Angela Robinson, known as Ang, keeps her corner of the Pallister Park estate clean, tidy and together

All her life, Darras Walk has been home for Angela Robinson, who’s known by everyone in her corner of Pallister Park as Ang.

She’s lived there for most of her 55 years and before that it was her mam’s home too.

Darras Walk is a quiet street, most people keep to themselves. But there’s a real sense of togetherness when it’s needed.

“My mam was one of the first residents on Darras Walk,” Ang says proudly.

“She would always be out sweeping the front to keep it clean and tidy. In those days, everyone did that. We all took care of our own bit.”

After her mam passed away four years ago, Ang wanted to do something that would make her proud and bring that sense of community spirit back to this part of Pallister Park.

With the help of Middlesbrough Council’s east neighbourhood team, she was able to do just that.

Over the past year, Ang has helped transform the area.

The garages at the back of Ang’s house, owned and managed by housing provider Thirteen, were targeted by fly-tippers and regularly left covered in graffiti.

In response, Ang worked together with Middlesbrough Council’s new team of community caretakers and staff from Thirteen to give the garages a mini makeover by tidying up the area and installing signs to warn against dumping rubbish.

Ang on Darras Walk

She’s also planted flowers, repainted garages and inspired her neighbours to take pride in where they live.

“Since we put the plants in the kids all play out the front, I’ve been teaching them how to look after them, to be gentle, to water them, to care. If someone comes along and messes with the plants, the other kids tell them off. They call them our plants.”

Even her two-year-old grandson has caught the bug.

“He’ll come and tell me to fill up his little watering can so we can go and water them together,” she laughs.

It’s made a real difference: “People are respecting it more, and the kids are treating it better. You can just feel that people care.”

One of Ang’s favourite projects was getting local children involved in decorating pebbles.

“I did one in memory of my mam,” she says softly. “I’ve sealed them all, and after Christmas I’m going to cement them in. That way, when the kids grow up and move away, they can come back and see the pebble they made. They’ll always have that connection to where they grew up.”

For Ang, it’s all about creating the same sense of belonging her mam gave her.

“She always made sure the area was safe for us to play, she’d go out sweeping up nails and rubbish so we wouldn’t hurt ourselves. I want the same for today’s kids. I want them to feel like they’re part of something.

“When someone needs help, there’s always someone there,” Ang explains. “That’s what being a community is all about.”

Ang’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed and she’s the first to admit she couldn’t have done it alone.

She’s thanked Jane Hill, the Council’s neighbourhood manager in east Middlesbrough, Jill Fidan from Thirteen and local ward councillor Donna Jones.

“I really can’t thank them enough for the support they’ve given me,” Ang continues.

“They’ve been amazing. They helped me make this happen, and it means so much to know they believed in what I was trying to do. Because of them, I’ve been able to make my mam proud.”

Ang with Cllr Donna Jones (left) and council staff

Jane Hill leads the neighbourhood team which brings staff from across the council closer to the communities they serve in east Middlesbrough.

Working with the highways team in the local authority, bollards were installed on the footpath at Darras Walk to stop off-road bikes getting onto the green.

Cllr Jones helped source planters while Pallister Park residents clubbed together to buy bedding plants and flowers.

Jane said: “What Ang and the community have done is incredible, and we’re delighted to have played a small part in facilitating the brilliant work they’ve carried out.

“That’s what the neighbourhood team is here for. Our staff are based in east Middlesbrough and understand the issues people face, and we work really closely with other organisations like Thirteen and Cleveland Police.”

As we head towards the winter, even knee surgery hasn’t stopped Ang from looking after her home.

“Before my surgery I used to go out every week to do a litter pick,” she says. “People would tell me I was wasting my time but it’s my time, and I know it makes a difference. My granddaughter even joins in now she’ll ask where my litter-picking gear is!”

And when things get stressful, Ang finds peace in her work. “I’ll go out and jet wash the road where I park my car and before I know it, I’ve been out there for four hours, and jet washed half the street! It just helps me switch off.”

She laughs as she thinks of her mam watching over her.

“I know she’d be looking down saying, ‘You better not have a nicer garden than mine!’  she always used to say that to me.”

For Ang, maintaining Darras Walk isn’t just about clean streets or colourful plants, it’s about honouring her mam, building pride in her community, and reminding everyone that small acts of care can make a big difference.

“I was sick of the area being known for the wrong things,” she says firmly. “It was about time we came together to make a change. Enough is enough  we’re looking after our community, together.”