'If they spend money anywhere, it should be here'

Kingswood, Hazel Leys (pictured) and Exeter estates will get £2m a year

Last week the government announced £5bn of investment for 339 "overlooked" communities across the UK. Among them is Kingswood and neighbouring estates in Corby, Northamptonshire, which will get £2m a year for 10 years. What do those who live there want it spent on, and what difference will it make?

'I like the idea of bringing communities together'

Claire Devlin is in favour of helping to bring different communities together

Claire Devlin helps run KHL Community Workshop, an arts and crafts "makers space" and registered charity which helps people get together and learn new skills.

She grew up in Kingswood and moved to Hazel Leys 20 years ago, so knows the area well.

"I've always loved this estate; some people thought it was a horrible area, somewhere drug addicts were and burglaries happened," she says.

"It was deemed nasty, but I've never thought that and never had any problems.

"I think, now, people's perceptions are changing."

The government has said money from its Pride in Place programme could be spent on anything from better youth facilities and park improvements to revamping disused buildings - with local people deciding what to do.

"This area could always do with it," adds Ms Devlin.

"I like the idea of bringing communities together.

"We have people here from other countries, but we don't get together that often, so I would really like some sort of group so that we can meet, become friends, learn about each other's cultures."

The workshop was enjoying a charity coffee morning

'I love working on this estate'

Pete Jayes believes Kingswood is the part of Corby that needs funding

Pete Jayes, a case work for Citizens Advice, moved to Corby from Leicester in 1998, nearly 20 years after British Steel closed its huge plant there, and he has a deep fondness for it.

"I love Corby to bits; the people are really friendly and really open, and I appreciate that," he says.

"I love working on this estate as well."

Asked to describe the area around Kingswood, he says: "In a word — deprived.

"It seems to be the case in a lot of towns and cities that some of the most deprived people, some of the most vulnerable people, tend to congregate in one particular area.

"Kingswood is that for Corby."

He said having £2m to spend each year, for a decade, would be "fantastic".

"There is community project here - KHL [Kingswood and Hazel Leys] Local - and they originally funded my project, and they put a lot of work into parks and murals, and some of the green spaces around the estate.

"I don't want to diss the architects of these estates, because I'm sure when they were built they were great, but they've turned into rabbit warren and it's a breeding ground for undesirables.

"Anything they can do to improve the environment is going to make it a bit nicer for these people, a lot of them are really struggling.

"If there are better facilities for kids, maybe they'll get in less trouble as they grow up.

"For all the areas in Corby, if they were going to throw it to anywhere I would say Kingswood for sure; it's probably the area that needs it most."

The sign for Kingswood Skatepark includes warnings not to litter or use it as a hangout for drinking

'Hopefully it will be money well spent'

Beverley Trotman thinks neighbourhood centres should be rolled out further

Hazel Leys Academy's principal, Beverley Trotman, says she wants the money to make a difference to the area and its families.

The primary school and nursery has 227 children on the roll, aged three to 11, and capacity for 249.

"I think [the funding] is incredible for Corby; when we see the things our parents have to deal with, I think it's a really good opportunity for the community to have this influx," she said.

"My hope is the money will be very well spent for the children and community."

She praised Kingswood Neighbourhood Centre, which runs community groups, a cafe and foodbank, and thought the estates could do with more of the same with "more youth centres, more green spaces for children".

"Some areas are quite covered up and sensitive to walk through.If they could be improved I think that would be a good spend," she says.

'The great thing is it's managed by the residents'

Caroline Barratt said more could be done to engage with "older youth"

Caroline Barratt is a Methodist church and community chaplain in Kingswood.

She runs a youth club and lunch club, speaks at school assemblies and holds a weekly drop-in which started out a few years ago as a warm space.

"I think it's brilliant news; it sounds a really exciting opportunity; the great thing is that it will be managed by residents," she says.

"They will be making the decisions and they're the ones who know what's needed in this area."

She says there are already "a lot of ideas", including offering more for older people to build on the weekly and "much needed" free hot lunch.

"I know green spaces for young people are very important; youth services definitely needs more funding and there is a gap with older youth where we don't always engage," she adds.