Angela Cousins
Resident of the Alma Estate for over 35 years. Community advocate, storyteller, and the driving force behind the Alma Heritage Project.
"This has been my home since my late teens — a place where I live, raised my family, and built my life."
— Angela Cousins
A Life on the Alma Estate
Tap each milestone to read the story behind it
Angela moves to the Alma Estate at 18, with her baby daughter.
Tap to readRaising a family, building friendships, and finding belonging on the estate.
Tap to readPhotographed at Ponders End Station — a symbol of connection and opportunity.
Tap to readStudying at university — balancing education, family life, and estate living.
Tap to readRegeneration complete — Angela moves into the new development.
Tap to readLockdown brings a new appreciation for home and outdoor space.
Tap to readThe Alma Heritage Project launches — preserving community stories for generations.
Tap to read36 Years and Counting ✨
I have lived on the Alma Estate for over 35 years. I first moved here when I was just 18, with my baby, and I still proudly call this place home today.
I remember coming to view my flat for the first time and feeling so excited that we had a concierge. It felt like a fresh start and a place full of possibility.
Angela and her daughter after moving into their flat
A Community Built on Connection
🤝 Back then, the estate had a strong sense of community. People knew each other, children played together, and there was a real feeling of connection.
🏗️ Over the years, regeneration has brought change — new homes, new people, and new opportunities. But it has also changed how people connect, and not everyone knows their neighbours in the same way.
💡 This project was created to help bring that connection back.
Raising a Family, Building a Life
👶 Raising my daughter on the estate was something I truly enjoyed. There was a real sense of community, and she had the freedom to play, make friends, and grow up surrounded by familiar faces. Over time, my journey here has come full circle — with my granddaughter now also being part of that story, creating new memories in the same place I have always called home.
🛝 Some of my favourite memories are the simplest ones — taking my daughter to the playground, watching her laugh, and seeing her build friendships that made the estate feel like an extended family.
🔧 Like any place, there were challenges too. As the buildings aged, issues like heating and repairs became more difficult. But even then, people supported one another, and that sense of community carried us through.
🌿 During Covid, having access to our own garden made a significant difference. It became a sanctuary for me and my family — a safe, calming space during a very uncertain time.
Exploring the garden during Covid — a sanctuary for family life
🎂 One moment that truly stands out is celebrating my birthday during Covid alongside a fellow resident who shares the same birthday. We came together in the communal area, socially distanced, and it became one of the most memorable and joyful birthdays I have ever had.
📱 Today, living in the new flats, I see the changes differently. Even small things — like being able to top up heating and electricity from my phone, and having a dedicated space to store my bike — make everyday life easier.
The dedicated bike storage space in the new flats
"Living here has shaped who I am — it has given me resilience, connection, and a deep sense of community."
Why This Project Matters
"This is about making sure our stories are not lost, but shared, valued, and remembered."
🎯 Project Coordinator
- Designed and developed the Alma Heritage Project from the very beginning.
- Responsible for delivering every stage of the project from start to finish.
- Working closely with residents, partners and the wider community throughout.
- Committed to creating a lasting heritage resource for future generations.
❤️ Why This Matters to Me
- The Alma Estate has been part of my life for many years.
- Preserving its history and community means a great deal to me personally.
- I've always wanted to leave a positive legacy for future generations.
- This project is my way of giving something meaningful back to the community.
🗣️ My Vision
- Bring people together through shared memories and lived experiences.
- Give residents a platform to tell their own stories in their own words.
- Celebrate the people, places and moments that shaped the Alma Estate.
- Ensure every voice has the opportunity to become part of our shared history.
Community & Connection
🏠 During the regeneration process, I had the opportunity to move away from the estate, but I chose to stay because of the strong sense of community. I knew I wouldn't feel the same connection anywhere else.
👋 What makes the Alma Estate special is the people. It's the everyday moments — saying hello, stopping for a chat, recognising familiar faces. That warmth is still here, and it's something worth holding on to.
🌱 It is important for long-standing and newer residents to connect, as this is how a community grows stronger. When people understand each other's experiences, it builds respect, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
✨ This project creates a space where those connections can happen naturally.
Legacy & Impact
📚 I hope this project leaves behind more than just memories — I hope it creates a lasting sense of pride, connection, and shared identity. Through the digital archive and exhibition, these stories will not be lost; they will be preserved, accessible, and valued for years to come.
🏛️ I want future generations to understand that the Alma Estate is more than buildings — it is a community shaped by people, experiences, and history.
🙌 For me, success is seeing people come together, sharing their stories, and feeling proud of where they live. It means that someone new to the area feels more connected, and someone who has been here for years feels seen and heard.
📖 Most importantly, success is knowing that the story of the Alma Estate has been captured by the people who lived it — and that it will continue to be shared long into the future.
"A place where lives have been built, families have grown, and stories continue to unfold."
Home
💙 And for me personally, no matter what I am going through in life, when I am at home I feel a deep sense of comfort and safety.
"No matter what life brings, the Alma Estate will always be the place where I feel safe, grounded, and at home."
The Alma Story
This video captures a very emotional moment — the day I, Angela Cousins, left the Alma Estate tower blocks for the very last time. I had lived there for nearly 30 years, and it had been my home since I was 18 years old. Walking away, knowing there was no going back, was incredibly difficult.
At the same time, it was also a very special moment. My granddaughter, although she had only lived there for a short part of her life, was by my side. Together, we shared that final goodbye and captured it on video, a memory we will always treasure.
For me, it represents both an ending and a new beginning: leaving behind a place filled with memories while embracing the next chapter of my life.
These images and videos are more than just photographs and recordings. They are part of a much bigger story, one of family, community, change, and resilience. They reflect how the Alma Estate is far more than a place to live; it is a home that has shaped lives, connected generations, and created memories that will last a lifetime.
A Life in Photographs
Early days with my daughter
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Ponders End Station, 2002
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Studying at University, 2005
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Exploring the garden — curiosity and wonder
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Gardening on the estate
Tap to read the story →Early days with my daughter
Tap to read the story →Ponders End Station, 2002
Tap to read the story →Studying at University, 2005
Tap to read the story →Exploring the garden — curiosity and wonder
Tap to read the story →Gardening on the estate
Tap to read the story →Be Part of the Story
Share your memories, your experiences, and your voice — because every story matters, and yours deserves to be heard.