Cleaning up unloved spaces, battling anti-social behaviour and bringing communities together.
That's how Middlesbrough Council's Amazing Alleys project has changed the lives of our residents.
With council funding and support, many alleyways and public areas across the town have been transformed by people power.
In Linthorpe, on Willows Road, back alley rubbish was cleared and replaced with planters filled with wild and cultivated flowers and lights were installed to battle against issues with bad behaviour.
And at Camden Street in Middlesbrough town centre fantastic graffiti art, benches and hanging baskets saw neighbours become friends and children play together for the first time in an alleyway once blighted by fly-tipping, vermin and crime.
With even more new projects in the pipeline, the council has already backed 11 communities with their transformations.
On Faraday Street, residents teamed up with officers from the council's Locality Working team - council staff who are based in Newport, understanding and representing the community from its heart.
Residents there cleaned up an alleyway and established a daily litter picking group to keep the street safe and clean.
Just round the corner on Leven Street, local children got involved in painting furniture, planting flowers and completely improving the alleyway.
On Athol Street, a secret garden space was cleared and utilised for events during Refugee Week - with even more improvements planned.
And on Leinster Road, locals asked for help from the Locality Team after a number of trouble-causing tenants were evicted from their homes due to drug dealing. Their alley was cleaned up with help from volunteers at Streets Ahead for Information.
Mayor of Middlesbrough Andy Preston said: "Every single resident who has been involved in transforming where they live shows off Middlesbrough at its best.
"Our amazing residents are rightly proud of where they live, and people have taken part for all sorts of reasons so far.
"But many are sick of fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour and have taken matters into their own hands.
"With support and money from Middlesbrough Council and the help of some incredible volunteers, they've produced stunning spaces that have really brought the community together."
That's how Middlesbrough Council's Amazing Alleys project has changed the lives of our residents.
With council funding and support, many alleyways and public areas across the town have been transformed by people power.
In Linthorpe, on Willows Road, back alley rubbish was cleared and replaced with planters filled with wild and cultivated flowers and lights were installed to battle against issues with bad behaviour.
And at Camden Street in Middlesbrough town centre fantastic graffiti art, benches and hanging baskets saw neighbours become friends and children play together for the first time in an alleyway once blighted by fly-tipping, vermin and crime.
With even more new projects in the pipeline, the council has already backed 11 communities with their transformations.
On Faraday Street, residents teamed up with officers from the council's Locality Working team - council staff who are based in Newport, understanding and representing the community from its heart.
Residents there cleaned up an alleyway and established a daily litter picking group to keep the street safe and clean.
Just round the corner on Leven Street, local children got involved in painting furniture, planting flowers and completely improving the alleyway.
On Athol Street, a secret garden space was cleared and utilised for events during Refugee Week - with even more improvements planned.
And on Leinster Road, locals asked for help from the Locality Team after a number of trouble-causing tenants were evicted from their homes due to drug dealing. Their alley was cleaned up with help from volunteers at Streets Ahead for Information.
Mayor of Middlesbrough Andy Preston said: "Every single resident who has been involved in transforming where they live shows off Middlesbrough at its best.
"Our amazing residents are rightly proud of where they live, and people have taken part for all sorts of reasons so far.
"But many are sick of fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour and have taken matters into their own hands.
"With support and money from Middlesbrough Council and the help of some incredible volunteers, they've produced stunning spaces that have really brought the community together."
