At this time of year, some homes have problems with damp and black mould. If this applies to you, you’re not alone. Thousands of households will suffer every year with what they think is mould, particularly in the cooler months.

We have created a new interactive page which gives information on the problem of condensation, damp and black mould, please click to view it.

There is an open day at our new Clock House scheme in Romford on Saturday 28th January 2012. 

Viewings are strictly by appointment only. If you are interested in coming to see the new homes, please call 0845 504 9960 or email sales@estuary.co.uk and make an appointment.

We can provide grants to residents who want to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) and make a difference on their estate or in their neighbourhood.

Projects to date include:

Sponsoring 200 year 11 pupils to complete ‘RESPECT….Your life, Your Choice’ module
Gardening competitions
Funding for a Woodgrange Drive Youth Club
Outdoor snooker in Shoebury (pending)

Click here to be taken to the Anti Social Behaviour page where you can learn more about the Community Chest Fund, or click the title of this news story for more information.

Residents can now vote for neighbours who have made a positive difference to their community for 2012’s Estuary Resident Awards. The awards are a way of saying ‘thank you’ to residents who go about their daily lives quietly making a difference in their communities.

The deadline for nominations is Friday 3rd February. If there is someone you think deserves to be nominated, please fill in our Resident Awards Evening nomination form, picking a category (or categories) and telling us why you think the person deserves to win.

20 members of staff from a variety of departments entertained service users with a thoroughly professional carol concert at Southend Rugby Club on 22nd December.

The concert was one of the many activities arranged through the Service Users’ Forum. The Forum is made up of Estuary service users, who meet to suggest ideas for events and trips for adults with learning disabilities who live in our homes, as well as for those people who we support in the community.

Click here to see photos from the Christmas Carol Concert.

2 bungalows and one 3 bedroomed house are still available for sale through the shared ownership scheme in the ever increasingly popular area of Ongar. These homes provide the opportunity for a large or growing household to buy a home with more space. We are holding viewings in the new year. Please ring 01702 445290 or email sales@estuary.co.uk  to book a viewing.

The prices of the 2 bedroom bungalows have now been reduced to £240,000, with the minimum share to be purchased reduced to 25%.

Learn more about these fabulous homes

FIRST STEPS are holding information sessions in east and west London in January and in north London in February. These sessions are primarily for council and housing association tenants and for armed forces personnel but anyone can come along who would like to know more about FIRST STEPS and thinking about buying an affordable home in the capital.

Please click the headline of this article for details regarding the venues, dates and times of the FIRST STEPS information sessions. There is also a link which takes you to the information page on the FIRST STEPS website where those who would like to attend can register their interest to do so.

Service Users living in our Supported Housing and Care Homes had a great time at their Christmas Ball held at the beautiful Friern Manor, in Dunton. Over 100 guests and staff dressed up in their finery and were delighted when Singing Santa arrived to entertain them and hand out presents. 

Click the article title to read more

Toddlers aged 2, 3 and 4 dressed up in their spotty outfits to pay a secret visit to staff working in our offices today (18th November), to raise money for Children in Need. The children from the nursery at Centre Place Family Centre love getting involved in anything that’s a bit different and fun; they especially enjoy getting out and about which they often do.

This was a top secret mission, staff had only been informed that they would be receiving an unannounced visit from the spotty spies from spotty headquarter.  Staff caught out not wearing something spotty were expected to pay up and put a little something in the collection tins.

“The children love to get involved in these kind of fun activities they have been really looking forward to travelling on the secret bus dressed in their spotty outfits.  Its the first time they have visited Estuary Association’s head office and they were pleased to get plenty of donations” said Janet Kempson, Community Development Nursery Manager.

If you would like to know more about the Family Centre Nursery please call 01702 619383.

Would you like the chance to scrutinise how Estuary work and make recommendations which ensure services are delivered to the best possible standard? If so, now is your chance to do just that. Join the Estuary Residents Scrutiny Committee (E.R.S.C) and get involved in:

Inspecting Estuary’s services

Scrutinising Estuary’s business decisions

Making recommendations

Helping Estuary to deliver service improvement.

Click here to learn more about this great opportunity…