I was raised on a council estate – neighbours smacking me & eating dinner on grass was the norm…other kids don’t get it
A WOMAN has opened up on what it was really like growing up on a council estate.
Shannon Scurr explained that not only did her neighbours smack her, but she also ate her dinner on the street.
The young mum also revealed that parties were often held in people’s front and back gardens, and their front doors were always left wide open in the summer.
Posting on social media, Shannon gave her followers an insight into what her life was like as a child, as she said: “Ways that I was raised on a council estate that non-council estate kids or people who have never been raised on a council estate, will find very weird.”
RAISING KIDS TOGETHER
Shannon explained that all of the neighbours on her estate would discipline or smack each other's kids.
She claimed that when she was naughty, her mum would drag her round to her neighbour's house, and she would be smacked and would have to sit on their naughty step.
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She revealed that everyone on the street would “raise the kids together”, meaning they would tell each other’s kids off.
As a result, the brunette beauty claimed that it wasn’t abnormal for others to storm into their house to tell her off when she was acting up.
EATING OUT
When it came to eating dinner, Shannon claimed that she would always eat her dinner on the street, and most of the time, she wouldn’t even have shoes on.
She claimed that after school, the children in the area would play outside their homes, and when it was dinner time, their parents would come out to the front to call the kids in.
However, rather than eating at a dining table like some families, Shannon explained: “We'd all go get our tea, bring it out on the plate in the street and we'd all just sit on the grass and eat it.”
The woman explained that the children did this because they didn’t want to ‘miss out’ on their playtime.
PARTY TIME
Where parties were concerned, Shannon explained that it was typical for such events to be held in people’s front gardens or back gardens in summer.
As well as this, there would ‘always’ be a pool and the front door would be open, so that people could come and go as they pleased.
She explained that the freezer would be ram-packed with ice lollies, and kids would be in and out helping themselves.
WALK ON IN
Not only this, but Shannon also opened up about the open-door policy that was present on her council estate, as she claimed that people would simply walk into each other's houses.
Who is eligible for a council house?
You are eligible to apply for council housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK providing have not lived abroad recently.
Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies to go on the housing register in its area, but it is based on "points" or a "banding" system.
For example, you’re likely to be offered housing first if you:
- are homeless
- live in cramped conditions
- have a medical condition made worse by your current home
- are seeking to escape domestic violence
Once you are high enough on a council's waiting list, it will contact you when a property is available.
Some councils let people apply at the age of 18, while others let you apply even sooner at 16-year-olds.
EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible.
She explained: “We would not knock. Rather than knocking and then going in, we would literally walk in and get what we need.”
Shannon also reflected on the times that her neighbour would walk into her home and would help herself to some sugar or milk, which was commonplace on her council estate.
DOORS ALWAYS OPEN
Similar to this, Shannon revealed that in summer, the doors were ‘always open’.
Shannon claimed: “You know how if you walk down the street and you see people's front doors open, you'd find that weird? Where I was raised, on my street, most of the doors were open and it was so normal.”
The woman explained that her front door was open and kids would run in and out to get drinks and ice lollies, as she added: “It sounds so weird, but honestly, you have not lived if you have not been raised on a council estate.”
Shannon also beamed: “It was just such a good childhood.”
'I MISS THEM DAYS'
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @shannonkescurr, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 50,600 views in just 21 hours.
Social media users were keen to share their thoughts in the comments, as many were impressed by Shannon’s upbringing and could relate to her lifestyle.
Makes me wish I grew up on an estate
TikTok user
One person said: “I miss them days so much. My neighbours wouldn't take a parcel in for me.”
Another added: “Growing up on a council estate is an elite childhood experience.”
A third commented: “The council estate I grew up in was the safest place ever. I’m sorry I ever moved. Doors open all.”
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Whilst someone else admitted: “Makes me wish I grew up on an estate.”
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