Moving On Up (Open Day Saturday)

Today the Refurb seemed to move up a gear as it had one percent of Phoenix members actually on site at the same time - Paul, Darryl, Pat and David (Sanchez). Eric (one of the College of North West London trainees) was also there, as were Maihan and Steve. Carlita came down and took some photos which we hope to put up soon.

There is an Open Day Saturday, September 10 · 9:00am - 1:30pm for more info please contact Maihan on 07949570873 or mhamed@phoenixhousing.co.uk

The following map should get you there. the best hint I can give is to look at the photos on the blog, or to walk up past the parade of shops and through the short tunnel at the top, you'll see a little walled off greenspace, next to that is a building with all the ground floor weindows boarded up. You've found us.

Please make every effort to come - looking forward to seeing you.

Back from our Summer Holidays

The refurb is back open to volunteers and trainees after our summer break. Steve went to Portugal (everyone else stayed home). Monday Steve, Brahim, Paul and Darryl worked, today Steve, Paul, Andreas and Edward worked, and Sumner House stalwart Pat will be coming down regularly as well (apologies for the old photo).


This Saturday we are open to volunteers and trainees 9 until 1pm again - it would be good to see some Phoenix members there.

Refurb shut to volunteers until 5th September

The refurb will be shut to volunteers until the 5th of Spetember to permit the plumbing contractor (Stevie not to be confused with Steve) to plumb in the central heating systems for the middle floor flats 99,97,95, and 93. After much discussion it was thought that this task was better carried out by a contractor rather than volunteers - though it is expected that plumbing in the kitchens and bathrooms will be done by volunteers. Steve is taking a well earned break in Portugal for a week.

The power is now on in 93 and we expect to have all 4 powered up on ther monday of Steve's return. We have begun painting in number 95 and will be continuing with this in one weeks time.

Progress - the 1% barrier is broken

One percent of the membership of Phoenix have now visited the refurb site - our lucky member to break this first barrier is Ola. Now how about we try for 5% - we have after all only been open to volunteers for a week. The site is open daytime weekdays and every second Saturday. Phone Maihan if you are coming in and if you are not sure where it is try Google Maps. Come on Down.

On the other hand volunteers from College of Northwest London (Moussa, Ibrahim, Shaban, Andreas, Edward) continue to come one day a week each and do good work, also in today was Erik from Archway who read about Phoenix online and is interested in becomming a member (as is Ibrahim). The electrical installations of the four mid-floor flats (99,97,95,93) have been certified today and the installation of the kitchens in them is proceeding well. Tommorow we begin painting in 97 (and perhaps 95) - Darryl (a Phoenix member) and Erik having spent a lot of time sanding down the walls.

The power is finally on in room 101 - EDF having pronounced themselves pleased with the installation. We have a toilet, hot water, two sinks, a kettle, a fridge, tea bags, milk and sugar, helath and safety notices cover the walls.

Volunteer Saturday - Thanks to all who came.

There must have been some kind of logistical problem - and please tell us what it is, because this Saturday NO-ONE came to the refurb that had been made open specially. This is not strictly true - Paul came down (but he lives in Spey Street), Steve and his Wife came down from Essex, Darryl arrived late in the afternoon.

At a guess one third of the members of the co-op live within a mile, something like 250 members live in the same borough, and the DLR stop (which was open) is 100 yards away. We must be failing to reach people, please tell us what we can do. Otherwise I can only conclude that people were too busy, perhaps they were put off by the sunshine in the morning (or the rain in the afternoon).

Here are a few reminders as to why the refurb is important.

The numbers of flats Phoenix gets from Poplar HARCA has peaked and there is no large scale alternative - this means Phoenix will have to chose who it rehouses and who it doesn't from people as their properties are handed back. Subtle Hint, Phoenix does this based on the rent account record ('Do you pay your rent on time?') and the Volunteering record ('Did you volunteer while you were a member of Phoenix?').

I have already had a number of people asking me about flats in Spey Street when the refurb is done - I have to say that seeing as they will last a minimum of 5 years and will be done up to a very good standard I think they will go like hot cakes. On the whole I would like to see them go to the people who have done the work.

If you are in the Co-Operative but not in imminent danger of handback perhaps the best way to think about it is that Poplar Harca properties pay for most of the running costs of the Co-op (this is why they show up as a loss in the budget) and if we didn't have these properties we wouldn't have this money coming in, and it would therefore have to be paid by all the remaining Co-op properties by means of increased rent.

Phoenix can only undertake these development projects if its members volunteer their labour, if they do not then nothing can be done. Thanks to all who came.

Volunteer Saturday at the Refurb - Come on Down!

Midweek and things are progressing in their usual contradictory fashion. The supply to two of the flats has been 'discontinued' (7 years derelict -you don't say) so the MPAN (meter identification) numbers that Steve has for them 'need' to be replaced by new numbers - This will take 10 days but fortunately Steve is now in contact with someone who knows what they are doing and has already applied for the replacement numbers. The rewiring of 101 is complete, and the rewiring of the middle floor flats will be finished tommorow, so all we need is the fuses for the company head to turn the power on. themselves - so by the middle of next week we'll have power in 101, and most of the middle floor flats. Fingers crossed.

Volunteers from North West London College keep coming - two Tuesday (Andreas and Edward), One yesterday (Moussa) and one today (erm. Sorry dude forgot your name, Darryl (correct name spelling this time) came Tuesday and today.

Steve is coming in specially to make the refurb is open to volunteers from across the Co-op this Saturday. Bring your painting clothes. All safety equipment, tools and paint will be provided. Come on Down!

Volunteer Day One (Another One Bites The Dust)

Day One and five volunteers came down - Phoenix members Kevin, Paul and Daryl and College of Northwest London construction students Ibrahim and Chaban. It may seem a long way to come (from Dollis Hill) but 4 CNWL construction students have said they will volunteer on the project - the practical experience will look good on the CV's.

Kevin got on with plumbing in the bathroom in copper, Kevin seems confident he can get the next set of kitchens cheaper as flatpack - which is good even though we are already underbudget on this. Steve (the Site Manager), Daryl and Paul variously at one time or another assembled kitchen units, made concrete to patch up floors. Steve demonstrated how to apply bonder to the areas where the plaster had been removed from the walls (due to weakness) - Paul, Ibrahim and Chaban took turns following his instructions - the next job is to skim it with plaster.

More people with plumbing experience would be good - we have five bathrooms and kitchens to outfit and more people with carpentry experience would be good - we have 5 kitchens to fit. If you don't have these skills? Come on down anyway!