Springboard Housing Association, part of Genesis Housing Group, attended the opening of a ball park in Brooklands, Colchester, on 14th October, having matched the £15,000 in grant a local community group received from Essex County Council, to open the park.

Around 35 people watched as Cllr John Jowers of Essex County Council cut the ribbon to officially open the park. The Brooklands Community Group initiated this project to tackle local anti-social behaviour and vandalism, and to create a play area for young people.

Staff from Essex County Council's Initiative Fund also attended the event. The Initiative Fund is designed to support community improvement initiatives such as this.

Sue Young, a local resident and key member of Brooklands Community Group said, "I am thrilled that the ball park will finally be open to the young people on the estate as well as the rest of the community. It's great to see our hard work pay off and I'd like to thank everyone for helping to make this happen."

Harton Bailey, Interim Managing Director of Springboard Housing Association, said "This is a great example of how local people who form themselves into active community groups or resident associations can, with our support, achieve real change in their communities."

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Notes to editors

Genesis Housing Group provides homes and services to tens of thousands of people across London and the south east. The Group consists of PCHA, Pathmeads and Springboard housing associations. It also has a charitable foundation, Genesis Community, and is one of the largest and most diverse housing groups in the UK. Genesis Housing Group owns and/or manages more than 40,000 homes across London and the south east. Its overiding aim is to put customers first and provide excellent service to all.

Springboard joined Genesis Housing Group in April 2005 and currently supports more than 5,000 households in 24 local authority areas across London, Essex and Hertfordshire. In addition to general needs housing, shared ownership and leasehold properties, Springboard specialises in supported housing for the elderly and people with special needs.