There’s a long-standing joke in Somerset that people in Bridgwater are different. Many will have come across the abbreviation NFB – Normal for Bridgwater – used ungenerously by those who should know better over the years.

“There’s a perception of Sydenham that it is a run-down area with social issues,” said Together Team coordinator Kristy Blackwell, “and that’s what this project is set up to address. We need to tackle that perception and get people involved with their community so they can become proud of their local area, so we can change that NFB.”

She said the Together Team is about bringing together a range of public services in the area such as health, education, social services and the police to tackle the root causes of problems in Sydenham.

“Sydenham has a high density of social housing,” she said, “and is an area that has high levels of deprivation measured by national indicators. Those bring with it a range of issues such a crime, health, poverty, debt. Clearly it is important to focus on the area as it is in real need.”

In October Bridgwater police reported that was a potential drugs problem in the area while locals say the derelict pub The Withy Cutter on the estate has been used by drug users who have left needles on the pavement outside.

Kristy said: “We have had discussions around drug issues in the area and are looking at ways to tackle it. Both from the view of the offender, but also helping them to overcome their problem. So the police will tackle the drug dealers, but we have partners in the health service who can help support people who have a drug addiction.”

She said the project would succeed but it would be judged on an individual level by helping households to “take a different path” and change their attitude towards their own lives and their community.

Alan Muir of Sustrans also works on the ‘community-led’ project. He said: “It’s about talking to people and finding out their problems. There may be anti-social behaviour which stops them from going down a certain lane – and that affects the way they travel. It is also giving the community a greater control in their area such as for instance the Parkway shopping area and how to improve it.”

He said the project included Sustrans as it was part of solving the transport issues in the area. “Westonzoyland Road for instance is not cycle friendly,” he said. “And if people are concerned about road safety they won’t cycle. But the project is not about more cycle paths. Travel options in Sydenham are up for debate.”

One area he said locals had highlighted was having safe places to meet. Coronation Park improvements were welcome he said but this was a chance for people to transform their neighbourhood. The team wanted people to come forward with their ideas for improvements but also to volunteer to help set up community groups to bring residents together.

The Together Team can be contacted at Sydenham Children's Centre on Fairfax Road, Bridgwater, by phone on 01278 435216, by email at kristy.blackwell@sedgemoor.gov.uk, on Twitter at @TogetherTeam and via Sedgemoor’s website.