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Dear Network Members I have posted information about our Estate in Central London on two previous occasions and I am writing to report enormous progress, at least in the physical appearance of the estate and the satisfaction of the committee and facilities for residents. The Holborn Housing Office, is apparently making real efforts to make good the neglect of the estate in previous years, and from various pots of money available either through competitive bids that this estate can make, or from government initiatives or Decent Homes finance, the following improvements have been made. 1. Changing a dog toilet to an orchard 2. Significant raised beds for plants which match in design and materials a new recycling area and also matched wooden bollards to a design chosen by the committee, which is very harmonious to look at. 3. New lifts in two blocks 4. Plans in train for a survey of underground services (gas, electricity, water etc.) in a central area, prior to a design to rehabilate this for better recreation 5. A Pathfinder semi-natural playground updated from the former playground (Government funds) 6. Closure of one of the exits to make the estate less vulnerable. There are still five or six exits, so a complaint from one resident that it is becoming like a ghetto is somewhat surprising. 7/ Plans for thorough cleaning of stairs and landings, with consultation with tenants 8. Vastly improved relations with Housing staff, for which there is credit on both sides, but particularly that the Housing staff are less defensive. I think credit is due to Dr. Sean Cameron, who conducted a research into residents' needs two to three years ago, and to myself in sticking it out as Secretary when the situation was almost intolerable, and when the rest of the committee would have resigned if I had done so. At the time the committee as a whole judged that this would have not have made any real impact, but what did make impact was the Council ignoring their own planning rules and causing disruption which could be challenged by Councillors, thus putting the Housing office at a disadvantage. Also, as mentioned previously, the input of psychologists into the selection procedure for new staff. I am prompted to write now, as Craig seems to have a view that psychologists have nothing to offer society, even if they happen to be, among other things, qualified in Social Psychology with backgrounds also in Sociology and Anthropology. Although he has indicated strong feelings it is not quite clear what his view is of how improvements in people's well-being is to be achieved and it would be helpful if this could be made explicit, as he is such a frequent contributor to the network, and not necessarily known personally to all. With thanks, Erica Brostoff. ___________________________________ The Community Psychology List has a new website/blog at: http://www.communitypsychology.co.uk/ There is a threaded discussion forum: http://www.communitypsychology.co.uk/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi There is a twitter feed: http://twitter.com/CommPsychUK To post on the website blog, forum or twitter feed, contact Grant or David at the email addresses below. David Fryer ([log in to unmask]) or Grant Jeffrey ([log in to unmask]) To unsubscribe or to change your details on this COMMUNITYPSYCHUK list, visit the website: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=COMMUNITYPSYCHUK