Transforming Hillcrest - where it all began
Thanks to Neighbourhood Officer Sharome, we’re reconnecting with Hillcrest
)
Thanks to Neighbourhood Officer Sharome, we’re reconnecting with Hillcrest
In 1975, Hyde completed its first major new build housing scheme - Hillcrest in Sydenham, providing 100 homes. This was the first time a major housing association had developed such a large scheme.
Fifty years later, Neighbourhood Officer, Sharome Solomon, has completely transformed the estate – not just in terms of appearance, but also in the way it feels to live there.
A genuine connection
Thanks to Sharome’s hands-on approach and commitment to resident safety and wellbeing, the estate is now cleaner, safer and more connected than it has been in a long time.
What stands out is not just how he does it, but why he does it. Sharome grew up in the community and has a personal history with the estate as he used to play with some of the residents who still live there when they were younger. That genuine connection has fuelled his mission to make the estate not just somewhere people live, but somewhere they thrive.
Sharome said: “This place shaped who I am, so being able to give back to and support the neighbourhood I grew up in means a lot to me. By working closely with the community, listening to their concerns and responding with practical solutions - we’ve been able to make the estate a safer and more positive place to live.”
Sharome has introduced drop-in sessions, where residents can raise concerns, ask questions or just connect with each other. Sharome is visible, approachable and always ready to help – the community truly feels his presence. Customers know who he is and how to reach him – and they know he genuinely cares.
I’ve been living here for forty years, having grown up here. Since Sharome started managing the estate, it’s great having such a point of contact – it makes it so much easier to interact with Hyde.
Hillcrest resident, Sharon
A collaborative approach
Sharome employs a collaborative approach and worked with our Property Maintenance team to tackle long-standing repairs to improving communal areas, showing residents that their neighbourhood matters. His efforts have helped boost pride in the community, with residents commenting on how much better things look and feel under his management.
He also collaborated with our Estate Services team on another standout achievement which involved getting the woodlands at the back of the estate - once filled with rubbish, household waste and overgrowth, fully cleared.
Community wellbeing
Beyond repairs and maintenance, Sharome is focused on the community’s wellbeing. With a passion for children’s development, he’s on a mission to improve the estate’s ball court, aiming to turn it into a more purposeful, engaging and fun space for young people.
He sees potential in every corner of the estate and is constantly looking for ways to uplift and invest in the neighbourhood. His impact goes beyond the practical. By creating opportunities for engagement and always treating people with respect and empathy, he has helped change the estate’s culture.
Residents often praise him for his work, saying: “He’s a breath of fresh air. He makes us feel valued and included. He’s the best thing to happen to the estate in a long time.”
Emmanuella Edokpa, our Neighbourhood and Tenancy Services Director, said: “When we launched our neighbourhood model last January, we did so because we wanted to become closer to our customers and the communities we serve.
“We’re continuing that journey - putting customers at the heart of what we do and improving our services. It’s so important that we reconnect with our customers and maintain the history at our historic estates.
“The work Sharome is doing at Hillcrest is a reminder that it’s not just about managing buildings. It’s about supporting people and building communities, transforming them into thriving neighbourhoods.”