"THE CO-OP" THE PEOPLE AND HISTORIES OF THE WEST ELEVEN HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE
Photographed and Edited by Steve Mepsted
von Steve Mepsted
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Über das Buch
Some 179,000 people live in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. There exists an extraordinary ethnic and cultural diversity; nearly half of the residents were born outside the UK and come from 90 countries, speaking over 100 different languages. It is the smallest borough in London but has the highest residential density. Although known as one of the wealthiest areas in the country a few wards are still considered to be within the ten per cent most deprived in England.
The members of West Eleven Housing Co-opeative, based as it is around the bustle of Portobello Road and its market, mirror this rich mix. Black and white, English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, European, North American, South American, African and West Indian. The oldest members are in their 70’s. The youngest in their early twenties. Some have children, some work with their hands, some work in offices, some are artists, musicians, teachers, writers or actors, some are full time parents, others are unemployed or retired. The W11 area is similarly varied in its make up. It’s a working class area, yet it’s a locale in which fairly affluent people have chosen to make their homes. Its a multi-cultural area, a notorious area, a ‘troubled area’ a ‘desirable’ area and always a bohemian area. Housing has persistently been a problem in W11. Notting Hill Housing Trust was created in the 1960’s as a response to Rachmanism: to provide affordable housing of a high quality. West Eleven Housing Co-op was formed in 1976 from a similar impulse. During the 1970’s, the Trust had become a vast organisation. West Eleven’s motive was not only to be able to provide high-quality affordable housing, but also to provide a sense of community and control over living space.
West Eleven Co-op manages 34 units in the heart of North Kensington. Itcollects rents, administers arrears control and keeps the flats maintained to a very high standard. The Co-op has built up a body of experience and expertise providing day-to-day maintenance of the properties, carrying out emergency repairs and improvements and conducting a 5-yearly cyclical maintenance. The Co-op has a number of skilled trades-people within the membership, as well as people who have acquired a wide range of administrative skills. Some of the members have utilised their acquired expertise to find employment in other housing associations. West Eleven Housing Co-op has its roots in W11’s community. The Co-op believed then and still believes, that a collective and co-operative organisation is a viable, essential alternative to the national housing and property casino. It engenders a strong sense of ‘principled living’ and community cohesion. The “Big Society” has been alive and well for 35 years here!
Eigenschaften und Details
- Hauptkategorie: Kunst & Fotografie
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Projektoption: 15×23 cm
Seitenanzahl: 128 - Veröffentlichungsdatum: Nov. 16, 2011
Über den Autor
I am an award-winning Photographer with a special interest in Social Documentary Photography and Portraiture My first degree was in Fine Art Painting and I am currently studying a Masters Degree in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at London College of Communication. My work draws upon my previous experience in Fine Art and explores themes in Social Documentary Photography and Portraiture and I am working on two major projects. 'The Portobello Album' and 'Twin Town Tales'. I am committed, organised and driven, with an active, enquiring mind; able to work on a number of projects simultaneously. My skills in Multimedia practice; including extensive use of CAD software to a teaching standard, digital pre-press skills and excellent graphic design knowledge means that I am very much in control of the presentation of work and am able to utilise this to affect the communication of ideas and content to a variety of audiences. I work on location and from my studio, in London, UK