Knees Up
"It's made a real difference. We used to only speak to the other white residents. Now, because our children played together, we talk to the parents. One little old Asian lady let me help her with her shopping this afternoon because now, we trust each other."
Resident, Malmesbury Estate, Bow
"Knees Up took a bold step encouraging street parties, just trusting the natural goodwill that they knew residents would have, and it worked. Their hunch that they could rely on resident's natural curiosity as a Trojan horse into deeper community engagement really worked. It has been a lesson to anyone who works in such diverse communities and estates."
Chris Gittens, Manager, Streets Alive.
Knees Up uses street parties to bring people together on east London estates, building safer, more sociable neighbourhoods
We believe that poverty is not merely material but social; and that the biggest resource people have is their power to make change by working together. Knees Up is about more than just the fun of a party. Bringing interested residents together to plan a street party is the first step towards creating a strong and empowered communities. 
We spend months before each party knocking on doors, gathering interested residents and supporting them as they hold their own street party. Afterwards, we continue to work in each area for a year, providing practical advice and support as people plan whatever actions they want in their own neighbourhood. Things as small as coffee mornings for the elderly, English Language classes, after-school activities or sports training can make a huge difference to how people feel about their area. 
By going directly to people's doors, Knees Up reaches people who might otherwise have been isolated. And by using the street as its starting point, we gather together people of all ages, ethnicities, culture and backgrounds. The experience of working together to create a celebration shows people that change is possible and within their power.
