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.”
Young apprentices set for bright future in construction industry
Jan 29, 2013
Apprentices (L-R) Chris Stockley, Rhys Jones and Matthew Mott
Three young tradesmen are on their way to promising futures in the construction industry after money saved by Contour Homes was used to give their careers a boost.
Chris Stockley, Matthew Mott and Rhys Jones are all working and studying after Contour Homes invested savings in apprenticeships for the trio.
For 18-year-old Chris, of Shaw, Oldham, it’s given him the chance to earn, learn and follow in the footsteps of his dad and brother.
He is working for Rochdale-based painting contractor ER Williams, has completed a Level 2 NVQ in painting and decorating, and is currently working towards his Level 3 qualification at Oldham College. Now he’s hoping to move on to university to study on a part-time construction and development course next year.
Chris said: “I don’t know what I would’ve done without the apprenticeship. I’ve always wanted to work in the trade. My brother is a painter and decorator and my dad was before he retired.
“It’s hard out there at the moment, and I’ve got quite a few mates who are struggling to find jobs or training. This is a great opportunity for me and it’s opened the door to university.”
Apprentices Matthew and Rhys are both working for Oldham-based contractors Emanuel Whittaker while also studying at Oldham College.
Matthew, aged 24, of Fitton Hill, is fitting windows and completed a Level 2 NVQ in Interior Fitting last year. He is being further supported onto a Level 3 qualification in Wood Occupations this year.
Rhys, aged 17, of Chadderton, who has recently started a Level 2 course in Wood Occupations, said: “I really enjoy joinery and like the idea of starting and finishing a job. Since taking up employment I can afford to take driving lessons, which is brilliant.”
Contour Homes has invested in the three-year apprenticeships, plus two more, as a result of buying £3 million of goods and services via the Manchester-based Procure Plus network during the current financial year. A consortium made up of housing associations, it is able to bulk-buy everything from windows and doors to kitchens and paint, meaning money can be saved to invest in other things.
Ross Hemmings, regeneration invest ment officer at Salford-based Contour Homes, said spending that money on “more than bricks and mortar” was vital to help communities prosper.
As well as funding the apprenticeships, savings have also been spent on a variety of community and environmental improvements.
Ross said: “Using Procure Plus has generated savings that we’ve been able to invest in employment and training for Chris, Matthew and Rhys.
“Times are challenging, both economically and for the construction industry, and creating opportunities like these is really important. It’s not just about making physical improvements to neighbourhoods, but creating an investment in skills that is lasting for our communities.
“Offering defined apprenticeships helps support people to achieve success in their chosen career, learning skills for life that will allow them to work in the trades and perhaps start up their own businesses.”
Mark Wilson, apprentice & trainee development! at Procure Plus, added: “We’re delighted to support these young people to succeed in their chosen professions.
“As a regeneration consortium of social housing providers, at Procure Plus we understand it is vital that we create these training opportunities for people to sustain long-term employment.”
New Commercial Director will strengthen Emanuel Whittaker team
Dec 3, 2012
Dave Prescott has joined Oldham based construction and regeneration company Emanuel Whittaker as Commercial Director.
Managing Director of Emanuel Whittaker Clive Newton said: “We have been in negotiation with Dave for some time. He is a well-known and well respected figure in the North West construction industry and we are delighted he has decided to join the team.”
At 43 Dave has over 26 years experience in the construction industry and is very much looking forward to working with a company which has been established for over 175 years.
“I have always been impressed with Emanuel Whittaker’s approach to customer service and the quality of work it consistently delivers,” he said.
“As one of the few remaining independent construction companies operating not just in the region but in the country, Emanuel Whittaker is able to retain traditional values such as integrity, honesty and excellence and as such enjoys an enviable reputation. I am very much looking forward to becoming a part of that.”
Emanuel Whittaker was established in 1837 and today is a specialist in the field of public sector regeneration, refurbishment, construction and conversion. It employs around 140 staff from its Oldham head office base and is a keen advocate of apprenticeships – this year alone it has employed nine young people to train in various construction industry jobs.
Dave joins Emanuel Whittaker at the end of a major anniversary year during which time the company has not only managed to retain its loyal customer base but also developed relationships with new clients in the social housing sector including Symphony Housing Group, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Your Housing Group and Six Town Housing.
Contracts Director John Gallagher added: “Dave’s appointment will strengthen our management team. In his new role he will help maintain our existing customer base as well as assist the company to expand into new markets in the construction sector so that our business continues to develop and grow.”
Modern facelift for older people’s accomodation in West Salford
Apr 20, 2012
Pennington Close following its major refurbishment
Older people’s accommodation in West Salford is being given a modern facelift following the completion of the first phase of an improvement programme by City West Housing Trust.
The first five of 15 sheltered housing schemes have had improvements carried out to the communal areas and individual flats and bungalows. The work, carried out by Emanuel Whittaker, includes a complete overhaul of the schemes which were originally built in the 1960s and provide a home to 152 households. The £3.1 million improvements have ensured that the schemes now support 21st Century living and include walk in showers, new double glazed windows, high security doors, new heating systems, improved dining facilities and an improved warden alarm call system and CCTV.
The sheltered housing schemes included in the first phase of the work are Laurence Lowry Court in Swinton, The De Traffords in Irlam, The Meadows in Cadishead and Streetgate and Pennington Close in Little Hulton.
Each scheme held an official opening event once the work was completed, with most recently Pennington Close where residents held a celebration event of afternoon tea and entertainment.
Residents are delighted with the work. John Haynes, 67, who has lived at Pennington Close for three years, said: “I think they’ve done a really good job.”
“The workmen have been brilliant and they have improved everything you could possibly think of. They couldn’t have done anything more.”
“The work has been absolutely fantastic. I’ve seen other schemes that have had work done to them but the work here is far more than we expected, it really is brilliant.”
The work has also instilled a real sense of community spirit. 64-year-old David Davies said: “The work has really brought the community together which is fantastic. Not many people used the community room before as it was quite small and needed some work, but now everyone has a great new place to go and meet.”
“I’ve been living here for nine months and I have seen the difference it has made since I have moved in. It has given the community a real boost.”