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17th September 2026
Residents Come Together for a Successful Annual Resident Conference 2026
Residents, Board Members, staff and contractor partners came together at Ickenham Village Hall, Uxbridge on Saturday 12th September 2026 for Karibu Community Homes' Annual Resident Conference 2026, a day filled with meaningful conversations, service updates, recognition and community spirit.
From the moment doors opened, the event demonstrated the value of bringing residents and colleagues together to share ideas, discuss priorities and strengthen relationships. Residents from Hillingdon and neighbouring boroughs attended the conference to hear about the work taking place across Karibu and to help shape future services through open discussion and engagement.
Opening the Day
The conference was officially opened by Leroy McKenzie, Chair of the Tenants Committee, and Ricky Scipio, Chief Executive, who welcomed residents and reflected on the importance of resident involvement in helping shape Karibu's services and future direction.
Their opening remarks set a positive and collaborative tone for the day, encouraging residents to share their views, ask questions and take part in conversations that matter to their communities.
Service Updates and Resident Engagement
Throughout the day, residents heard from a range of speakers covering key areas of Karibu's work.
Ray O'Looney, Head of Customer Service & Income, provided an update on improvements being made to the Contact Centre, highlighting work underway to enhance residents' experience when getting in touch with Karibu.
Residents also heard from Fiona C., who shared findings from the Scrutiny Panel's review of communications, demonstrating how resident feedback continues to influence improvements.
Gary Clark, Director of Customers & Communities, spoke about Karibu's preparations for the upcoming STAIRs requirements and the work being carried out to strengthen transparency, resident engagement and accountability.
Jim Fyfe, Head of Planned Programme & Compliance, delivered an update on Karibu's investment programme, outlining ongoing and future improvements to residents' homes and neighbourhoods.
Residents were also inspired by Max W., who shared highlights of his community-focused work and the positive impact being achieved through local engagement initiatives.
Adding further insight to the day, Board and Committee Members including Dave Baptiste, Karen Forbes-Jackson, John, Jonathan Gregory and Edith Stokes participated in discussions and engaged directly with residents throughout the event.
Celebrating Community Champions
A special highlight of the conference was the attendance of the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Reeta Chamdal, who addressed residents and spoke about the importance of community involvement and local partnerships.
The Mayor also presented the Community Champion Awards, recognising residents who have gone above and beyond to make a difference within their neighbourhoods and communities. The awards celebrated individuals whose dedication, support and commitment help make Karibu communities stronger, safer and more connected places to live.
Thank You to Everyone Involved
The conference concluded with closing remarks from Leroy McKenzie, who reflected on the discussions and key themes of the day while thanking residents for their participation and valuable contributions.
Karibu would like to thank every resident who attended, shared their views and helped make the event such a success.
Special thanks also go to our Board Members, staff teams and contractor partners, including Chigwell Group PLC, MNM Property Services, Village Heating Ltd (VHL Mechanical), Metro Safety Group and FUZZLAB, for supporting the event and engaging with residents throughout the day.
We would also like to thank Ickenham Village Hall for providing a safe, welcoming and accessible venue.
Looking Ahead
This year's conference highlighted the importance of listening, learning and working together. From service updates and resident feedback to recognising community achievements, the day showcased the strength of partnership between residents and Karibu.
The conversations do not end here. The feedback, ideas and insights shared throughout the conference will help shape future improvements as we continue working together to deliver better services and stronger communities.
Thank you to everyone who joined us. We look forward to building on the energy and enthusiasm from the day and continuing the conversation in the months ahead.
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