Cambridge Road Estates Community Group (CREst) is hosting a Fun Day on 9 September to promote community pride amidst the uncertainty of the CRE regeneration developments. 

For the first time, the annual Fun Day in Madingley Green will also feature a teen-friendly Youth Zone, organised by younger members of the estate.

Niamh, 17, who helped organise the Youth Zone, said: "Given how long the development will take to complete, events like the Fun Day are a really good opportunity to make a difference and bring the community together."

Niamh had never been to the event before despite living on the CRE for years. "I think that was partly because it was mainly aimed at younger children," she said.

Over the last few years, Niamh has been involved in some of the regeneration workshops and has helped feed into the plans for the new estate and community centre.

She said: "As I live in Impington, which is the last phase of the regeneration project, I've enjoyed being able to get involved in helping plan how the estate will look in the future.

Niamh said she was "really excited" about the events her and the team have been organising the last few months. 

The Youth Zone will feature a highly-anticipated community dog show for residents to display their pets. Teens will have the chance to try skateboarding or use their roller-skates at the pop-up park, all to the backdrop of free ice cream and local DJs.

She added: "It's going to be a massive laugh and I think a lot of people who might not have come to the Fun Day before, like me, are really going to enjoy the fact that we've added something new to the Fun Day."

CRE Fun Day Poster. (Photo: CREst)

Creating community through uncertainty

Running from 12-4pm on 9 September, the Fun Day will feature iconic fair games like tombola, donkey rides, trampolining, games and stalls. A fire engine will also be a welcome addition to the event. 

Jill Preston, chair of CREst, who organises the annual event said: "With the regeneration work having begun in January, there's a lot of upheaval for those living across the estate.

"Fun Day is a really important opportunity to help residents come together once again and reinject some pride in the estate."

People have been moved on in some areas around Madingley Green in preparation for the new community centre to be built. Other residents in phases 2 and 3 are unsure of when or where they will be moving. 

Preston added: "The Fun Day has never been a more important opportunity to boost morale amongst the families who call the Cambridge Road Estate home."

Getting the young people involved

Kyle Kinsella, CRE Lead Youth Worker for Kingston Youth Service (Achieving For Children) has been involved in all aspects of youth provision on the estate over the last few years.

He said: "I've seen how important it is for the young people and young residents on the estate to feel like their voices are heard."

Kinsella said Kingston Youth Service decided to team up with CREst to add a dedicated Youth Zone to the Fun Day keep young people are kept relevant on the estate. 

Kinsella added: "Over the next decade, as the regeneration takes shape and more and more of the estate as it disappears, we want to ensure young people are at the forefront of all decision making on the estate."