The exciting Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ project Voices aims to give the people of Wood End in Coventry a chance to have their say about where they live, in a bid to change people's negative perceptions of the area.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM presenter Annie Othen broadcast her breakfast show live from Wood End's Deedmore School for the launch and proved to be a huge hit with staff, pupils and community leaders who attended the launch.
To see a gallery of pictures from the event, please click on the Images button below.
ΜύWood End may be economically deprived but there is an excellent and strong sense of community, as was revealed at the launch, where people spoke passionately about their visions for the community, which is set for some big improvements.
The area at the moment is home to around 1,700 houses and flats though many, built during the city's boom in the 1950s, are showing their age, which has lead to a number of families leaving the area.
| Μύ |  | A boarded up house on the Wood
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Sadly, there is now a high level of unemployment in the area and this economic decline has brought with it a number of associated problems like a high teenage pregnancy rate and low life-expectancy averages.
Despite this, the people living there have worked hard to help their own and there are a number of community initiatives in place to make life better - and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's Voices project will be working along side them to try and help matters.
ΜύActing as one of the shining beacons of the community is Deedmore school, which caters for children with learning difficulties from all over the city.
As soon as you walk through the school gates, it is clear there is a great sense of pride in all the achievements managed by the staff and pupils, who are guided by head teacher Yvonne McCall.
The school is filled with beautiful art work, which make a sharp contrast to the sometimes grey backdrop provided by Wood End itself - and the happy atmosphere created by the children could show anyone just how special it can be to live in an area with such a strong sense of community.
| Μύ |  | Some of the art work at Deedmore school
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Speaking on the breakfast show were the children themselves, community leaders like Roger Tipton, the chairman of the local residents group, and Andy Warmsey of the Education Action Zone and they all had one thing in common - they were passionate about improving Wood End and its image.
ΜύKeep listening and reading
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Over the coming weeks we will be bringing you special reports from the area - created by the residents themselves - and you will be able to hear them on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ WM and here on the website. Keep coming back and see if we can change your mind about Wood End and its people.
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