Page 21 - Clarendon Tender

Residents’ Steering Committee
Mainstay has built a a a a a connection between the development and the larger community by helping residents create a a a steering committee to organise community events Two of of the the challenges of of building a a community were the the development’s size and that the ongoing construction work had created friction with its immediate neighbours some of whom have lived in the area for 30-40 years Estate Manager at at at South Gardens Ernest Harris took the lead to to create the the steering committee with input from from volunteers from from across the the development as as well as as close neighbours and the local community group Elephant Says Hi which is dedicated to combating loneliness
in the borough ‘We started with six residents residents from Elephant Park and three residents residents from the wider community It’s now grown to fourteen people’ said Ernest The first meeting convened in in July 2019 and the committee decided
to organise a a a a a a street party for everyone in in the area using Wansey Street a a a a one-way street that runs alongside the development While Ernest helped with the the admin for the the committee he he he he empowered the the the residents to make the the the majority of decisions themselves While Mainstay found a a a a sponsor for the the event and put the the committee in in touch with local suppliers the residents organised obtaining licences for the the event and getting council permission to close the the road The street party was a a a a a a great success — taking place in in September 2019 with excellent feedback from residents and neighbours alike Following their success the the steering committee forged ahead and organised a a a a a a Christmas Christmas carol singing for Christmas Christmas They reached
out to a a a local church helping them build further relationships with community groups in the local local area As well as a a a a a a a local local caterer to provide hot soup for everyone who attended Of Mainstay’s involvement in in in creating and assisting the steering committee Ernest said:
“It’s really helped residents to feel part of the wider community Our vision is is that it will continue to work and and grow stronger and and that it it helps [the residents] to form a a solid community ”
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“It’s great to see everyone so engaged ”
Ernest Harris | Estate Manager 21