyond core housing service -building pride in place, creating community connections, and enhancing residents’ wellbeing.
Revamping the football cage
The Drayton Green football cage, a well-used space on the estate, had fallen into disrepair and was even attracting anti-social behaviour. Shannon recognised its potential as a hub for community activities and reached out to the social value team who contacted Equans, our long-standing partner in delivering estate improvements, to fund a full repaint and clean-up of the cage.
After months of planning and design, the cage has been transformed and now proudly features Drayton Green brand colours. This is the first time the cage has ever received improvements since its installation. The place marketing team played a key role in selecting the colour scheme as well as ensuring the space reflects our placemaking principles by creating a sense of belonging. The refurbished cage is now not only a sports facility but also an outdoor events space for residents.
Halloween ‘Lights and Frights’ event
To celebrate spooky season, the newly refurbished football cage became the venue for an outdoor cinema experience called Lights and Frights. Residents enjoyed a screening of the latest live-action Lilo & Stitch movie on a 15-foot projector screen, complete with inflatable chairs, goody bags, free popcorn, pizza, hot chocolate and more. This was all funded by KRM, another contractor who often works in and around the estate. A raffle added extra excitement, with three lucky residents winning prizes.
This was the first event of its kind on the estate, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Residents expressed gratitude for the effort and said it made them feel valued and appreciated.
Skip day and estate clean-up
On Monday 6 October, the estate hosted a skip day and litter-picking event. Two skips and a bulk removal van were provided to help residents clear unwanted items, with Equans even assisting vulnerable residents by collecting waste directly from their homes. Fly-tipping has long been a challenge on the estate, particularly given its older demographic, but this initiative has already led to a noticeable reduction.
The day wasn’t just about cleaning - residents came together to enjoy a delicious meal of jerk chicken, lovingly prepared by a local resident and funded by Equans. This not only supported a local business but also created a warm, social atmosphere where neighbours could connect.
Another good part of the day was the fact lots of residents commented on how much they appreciated seeing NHG staff present and actively engaged, especially as it addressed previous concerns around visibility and support.
Shannon, Drayton Green’s estate operation manager, shared his vision for these activities and the positive impact they will have on residents:
“My role is about building community, even when challenges like repairs, complaints, and anti-social behaviour make it tough. I start by listening residents know their estate better than I ever could. Then I take time to walk the grounds, meet people, and understand their world. That’s how ideas like Skip Day and Lights and Frights were born. At the end of the day, nothing beats seeing kids’ faces light up or hearing residents say we’ve made a difference.”
Rosie Edwards, our social value officer said:
“Social value is a brilliant way to scale up estate improvements by tapping into the expertise of our supply chain. It also opens the door for meaningful engagement between us, residents and contractors. Speaking with Mark Bush, Equans’ Social Value Manager, I saw the pride they take in being part of projects that leave a lasting legacy - from volunteering during the community clean-up Skip Day to helping transform the football cage into a space future generation can enjoy.”
These initiatives show how social value funding can transform spaces and strengthen communities. From tackling fly-tipping to creating vibrant social events, the Drayton Green Estate is becoming a place where residents feel proud to live.
