You said, we did

You Said, We Did – Flowers Bring New Life to the Park

You Said

When residents shared that the local park was looking a little tired and uninspiring, Housing Services listened.

We did

 In response, we teamed up with Darlington Park Rangers to bring some colour and life back to the area.

As part of the initiative, we invited pupils from Firthmoor Primary School and tenants from Roxby Court to join us in planting of bulbs. The event was a wonderful example of community spirit, with young people and older residents working side by side to make a positive change.

The planting day was filled with smiles, muddy hands, and a shared sense of purpose. Everyone involved contributed to making the park a more welcoming and vibrant space. Come spring, the flowers will bloom, transforming the area into a cheerful and uplifting place for all to enjoy.

This project is a great example of how resident feedback leads to real action. We’re proud to support initiatives that bring people together and improve our shared spaces.

Thank you to everyone who took part – we can’t wait to see the results in full bloom!

Tenant-Led Improvements: A Garden Transformation at the Annexe

At the heart of great housing services is a simple principle: listening to tenants and acting on what matters to them. That principle came to life recently at the annexe, where a small but meaningful change is making a big difference.

You said

A tenant with a passion for community spaces, reached out to Housing Services with a request: remove an old shed and a broken table that were cluttering the garden area. These items had become obstacles to the vision she had for a cleaner, more welcoming outdoor space.

We did

Housing Services responded quickly and efficiently. The shed and table were removed, clearing the way for the residents to begin transforming the garden into a space that everyone can enjoy.

This is more than just a tidy-up — it’s a reminder of how tenant voices are not only heard but valued. Whether it’s a garden or a shared lounge, tenants are helping to create spaces that reflect pride, care, and community spirit.

You said, we did - A Life-Changing Path in Sadberge

At the heart of our work is a commitment to listening to tenants and acting on what matters most to them. A recent visit to Sadberge by Sophie and Sara is a perfect example of how small changes can make a big difference.

You said

During the visit, a tenant shared her struggle with accessing her garden path to hang out washing. An overgrown hedge had made the path unusable, and due to an eye condition, she found it difficult and unsafe to walk across the uneven grass.

We did

Understanding the impact this was having on her daily life, Sophie quickly arranged for the path to be cleared. The result? A safe, accessible route that restored the tenant’s independence.

“It’s changed my life,” she said. “I can now walk safely and hang out my washing again. Thank you so much to everyone involved.”

This story is a reminder that tenant feedback is powerful — and when we act on it, we can make real, meaningful improvements to people’s lives.

 A big thank you to Sophie, Sara, and the team who helped make this happen.

Shared Learning at Branksome Hall Drive, You said, we did

You said

Housing Officer Linda and Tenant Involvement Officer Sara visited Branksome Hall Drive to speak with residents about free online training opportunities available to everyone when Tenants requested training on how to use the DEFIB that was purchased through fund raising. 

We did

One of the key highlights was training provided by the British Heart Foundation, covering CPR and defibrillator use – vital skills that can save lives. Linda and Sara shared how to access the training.

Tenants shared how much they appreciated the session:

• “I feel more confident now about using a defibrillator.”
• “I actually learnt something today!”

A big thank you to everyone who took part – empowering residents with life-saving knowledge is a win for the whole community!

Red Hall Rubbish Collection – A Community Clean-Up Success- You said, we did

You said

Red Hall was buzzing with activity as the Housing Team launched a proactive initiative to tackle fly tipping and support residents with waste disposal.

We did

Housing Officer Ryan has been exploring practical ways to address environmental concerns in the area. His efforts led to the arrival of three bright yellow skips, placed strategically around the estate to help residents dispose of unwanted household items.

The response was overwhelmingly positive. All three skip sites were busy throughout the morning, with residents taking full advantage of the opportunity to clear out clutter without the need to travel to the local tip.

Housing Officers were also on hand to assist with litter picking and the removal of fly-tipped waste, helping to restore pride in the estate and improve the local environment.

 Resident Feedback:

“I only had a few bits, it would cost me more with petrol to go to the tip and this has really helped.”
“I didn’t have a vehicle to go to the tip so this is so handy.”

This initiative not only made waste disposal more accessible but also strengthened community ties and demonstrated the Housing Team’s commitment to keeping Red Hall clean and safe.

A huge thank you to Ryan and the Housing Team for making this happen — and to the residents who took part and helped make the morning such a success!