Spotlight on volunteers: Meet Richmond’s local hero, Annick

Annick Robson is proud of her local area’s heritage and has lived on the Queen’s Road Estate in Richmond for 42 years.

An avid campaigner for the neighbourhood she lives in and loves, she has played a vital role in shaping life there, regularly bringing her landlord and neighbours together and creating opportunities for everyone to have their voices heard.

Annick is well-known for her work to put residents centre stage of life on this leafy residential space in Southwest London. As a retired fashion editor, her advocacy was carried out in her spare time, whist raising five children and working.

Now at the age of 82, and with her own health concerns to deal with, she continues to work relentlessly to support and champion residents’ needs, particularly those that are unwell or have serious health conditions.

Annick has supported individuals experiencing domestic abuse, harassment and anti-social behaviour, enabling them to get the help they need. Along with other residents, she started the Cambrian community centre and was a trustee for many years.

Architecturally significant and well-preserved, the Queen’s Road Estate is located on land which belongs to Richmond Parish Land Charity and was built over three phases between 1972 and the early 1990s.

Designed with the aim of keeping lower and middle-income families in the area, the scheme features a mix of houses and low-rise flats in red brick, many with gardens or roof terraces and in keeping with the surrounding Victorian architecture. At the time, it was regarded as a breakthrough in the quality of public housing design and to this day, it forms an important part of Richmond’s heritage. 

“Over the years many residents have committed a great deal of time and effort to the condition of the estate and its preservation remains high on our agenda. The exemplary design of the buildings and their landscaped setting brings a sense of wellbeing to residents, For L&Q, providing homes to low and middle income households at a standard only seen in in private rented housing was visionary.  The Queens Road Estate should be the template for all future estates – and that is why I’m working on a blueprint to maintain its integrity.

Part of the estate borders Richmond Park, a site of both national and international importance for wildlife conservation. A keen environmentalist, Annick helped set up the ‘Friends of QRE’ with the support of Habitats & Heritage Charity and other nature concerned residents, for the protection of its beautiful grounds, gardens, eco-system and wildlife.

“Our environment forms a link between where we live and how we live. Residents need trees, gardens and squares for their wellbeing”, Annick continued.

Annick has developed good relationships with local councillors and understands the importance of working collaboratively with her landlord and council to help highlight unresolved issues across the borough.  As a community ambassador, she works with representatives from the local authority and housing associations to encourage dialogue and promote better understanding, and respect between all parties.

A significant contribution that Annick has made recently has been one of major concern for residents – issues around service charges. Annick highlighted some discrepancies and asked for clarity and transparency from her landlord on how the charges were being calculated. L&Q have worked closely with her on this issue and continue to take steps towards a positive outcome for everyone involved.

The Stratford-based housing association recently published a new report, A Partnership of Equals, which sets out their ambition to embed resident involvement at every level of the organisation and put residents at the heart of the decisions that affect their lives.

Annick said:

“This is a valuable project which I feel is exciting and certainly the way forward in trying to establish the grounds for proactive dialogues between residents and landlords."

It would be so good if L&Q could be at the forefront of these essential changes. If you can own the problem, it’s the start of the solution, and by doing this, we will gradually change attitudes around social housing.

Annick always goes the extra mile to ensure issues are resolved and the best outcome is achieved for all parties. The Queen’s Road Estate would not be where it is today without her 40 years of service and devotion to her beloved neighbourhood.