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
We've teamed up with Chiltern Rangers to transform the Imbies estate in Downley and we will be:
- Reducing the crown size of Sycamore trees on the estate
- Removing an Ash tree due to dieback, a serious disease caused by fungus
- Installing a wooden retaining board to the front of the site
- Planting a new native hedge, planting spring flowers and creating a wildflower area
- Embedding the wildflower area, more planting and creating artwork for the site.
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.
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
Dorothy
Red Kite tenant
"I have been involved with the EIG for several years now, and there is something very satisfying in providing extra facilities around the area which people have actually said they want and need."
Michelle
Red Kite tenant
"I continue to be involved in this group, because the people I work with want to ensure a positive outcome for their community and to ensure the grant money available is used for the benefit of our tenants... having tenants involved ensures that the voice of the tenant is heard and that you as a tenant can make changes to improve services."
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.