Link - Souvenir edition 2017

SOUVENIR EDITION

Your free residents’ newspaper

Our founder

Joan Bartlett OBE DSG

71 years of history

remembered, and a bright

future ahead

SOUVENIR EDITION

Editor: Hannah Mouland

P ublisher :

Viridian Housing

Colwell House

376 Clapham Road

London SW9 9AR

Tel: 0330 123 0220

Minicom: 0330 123 0221 Email: communications @ viridianhousing.org.uk Viridianhousing.org.uk

SOUVENIR EDITION

Nick Apetroaie CEO Viridian Housing Welcome to this special edition of Link, which looks back over our impressive 71-year histor y – from our origins as Hearth and Home, through to Ser vite and Viridian.

Our transformation continues this year as we move towards our planned amalgamation with AmicusHorizon. This will see us become one of the UK’s biggest housing associations 2

with over 44,000 homes.

It is incredible to see how far we’ve come since 1945; we’ve reached so many important milestones and celebrated some incredible achievements along the way. We’ve grown from one house to 16,000 properties, and from 22 residents to over 30,000.

Our properties have evolved, expanding beyond those for rent, to shared ownership and outright sale. Our residents have changed too – we expanded beyond housing purely for the elderly to young families, individuals, key workers and students.

But, despite all of this, we will not forget what our founder, Joan Bartlett OBE DSG, set out to do when she founded Hearth and Home all those years ago. She nurtured an ethos of care and compassion, and a commitment to creating qualit y housing for those in need.

It is an ethos that we live by today and will continue into the future.

@ viridianhsg

viridianhousing1

This newspaper is p r i n te d o n Cyc l u s D e s i g ne r : Of fset, 100 per cent rec ycled p a p e r Panacea Applications

Ltd

January

1960

1947

On 1 Januar y 1947, Joan Bar tlett moves into The Boltons and becomes the warden.

Later she’ll be affectionately known as ‘the guv’.

On 22 Januar y, the first 22 elderly homeless men and women arrive.

1940 to May

1941: The

Blitz 1945 5

Joan Bar tlett OBE DSG is working for the European Division of the BBC by day and for the Chelsea Red Cross by night. She sees the devastating impact the Blitz has on Londoners.

“People were so bewildered.

They had lost everything, not only members of their own family but even the roof over their heads.”

Joan Bartlett, OBE DSG.

19 950

July 1945

Joan Bartlett founds Hearth and Home, later to become Servite and then Viridian, to provide shelter for elderly people in London who have been made homeless by the Blitz.

The first house, 17 The Boltons, South Kensington, London, is bought in 1946 with various donations, and an £8,000 mortgage.

Members of the British Red Cross Society, together with volunteers, help to make it ready for the first residents. The property is scrubbed and decorated, and blackout curtains are bleached and hung up at the windows. Millicent Buller, Divisional Director of Chelsea Red Cross, acquires beds and other items that are surplus to requirements. During the lean post-war years, constant fundraising keeps the house in business.

195 55

1948 The National Assistance Act provides vital financial suppor t, through local authorities, for voluntar y organisations providing shelter for elderly people.

1960

1952

First Ser vite fundraising drive through the BBC, which brings in £2,000. The second drive, in 1956, helps to pay off the mor tgage for The Boltons.

1962

The third scheme, Ser vite House in Ealing, is opened for 40 people with severe physical disabilities.

The official opening is in 1963.

SOUVENIR EDITION

September

Ser vite’s second scheme is completed.

Newlands Park, Sydenham, South East London, is a conversion of houses into 25 self-contained flats for elderly people.

3

1974

The Housing Act makes grants available to registered associations to build and manage rented homes.

Ser vite receive significant help from the Housing Corporation – the main body involved with distributing public money. When the act came into force we had 182 completed homes.

By the end of the decade we had more than 1,000 and we’d spread our wings beyond London.

Tommy Steele

SOUVENIR EDITION

1965-66

4

Football matches are arranged to raise fur ther funds.

Famous faces, including actor Sean Conner y, and enter tainers Des O’Connor, Jimmy Tarbuck and Tommy Steele draw in the crowds.

“There was an air of optimism amongst the Housing Association movement and we were all keen to participate in this new era of growth.”

Former Servite Chair Geoffrey de C. Parmiter, MBE

1966

Television play Cathy Come Home, depicting the plight of a family affected by homelessness, is aired by the BBC. Housing associations initiate a campaign for funds launched by Reverend Bruce Kenrick, founder chairman of homeless charity Shelter.

Joan Bar tlett becomes par t of one of Shelter’s original committees.

In Bickley, 27 flats for sheltered accommodation are opened. And in Beckenham we launch our first purpose-built development of 33 sheltered flats and 24 family flats.

1977 to 78

Ser vite completes its first sheltered schemes in Merseyside, and in the Midlands at Olton, Solihull.

1965 November 16,

By the end of the 70s, Servite has completed over 1,000 homes, including the fourth and fifth scheme.

1970

19 975

Resident Alan Jones, now living in Servite House, has fond memories of Servite Close.

“My late wife, Shirley, moved into Servite Close first with her three children in the late 70s – it was their first permanent home after being moved from pillar to post with various council flats. I joined them in 1988. The house had a huge garden. Shirley was a keen gardener and she kept lovely flower borders.

When I moved in I made a vegetable patch. I used to grow tomatoes and other things that I’d share with our neighbours. There was a real sense of community and everyone took pride in their gardens.”

Betti Blatman, Cecilia Close: “On 16 July 1979, I moved into Cecilia Close with my young son and we were thrilled to be allocated a brand new home with a garden. About a week after moving in, there was a knock on my door and to my surprise there was a nun from the nearby convent welcoming me to my new home and enquiring how I was getting on, which was such a kind gesture which I’ve always remembered.

There was a friendly and neighbourly atmosphere as everybody had moved into their brand new house and took pride in their home and gardens.”

Dennis Evans, Helen Close: “I moved in at roughly the same time as my neighbours. We’d borrow and lend each other salt, sugar and other necessities. Our Housing Manager, Robert Sparks, lived on site at 51, Helen Close, until the estate was finished. He allocated flats and houses to newcomers, liaised with builders and fixed the problems that came with building our new community. He discovered that I was a working engineer and would often knock on my door late at night asking me to help him clear blocked drains. Invariably, it was winter and often snowing. However, job accomplished, we would then ‘thaw out’ with a steaming mug of tea laced with whisky.”

1979

July 1,

1977

Ser vite Close, the first General Needs scheme in Bognor Regis, West Sussex is opened.

1979

Families move into 180 newly created rented homes on the Thomas More Estate in Barnet, North London.

The development is acquired after Chalice Housing joins Servite.

Residents Betti Blatman and Dennis Evans moved in when Thomas More was opened.

Dwyer House Resident Valerie Newey worked as a warden at Emery House, Birmingham, from 1985 until 2003.

“Back in the 1980s the job was virtually 24/7; there was the chance of being called up at any time of the day or night. I spent many times on my days off escorting tenants with no family to hospital and other appointments. The residents were happy knowing that help was always on hand.

September 13,

Ser vite is asked by the Housing Corporation in Scotland to expand fur ther throughout Tayside. In Februar y 1980 we set up an office in Dundee.

1983

Phase II of Ser vite’s sheltered housing scheme at Alloway Terrace, in Scotland, is opened by the Queen Mother.

19 980 0

April 1,

1985

Ser vite Housing Association (Scotland) Ltd is created and becomes a separate entity.

January 1,

1987

Frank Park becomes Director of Ser vite after Joan Bar tlett steps down to focus on fundraising. He later becomes CEO.

1985 The 1980s saw more than 3,000 homes completed but there were also cuts to housing capital spending.

1983

Brandon Thomas Cour t is opened in Olton, Solihull .

Mary Lee, now a resident at retirement scheme Dwyer House, was a warden at Brandon Thomas when the scheme opened.

“I was very new to the role of warden so each day was a learning curve and quite a shock to the system at times.

We did 24-hour shifts on call five days a week. There were coffee mornings, bingo, Christmas parties and jumble sales. All the tenants were involved in everything. After eight years I moved to Servite House, Aston. It was a job I loved doing. After retiring I came to Dwyer House and I’ve enjoyed 23 years here so far.”

1990

1992

Ser vite completes its £11.5 million redevelopment of the Battersea General Hospital.

The four schemes – Joan Bar tlett House, Mar y Cour t, Sir Jules Thorn Cour t and Edward Wilson House – are officially opened by HRH the Prince of Wales.

Senior Data Management Officer Nutan Sneddon is currently Viridian’s longest serving member of staff. She began with the company in 1983.

“I was in my early 20s when I joined. The office was based on Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, very close to The Boltons. There was a canteen at the Boltons and staff were able to go there for a free hot lunch every day. We’d sometimes eat with the residents. My desk faced Joan Bartlett’s office and I’d see her almost every day. I got to know her very well. She was like a best friend.

She’d always ask how I was and we’d spend time chatting. We were a very small team back in those days and it felt very much like a family.”

SOUVENIR EDITION

1980

The job included many activities including bingo and social nights, darts, cards and dominoes. There was a party for the grandchildren; we played musical chairs and the grannies sat on the children’s laps!

We also had a full Christmas dinner for tenants with no family.”

5

2000

SOUVENIR EDITION

1995

6

Ser vite celebrates its 50-year anniversar y.

There are par ties across the UK, including at the Natural Histor y Museum in London.

Comedian Ken Dodd joins residents and staff for celebrations in Merseyside.

The 1990s saw the first sharedownership scheme launched in East Finchley, London.

The first scheme for young families was also completed in Worthing.

Director of Operations, Matt Campion, joined us from Harding Housing Association as a Supported Housing Manager in 2000.

“I started as a team leader and have worked my way up to director over the years. As the organisation has grown, so have I. Viridian has developed and I’m pleased to have seen it evolve.

We haven’t been afraid to try new things – we were one of the first housing associations to have a Research and Innovation team who have initiated really important projects, including our Domestic Abuse service and the St John’s community development programme.

Viridian has also become a truly inclusive organisation over the years. I was the only out gay man within the organisation when I started; I’m pleased to say that has changed. As we continue to grow, we will strive to become more diverse and inclusive.

Today our performance is better than ever, void turnaround is low, arrears are their lowest and commercial operations are thriving and profitable. Viridian is fun and friendly and I really enjoy my work here.

I look forward to the exciting milestones ahead.”

199 95

1998

September

1995

2000

March 31,

September 6,

Frank Park retires as Chief Executive.

Kate Davies becomes CEO.

1999

Our first student accommodation, Lucia Foster Welch, is completed in partnership with the Southampton Institute. The 805-bed £13 million property is the first and biggest student Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in the country at the time. It’s officially opened at a naming ceremony on November 23.

1999

Student Operations Manager Gail Powell was there for the special ceremony, which was attended by Lucia Foster Welch’s granddaughter, Bettine Byrd.

“In 1995, Lucia Foster Welch Student Residences opened its doors to the first of its suitcase dragging undergraduates, many of them having travelled from all parts of the country by train. We were all very apprehensive and excited as the staff at LFW had never moved in 805 students with parents and various family members in tow. The residences are named after Southampton’s first female mayor, a suffragette, who lived on the neighbouring street. In 22 years we’ve had over 17,000 students come in and out of LFW’s doors.”

September 9,

2002

Joan Bar tlett passes away at the age of 91.

Bettine Byrd

May 2016

Resident Nicholina Blewushie, from Wandsworth, South London.

“My daughter and I have been Viridian residents since October 2014.

With Viridian’s help, my daughter got extra tuition when she was in primary school. This boosted her numeracy and literacy skills and gave her the confidence to write poetry. Two of her poems have now been published. My daughter is now in secondary school and her reports have been excellent. I have suffered domestic violence in the past, but our lives have completely changed since we moved into our new home. We are making beautiful new memories and I can confidently say the past is behind us. I am very pleased and grateful to Viridian for giving us a home.”

Viridian’s award-winning Domestic Abuse Ser vice, lead by Aisha Sharif and the ASB team, is launched. In November 2016 the ser vice is accredited by the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance.

Kate Davies is succeeded as CEO by Matthew Fox.

Merger with Thames Housing Association.

2004

June 3,

2005

Merger with Riverhaven.

2010

We change our name from Ser vite to Viridian Housing, a word which means a vibrant emerald colour.

200 08

2008

Merseyside proper ties are transferred over to local providers.

July 2016

Our flagship shared ownership scheme, Riverlight, in Battersea, London, is completed.

June

May 10,

September 30,

2007

2014

2014

Nick Apetroaie becomes interim CEO, and is then recruited into the permanent position in October 2015.

2012

Viridian’s former office in Balham is converted into Aura House, a selection of flats for outright sale and shared ownership.

2016

April

October

Viridian creates its first ever Social Impact team, which incorporates Research and Innovation, Financial Inclusion, Employment, Volunteering, Health and Wellbeing and Digital Inclusion.

Viridian completes its ver y first proper ties for outright sale – Queen’s Walk, Ealing, London.

2012

Nov. 2016

2015 2017 Viridian pilots new technology in homes with the Internet of Things project.

This year we will be installing smar t energy meters in 45 homes as par t of a trial to improve our operations and help residents save money.

SOUVENIR EDITION

2004

Longfellow Road, a scheme of 44 properties for affordable rent, is completed in Birmingham. It is the first new development in the West Midlands for a number of years.

7

Amalgamation:Your questions answered

SOUVENIR EDITION

The Amalgamation with AmicusHorizon is progressing well and we intend to be a brand new organisation by the spring. Thank you to all who participated in our November 2016 resident consultations. We had a number of interesting questions, which we have answered below.

8

1. Does the Board receive a salary? If they do, who pays for it?

7. Is there a get-out clause if the partnership does not work out?

The Board members receive a fee for discharging their duties, which is paid from Viridian’s Governance budget and overseen by the Governance and Remuneration Committee. We carry out benchmarking to ensure fees are in line with the sector.

The final decision for the amalgamation can be made by the Boards of both V ir idian and A micusHor izon. But the partnership will be final once the legal documents are signed, the relevant approvals are gained from the regulator, and the contracts come into force. This process will conclude when the two existing organisations amalgamate and become one new organisation. We are aiming to complete this by spring 2017.

A breakdown of Board member allowances is online: www.viridianhousing.org.uk/about-us/transparencyreporting/ 2. Will the age be dropped for retirement housing?

8. What happens after amalgamation?

The age for retirement housing will remain the same.

We want to reassure customers that whilst we’ll be a new organisation with a different name and identity, everything remains the same for the time being. You won’t have to change your direct debits and the way you contact us won’t change.

3. Will there be any changes for sheltered housing?

Will the scheme still have managers and assistant managers?

The amalgamation will have no direct impact on our Scheme Manager roles. However, we are likely to have to keep the role under review in line with changes to the Government’s welfare reform.

We will work closely with staff and residents during this time.

4. Will the rent/service charge change with the cost of living in April as per usual?

Your rent and other charges will not change as a result of the amalgamation and they will continue to be subject to government policy as they are now. You will be informed of your annual rent increase in February, as per usual.

5. Will the schemes still be covered by Eldercare?

Eldercare will continue until we decide to change the provider.

When we do so, we will let you know.

6. Will we have a name change?

Yes, the new organisation will have a new name. We have been consulting both residents and colleagues as to what that, and our new logo, will be. Check our website and social media channels for announcements.

You will still be able to contac t us through our Customer Service Centre on 0330 123 0220.

Our website www.viridianhousing.org.uk will also remain live so you can still use it to report a repair or pay your rent.

It ’ll still have all the key contac t information you need.

You’ll be able to follow updates on our Viridian Facebook and Twitter channels.

You’ll also be able to find out more about the new organisation on a new website which we’re currently building and will be launching in line with the amalgamation.

Over time you’ll see some positive differences too: As a bigger organisation we’ll be able to expand and improve our repairs service. There will also be more properties, and more opportunities for mutual exchange.

Residents will continue to be at the heart of everything we do; there will be more opportunities to be involved, and have your say.

If you have any further questions, email partnership@viridianhousing.org.uk