RESIDENTS in Oxford have formed a new community group to help organise outings and talks – and stop them “staring at the walls”.

People living in sheltered accommodation at Alice and Margaret House, The Oval, Rose Hill, decided they wanted to get to know each other better by raising enough money to go on trips and attract guest speakers.

The 15 members of the new group are celebrating after receiving their first grant, which will pay for a visit to Blenheim Palace, Woodstock.

Thirty people, aged 55 and over, moved into the £1.5m complex a year ago.

Their former homes – which were divided into Margaret House and Alice House – stand nearby in Desborough Crescent.

The buildings, which were opened in June 1969 are now awaiting demolition.

The new flats are part of the Rose Hill regeneration scheme, which has already seen many of the estate’s post-war prefabricated Orlit houses demolished, with new homes taking their place.

Resident Val Wood first came up with the idea for Alma – the Alice and Margaret House Association – while chatting with neighbour Pat Temple.

She said: “We’re delighted that this money has come in already.

“Having a thriving community group is so important to people living here.

“You can get to know your neighbours and enjoy a far wider range of activities.

“We have a beautiful common room here that wasn’t being used, and we wanted to address that.”

Oxford City Housing Association, which runs the sheltered flats, put residents in touch with the estate’s community development worker, Fran Gardner.

The first grant cheque, for £433, has come from Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action.

Mrs Wood said: “We spoke to Fran and she took things on for us, and started applying for these grants.

“She has been a great help and we’re delighted with how it has gone so far.

“Some people living here are quite elderly and may not have otherwise had the chance to listen to speakers or go on trips.

“We don’t want anybody to be sitting in their flats just staring at the walls, and we hope this will help.”

The group was originally for intended for over-55s, but members have decided to extended membership to anyone aged over 50.

People don’t need to live in the complex to join in the association’s activities.

Mrs Wood added: “We’re trying to keep costs as low as possible.

“It would be great if there was anybody who would volunteer their time to do a talk.

“There are so many interesting people in Oxford who know about a wide range of subjects and we are really interested in hearing from them.

“We have opened up to the whole community, because we think that more is merrier.

“We would love new members to come along.”

Community worker Mrs Gardner joined OCHA in October last year and works in Rose Hill two days a week.

She said: “We have a fantastic programme of events coming up for Alma members.”

For more information about the association or to offer to give a talk, call OCHA on 01865 773000.

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk