Tenant Engagement and community is at the heart of Raleigh Square housing for older persons.

Description

Raleigh Court is a sheltered housing development In Crumlin, Dublin consisting of 1 and 2 bedroom units. The building was developed on a vacant site owned by DCC in th middle of Crumlin.

It enhances the value of the surrounding community as it gave existing residents in the surrounding area an option to downsize and relocate to this new development in order to free up their larger homes for families. This has helped bring more life to the area.

The project is surrounded on three sides by a mix of residential dwellings. These are predominantly red brick semi-detached homes. Great care was taken to design an apartment development that integrated with this context. Material inspiration was taken in the finishes pallet and the scheme was designed to have a red brick exterior. There was also the intention to make the scale of the project blend in with the surrounding context by designing it to be a two story building along the edges where it faces existing dwellings and three story where it faces the central courtyard. The project also contains a large community room within one of the blocks where tenant engagement occurs.

Aim of Initiative

Raleigh Court has a strong and vibrant community. Building a sense of community where tenants live is a top priority for Tuath Housing. Raleigh Court integrates tenants within their community, ensuring safe physical surroundings, tenants feel connected to their communities and local supports Public transport in the neighbourhood is excellent; Local stores, a post office,and a bank are accessible on foot. The local Garda station and a health centre are both nearby. Tuath has worked extensively with the residents of Raleigh Court to build on this Community.

Who is it aimed at

Tuath’s Tenant engagement strategy 2022 – 2025 outlines the 7 pillars of tenant engagement; namely involve, enable, communicate, build, integrate, embed & empower. Raleigh Court is an excellent example of how the 7 pillars of tenant engagement have been at the fore while engaging, supporting and integrating residents into their new home and the community. Some examples of the initiatives and projects which have been carried out to date in Raleigh Court are noted below.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Communal room project designed with students from Griffith Art college and residentsRaleigh Court residents partnered with Griffith College Dublin in 2020 to design the community room for residents’ use. A carefully managed consultation and collaborative project spanned five months and resulted in a multi-purpose room being fitted and furnished to the needs and wants of the residents. This project gave tenants focus during numerous Covid lockdowns. This work was supported by Tuath Housing and the National Lottery Fund. In March 2022, resident’s welcome the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Alison Gilliland for the official opening of their Community Room. This Community Room allows for residents to collaborate with community partnerships from the area including, Dublin South City Partnership, The Lions Club, Hi-Digital – ALONE and Vodafone Foundation as well as Dublin City Council. The residents have participated in various activities and educational courses such as, Chair Yoga, Fitness classes, Digital Training and Irish Sign Language Courses.
2. Sign Language Classes for residents
   The request for the Irish Sign Language Courses came from the residents. One of the residents Anne is deaf and blind. Anne’s neighbours wanted her to be included in daily life, the Irish Sign Language Course was a starting point to engage and communicate with Anne. The training was facilitated by Anne herself, who uses a particular style of Irish Sign Language. Anne also provided a learning induction pack to support her neighbours learning this new skill. Ten residents attended Irish Sign Language Course over an eight-week period in 2022. Since completion of the course residents meet weekly for a ‘Silent Coffee morning’ to continue to learn and develop their new skill. They feel empowered and enjoy staying connected and communicating with Anne and with each other.
3. RALEIGH SQUARE, DUBLIN RECEIVES LOTTERY
   FUNDING FOR DIGITAL SKILLS PROJECT
   Residents of Raleigh Court, Crumlin received €5,039.72 of National Lottery funding for a digital skills project for residents, enabling the purchase of thirty-eight tablets – one for each household. Tuath Housing partnered with Alone to offer older residents at Raleigh Court access to “Hi Digital” – a step-by-step course, sponsored by Vodafone which is designed to help improve digital skills, particularly for those who have little experience of being
   online. Tuath staff were trained by ALONE to teach the Hi-Digital” course to residents, who then have the option of working alongside a mentor (Tuath staff) over several weeks to complete online classes.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Some of the challenges faced by residents were a lack in confidence in using technology. One resident is deaf and blind and communication was a barrier for other residents to engage with her. Tuath have worked with residents implementing projects that have over come any challenges that residents faced and continue to develop and improve engagement services in the scheme.
2. Making sure residents feel involved can be a barrier to engagement . This shared space within the development creates the possibility for a variety of supports to be provided on-site, with benefits for the surrounding community also. Residents have access to local resources that may assist them gain the skills and confidence they need to serve as resident representatives as well as support them in attending resident working groups and forums. Residents of Raleigh Court and Griffith College Dublin collaborated to build a multipurpose community room that would be tailored to the requirements and preferences of the residents. Tenants were able to focus on this project during several Covid lockdowns.
3. Communication during Covid and after was a barrier. Tuath worked very closely with residents to make sure they felt connected to family, friends and Tuath. Our tenant engagement team started online Bingo classes and other online events to continue to engage with older persons. Tuath Housing partnered with Alone to offer older residents at Raleigh Court access to “Hi Digital” – a step-by-step course, sponsored by Vodafone which is designed to help improve digital skills, particularly for those who have little experience of being online. Tuath staff were trained by ALONE to teach the Hi-Digital” course to residents, who then have the option of working alongside a mentor (Tuath staff) over several weeks to complete online classes.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. A RATED HOMES AND ENVIRONMENT
   A nurturing environment has a significant impact on older individuals’ happiness, independence, and general quality of life. The accommodation at Raleigh Court was created with older people in mind, and they are an effective means to improve their quality of life. The development was built to meet all regulatory requirements and are A rated properties. The design incorporated materials that will meet the long term requirements of the residents and in turn Tuaths requirements as a landlord for ongoing management & maintenance of the building. The design has created an oasis and a safe, warm and secure sustainable environment where residents want to live and call home. External planting in the cleverly designed garden attracts all types of insects and birds can be heard within the sheltered courtyard creating serenity and peace within the city environs.
   Tuath also provide ongoing information sessions to residents as part of our engagement to educate on cost saving measures, daily living costs and energy usage to prevent fuel poverty.Earth Day
   Earth Day is an international day devoted to our planet. It draws
   attention to the environment and promotes conservation and
   sustainability. Each year on the 22nd April, around 1 billion individuals
   across more than 190 countries take action to raise awareness of
   the climate crisis and bring about behavioural change to protect the
   environment. To celebrate Earth Day at Tuath Housing, residents of
   Raleigh Court, Dublin attended a talk hosted by The Green Kitchen
   & Garden Shop, invited by Dublin South City Partnership. Residents
   learned about the history of lavender, tips to care for and grow their
   own and came away with a beautiful lavender plant each.
2. MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE PROJECT
   Positive Ageing celebrated in Raleigh Square Positive Ageing Week was also chosen to implement “The Lions Club” message in a bottle initiative. The “Message in a Bottle” project is an initiative governed by the Lions Club and supported by the emergency services: Ambulance, Fire Brigade, Gardai, Medical Profession, HSE, Pharmacists and Local County Councils. “Message in a Bottle” is a simple idea that encourages people to keep their basic personal and medical details in a common place, where, in cases of emergency the emergency services can easily access them.
3. COLLABORATION OF THE COMMUNAL SPACE DESIGN
   This shared space within the development creates the possibility for a variety of supports to be provided on-site, with benefits for the surrounding community also. Residents have access to local resources that may assist them gain the skills and confidence they need to serve as resident representatives as well as support them in attending resident working groups and forums. Residents of Raleigh Court and Griffith College Dublin collaborated to build a multipurpose community room that would be tailored to the requirements and preferences of the residents. Tenants were able to focus on this project during several Covid lockdowns.