In Jubilee Fields Estate, Shildon, we continued to make significant progress in delivering our £9m ongoing investment in the physical regeneration of the estate, which will be completed in 2024. The regeneration is transforming homes, meeting housing need by increasing family and older persons housing options, as well as improving the estate environment. Through partnerships we also secured £300,000 of funding to support financial and health related projects.

As part of our regeneration works to Jubilee Fields Estate, energy efficiency works to homes included the installation of solar PV with battery storage providing a sustainable source of free electricity, triple glazed windows and additional loft insulation, improving the EPC rating of homes from a C to a high B or A rating.

We know that tackling anti-social behaviour is important to you. Working in partnership with the Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington, we combined resources allocating £20,000 to six projects across Ferryhill, Newton Aycliffe West, Sedgefield, Shildon, Spennymoor and the Trimdon’s. Projects included detached youth work, Friday night football, video doorbells and addressing environmental ASB, In total 286 people were engaged and supported. 

This year we have expanded our work to help you, our tenants and residents, into sustainable employment, supporting 352 people (227 tenants) into employment.

We listened (Customer Voice – focus group)

You told us that we needed make some aspects of the community regeneration fund easier to understand. You told us we should have a funding available for smaller grants and promote the scheme to increase awareness.

We acted  

We updated the grant scheme, to strengthen its focus on supporting Greener, Safer, Healthier and Financially Stronger places, added an additional £5,000 and created a small grants scheme for community cohesion projects. In 2023/24 we supported 26 projects including working with vulnerable tenants to improve access to their gardens, an environmental ASB scheme for Ferryhill to reduce fly-tipping and litter, working with eight partners to deliver school holiday programmes for over 700 children and supporting 2,400 customers financially to access early years equipment, clothing, hygiene products and school uniforms.

We listened (Customer Voice – resident survey)

Residents of Jubilee Fields estate told us that they wanted to use the community centre more and see an increase in different activities offered, especially for children with additional needs.

We acted

Working with the community and the management committee we helped increase the number of trustees and volunteers for the centre. Through our partner Mears and other funders, the Centre installed energy efficiency measures to reduce energy bills whilst the new committee worked with a local business to invest volunteer time and materials into redecorating the building. Working with local parents, a regular session for families with children with additional needs has been delivered, along with introducing other activities such as community events and men’s and women’s clubs which increased weekly attendance by 25%.

We listened (InsightXchange - Scrutiny Review)

Following an increase in complaints about the handling of reports of anti-social behaviour, our InsightXchange group scrutinised the overall service and experience. They told us that we were not clear on what customers could expect when reporting neighbourhood issues and that sometimes we did not consider individual communication needs or keep people updated on their case.

We acted

We used our data and tenant feedback to transform our processes for managing anti-social behaviour. The scrutiny review resulted in changes to our policy and a clear set of service standards which include details of how we will tailor our contacts to meet your needs, keep you updated about your case and work with other agencies that can help. You can read our updated policy and approach to tackling anti-social behaviour using the link below or give us a call 0800 587 4538.