Salix Homes residents on the Duchy Estate are celebrating the completion of a multi-million pound regeneration project on their homes.

For the past three years housing provider Salix Homes has been working alongside regeneration and construction experts Emanuel Whittaker to overhaul the Duchy Estate as part of a £4.9 million home improvement programme.

Improvement works carried out on the 317 properties include new kitchens and bathrooms, the installation of energy efficient heating systems, new windows and doors and complete re-wiring of the properties.

To mark the completion of the work Salix Homes and Emanuel Whittaker joined forces with partner agencies including Salford City College, Sure Start and the fire service to host the Duchy Estate Get-Together on Friday, April 5.

The community came together to celebrate the end of the scheme and enjoyed an action-packed afternoon of fun and games on the football pitches next to Barr Hill JFC.

Activities included giant games, football, an Easter egg hunt, face painting and T-shirt printing. Salix Homes also gave away 150 hanging baskets to tenants in a bid to leave a lasting legacy on the estate.

Joe Willis, chief executive at Salix Homes said: “The major improvement programme which has taken place on the Duchy Estate has helped to improve the quality of life for our tenants.

“After three years of hard work it was wonderful to see the whole community come together and celebrate the completion of this project.

“Our tenants are thrilled with their new-look homes and they are now benefiting from more comfortable, energy efficient homes that are fit for 21st century living.

“This regeneration work is part of our wider investment to improve people’s homes and the completion of this project marks a major milestone in our Decent Homes improvement programme.”

Salford City Council’s Assistant Mayor for Housing, Councillor Gena Merrett, added: “It is wonderful to see these home improvements happen. The new-look homes are a source of enormous pride for the residents. It shows how vital it is to invest in social housing, even during the tough times.”

The Duchy Estate which was built during the 1930s and 1940s is steeped in history and was once home to dramatist and screenwriter Shelagh Delaney famed for her debut play A Taste of Honey, which was first performed in 1958 and set in her native Salford.

Albert Robinson, 68, and his wife Nora have lived in their home on Duchy Road for 10 years. They have had their property rewired and a new kitchen installed and are thrilled with the work.

Albert said: “We have been very, very pleased with the work to our home. The workmen were very polite, nothing was too much trouble for them and they always cleaned up after themselves. They were excellent and have done a brilliant job.”

The work forms part of Salix Homes’ Decent Homes programme, whereby improvements are carried out to properties to ensure they reach the Government’s Decent Homes Standard as well as their own benchmark – the Salix Homes’ Standard.

To develop the programme and ensure the works had the best possible impact on the local community, Salix Homes worked with regeneration consortium Procure Plus.

“Working in partnership we created a scheme of works that not only provided a cost effective solution long-term, but also lead to a number of employment and training opportunities,” said Jackie Roach, operations manager at Procure Plus.

“Over the past three years, we’ve been able to keep costs below the market average and have successfully created jobs for people who live in the area.”

Paul Robinson, Emanuel Whittaker site manager at the Duchy Estate, said: “Our team has enjoyed working on the Duchy Estate for three years and we were happy to co-host an event to say thanks to the tenants for their co-operation during the work.

“It was quite sad to be saying goodbye to everyone but we can leave happy in the knowledge that Duchy Estate tenants have modern energy efficient homes they love.”

Emanuel Whittaker plays Father Christmas for children at The Royal Oldham Hospital

Dec 21, 2012

Father Christmas and three trusty elves have delivered over £500 worth of Christmas presents to the children’s ward at The Royal Oldham Hospital.

They didn’t have to travel all the way from Lapland though, instead just across the road from the hospital, from local construction company Emanuel Whittaker Ltd.

Emanuel Whittaker is celebrating its 175^th anniversary this year and has enlisted the support of its staff to deliver 175 ‘little acts of kindness’.  The In Your Hands appeal at the hospital which was launched to provide additional equipment for the new £44m women and children’s development at Oldham, was one of their chosen charities to receive one of the acts of kindness.

Donning a Father Christmas and elves outfits, joiner Gary Brooks, partnerships manager Rukhsana Nabi, bricklayer Katie Lockwood, and Janet Gallagher who is the wife of co-owner of the company John Gallagher, dropped off the 80 presents to children’s ward manager Sr Ann Sutherland and play specialist Karen Huskinson.

Karen said: “I would like to thank Emanuel Whittakers for all the wonderful presents they bought for the children’s unit.  Their generosity will help to make Christmas day special for the children who are in hospital.”

Rukhsana Nabi, partnerships manager at Emanuel Whittaker Ltd said: “We’re an Oldham based company and wanted to put something back into the town that has supported us throughout our 175 year history.  We employ so many people from Oldham whose families will benefit from the new women and children’s development at the hospital that it seemed natural to donate to the children’s ward.

Janet Gallagher, wife of co-owner of the company John Gallagher added, “This is by far our best fundraising initiative – it just shows how much the hospital and the In Your Hands appeal means to our staff for them to dig so deep into their pockets.  Some staff bought presents and others gave us money for presents.  We never expected so many gifts for the children, we’re overwhelmed!”

Katie Lockwood who is a bricklayer at Emanuel Whittakers is a mum of two young children herself.  She said: “Christmas is stressful enough, without having to cope with a child in hospital.  Christmas shopping is the last thing on your mind, so I’m glad we can help.”

Pictured left to right are: Gary Brooks, Sr Ann Sutherland, Katie Lockwood, play specialist Karen Huskinson, Janet Gallagher and Rukhsana Nabi.

It’s time to celebrate – 5 years of ROCA

Nov 30, 2012

Members celebrate the 5th Anniversary of ROCA

Founding ROCA supporter Kevin McCarthy cuts the cake

Happy birthday ROCA

The members of ROCA took some time out of their meeting this week to celebrate a major milestone in the initiatives history.

The community fund was established just 5 years ago with the support of First Choice Homes and a number of local businesses from the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Throughout its five year history, ROCA has invested hundreds of thousands in local community initiatives that have helped projects that encourage a sense of community, involving people from all backgrounds and encourage people to develop skills that will benefit their community.

Emanuel Whittaker are proud to be one of the founding members and have continued to support the scheme each year with funding as well as taking part in each and every funding meeting.

A good job all round

Nov 27, 2012

Salix Homes are delivering improvements to many properties as part of the Decent Homes programme, but for resident David Perry, the repairs have also led to a full-time job.

When David heard that Salix Homes was making improvements to his home at Black Friar Court in Broughton, he was delighted. But the enterprising resident also thought that the repairs could be more than just a boost for the building.

“I am a qualified tiler, but the economic downturn in the construction industry has meant that I found it very difficult to find a permanent job. The company carrying out the repair work, Emanuel Whittaker, held an open day in January to inform residents about what to expect from the work” David explained.  “I took the chance to ask about employment – however at that time there was nothing on offer.”

In the meantime, David’s name kept coming up in the site office as a result of his good turns in the neighbourhood. Ian McCune, Site Manager explained:  “David is very well known for being a good neighbour on the block. He helps out with shopping or goes to the laundry for older people here and he also carries out odd jobs now and then.  Everyone had a good word to say about him and so he was always front of mind.”

As the work progressed to upgrading kitchens and bathrooms in the block Emanuel Whittaker needed to find a suitably qualified tiler – and not surprisingly David’s name came up again.

David successfully applied for the position and has now joined the company as a tiler where he is helping to carry out improvement work on his neighbours’ properties at Black Friar Court.

Dave said “It’s a great feeling to be back in work and especially doing work for my friends and neighbours! If I hear they need something like a run to the laundry or putting up a shelf I try to help out after work.”

Sue Sutton, Salix Homes Director of Neighbourhoods and Customer Service said “We are thrilled that our home improvement work has benefited a local resident in more ways than one, and it’s a real reward for David’s initiative and commitment to the community.

If you would like help getting back into work visit our online tips www.salixhomes.org/worklessness.htm or register with us to receive help.

You can also find out more information on the Decent Homes repairs including searching for repairs for your area. www.salixhomes.org/Improvements-to-your-home.htm

Family Fun Day to Celebrate 175 Successful Years

Sep 19, 2012

 

Despite the weather, there was no dampening the spirits of almost 200 staff and their families who came along to our Family Fun Day to celebrate our 175^th Anniversary.

The party thrown by owners, Clive Newton and John Gallagher was to mark the tremendous milestone in our history of 175 years of successful trading. Clive said:  “We are enjoying a year long celebration with a variety of events, fundraisers and activities to mark the company’s longevity.  This particular event is to say thank you to our fantastic staff who have played such a significant part in the success of the company.”

Emanuel Whittaker, Mayor of Oldham in 1873, established the company on its present site in 1837. His father George was also a master builder, having built the Oldham Lyceum as well as many of the cotton mills in Oldham and the surrounding districts.

The company thrived and remained in family hands until 2004 when Clive Newton and fellow director John Gallagher, who both worked for the company since leaving school, purchased the business. Having worked at Emanuel Whittaker for so long, they continue to retain many of the core principles established by the founding Whittaker family.

However, there is still a Whittaker connection in Anna Whittaker the great, great grand-daughter of the founder who still works for the company as Company Secretary and HR Manager.

Originally established as a joinery and building company, Emanuel Whittaker has always been keen to train new generations in a variety of trades.  One of its most famous sons was the late Eric Sykes, who was an apprentice joiner and it is believed that he based his famous film ‘The Plank’ on his time at Emanuel Whittaker.

“The company has survived the cotton famine of the 1860s, the 1930s recession and the timber rationing of the Second World War,” said John Gallagher.  “Today’s economic climate provides other challenges but we believe that by embracing modern techniques while at the same time keeping to good old fashioned values such as customer service – we will continue to trade successfully for many years to come.”

The Emanuel Whittaker 175^th anniversary celebration included a Take That tribute band, a disco, an MC, a bar, barbecue and ice cream stand and children’s entertainment.

Anna Whittaker attended the party along with her two boys, the next generation of Whittakers’.  She said:  “I’m sure that when my great, great grandfather set up the company in 1837 he did not think that 175 years later it would become the award winning, respected organisation it is today.

“We are all so proud to be part of such an historic company and today’s celebration has been fantastic.”

View pictures here…