Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Having joined this site in 2010, not long after moving into the church in Mattison Road, I soon found ‘HOL’ to be an amazing community resource. For newcomers to the area, the site provides an instant network to the local community. I have always been grateful to Liz and Hugh for the hard work they put in to keep this site running. As HOL’s top scrounger, I have furnished several Homelessness accommodation projects including the house on Mattison Road, Martha House in Tottenham, The Annex in Hornsey, The Community House & The Manses in Hackney. There are also countless people that have move-on from these projects with items generously donated here, helping them to turn their new house into a home.

In 2012, we put a call out inviting people to the initial steering committee of the Haringey Migrant Support Centre, now a successful charity providing support to many struggling to make a life in the United Kingdom.

Over the years, I have seen countless requests asking for cleaners and have often thought, how would a social cleaning company work in the area? When I see these requests, I think of the many people (mostly young mothers with children at school) who would love to work a few hours each week providing a few much-needed extra pounds. Then, I see the barriers in front of them. Such as English not being their first language, how would they cope with the bureaucracy of being self-employed, how would this affect their benefits, would they be safe, or would they be taken advantage of?

With the right support, I am sure many people would thrive with a part-time job with flexibility. Many young mothers, would enjoy the side benefits of like getting out of the house, meeting other adults and the self-esteem brought on by earning your own money etc. But there could be other benefits, support with other issues, like benefits, budgeting, accessing advice, education & training, employment support to find other positions etc… 

Where does one start? Would homeowners support such a company? Is there a model already working somewhere else? I am keen to start a conversation with anyone who might be interested in something like this. From my experience, I understand the value of people being involved in such an endeavour, no matter how much time or energy they can give…

Tags for Forum Posts: cleaner, employment, social initiative, volunteering, workers

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Have you looked at the Clean for Good website - pays above London living wage,flexible working etc. Started by CofE in London some years ago...

A fine idea. If it is successful perhaps the next step would be a handyman service (for the male refugees).

Hi Con. Not exactly local but there was something like what Brian suggests running for refugees in Brisbane in the noughties. If you're in touch with Ciaron O, he should be able to make connections for you via West End Partisans. It might be a business model to consider.

Hi Ozbawn

I will check out the West End Partisans via the Catholic Worker guys there. However, no one here is in contact with Ciaron O.

Thanks 

C

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