An independent neighbourhood volunteer group has taken the needs of their community into their own hands by starting a renovation scheme at Ellesmere Park in Burngreave, Sheffield. 

The Friends Of Ellesmere Park, group has transformed the park into a safe space, by purchasing bins, noticeboards and playground equipment, trimming bushes and holding litter-picking events. 

The group also plans to reopen an abandoned basketball court and boules green. 

Sahdya Ali, 44, Maxwell Way, who had lived opposite the park for 17 years, said that she “used to despair” when she walked her child’s pushchair through the park, but now feels “empowered”. 

The park was overgrown and was a den for drug addicts and alcoholics prior to its restoration.

Ali set up the group in 2019 with the help of Volunteer Ambassador Geraldine Houlton, 60, who had previously set up volunteer groups in other ‘grotspots’ in Sheffield. 

Geraldine said she “fell in love with the project and the people”.

The renovation is a work-in-progress and the group are currently battling with the city council over their ‘no-mow’ policy, which Houlton described as ‘inappropriate’, as the grass is too long, making it dangerous for children to play on. 

She said: “Go and make your wildlife flower field somewhere else.”

Funding for the scheme was sourced from trust funds and large businesses, as the local council could not afford to fund the scheme. 

Geralidne said health data for the area is extremely poor and it is believed that the mental and physical health benefits of the development greatly outweigh the overall cost.