Tower Hamlets Homes gets top marks!

Tower Hamlets Homes decorating programme for older and disabled residents has been assessed as meeting Communities and Local Government’s highest criteria.

Sue Lawrence, the decorating programme manager, commented "I'm tremendously proud and really delighted that the scheme, which brings real benefits to our older an disabled residents, has been recognised in this way." She adds "The Quality Assessment Framework we use has really helped me focus my service on the needs of our residents."

Commenting on the residents she has been able to help, Sue explains: "People really under estimate what having a couple of rooms decorated means to residents - it really cheers them up and - as well as keeping our homes in tip top condition - we're often able to pick up on other things like repairs that are needed or a residents mobility issues."

Tower Hamlets Homes decorating programme for older and disabled residents comes under the Supporting People funding and inspection regime and was assessed using the Quality Assessment Framework as "A" the highest score.

Tower Hamlets Homes runs the decorating programme for older and disabled tenants on behalf of the council and partner social landlords. The programme is partly funded by Supporting People and is one of our Housing eXtra services to help residents stay independent in their own home.

The decorating programme was launched in 2000. In its first eight years more than 4,700 homes of older and disabled residents have been decorated, including more than 240 homes managed by partner RSLs.

In 2005 our programme was recognised by HouseMark - a joint venture by the Chartered Institute of Housing and the National Housing Federation, dedicated to improving housing standards - as an example of best practice.

Since May 2006, the programme has been delivered in partnership with other social landlords in the borough: East End Homes, Poplar Harca and Island Homes.

Residents chose the range of wallpaper on offer and the name "Tower Hamlets The Select Collection" and have recently commented on the decorating scheme fact sheet to make sure it's easily understood and resident approved.

In 2006/7 more than 98% of residents who had decorating done were satisfied or very satisfied.

13/08/08