The magazine forCatalyst residents /Issue 28, July 2018
Your CRFnews is now inside pages9-12
Summerm fun! pages 4-5 Kids’ activities across all our centres Events for all the family in London, Oxford and Reading pages 6-7
WELCOME In this issue… Welcometothe summer issue of Catalyst 8 magazine Changes to your benefits We’reoverhalfway throughthe year andour teams have been busy. Howwill welfarereform affect you? This issue we’remerging Catalyst magazine withthe CatalystResidents’ Federation (CRF) newsletter. From now on, theCRF willbebringingyou news and updates every issue. 9-12 Theschool holidays areloomingand if you’reworried about Catalyst Residents’ Federation how to fillthosesix weeks, turn to pages 4-5 fordetails of our summer programme running acrossour centres.Wealso have tips News and updates from residents’ representatives forfamilydaysout at topeventsacrossLondonand thesouth east(pages16-17). On pages 14-15you’ll findthe latestresidents’annual report. We aimtobeopen and honestwhen we lookatour performance 13 and theservice we provide to you. We’vecollected statsand facts Aroyalreception from across Catalyst so youcan see how we’vebeen doinginkey Southall DayCentreattendedaspecial event areassuchascustomer serviceand the workofCatalyst Gateway, who providesupporttoour communities. hosted by Prince Charles Next issueyou’ll noticesome changes in your Catalyst magazine –but ifyou can’twait untilthen, find out more about our newlookonpages 6-7! 14-15 Got aquestion? –Ask Catalyst Residents’ annual report Want to knowthe best way to payyour rent? Or find out howtoreport arepair? Youcan find Stats and facts the answer to these queries, along with other from 2017/18 frequently asked questions, by using Ask Catalyst online. Quick and easy to use –get the answer to your question at just aclick of abutton: www.help.chg.org.uk/help/
CONTACT US
Phone Facebook 0300 456 2099 Catalyst Housing Ltd
Email Twitter @ [email protected] @CatalystHousing Website Post www.chg.org.uk EalingGateway, 26–30 Uxbridge Road,London W5 2AU
Catalyst magazine aims to keep youuptodatewith our news and events, as well as providing other useful information and support to our customers. We hope youenjoyreading the magazine, but if youdecide youdon’t want to receiveitanymore, justlet us knowby: •[email protected] stating ‘Magazine opt-out’ in the subject line and including either your tenancy reference number (if youknowit), or your full name and address, in the email. We need this information so we canfind youinour database to unsubscribe you •Calling our contact centre on 0300 4562099, Monday-Friday 8am-6pm
2 Catalyst
THELIFE OF RILEY Getting it right
As summer approaches, things are moved certainly heating up hereatCatalyst as was dr we strive to put customers at the heart of caused everything we do. respon Over the coming months, we’ll be anti-so launching some improvements that will neighb change the waywework forand with you, fire of our customers. Our new repairs and nothin maintenance contracts will giveyou more escala control over appointmenttimes and offer immed faster fixes, while our neighbourhood lady a managers will be workingdirectly with you second in your blocks, estates and homes. Secon We’realso training everyCatalyst compl employeeinwhat makes an excellent 5pm, b customer experience. That focusonhow report to serveyou better will be areal driving The forcefor us in the future. this po Youshould start to see the benefit of that k these changes shortly, alongside many Althou other initiatives that arehappening now. the all Ireally look forwardtohearing your have s views on howwe’redoing when youget in agrou touch with us –including the customer meets surveysindependently run by our partner Thr Voluntas. We read everycustomer theroll commentonthe surveysand call youback experi if we didn’t get it right. By speaking to to get you, learning from our mistakes and We wa hearing first hand howwecan do better, kind of we canreally improveour services. puts ri In my role Ioften meet customers. It you co canbevery humbling to see where we And haven’t got it right and howwecould’ve on an worked with our customers better. Please Iremember having adiscussion with a summ blind customer who, as aresult of bad up wit service from Catalyst, had reached her autum wits’ end. For19years she had lived the ch happily in her second-floor flat, with talking support from her neighbours. But started everything changed when new neighbours positiv
Catalyst 3
SUMMER FUN
Our summer programme for kids is back
ThThroughout August we’llberunning awhole hostofactivitiesand workshopsfor childrenand young people in our west London boroughs, includingarts andcrafts, workshops andtrips. Therewill be abig celebration day in August where all our west London centreswill come together forthe final dayofthe summer programme. To findout more about what’sgoing on, please contact Kowsar Abdi on 07860 917095 For FriaryPark, please contact Gurmeet Jassal on 07860 704184
The Brentsummerprogramme runs Book your child’splace from 30 July to 24 August 2018, Therewill be asmall cost per week forachild to join our summer programme Monday to Thursday from –this includes ahot and healthylunch cooked on site, made possible by the London 9.30am to 3pm each day at the Mayor’s Fund. Unity Centre, Church Road. Catalyst residents’ children’ssign-up: 9and 10 July Children aged 8to15can get involved Non-Catalyst residents’ children’ssign-up: 16 and 17 July in arange of activities and workshops provided by us andour partners. Phone Michelle Robinson at the Unity Centreon020 8955 1783 to check availability New to the programme this year, we’ll be offering an Olympics day with Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea. The Brentshowcase finale will take place on Friday 24 August where the children will presentthe skills they’velearned to parents and carers.
4 Catalyst
SUMMER FUN
All activities arehostedatthe Weller Centre, 110 Amersham Road, Lower Caversham, Reading RG4 5NA READING ROCKETS Free basketball sessions hosted by a Reading Rockets coach in the ball court, building on the skills learned from school clubs. YOUTH CINEMA CLUB FRIDAYFUN DAY AReading-based visual art and film production organisation and youth mentorship programme will host aseries Aseries of youthmentoring of 6sessions foryoung people. There programmes will run for6weeks. Kids will be avariety of activities on offer canjoininavariety of indoor and POP-UP CINEMA including film making, animation, outdoor activities, including boxing, interviews, editing and photography. cycling, crafts and more. Lunch is Young people will assist hosting a provided. TheYouth Cinema Club will choose a pop-up cinema at the Weller Centre. Please contact Youth and Family featurelength film to showeach week. Attendees must pay£5toreservetheir Coordinator Sarah Timmins on Kids go free andcan bring their own space –lunch is provided. [email protected] snacks, or pay£1for squash and to register. popcorn.
This summer we’reworking with partners to deliver activities forfamilies in the Oxfordarea.
DOVECOTE SUMMER LEYS CDI SUMMER SUMMER EVENTS PLAYSCHEME HOLIDAYSCHEME FOR OVER 50S AT THE CLOCKHOUSE The Dovecote, Greater Leys,Nightingale We have lots of events running acrossthe Avenue OX47BU BlackbirdLeysCommunity Centre, summer forover50s, from TaiChi to Knit and Natter crafts group. OxfordOX4 6HW Monday 30 July –Thursday 23 Residents from theBlackbirdand Greater August, 10am-3pm Monday 30 July –Friday Leys area canjoinusevery Mondayfor Cost: £22 per child per week 24 August, 10am-4pm our GamesSocial with alight sandwich Cost: £2 per child per day lunch from 1.30-3.30pm. Therewill be Youcan either sign up forthe first 2 board games, Boccia (indoor bowls), table weeks or the last 2weeks of the Attendees will have access to tennisand lots of chat, at acostofjust playscheme. Please note, lunch is not multisports, creativeart workshops, £1 per person. We willalsoberunninga provided –each child will need to bring musicand film workshops, poetry, kids special cream teaonWednesday 15 apacked lunch. café, tech workshops and daytrips. Augustfrom2-4pm –donations welcome. To find out more, contact Carol To find out more, contact To find out more, please Richards on 01865 712299 the youth project office contact Dawn Williams on on 01865 395927 or email 01865 395908 or email [email protected] [email protected]
Catalyst 5
DAYS OUT Summer fun
Oxford Oxford Foodies Festival When: Saturday 25 – Bank Holiday Swan Upping Monday 27 August When: End of July Where: South Parks, Headington Road, Enjoy the UK’s biggestOxford food festival. OX3 0EB Feast at over 30 Every year, the swans on the River Thames delicious food stalls, meet top chefs and listen to music get a health check and cygnets are ringed to from bands including The Hoosiers and Toploader. Kids a corporation. show whether they’re owned by the Crown or go free with earlybird tickets and can learn to cook
before enjoying the kidzone. Why not bringtradition a picnic from and the watch river bank? this annual For full details, visit For more detail oyalswan.co.uk www.foodiesfest www.r ls, visit oxford-food-fetiv al.com e / stival
Oxford
Uffingtonfi White Horse
Show,S Oxfordshire for When: Sunday 26 and Bank Holiday Monday 27 August
Thhe show offers a wide range of attractions familiesa and people of all ages, including arena much more. evvents, craft stalls, animals, historic vehicles and
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.whitehorseshow.co.uk
Reading A Different World Festival When: Saturday 4 August Reading WWhere: Reading Abbey Rugby Club, Rose Hill, Kids Summer Peppard R This is a fully inclusiveoad, music Reading festival RG4for adults 8XA and Festival 2018 younng people with special and additional needs. Festivala goers can enjoy live music, food stalls and When: Saturday 11 August a ctivitiees including a nail bar and an arts and crafts Where: PalmerReading Park, WokinghamRG6 1LD Road, tent. Carers go free. For more details, please visit Family funday with lots of activities, including wwww.adifferentworldfestival.co.uk funfair rides, circus,much dance more. performances and To book your ticket, visit www.tickettailor.com/events/ tulipevents/160173
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DAYS OUT
There are lots of events Reading happening across the country this summer. To find out more, Cheese Fest When: Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 visit local council websites, Calling all cheese lovers! For the fir forums and events pages for 6 Aug Cheese Fest is coming to Reading. Fea ust cheesy treats from street food trade rst year, details of what’s on, tickets a sampling dairy delights from artisan st on hot rs, while and prices. from all over the country. vendors Find out more and book your ticket www.cheesefestuk.com/readin ts at g
London Buckingham Palace open days
The royal family has had a busy year, holding a wedding and welcoming a new baby in recent months! See how the royal family live, and hear London about the history of the monarchy, at one of London’s topopens attractions its doors as to Buckinghamthe public. Palace Notting Hill Book tickets here Carnival www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/ When: Sunday 26 – Bank Holiday the-state-rooms-buckingham-palace Monday 27 August Enjoy London’s biggest street party celebrating Caribbean culture. Feast at stalls serving up traditional food, enjoy live music and watch the colourful floats take to the streets of West London.
London Underbelly Festival Where: London’s Southbank When:W Events running until 30 September Thhe Underbelly Festival is back for another summmer of entertainment. There are shows for all aages running throughout the holidays. FForo full listings and tickets, visit wwww.underbellyfestival.com
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BENEFITS WelfareReform what changes to benefits mean for you
In the last 10 years there have beenbig changes to the benefits system. Even if you’re not directly affectedbythese changes now, you–oryour friends and family –could be in the future.
Universal Credit Our quick guide explains the changes and what theymight mean foryou. Universal Credit will combine the following existing benefits into one payment:
Job Seeker’s Allowance Income Support
Employmentand Support Allowance Housing Benefit
Child TaxCredit Working TaxCredit
Thegovernmenthas already started rolling out Universal Benefit Cap Credit. We knowitwillaffectover6,000 Catalyst residents – it If you’re aged under 65 thereisalimit to the amount of doesn’t matter whether you’re working or unemployed. That benefits youcan receive. In London, the Benefit Capis£23,000 number includes everyone who gets aTax Credit or Housing and forthe rest of theUKit’s£20,000. The capped limit Benefit top-up to help supplementtheir wages. includes housing benefit. Universal Credit is paid monthly in arrears, so anyone All of your bills and financial commitments, including your affectedwill need to manage amonthly budget, including rent, will need to be paid from this capped amount. Forlarge paying rent and bills. families or customers who have high housing rental costs, it is Single room supplement(Bedroom Tax) very likely that the Housing Benefit elementwillnot be enough to coverthe rent.Itispossible to become exempt from the Introduced in 2011, the single room supplement(known as Benefit Capby, forexample, increasing the hours of paid the ‘Bedroom Tax’) applies to families or householders who live employmentorclaiming aspecific welfarebenefit, such as in aproperty that is too big fortheir needs. Personal Independence Payment. If youhaveone sparebedroom 14% of your weekly rental charge will be added to your bill. If youhavetwo spare We’re here to help you bedrooms, 25% will be added. This is then takendirectly from • Speaktoour income team forhelp with managing your rent your housing benefit or Universal Credit. and advice on welfarereform Youwill then have to makeupany shortfall yourself in order • Ourmoneyand benefit advisors arecolleagues with to be able to payany remaining bills and expenses. expertise in benefits, and canoffer youspecialised advice • Ouremploymentadvisors cansupport youifyou’relooking forajob, updating your CV or need to get access to training and volunteering opportunities
Youcan speak to anyofthese teams by calling our contact centre on 0300 456 2099 Monday-Friday 8am-6pm
8 Catalyst
Welcome Welcome to the Catalyst Residents’ Federation (CRF) news in its new home! From nowon, you’ll be hearing from us in every issue of Catalyst magazine.
As part of the Catalyst Directors’ Day(youcan read more So please let us knowifthere’s anything you’d like us to about this on page 10), we discussed incorporating our coverinthese pages. newsletter into the magazine to help showhow Catalyst and residents work together. Contact the CRF by emailing [email protected] or It’s really importanttousatthe CRF that we continue to write to CRF, PO Box72593, London, NW26 9LD representall residents. The CRF news is one waytokeep you informed about what we’redoing and it allows youtoget in touch with us.
Catalyst 9
CRF NEWS CRF meets the directors At the end of April, members of the CRF attended amorning At the moment, the managementteam and agroup meeting with some of the new team of Catalyst directors. of residents arereviewing the repairs contracts. When Scott Black, Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods, that’s completed, therewill be asimilar jointapproach to organised the session to set out Catalyst’s vision forthe scrutinising other areas of the service. futureand inviteresidents and their representatives to be The Customer Experience Committee –which includes included in the proposed changes. residents –isacommittee of the board, and allows residents Ihavetosay that Iwas alittle sceptical at first. I’vebeen to have their say. an ‘involved resident’ forseveral years nowand I’veoften Ibelieve that customers should feed into improving services sat in apresentation or meeting and been told because we knowwhat works and what doesn’t, and also howcustomers should come first, and how what we need and don’t need. certain improvements or using digital media will help achieve this. I’vebeen impressed with the Director of Customer Experience David Rileyand his commitmenttoimproving However, Iwas encouraged by the customer service. I’vemet him afew times and Ilikehis new approach presentedatthe measured but effectiveapproach. Plus he’s aNortherner like Director’s Day. The team all seem to me, so what’s not to like? be pulling together and there’s areal keenness forresidents to be included and contributetothe changes.
Estate inspections
In April, the CRF began its first estateinspection of the year. These inspections form part of the ongoing CRF project to identify areas or issues we need to look into moredeeply. They’realso agood way to encourage residents to undertake their owninspections and look forissues, identify solutions and help progress anyconcerns. So far, we’vemanaged to visit Roundwood in Brent, South Acton in Ealing, Beaufort Park in Barnet, Owens Wayand BlackbirdLeysinOxfordand also Princess Alice House in Kensington and Chelsea.
Estateinspections usually take place on aSaturday. We’d liketovisit as manyareas as possible, so let us knowifyou want us to come and meet youinyour area. We hope we canencourage youtoget involved and help improvewhere youlive.
Our next estateinspection is in South Kilburn. If you’reaSouth Kilburn residentorwould likeustovisit your area, please contact us by email [email protected]
Catalyst inspections
Catalyst also carries out inspections of every property wherethereisacommunal area (eg shared hallway, stairs or gardens). Thereare four inspections ayear at each property, and residents arevery welcome to come along and discuss anyissues. To find out when the next inspection is happening at your property, call Catalyst on 0300 456 2099.
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CRF NEWS New boundaries?
Following recentdiscussions between the CRF and Catalyst ongoing costs arekept to aminimum. directors, Catalyst has proposed that residents’ forums match up with the new areas of work forrepairs contracts. Building skills These areas are: In order to encourage residents to get moreinvolved, • CentralLondon perhaps we need to consider having an agreementwhere • West London residents arerewarded through funded courses and • South east (including Oxfordshire, Bedfordshireand developmentqualifications forattending and performing at Surrey) meetings and panels?
This will createanopportunity to set up new Customer We must also think about what to do about residents in Partnership Panels (a working title), which will help in the groups who arenot playing an activepart. When these review of performance and support improvementinitiatives situations arise, it’s very unfair on those who perform their at alocal level. tasks because theyend up spending time covering forthose who don’t. Beforethe proposal is progressed, we’d liketohear your opinion on the new Customer Partnership Panels. What we need is effectiveparticipation. The CRF has attended anumber of sessions with training consultant As part of this review, we’vesuggested that Director of Dawn De Coteau, who galvanised us into looking at Housing and Neighbourhoods Scott Black attends resident the bigger picture. We’vegained confidence to take on meetings to explain the thinking behind these possible challenges, help other residents, attend meetings and changes. These meetings will giveyou all the chance to find conferences and even hold our ownmeetings.g out what the changes will mean to you. Theremust be plenty of residents who would welcome the Reviewing residents’ groups opportunity? To shareyour views, get advice or to get in touch with us, email [email protected] The CRF think it’s agood idea to review our residennts’ groups, including block representatives, residents’ associations and forums, to try to encourage amorrediverse range of people to attend meetings and makechange happen in their local areas.
Some of youhavepreviously mentioned you’d like to see younger people get involved. We’resuggesting foruums for younger residents who must be worried about wheere they live, who have concerns about the length of tenanccies and a fear that higher rental costs and living expenses may force them, forexample, to move further out of London orintothe uncertainty of the privaterentedsector.
We’realso keen that disabled residents aremore innvolved, particularly in new-build projects whereit’s importaant to future-proof proposed developments, making themm more easily adaptable. We also need to ensurethat issueesare addressed from all residents with disabilities, includding those in existing homes, too.
The CRF have also been trying to createanew foruumfor all leaseholder, Right to Buy and shared ownership ressidents. This will givethese residents an opportunity to shaare ideas and suggestions, while making sureservice chargess and
Catalyst 11
CRF NEWS G15 housing association plans to stop charging affordable rent CRF Chair John Harrison discusses the changes one housing association is making to affordable rent
Peabody Trust (a housing association that recently merged The G15 is made up of the biggest Housing Associations in with Family Mosaic) has said that theywill freeze or cut rents London. Wasthis discussed by them? It’s abold move but in homes currently let as ‘affordable rent’and convert market perhaps that’s what we need in ahousing crisis? rent tenancies to ‘social rents’ in future. What are the differenttypes of rent in Their chief executivesaid that this was‘the start of the journeytowards rent fairness’, admitting the policy would be London? ‘deliberately cutting our income’ and could result in areduced developmentprogramme. Social rent –the amountpaid depends on the location and size of the property. It’s set according to average earnings in The proposal is forPeabody to convert around 4,000 homes the area. This makes up 50-60% of market rents. let at affordable rent to the London Affordable Rent instead –part of London MayorSadiq Khan’s Housing Strategy. Affordable rent –this canbeupto80% of what it costs to rent on the open market, although manyhousing associations Someone living in an ‘affordable rent’property pays up to have been charging lowerthan this. 80% of what they’d payiftheyrentedonthe open market. Since affordable rent wasintroduced eight years ago, Peabody London Affordable Rent –introduced by the Mayor of has charged around 65% of market rent on these types of London Sadiq Khan, it’s lowerthan affordablerentbut higher homes. This has seen some tenants payabout £80 per week than most typical social rents. For2017/18 the benchmark morethan other residents in similar properties. London Affordable Rent fora2-bedroom property is £152.73 per week and a3-bedroom property is £161.22 per week. The difference between the manykinds of rentsthat are charged potentially place abig burden on residents, the London Living Rent –anew ‘product’ also introduced by general public and the government, because anyincreases in Sadiq Khan, aimed at middle-income Londoners, whererents rent add to the housing benefit bill. areset at one-thirdofaverage local earnings.
Shelter has also said that converting ‘social rent’homes Target rent –asocial rent levelcalculated by government to moreexpensive‘affordable rent’isone of the reasons a that councils and housing associations should use to move number of genuinely affordable homes have been whittled their rentstoovertime. away. So manydifferentcategories. But what do YOUthink about rent types? Let us know [email protected] ‘It wasgreat to see alarge social housing provider getting back to its corebusiness and we hope this is To find out moreabout differenttypes of rent in London, visit part of awider recognition of the need to provide the www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/housing-and-land/ social homes forrentthat families across the country renting/london-living-rent arecrying out for.’ Shelter
Catalyst Residents’ Federation Catalyst Call: 07742 691 805 Residents Email: [email protected] Website: www.yourcrf.org Federation CRF, PO Box72593, London NW26 9LD
12 Catalyst
AROYAL RECEPTION Southall Day Centre join the Prince of Wales at a royal reception
Southall DayCentre’s workwith the Indian community was recognised in Mayataroyal reception hosted by Prince Charles. 40th anniversaryyear Theroyal reception had an extraspecial meaning this year Sukhwant Sandher, DevelopmentOfficeratSouthall Day as the Southall DayCentremarks 40 years of serving the Centre, was invited to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office community. Prince Charles even attended the opening of the (FCO) eventtomark the visit of Prime Minister of India, first ever centreonWestern Road 40 years ago! NarendraModi, to the UK. It wasthe first time in 10 years that an Indian prime minister had attended the meeting. Thecentrewas set up by alocal community group to help first-generation immigrants as theygot older, tailoring support Southall DayCentrewas among ahandful of organisations to their cultural needs. chosen to attend because of the services theyprovide to the Indian community. We’ll be sharing morestories in the next fewmonths about the difference Southall DayCentrehas made to the Over the years, the centrehas hostedstudents representing community –and we’ll be announcing some special events to various Indian political parties, sharing with them the history mark the 40-year anniversary. and experiences of the Indian people in the UK. The centre itself has playedanimportantrole in developing the Southall community.
Sukhwant Sandher from Southall DayCentrewith Prince Charles and attendees at the royalreception
Catalyst 13
ANNUAL REPORT It’s time to update you on howkey areasofour business are performing. Here are the resultsfor ourresidents’annualreportfor the financial year April2017–March 2018. Youcan read ourfull annual report andaccountsonour website www.chg.org.uk
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ANNUAL REPORT
Catalyst 15
ANEW LOOK CATALYST IS CHANGING Over the last 18 months, we’ve We’re here to make a • We’remaking big changes to the been taking along, hardlookatour wayyou’ll experience repairs and business. This included: purposeful difference maintenance, with new contractors in place early next year. • Areminder of what we stand for as Making apurposeful difference is an organisation about providing –and maintaining – We knowthis is an area of frustration foralot of our • Making surewe’refocusing on the great homes foreveryone. It’s about customers, so we want to make right things working hardtoimprove our sureweget it right. • Howwemakesignificant communities. We want to makesure • We’reworking with all colleagues to improvements to our customers’ that as abusiness we’reagreat place makesurethat every one of us experience with Catalyst and make forpeople to work, because happy behavesinawaythat makes a surethe improvements continue employees do abetter job for positivedifference to customers. • Makingsureweattract and keep customers. We want to delivering an We allhaveapart to play, whatever the best people to work with us – excellentexperience forour customers team or departmentwework in. people who, in turn, provide the every time. best service to customers We also have anumber of other We also recognise that actions changes in the pipeline, all designed to As part of that journey, we’ve speak louder than words, so: bring about real improvements to the listened to what lots of our customers • We’velaunched our new Customer business, and forour customers. We’ll and colleagues across Catalyst have to Experience Strategy (see opposite). keep youupdated in future issues of say. This helped us reach aclearer It recognises the action we have to this magazine. understanding of who we are, what we take across thebusiness to makea do –and whywedoit. real change to the experience we deliver to our customers.
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ANEW LOOK Our customer experience strategy
You’vetold us that youwantustobe: Customer feedback also allows us to measure • easy to do business with improvements in customer satisfaction. Currently, it’s at • morereliable in responding to and communicating approximately 70% forcustomers who rent from us. Our goal with you is to increase this to 80% by 2020.We’realso workinghard to increase our leaseholder customer satisfaction rating. • moreunderstanding about the issues youhave What will we do to deliver the strategy? What is our Customer Experience Strategy? Themost importantthing we must do is work together as Simply put, it’s an opportunity forustodeliver the service one team, with one purpose –excellentcustomer experience. that really matters to you, our customers. We expect all colleagues to deliver aservice that is easy, Every change we makeinour service will be driven by reliable and really understand our customers’ needs. evidence from customer feedback, unless it’s achange we Ouraim is forcustomers to receiveconsistently excellent have to makefor business or legal reasons. That waywe’ll be service, whicheverpartofCatalyst youcome into contact with. spending our time and moneyonthings that aremost importanttoour customers.
Our new look Our current‘family’ logo has Over the coming months, you’ll served us well, but as we look to the notice changes to howthings look. We’realso changing the way future, it’s time forachange. Our new looksignals ourrenewed we look. Customers and employees have and relentless commitment to Our currentlogo dates back to told us the existing logo doesn’t deliveringexcellentcustomer 2003, when Catalyst wascreated mean anything to them. It’s also experience. following the merger of Ealing hardtouse on digital channels such We hope that youlikeour new Family and Kensington Housing as websites. look. But we hope youlikewhat it Trust. Alot has changed in 15 years So we’ll be getting anew logo, stands forevenmore. –and not just at Catalyst. In 2003, and anew look and feel that Tony Blair wasPrime Minister, sales expresses the purpose and values of DVDs overtook videos forthe first at the heart of our business: open; time, and Facebook didn’t exist! inclusive; integrity and caring.
Catalyst 17
IN THE SPOTLIGHT In the spotlight
This issue we catch up with Director of Business Development Sue Cooper to find out about building new homes, sustainability and how Cat alyst is growing
Q:Can youtell us alittle bit about your Q:Whatdothe business development working background? team do? Itrained as asocialworkersoIhaveabackground We explorefutureopportunities forCatalyst. We in mentalhealth and communitywork. Before Ijoined look at wherethereare opportunities to develop new Catalyst, Iwas working in asmall Neighbourhood homes, and build partnerships with local authorities Council in Hammersmith. and other organisations. Icame herealmost25years ago as the community We recently ranaproject called ‘Mending the developmentadvisor.Atthe start, Iwas going to Ladder’, which looks at households living in private areas whereweweredeveloping homes, getting to rented housing in London and the south east. It really know people and what wasgoing on, and starting shows the extentofthe housing crisis and we’veused new projects. it to suggest new types of housing that could help to meet gaps in the market. Idid alot of workatBlackbirdLeysinOxford, and wasinvolved in setting up the Community Our External Affairs team makes surewe’re DevelopmentInitiative.This is acharity we’restill speaking at conferences, sharing our knowledge and involved in –it’s been runningfor over 20 years. learning from others in the sector. Theyalso handle press enquiries about estateregeneration and keep our customers on those estates well informed. Q:How didyou move into your current role of Director of Business TheSustainability team arealso part of business Development? development, making surewe’reasustainable company, tackling fuel poverty and workingclosely When Iwas in community development, Idid alot with Catalyst Gateway to supportour residents. of work in bidding forfunds. That led me to apply for aprojectmanagementjob whereIwas looking for new opportunities to develop certain areas of the Q:What arethe benefitstocustomers of business, bidding forprojects, and workingfor Rod Catalyst entering and winning awards? Cahill, our CEO. Then Imoved into business Whenwe’regoingfor awards, it’s not just so we get development. atrophy. It’s to show we cancreatereallygreat places Because I’veworked in alot of roles across forpeopletolive. We want to be the sort of company Catalyst, Ifeel likeIhaveabroad understanding of developers and local authoritieswill want to work with what we do. It helps in my role now, whereit’sreally because we have avision to creategood quality, importantfor me to knowwhat’s going on in the affordable homes in places people want to live, and organisation and howall the differentteams fit because we maintain them well in the long term. together. It’s really hardfor people to get good quality rented homes or to get on the property ladder, so we want to be partofthe solution. Fundamentally, it’s about trying to makeapositive impact on people’s lives.
18 Catalyst
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Q:Whathaveyou been working on this year? We’vesuccessfully secured the Webbs Industrial siteinWaltham Forest, which is the first scheme that will be developed using the MayorofLondon’s Land Fund. This means that all homes we build on sitewill be affordable, which is fantastic. We’relooking at anumber of opportunities around London and the south east that will enable us to develop morehomes.
Q:Whatdoyou think is the biggest challenge working in business development? We need to be constantly thinking about our selling points and our competitors. It’s about building and maintaining our reputation, and responding to changes and expectations. Housing has crept up the political agenda, so now we need to focusonhow we’regoing to increase supply quickly and effectively, while maintaining great quality.
Q:Whatdoyou enjoymost about your role? There’s twothings Ireally enjoy. Ilovethe people and Ilovethe culture. I’m really proudtowork here, particularly because I’vebeensodeeply involved in estateregeneration. It’s notabout ‘outwiththe old and in withthe new’, it’s aboutdiversification. It’sgreat thatthe new neighbourhoodswe’re building aremade up of different types of homes, rather thanall beingjust forrentorjust forsale. I admit that we don’t get it rightall the time, but we alwaysstrivetomakeadifference. I’vespoken to customers who’vetoldmewhat apositive impact their new homes have had on them. Imissbeingonestates, so Iloveitwhenwehave communityconsultations about estateregeneration or something similarand Ihaveanopportunity to go out and talk to customers. It’s keyfor me as adirector that I’mable to get out thereand talk to people, to understand what’s really importanttothem –thenmakechanges to ourplans that reflectwhat they’vebeensaying.
Catalyst 19
Become atrustee Join the Catalyst Housing Charitable Trust Board
Do youwanttogive backtothe What do trustees on the community? Charitable Trust Boarddo? Join the Catalyst Housing Charitable Trust Trustees playakey role in guiding the strategic Boardasatrustee. direction of the Charitable Trust while safeguarding its good name and values.You’ll You’ll need to be: use your knowledge and experience to help •aCatalyst resident–tenantorshared the BoardofTrustees makegood decisions. owner You’ll have the ability to: •interested in community engagementand •scrutinise boardpapers acreativethinker •lead discussions •agood team player •focus on keyissues •able to communicatewell with others •advise and guide the Boardonnew and existing initiatives
Trustees act as ambassadorsand makesurethe CharitableTrust hasaclear focuswhensupporting residents. Theyalso make sure theTrust complieswith itsgoverning documents and otherrelevant legislation or regulation.
Pleasenotethisisavoluntary role andisunpaid. Formoreinformation, please contact Catalyst Housing CharitableTrust Administrator Elizabeth Finch on 0300 4562099 or elizabeth.fi[email protected] by Monday 6August.