This year marked an important milestone for Zetetick Housing as 2022 saw us celebrate our 15th birthday.
A big anniversary like this has given us the opportunity to take stock of the incredibly important work undertaken by the charity since 2007 to provide supported housing to some of the most marginalised people in our society.
As 2023 approaches, we look back at our achievements over the last 12 months, given the hugely challenging times we have all faced.
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Celebrating in style
The 31st August this year was a special day in our calendar as we celebrated our milestone anniversary with a Summer party. For the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were finally able to meet in person which made the day extra special.
Tenants and their care providers travelled from all over South London and the Southeast to meet Zetetick staff and board members in the lovely Lloyd Park in Croydon for a day of fun and festivities.
We enjoyed lunch and entertainment out in the sunshine, including street food and ice cream vans as well as a bouncy castle, inflatable assault course and spinning teacups. Everyone had a great time! An enormous thank you to those that came. You made it a truly great day.
To read more about the occasion, click here.
A new CEO
In November, Jonathan Spencer stepped up into his new role as acting CEO of Zetetick Housing. He brings over ten years of Learning Disability and housing leadership experience to the role.
The past three years has seen him working as the Deputy CEO and he has had the opportunity to talk with commissioners, social care partners, property developers, leaders and other stakeholders in the exempt housing field and the conversations and knowledge gained have increased his enthusiasm. His priority is ensuring Zetetick continues to be a beacon for best practice and puts our tenants first in all matters.
He is thrilled to follow Gary Scott and be leading such an important charity in the field of supported housing. Gary will continue to serve as founder and special advisor to the management team. He was responsible for identifying the huge need for supported housing for those with learning disabilities, difficulties, autism, and mental health issues in the first instance, and for growing the organisation to where we are now. We cannot thank him enough for his leadership.
A growing team
We couldn’t do what we do without all our hardworking staff. We have been in the fortunate position to be able to grow the Zetetick team this year and we welcomed Suzie, Marketing and Engagement Manager, Abi, Executive Administrator, and Jessica, Finance and Payroll Assistant, as well as Mike and Bev to the maintenance team. An enormous thank you to all our committed staff members for their amazing hard work and dedication throughout the year as always.
This year, Steph, Finance Assistant, left the team after 7 years with us. We were very sad to see her go – we thank her for everything she has done for the charity and wish her all the best for the future.
Lastly, we were also very excited to welcome three new trustees to the board in 2022 and we look forward to sharing more about Andy, Claudia and Natasha in the new year. If you’d like to read our recent interview with Andy, then head to the flipbook of our Spring/Summer 22 issue of Zetetick Life here.
Acquiring property
Late last year we were successfully granted funds to purchase and refurbish a two-bed bungalow for one of our tenants from Lambeth with progress continuing throughout 2022. The grant from NHS England aims to support the development of homes for people with a learning disability and help transfer people from long-term hospitals (or stop them being readmitted to hospital) back to their local community. Grecian Crescent was the first of two schemes ZHC are currently involved in, with Lynne Close, close behind whilst comprehensive refurbishment works are being completed. Watch this space.
This summer marked the acquisition of our new depot in Uckfield, East Sussex, which now means we have the all-important additional storage for the Zetetick maintenance team. The generosity of Howdens Uckfield, who have been kind enough to donate some lovely kitchen units, means that we now have a welcoming and very functional space for the team and visitors who support the vital work we do for our tenants. A huge thank you to Howdens.
Perfect end to a productive year
We ended the year on a high with our first in-person Christmas celebration since 2019. Covid kept us apart over the last couple of festive seasons, but we reunited for a lovely meal together at The Cricketers in the Brighton Lanes, which is the oldest pub in Brighton (dating back as far as 1547!) Great service, great food and great company.
We also had a bit of exciting news from Anne Mari, Finance Director, as her band’s, ‘Lightning in a Twilight Hour’, album ‘Overwintering’ has been featured by BBC Radio 6 Music as Album of the Year by Mark Radcliffe. What a fantastic achievement, here’s to more hits.
And finally…
We want to say a huge thank you to all our partners, both new and old, who have worked with us throughout 2022 in this challenging time in the property rental market. The government cuts within the social care sector have also meant an incredibly tough time for our social care partners and we are so grateful for their support throughout the year.
As we look forward, in a challenging economic period and perhaps a difficult time for so many, the wider Zetetick family can know that everyone will be working hard with our Vision and Mission in mind to empower people with learning disabilities and autism to live as valued members of their community by finding them quality homes, not just housing. We are so grateful for our tenants; it has been our continued privilege over the last 15 years to provide property for them with the dignity of choice.
From all of us, wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2023.
