A project aimed at giving out-of-work people the chance to shape the future of three Oxford estates has been launched.

Volunteers are wanted to join a free course to teach them how to find out what really matters to people living in Barton, Northway and Wood Farm.

It is hoped the course will help participants — who will be paid to carry out the research next year — get back into work.

The information collected will also form action plans and, ultimately, a foundation for funding applications to improve community facilities and kickstart youth projects.

A taster session for the course — which starts on Monday, November 3 — took place in Wood Farm last week.

Project leader Alan Foulkes said: "We had 12 people along, which was brilliant. It far exceeded our expectations because we are only looking for six or seven people from each estate.

"The atmosphere at the meeting was great. It was a real mixture of people, but there were a lot of young mums interested in becoming involved in the community and getting back into learning."

He added: "I'm delighted because I'm asking for a lot of commitment and time from people."

The new initiative follows in the footsteps of a successful community project in Barton, which folded in March after £134,000 of National Lottery funding dried up.

The Barton Community Development Project helped bring about the cash for the new café in Barton Neighbourhood Centre and fund the redevelopment of Underhill Circus.

It was only envisaged as a three-year project, but community leaders feared that without continued funding, its benefits would be lost.

Then, in June, Oxford City Council agreed to fund a part-time community development worker for two years to expand the project and safeguard its legacy.

Mr Foulkes — who secured the post — explained: "The aim is for residents themselves to find out from residents the most important issues on the estates. "You have to be wary about making promises, but clearly there's a lot of potential for the project."

Mother-of-two Vicky Merrill, of Pauling Road, said she attended the taster session in Wood Farm purely out of curiosity.

The 28-year-old said: "I think it's good they are making an effort to work with residents in the community — that's definitely a good idea."

She hopes the project will help combat antisocial behaviour and bullying among young people in Wood Farm and foster greater communication between residents.

The final taster session takes place at Barton Neighbourhood Centre on Monday, from 11am to 1pm.