Swindon Street Reps has been recognised as one of the country’s best community projects.

The group was visited by the Big Lunch community walk when it stopped off at the John Moulton Hall in Penhill last week. Carole Wright and Laura Graham are now nearing the end of their 17-day walk across Britain, which is backed by The Eden Project and aims to highlight the work of outstanding schemes ahead of a series of community get-togethers this weekend.

“I was born in Swindon and my late mum grew up on Penhill estate so it’s been special to meet people who grew up on the estate at the same time my mum would have been there,” said Laura, from Northampton.

“I can see from the area and the people in it where she got her kind-heartedness from. It’s the perfect place for a Big Lunch and I’m so excited to hear about how they get on.

Carole, from London, added: “It was fantastic to meet some fellow housing estate tenants who also take great pride in their community. We shared our experiences and learned from each other – it just goes to show that community can be anything from a street to a whole housing estate.”

Street Reps is run by Swindon Borough Council housing participation officer Nick Brook, who said: "There is a real community spirit in Penhill and it was great to welcome the Big Lunch team to highlight that."