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Building a Better Harrow

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Background

The Harrow Resident’s Regeneration Panel (RRP) was set up by London Borough of Harrow in 2015 to provide a platform for local residents to act as a critical friend in reviewing all the development and regeneration programmes taking place across the borough. As such, the meetings are independently facilitated and chaired by Raj Kumar from One Enterprise Ltd.

Whilst this role may seem primarily about looking at the bricks and mortar, the RRP has been more holistic in its approach. The panel considers:

– the link between the different developments, i.e. how these new spaces impact on each other and the importance of ensuring the connecting “corridors” take into account wider infrastructure requirements;

– factors that will enhance the quality of life for residents moving into the new homes and also in the neighbourhood; and

– how the social, economic and cultural infrastructure can be improved as part of delivering new homes and commercial units.

In November the RRP’s meeting was held at Whitefriars Studios in Wealdstone, which has a number of studios for local artists. The main goal of this meeting was to establish a network of local agencies that could benefit from and also support improving the cultural offer within Harrow.

ARC House

Located at the back of Harrow on the Hill station, ARC House provides an indoor and outdoor performance space, café and function room. It officially opened in April 2015 and its amphitheatre layout has real potential to become a community and cultural hub for the whole of Harrow.

This meeting facilitated the discussion of how organisations can get involved in helping make a success of ARC House, including working with NOMAD who are taking over the running and management of ARC House from early 2020.

 

Networks and partnerships

NOMAD

NOMAD is a charity that works with young leaders who are from refugee and migrant backgrounds. They have been working with young people in Harrow for around 13 years and have previously received support from the British Film Institute and the Southbank Centre.

You can find more information on NOMAD at www.nomad-uk.org.

 

 

My Yard

A registered charity that works to empower communities by distributing surplus food to families and others in need of support. My Yard is now based on the Grange Farm estate in South Harrow and uses food to help build up community resilience, as well as providing more cultural opportunities through art and music.

They are currently looking for mentor volunteers and are also happy to provide catering services for local events.

You can follow My Yard on Instagram here. (www.instagram.com/myyard.org.uk)

Website: www.myyard.org.uk

 

 

Whitefriars Studios

In 2017, the ground floor of Winsor & Newton’s Wealdstone factory was converted into a creative workspace, originally funded by the GLA (Greater London Authority). The new space accommodates 14 studios and an exhibition gallery.

 

From Sunday 1st December, the studios are running their 2020 Art Competition open to those equivalent to the ages of school years 12 and 13. More information can be found here  http://www.whitefriars.org.uk/competition

 

You can take a look at the current resident artists’ work on the Whitefriars’ Instagram here. (www.instagram.com/whitefriars_studios)

Website: www.whitefriars.org.uk

 

 

London Borough of Harrow

The Culture and Leisure Service covers the library service, Harrow Arts Centre, Headstone Manor Museum, Harrow Music Service, Leisure Centres and Sports Development. Head of Service, Tim Bryan, reported the following:

–Harrow Arts Centre has been making good progress in making savings, as well as increasing its usage and income. Improvements to the dated spaces are ongoing.

–Greenhill Library is due to open in Spring 2020 and will also include a garden space, with the intention that it will be a flexible community hub including meeting, study, activity and exhibition spaces. It’s opening hours will remain the same as the existing library.

–Bannister Sports Centre has received planning permission to improve the football pitches, including a full sized 3G pitch with floodlighting. There is a planning application due to go to Committee in December for an overflow car park.

 

Economic Development officer Shehzad Ahmed provided an update on the ongoing developments in Harrow’s town centre.

–Wealdstone Square is due to launch as an active space for local residents in March next year. Works are planning to finish in January 2020.

-Works are due to start in early 2020 to create a new public square in Greenhill Place. It will provide a space for five food kiosks, 16 market stalls, seating and an art exhibition space.

-Redundant buildings in Harrow Arts Centre are set to be brought back into use now that funding has been acquired.

-An ‘Expressions of Interest’ project seeking artists to produce murals in Wealdstone, South Harrow and Rayners Lane is due to be launched. Priority will be given to artists working in partnership with local groups and schools. Dependent on budget, there is the possibility to expand this project to other areas.

Charles Gardner Memorial Fund

A trust fund was set up in memory of Charles Gardner, an innovative youth worker whose legacy lives on almost 100 years after he died rescuing a local boy from drowning. Part of his estate includes a plot of land in South Harrow. Project Coordinator, Andrew Morsely, announced that the trustees are currently reviewing the process of building a multi-purpose activity centre for young people to use recreationally.

 

The site offers great potential due to the lack of green space nearby, and a number of existing youthwork partners such as the Harrow District Scouts will be involved. The centre’s main objectives will be to support young people through improved sport facilities, as well as helping to transform issues around knife crime, mental health and social inequality. There are potential future plans to develop the remainder of the field and forest site as an augmented reality outdoor activity space.

 

 

AuburnRoe Media

Lois Goswell, a freelance digital content creator who works to help brands with online marketing, has partnered with One Enterprise LTD in making content for the website, such as photos of the last RRP meeting. Her services include web design, videography and blog writing, and her recent work has involved helping local charities and organisations gain a better online presence. She also works as a travel blogger, promoting travel companies through her social media and blog.

 

If you would like to work with Lois, you can find her on Instagram here. (www.instagram.com/auburnroe)

Website: www.auburnroe.com

 

 

For more information on the RRP, please contact Raj Kumar at One Enterprise LTD:

 

Email: raj@1enterprise.co.uk

Mobile: 07768 858584

Twitter: @rajhousing

Power to the People – 10 years and counting!

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It’s been just over 10 years since we set up the boutique consultancy that is One Enterprise Ltd. Of course a lot has changed in the social housing sector in that time, as has One Enterprise Ltd. So we are using today’s blog as a way not to reflect back on the 10 years, but to convey where we are and what we have to offer going forward.

The consultancy is very much focused on 3 key areas of work in the social housing sector:

  • understanding and delivering value for money,
  • developing good governance, and
  • empowering organisations, teams and resident groups by supporting better ways of working, communicating and consulting.

 

These themes may sound familiar, but our approach is refreshingly different:

  • we offer real practical solutions which are always delivered in an interactive, fun and positive atmosphere;
  • we never lose our focus that housing organisations exist to serve their residents. We have always been 100% committed to empowering residents and communities to ensure there is accountability to stakeholders; and
  • the Advisory Board who oversee the work of the consultancy is made up of members from the widest range of sectors, who offer insights from some of the UK’s largest companies covering – innovative technology, retail and pharmaceutical interests.

 

Offering clear outcomes and solutions to organisations is our number one aim and we achieve this by:

  • working with a diverse range of people;
  • bringing together different disciplines such as planning, design and social housing; and
  • not being afraid to challenge poor practice wherever we see it – be it in the board room, workplace or neighbourhoods.

 

The work of the consultancy has taken us from Limerick to Glasgow, Birmingham to Bath and everywhere in between. Each region has its own challenges and opportunities. Understanding and enjoying the local context is uplifting and we have met some amazing characters along the way.

 

Bringing us right up to date, on 21 April 2018 we were fortunate enough to facilitate and support PA Housing’s first major event (after the merger between ASRA Housing and Paragon Housing Group), called “Better Together – You can make a difference”. It certainly was an opportunity to put into practice all of our learning, experience and expertise to help make the event a great success by:

  • building the attendees’ trust very quickly;
  • developing confidence to embrace change; and
  • sharing a common vision for the future.

 

This is what attendees had to say about the day:

“One Enterprise Ltd recently helped PA Housing with its first national residents conference.  The event was a great success largely due to Raj being a very engaging facilitator who builds trust and confidence with stakeholders very quickly.  I would strongly recommend Raj as an independent facilitator when working with important stakeholders.”

Matt Cooney, Chief Operating Officer

 

“Thank you all so much for organising a great day. It was vital that this day happened and that residents got a glimpse into each other’s ‘worlds’.  I’ve heard so much positive feedback.

Joan Swift, Chair, Scrutiny Panel

 

“Thanks for your input into making the day such a success.
Hope we will work together again in the future.”

Ian Watts, Operations Director

 

 

“One Enterprise helped PA organise our first resident-wide event. Raj facilitated on the day and provided advice throughout the planning process. He was professional and supportive throughout and played a major part in ensuring the day was a success”

Simon Martin, Resident Involvement Manager

 

End

 

For more details contact:

One Enterprise Ltd 0845 057 3995

Or visit our website www.1enterprise.co.uk

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Residents Taking The Lead

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Residents Taking the Lead
Grange Farm £100 Million Regeneration

Over a hundred residents turned out for the meeting at the British Legion to discuss the Grange Farm, South Harrow £100 million redevelopment proposals on Saturday 16th April 2016.

Ken Woods (centre front row, below), chair of the Steering Group said “This is the first event organised by residents – for residents. We are overjoyed with the great turn out and it’s a testament to the power of door knocking and speaking directly with people.”

The residents were overwhelmingly supportive of the efforts of the Steering Group in working with the Harrow council and Hawkins/Brown architects to help make sure commitments are kept to deliver the best redevelopment in London.

One of the key priorities identified at the meeting is that the council should sign up to a “Neighbourhood Agreement”, which acts as a contract with the community to help tackle immediate issues of anti-social behavior, parking, rubbish and a lack of community activities.

A number of residents said they were still waiting for a council visit to help determine their future housing options.

Other residents believed the council must undertake a survey of the different cultural needs and consider support for frail and vulnerable members of the community.

Bill Beardon, vice chair (bottom, left) encouraged residents to come forward and help design the green areas and play spaces that will help to improve health and well-being.

Chantelle Barker (below, left), part of One Enterprise Ltd, the independent tenant advisors team said she was “totally amazed by the turnout and for the first time a number of young people have come forward and want to be part of the Steering Group or to be actively involved in helping design the new neighbourhood. It’s a real pleasure for us to be working with the Steering Group on this massive regeneration project.”

Fiona Allen (bottom, centre) said “The community are firmly behind the Steering Group. Residents are finally taking the lead and that can only be a positive thing for the future of Grange Farm”.

Paddy Lyne, Chairman Harrow Federation of Tenants & Residents Association (HFTRA) who also attended the meeting, said “The Steering Group should be very proud of themselves. What started as a group of people who didn’t know each other has now resulted in a tight knit band of neighbours working for the benefit of their estate. This open meeting is a credit for all their hard and dedicated work over the past months. I am proud to have been included with them.”
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For more details contact: Raj Kumar, One Enterprise Ltd 0845 057 3995