In May 2018 we set up a constitution called Thornside Tenants and Residents Association. We started off just wanted to raise enough funds to clean up the area and make it look prettier.

However, as we have been working together as a community we have found that the main issue within our community was that the children didn't have anything to do to keep them occupied around our area.

We also found that approximately 30% of the children in the area are living under the poverty line.

We have 8 children who have been diagnosed with ASD Disorder and 4 with ADHD. Families who live in our constitution also have children with behaviour problems.

I am the Chairman of the constitution and we have 10 committee members who are all passionate about putting things in place to offer the children. We do not get paid for our work and time that we put in.

The main aim for the fundraising is so we can set up a local football team and get goal posts and a regular football coach who can help train the kids once or twice a week. We have been given permission by the local council to use the massive field we have in our area for our football training. Further down the line we will hope to get a mini bus and football kits.

We also want to put activities in place so that the children will be stimulated and have fun. We already do activities that we need no money for i.e rounders, cricket, nature walks. We have found that the parents come along and this gives everyone a chance to meet up and have a chat.