Building communities with the Homes for Wandsworth programme

Residents on the Edgecombe Hall Estate in Southfields have attended a ‘meet and greet’ hosted by Wandsworth Council. It provided an opportunity to meet their neighbours, along with Wandsworth’s Cabinet Member for Housing, as part of our role as listening council.

The event follows the completion of nine new homes, including two wheelchair accessible homes, on Beaumont Road as part of the Homes for Wandsworth programme.

Aydin Dikerdem, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“The Homes for Wandsworth programme is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about enriching communities.

“We’ve worked closely with the Edgecombe Hall Estate Residents’ Association to bring this event to life and provide an opportunity for residents to meet their neighbours and feel part of a thriving community.”

Local mum Donna said she thought the event was “a great idea”.

“Any community engagement is a good thing as there are a lot of people who wouldn’t know where to go to ask if they have any questions or comments,” she added.

“It is always nice to have a real person to talk to.”

Edgecombe Hall Estate resident Kim has lived in the area for 15 years and said she was pleased to see the new development replace the old garages that had previously stood on the site.

 “The new housing looks lovely,” she said. “The garages had been neglected and the site wasn’t being used for anything. It’s positive to see where there was a gap that it could be used for something to improve the area.”

For the Muhammad, who have moved into one of the new homes in Beaumont Road, the development is a welcome addition to the area.

“It’s fantastic,” explains Muhammad, who moved at the end of October with wife Yasmeen and their two sons.

“The flat is very spacious and all the neighbours are very nice. It’s very peaceful here and everything is very easy. Plus, it’s a very friendly neighbourhood.”

The event was held at the Open Door Community Centre in Keevil Drive which hosts regular community spaces drop-in sessions, offering a warm place and free hot drinks throughout the winter months.

If you would be interested in arranging a similar event on your estate, please contact your local Residents’ Association or, if you are a council tenant, your Resident Participation Offer, to express your interest.