Rupert Tyson, Chairman of Hackney Homes is a Dalston resident who previously worked in housing for local Government as well as the Caribbean diplomatic service. He has lived in the borough for 23 years.

Rupert attends many events and meets many residents across Hackney and has developed this blog to share this and many experiences with residents via this blog. If you would like to get in touch with Rupert, please contact him via the Hackney Homes Governance Team on 020 8356 3432.

Greetings everyone and I hope that you had a good start to the New Year and decade.

The past few weeks as you will all be aware have been snowy and this posed many challenges for many people right across the country. It was a very busy period for staff in Hackney Homes and we all had to pull together to ensure that essential services were being provided.

Thanks to all residents who took the time out to check on elderly and vulnerable neighbours. Also, thanks for your understanding during this period.

Last year ended brilliantly with the annual Active Residents Awards. I was pleased with the quality of the nominations that we continue to receive and even more pleased to see the brilliant role models who were awarded at the event.

It was an even greater pleasure to see the Vice Chair of the Board, Alice Burke awarded the coveted Ron Devoti Award for services to Hackney.

I was lucky to be invited to an event by the Fairbridge, an organisation that supports young people aged 13 – 25 in Hackney and across the UK. They support young people with a range of activities including cookery, photography, arts and sports and this work is to be commended.

2010 will be another busy year and we plan to achieve a great deal. We are going full steam ahead with the Decent Homes programme in Hackney and we are continuing to support residents with money advice, jobs and employment opportunities via the Ways into Work programme. We are committed to these as well as ensuring that you get excellent customer services every time that you get in touch with us.

Last but not least, we are throwing our doors open once again for the Residents Open Day on 18 February 2010. This will take place at the Ocean on Mare Street (opposite the Town Hall). Please do come along with the family and find out about the many different opportunities available to you.