notes

Notes from speaking to Senga (a resident of Slateford Green since its opening 12 years ago) and some photos of the place attached (all taken from google 'slateford green')

Residents of Slateford Green include (to get an idea of what kind of characters can be included, it would be nice to somehow have an honest depiction of Slateford Green and its demographic translated into the film):

Many deaf people, some of which live together, some above the community centre. They reply on their carers for communication with others through sign language or however else.
There are also many people with learning disabilities including partial sightedness and tourettes. The learning difficulties office for both Slateford Green and other housing estates of this part of Edinburgh is located at Slateford Green in one of the garages. This means that even those with learning disabilities who do not live in Slateford Green will come to the housing estate with their problems and care service. People who spend time at Slateford Green do not necessarily live there, but are there to work as a carer or to receive care.
Margret is deaf and dumb, in her eighties, gets about on a zimmer frame, but a lovely woman
Christine is a 'pest' because she will walk into your apartment without knocking, but she is a lovely woman. She doesn't live at Slateford Green but often needs to visit the disabilities office. 
Paul from block 8 flat 3 burnt his flat down twice, and the third time, he didn't even call  the emergency services, but went to MacDonalds down the road and left his flat in flames. At MacDonalds he asked a bunch of youths if they fancied seeing a bonfire and proceeded to lead them to his flat. Paul also has learning disabilities. His flat was completely gutted and he was sent into a care home.
Suzie from flat 9 has learning disabilities and always repeats herself. She constantly asks Senga where her dog is even though Senga has told her numerous times that her dog is dead. Now Senga just tells Suzie that her dog is asleep. Suzie is only allowed to smoke when her carer is there to provide her with a lighter (Suzie is not allowed to be in possession of a lighter). Suzie and her carer will go down into the stairwell to smoke. One time however, Suzie found a lighter and started smoking unattended. She ended up setting her hair alight.
A boy who lived about 'Shelia' was the first person to be evicted from Slateford Green because he made too much noise and took drugs. 
Debbie (Senga's best friend) had her apartment set on fire by a group of boys who were throwing lighted 'bombs' at Debbie's stair (!!?). The boys claimed it was in fact a lit cigarette. However, it resulted in a massive fire. Senga couldn't find Debbie any where and worried that she was trapped in the apartment. She wasn't.  Senga on this particular occasion, who is overweight, has difficulty breathing and walks with a frame, was so worried for Debbie that she miraculously found the strength to run around Slateford Green screaming out for her. Senga, to this day, cannot explain that burst of energy. 
 
Places to relax/where people will hang out:
not each other apartments but... 
the allotments- they are popular and there is a waiting list to get a plot, mostly used during the warmer months
pond area- which is fenced off so can only be observed from a distance
there was a play area but that was taken away as it attached undesirables to loiter

Slateford Green's past:
used to be train track property
a man was murdered there. He was an alcoholic so may have gotten in a fight or approached by junkies...
connects to Gorgie park which has a play area
there was also a school just behind Slateford Green, which is not an Aldis. It was called St Nicholas and was for those with learning disabilities. 

I think that's pretty much it. 
Senga was a great story teller though, and was a really nosey-parker. She knew where each person lived- flat and block number. The place breeds a lot of mystery though because no one ever goes into each other's apartments, a lot of speculation that can naturally become a little far-fetched.