- Jade Price
#12DaysOfGivingBack Celebrating the Social Housing Sector
This Christmas we are celebrating all the amazing work being done by the social housing sector to make the lives of their tenants and the community better.
Over on our social media we will be highlighting 12 social housing providers and their work for #12DaysOfGivingBack.
Head on over to our LinkedIn to see who’s being celebrated!
Day 1
On the first day of Christmas, social housing gave back by providing 18 brand new supported living apartments to adults with mental health needs!
We are celebrating the work done by Grand Union Housing Group in conjunction with Bedford Borough Council to provide 18 specialist, modern apartments for adults with mental health needs. Supported living homes are in very high demand and these new apartments mean that tenants are able to live their lives independently and to the fullest!
Alongside these apartments there are also 31 properties available for affordable rent or shared ownership.
Day 2
On the second day of Christmas, social housing gave back by building sensory gardens in schools in their communities!
We are celebrating Curo Group and their contractor Jehu Group coming together to provide supplies for the building of a sensory garden in a local primary school. This school, located in the Lawrence Western area of Bristol is close to their latest development of 57 affordable homes for social housing, affordable renting, and shared ownership.
The new sensory garden will help promote the pupil’s wellbeing and mental health.
Day 3
On the third day of Christmas. social housing gave back by joining forces to create a new local community fund!
Hyde Group, along with Islington Giving, Peabody Community Foundation, Newland Housing Trust and Southend housing group have partnered together to create the Make It Happen Fund.
This fund will provide grants for up to £5000 to several community projects or residents to do good in the local community. This money could be used for equipment for a club, fitness class, or even a community picnic!
Day 4
On the fourth day of Christmas, social housing gave back by cleaning up the local community!
Karbon Homes have funded two clean-up projects in their communities. Through lockdown larger items were harder to dispose of, and as a result the mess piled. These two clean-ups, organised by NE14 Productions, not only cleaned up the areas but brought the community together, with new friends being made and a street party to conclude!
Day 5
On the fifth day of Christmas, social housing gave back by helping tenants who are struggling with hoarding behaviours!
Silva Homes are helping some of the 1.2 million people in the UK who have hoarding behaviours through their Hoarding Support Programme. This programme aims to support behavioural changes in tenants to improve their welfare and reduce the health and safety risk of living in a hoarded home.
They recognise that hoarding is a mental illness and as such individuals need added support and guidance to improve their lives.
Day 6
On the sixth day of Christmas, social housing gave back by reducing their environmental impact!
Believe housing are doing wonders for the environment by reducing their carbon emissions!
Through automated emergency light testing Believe have been able to completely remove two vans from the road, whilst remaining fully compliant and keeping tenants safe. This initiative was up for the Inside Housing Innovation Week Awards back in October!
Day 7
On the seventh day of Christmas, social housing gave back by ensuring their tenants feel safe on their feet!
Amazing done by Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, who through their Falls Prevention Services are helping those most vulnerable throughout the year.
This service is especially important as the colder weather draws in, providing support to those who may be feeling unsteady on their feet or are recovering from a fall.
The services provide support ranging from strength and balance exercise programmes to more in-depth support from a consultant led falls clinic.
Day 8
On the eighth day of Christmas, social housing gave back by ensuring their tenants have the support they need to find jobs!
This year has been difficult for many to find jobs, which is why Vivid Homes have been providing employment and training services to help their tenants find the right job for them.
Their dedicated employment and training team helped over 625 people last year and are offering free, 1-1 support to more tenants going forwards, including CV workshops, help writing cover letters, body language workshops and online skills.
Day 9
On the ninth day of Christmas, social housing gave back by ensuring their tenants are fully connected with high speed broadband. Lambeth Council have teamed up with broadband providers to install fibre optic, super-fast broadband in 6000 council homes.
This initiative, part of the council’s £17million Digital Strategy, aims to connect more homes and businesses across 22 council estates to boost the digital economy over the next 5 years. This will also allow more tenants to access skills training and jobs that are remote and online.
Day 10
On the tenth day of Christmas, social housing gave back by transforming green spaces into community gardens. Cobalt Housing, along with Fazakerley Community Federation and Library, have been working to clear and transform green spaces in their communities.
One space has been transformed into a community garden with the aim to get the community involved in horticulture activities, improve wellbeing, and increase the availability of fresh local produce for the community food pantry!
Day 11
On the eleventh day of Christmas, social housing gave back by providing grants to better the community. South Cambridgeshire District Council are using their tenant community grants to fund projects to improve the local community. The grants of up to £1000 have previously be used for funding a community film night, purchasing equipment, and supplies for weekly sports and games clubs and for updating communal rooms!
Day 12
On the twelfth day of Christmas, social housing gave back by helping tenants overcome challenges and become the best version of themselves! The Clarion Futures initiative helps thousands of residents each year overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. Whether this be through developing skills and training to ensure tenants can find the right job for them or helping them improve their neighbourhoods. Clarion Futures provides targeted and tailored help and support to individual residents to improve lives.
