CHE As Sete Bicas CRL, Matosinhos - ICA Housing

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85 Charter, adopted by FENACHE – National Federation of Co-operative Housing in Portugal, assuming, on the whole, the commitments there declared. Green and Neighbourhood spaces It is since the first development promoted by Sete Bicas, concluded in 1982, that our housing promotions are marked by the presence of green and neighbourhood spaces, which create well-being and the sense of proximity among the inhabitants. Humanising outside spaces The concern for humanising spaces outside the co-operative dwellings is present in all our buildings. Pathways, children’s parks, sculptural pieces, swimming pools and sports fields – all these elements create a sense of membership and happiness for living in those spaces. Co-operative housing is exactly that: the quality of the indoor spaces and the building methods, but also the harmony of the outside spaces, making of each building not only a place o sleep, but, especially, and above all, a real place for human living. Culture, Sports and Leisure Sete Bicas still keeps the leisure activity of a housing co-operative. In fact, the “Co-operative” concept goes far beyond the mere promotion of housing under controlled costs. “Co-operative” also means a structure able to solve, in very different ways, the multiple needs that co-operative members have during their lives. That is why our co-operative has created a Cultural, Sports and Leisure Centre that promotes such activities. In this field, we have two different structures. The first one assures, in particular, theatre, ball room dancing and karate activities, besides the participation of Sete Bicas in the annual National Cooperative Games, competing in poetry, swimming and running. This Centre also supports a contemporary dance group that performs special events, such as the Co-operative’s Birthday Dinner or the opening of theatre shows. The listening room of Sete Bicas is, therefore, a space for training, rehearsals, games and, sometimes, it is also used as a real listening room. The second Centre organises outdoor events, a kind of “Neighbours’ Days”. “Rio Mau Club” is also responsible for the already traditional “Paella” and the opening of the bathing season. As is easy to understand, friendship relationships arise among people who are always present in these events and, besides, they truly feel that they belong to a “Co-operative”. Sete Bicas has also a solution for our co-operative members’ holidays. Two apartments in Algarve can be rented for “Co-operative” prices during the whole year. Childhood and Elderly Support In 1985, Sete Bicas inaugurated our Early Childhood Centre (36 years old) and four years later the Day Nursery (30 years old). People who work in these Centres belong to the Sete Bicas “team” which means that our Co-operative Personnel also include Kindergarten workers, Child Nurses, Cooks, Cleaning Staff etc.
86 This clearly shows the co-operative’s concern for meeting members’ needs. If, in the beginning, people become co-operative members to have access to a nice home, later they do so to have access to our Childhood Centres, benefiting from special conditions. At present the number of children in our Childhood facilities is 84. The moment of the inscription in the co-operative is the first signal of relationship with the co-operative. From then, a whole process of mutual approach and human ties arises. But if the support in the first years of life is so important, it is also very important several years later when our members get old. The cooperative is fully aware of the development of the age pyramid and tries to develop solutions for our ageing society. At this moment, we are promoting the construction of a building composed of dwellings and equipment for the elderly. It will be completed in the first semester of 2008. This equipment will be managed together with CIVAS Childhood, Elderly and Social Action Centre of Senhora da Hora. Concern for Community This organisation carries on a work of “pure solidarity” in the community. The experience of this organisation in support of the elderly will be optimised in the management of the new equipment. This will have individual, couple and double bedrooms, laundry, leisure area, sitting room, hairdresser – a complete range of services aimed to serve future users. Childhood and Elderly Support are, in fact, two important services assured by the co-operative and they contribute a lot for families’ development and well-being. We believe that this wide range of activities presents the necessary solutions for co-operative members of Sete Bicas who meet, in the co-operative, the way to achieve their purposes along heir life. At the same time, Sete Bicas is adopting such a proactive profile that Society perceives our Co-operative as a serious agent in the pursuit of the Communities’ well-being. IV. Best Practice regarding the application of co-operative principles Members’ rights Measures are taken to encourage active participation of members through providing full information by print and electronic media, reception desk, advice, quarterly magazine, quarterly up-dated web site, periodical publication of documents, presentation of model dwellings and housing delivery services. Surveys are conducted by a questionnaire to measure the degree of member satisfaction.
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CHE As Sete Bicas CRL, Matosinhos - ICA Housing

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