Homes for Haringey hosts aspirational Supported Housing Conference 2009
Thursday 10 December 2009
African dancers and drummers from the Haringey African Cultural Voluntary Organisation entertained over 120 visitors at the 10th annual supported housing conference.
The troupe performed a medley of traditional Ugandan dance, drumming and singing during the event, organised by Homes for Haringey and Haringey Council, at the Irish Centre in Tottenham, N17 on 25 November 2009. Over 36 supported housing schemes were represented on the day, which carried the 2009 theme ‘aspiration’. As part of this, residents were asked what they wanted Homes for Haringey to be like in the future and voted using handheld voting machines.
The conference covered key issues including the forthcoming sheltered housing decent homes funding programme. This involves internal and external refurbishment works for 26 schemes across the borough. This work is scheduled to start in 2010 and will cover 800 properties. An estimated spend of £14 million has been allocated under the decent homes programme. Internal works reviews will look at kitchens bathrooms, re-wires and heating systems.
Older People’s Champion and councillor Sheila Peacock introduced the event. She praised tenants for the increased number of entries for the annual Supported Housing in Bloom competition and encouraged tenants to get more involved at their schemes.
Supporting the wellbeing message – head and shoulder massage was available alongside information stalls on healthy eating, money management, exercise and lifestyle. The Department for Work and Pensions, Boots the chemist and the London Fire Brigade hosted information stalls.
Three lucky visitors also won raffle prizes at the end of the day.
Supported Housing Team leader, Toyin Olusoga said: “We are committed to supporting our older tenants. This was a good opportunity to provide information, advice and listen to their queries. We covered a range of issues and are now looking at tenants’ feedback on the event.”
Janet Reid, Deputy Head of Provider Services, said the conference provided an opportunity for services to consult and work with residents in building an action plan for the coming year. “The conference is a joint project between Homes for Haringey and Haringey Council Adult Services andreinforces the unique and successful relationship between the two services in the provision of sheltered housing in the borough.“
Tenant Penny Baker, 73, from the 52 bed Lowry House scheme in Tottenham, attended for her first time with her husband, She said: “I would definitely come again. The African entertainment was a nice touch plus I met new people. A lot of information was provided too.”
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