Will your business idea help people in your community?
If so we can help you bring it to life….
Social enterprises are businesses that exist to create lasting social or environmental benefits. We are running a new competition to win a full package of support to help you start your social enterprise.
What can I win?
• An interest free loan of up to £5,000
• Mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs and business experts
• Membership to Social Enterprise UK, the UK’s national body for social enterprise
• Plus many other benefits such as office space and support to access further finance.
To enter contact Hitesh Mistry: Hitesh.Mistry@east-thames.co.uk or call 0208 522 3212. The deadline for applications is Friday 2 November 2012.
This competition is open to over 18s residents in one of the six Olympic host boroughs.
First phase of landscaping complete on the Ocean fuels community spirit
Residents on the Ocean Estate, Stepney, had more than one reason to celebrate recently as the first phase of landscaping work on the Mile End Road frontage of their estate was completed, just in time for them to witness the Olympic torch relay.
Over the next year nearly £10 million is being spent on landscaping improvements on the estate, as part of a major regeneration programme. Over the next two years, Tower Hamlets Council will be working with East Thames Group and other partners including Wates Living Space to refurbish more than 1,000 existing homes and build 800 new homes.
Residents played a key role in the landscaping improvements; working with architects to make sure the design was one they could all benefit from and be proud of. The new landscaping will include: new paved, grassed and play areas, a re-designed parking lay out and increased street lighting.
Ocean Estate resident Tashmina Rahed said: “The new landscaping looks amazing and it definitely brightens up the estate. It’s just nice to have somewhere to relax as there’s a nice bench with greenery for the kids to play. Also, watching the torch relay pass the Ocean is something I’ll never forget and I’m proud to live here.”
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said: “The Ocean regeneration programme is not just about improving homes and building new ones, we’re committed to ensuring that the outside space is of a high quality so that residents both young and old can enjoy it.”
Residents of Tower Hamlets have a second chance to get into the Olympic spirit when the Paralympic flame visits the borough on Wednesday, August 29.
Residents celebrate two years of transformation on their estate
Hundreds of residents filled the Ocean Estates’ Shandy Park earlier this month to celebrate the progress of the estates transformation two years on.
Since the regeneration programme started in 2010, more than 600 existing homes have had new kitchens and bathrooms installed. Work has started on hundreds of homes to provide new doors, windows and replace old roofs. And more than £10m is being spent on improving the landscaping – a project which residents have contributed to.
Ocean residents received an exclusive update on the 1200 new homes that will be available for social rent and shared ownership, landscaping, local community and employment programmes and enjoyed a film that documents the impact of the regeneration so far (click here to watch).
The younger residents had a blast as they enjoyed a jam packed day full of fun and games, taking part in an arts and crafts workshop, storytelling sessions and 5-a-side football.
Ocean Estate resident Rushana Begum said: “I came to the last two events and every one of them has exceeded my expectations, today was really good and my kids enjoyed themselves. It’s just nice to see everyone out and getting involved, I look forward to the next event and finding out more about some of the homes that will be available.”
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said: ”This fantastic regeneration programme is now in full swing and residents are starting to feel the benefits of changes to the estate.
“With housing one of my priorities, this scheme is so important because it will improve homes and provide much needed new housing.”
The £200 million regeneration is being carried out for Tower Hamlets Council by a consortium consisting of East Thames Group, Spitalfields and Bellway. The consortium awarded Wates Living Space with the contract to deliver the refurbishment and new build works.
Building from the ground up for a brighter future
19 east Londoners are now a step closer to their dream job in construction after graduating from a life changing programme thanks to funding received as part of the Ocean Estate regeneration project in Stepney, east London.
The Construct your Career course, which is run by local housing association East Thames in partnership with the Building Crafts college, gives unemployed people the skills training, on-the-job experience and qualifications to work on a construction site. The course also supports the graduates to find employment and apprenticeship opportunities with a number of major contractors including Wates and Bellway Homes.
The course has helped more than 400 people in east London and Essex into the construction industry, since it last started four years ago.
One recent graduate who completed the course this month, was part time model 21 year old Terri Wood. Terri wanted to start making her own furniture pieces, as well as find alternative career options within the construction industry which included: plumbing, carpentry and painting and decorating. Determined to inspire other young women wanting to break into the industry, Terri has now gone onto secure her first placement as a plumber for a theatre production company.
Terri said: “Coming on this programme was a real eye opener for me. It’s been a great opportunity that taught me valuable skills at such a high standard. The teachers and my peers have been amazing, they really made me feel like one of the lads.
“I hope I inspire young women to do the unexpected and I really look forward to using the expertise I learnt here to help me with my new business. I would like to apply for funding from The Princes Trust.”
East Thames employment programmes manager, John Bryson said:
“This is the second time we’ve ran the Construct your Career Course in Tower Hamlets and the response has been amazing. The participants worked hard and it’s rewarding to see a drastic change in their attitude and confidence. The real success though is that a number of participants have had offers within the industry and getting a job is what it’s all about.”
To find out more about the employment and training courses we have on offer go to: www.east-thames.co.uk/employment-training or call 0845 600 0830.
School children debut Picasso inspired artwork on their estate
School children from Ben Jonson school got their first artistic debut recently as their Picasso inspired artwork was put up on site boundary signage around the Ocean Estate.
The artwork which runs along Essian St will be in place for up to 12 months as the 800 new homes take shape as part of the Ocean Estate regeneration programme.
To celebrate the diverse range of people living on the estate in which most call home, the children from Ben Jonson produced a collage of their work representing their culture and their community.
Ben Jonson school art teacher Prenash Desai said “This has been an amazing experience and the young artists behind the magnificent artwork are so pleased and proud to get their work debuted. It’s so refreshing to see and it definitely brightens up the area. I’d like to thank all the project partners who are part of the regeneration programme for this opportunity.”
East Thames Resident Involvement manager Hitesh Mistry said: “The artwork looks fantastic and it’s great to see it all come to life. The kids have done a great job and I’d like to thank them for all their hard work.”
Ocean residents celebrate success on their estate!
Residents on the Ocean celebrated with project partners and construction workers as the first phase of landscaping work started on the Mile End Rd frontage of their estate as part of a £200m regeneration programme.
The £200 million Ocean Estate regeneration programme is on track to see the landscaping work complete by early 2013, as well as over 800 new homes built and around 1200 existing homes refurbished.
Over the course of the next few months residents will be able to see the significant changes take shape including: new paved, grassed and play areas, a re-designed parking lay out and increased street lighting.
For the past few months residents have worked with architects to help ensure they got a result the community could be proud of and appreciate.
Ocean estate resident Rina Shah said “I’m amazed by the process made so far, it’s really good to see the improvements take shape and I can’t wait to see the final outcome. I’m happy to be involved and I look forward to celebrating once complete with my neighbours.”
