Learning Forum shortlisted for a prestigious Pineapple award
An innovative resident self-governing body, co-chaired by Just Housing Group’s John Swinney, has been nominated for a prestigious Pineapple Award (2022) for Resident Engagement.
Launched in 2019 by The Developer in partnership with Design Council, The Pineapples awards seek to celebrate great places and design achievements, as well as examples where the community is involved in helping to shape new developments.
As part of their 2022 awards, Barking Riverside Limited’s (BRL) Learning Forum has been nominated for an award: the Learning Forum is an innovative resident-led body set up to help shape the future governance of estate services on a new 10,000 home development currently being delivered in East London. Just Housing Group has been working with BRL, the Curiosity Society and residents to develop workable proposals for the area, and has recently published a set of recommendations that will put residents in the driving seat for future decisions on key services across the area. This includes a co-produced proposed governance structure for the area which creates resident elected boards, as well as work towards a sustainable business plan.
Just Housing Group has also been responsible with its partners from the Curiosity Society for producing a communication and engagement strategy around the project, including running a recent consultation on the recommendations and delivering a bespoke website for the process.
John Swinney, Chief Executive of Just Housing Group, said:
“The real credit for this award should go to the residents: it has been a joy to work with such an engaged group of people who are really passionate about their community. I also want to thank my co-chair Andy Schofield at the Curiosity Society, as well as BRL, who really embraced the potential of allowing a co-production process with residents which resulted in proposals to transfer real power to the community.
“I am very proud of Just Housing Group’s involvement which covered a range of areas, but at its heart was driven by a co-production philosophy with residents that I believe has developed a bright potential future for Barking Riverside.”