Chair: Jimmy Quereshi
Secretary: Peggy Amoako
Treasurer: Wendy Barker
Area Panel Rep: Matthew Misik
SyTRA doesn't just consist of us four, there are many others who help us with the job at hand. We all work as volunteers: we don't get paid, we work in our free time. But we need more members. The more we have the stronger we are. If there’s one thing SyTRA has noticed it’s that everyone has something they can add, be it a skill or contacts, or gravitas and motivational ability.
One of our members has proven to be a really effective fundraiser: without her continued perseverance we would not have been able to have a community day at all.
We’ve seen really big changes happen as a result of a strong TRA, it’s been proven over and again in neglected areas. If you kick up a stink en-mass and you get a reaction: because where an MP, CEO or management agency may be able to conveniently ignore the complaining resident at number 71, they cannot ignore a motivated committee on their tail.
SyTRA is a non-profit organisation; any funding we require has to be raised independently. We have many sponsors to date, and would encourage the residents of Sydenham Hill Estate to consider them for goods or services in the future.
FAQ
frequently asked questions
How long has SyTRA been running and how did it start?
SyTRA originally started back in 1992, but faltered after lack of community involvement. It was resurrected in October 2009 by a group of frustrated residents after the management of the estate got handed to Lewisham Homes. The estate had been neglected for more than 20 years, but since SyTRA started we have championed real change. Sydenham Hill Estate is a very nice place to live; it’s quiet, leafy and green and travel links are better than ever with the new east London line, but the estate just needs a bit of TLC. It was our hope that with a strong TRA we would be able to facilitate this change. And we have, but we have a lot more work to do.
What are its aims and things you are most proud of to date?
SyTRA has with continued perseverance saved the residents of Sydenham Hill Estate £30,000 since January 2009, by way of a rebate finally given by Lewisham Homes after our campaign. That’s in building and grounds maintenance alone: an average of £300 off every qualifying resident’s maintenance costs for 2008/9. Over the last 8 months of activity, SyTRA has promoted the completion of a long list of repairs, some which had been outstanding for more than 6 years. We’re currently in talks with Lewisham Homes to secure a rebate for costs in 2009/10, which will mean yet another real saving for residents (not in receipt of housing benefit).
Our recent achievements include the organisation of our community fun day on the 4th Sept. We applied to Lewisham Homes for a grant for ‘Get to know your neighbour day’ back in July 2009 and were lucky enough to win one of the grants on offer. But our fundraising didn’t end there, we have approached local businesses and global companies for additional financial help and we have secured more than £4,250 in direct funding for our event, and £2,600 indirect funding, nearly £7,000 all together.
What have been your biggest challenges to date?
The biggest challenge has been getting a transparent response from Lewisham Homes regarding charges: We’ve been ignored by the Director of Resources for Lewisham Homes (Adam Barrett), despite countless attempts by our organisation to get a straight answer from him. It’s a case of the tiny committee versus the massive company: David Vs Goliath.
Another challenge is getting funding: when we start organising activities we have no idea if we even have the funds to do it. You have to sell the idea to get interest and this might not come straight away.
Motivating residents is also difficult. Attending meetings takes up free time and there's no point attending one but then not coming again for a long time. Also, the work we do is mostly carried out between meetings, not at them, so the jobs that need doing are delegated.
What do you think your 'Get to know your neighbour day' event gave local community members?
The main purpose was to have a bit of fun and meet our neighbours. It was a great day out for the kids, was free and had a little something for everyone.
We hoped it would show the residents you can make a difference, that by giving a little and sharing your skills you can really change things. We hoped to show our community that are are empowered, and together we can improve the quality of life for all the residents.
Future plans/hopes for SyTRA?
Our next big drive is our AGM due to take place on 26th October 2010 at the community hall on the estate, 7pm. We need to get residents to come and help us vote in a new chair and secretary, as ours are standing down. The AGM is also a platform to inform residents what’s changed over the last year, the picture of things to come and an opportunity to actively take part.
On 11th October we transfer to L&Q, so the TRA will continue to work in tandem with the L&Q Community Board to ensure the agreements laid out in the transfer document are abided by.
It is SyTRA's hope that two to three years from now, the estate will be unrecognisable from the neglected place it currently is. We hope that more residents will get involved and share the wealth of skills evident at Sydenham Hill Estate.
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