Grange Farm Estate — The Photobook

My Yard Young Changemakers

by Rachel Diamond,
My Yard charity founder

Grange Farm Estate in South Harrow was on the brink of being demolished when the estate’s young inhabitants got together to celebrate and immortalise their community. With the support of the charity My Yard and the help of industry creatives, a group of 10-16-year-olds documented life on their estate using disposable, medium-format cameras, creating Grange farm Book– an anthology of photographs commemorating their soon-to-be-vanished home.

"This is the story of the young people of Grange Farm, their creation and their legacy. Made by them, for them it is a legacy of community and truth. It was a chance to tell their own stories, with full access to knowledge and equipment used by industry creatives. 

By the time this book has reached your hands the estate as we know it has been knocked down and regenerated, most people moved on and many of this community separated.

The core of this community came together as non-secure tenants through a common denominator of trauma, many moved in knowing no one, The Mums vocalised how flats were falling to disrepair pending demolition, talks of drugs and violence were not rumours but experienced by many. But this wasn’t who they were, this was their canvas.

My Yard joined Grange Farm primarily to bring surplus food for the community, to rescue from landfills. Welcomed by the residents this resulted in bbq’s, youthwork, friendships, gardening, sports, Food markets and more. They helped each other through lockdowns and the youth created a ‘Changemaker’ network. Art soon took over the grey boards of regeneration and sports took over the play areas. 

We are here in memory of Grange Farm Estate as we knew it. 

Thanks to Henry Gorse and guest artists - Stephanie Francis Shanahan, Neesha Champaneria, Jackson Bowley, Roydon Misseldine, Rory Mullen & Bimpe Adenusi for making this all possible."

https://myyardchangemakers.org/

https://www.myyard.org.uk/