At 4.30 on wednesday 1st July we will be downing tools and celebrating the completion of 14 Sumner with a few (well deserved) ales (and possibly some cheap cava). If you took part in the refurb you should have recieved a text from either Chris or Johnny inviting you - if we accidentally forgot you come down anyway.
Thereafter the Site office will be moving to 5 Sumner...
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Monday, 29 June 2009
Heatwave!
It's Official - after the biblical hail of Saturday - It's a Heatwave!
Surprisingly 14 Sumner is quite cool inside - the sitex steel grills keep it shady with a slight breeze. Outside the sun warms up the steel, the grills are hot to the touch, but the breeze seems to take the heat away, little of it makes into the flat. Chris leaves me to 'cut in' with the black floorpaint round the skirting board Pat painted on Thursday with varying degrees of success (Ooops! Sorry Pat). The board shows 3-4 people coming in for Tuesday and Wednesday looking particularly busy. It's tantalisingly close to being finished - so much so that each step forward (in making things look messy again) feels like a step back.
Soon there'll be nothing left to do but the 'snagging' - picking up the missed bits and blotches - see how quickly we've all learnt the secret argot of painters and decorators.
Tune of the day 'Tell me why (I don't like Mondays)' by the Boomtown Rats.
Surprisingly 14 Sumner is quite cool inside - the sitex steel grills keep it shady with a slight breeze. Outside the sun warms up the steel, the grills are hot to the touch, but the breeze seems to take the heat away, little of it makes into the flat. Chris leaves me to 'cut in' with the black floorpaint round the skirting board Pat painted on Thursday with varying degrees of success (Ooops! Sorry Pat). The board shows 3-4 people coming in for Tuesday and Wednesday looking particularly busy. It's tantalisingly close to being finished - so much so that each step forward (in making things look messy again) feels like a step back.
Soon there'll be nothing left to do but the 'snagging' - picking up the missed bits and blotches - see how quickly we've all learnt the secret argot of painters and decorators.
Tune of the day 'Tell me why (I don't like Mondays)' by the Boomtown Rats.
Friday, 26 June 2009
One Last Push (and a Party?) 26/04
One Last Push to finish off 14 Sumner on Monday and Tuesday
- if you can make it down that would be great.
- if you can make it down that would be great.
...Then we celebrate :) A Party - not sure when yet.
But all the people who've come so far will be invited.
This Thursday. Myself, Pat and Chris paint woodwork and pipework. Chris paints the floor. Colin and John show up and show a prospective tenant around, on Friday Chris is away to a wedding in Wales (so no build).
When 14 Sumner is let we will be moving the office to5 Sumner (entrance on the other side of the block) and work will start on the remaining 3 single flats. Come on Down.
But all the people who've come so far will be invited.
This Thursday. Myself, Pat and Chris paint woodwork and pipework. Chris paints the floor. Colin and John show up and show a prospective tenant around, on Friday Chris is away to a wedding in Wales (so no build).
When 14 Sumner is let we will be moving the office to5 Sumner (entrance on the other side of the block) and work will start on the remaining 3 single flats. Come on Down.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
In the Summertime (when the weather is hot...)
Things going a bit quiet on the volunteeering front what with the good weather. Several people who were down on the list have cancelled or just not shown up. Please phone up if you are not coming - it affects how chris uses his day depending on who is coming in.
What Chris really needs is more people with painting and decorating experience he can just leave to get on with the job (while he gets on with the other stuff in the other flats) - the problem is that most of the people who can do this in the co-op are getting paid doing it and so not available (so much for the credit crunch! - Though this does show what a valuable skill it is to learn.) We need to work out how to pull more people in.
Chris is is persuadable to work on the weekends eg. to swap one saturdays working for a monday (usually a quiet day) - perhaps we could pick some saturdays in a few weeks time and then phone around to see who is actually up for working on them (that way we know for sure). Perhaps we could post out a leaflet to everyone in the co-op: Ray's piece below perhaps?
What Chris really needs is more people with painting and decorating experience he can just leave to get on with the job (while he gets on with the other stuff in the other flats) - the problem is that most of the people who can do this in the co-op are getting paid doing it and so not available (so much for the credit crunch! - Though this does show what a valuable skill it is to learn.) We need to work out how to pull more people in.
Chris is is persuadable to work on the weekends eg. to swap one saturdays working for a monday (usually a quiet day) - perhaps we could pick some saturdays in a few weeks time and then phone around to see who is actually up for working on them (that way we know for sure). Perhaps we could post out a leaflet to everyone in the co-op: Ray's piece below perhaps?
Monday, 22 June 2009
refurb shut this friday
Volunteers needed everyday except friday when the refurb will be shut. Contact Chris or John on the numbers below.
Saturday, 20 June 2009
A quiet Friday - What about working on a Saturday?
friday june 19th - progress so far.
A quieter day than usual. On Friday myself and Chris did a half day (well til 1pm) because Chris had to go to the dentists, this meant I was only exposed to half a day of Radio 2 (the builder's choice) as opposed to the full dose. The top tune of the day was 'Lucille' by Little Richard, previous top tunes have included '(you make me feel) mighty real' by Sylvester and 'hit me with your rhythm stick' by Ian Dury.
14 Sumner is almost finished and ready for hand over. The bath is in, the kitchen is in, all the walls have been stripped, replastered, sanded off, filled, had their undercoats. The woodwork has been replaced or keyed and filled and has (mostly) had its undercoat, the tiling in the bathroom just needs grouting and filling. All in all it has stopped looking like a building site and started loking like a flat all of a sudden - so much so that Alison is looking around for people who want to move in. I feel fairly confident it will be finished within the next week. This means the dusty dirty heavy work with it is over and what we really need now are people with decorating skills.
The other flats have less work to do on them - the project is running to schedule.
Looking at the volunteer list (the one sent round at the Annual General Meeting) many people asked about the possibility of working on Saturdays. I think this is something we have to think about carefully, as Chris points out it is hardly worth closing down the build one day in the week if (when push comes to shove) he would only get 1-2 people along on a Saturday instead. Cost is an issue here - we can only afford to pay Chris for the days allocated in the budget already not for any additional ones. While clearly we can't do noisy drilling type work at the weekends for fear of disturbing the neighbours, painting we can do.
I think we should give it a go. It's true most people in the co-op (like Dolly Parton - damn that Radio 2) work 9 to 5s and are only available weekends and evenings, but the real question is not can we find enough people to volunteer for this build but whether we can find enough to take on further and bigger projects.
What do other people think?
ps. Any chance of someone posting a photo of me?
- Paul Helliwell
A quieter day than usual. On Friday myself and Chris did a half day (well til 1pm) because Chris had to go to the dentists, this meant I was only exposed to half a day of Radio 2 (the builder's choice) as opposed to the full dose. The top tune of the day was 'Lucille' by Little Richard, previous top tunes have included '(you make me feel) mighty real' by Sylvester and 'hit me with your rhythm stick' by Ian Dury.
14 Sumner is almost finished and ready for hand over. The bath is in, the kitchen is in, all the walls have been stripped, replastered, sanded off, filled, had their undercoats. The woodwork has been replaced or keyed and filled and has (mostly) had its undercoat, the tiling in the bathroom just needs grouting and filling. All in all it has stopped looking like a building site and started loking like a flat all of a sudden - so much so that Alison is looking around for people who want to move in. I feel fairly confident it will be finished within the next week. This means the dusty dirty heavy work with it is over and what we really need now are people with decorating skills.
The other flats have less work to do on them - the project is running to schedule.
Looking at the volunteer list (the one sent round at the Annual General Meeting) many people asked about the possibility of working on Saturdays. I think this is something we have to think about carefully, as Chris points out it is hardly worth closing down the build one day in the week if (when push comes to shove) he would only get 1-2 people along on a Saturday instead. Cost is an issue here - we can only afford to pay Chris for the days allocated in the budget already not for any additional ones. While clearly we can't do noisy drilling type work at the weekends for fear of disturbing the neighbours, painting we can do.
I think we should give it a go. It's true most people in the co-op (like Dolly Parton - damn that Radio 2) work 9 to 5s and are only available weekends and evenings, but the real question is not can we find enough people to volunteer for this build but whether we can find enough to take on further and bigger projects.
What do other people think?
ps. Any chance of someone posting a photo of me?
- Paul Helliwell
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Phoenix Newsletter article: We're Building!!...By Ray Clarke
Over the last 8 weeks, Phoenix has undertaken an unprecedented development programme..
An agreement between Phoenix Community Housing Co-Operative & Poplar Harca Housing Association has afforded Phoenix the use of 5 vacant ground floor properties at Sumner House in Watts Grove, Bow, London E3.
These properties will offer mid-term agreements to our membership.
In addition to the successful completion of the renovations to these properties, Poplar Harca will offer Phoenix up to 85 more units "in perpetuity". Ultimately providing some more security for our membership and a little more financial stability in an extremely unstable economic/ housing climate.
On site throughout the course of this project is Chris Bridges (07973383430)
Chris has many years of experience & training in the construction industry. As site manager, Chris is also fully trained in all aspects of health & safety.
As a member of Phoenix, I can truly say that being around
Chris has been an education.
Brazing copper pipes, fitting toilets and bathroom sinks,
removing old rendering, damp-proofing, Sanding down are just a few of the skills I would not have picked up off chris had I not become involved.
Chris loves playing with his toy!
Chris drilling a larger hole for the sink drainage..
Fitting my first toilet
(cistern & throne!)...
My first sink plumbing!!(including my second compression valve)
Along side Chris we have Johnny Walker (07879618081)Johnny has to date successfully co-ordinated volunteers from Phoenix Membership. Galvanising us into transforming
these 5 properties into a viable, affordable housing solution.
"I cannot express the awards you get from working on this project!! Volunteers who have given their time usually spend much more than they orignally volunteer, which goes to show the tangible benefits members get educationally, socially and, dare I say it, spiritually."
As well as overseeing the membership participation Johnny has broadened Phoenix's awareness by bring to our attention the economic and ecological benefits of joining a community paint scheme. Phoenix are now implementing this scheme, providing a useful supply of paint in a variety of colours to it's managed properties.
In fact, great emphasis has been given to renovation and sustainability throughout this development programme: Refurbishing existing cupboards, skirting boards, doors, restoring pipework and heating systems. This is as environmentally & ecologically conscious a project as anyone can hope to become involved in.
At the time of writing this, out of the 5 properties managed & developed by Phoenix, 1 is currently now being let to Phoenix members, with another ground floor flat potentially ready to be let by Friday 26th June. Work to the 3 remaining flats are ongoing.
Phoenix would like to thank all it's active members for donating their time and effort into such a timely and essential project.
If you'd like to become involved, contact Chris Bridges on 07973383430, Johnny Walker on 07879618081, or contact Alison Masterman at the Phoenix Office on 020 7033 9539
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
information for volunteers
Main office
Phoenix Housing Oxford House, Derbyshire Street,
London E2 6HG
tel: 020 7033 9539
email: mail@phoenixhousing.co.uk
www.phoenixhousingcoop.org
Volunteer information
1. The aim of this project is to:-
a. Provide good quality self contained housing for phoenix members
b. Give work experience and skills to those who want it (you don’t need skill to get involved just your keenness).
2. Project address:-
a. 5, 7, 10, and the Site office14 Sumner House
Watts Road
Popular
E3 3RB
3. Site hours 9am till 5pm
4. Map attached
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=537512&y=181969&z=0&sv=E3+3RB&st=2&pc=E3+3RB&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf
5. Closest station is on the DLR Devons road
6. Project / site manager: - Chris Bridges 07973383430
7. Volunteer coordinator, eco material sourcing:
Johnny Walker 07879618081
8. Essential things to have: -
a. You
b. Your own CE marked safety boots - Or your boot size in advance (please note that without a pair of C E marked safety boots you won’t be able to help on site) However there are many boots on site so check with John or Chris.
9. Available training in addition to practical work experience on site and a great deal of work satisfaction along with a strong future for Phoenix (see 11):
a. Through Alison in the main office some free courses have been found and are available for volunteers to gain CSCS cards
i. For people looking to find jobs in the building industry the main agencies and builders (but not all) require individuals to have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card (CSCS) - the first steps in acquiring one is to sit a health and safety test in Canning Town, Phoenix can provide the study materials – once the test is passed you can apply for a labourer CSCS with a reference from Chris – the Canning Town training centre could even arrange for you to go on to take tradesmen courses.
b. First aid courses which are a great skill to have and are good for your C.V.
10. All tools, safety equipment and supervision will be provided.
11. This project is a pilot and future projects of this kind are already taking shape at the planning stage. We have attracted interest from other housing orgs who have been very positive about working with them in the future.
Phoenix Housing Oxford House, Derbyshire Street,
London E2 6HG
tel: 020 7033 9539
email: mail@phoenixhousing.co.uk
www.phoenixhousingcoop.org
Volunteer information
1. The aim of this project is to:-
a. Provide good quality self contained housing for phoenix members
b. Give work experience and skills to those who want it (you don’t need skill to get involved just your keenness).
2. Project address:-
a. 5, 7, 10, and the Site office14 Sumner House
Watts Road
Popular
E3 3RB
3. Site hours 9am till 5pm
4. Map attached
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=537512&y=181969&z=0&sv=E3+3RB&st=2&pc=E3+3RB&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf
5. Closest station is on the DLR Devons road
6. Project / site manager: - Chris Bridges 07973383430
7. Volunteer coordinator, eco material sourcing:
Johnny Walker 07879618081
8. Essential things to have: -
a. You
b. Your own CE marked safety boots - Or your boot size in advance (please note that without a pair of C E marked safety boots you won’t be able to help on site) However there are many boots on site so check with John or Chris.
9. Available training in addition to practical work experience on site and a great deal of work satisfaction along with a strong future for Phoenix (see 11):
a. Through Alison in the main office some free courses have been found and are available for volunteers to gain CSCS cards
i. For people looking to find jobs in the building industry the main agencies and builders (but not all) require individuals to have a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card (CSCS) - the first steps in acquiring one is to sit a health and safety test in Canning Town, Phoenix can provide the study materials – once the test is passed you can apply for a labourer CSCS with a reference from Chris – the Canning Town training centre could even arrange for you to go on to take tradesmen courses.
b. First aid courses which are a great skill to have and are good for your C.V.
10. All tools, safety equipment and supervision will be provided.
11. This project is a pilot and future projects of this kind are already taking shape at the planning stage. We have attracted interest from other housing orgs who have been very positive about working with them in the future.
call for materials
Hello Sir/Madam
My name is John Walker; I am the volunteer and materials coordinator and a member of Phoenix Housing Co-op. We have a unique on-going pilot project I would like to inform you about.
Firstly here’s some info about Phoenix Co-op:
Founded in 1980 Phoenix is a fully mutual housing co-operative run by its tenant members. We seek to provide accommodation for single people in housing need who are on a low income.
For over twenty years we have provided a local, volunteer-led solution to the problem of homelessness in East London.
The Sumner House rebuild project
Phoenix housing has a unique opportunity to develop 5 flats for use as mid term lease accommodation. The Flats are unused and in need of total modernisation. This project will allow us to house some 6 Co-op members for a minimum of 5 years, while at the same time making a positive use of Local Authority flats that would be empty and boarded up indefinitely.
Phoenix are able to undertake this project only as the Co-op’s members volunteer their labour to negate our labour cost. We also receive help from organisations such as Community Repaint, who supply us with free paint. The aim of this communication is a call to all suppliers of building materials as well as suppliers of white goods and bathroom suits for assistance with the rebuild project.
The Co-op are confident that successful completion of this project will allow us to pursue future projects of this kind to secure phoenix Co-op long term survival?
Sustainability is our aim ecologically as well as socially. As a result future-proofing this project is also high on our agenda.
We are at present 2/3 of the way through damp coursing all flats and are about to start re-plastering and refitting the kitchens and bathrooms. Please check out our photos.
The payoff for your involvement and support would include knowledge that you have helped vulnerable people to re-house themselves in unused property. We would also document the impact of your support, which you could use as content for your PR purposes.
If your company/organisation are interested and would like more information please use the contact details below. Phoenix are a registered charity, please see our website for more info.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
John Walker.
jwalker@phoenixhousing.co.uk-07879618081/02070339539
Phoenix Community Housing Co-operative Limited,
Room 9, The Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green,
London, E2 6HG
Tel: 020 7033 9539
Email: mail@phoenixhousing.co.uk
My name is John Walker; I am the volunteer and materials coordinator and a member of Phoenix Housing Co-op. We have a unique on-going pilot project I would like to inform you about.
Firstly here’s some info about Phoenix Co-op:
Founded in 1980 Phoenix is a fully mutual housing co-operative run by its tenant members. We seek to provide accommodation for single people in housing need who are on a low income.
For over twenty years we have provided a local, volunteer-led solution to the problem of homelessness in East London.
The Sumner House rebuild project
Phoenix housing has a unique opportunity to develop 5 flats for use as mid term lease accommodation. The Flats are unused and in need of total modernisation. This project will allow us to house some 6 Co-op members for a minimum of 5 years, while at the same time making a positive use of Local Authority flats that would be empty and boarded up indefinitely.
Phoenix are able to undertake this project only as the Co-op’s members volunteer their labour to negate our labour cost. We also receive help from organisations such as Community Repaint, who supply us with free paint. The aim of this communication is a call to all suppliers of building materials as well as suppliers of white goods and bathroom suits for assistance with the rebuild project.
The Co-op are confident that successful completion of this project will allow us to pursue future projects of this kind to secure phoenix Co-op long term survival?
Sustainability is our aim ecologically as well as socially. As a result future-proofing this project is also high on our agenda.
We are at present 2/3 of the way through damp coursing all flats and are about to start re-plastering and refitting the kitchens and bathrooms. Please check out our photos.
The payoff for your involvement and support would include knowledge that you have helped vulnerable people to re-house themselves in unused property. We would also document the impact of your support, which you could use as content for your PR purposes.
If your company/organisation are interested and would like more information please use the contact details below. Phoenix are a registered charity, please see our website for more info.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
John Walker.
jwalker@phoenixhousing.co.uk-07879618081/02070339539
Phoenix Community Housing Co-operative Limited,
Room 9, The Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green,
London, E2 6HG
Tel: 020 7033 9539
Email: mail@phoenixhousing.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
