What's Happened
So what's been going on?
Culure in the Park - September 2009
On Sunday 13th September, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire's biggest country park, hosted its second Multicultural Festival. The event included many performances from professional artists and there was plenty to do for the whole family. Children got stuck into making crafts from around the world, and visitors were able to join in with a range of sessions from Salsa dancing and African drumming to Clay pigeon shooting, as well as having the opportunity to try a whole range of different foods.
There were also performances from children across the district who had taken part in a series of diverse workshops, during the summer holidays which included:
African Drumming
Street Dance
Urban Voice
Irish Dance
Freestyle Football
Capoeira
The event was a great success and it seemed everyone enjoyed themselves.
Butserfest - September 2009
The Blackout rock Butserfest 09 as festival doubles in size
Butserfest boomed into life in September, as East Hampshires premier rock festival was swamped by more than 2,400 music-loving teenagers, doubling last year's attendance.
Youngsters lazed in the sunshine, played on the activities or moshed to ten hours of unstoppable rock at the event which drew the biggest attendance in its three year history.
Headliners The Blackout crowned the day which saw 26 bands, two stages and fields full of free activities. The alcohol and drug-free festival was put on at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, by East Hampshire District Council, and Drum were proud to sponsor the event.
Aimed at 14 to 20 year-olds the site was packed with activities to keep young people entertained from 11am through to 10pm, including dance mats, human table football, Area 51 laser shooting and a roller rink.
To see comments and photographs from the day visit www.myspace.com/butserfest
You can also view a video and other photographs at youtube.com/butserfest
Drum Housing's Summer Road Show - Thursday 20th August 2009
On a rather blustery and wet day on Thursday 20th August, a team of Drum staff took to the road and visited the villages of Froyle, Froxfield and East Meon. The purpose of this was to make Drum more accessible to our harder to reach residents living in some of the districts more rural villages. This gave residents, whether from Drum, other local Housing Associations or owner/occupiers the opportunity to raise any issues they might have and staff the chance to promote all of the services we offer and review customer satisfaction. EHDC and Petersfield Housing Association were also involved and a childrens entertainer and ice-cream van followed the show around helping to encourage customers out of their homes.
All Drum residents living in these villages were asked to complete a questionnaire which asked questions about their level of satisfaction with the area they live in, joining local walkabouts and identifying changes they would like to see within their estates or local area. Out of a total149 households sent the questionnaire, 32 were returned, raising a number of issues ranging from clearing litter and weeds from car parking areas to helping the community fight for a better Post Office service. All of the responses will be analysed and the results fed back to the residents involved. If some of the actions are the responsibility of other organisations or agencies then these will be passed on to them.
Next year a similar event will take place again, visiting new locations, talking to different residents about our services and listening to their views. So watch this space, we could be coming to a place near you!!
The Gardening Project @ Poppy House
Residents at Poppy House have been involved in a new and exciting gardening project which provides informal outside activities whilst at the same time providing opportunities for life skills learning. For example, working in groups, IT, numeracy, literacy, project planning skills, information gathering, physical activity, as well as introducing residents to different types of foods and ways of cooking. Garden design also makes up part of the project.
The project was the idea of two of the Poppy House residents and with the help of Hilliers Garden Centre, we have been able to support a project that is resident focused and resident led.
We are grateful to Hilliers Garden Centre who kindly donated a variety of plants for the project, and with the motivation and hard work of residents at Poppy House we have been able to turn an unused garden into something the residents can be proud of.
Residents have been involved in helping erecting a new shed, designing the new garden layout, building a vegetable patch and planting flowers and vegetables making the Poppy House Garden an aesthetic delight!
Poppy House is part of Drum Housing Association, and is what we call a supported housing project that provides accommodation and support to four young people aged 16 years and over.
Paultons Park - July 2009
Residents from Cumberland Gate in Portsmouth had the opportunity to take part in a trip to the theme park on Saturday July 25th.
The sun was shining brightly as residents gathered to board the coach that arrived at Cumberland Gate for the 45 minute journey. An air of excitement lingered. What would it be like? Who else was going? Would people be friendly? Would the children enjoy it? Would the grown ups cope with the big choice of rides and things to do?
Katie, a resident at Cumberland Gate, came on the trip with her partner and two children. It was a great day out! says Katie There were lots of different rides for children of all ages, and even us adults too! The time seemed to fly by. We all had a tiring but great day, the boys fell into a deep sleep with big smiles on their faces. The trip was fantastic, and the price was too. I hope there will be many more trips in the near future.
The trip was organised by staff from the three housing associations at Cumberland Gate. (PHA, Downland and Drum Housing). Staff received very positive feedback from residents, both before and after the trip, which helped to make it such a success.
Drum in schools - Social and Environmental Awareness Day, July 2009
Drum Housing has taken the lead in a forward thinking initiative to inform the younger generation of East Hampshire about their environment and community and to help encourage them to make a a positive future contribution.
Over 100 children in year two at Petersfield Infants, were shown how their behaviour can have an impact on the local community and how their actions affect others living around them, both locally and globally.
Working with young children is a vital part of our community responsibility. If we can help children see how their actions can either have a positive or negative impact on our communities, then we are making a constructive difference for the future.
This Social and Environmental Awareness Day provided by Drum, in partnership with East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) and local Police Community Support Officers, was made up of four workshops.
The first workshop explained to the children how anti-social behaviour, including bullying, has a negative effect on everyone and they were advised on the best way to make the right decision when the occasion arises. Drum also explained how reducing wasted energy has long term benefits both financially and environmentally. Then EHDC Environmental and Sustainability team explained the benefits of recycling and how we all can help maintain the environment. Pupils were given the chance to put on hard hats and get involved, sorting out the recycling on a mini Materials Recovery Facility. The fourth workshop was led by the PCSOs who spoke about stranger danger and how to recognise which adults they can trust.
After lunch, the children were asked to deposit their left over rubbish into different bags based on which materials can be composted, recycled or have to be burned. The bags were then weighed to see which class had the most environmentally friendly packed lunches, an exercise the school was encouraged to continue to reduce waste brought to school in lunch boxes.
This is a great example of how multi agency working brings the experience of East Hampshire District Council, the Police and Drum together, to create a result that each individual agency on its own could not achieve.
To find out more about the Drum in schools programme, contact the Community Team at Drum on 01730 403060 or email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
MAD Days!
Drum Housing Association in partnership with the Police, East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council and Horndean Parish Council held the latest in a series of community events in the heart of the Downs Park community in Horndean, on Monday 6th April 2009.
Around thirty residents including children attended the Make a Difference Day (MADD), giving their views about their community over a wide range of issues. A BBQ was provided by local RKdia catering services which gave a well needed energy boost for those who helped maintain the community garden planted back in October 2008. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch, but those who took part, did so with such enthusiasm that the result of their efforts was fantastic! The garden looks invigorated and bold in colour, enhancing the environment no end! This event also promoted future Walk-Abouts . Walk-Abouts are held in conjunction with local agencies and are an ongoing opportunity to discuss local concerns whilst walking around the community. They last less than an hour and take place only once a quarter. Its a great way to get involved and monitor progress on issues within your community. If you think that your community needs a MAD day, or would benefit from regular Walk-Abouts then contact the Community Team on 01730 403200 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
New community at Cumberland Gate takes shape - May 2009
Neighbours met, mingled and even took part in a karaoke style competition on the Playstation SingStar at a special get together organised for the residents of Cumberland Gate recently.
The three housing providers teamed up with the police, fire service, Sure Start and music workshop Boogie Mites to organise the event, which was aimed at bringing the community together.
'Boogie Mites' (Top)
'Matt Davies, a resident ' (Left)
Matt Davies, a young resident at Mulvany Court, helped to plan and run the event itself. We had a great time. says Matt. There was lots of fun and laughter. It was a certainly a good way to get to know the neighbours."
In total about 30 residents attended, including children. A summer event is planned for July 2009, and the Community Project Worker has already received ideas from residents for this event.
The hope is that several residents will be involved in planning and running the July event, says Lisa, the Community Project Worker for Cumberland Gate.
Santa comes to The Chase - December 2008
There was plenty of Christmas cheer and community spirit in the air at a party organised by the residents of the new Chase Development in Lindford, supported by Drum Housing.
Around 100 residents took advantage of the opportunity to meet their new neighbours, have their say in how the estate should be run, and celebrate Christmas in the brand new Lindford Village Hall on Sunday.
They enjoyed a free BBQ, mulled wine and mince pies all provided by Drum Housing, as well as a traditional Punch and Judy show and a raffle. All proceeds from the raffle are being used to fund a bulb planting day this weekend. This initiative by the residents of the estate hopes to encourage the children to take an interest in the upkeep of their community.
Thank you for all you did for the Christmas Party yesterday. We did so enjoy ourselves and was good to meet up with new neighbours. It is so nice to know that in these times there is still a great community spirit amongst us. I love the idea of the bulb planting ceremony especially as I will be able to see them from our lounge window. Sally Nelson, resident of Elder Crescent.
