special request

Friday morning and Jonnie Walker (sometime development committee member) is in the office writing an article for the newsletter on energy efficiency. Jiska is doing a poster and colour insert for the newsletter calling on member to volunteers more - as she points out phoenix EXISTS because of the volunteering of the members.

Meanwhile it's thursday afternoon and longtime co-op member Stefan is volunteering, working on window frames and guttering (and looking at the stars) at Durlston Road.

The photos on this page show just one weeks volunteering by the members. Come on down.

skills transfer

Hi All another batch of photos. With Loiri changing a tap amongst other things.- Chris B.

Loiri(?) changing a tap.
"Erm. Does this look right to you Chris? I think it needs changing."

The great thing about volunteering is that you get to learn things - useful things that will save you money with plumbers later on in life or even get you paid.

whose car is that anyway?

Chris has asked about transporting tools and materials between the jobs (because if Chris's partner sees this photo showing what he's been doing with the car he's in big trouble). If he's moving between properties 1-2 a week this obviously means the tools have got to be moved somehow - which will mean timetabling Johnnie and the work van to do it. Another issue is picking up the materials to do the job (like the huge quantities of loft insulation seems above) - obviously many builders merchants deliver but all this means unproductive time and delay waiting for deliveries and for tools to be moved and also Johnnie/Colin won't have use of the van then etc.

Anybody got a cunning plan?

Spaceman (whatever happened to Babylon Zoo)

Never mind babylon Zoo - What happened to altern8?



They seem to be raving in a rather small barn.




I tell a lie - Chris and the volunteers are installing loft insulation in the phoenix owned properties to keep us nice and toasty over winter.
Hi All (another batch of photos) - Chris B.
These photos were taken on the 19th January - I think round Durlston Rd. Anybody know for sure?

year of the giant refurb I

Thanks to all those who helped with the installation of loft insulation at Ickburgh Road, one of the houses we all own together as part of phoenix housing co-op. Many of these properties have inadequate insulation. Hopefully this should form part of an ongoing programme to deal with cyclical maintenance and energy efficiency tasks at the properties we own.

However, due to cashflow issues we may have to look at getting Chris to do more outside (paid) work to bring money into the co-op either for Oxford House or for other Co-ops, and this will inevitably slow things down a little.

Chris can be contacted on 07973383430 ar email Colin at the office if you wish to volunteer.

2010 - year of the giant refurb II.

Thanks to all who have been helping out at William Guy Gardens, bringing this former old peoples home back into use as housing.

happy new years refurbing!

After Sumner House Chris and his roving band of volunteers have been working doing cyclical maintenance on the properties owned by Phoenix. Chris has also done some maintenance work for Oxford House where Phoenix has its office. Here you can see a keen volunteer helping Chris remove the floor of 7 Reighton Road that had a rather nasty dry rot problem.

The plan for 2010 is to continue with this Cyclical maintenance and a timetable has been drafted for doing the work. We will probably also be doing some work on flats in William Guy Gardens - a former old peoples home we will have on a medium term lease.

Again volunteers will be vital.

Chris Bridges 07973383430