East Thames Focus June 2011 by East Thames Group

focus EAST THAMES

ISSUE 16 | SUMMER 2011 www.east-thames.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @eastthamesgroup

SUPPORTING RESIDENTS TO GET INTO WORK

TOP STORIES >> Moving for work

Tackling ASB

Helping our residents move closer to their place of work

Foyer manager, Tracey McGurl is commended for her work in tackling ASB

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020 8522 2000 | www.east-thames.co.uk

Winsor Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s royal visit The Dutchess of Cornwall visits our Winsor Park Estate. Page 11

Making a positive and lasting contribution to the neighbourhoods in which we work

Welcome

WELCOME TO THE LATEST EAST THAMES FOCUS NEWSLETTER This issue is all about work. Supporting our residents to find work is a major priority for us. We know it’s really tough right now, but we also know that getting back into work can be a real boost to self esteem, confidence, not to mention household finances. I’m incredibly proud of the work our employment and training team are doing. They do a great job of matching our residents and members of the wider community with local employment opportunities. This works particularly well at our Newham Workplace Hub, where Newham residents can drop in to get employment help and advice. The great news is that

MEET THE TEAM

Pamela Gardener, previously East Thames director of social and economic regeneration, has been appointed the interim director of communities and neighbourhoods. Pamela’s new role involves taking on responsibility for our resident services work, include repairs and maintenance, resident

last year we found jobs for 234 people – that’s almost one job for every working day. We’re also working with some of our supported residents, who face real barriers when it comes to employment. Typically, people with learning disabilities or mental health needs often require on the job support and can benefit from work place trials, rather than formal interviews. We’ve been putting this to the test through our Work Ready programme, which brings our supported residents into our office and schemes to carry out work placements. And, through our work on the g15 London moves project, we’re helping our London residents who are already in employment or have a job offer, to find a home that’s nearer their place of work. We’re

involvement and neighbourhood management, along with the social and economic regeneration programmes we run for both our residents and the wider community. Pamela’s appointment follows the departure of Victor da Cunha. After working for East Thames for 14 years, Victor left the organisation in April to take on the role of chief executive of Somer Housing Group. Many of you will have worked closely with Victor over the years, and I’m sure you’ll join us in wishing

really excited about this project because, as you’ll see from our resident profile opposite, this is really making a difference to our residents’ quality of life. Enjoy the newsletter and please get in touch if you would like information on anything included in these pages.

Pamela Gardner Interim director of communities and neighbourhoods

him the best for the future. Surinder Bains joined East Thames as the assistant director of neighbourhoods and housing last autumn. Surinder is managing East Thames’ repairs and maintenance and neighbourhood management teams to ensure we residents’ needs are at the heart of our landlord services.

Employment support

GETTING LONDON MOVING FOR WORK East Thames has helped launch a pioneering scheme to enable social housing residents to move in order to sustain or take-up work opportunities. East Thames is part of the g15, a group of London’s 15 largest social landlords, and together they have launched the pilot scheme g15 London moves. The scheme provides opportunities for g15 social tenants in London to move to another g15 home in London that better suits their needs, initially focusing on those who need to move for work. The launch of g15 London moves is an important milestone in delivering the Mayor of London’s housing strategy, which includes a commitment to give social tenants more control over their housing and work situations. The lessons learnt from the scheme will support the Mayor’s plans to roll out a London-wide housing mobility

system, and the two schemes may eventually be combined. To develop the pilot the g15 worked with the National Housing Federation, London Councils and the Greater London Authority. Each member of the g15 will provide around 5% of their available void properties (that are not subject to local authority nomination arrangements) which equates to around 190 homes over the next year. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “g15 London moves is an important development that will help people in search of work or training to move much more freely around the capital, empowering tenants to do what they feel is best for them and their families. I have no doubt that the scheme will deliver significant benefits for Londoners and for London’s economy.”

Residents can register for the scheme and start their property bids on the new website: www.g15londonmoves.org.uk. Former East Thames Newham resident Toby Lynch was the first to apply and be accepted for a move. He said: “g15 London moves is the ideal scheme for me as it allows me to make a move across London to the area where I work. This is going to make a huge difference to my life, as without the lengthy travel for work, I’ll be saving around £70 per week and gain an extra four hours a day. “I’m even going to be closer to my mother who lives in west London - just one stop on the fast train from where my new home will be. I’m looking forward to enjoying a better quality of life, having more time to see my family and a much easier route to work.”

Employment support

A JOB A DAY Last year we helped 234 people find a job. That’s almost one job for every working day. The support we offer helps to prepare people for the workplace and includes professional help to apply for work and prepare for interviews; opportunities to access and gain work experience; and courses in IT, presenting, group working and CV development. We work in partnership with employment agencies and local businesses to secure job opportunities. Working with Bovis Lend Lease’s BeOnsite has already created 50 apprenticeship opportunities on the Olympic site over the last four years. A key part of the service is our Newham Workplace Hub which covers everything from job searches to training courses and a job broker to link candidates with local employers. This service alone has engaged with over 400 people and assisted an impressive 95 people into employment since opening in July last year.

To find out more about the employment and training programmes offered by East Thames, please visit www.east-thames.co.uk/ employment-training

Above: Pat Desir, volunteer coordinator, with Jane Potter, an East Thames volunteer

INVESTING IN VOLUNTEERS East Thames has been awarded the Investors in Volunteers quality standard, recognising our commitment to our volunteer programme. Since it began in 2006, the volunteer programme has been a huge success, giving volunteers the skills they need to find paid employment and providing support to some of our most vulnerable residents. Jane Potter, a long standing East Thames volunteer, said: “Having volunteered at East Thames for three years, I know that a lot of thought goes into the service to ensure

volunteers can truly benefit from the experience. The detailed training programme and the supportive working environment demonstrate that volunteers are really respected and looked after throughout their time here. And I know of volunteers who have gone on to get jobs as a direct result of their volunteering experience.” The National Housing Federation recently announced that the East Thames’ volunteering programme has been shortlisted for an NHF What We Are Proud Of Award. The awards celebrate outstanding projects run by housing associations. The results will be announced on Monday 27 June.

SUPPORTED RESIDENTS GET WORK READY East Thames has introduced a supported employment and training programme to help residents with learning disabilities and mental health needs get valuable work experience and help finding a job. Eight East Thames’ supported residents are taking part in the Work Ready programme which involves on the job training, one to one sessions with support workers, flexible working hours,

and ongoing help to find a job from project partner Newham Workplace. Job placements are being provided in partnership with Compass at East Thames’ head office and care schemes, and include roles in catering, administration, office cleaning and care and support work. People with support needs often face tough barriers to finding work, like a lack of supported job training. Only 6.4% of people with learning disabilities are in employment, when 65% have reported that they’d like to be. East Thames care and support service manager, Suzanne Bailey said: “With current changes to support funding providing people with personal budgets, there is now a real opportunity for people with support needs to exercise their choice by trying things like job coaching and supported training programmes. By utilising the right support and training, they can build their independence and get into work to make the same contribution that some often take for granted.”

East Thames supported housing resident Jimmy Brouet (above) has been taking part in Work Ready programme. He said: “I’ve been wanting to get back in to work for quite a while now, but I didn’t know how to go about it. Thanks to my support worker that’s all changed. I’m enjoying my time on the programme so far and already I’ve learnt some valuable employment skills.”

Could you offer a work placement or volunteering opportunity to one of our residents? We can work with you to provide any necessary support to our volunteers and work placements participants. To find out more please contact our volunteer coordinator, Pat Desir at patricia.desir@east-thames.co.uk or 020 8522 2282 or employment & training co-ordinator, Shehla Kadri at shehla.kadri@east-thames.co.uk or 020 8522 3433.

Young people

TACKLING ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

East Thames foyer manager, Tracey McGurl, has been awarded a commendation by the Metropolitan Police in recognition of her work to reduce antisocial behaviour. Tracey acted fast to tackle antisocial behaviour taking place near our Focus E15 Foyer in Stratford, which was causing concern for foyer residents, neighbouring residents, and the police. Tracey successfully turned the situation around by working with local police and residents to improve relationships and look at ways to make the neighbourhood safer. A problem solving group was put in place, made up of local residents, East Thames staff and the police. Together the group has drawn

up a plan that encourages young people not to spend time outside the foyer, and introduced a newsletter to keep neighbouring residents informed of local developments and help build a sense of community. As a result of this work overall crime has fallen by 43%, foyer resident arrests have fallen by 62% and police call outs to the foyer are down by 77%. The project has been nominated for the Home Officeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national Tilley Award for projects which tackle crime and the Metropolitan Police Authority's Safer London Problem Oriented Partnership Award. It has also featured on the Guardian Housing Network site here: www.guardian. co.uk/housing-network/2011/ may/25/east-thames-housingantisocial-behaviour

EAST THAMES FOYERS Focus E15 in Stratford, is one of East Thamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; five foyers, which provide accommodation and support for around 600 people aged 16 to 24 who are at risk of becoming homeless. Our foyer residents are among the most vulnerable young people in east London and Essex. Many are not in employment, education or training (NEET) and some have experienced difficulties such as problematic family relationships, abuse, or have been involved in crime or substance abuse. We support our foyer residents to work towards training or employment goals and to prepare for independent living.

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A HELPING HAND FOR YOUNG PARENTS East Thames has officially opened the doors of Railway Meadow, a new young parents scheme in Chipping Ongar. The scheme is the result of partnership working between East Thames and three district councils: Epping Forest, Brentwood and Uttlesford; who pooled their resources to build a stronger service that

accepts applicants from all three districts. The scheme was supported by a grant of £835,000 from the Homes and communities Agency and will be managed by East Thames. Railway Meadow offers 13 selfcontained flats and specialised support for young parents aged 16-25 who are at risk of becoming homeless. Support focuses on good parenting skills, general life skills and employment and training to help

them live independently. Samantha, a 17 year old Railway Meadows resident and mum of four-month-old Michaela, said: “Coming here has given me and my daughter Michaela a new life, I feel like I have a bond with her and I’m amazed at the change I have seen in myself. Staff here support me in every way and I can’t wait to get back in to college. I am forever thankful, I couldn’t be happier.”

Providing homes

100% GAS SAFETY East Thames has achieved a huge gas servicing success – every home that we’ve checked in the past year now complies with gas safety regulations. To achieve 100% compliance, our repairs and maintenance team worked closely with our gas servicing contractor K&T Heating, and our neighbourhood managers and care and support staff to gain entry and conduct gas checks in 7,959 homes. Over the coming year, we’ll be going one step further to ensure our residents safety, by fitting carbon monoxide detectors in all general needs homes. All general needs residents and residents living in foyers and schemes will receive a detector before January 2012.

OCEAN ESTATE East Thames is working with Tower Hamlets Council on the borough’s biggest regeneration project - the £200m, threeyear regeneration of the Ocean Estate in Stepney. The project is one year in and work is well underway to build 800 new homes, refurbish 1,200 existing homes and we’ll soon embark on a huge landscaping project to breathe new life into the estate.

Future plans

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As part of the estate’s regeneration, Tower Hamlets Council recently transferred three sites to Bellway Homes and East Thames. Work will begin at the end of this year to transform the sites into 240 new homes. 116 of these will be sold on the private market, while 124 will be available through

affordable rent and shared ownership.

A helping hand We recently put twenty Ocean residents through our community champions course, which is designed to tackle unemployment and equip people with the skills and knowledge to bring about positive changes in their community. Course participants were trained to survey local residents to get their feedback on the estates’ regeneration. They then analysed this feedback and presented it to the Ocean Estate regeneration project team. After completing the course, participants received the National Open College Network level one award and will receive continued support to find a job. Ocean resident and course graduate, Mohammed Al-Inaze

said: “The community champions programme has been a god send for me. Already I have an interview and am more confident than ever. I feel that I can do anything I put my mind to because I now have the skills and knowledge.”

Find out more If you want to know more about the work being done on the Ocean Estate, visit the new dedicated Ocean Estate website: www.transformingtheocean.co.uk

One year celebration On Saturday 8 July, we’ll be celebrating one year of the Ocean Estate regeneration programme with a fun packed family day. Residents can enjoy a barbecue, children’s activities and information on employment and training opportunities.

East Thames people

MEET OUR HOUSING SCRUTINY PANEL

The Housing Scrutiny Panel is an important part of East Thamesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new resident involvement approach. Recruitment to the panel is well underway and in May the group met for the first time. The Housing Scrutiny Panel will now meet every three months to examine our performance and services. Members of the Panel will decide which service areas they want to scrutinise and can commission resident inspectors

and mystery shoppers to gather independent information on any area they wish to examine. The Panel gives residents the opportunity to get involved at a more strategic level than has previously been possible, enabling Panel members to look at our budgets, identify good practice and areas for improvement, and hold East Thames accountable for the services we provide.

When recruitment is complete the Panel will be made up of 12 members all elected to the Panel by their fellow residents. Following a recent election, we now have members in place to represent the boroughs of Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest and we are still looking for residents to represent Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Tower Hamlets and Essex.

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D eb b ie T a y lo r

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Waltham Fore st Ju lie S pa ld in g T ra cy A ld ri ch

O g il vi e R ob er ts

We have also recently appointed three residents to our Board.

management board. He is managing director of Fearn Events Limit.

Willan and previously worked for the Group’s solicitors, Trowers and Hamlins.

Philip Fearn, is a leaseholder at Vickery’s Wharf in Tower Hamlets and is chair of the Abbots and Vickery’s Wharf Residents Association and director of the Abbots Wharf

Dominic Jebb has been a Newham general needs resident since 2006 when he successfully completed the foyer programme. He is a marketing database assistant with Holman Fenwick

Angela Williams is a Newham resident and currently works with the London Borough of Newham as a street scene enforcement officer.

ROYAL VISIT The Duchess of Cornwall recently visited our Winsor Park estate in Newham, for a spot of litter picking. The visit launched CleanupUK’s Beautiful Boroughs campaign which encourages residents in the five Olympic boroughs Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Waltham Forest and Greenwich - to keep the area tidy in the run up to next year's Games and beyond.