Housing boss tours Colshaw Farm

Published by Roisin Rowley-Smith for Riverside in Housing and also in Communities

Riverside’s new Chief Executive, Carol Matthews, paid her first visit to the Colshaw Farm estate, where the social landlord has over 500 properties.

Carol, who took up her new role in February this year, has been touring Riverside’s neighbourhoods across the country, getting to know staff and tenants.

Her tour of the Colshaw Farm estate included a visit to a derelict bungalow on Foden Walk, which Riverside has bought and is transforming.

Carol said: “We responded to complaints from tenants about the blight of the derelict bungalow, which attracted fly tipping and graffiti.  We will have the refurbishment completed and the property ready for rent in June.  I am really impressed with our partnerships around Colshaw Farm.”

Carol also visited the £200,000 multi use games area (MUGA), launched in 2010 by Olympic BMX champion Shanaze Reade.  The MUGA was built as part of Riverside’s Changing Spaces programme, dedicated to bringing green spaces back into use.