Thriving Neighbourhoods

Applications for Thriving Neighbourhoods are now closed. We will let all applicants know in March 2026 if we are going to use their ideas.

Thriving Neighbourhoods is a project that helps make estates in Islington better places to live. It runs for three years and helps improve shared spaces like communal gardens, playgrounds, recycling, and bike and estate storage.

You can send in your ideas for new improvements when applications open later this year.

What we've achieved together

Since the project started in 2022, we've made over 200 improvements. These include:

• new and better playgrounds
• cleaner recycling areas
• sports areas to play games
• safer places to store things
• better community centres

We want to make estates cleaner, greener, and more fun for children and families.

How to share your ideas

Applications for Thriving Neighbourhoods are now closed. We will let all applicants know in March 2026 if we are going to use their ideas.

You can send one idea for each estate. When you have read the guidance on this page, complete the form and submit it.

Who can send ideas

You can send ideas if you either:

• live on an Islington Council estate
• are part of a community group on an estate
• work for Islington Council.

If you don’t live on a council estate, you can still send through a suggestion for an estate. This programme is mainly for council estates and nearby shared spaces.

Ideas you can share

We love ideas that help people come together, feel safe and happy, and stay healthy. You can also suggest things that help with changing weather, like covered seating.

Examples of the sort of ideas we're looking for include:

• improved lighting or other small security improvements
• better play areas or outdoor gyms
• accessibility improvements
• new recycling areas
• outdoor seating and improved communal gardens
• more or improved cycle or estate storage

We can only fund shared improvements that help everyone on the estate. We can’t fund:

• repairs to private flats
• new windows, doors or internal decorations
• estate signage
• events or activities

What you need to complete the form

Answer all questions with an asterisk (*).

Include:

• your name, phone number, and email
• if you’re applying as a person or part of a group
• if you’ve applied before
• the name of the estate and the area (ward)
• your idea from the list
• a short description of your idea (up to 300 words)
• photos if you have them (under 40MB)
• any extra details that help explain your idea
• how you heard about the programme.

What happens after sharing your idea

If we choose your idea, we will manage the project. You won’t have to pay anything but these communal improvements will need to be maintained and may mean extra service charges.

For small projects, we’ll send a letter to let residents know what’s happening.

For bigger projects (like new playgrounds, communal gardens, recycling and cycle storage), we’ll ask residents on the estate what they think and how they can get involved. This might include letters, meetings, or online feedback through Let’s Talk Islington.

Contact and more information

For more information about the programme, see some examples of completed works on our projects page.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding your suggestions for improvements, email ThrivingNeighbourhoods@islington.gov.uk.