Blog - Crosskeys homes

Our FUNds 4 communities’ panel met for the second time yesterday and looked at seven new applications. We are really pleased that nearly all were offered funding for community projects in and across Peterborough. Those who have already received funding include: a group of parents who are using the funding to set up a toy library, a residents association who have purchased a Wii-fit and accessories to bring the community together for games nights, and a group of residents who are using the funding to help pay for activities at the Westraven festival.

FUNds 4 communities’ offers funds of between £150 and £2000 to be used for community development activities. At least 50% of the people benefitting from the project need to be Cross Keys Homes’ tenants. For more information you can contact me on 0800 803 0357 or 01733 385059.

 Our next panel are due to meet in six weeks so if you would like to apply please get in touch.

I’m pleased to let you know that the events page on our website is now live and we will be continuously updating the site with details of all of our events and activities. To see what’s happening in your area simply click on ‘news’ and then ‘forthcoming events’, or click on the link below which will take you directly to our events page.  

https://www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk/main.cfm?type=NANDEVENTS

On Wednesday we held an arts and music workshop at the newly-launched Herlington Community Studio in Orton Malborne, Peterborough. Nine young people came along and tried their hand at being a rap artist and creating their own artwork. Works on the radio station are almost complete and Radio Peterborough will be launching soon; if you have an interest in media, or are simply interested in volunteering at the radio station then why not get in contact and we’ll let you have more information. Simply call us on free phone 0800 803 0357 or email me at: involvement@crosskeyshomes.co.uk

Together with three of our actively involved residents, I attended the TPAS: The whole picture conference in Norwich on Wednesday. We were pleased to learn that we are going in the right direction with tenant scrutiny and heard from Nic Bliss (from National Tenant Organisations - NTO) about the launch of the guide to “Tenant Panels’ Options for accountability” of which Cross Keys Homes Scrutiny panel is a case study (which is fantastic news). This guide is available at www.nationaltenants.org/tenantpanels and provides lots of interesting information and case studies about different landlords’ approaches to tenant scrutiny and co-regulation.

We were delighted to welcome our Chief executive, Mick Leggett, and the chair of our board, Angus Kennedy, to our scrutiny panel on Thursday. This provided members of our scrutiny panel the opportunity to find out what the board think of the work of the scrutiny panel (very positive) and members discussed a number of subjects, from national housing policy, to how Cross Keys Homes is making plans for the future.

If you’d like to find out more about our scrutiny panel, or want to challenge us to do it better another way, then why not get in touch by email at involvement@crosskeyshomes.co.uk or call us on free phone 0800 803 0357?

It’s been another busy week here and we have been making contact with lots of people who are interested in attending meetings as an observer, with a view to joining in the future.

On Wednesday I learnt that we have carried out census visits to approximately 95% of our tenants. We are using the data to shape our services and are pleased that so many of you have decided to get involved via our Key contacts online survey group. If you have an email address and would like to receive surveys on a regular basis then why not drop me an email at donna.walker@crosskeyshomes.co.uk. I’d love to hear from you.

Next week is our next scrutiny panel meeting (Thursday, March 22). Members are currently looking at our downsizing service in detail and will make their recommendations to the board within the next couple of months If you want to find out more and maybe come along to the next meeting to see what it is all about then why not give me a call on 0800 803 0357 and I'll be more than happy to invite you along and give you more information.

I attended our southern area panel on Wednesday which was really informative. It’s fantastic to see that our residents are making great decisions about improvements to their areas. The next meeting is on April 4^th if you would like to attend.

 I attended a conference on Tuesday, all about funding for the community sector. If you’re a community group and are looking for funding for a project, then why not apply to our FUNds 4 communities? You can apply for funds between £150 and £2000 – contact your local neighbourhood office for more details and how to apply.

 We’re attending the launch of the Herlington Community Studio tomorrow (Saturday) so it would be great to see you there from 11am. There’s music, drinks, and the unveiling of the new Herlington sign which has been designed by local children. It looks to be a great day!