Environmental Improvement Group
We have a dedicated fund that is available to spend on neighbourhood and environmental improvements. Since the creation of our Environmental Improvement Group (EIG), we've been able to use this funding to make a difference to the places where our tenants live. We've helped invest in playgrounds, community projects, communal spaces and more.
The EIG is made up of our tenants, leaseholders and our staff who meet every eight weeks for an hour to discuss and vote on funding applications. If you'd like to apply for funding for a project that will help improve your local neighbourhood, please see our advice and application form below.
What is an improvement?
A neighbourhood or environmental improvement is something which improves the quality of life for our tenants, as well as the local community. Examples include:
- Enhancing green spaces and natural habitats
- Enhanced landscaping features around homes
- Investment in community projects
- Environmental and sustainable improvements.
How it works
- Someone comes up with an idea to improve the neighbourhood or local environment, discusses the idea with their neighbours, and submits an application
- If it's approved, the group takes the idea and instructs the relevant teams at Red Kite to scope it, source the contractors, and supervise the work
- Please note: The EIG can only consider applications for improvements on Red Kite land. If you are not sure if the land belongs to Red Kite, please contact us on 01494 476 100.
Before applying please be aware:
We know that there are many fantastic projects and areas that need our support and want to make sure we allocate our funding across a range of sites and communities. Therefore, applications will be judged on individual merit, and we’ll prioritise projects that:
- We anticipate will have the most significant positive impact on our tenants and communities
- Present a positive environmental impact
- Do not duplicate the work of existing projects or sites which have received funding in the past 12 months
- Support sites or geographic areas that have not already received much of our grant funding in that financial year or historically.
It's often the case that we will receive more applications than the fund can support. We will feed back to all applicants but please be aware that applications may be refused without a detailed reason for the decision being provided.
How to apply
To apply you need to complete the EIG application form. Before you do this you should:
- Have a chat with one of our community specialists to hear what they think about the suggestion and whether it fits with the long term investment priorities for the community. Give us a call and ask to speak to one of them.
- Think about the practicalities – is it something that will really improve your neighbourhood? Do you think it really is feasible? Would it be cost effective?
- Contact other tenants, leaseholders and members of the community to see if they support your suggestion. We have created this form to help you collect some responses.
What we're working on
A new project with Chiltern Rangers will commence in spring 2024 – this aims to invigorate the area at the rear of Linchfield by planting and attracting more wildlife. This area currently looks neglected, with large, high brick walls, litter thrown into planters, and weeds growing. The project will involve local artist Dan Wilson, tenants from our homes on Linchfield, and children from nearby Hannah Ball School. They will be planting woodland bulbs, fruit trees, raspberry and currant bushes, herbs, and wildflowers, and constructing and installing hedgehog houses and birdboxes.
What we've done so far
Over the years, we've completed a wide range of projects to improve the places where our tenants live.
New litter bins installed at Cross Road Park
We were approached by a local community group who asked us to provide additional litter bins for their local park. We have a schedule of regular litter picks in the area, but as the park is used by a lot of people the existing bins weren't enough and excess litter was appearing. Another problem was that birds were able to access the bins and dig through the litter, scattering it around in the process.
In January 2024 we installed two additional litter bins, which are designed to be inaccessible to wildlife. This should mean a cleaner, tidier park, free from litter, and we hope it will also reduce minor fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour.
We think our tenants in the 40 Red Kite homes nearby, as well as the very many users of the park, will soon see the benefit of these new litter bins.
New bench at Parsonage Close
In response to a request from one of the tenants we bought and installed a new bench at our sheltered scheme in Parsonage Close, Totteridge. Tenants and their visitors, particularly those that are less mobile, can now enjoy sitting on the bench in the milder months, enjoying the garden and the outside, and chatting to their neighbours. Tenants in the block have also planted a flower bed at their own expense.
Malvern Close community garden
We teamed up with Chiltern Rangers at the start of April 2023 to continue the transformation of the community garden at Malvern Close.
Members of our staff joined the Rangers to help install planters, paint fences and railings, install bespoke artwork, and give the area a big tidy up!
There was a terrific turnout on the day, with some staff even taking along their children to join in with the fun. The area was left looking virtually brand-new for our tenants and other local residents.
New planters
During a site visit to Mahoney Court, our Estates Manager noticed a large empty planter at the front of the site. We spoke with some tenants of the block who agreed they would love to see something planted in there, so this is exactly what we did. We will also be installing a new gate to this area to stop members of the public using the site as a short cut.
Clearing up Five Acres
We ran a successful project at Five Acres in partnership with Chiltern Rangers. We consulted with and involved our tenants and leaseholders, who you can see from the photos got stuck in and really enjoyed the project! We seeded a wildflower area, cleared fly-tipping from the River Wye, made and painted bird boxes, created artwork, added planters and had a general tidy up of the area.
Planting a hedge
During an estate inspection at the Imbies estate in Downley, a tenant approached us to highlight an issue with passersby throwing litter into a gully near to where he lived in Malvern Close.
After receiving his feedback we planted a new hedge in front of the gully to deter passersby from littering.
Courtyard at Gatensbury Place
The photo below shows the new courtyard garden at Gatensbury Place, where an EIG grant was used to turn a plain concrete courtyard into a beautiful flower garden with creative architecture, imaginative planting and new garden furniture, all of which helped transform the space into a popular social area for our tenants.
Bus shelter at Gweneth Court
Installing a bus shelter at Gweneth Court was one of our earliest projects. Providing our tenants with somewhere dry and comfortable to wait for the bus gave them the opportunity to access bus services to Marlow three times a day.
The importance of tenant involvement
Daffodil
"I really enjoy volunteering in EIG, I’ve learnt so much and met so many new people. I love that we’re able to help our community, and really enjoy being a part of a tenant-led organisation. If you care about your community, join us – we’d love to have you on board!"
Volunteer with us
If you'd like to join EIG, take a look at our volunteering pages for more information and how to get involved.