In the first of two blogs, our Neighbourhoods director Jan Goode explains some of the great things that are happening to make a real difference to lives in Shropshire and Staffordshire.

Here at Housing Plus Group, we’ve had an amazing 12 months in terms of being nominated, shortlisted and winning awards. But we couldn’t be more proud of recently winning the Midlands Business Award in the Corporate Commitment to Community category. This award shows how everyone in the Group, along with our partners, customers and stakeholders, work to make a difference to the lives of people living in the communities we work in.

Some of the headlines and themes that received recognition were:

Relief of homelessness

We provide emergency accommodation for homeless people and affordable housing is allocated to people in greatest need.

Danielle found herself homeless on Christmas Eve and her new baby spent his first Christmas in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation. With help from South Staffordshire Housing Association, they have settled into a home in Penkridge.

Read Danielle’s story.

Investment in homes and neighbourhoods

Despite welfare reform and rent reduction, we are investing almost £20m annually in planned maintenance. This includes the installation of new, energy efficient boilers, lifting hundreds of residents out of fuel poverty.

Our sector-leading Home MOT programme guarantees every home an upgrade, an area at a time. Multi-skilled tradespeople visit neighbouring homes to clean and repair gutters, paint external windows, mend window handles, hinges and stays, repair fences, resolve misted glass and re-lay uneven paving slabs.

Helping people to live independently, in their own homes

We deliver care and support to help older and vulnerable people to live independently, in their own homes.

Our domiciliary care team offers support including personal care, assistance with everyday tasks and the relief of loneliness. Often, this makes it possible for residents to avoid long hospital stays, helping to relieve the bed-blocking crisis in local hospitals.

100 percent of customers surveyed said that carers treated them with dignity.

Read Adam and Krystina’s story.

Supporting people to improve their qualifications and enhance life opportunities

Housing Plus Group offers learning opportunities through Work Clubs at seven locations in South Staffordshire. The Inspirational learning programme is in its seventh year in Shropshire. The programme offers a diverse range of courses suitable for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

We believe that we have a responsibility to promote digital engagement. Free access to Wi-Fi and computers is provided at its Digital Dens. Last year an amazing 2,000 hours of customer support and access to the internet were provided, with more than 400 people gaining learning certificates and 14 achieving City & Guilds qualifications.

Read part two, all about our fantastic communities and how to have your say on improvements to our services.