Ron is going strong

When Ron Kirkwood became concerned about the lack of community spirit in his sheltered scheme, he decided to do something about it. The result is a truly inspirational success story

Ron Kirkwood, 75, has lived at Harleyford Manor, Ealing, West London, since 2004, but he felt there was something rather lacking - so took it upon himself to ignite a little spirit in the place.

Like similar schemes, the aim of Harleyford Manor is to provide comfortable housing where the residents have the convenience of their own home, but have the opportunity to take part in a wider social life if they wish to.

It was this latter element of the scheme that Kirkwood felt was lacking. So with support from Ealing Homes, the ALMO that jointly manages the scheme with Ealing Council, he formed a steering group. In December 2007, the Harleyford Manor Residents Association was launched with plenty of festive fare and Kirkwood was duly elected as chair.

Susmita Sen, Ealing Homes’ chief executive has called him an “inspirational figure”. “He is greatly appreciated by his friends, colleagues and staff at Ealing Homes,” she said. “Ron has achieved so much, not only for residents in his own scheme but for sheltered residents across Ealing.” Indeed, he has.

Top of Kirkwood’s agenda were health issues. He immediately set about organising exercise classes and health and welfare talks, followed up by healthy eating and cookery courses from the local Primary Care Trust.

Next on the list was a gardening project. Kirkwood persuaded a local DIY store to donate £400 of plants, gardening tools and furniture. The new garden, planted and restored by Kirkwood and the residents, was home to lively barbecues over the summer months. And at Christmas time Kirkwood organised a party for all residents and their relatives, with a magician and local choir providing the entertainment.

Kirkwood and his committee are working closely with Ealing Homes and the local ward councillor to address issues that affect Harleyford Manor. Following a meeting with the Resident Council, he has already secured £20,000 of funding to increase the number of disabled car parking spaces and improve the surface of the footpath.

Some might have been tempted sit back and rest after such a successful start, but not Kirkwood. Never complacent, he has now moved on to setting up new email accounts to improve communications with Ealing Homes. He has persuaded residents with no IT experience to attend computer courses sponsored by the ALMO. Kirkwood is learning desktop publishing skills so he can produce posters and newsletters to promote the association.

His tireless mission to improve the lives of residents goes beyond his own sheltered scheme. When the idea of a boroughwide sheltered housing forum was suggested, he was first to volunteer, organising the first meeting - held at Harleyford Manor of course. When volunteers were required to work out a constitution, he then volunteered and set off on a fact-finding mission to Gloucester City Homes to find out how they ran their sheltered housing forum.

At 75 years of age, the one obvious question is how he finds all the energy. Kirkwood said: “As long as I have something to aim for I’m OK. I want to help elderly people achieve a stronger collective voice, a sense of belonging and the support they need. We’re not all on the shelf and have much to contribute to society. I intend to knock loudly on the door and make sure people know we’re still here.”