Emergency repair calls made to the customer services centre between 2 – 5pm on staff training days will be redirected to our maintenance contractors.

Councillors and residents joined Catalyst Housing and Higgins Construction on Thursday to celebrate as the first tenants moved into their new homes at Mill Farm Close, Harrow.

The Leader of Harrow Council, Cllr Bill Stephenson and Portfolio Holder for Housing, Cllr Bob Currie joined Catalyst Director of Customer Services John Foxall in presenting long term Mill Farm Close resident, Shireene Burrowes with a bouquet of flowers as she showed them round her new home.

Mill Farm Close is currently undergoing a £22 million pound regeneration which will see 158 new homes including the provision of much needed family houses. This includes new homes for Catalyst tenants living on the estate, shared ownership properties and homes for private sale.

Residents have helped shape the design of the estate from the very beginning and  tenants have chosen wall colours, floor coverings and kitchen units  for their new homes, as well as having a choice of the location of their new home where possible. The new homes are also highly energy efficient and sustainable – a huge improvement on the poorly insulated homes that are being demolished and should mean lower fuel costs for tenants.

Miss Burrowes, who has lived on the estate for 12 years, recently moved into a brand new three bedroom house with her two daughters, aged 10 and 14.

She said: “Moving into my new house was like winning the lottery, I think I cried about five times on the day I got the keys. This new house is a fresh start and it means everything for me and my family.’

Portfolio Holder for Housing Cllr Bob Currie said:

“We are working in tough times, where the demand for housing is high and the availability is low, so this is an excellent addition to the borough. Harrow Council has worked closely with the housing association on this development to ensure residents are involved every step of the way. The development is transforming not just the bricks and mortar of the estate, but also helping to build on the great sense of community spirit there.

As many as seven apprenticeship schemes have been created as part of the building works for local people. This is creating work, opportunities and the chance of future employment for tenants and residents.”

Catalyst’s Director of Customer Services John Foxall said:

“This is what regeneration is really about, seeing the impact that a transformed estate can really make. This regeneration is already making has already made a difference and has  helped people on the estate into  training and employment.  Catalyst is here for the long haul – helping to build a better future for Mill Farm Close.’

Project Manager Murray Crawford with Shireene Burrorwes

The proposals, which include a £1m community regeneration fund with a £100,000 community chest to support community projects, reinforce Catalyst’s long term commitment to Southall and to building long lasting sustainable communities.

Catalyst and Leadbitter have brought on board architects PTE, who designed Catalyst’s award winning Page Road regeneration scheme in Hounslow.

Highlights of the plans for Havelock are:

• 904 new homes, including 372 homes for existing tenants, 105 shared ownership and shared equity properties and 427 new homes for outright sale
• Purpose built homes for older people that are well located, highly insulated and secure, and are designed to meet individual needs.
• Improvements to the local area including new park areas, and landscaping along the canal to increase the amount of public open space.
• A vibrant community ‘hub’ close to the canal, providing a community centre, shops and café which will benefit from passing trade.

Ealing Council’s cabinet unanimously approved the decision to select Catalyst. Lead member for housing, Hitesh Tailor said:

“I’m delighted with this decision, which is excellent news for Havelock residents and the Southall community.  Ealing’s commitment to homes for social rent goes beyond bricks and mortar. We listen carefully to residents aspirations for skills, training and fostering a real sense of community, which is why Catalysts commitment to community development has met with such high approval.  I look forward to seeing the Havelock Estate transformed into a more pleasant and safer place where people really want to live.”

Rod Cahill, chief executive of Catalyst Housing said:

“Catalyst has a long standing commitment to the Southall area stretching back over forty years, which has given us an immense knowledge and understanding of the local area.  Our proposals will be great for the people that live in the neighbourhood and will make a positive impact on the wider Southall area. Alongside the high quality new homes, our investment in employment and community initiatives will provide real jobs and training for local people. The new neighbourhood will become a vibrant and busy place and we can see this becoming a real destination in Ealing.

“We’re delighted that we’re being given the opportunity to make our vision for a better Havelock a reality.”

Bob Rendell, Leadbitter Group Chief Executive, said:

“Leadbitter is delighted to be supporting Ealing Council in the redevelopment of the Havelock Estate. Working in partnership with Catalyst we will be able to deliver not only much-needed, high-quality homes, but further benefit the people of Southall and the local community by offering training and employment opportunities. We are extremely excited to be working with Catalyst and Ealing Council in the creation of a fantastic new neighbourhood for the residents of Havelock.”

Residents raised concerns about an increase of crime in the area, Catalyst responded by joining with Ealing Police and Ealing Council to find a long term solution to the problem. After consultation with residents it was decided that a CCTV system would be an effective deterrent. The new system feeds directly to Ealing Town Hall allowing for more pro active and effective policing of the area.

The launch will start at 11:00am, Mrs Ali who tragically lost her son to gang related violence in the area will be cutting the ribbon for this new system. At 11:30am there will be a private brunch at the Community Centre, Tulip Close, where PS Gary Brugier will give a short presentation and further partnership opportunities will be explored.

The introduction of this new CCTV system is part of a larger body of work, making Windmill Park a safer place to live. Catalyst has been tackling anti-social behaviour by embarking on youth intervention programmes alongside St. Giles Trust and Action Acton. A team of specialist staff offer the expertise and skills to understand the challenges young people face in today’s society. They provide a mentoring service and practical help with training and employment.

A joint application for funding from ‘Communities against Guns Gangs and Knives’ delivered £30k of Government funding last year. Further funding has just been released to the Local Authority this year to continue a similar service. Companies from private sector such as McDonalds, Tesco, Just Ask and Furnish (part of the Shepherds Bush Housing Association) have expressed an interest in joining forces to help the community, by creating apprenticeship and employment opportunities and generating fund s for youth projects.

Chris Harris, area director of customer service in London said:

“We’re committed to building strong communities and would not be able to achieve this without listening closely to residents. The launch of the new CCTV systems is the product of a fantastic partnership with Ealing Police and Ealing Council and will mean a safer Windmill Park.”

Detective Inspector Sarah Pearce, from Ealing Police said:

“We are constantly working with our partners to make Ealing safer. CCTV is an excellent investigative tool and also acts as a deterrent for criminality and anti-social behaviour. This initiative should help us build public confidence and reassure the community on the Windmill Park Estate. It is part of a wider ongoing project which also aims to support our young people to fulfil their potential and avoid being sucked into criminal gangs. We are looking to the voluntary and private sector to support us with meaningful interventions. We are also hoping to recruit volunteers from the community to act as mentors for some of our more vulnerable young people. It has been a pleasure working with Catalyst on this project and I look forward to continuing the successful partnership in the future.”

Atul Pathak, franchisee for the McDonald’s restaurants in Ealing and Chair of the Southall Ward Focus Group commented:

“It is important for both residents and business owners need to feel safe in their own community. I am, therefore, happy to be supporting Catalyst Housing in their efforts to enhance safety, and in their work to engage young people through initiatives that will develop their employability skills.”

Notes to editors

Catalyst Housing

Catalyst is one of the leading housing associations in London and the South East. We aim to be a catalyst for change and improvement wherever we work.
We make quality homes affordable, providing a wide range of rental and home ownership opportunities for people at every stage of life. Our work also includes regeneration and our charitable trust Catalyst Gateway runs community projects and provides education and training. Operating in an area of considerable housing demand, from central London along the Thames Valley to Oxford and Reading, we provide over 20,000 homes and our services support more than 48,000 people.

If you require more information please contact David Blackett – Media officer on 02088323486 or email david.blackett@chg.org.uk

11 May 2012

The regeneration is transforming a tired post-war estate into a place where people actively want to live, rather than being a destination of last resort. The £45m Phase 2 of the regeneration replaced four dated residential blocks and garages with 254 brand new affordable homes, including 96 shared ownership properties.

Sanjenbam Family

The estate – famously filmed as the fictional home of the Trotters in Only Fools and Horses, is being revitalised as part of a 15 year commitment to the area by Ealing Council. Catalyst Housing Group is carrying out the first two phases of this regeneration project. Phase 2 won many prestigious awards including the best Urban Regeneration award at the 2011 First Time Buyers Magazine awards as well as an Affordable Home Ownership award.

The Sanjenbam Family, who were the first to move into the shared ownership properties who received a special presentation at the party said their new flat was ‘amazing’

Sonja Sanjenbam said: ‘It’s big and really spacious. You wouldn’t expect to be able to afford a flat in London as big as these. We queued up at 6 in the morning on the day the flats were launched to make sure we were able to reserve one.’

Chief executive of Catalyst Housing Rod Cahill spoke at the ceremony, saying:

“South Acton is incredibly dear to me. Between us, the council, residents, Willmott Dixon and PRP architects we’ve created something really special. We’ve shown you can build apartment blocks and create a really nice place to live around them. That’s the thing that every time I come here really hits me, it’s the feel of a really good place to live which clearly people value. That is the real contrast between what has gone before. We are truly proud to be a part of this and to help change this part of South Acton.”

The next Mayor will get new housing powers. For the first time, he or she will be responsible for Government spending on London’s housing. They will get control of land and other assets that could be used to build homes. The next Mayor should use these powers to set up Homes for London, to give housing the same leadership and co-ordination that transport has through Transport for London.

Homes for London aims to bring the housing crisis in London to the top of the Mayoral candidates agenda. Catalyst is proud to be part of this campaign.

Opening the estate will be, The Worshipful The Mayor Councillor John Gallagher, but it’s not all red ribbon and VIPs.  Enjoy a variety of musical and dance performances along with face painting, a clown and refreshments.

Our work is part of the wider regeneration of the entire estate, providing 158 homes at affordable rent and 96 homes for shared ownership.

For more information, please contact Vicky Young by calling her on 0208 832 3257 or emailing: Vicky.young@chg.org.uk

When: Thursday 19 April from 3.30 – 5.30pm

Where: Marquee in Verne Court car park, Palmerston Road, W3 8BF

(Please note: There is no parking on site)

Here is what Shelter is saying: “London’s housing is in crisis – and unless the next Mayor acts quickly things will only get worse. Finding and keeping a home is a top concern for Londoners”.

Catalyst is backing this campaign as part of the G15 group – a group made up of 15 top London housing associations.

We are also asking our residents to put pressure on their MPs by writing to them – go to www.findyourmp.parliament.uk/ to find out who your MP is. And very importantly to vote at the Mayoral elections on 3 May!

For more information about this campaign and how you can help visit the Homes for London website.

Catalyst has been delivering the service since its launch in 2009, establishing its brand and forging relationships with partners across the city. In this time, Homeownership Westminster has enabled 345 households to access sale or rental opportunities. The service’s excellent work was recognised at the 2010 Affordable Home Ownership Awards when it won Outstanding Achievement in London.

Tom Titherington, Director of Business Development & Marketing at Catalyst said; “we’re delighted to have the opportunity to continue our work with Westminster City Council in helping people realise their ambitions of finding a new home. The success of Homeownership Westminster demonstrates our commitment to our customers and the importance we place on partnership working. This innovative model has shown that it adds value to the intermediate market by establishing close customer relationships which have enabled us to focus on and support the City Council’s priority groups.”

3 April 2012

About the training

The interactive, online training guides you through the entire application process  giving you the best chance of finding the right job and getting your career off to the best possible start. It includes CV and cover letter writing plus interview skills and techniques.

What you will gain

You will take 11 modules covering all aspects of the job search process from CV writing to interview skills and building an online profile, giving you a comprehensive insight into the ‘world of work’

Training modules

These include:

• CV writing – build an effective CV that you can continue to add to and develop
• Covering letters – covers hints and tips, what to include, how to structure one to gain the best chance of securing an interview
• Interviews and assessment centres – an in-depth look at the interview ‘do’s and don’ts’, including a series of interactive videos

More information

Just email David Belic on david.belic@chg.org.uk

You can also see an online demostration at www1.hays.co.uk/jobs/CATALYSTCAREERSKILLS