A TROUBLED community is today hoping a free-up of cash will give the area some much-needed self-esteem.Queen's Way Community Action Team will have £95,000 available to them next year to improve the Cobham Road park.

A TROUBLED community is today hoping a free-up of cash will give the area some much-needed self-esteem.

Queen's Way Community Action Team will have £95,000 available to them next year to improve the Cobham Road park.

The cash was earmarked for the project around two years ago, but it was announced to day that the cash has now become available.

The team has already started the facelift, but this money will propel them on to more projects to turn an unappealing space in to a flourishing environment.

Community worker Nina Grunberg believes it is a victory for community spirit. She said: "If Queen's Way, a so-called heavily deprived area, can gain funding for the community, then other groups can also make a difference.

"To outsiders this community is fragmented, but we did come together to make a change for everybody."

A teen basketball area, a ramp for people with disabilities and fence posts have been installed, but there is a lot more work to be done, including an under-five's play area and a hard stand for the community bus.

Early next year, the workers hope to involve children from nearby primary schools with some tree planting.

The money has come from the Government's Living Spaces programme which has awarded more than £3.8million to community groups. The money will help people improve their environment, such as gardens, parks and play areas, near to where they live.

N What do you think? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk