New look community room is child’s play

A NEWLY-REFURBISHED community room has opened on an estate thanks to a joint project between Hillingdon Council and toy manufacturer Hasbro.

Austin Road Estate was opened to residents on July 28, after the council worked with Hillingdon Play Association and Hasbro, to bring about the transformation.

The Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr John Hensley, cut the ribbon to open the renovated community room, joined by Cllr Philip Corthorne, Hillingdon Play Association, Hasbro staff and children and adults from Austin Road Estate.

Hillingdon Council and Hillingdon Play Association approached Hasbro, who funded the project and undertook the work. The result is a freshly decorated and newly-fitted community space, complete with a kitchen, dedicated reading area, toys and a Nintendo Wii for the children.

Residents will use their newly refurbished community room as a social hub and much-needed activities base for the estate.

Cllr Hensley said: “This centre will offer a friendly and safe environment, a learning centre and a hub for consultation so people can come together and work together.

“Hillingdon Council and Hillingdon Play Association worked hard to bring these changes about and Hasbro has left a living legacy of its generosity and help for the community, thank you.”

Cllr Philip Corthorne, Cabinet Member for Social Services, Housing, Health and Wellbeing, said: “Hasbro is to be commended for its efforts and hard work in helping us achieve in partnership what we have here today.

“Combined with the efforts of the Hillingdon Play Association and the local community, the hall has been given a dramatic makeover and takes its rightful place once again at the heart of the community.”

Rosemary Alexander, Vice President of Finance-Europe at Hasbro, thanked the Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr Corthorne, the Hillingdon Play Association and her team. She went on the say: “One of the things that is very important to Hasbro is its social responsibility and corporate giving, so we’re very proud to be here today. It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to help create something special.”

Anis Ahmed, a resident of the Austin Road Estate, said: “A year ago we came together as residents with the council, to come up with a solution for this estate. With the help of the council and the residents we came up with the redecoration of this hall.

“Today we have achieved what we can see; a beautiful hall. On behalf of the residents I would like to assure Hasbro and the council that this room will be used for creating better relationships and bringing people together.”

“Once again, we the residents would like to say thank you, thank you very much.”