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Working in the Community - Chalcots Estate, Camden

Being part of the Community

Refurbishment projects are not only about improving the structure of buildings and homes, but regenerating and engaging the community, encouraging ownership and making a real difference to people's lives through various community initiatives.

A local group to Chalcots is The Winchester (The Winch) project, a youth and community centre. The project provides a safe environment in which children and young people take part in social, educational and recreational activities, including those from the Chalcots estate, one of the top ten most deprived estates in the borough. With very low funds to commit to any summer activities for their young people, Rydon sponsored the Project and funded their Summer FA Cup football tournament. This enabled 12 groups of young people from across various deprived areas in London, to participate in the week long event, gaining the skills they need to pursue a career with the FA.

The support also led to the Rydon site team at Chalcots forming their own football team, and taking part in the over 16s tournament - representing the Winchester project they had a huge amount of support, even if they did not bring home the trophy!

"The support offered by PFIC to The Winch - in time, skills and resources - have been of enormous value and a sign of genuine partnership and investment in the local community. We have benefited greatly, managing to do things which otherwise would have a huge drain on our funds and energies. We look forward to continuing to work with PFIC and improving the prospects and environment in which we work with children and young people." Paul Perkins, Director, The Winchester project

A helping hand

Another great success was the week end ‘tidy-up' days at The Winch. Rydon provided a number of skips, along with staff on the day, to help The Winch prepare for the regeneration works which are due to start in the building very soon.

Toys ‘r' Rydon

As a Group, Rydon has recently been collecting good condition toys from all staff. These have been donated to the Winchester Project's after school club, and the New North Children's centre at The Packington Estate, Islington. The Directors for both the children's groups were extremely grateful for the donations.