Sophia Mannan - Chair
Hello to my fellow neighbours. I have lived on the estate approximately 14 years. I became a Director because I believe in the future of the estate and that we as residents really can make a difference in our community. Since the Right to Manage Notice was served on Birmingham City Council, I have got to know more of my neighbours and I have never known such a feeeling of community spirit which is more visible now that ever.

If you see me out and about on the estate, please stop me and have a chat.

Sally Weston - Finance Officer
We moved to the estate in 1997 and met our neighbours who were very welcoming. They are still the loveliest, helpful and kindest people to live next door to.As I work full time it has been difficult to meet and socialise with the neighbours, but from the time we moved we felt this was a good estate to live.

Over the years we have seen changes-some for the better and some not so good. I wanted to be involved with the estate and went to a resident’s group meeting. I went, I saw and I decided that I wanted to be part of the group that wanted to make this estate not only a good place to live, but a great place! I was persuaded to join the committee and subsequently became the Treasurer. We continued to hold regular meetings and in 2008 became a Community Interest Company. I am now the Finance Officer for the CIC, im responsible for managing the group’s finances and ensure appropriate budget control is maintained.

All aspects of the finance records are available for inspection by any member of the CIC. A regular finance update is given each month at Board meetings.I strongly believe that we all as residents can make a difference, no matter what our commitments.

Althea Hamilton - Vice Chair
We moved to Bullace Croft on May Day 1993. My first impression of the estate was how quiet and clean it was. It still is relatively quiet and even cleaner. Apart from the obvious changes in the environment the area remains pretty much the same. My children have grown up/are growing up appreciating the diversity of the community in which we live.

Although now a Freeholder, I understand the problems encountered by tenants. My fellow Board members and I are striving to develop both yours and our very own “Shangri La” on the Roman Way Estate, Why not join us to make a positive difference to where and how we all live.

Nick Reynolds - Company Secretary
When I first moved to the estate about 17 years ago my first impression was very positive, it was and still is a lovely estate and I was really pleased to be offered my flat. I am the Company Secretary for Roman Way Estate CIC which means I have the legal duty to ensure we meet all our requirements under the Companies Act. A CIC does exactly what it says-it has the communities interests at heart, all Directors are volunteers and we commit some time each month to try and make a difference to the estate where we all live, I’ve noticed the difference, have you?

In addition to my role with RWE CIC, I also Chair the Local Neighbourhood Tasking Group and am very proud of the success the group has in addressing issues across the estate. I am also a member of the NFTMO Executive Committee.

Feel free to stop and have a chat if you see me on the estate, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have about TMO’s or Neighbourhood Tasking.

David Tankard - Board Member
I was elected on to the Board at the AGM in April 2010. I have lived on the estate since 1999 and am impressed with the community spirit that has developed across the estate over the years and wanted to enhance the spirit further. I especially enjoy the community days that are regularly organised.

I believe the way forward for the estate is as a TMO, this will enable us as residents to have more local control and monitoring of our repairs and housing service.

Allan Bennett - Board Member
I have lived on the estate since 1981 and I love it! It’s a lovely area with lovely people of all ages. However, I noticed a gradual deterioration and therefore joined Edgbaston Housing Liaison Board (HLB), of which I’m now Vice Chair, to try and do something about my concerns.

This is where I first heard about Tenant Management Organisations (TMO’s). A few like minded people got together to explore this possibility and after consulting with the estate decided this was the best way forward. We formed a voluntary Board to undertake the training to manage the estate on behalf of BCC and I was privileged to serve as Chair. I now continue to serve as a Board member because I believe there are exciting times ahead for our community!

Don Lorenzo - Board Member
I would like to take this opportunity of introducing myself to you, I’m Don Lorenzo and I’ve lived on our estate for 20 years. We’ve seen many changes in our community, some good, some bad. One of the reasons I became a member of RWE CIC was my belief that as a group of residents we could improve many of the services we rely upon. Some time ago I became a Director of our CIC along with other residents of the estate.

To actually have direct involvement in implementing changes on our estate was an opportunity I couldn’t resist. Over these last few years through the hard work and dedication to improving our environment some of these changes have started to have positive repercussions in our community. It has become a friendlier, safer and cleaner estate…and things can only get better!! There have been events like clean up days where residents have worked together to improve the estate. Many of us have had some important conversations over a burger and coffee at such events with key partners, where we have been able to voice our concerns for the estate.

Finally I would like to remind residents that the CIC is always open to welcoming new members, the more we are, the more we can have a clearer message of how we can make our community even better…its not as daunting as you may think!

Mike McNamara - Board Member
Since moving to this estate about 3 years ago, the first thing I noticed was how friendly and helpful my neighbours where, not just in Thirlmere but around the estate. I believe this sense of community has culminated in the RWECIC.

The board of RWECIC are fully committed to making a good estate even better, and it is for this reason that I am proud to be a director.

This could be you!
We are always looking for new Board members, if you would like to make a real difference on the estate why not join us? Use the contact us tab!

We are currently recruiting a TMO/Housing Manager to assist the board with the work of Roman Way Estate CIC (click here for more details) and will also be looking to fill other positions in the organisation in due course.