News

March 2010

Our in-house team have gone all ‘hi tech’

Over the last month or two we transferred all our manual records for service and repairs work undertaken by our five in-house trades staff.  The first difference you will notice is being asked to sign on a PDA (personal digital assistant).  The engineers will not be able to leave you a copy of the annual gas service and test certificates but one will be posted or emailed to you.  You may be asked to confirm telephone numbers and email addresses.

		Marsha Allen Technical Services Co Ordinator
		Micheal Farlane	James Green
Micheal Harvey	Kim Wiltshire	Tony Smith

Click here To meet the In-house team

November 2009

HEADLINE STORY

New Developments Handed Over to IDS

Laurel Court

IDS is a partner in two housing schemes which have recently been completed. In Clapton, on the site of the old Lathams Timber Yard, we worked with Southern Housing and Taylor Wimpey in the new Altius development. We have purchased a total of 20 homes including some large houses, maisonettes, and Laurel Court – a block of ten flats. The properties incorporate design features making them suitable for Orthodox Jewish families and have been let accordingly.

In South Woodford, we are a partner with Circle Anglia and Telford Homes on the Queen Mary’s Gate development. A shared ownership block, Blackberry Court, was completed last year. The recent completions include a block of flats known as Cross Keys Court in which IDS has eight flats. This is our second scheme in Redbridge developed in partnership with Circle Anglia and we hope to continue the partnership in the future to provide more high quality affordable accommodation.

October 2009

Important Information In Autumn Newsletter

Please find attached information pertaining to IDS's new tenant handbook and the most recent winners of the quarterly tenant prize draw.

New Tenant Handbook

Southwark Tenant Wins Top Prizes

15th August 2009

Family Funday at Evelyn Court

IDS, ECAT (T/A) & MIH organised the annual IDS family fun day on 15 August.

Family Fun Day At Evelyn Court

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20th June 2009

Stepney Green Court Community Garden Project

Tenants from Stepney Green Court, with the help of volunteers from HSBC, worked tirelessly on Friday 20th June 2009 digging over flower beds and planting over 1000 plants at the front of the estate.

Stepney Green Court Garden Project

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1st May 2009

Happy retirement to Margaret

Magaret Pitt, Area Housing Manager, retired on 1 May 2009 after 10 years service with IDS.

Happy Retirement to Margaret Pitt

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22nd April 2009

Welcome Renu McDonald

Following the restructure of the Housing Managerment Department, we are pleased to welcome Mrs Renu McDonald to the newly created post of Rental Income Manager.

Welcome to Renu

End January 2009

Jonathan Davies is new IDS Chairman

Jonathan Davies, former managing Partner of Memery Crystal, Solicitors, has been elected Chairman of the London-based housing association, IDS. He takes over from Bernard Myers, who remains as a Board member.

Jonathan Davies first joined the IDS board in 2004 and has since additionally served on various Board committees.

Jonathan Davies is also involved in other charitable activities including serving as a trustee of several charitable trusts and acts as a Business Mentor for the Princes Trust.

Commenting on his appointment the new Chairman said – “I am  drawn to  IDS by the  chance to help  more people enjoy the benefits that  well maintained and managed social housing can offer. I feel a personal link with IDS for its work in the area where my grandfather settled as a new immigrant over 100 years ago.”

For further information please contact:
Paul Westbrook, Chief Executive, on 0208 800 9606.


9 January 2009

Shared Ownership houses in Barkingside
Two small 2-bedroomed houses are now available from IDS in the new Century Park development in Genas Close, Barkingside. These houses are being sold on a part buy/part rent basis. They have design features which make them especially suitable Jewish applicants and are in easy walking distance from the two Jewish primary schools and King Solomon High school in Barkingside.

Shared Ownership flats completed in South Woodford
Four shared ownership flats were handed over to IDS this week. The flats are in Blackberry Court, which form part of the Queen Mary’s Gate development being built by Telford Homes, have design features to make them suitable for Jewish residents and are situated just a short walk from Wanstead & Woodford Synagogue. The IDS units comprise three 2-bedroom flats and one 1-bedroom apartment.

These homes are available on a part buy, part rent basis under the Government funded ‘Newbuild Homebuy’ scheme. Marketing is being undertaken on behalf of IDS by Circle Anglia. Would be applicants should contact their  sales team on 0845 304 1007 or email marketingteam@circleanglia.org

13 October 2008

Housing Corporation to fund major repairs and improvements
Bids to the Housing Corporation for major repair and re-improvement funding are made each year. However, it was a surprise to receive additional funding in September 2008 having been informed earlier in the year that monies would not be made available.

As a result of this funding, together with IDS match funding, the following projects will be undertaken at a combined cost of £1.2 million:

• Replacement of windows to the flats and common parts at Rebecca House
• Replacement of 33 kitchens at Stepney Green Court
• Decent homes works - phase 5 at Evelyn Court
• Electrical rewires to 50-72 flats at Evelina Mansions
• Replacement of 28 boilers at Stoke Newington Estate

Estate Improvements
A budget of £100,000 was approved by the Board of IDS to undertake a range of estate improvements during the current year. Following consultation with tenant associations and staff, four projects have been approved and work will commence in January 2009. The projects are:

Upgrading of CCTV at Stepney Green Court and Stoke Newington Estate
It was agreed that the CCTV at Stepney Green Court should be replaced with a digital system and that the CCTV at Stoke Newington should be extended to cover the rear of the blocks now that these were being put back into use.

Bike stores at Evelyn Court
16 bike stores, bike stands & racks will be provided. Further discussions with the Tenants Association will be required regarding the placing of the bike stands & racks.

Additional security at Clifford Lawton House
Following incidents where members of the public had gained access to the rear of the scheme it has been agreed to change/redesign the drive way gate and extend the CCTV to cover the rear court yard.

New entrance sign and limited security works and garden at Nathaniel Court
Residents have reported that emergency vehicles have found it difficult to locate the property as it is set back from the main road. Residents from an adjacent estate are using the grounds as a pedestrian cut through, climbing over a boundary wall. Light weight trellis will be fitted to part of the boundary wall and a new sign will be erected at the entrance to the scheme.

6 October 2008

Feeling the benefits of exercise
During September keep fit Instructor Kanako Arrowsmith ran a four week free taster session of standing & chair based exercise for tenants at Navarino Mansions Sheltered Scheme. The tenants have had a great time and agreed for the classes to continue.  There will also be keep fit classes for other tenants on both the Navarino and Stepney Green Main Estates.

Keep Fit Timetable
Navarino sheltered scheme:
Mondays 2.45pm – 3.15pm

Navarino general estate:
Monday’s 7pm – 8pm
Wednesday’s 6pm – 7pm & 7pm – 8pm

Stepney Green Court will run morning sessions on:
Mondays and Tuesdays for tenants on the estate.

1 October 2008

Win £250 for a clear rent account
From the beginning of April 2009 IDS will be introducing a prize draw where tenants can win cash prizes. There will be three prizes of £250, £150 and £100. Draws will take place in April, June, September and December.

If your rent account is clear you will be automatically entered into the draw. You will still be eligible for the prize draw if your rent is paid by Housing Benefit as long as your rent account is clear.

Winners will be randomly selected by computer and will receive their prizes within two weeks of the draw.

We will publish the names of the winners in the issue of IDS’ Newsletter following each draw.

If you are not sure whether your rent account is clear contact your Estate/Scheme Manager or Head Office on 020 8800 9606.

25 September 2008

100 year birthday celebrations
Julia Gilbert of Charlotte Court was 100 on 25 September and celebrated in style with a party for family and friends including her sons who flew from Australia for the occasion.

Julia has been a tenant with IDS for 35 years, starting in August 1973 when she lived at 105 Coronation Avenue in Stoke Newington. She moved to her current flat at Charlotte Court in 1986.

Julia describes her life as happy but difficult at times. Her husband died in the second World War and she brought up her sons Jack, now 74, and Bryan, now 64, alone. She worked in a variety of jobs to make ends meet, including tailoring, serving drinks and lunches to office workers and as a live-in carer. She also worked as a volunteer for Jewish Care until the ripe old age of 97. “That was one of the favourite times of my life” she said “I had so much fun and everyone I worked with was lovely”.

Julia received her telegram from the Queen on her birthday and was reported in the local newspaper as saying “I keep myself well and I try to see the best in everyone. I sometimes get told off by friends for never seeing the wrong in anyone, but I think what’s the point of seeing the bad in people? You’ll just aggravate yourself.”

Our congratulations and best wishes to Julia.