In pictures: young residents bring the bling to Tower Hamlets

The Tower Hamlet Homes 'Bling my hood' scheme encourages young people to take part in community projects to encourage a sense of ownership and belonging in the area, and to discourage vandalism and graffiti. Photograph: PR Last autumn, 30 young residents helped to paint a play area and plant a shared garden in an area previously notorious for antisocial behaviour. Photograph: PR Other residents reported a mistrust of local young people after the riots, but seeing them involved in these projects helped to improve perception of the younger generation. Photograph: PR “We want young people to feel like we are part of our community, not marginalised from it," explained youth panel member Rubena Begum. "We worry about what everyone worries about – work, love, money, family – but being a young person in 2012 is not easy. The youth panel wanted to find a way of engaging with other young people, to help them with the issues we face every day.” Photograph: PR In April 2012 the Bling my hood project expanded into the Avebury neighbourhood in Bethnal Green, east London. Photograph: PR Thirty young people gave up part of their Easter holiday to paint a sport-themed mural to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games. Photograph: PR