MORE AND BETTER HOMES FOR THE SHANKILL
11 May 2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland today stopped in on Shankill residents to see progress on a £6 million investment to improve homes in the area.
The scheme will see major improvements to homes owned by Harmony Homes at Leopold, Columbia and Rosebank Streets and Clanmil Housing has been appointed as management agent for the project.
A total of 135 houses are included in the scheme. Sixteen of the oldest properties in Leopold Street are being demolished and will be replaced with ten new three bedroom houses. The others will undergo long awaited major refurbishment to modern, energy efficient standards. Elements will include upgraded electrics and heating, PVC double glazing, fascia and rainwater goods, new front and back doors, new kitchens and upgraded insulation. A number of properties will also be converted and enlarged to provide bigger family accommodation.
Minister McCausland said: “For years the Shankill suffered from under investment and sub standard housing, but not anymore. The three streets are but one example where the community had to put up with inadequate housing for far too long and I wanted to put that right.”
“The action being taken here is aimed at building for the future. We want to encourage families back into the area and provide new opportunities and the housing being provided will do just that. More and better homes will bring real benefits to the area.”
Harmony Homes has appointed Clanmil Housing as project management agent to oversee the project. Clare McCarty, Chief Executive of Clanmil Housing Association said: “Clanmil is pleased to be working in partnership with Harmony Homes and the local community in the delivery of this project. The major improvements being undertaken to these homes will help sustain this community into the future.”
Work has already started on site, with all planned to be complete by February 2014. The work will be completed in five separate phases, with the new build housing scheduled for handover in spring 2013.
Harmony Homes (NI) Chairperson, Mrs Anne Bill MBE is delighted that, after a lengthy period of consultation with tenants and working along with local elected representatives, the three streets project is now on site.
Mrs Bill stated: “I have no doubt that upon completion this scheme will contribute to the housing needs of the local community. Harmony Homes is strongly focused on providing services to its tenants. This is the heart of our business. We strive to ensure that we work towards continuous improvement in the quality and standard of housing for all our tenants. The three streets project is the first phase as part of a long term maintenance strategy to meet tenants needs.”
Living Memories at Somme Park
02 May 2012
Working with Clanmil Housing Association the Reminiscence Network Northern Ireland has delivered an innovative reminiscence project to older people living at Clanmil’s Somme Park housing scheme in Altnagelvin.
The “Living Memories” project is designed to evoke long forgotten memories from childhood, school and working life and to stimulate reminiscence and discussion.
Memories were stimulated by loan boxes from the Workhouse Museum which were filled with wonderful historical memorabilia and objects from the past. The boxes led to reminiscence activities based on the real life experiences of project participants.
During the eight week project a wide range of subjects were covered including childhood memories, home life, World War 2, the workplace, music, song and story telling. The Somme Park tenants also created their own Memory Boxes filled with personal keepsakes, photos and memorabilia which they plan to pass on to their families in order to keep their memories alive.
Clanmil’s Scheme Co-ordinator at Somme Park, Jane Bowman, feels that the tenants who took part in the project have experienced real benefits. She said:
“It has been a joy to watch the change in each of the tenants over the past eight weeks. Everyone was quite reserved in week one but as the weeks went by there was quite a transformation. The two hours flew by and were filled with laughter and smiles. People shared stories, joined in singing half remembered songs and reciting poems. The atmosphere was jovial and there was great excitement and enthusiasm with each rediscovered memory. We’d really like to thank Deirdre Doherty from the Reminiscence Network who delivered the project.”
Somme Park is a housing scheme for people over 60 that provides tenants with the support they need to stay in a home of their own as they grow older, offering independence, companionship, an active lifestyle and security in 40 self-contained apartments.
MULLAN MEWS SHORTLISTED FOR TOP UK AWARD
27 April 2012
Mullan Mews supported housing scheme for older people with dementia in East Belfast has been shortlisted for a top UK Housing Award.
The UK Housing awards, now in their 16th year, recognise outstanding work in housing which improves the lives of people in their communities.
Mullan Mews, owned by Clanmil Housing and managed in partnership with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, is a supported housing scheme providing specialised accommodation and support for 30 older people with dementia enabling them to maintain a high level of independence and social inclusion. The physical design of the scheme, and the support provided, compensates for the disability caused by dementia and promotes an active and rewarding lifestyle for the tenants.
Colette Moore, Director of Housing at Clanmil is delighted that Mullan Mews has been shortlisted. She said;
“What makes Mullan Mews so unique is the emphasis that’s placed on an active and rewarding lifestyle for the people who live there.
“Often for people with dementia so much focus is on maintaining physical wellbeing and quality of life can be a secondary consideration. At Mullan Mews our tenants are encouraged and supported in participating in a range of stimulating and enjoyable activities. For example, they recently took part in an innovative project designed to increase the sense of well being of older people with dementia through engagement with the arts. Trips to local museums and galleries provided the opportunity to visit new places, stimulated the imagination and prompted lots of lively discussion, while artistic workshops helped increase tenants’ self confidence by challenging them to do new things and explore their own creativity.
“We feel Mullan Mews is a really special place and we’ll have our fingers crossed for a win at the awards ceremony in June.”
Mullan Mews is one of six schemes from throughout the UK left in the running for the Specialist Housing Provider of the Year category of the awards and the only one based in Northern Ireland .
The awards are organised by Inside Housing magazine and the Chartered Institute of Housing , and the winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony at London’s Hilton Hotel on 27 June.
Spring cleaning at Springfarm as new residents move in
23 March 2012
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland lent a hand in sorting out the new decor in a £4.3million housing scheme at Springfarm in Antrim.
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland with Frank McKinney, resident of Mull Road, Springfarm and Clare McCarty, Chief Executive of Clanmil.
Once home to military families, keys have been handed over to new residents following refurbishment and new build by Clanmil Housing.
A total of 53 houses at Mull Road and Islay Street are being brought back into use for letting to families off the waiting list. The first 10 of 45 houses to be refurbished to modern standards have just been completed. The remainder, along with eight new build properties, are all due for completion within the next two months. This follows on from Clanmil’s recent similar success in bringing ten former Ministry of Defence properties back into use at Ballaghmore Heights in Enniskillen.
Refurbishing existing dwellings is not only a more cost effective way of doing business, but it takes families off the waiting list much more quickly than the new build route and critically, also plays a key role in the regeneration process.
Minister McCausland in handing over the keys said: "I am delighted to see these former long term vacant properties being brought back into meaningful use for the people of Antrim. The action being taken here is aimed at building for the future. What better way to do that than by creating new opportunities for new families to access good, high quality housing in a shared neighbourhood environment.
"Too often empty homes can destabilise and blight a community so it is important that we take every opportunity to maintain our emphasis on bringing vacant homes back into beneficial use. This imaginative initiative, assisted by strong community involvement, is bringing new life back to the area and that has to be very much welcomed."
Clare McCarty, Chief Executive of Clanmil Housing, introduced the Minister to some of Clanmil’s newest tenants. She said: "Major refurbishment is bringing these once vacant houses back to life as much needed, high quality, affordable family homes and we are delighted to see our first tenants moving in and making them their own. We wish them many happy years in their lovely new homes and look forward to welcoming more families as the next phases are completed."
"Thanks to the Springfarm Shared Neighbourhood initiative this is a mixed community where people can feel safe and secure and our tenants have all signed up to the shared neighbourhood ethos."
"The construction of eight new homes at the scheme is also underway and they too will soon be ready for occupation by new tenants."
"Clanmil is working closely with the local community and their political representatives and with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Department for Social Development in delivering this scheme and we are very grateful to them all for their assistance."
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