Tower block tenants in Salford are celebrating the completion of their own community garden.
Jun 13, 2013
Two years ago, Vertical Villages Tenants and Residents Association, which represents the interests and needs of the local community living in the tower blocks in the Blackfriars and Greengate area of Salford, successfully applied to their landlord Salix Homes for a grant to develop the gardens around Black and White Friar Courts.
However, they had to postpone the work when Emanuel Whittaker started working on the internal and external renovation of the Black Friar high rise block as part of a multi-million pound home improvement programme by Salix Homes.
“We always intended to continue the garden project after Emanuel Whittaker had finished,” said Chair Paul Brodie. “The tower block has been re-clad and inside we all have lovely modernised new homes and so the gardens are just the final piece of the make-over jigsaw. After working with us for so long, Emanuel Whittaker wanted to do something to say farewell and we are delighted they decided to play such a major part in the project.”
Emanuel Whittaker lead resident liaison officer Adam Berry decided to organise a ‘garden army’ to tackle the work over a few days and complete the garden and planting once and for all.
“We have been working with residents here for over a year and have made some great friends,” said Adam. “As our way of saying thank you for putting up with us we were determined to leave the area looking as good as it can be.”
Emanuel Whittaker led the recruitment campaign by providing trade volunteers such as bricklayers and joiners to lend their muscle and expertise to the work. They also provided some of the necessary supplies such as soil and compost while other contractors such as JWD, Absolute Electrical, Riverstone, Foggs Floors and Liquid Roofing were also able to give their support with additional funding.
Several Salix Homes’ staff also went along to lend a hand. Joe Willis, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “We were thrilled to be part of the ‘garden army’ to transform this space into a community garden. Safe and attractive communal spaces are really important to build and strengthen communities, so we are delighted our tenants now have this outdoor communal area to use and enjoy.
“The completion of the garden is the final piece in the jigsaw to the major improvement works that have been taking place at Black Friar Court as part of our Decent Homes programme. Not only have our tenants now got modern, energy efficient and comfortable homes fit for 21st century living, but, thanks to the energy and commitment of local residents and Emanuel Whittaker they’ve also got this wonderful outdoor area, which I’m sure will be very well-used.”
Around a dozen residents from the tower blocks were happy to come out in the sunshine and lend a hand and the garden army started by clearing up debris litter pick before jet washing communal areas. An area of decking has been built and the ramp to the existing shed has been made more wheelchair friendly. There has also been masses of re-planting while new walls and fencing have been erected and painted.
Site Manager John Woolley who project managed the supplies, funding and personnel and organised the event, said: “It’s amazing what you can achieve when you set your mind to it. There was a lot of work to be done but between us all we have done it! The transformation is complete.”
One of the original aims of the garden project was to work closely with the Biospheric Foundation, a Salford based community interest company that wants to encourage local communities to grow their own food and plants in a sustainable way and Paul Brodie explains how the garden is not just about making the area look nice.
“We are planting edible plants and doing as much work as we can to ensure that local residents can actually eat what we grow,” he said.
“We owe a great deal to the hard work and determination of Emanuel Whittaker’s site manager John Woolley and Adam Berry who have helped us complete a project that could have taken months to finish.
“We intend to have a formal garden launch party later in the summer once the flowers and plants have become more established and we hope that this area becomes a well-used communal space where residents young and old can work and recreate together to build a stronger community.”
Duchy residents celebrate end of three-year regeneration project
Apr 19, 2013
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 175th 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
Dave Perry – Tiler
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