Dear  Jo,
It is really encouraging also to receive a positive reply which I  
will pass on to Dr. Cameron.
I wish you success in your own enterprises



On 20 Apr 2010, at 14:17, Jacqueline Akhurst (J.Akhurst) wrote:

> Dear Erica,
>
> It is encouraging to hear that your persistence and the work of some
> courageous people have resulted in improvements for all of you. In  
> this
> time when we seem to be assailed by stories of failure and difficulty,
> it is good to hear an account of hopefulness.
>
> Jacqui (A.)
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The UK Community Psychology Discussion List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Erica Brostoff
> Sent: 20 April 2010 00:19
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [COMMUNITYPSYCHUK] Activity on the Tybalds Estate
>
> 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.
>
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___________________________________
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