The inspiring reason why green hearts have appeared in a Walsall neighbourhood once dubbed 'Britain's roughest estate'

The Love Blakenall – Stronger Together campaign launched this week at the Palace Play, Shop, Eat on Blakenall Row.

Dozens of children have been given hoodies donning a green heart – the Love Blakenall campaign logo.

Wristbands, tote bags, window stickers and pin badges were also handed out to promote the campaign.

A couple of years ago, Blakenall went viral as ‘Britain’s roughest estate’ and was likened to war-torn Ukraine.

A string of incidents, including a live pigeon being ripped apart outside the town centre shops, an alleged arson attack and regular abuse against shopkeepers, buses and taxi drivers, left the community calling for urgent action to be taken.

Last summer, a day-light shooting led to the tragic death of Connor Brookes, who was just 20 years old.

The Love Blakenall campaign was launched one year after the youth groups opened at the community centre.

The Positive Outcomes Project groups have a combined membership of over 400 kids from the local area.

Sue Phillips, the youth development and centre manager at Palace Play, Shop, Eat explained that many of the members are not in education, some in alternative provision or are suspended from school.

She said: “The youth club has provided a space for some of the local names we used to hear about.

“Feedback from local residents is that the streets are quieter now.

“They are attending, and they are abiding by rules and becoming perhaps better versions of themselves by becoming part of the community.

“Within the youth club we’ve installed a code of conduct and a way we expect them to behave which has been praised by violence reduction partners.

“We want them to learn that every choice in your life has a consequence, even here.

“If you swear at a member of staff or don’t follow the rules, there’s a consequence.”

“We’ve noticed young people at the beginning who weren’t used to abiding by the rules, actually want to do something positive, behave or help.”

Visitors at the launch on February 19 were given the green heart merchandise and asked to sign up to pledge their allegiance to the campaign.

What else is happening in Blakenhall?

In the coming weeks litter picks and other community initiatives will be taking place to encourage residents to get involved with the community.

Sue added: “We want to spread the message that this isn’t a bad place to live, and we want them to be proud to live here for different reasons, not because it’s been famous on LadBible.

“We want to showcase and start to turn around the negative reputation that Blakenall has always had.

“From now on, we want everyone including businesses, schools, local community members and children to pledge their allegiance to Blakenall.”

Leader of Walsall Council, councillor Garry Perry, said: “Just a little over a year ago we sat in a room with councillors, key partners and residents, talking about the concerns that they had about this community including significant violent crimes.

“The one thing that was on everyone’s lips was more support for young people.

“With some investment we started with the Positive Outcomes Projects, which has seen phenomenal numbers.

“Some of the young people who are involved here and given their time back to help others have been on the cusp of criminal activity themselves.

“It shows with the right level of support and a little bit of investment, you can actually get these young people back on track and believing in themselves.

“The Love Blakenall brand has given people something to be proud of and instilled that confidence back in the community.”