How you as a tenant can get involved and make your views known to Harding's management. 

Every tenant is welcome to provide input into how the association is run.   We have a variety of ways and means in which you can find out what's going on and have your say, which are listed below, however you can also telephone us or write or drop in at any time during office hours. 

These are the more formal ways in which we seek your views.  Further information about each method offered is given further down the page. 

E-briefings

If you want to keep up-to-date on what's happening at Harding then sign up for E-briefings.  Each month we will send to you summaries of the latest information on the website, news items and press releases. To receive your E-briefings please e-mail Helena Deacons, Communications and Participation Officer.

E-forum

We also have an e-forum for tenants.  Every six-months we may invite the E-forum members to take part in a mini survey.  The questions go out my e-mail and the responses are sent by reply.  The following month we include the results of the survey in the e-briefings.  To receive the E-forum please e-mail Helena Deacons, Communications and Participation Officer.

Tenants' Forum

What does the group do?
The Tenants' Forum consists of a group of tenants who meet six-weekly with the primary aim to influence management strategy and decisions, so that tenants receive the best services possible.

The Forum Reps are voted in members who can make decisions on behalf of tenants.   The Reps for 2002/3 are Chair: Dorothy Watson, Vice-Chair: Isabelle Riby-Williams, Barbara Louison-Clarke, Vivienne Nethercott, Allene Gittens, Isabella Riby-Williams, Derek Honeyball, Beryl Colvin, Mary O'Conner and  Jane Feld.  You can contact the Forum reps by writing to them c/o Harding Housing Association or via e-mail to Forum Reps. Or you can ring and leave a message for them on the new Tenants Forum Hotline: 020 8871 3260 ext. 131.

What issues do the group get involved in?
The group themselves decide on what issues they want to work on. Recently this has covered rent setting, day-to day repairs and neighbour nuisance. Some representatives from the Forum also work on other initiatives such as the Best Value reviews.

What are the meetings like?
Each meeting focuses on improving services and getting new ideas. There is a time limit, so meetings don't go on all night and everyone is given a chance to speak, if they want to. Before the meeting everyone has a chance to bring specific queries to Harding staff, but the meetings are focussed on changing things for the better for everyone.

Who can be involved?
Any tenant of Harding can get involved.

Do I have to know all about Harding to get involved?
We don't expect to you be experts. You don't need to have been involved in anything before and you don't need to know all about Harding. Training and information is offered so you can get to know everything you need to.

What about childcare and travel expenses?
We will be able to help with these costs, but talk to us first.

Where are the meetings held?
The meetings are usually held in the Board Room, Head Office, 48 Wandsworth Common Northside, London, SW18 2SL, however dates below which are marked with an asterisk(*) will be held at Church Manor Community Room, Ashton House, Chryssell Road, Lambeth, SW9 6NE.

When are they held?
2003 Meeting dates:

9 January, 20 February, 3 April*, 15 May, 26 June, 31 July*, 25 September and 20 November 2003

To find out more about the Tenants' Forum and how to get involved please telephone Helena Deacons at Church Manor Estate Office on 020 7735 1146 extn 107.

TMC - Church Manor Tenants' Management Co-operative

The Tenant Management Agreement went 'live' in April 1996.  It enables the tenants and residents living on the estate to take on delegated responsibilities for Housing Management and Maintenance functions.  The group meets approximately every 6 weeks and would love for new members to get involved.

Where are the meetings held?
The meetings are held in the Church Manor Community Room, Ashton House, Chryssell Road, Lambeth, London, SW9 6NE

When are they held?
2003 Meeting dates: 30 January, 28 March, 22 May, 17 July, 11 September and 6 November 2003.

If you would like to get involved, please ring the TMC Hotline: on 020 7587 3723 or e-mail: TMC@hardinghousing.org.uk

After-Schools Club

A new afterschool club for children up to 11 years of age has started. The club is based at the Church Manor Community Room, from 3.30 - 5.20pm on Wednesdays. Parents are encouraged to help on a rota basis - every 3/4 weeks.

The club will be using the facilities of the community room and the Community Learning Centre on other days as well, as the number of attendees increase.

Children are encouraged to learn through art, crafts and the living environment. They may watch videos as well as play in the playground when the weather is warm, and the club are planning monthly trips and are hoping to take over one of the plots on The Mound to grow their own flowers and plants.

Parent Talk

St. Mark's Church in Clapham Junction are running workshops for parents bringing up children and teenagers. All Harding tenants are eligible to attend and the sessions are free and a crèche is available during the workshop hours. The next series of workshops is due to start soon.  Please note these workshops are open to everyone, regardless of background or religious belief. Anyone interested can call St. Mark's Church on 020 7223 6188.

Dempster Road Youth Association

A group of residents, including Harding tenants, have set up a scheme for local youth to make available the local school play area for weekly football sessions.  The scheme is supported by Harding Housing Association and is looking for funding and volunteers to expand its current remit.  Anyone interested in sponsoring, donating or volunteering should contact Neighbourhood participation team on 0207 735 4464 or by e-mail: neighbourhood_participation@hardinghousing.org.uk .

The Busy Bees - Wednesday Social

This group was set up at the beginning of April 2002.  The group meets weekly on a Wednesday at 2.00pm for fun and friendship.  Activities include: Cake and coffee, bingo, sing-a-longs, talks and much, much more.   

This is a partnership with BCHT and both Harding and BCHT tenants are welcome.  The group meets at John Morris House, 164 St. John's Hill (next the Therapy Centre).  If you would like to come, please drop in.  If you would like more information or directions please contact Neighbourhood Participation on 020 7735 4464 or by e-mailing: neighbourhood_participation@hardinghousing.org.uk

Church Manor Gardening Club

This group, Chaired by Andy Green, was set up by a small group of tenants in early 2000 and has made a major impact on the communal areas of the estate. Everyone is welcome to come down and help out on volunteer days, and the group is always on the lookout for new members, who can opt to take over an area of the garden, or can just come down on the organised volunteer days.  The volunteer days take place regularly throughout the year, and are organised by the gardening group in partnership with BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers).

Where are the meetings held?
The meetings are held in the Community Room at Church Manor Estate Office, Ashton House, Chryssell Road, Lambeth, London, SW9 6NE

Contact Andy Green at the Tenants Resource Centre on 020 7587 3723 neighbourhood_participation@hardinghousing.org.uk

Church Manor Community Group

An organised group of tenants who aim to promote a better community spirit at Church Manor. Led by Vivienne Nethercott, Margaret Vaudery and Mary Hobson, the group has been very successful at securing funding from different sources for the organising of social events and activities. Events they have organised so far include an autumn fair, coach trips to the seaside, a lone parent family day and a children's Christmas party.

For further details contact Vivienne Nethercott at the Tenants Resource Centre on 0207 587 3723 or e-mail: neighbourhood_participation@hardinghousing.org.uk

Tuesday Social

Tuesdays at 2.00pm in the Church Manor Community Room see our older tenants getting together for a variety of activities. Organised by our Church Manor Community Group, planned activities include quizzes, bingo and the ever popular Happy Hour ( a bit of a sing-a-long and sharing memories). Everyone is welcome and you just need to turn up.  Quarterly the group hire a community bus and take a half day trip to a local attraction.  In December they went to the pantomime.  The community bus means that members of the group that use wheelchairs can still attend.

For further details contact Vivienne Nethercott at the Tenants Resource Centre on 0207 587 3723 or e-mail: neighbourhood_participation@hardinghousing.org.uk .

Church Manor Community Football Programme

In partnership with Fulham Football Club, there is a regular football coaching programme for young people on Church Manor, which also includes coaching sessions just for girls. The programme is a pathway to community football competitions organised by Fulham and their centres of excellence. Also, a  tenant is soon to start his Football Association coaching course, so that he can help with coaching and running Church Manor football teams. 

For further details contact John Cox at the Tenants Resource Centre on 0207 587 3723 or e-mail: neighbourhood_participation@hardinghousing.org.uk .

Homework Sessions

On weekdays during term time, from 4.00 to 6.00pm, the Community Learning Centre houses homework sessions. Facilitated by the centre manager and volunteers, the sessions enable the kids to research information for projects and type up reports,  Any child in junior or secondary school is welcome.

For further information, please contact James Hall on 020 7735 9557 or email:   communitylearningcentre

Film Club

Every Friday at 7.00 pm, the training room at the CLC becomes a cinema complex for the under 12's.  Volunteer Abby Baccus runs the video club for the children. 

Please note: we are always looking for new members and helpers for the various groups and activities. If you would like to get involved, please do get in touch.

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