WEYMOUTH: Smart new paint job

Those living in the block all met one day and Emmadale Close resident Tom Beever said: “We got talking and decided that the entry hall was looking a little sad and could do with a makeover.

“We decided to ask our landlord, Weymouth and Portland Housing, if we could paint the communal areas outside our apartments.“

Housing officer, Sally Leslie, encouraged them and said: “I thought it was a brilliant idea! Residents take more care of their surroundings if they feel it is a place of their own.

“They are all very close and get on really well. They are really proud of their block and decided they could make a difference.”

Sally arranged for the residents to be given colour charts, so they could choose their own colours. WPH then bought the paint and brushes.Admiring his handiwork, Tom said: “I don’t think we did a bad job at all

“It used to look worn and now it’s not. We chose the colours and it doesn’t feel like someone else’s property now.”

The residents also clubbed together and brightened up the communal area by adding window boxes at their own expense.

WPH housing manager Christian Blackbeard said: “People need to come out from behind their doors and get involved. If it’s outside your door, it’s to do with you.

“A few changes can make enough of a difference to both the look of a place and to residents’ attitudes and act as an incentive to do more.”

PICURE: Enjoying the new paint look are, from the left, Mrs Lydia Beever, Ms Katie Parker-Coates, Sally Leslie and Tom Beever

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