A poor area, but rich in generosity “People say that east London is poor – and it is poor. But it is rich in generosity and diversity. Customers can walk in with stigmas and embarrassment but we take it off their shoulders.” homestore volunteer susan 25 years of hard work “Our work is still very much needed, as people struggle to make what they have go as far as possible.” News A driver sets off on a delivery; (right) a furniture donation is collected Making your house a home BY JESSICA ODUBAYO AN innovative furniture re-use project is celebrating 25 years of working with families in east London. Run by Quaker Social Action (QSA) in Bethnal Green, the Homestore project sells donated, affordable furniture and new white goods to low-income families. At the anniversary event held at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park last month, staff, volunteers and customers shared their stories in an informal question and answer session with QSA director Judith Moran. Homestore volunteer and mother-of-five Susan spoke about her journey, which began as a customer, when she was struck by the friendliness of the team who treated her with respect. “You could feel rich, you could afford the furniture without getting into debt or having to go to loan sharks,” she said. Susan still has the first sofa she bought from Homestore: “Two blue sofas, nine years, five children, two cats later they are still in good condition.” Customers range from ex-servicemen with nothing, to those on benefits and carers. Ms Moran said: “We’re very proud of the 25 years of hard work at Homestore – and how many people have been supported in that time. “We’ve a lot of people to thank – donors of furniture and funds, staff and volunteers. Our work is still very much needed, as people struggle to make what they have go as far as possible.” The charity accepts referrals from Inside this week’s issue judith moran, qsa director Who’s your local hero? Nominations needed for council’s Civic Awards see page 4 ISSUE 1043 19 – 25 JANUARY 2015 Know your representative How to get in touch with the mayor and your councillors see pages 18 & 19 Tireless Stella gets a gong Lifetime achievement award for homeless charity stalwart see page 12 WWW.TOWERHAMLETS.GOV.UK NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY New homes plan gets the go-ahead BY SAM GOUGH THE next phase of the development of Blackwall Reach in Poplar is due to start in the summer after the council approved plans which include 242 new homes, a new public square and commercial properties. Phase 1b affects the area bounded by Poplar High Street, Prestage Way, Preston’s Road and Aspen Way, just north of Blackwall DLR station. It will transform the primarily brownfield site into a thriving, lively place to live and work, and open up access to the station by creating a direct route to the DLR. These improvements reflect the scheme’s aims of improving local infrastructure and community facilities. The first phase of the massive development is nearing completion with the new homes ready for people to move into this spring and the new Woolmore Primary School building due to be opened in February. Other benefits of the project will include a new community centre, a larger mosque, high MUM’S PLEDGE TO CHARITIES REBEKAH Button from Stepney is training for two 5k runs and is organising a quiz night to raise funds for research into cardiac disease and for Great Ormond Street Hospital, where her baby daughter Sophia is being treated for a heart condition. Full story on page 3. 3 Months rent in advance, FREE Gas, Electric and EPC Cert Landlords if you are looking to SELL or LET your property contact City Fox for a FREE valuation Free valuation: 020 7791 5333 www.city-fox.co.uk 190 Mile End Rd London E1 4LJ GUARANTEED RENT 0% FEE SELL YOUR PROPERTY FOR JUST 1% Terms & Conditions Apply one of our flagship regeneration projects. The next phase will see these exciting and ambitious plans help us realise our dream of making Tower Hamlets an even greater place to live.” Sandra Fawcett, executive director of housing at developers Swan Housing Association, said: “The regeneration of Blackwall Reach is an exciting and innovative scheme that will transform this part of east London, delivering homes and infrastructure that meet the needs of local people.” Building B uilding i and a Construction on nstru tio n Works: W or r Loft Loft Conv Conversions Extensions Reburbisments Kitchens and Bathrooms Bespoke Bedroom x o C v vers t C c sions s s men nsi u ebu bu tensi nsio ns i s nts Reburbismen ur sments ment n bi K ch h hens d Bathr it esp oub and espok po oke ok B ed o e laz d o lazing lazi ing ng ts t ooms om D m Des Design dro Plumbing an n Dr Desig tr rics r e l ec d E and Electrics ks k x en ks: s: ensio n E o p m b n B D Double Doub ouble b ble G Glazi Glaz i g B Bas ons Double Glazing Restaurants Basement Conversions quality open and green areas, and further commercial spaces. The project is set to transform the area and help address local housing need by delivering 1,575 new homes, more than half of which will be affordable. A high percentage of the new properties will be family homes for social rent. Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “We have been recognised time and time again by the government for our hard work in building affordable homes in Tower Hamlets. Blackwall Reach is Architectural r rch ch tu u a Wor Works: orks: ork ks k ks: Planning Pl l ann a n ing S Str Structural uctur uc c ct tu t ur al l Eng En Engineering n gine g gi gin gineerin eerin ering erin rin ing ng n 3D Design e n Quantity Q u uantit uan t tit y y Survey Surv S Sur ve y Bu Building uildi u ldi din in i ing ng Con C Control n tr t ol Project roj rojec ctMan c M Man Management ana an ag gemen eme men m t EVERARDGROUP.COM 0207 265 9355 R esta e aurants Ba ment en o e nt t ersio s s gn g n ers Conv PART OF CHYTEL GROUP P r ta t Base PART OF Civic Awards nominations....................................4 Homelessness feature............................................6 Business news............................................................7 Useful information....................................................8 Cleaner, safer, greener news....................................9 History............................................................................13 Council information....................................14 & 15 hospitals, housing organisations, domestic violence and social services agencies as well as self-referrals. Customers can visit the Homestore warehouse in Stratford to choose what they need and receive a free delivery from staff and volunteers. They need to take proof of being on a low income or on benefit payments. For further information visit www.quaker socialaction.com/homestore To donate furniture to Homestore, call 8519 6264. Harmony............................................................16 & 17 Councillor contacts.......................................18 & 19 Out & About Guide........................................20 & 21 Eating out, eating in............................................23 Property................................................................25-30 Recruitment & training............................31 & 32 Sport....................................................................35 & 36 East End Life is produced by Tower Hamlets Council, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, E14 2BG. Tel: 7364 3179 Fax: 7364 4917 Email: eastendlife.news@towerhamlets.gov.uk Editor Laraine Clay Tel: 7364 3179 Deputy Editor Helen Watson Tel: 7364 3173 Reporter Jessica Odubayo Tel: 7364 4365 Photos Kois Miah Tel: 7364 3253 Advertisement Manager Sharan Ahmed Tel: 7364 4061 Senior Advertising Sales Executive Christine O’Doherty Tel: 7364 4994 Senior Advertising Sales Executive Fatima Khan Tel: 7364 4623 Advertising Production Controller & Sales Executive Terri Gornall Tel: 7364 4682 Distribution Manager & Finance Abdul Miah Tel: 7364 0474 East End Life is published by Tower Hamlets Council with a print run of 99,000 copies delivered to homes, organisations and businesses in the borough every week. The official independently audited door-to-door delivery is 82,886 Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC Regional) Dec -June 2014. East End Life was the first weekly newspaper produced by a local authority in the UK with a net cost of .02p per copy per week to produce. Paid-for advertisements are carried to keep costs to a minimum. Information included in the newspaper is not necessarily endorsed by Tower Hamlets Council. East End Life is printed on recycled paper – when you have finished with the newspaper, please recycle it. East End Life is also available on audio tape – if you know someone who would like to receive it in this format call 7364 4309 or email mariette@soundtalking.co.uk Printed by Trinity Mirror. Distributed by London Letterbox Marketing, Unit 6, Crescent Court Business Centre, E16 4TG. Tel: 8940 0666 If you know someone who does not receive East End Life call 7364 0474 or email abdul.miah@ towerhamlets.gov.uk 2 NEWS FROM TOWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 19 – 25 JANUARY 2015
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