by Nicola Jordan

These mums are determined to wipe out their housing estate’s bad name.

For years the White Road estate in Chatham has been regarded as a hot spot for crime and anti-social behaviour.

But now this band of mums have said enough is enough. They say they are proud to live on the estate where they are bringing up their children.

Such is their determination, they have started up a group, the White Road Community Panel, to reflect their neighbourhood in a positive light.

Mother-of-three Danielle Amusa, 29, said: "I think being a mum living here makes a difference. We know at grass-roots level what people want, unlike people in suits sitting in a boardroom.

"I’m not highly educated, but I love living here and, like other mums, know what is needed. And the good news is people are listening to us."

With backing from shopkeepers, police and ward councillors, Danielle and her friend Gemma O’Hara, 28, launched the panel with a coffee morning attended by about 50 residents at the community centre.

Gemma, mum to Lennycobe, three, and Adara, two, has lived in the area for 21 years. She said: "I was born and raised here, I have moved away about 11 times, but I’ve always come back. This is my home and it’s where I want to bring up my family.

Gemma, who lives in Underdown Avenue, said: "We are not saying we didn’t have a name for trouble around here. But things have changed. There are a lot worse places around here. We have become a multicultural community where everyone knows each other."

Danielle, 29, who lives in Ansell Avenue, said: "I have lived here for eight years. The biggest problem is that there is nothing for people to do. There are a wide range of people here from young families to the elderly."

Mum to Codie, 12, Tiyah, eight, and Warren, four, she said: "I moved here from London and there is far more of a sense of community.

"I feel I can let my children play outside, knowing that there will be three or four people watching out for them."

Among the ideas the mums want to introduce are a hairdressers and an activity programme for four-to eight-year-olds in the school holidays.

Labour councillors Julie Shaw, Vince Maple and Paul Godwin have pledged £250 ward improvement funds towards the set-up costs.

And as part of its Fairtrade support, staff from the Co-op in Albert Road, including team manager Kris Dennis, helped out with supplies for the coffee morning.

Police community support officer Sally Doherty, who patrols the patch, praised the mums’ mission, saying: "It’s time we brushed off the image portrayed on the estate. You tend to get a certain amount of trouble on estates. But in the time I have been working here, nothing warrants the reputation it has."

Gemma and Danielle said they had received favourable feedback. Danielle said: "It was very encouraging. I really think we can make a go of it now."

Cllr Shaw added: "This is about people power. It’s about people not just sitting around, about people actually doing something for their community."