DIY workshop for residents held at Pembury

Peabody recently held a DIY workshop on the Pembury estate in Hackney.  

The workshop was designed around responses to a questionnaire sent out to residents in May. As a result, by popular request, the following tasks were demonstrated on the day: 

• Repairing and adjusting kitchen units and drawers
  
• Adjusting a ballvalve
  
• Clearing minor blockages
  
• Putting up a shelf
  
• Filling minor cracks
  
• How to mould wash
  
• Painting techniques and how to choose products
  
• Replacing a battery in a smoke alarm 

In the kitchen: Leigh Williamson

Ready to begin: Greg Porter, decorator

The workshop was held in a two-bedroomed flat on the estate. Staff from Osborne, who look after responsive repairs at Peabody, were on hand to showcase their skills and answer questions from people who dropped by. 

Matthew Hunt, Osborne team leader, was pleased with how things went. "The residents who turned up had a genuine interest," he observed. 

Dean Crumbie (left) and Matthew Hunt, Osborne supervisors 

One resident, Christine Black (pictured below), came along to learn a few things and found the experience very useful  "Now I can do some plumbing myself," she said.  "I don’t fancy doing any carpentry, though," she added. 

Resident, Christine Black

Others residents watched as plumber Fredy Minchala, below, showed them how to adjust the water level in a cistern.

Plumber Fredy Minchala, showing how it's done

This workshop is the first of others planned across Peabody estates. If you’d like one to take place near you, contact Anna Merrick (anna.merrick@peabody.org.uk) and let her know what you’d like to learn about.  

Alternatively you can consult the residents' handbook or contact us at Peabody if there are more significant repairs you’d like us to fix.

• You can report repairs online, via My Peabody. If you prefer to phone, please call Peabody Direct on the freephone number 0800 022 4040.

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