1. home and garden

Little London
Keeping you updated. Issue #8
Apprentices attend 'Be the Best'
outward-bound course
Training and Employment
THIRTY-TWO talented apprentices have been put
through their paces at Claro Barracks in Ripon.
The apprentices, most aged between 18 and 24, spent
a week away at the Barracks on the ‘Be the Best’ course
provided by the Army for National Apprenticeship Week,
which runs Monday 9th to Friday 13th March 2015.
The apprentices, employed in partnership with Keepmoat
and Leeds City Council, were given the exciting
opportunity to learn the importance of collaborative
working and personal development in a fun environment.
The group were tested on leadership, teamwork and
problem solving skills. Their personal development
included motivation, communication and organisation
skills through a series of action packed events.
Sean Corcoran, Regional Director, Keepmoat said:
“At Keepmoat, we look for challenging initiatives that will
help develop our apprentices. The ‘Be the Best’ course has
been a great success and we are very proud of all our
apprentices on the Leeds housing regeneration project that
have taken part. “The apprentices were very enthusiastic
throughout the week, and the skills developed will benefit
them in a working environment.”
Keepmoat plasterer wins 'Apprentice of the Year’
Kwami Thompson, 20, from Little London in Leeds, was presented with the
award by G4C. The apprentice joined Keepmoat in March 2014, beating 135 applicants to
become one of the first apprentices employed on the Leeds Housing Regeneration Project.
During the short time Kwami has been on site, he has shown a great work ethic and become
a valued member of the site team. The awards commended him for his willingness to support
colleagues and his ‘happy to help’ attitude. Kwami is now furthering his career by studying
an NVQ Level 3 in Plastering at Leeds College of Building and will continue to gain hands on
experience on site with Keepmoat.
Kwami said: “This apprenticeship has changed my life and if anyone is thinking of going into construction, I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
I’m learning new skills, meeting new people and gaining experience by being part of a big project. “It’s a great achievement to win the ‘Apprentice of
the Year’ award. I have progressed so much over the past ten months, not only as a plasterer but as a person too and my confidence is at its best''
50th new home complete
Jozef and Donna Antalek of Lady Pit Lane at their
new home in Beeston Hill with local Councillor
Peter Gruen.
A total of 388 houses will be built as part of the project
and Mr and Mrs Antalek join 49 neighbours as they move
into the 50th newly completed home in Beeston Hill.
Jozef said “We were used to living in an old Victorian house
that was cold. Moving into this modern home has been a
dream; the insulation keeps the place so warm”.
Pictured L-R Sean Corcoran, Irene Smith, Anne Hopper, Mr and
Mrs Yozef, Councillor Peter Gruen, Jon Hinchliff , Juliet Bennett
The first of the new homes at Carlton Gate in Little London are now complete.
We would like to thank you all for your patience while the building work continues.
Carlton Gate completes January 2016.
www.sc4l.co.uk
Milestone 500th home refurbishment complete
Councillor Peter Gruen visits Mrs Muluk Ibrahim
at her newly refurbished home.
Mrs Ibrahim said “I’m really happy with the work that’s been done
to my home. It looks really smart now and the new kitchen is a
big improvement.” .
Councillor Gruen said: “Although a long time coming, the
housing regeneration project is forging ahead.
“We’re delighted with the improvements being made to tenants
homes and the results speak for themselves; satisfied tenants in
high quality homes.
Jon Hinchliff, sc4L General Manager, said:
“Being based in the community we’re working with, gives us a
great feel for the place and we’re extremely proud to have played
our part in transforming homes and lives.”
Pictured L-R: Juliet Bennett, (Irene Smith and Anne Hopper CEG members)
Sean Corcoran (Keepmoat), Mrs Muluk Ibrahimat, Councillor Peter Gruen, Jon Hinchliff (sc4L)
Sheltered apartments
open in Holbeck
The newly refurbished Ingram Court,
sheltered accomodation complex
in Holbeck is officially opened by
Councillor Peter Gruen
Built in 1976, Ingram Court has now benefitted from
a substantial make over by sc4L/Keepmoat as part
of Leeds City Council’s housing regeneration project
with 23 modern apartments for the over sixties.
Pictured L-R Christine Mills (Keepmoat Community Liaison Manager), Liz
Cook (Chief Officer Housing), Councillor Peter Gruen (Executive Member
for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Personnel), Jon Hinchliff (sc4L
General Manager), Sean Corcoran (Keepmoat Regional Director) and
Gail Fairbank (Keepmoat Community Liaison Officer)
Councillor Peter Gruen said: “It’s not just important to provide council housing,
but housing that supports people’s needs. The total remodel of Ingram Court means
that we now have a bright, modern, comfortable environment that will give people
their independence with the reassurance of help should they need it. Central to
our housing regeneration project is the drive to improve the lives of local residents
which Ingram Court will undoubtedly deliver.”
Jon Hinchliff said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of working on a scheme
like the housing regeneration project is making a positive difference to the
neighbourhoods and communities living here. It’s been lovely to welcome residents
moving in to Ingram Court and we wish them well in their new home.''
Refurbishment timetable
Oatland Court - internal works will be completed in April 2015.
Servias - Work in the neighbourhood is ongoing and will be completed in August 2015.
Oatland Heights - internal works start in April 2015 and complete in February 2016. External work has already started.
Oatland Towers - internal works start in September 2015 and complete by July 2016. External work has already started.
Oatland area - internal works to Council houses and maisonettes starts in August 2015 and completes in April
2016. Condition surveys are already underway and a Choice Event has been arranged for Thursday 21 May 2015
3:00-6:30pm Little London Community Centre. Tenants will receive their invitations at the beginning of May.
Lovell Park neighbourhood works start from February 2016 and complete in September 2016.
More good news…
not only does the new external insulation to some of the newly refurbished homes look
good but the projected average savings on energy bills per household is £321.20!
If your home is currently undergoing refurbishment work and you have any queries, your first point of contact is your
Customer Liaison Advisor (CLA). Their contact details are on the back page of your Customer Information Pack and on
letters you have received from us.
visit our website for more News and Events - www.sc4l.co.uk
Repairs and maintenance
Please Remember - the number to call to report repairs including fly tipping/ graffiti is 0113 366 0887
which is available 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Out of hours emergency repairs can also be reported on the same number.
The sc4L Helpdesk team has changed recently. You will now speak with Nadeem Ilyas, Leanne Brown and Jane Barton, when
reporting repairs or making enquiries.
Gas Safety
Annual gas service letters for 2015/2016 will arrive shortly advising of your appointment time. The annual gas service is a legal
obligation for your Landlord, Leeds City Council, so please let us know if the appointment we send you is not convenient and
we will rearrange the visit. All council properties MUST be issued with an up to date gas certificate so it is important that we
carry out the gas checks.
Cyclical Maintenance - Grass Cutting
The grass cutting season will start in March and will continue every two weeks throughout the summer , the last grass cutting
will be at the end of September.
Public meeting
It’s that time of year again! We are holding the Public Meeting in the
Little London Community Centre on Thursday 21 May 2015, 3 - 6:30pm.
Everyone is welcome at any time during these hours to see the plans,
programmes and photos of the project. Local Councillors, Leeds City Council
officers, sc4L and Keepmoat will be there to answer your questions about the
project. We have enclosed your invitation with this newsletter, please keep it in a
safe place and bring it to the meeting to enter into the prize draw.
Keepmoat in the Community
The little cups of sweets were kindly donated by sc4L and Keepmoat staff.
The cups were then donated to:
The Children’s Ward at Leeds General Infirmary.
•
•
The Holbeck Christmas Fair, proceeds generated from the sales
were used to purchase Christmas prizes for the Ingram Gardens Community
Centre coffee morning and the Holbeck Elderly Aid Christmas raffle prizes.
The Ingram Road Primary School
•
The Little London Community Primary School Christmas Fair.
•
Primary School Head Teacher, Jill Wood said “We had a great time, the
sweets went down a storm. We made about £200 profit which is amazing for
our school - thank you for your help and support - it made a huge difference”
'Brighter Futures' Site Banners
Keepmoat gave a presentation during Little
London Primary School assembly about careers
in construction, using the alphabet.
During the assembly the children were inspired to design
their own posters about the career they liked.
The posters were made into ‘Building Brighter Futures’
banners and are displayed on the white hoarding along
the Carlton Gate new build site in Little London.
Pictured: Children from Little London primary school with (R-L) Head
teacher Jill Wood, Juliet Bennett, Alan Ridsdale, Melissa Gallimore,
Customer Liaison Advisors, Livija Upmailis and Jon Hinchliff.
What’s it all about Wednesday's
Your local (CEG) Community Engagement Group members hold a meeting every two months, come along and join us.
Contact your local representative with your suggestions or what you would like to know more about.
Venue: Lovell Park Court, Little London with Alan Ridsdale 07873 404548 and Livija Upmalis 07772 132139.
The next meeting will be 13 May 2015 and will be advertised on leaflets in community venues nearer the time and on the website below
visit our website for all local news and events - www.sc4l.co.uk
in Your
We thought this was a great opportunity
to let you know what else is going on
in your community.
If you have any community news or events to share please let us know
Tel.
0113 366 0887 or 0808 168 7335
Email:
sc4Lservices.co.uk
LITTLE LONDON COMMUNITY CENTRE
Oatland Lane, Little London LS7 1SP
FREE informal ESOL and Conversation class
Just come along on Saturdays
from March to 8 May
Email: annawoolman@live.co.uk
Little London TARA Meetings
21 April, 19 May, 16 June
Committee meetings at 6.30pm
Open Meeting 23 June at 7pm
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www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/Pages/Brown-bin-calendars
Brown Bin Collection – Garden Waste
Fortnightly Collections start again
from March 2015:
See Leeds City Council
website for your
collection dates.
‘A Little Bit Of History’
70 page book – copies available £5 plus p&p
This book contains personal memories and
photographs from current and former
residents of Little London.
Memories are in the form of edited excerpts
from recorded interview transcriptions,
conversations, written interviews, notes and
letters, presented under headings such as
‘Arrivals’, ‘Work’, ‘Play’, ‘Departures’. Words are
combined with images of life in Little London
from individuals’ family photo albums.
For further details on the above or other
related query, contact
Hannah at LLA: 0113 216 1138
Woodhouse Community Centre
Woodhouse Street LS6 2NY Tel: 0113 242269
Basic IT Classes Mondays 10.30 - 12.30.
Free drop-in sessions, get free advice
and support on using the internet and basic IT.
Fun and Fitness with W.I.S.P.A Tuesday 5.00 -6.00pm
Women into Sport and Physical Activity . Are you female aged 16yrs+
and wanting to get a taste for fitness - FREE taster sessions every week
Lots more classes and events
Meditation Yoga, Pilates, Crafts, Break-dancing, ESOL,
homeopathy, sewing, cinema, Café and coffee
see website for full details:
www.woodhousecommunitycentre.com
Helpdesk 0113 366 0887 or 0808 168 7335