31/7/06 - 'your commUNITY’ day proves a real hit with Ealing residents
Three teenage girls dedicating a surprise performance of ‘Lean on Me’ to Ealing Homes was a touching end to the ‘your commUNITY’ residents conference on Saturday (July 29).
Delia Johnson, 15, made a shy introduction before performing the song with her friends
Shannon Prempeh and Rosanne James, including the altered lyrics ‘Just call on Ealing Homes when you
need a hand, we all need somebody to lean on’.
The three are among over 100 young residents who have been taking part in Ealing Homes’ new
youth involvement and diversionary activities, such as urban dance classes and football training,
as part of the action06/07 project.
Ealing Homes Managing Director Su Gomer said hearing the girls sing and watching a group of
14 young people then perform a dance routine highlighted the potential and passion in Ealing.
“People often say council housing tenants are ‘disadvantaged’ but I don’t think that’s the
case. The young people of Ealing are constantly showing us that they have the passion and
willingness to succeed – that’s their advantage."
Ealing Homes this year abandoned the ‘talk to’ conference approach, minimising speeches in
favour of interactive workshops with residents. Over 150 residents attended throughout the day.
Adults could choose from a range of activities, including: computer training; a session on
setting up community groups and gaining funding; training on how to carry out minor repairs; and
meeting the Ealing Homes Watch security service and two Ealing Homes police officers. Young people
were offered a separate programme, including urban dance, football, djing and youth involvement
training.
“Since the beginning of Ealing Homes just under two years ago, we have constantly been
revising the way we manage social housing. Our motto is that we are ‘Arms length in name, but not
in nature’ and Saturday’s conference was a further confirmation of that," Ms Gomer said.
* high res photographs from the day are available
For further information please contact:
Ealing Homes Communications Team
020 8825 6970
communications@ealinghomes.net
