London housing provider RHP Group has opened a new Community Hub on their Butts Farm estate in Hanworth, creating a space for local residents to gather, engage in activities, and have their voices heard.
As well as providing opportunities to drop in and speak to members of the RHP team to raise issues, ask questions, or provide feedback, the hub will also host other local support agencies, and offer a variety of professionally run activities and classes for all ages.
RHP has renovated the unit with the help of repairs and maintenance partners including Kier Places, Smith & Byford, Pilon, Gaze a Glaze, and SPS (Secure Parking Solutions). The work has included replacing the roof, installing new flooring, refurbishing the shutters, and developing an outside workshop.
The launch of the hub took place on 10 December, with RHP inviting residents to look round and share their ideas on how they would like to use the space, to make sure it meets the needs and interests of local people.
Residents also had the chance to meet with RHP’s gas & electrical partner Smith & Byford, who were offering free boiler checks, as well as local charity Richmond Furniture Scheme promoting what they can offer in terms of low-cost reused furniture.
A special part of the event was a Kindness Shop, where attendees could make a discretionary donation or a ‘kindness pledge’ in exchange for useful household items, in keeping with the hub’s mission to foster community-connectedness.
RHP Group’s Chief Executive, Sarah Thomas, said: “We’re delighted to open the Butts Farm Community Hub and hear directly from our residents about how they want to use this space. Linked to our quest to be connected to our community and a visible presence in local neighbourhoods, the hub is designed to bring people together and make support easily accessible. We’re grateful for the feedback we received at the launch, and look forward to working with our residents to ensure the hub continues to meet the evolving needs of the local community. Thank you to our partners Kier Places, Smith & Byford, Pilon, SPS, and Gaze & Glaze for working with us to make this happen.”
The Butts Farm Community Hub supports RHP Group's vision of being trusted as a socially responsible housing provider which is high-performing, community-connected, and values-based.