A “little village” in the heart of London
When neighbours came together to form a residents’ association, they wanted a space for shared problem‑solving, respectful conversation and collective action. That values‑led approach shaped everything that followed — from improvements to homes and shared spaces, to stronger relationships with Octavia, local councillors and the MP’s office.
Today, residents often describe Princes Place as a “little village” — a place where people know one another, look out for each other and feel proud of where they live. That sense of belonging has been rebuilt through collaboration, trust and residents feeling heard and supported.
“It’s like a little village here” – Mike, resident and Chair of Princes Place Residents’ Association.
Our communications team spoke with residents, colleagues and local stakeholders to hear their experiences and understand what made this collaboration work.
Setting the scene
Princes Place is a small scheme of 46 Abri (formerly Octavia) homes in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The surrounding area is one of sharp contrasts: grand homes, busy streets and property prices averaging around £1.1 million, with many rising far higher. In a borough shaped by wealth and constant change, secure and affordable housing provides a rare sense of permanence. Octavia has a long history in the area and a high concentration of homes, helping ensure that long-standing residents can remain part of local life, and that mixed, grounded communities continue to exist alongside London’s most expensive neighbourhoods.
The estate sits just off a busy road, but within it has a quieter, more settled feel. Many residents have lived there for years and know one another well; others have moved in more recently, bringing new energy and ideas. Even before any formal structures existed, people were already talking informally — by the bins, on the stairs, outside the gate — about repairs, communication and safety. Those everyday conversations showed that residents cared deeply about the estate and wanted things to improve.
Over the last couple of years, residents, colleagues and local partners have worked together to turn those conversations into action. As improvements progressed, trust grew and day‑to‑day life on the estate became more connected.
Turning conversation into action
Two neighbours played a key role in helping bring people together.
Mike, the Chair of the residents association, moved in at the start of 2024, but it doesn’t take long talking to him to sense his enthusiasm for the place. His curiosity about how neighbourhoods work — and how they change over time — comes through quickly, whether he’s sharing local history or listening carefully to what neighbours have to say. He tells us a story about how nearby Ladbroke Grove takes its name from a long-gone racecourse and his energy radiates. Spotting the same issues coming up again and again, he felt the estate would benefit from having a single space where people could share ideas, agree priorities and work together. Having been involved in a residents’ association before, he recognised the power of a collective voice.
Reece, the onsite caretaker, has known Princes Place all his life. His family history is bound up with the estate — his grandmother was one of the first residents to move in, and his mum is now part of the residents’ association. It’s a place where everyone knows everyone, and that sense of continuity shapes how Reece approaches his role and his relationships with residents.
“I’ve lived here all my life. This place has always been about community — people looking out for each other.” Reece – resident and Neighbourhood Caretaker.
When Mike raised the idea of setting up a residents’ association, Reece immediately understood its potential. He helped make the right connections, identifying who to contact within Abri, introducing Mike to colleagues and local councillors, and helping turn conversations into action.
Building a residents’ association
Residents set up associations for many reasons — to influence decisions, improve safety, organise events or apply for funding. At Princes Place, the reasons were practical, but also deeply about connection and belonging.
Mike contacted us to ask for advice on setting up a residents’ association. While he expected progress to be slow, interest grew quickly. On an estate of just 46 homes, 22 residents said they wanted to be involved within the first week — a striking level of early engagement that showed people were ready to come together. The group held its first meetings in 2024 and became fully constituted later that year.
A constructive, collaborative approach
From the outset, residents were clear about the tone they wanted to set. The association would not be a forum for complaints; instead, it would be a space for open discussion, shared problem‑solving and constructive partnership with Octavia and other organisations.
“I’ve been involved in residents’ associations since I was 17, so I knew what was possible. It doesn’t have to be a moaning station — it can be about shaping the place you live in.” – Mike.
Mike also had a wider vision for the association — one that looked beyond the estate itself. He wanted it to help residents connect with the surrounding neighbourhood and play a positive role in the local area. That ambition has already taken shape through residents writing jointly to the council on shared issues such as fly‑tipping and antisocial behaviour, getting involved in wider neighbourhood groups and events, planting and caring for communal planters to make shared spaces more welcoming, and hosting community celebrations that are open to neighbours from the local area.
Local representatives played a key part along the way. When the local MP, Joe Powell, and local councillors from RBKC visited the area, they met Reece and heard directly from residents, helping ensure key issues stayed visible while improvement works were underway. Since then, relationships with the council and the MP’s office have strengthened, with conversations now more proactive and collaborative, focused on doing the right thing for residents. That collaborative approach was recognised by partners beyond the estate. In conversation with the MP’s office, Billy reflected on why the Princes Place model has been effective.
"Princes Place is a great example of what happens when engaged residents work with their landlord to improve the way their homes are managed. More social landlords should look at the example set by Abri Octavia and recognise that giving residents a voice and an opportunity to made decisions about their homes improves outcomes for everyone." Joe Powell, MP for Kensington and Bayswater.
So, what did the RA achieve?
By bringing residents together in a single, organised forum, the residents’ association created a clear focal point for engagement at Princes Place — helping conversations turn into coordinated action with Octavia, councillors and other partners.
“Having a residents’ association in place gave everyone a clear focal point. It helped bring residents together and made engagement around the works much more joined‑up and effective.”
— Peter, Resident Involvement Business Partner at Abri.
Together, this collaborative approach led to a series of tangible improvements that made a real difference to how safe, supported and proud residents feel. These included:
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In March 2025, all windows and doors across the estate were replaced as part of a wider £887,000 improvement programme. Residents had been asking for this for some time, so the work felt like a real win for the community — and 98 per cent of those who responded to the survey said they were satisfied.
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Freshly painted communal areas helped lift shared spaces and added to the feeling that the estate was being genuinely cared for.
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A gap in the boundary meant a small number of homes sit outside the main gate, so the RA have begun early conversations with the local council about options for improving security there. This remains an area for potential future improvement, subject to funding and permissions.
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The group also helped progress plans for CCTV by working with the council and securing Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding — a local fund for community‑led improvements — to pay for the installation.
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Residents secured funding for planters, soil and plants. Corinne, our Assistant Director for Asset Management, contributed some foxglove plants she had grown, and Reece helped plant them out. The planters have been thriving ever since, adding colour and helping brighten shared spaces.
A stronger, more connected community
Residents say the biggest transformation is the one you feel when you walk through the estate — a warmer atmosphere, stronger relationships and a renewed sense of belonging. Through the work of the residents’ association, neighbours have had more chances to come together, look out for one another and feel proud of where they live.
“The residents’ association came along at just the right time. After Covid, people needed a reason to come back together — and suddenly you had neighbours decorating, sharing food, turning up to the Winter celebration. People are more inclined to talk now. It feels very welcoming.” – Reece.
That spirit came through clearly at the Winter Celebration, supported by a small Abri Community Fund grant. New and long‑standing residents came together with colleagues and local partners to share food, music and time together. As one resident reflected:
“This was a wonderful event. It reminded me of the community gatherings we used to have in the past – all age groups mixing together and meeting the MP’s staff as well as the ladies from Abri in a social gathering. Such a wonderful time.” – resident.
What’s next
Residents are keen to build on this momentum by strengthening connections with neighbouring estates and local groups, sharing ideas and learning from one another. The residents’ association also plans to keep supporting the events and activities that bring people together, helping everyday moments of connection continue to grow. Alongside this, there are plans to develop simple, practical resources — such as a contacts list and, in time, a basic website — and to host open‑day‑style visits so other schemes can come along, see what’s worked at Princes Place and be inspired to do the same.
Princes Place shows what’s possible when residents feel heard and supported, and when services and partners work together to get things done.
Thinking about starting – or strengthening – a residents’ association?
Residents’ associations can help people come together, build pride in where they live and take collective action on the issues that matter most to their community. Importantly, they give residents a shared voice — something we’re passionate about supporting.
Get in touch with us if you:
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are interested in meeting new people and building community spirit in your neighbourhood
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have ideas for activities or events you’d like to make a reality but need a helping hand
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are already part of a residents’ association or community group
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want support to start a new group and make positive changes where you live
We can help make connections and put you in touch with like‑minded people and groups, whether you’re reigniting an existing residents’ association or taking the first steps towards setting up a new one.
Get in touch to find out more resident.involvement@abri.co.uk
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