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Gateway Housing Association recently hosted its first Day of Connections event, which involved visiting more than 600 homes and speaking to hundreds of residents across Tower Hamlets and Newham.

The event, which took place on July 11, was aimed at bringing members of Gateway staff at all levels, including the executive leadership team and residents, closer together. It aimed to address individual customer concerns in a face-to-face manner, reduce the stigma of being a faceless organisation, and reinforce trust in Gateway Housing.

Gateway organised activities at three community centres - Holmsdale House, St Huberts House and Earlham Grove in Newham. Staff also went out and about in the community and visited more than 600 properties across Tower Hamlets and Newham. Separate events such as bingo, karaoke, henna painting and a buffet were held for older residents, ensuring inclusivity across all age groups.

More than 300 residents took part in face-to-face conversations and had the opportunity to voice any concerns they may have with Gateway, as well as enjoy a range of refreshments, at the community centres.

Leo Conrad D’Souza, a resident who lives in one of Gateway’s over 55 schemes and attended the event, said: “It was great to see the team at Gateway listen to us and take our feedback back to work on it. I think it's phenomenal. Making a difference starts with listening, and I'm so glad to see the Gateway team doing this.”

Kate Franklin, CEO of Gateway Housing Association, added: “The Day of Connections provided us with an invaluable opportunity to further engage directly with our residents, listen to their concerns and demonstrate our commitment to making tangible improvements in our services. We understand the importance of building trust amongst our community and are dedicated to continuing this dialogue to ensure we meet the needs of our residents as a community-based housing association.”

The event was also attended by some of Gateway’s local partners including Heron Manufacturers, RGE Services, K&T Heating, Future Kidz, Splash Arts and Safer Neighbourhood representatives.

Ceejay James, CEO of Future Kidz, said: " Future Kidz is a youth service provider that specialises in creating community hubs for young people. We played an active role in the event, building on our established relationship with Gateway from previous engagements. We want our community to know that we are not just here for a one-time event; we are committed to staying for the long-term and building strong relationships with the community residents and Gateway.”

Following the event's success, Gateway plans to make the Day of Connections an annual occasion.