Family Mosaic launched its Volunteers in Partnership initiative (VIP) in Southwark earlier this month, joining forces with IT supplier Telstra to redecorate one of our schemes in Peckham.

The VIP initiative aims to make more of our partnerships with other organisations by enlisting volunteers to help improve the communities we serve.

Almost 100 eager Telstra staff arrived at Lord's Court to meet with our Social Inclusion Team and Neighbourhood Managers.

After a warm welcome from Regional Director Sarah Mbatha, the volunteers were armed with paint brushes, spades and brooms. They set to work clearing overgrowth, rubbish from the courtyards and bike sheds, re-painting fences and re-planting shrubs. Inside, the hallways and stairwell we given fresh coats of paint, and back at HQ (St. Mary's Church Hall), mosaics were created to hang in the communal areas.

Brendan Sarsfield attended to oversee the great work being done, and presented the ‘VIP Community Award’ (right) to Tom Homer – Chief Executive of Telstra International.

Simon Morley, Neighbourhood Manager for Lord’s Court, said: “I'm really pleased that this VIP Team Challenge Day was a success, but today was ultimately about giving the tenants another chance to enjoy a home which they can be proud of.  I'm ecstatic with the results!"