COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY & REGENERATION End of Year Review 2015 / 2016
COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY & REGENERATION
Social Value
Younger People
Social Value achieved:
Number of people engaged in projects:
Match funding attracted in cash and kind:
8523
£844K
£25M
Match Funding
Older People
Connecting with our Communities
Number of older people engaged in projects to reduce isolation:
Tenancy Support Number of residents supported to sustain their tenancies:
Number of hours volunteered:
10,000
2336
659
£ Charity Fundraising
Health and Wellbeing
Financial Inclusion
Charity funding raised
Number of people engaged in health and wellbeing projects:
Level of customer benefit secured by money advice team:
31,000
£762K
12K so far (April 2016)
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Employment and Skills
Number of residents supported to move into positive employment and skills outcomes:
2541
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Social Value
Social Value achieved:
AIM: To measure and demonstrate the impact of community regeneration work.
£25M
DELIVERING SOCIAL VALUE: In order to calculate the social value of
The Group have been able to calculate social
our projects, we worked with the Housing
value for 154 projects from 2015 - 2016.
Association Charitable Trust (HACT) to utilise the social value bank, the largest set of social values derived using a consistent
In total, £25,936,018 of social value was generated.
OUTCOMES: • An investment of £501,628 into our employment and skills
methodology. These values quantify
projects created a social value of £4,290,738 providing
the impact on individual wellbeing of
wellbeing outcomes for 981 people
experiencing outcomes associated with
• We invested £88,836 in projects for young people across
housing provider community investment
the Group, delivering wellbeing outcomes for 1440 young
activities such as employment and training,
people and generating a social value of
health and financial inclusion.
over £4,099,675
While not all projects generate social value
• We invested £26,518 in social value projects for older
in particular short term one-off projects and
people across the Group delivering wellbeing outcomes
activities, we have been able to measure the
for 573 older people and generating a social value of
social value outcomes for many of
over £1,923,570
our projects.
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Engaging with Younger People
Number of people engaged in projects:
8523 AIM: To provide opportunities for young people and support them to live independently.
#1 ART FOR US We have worked in partnership with Wirral
#2 PARTINGTON JUNIOR CLUB OUTCOMES
Based Social Enterprise HYPE over the past 2 years to offer opportunities to young people living in Leasowe. Through the community
• 29 young people took part in the project • Developed presentation skills,
Partington Junior Club encourages young people to interact socially in the local area. The club acts as a diversionary project and is for young people aged 7-11. The club is run
plan we have helped fund a number of
communication skills and the young
by 8 junior volunteers aged 15-19, who also
projects including enterprise training, youth
people were given the opportunity to
live in the local community of Partington.
clubs, football coaching and volunteering
volunteer to decorate a local
placements in South Africa.
community centre
In Leasowe young people have been involved in a street art project that develops their art
• The project generated a social value of over 66K
skills using street art and graffiti within their youth club and on a community building.
“The workshops were decent and gave me confidence to do the main piece. It will be boss when the whole building is done by us”. Kyle, Customer
• Engaged with 122 young people • The project generated a social value of over 64K • Involved 5 junior volunteers
The club takes place every Monday between 5.30 - 8.00pm when children in Partington come together at The Fuse to take part in activities ranging from sports, arts and crafts, drama, dance and team building games.
“I was asked by Tamzin to help out at Partington Junior Club as a junior leader. The club has given me a good reference when applying for jobs, my
Not only has the Partington Junior Club
communication skills have improved
positively engaged hundreds of children
and it has made me the person I am
over the years, it has also given many junior
today. I really enjoy taking part in the
leaders, who lead the club invaluable
Junior Club.”
volunteer experience which has led to employment in a number of cases.
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OUTCOMES:
Tom, Partington
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Match Funding
Match funding attracted in cash and kind:
£844K
AIM: To secure funding to deliver community investment.
#1 ALLERDALE JOINT INITIATIVE
OUTCOMES
The Community Sustainability and
The main objective of the project is to
• Perception surveys delivered to 650
Regeneration Team work with in partnership
create sustainable communities which offer
residents living in priority communities
involved. We needed things for the kids to
to maximise value for money through external
a good quality of life for residents and are
to establish perception of area and focus
do and the skip drive is the first of many
funding and in-kind support. In 2015/16,
desirable places to live in. The initiative aims
themes for interventions
things that we are planning.”
£600,033 of external funding (cash and items)
to work alongside residents to understand
was secured to deliver projects. In addition
the interventions required in order to create
in-kind funding to the value of £243,942
resilience, wellbeing and satisfaction with the
was secured.
area in which they live.
Your Derwent and Solway and Allerdale
£154,000 of investment was received to
Borough Council have jointly funded a project
deliver the project.
to invest in the wards of Moorclose, Mossbay
• Action plans created and currently being
“It’s really good to get the community
Vicky Hind, Maryport (Hillside/
delivered based on perception surveys and
Pecklewell) Customer Involvement
baseline geo-demographic data
Panel Member
• Customer Involvement Panels created to work alongside residents to deliver action plans for each area
(together referred to as South Workington) Northside and Hillside.
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Older People
“What’s been really lovely to see is the secondary outcomes from our digital inclusion work. Yes, people have been engaging in the benefits of computers and Number of older people engaged in projects to reduce isolation:
AIM:
10,391
Engage older people in projects to reduce isolation.
#1 GARDEN PROJECT AT HARLECH CLOSE AND CALLANDS SHELTERED SCHEME The Garden Project began after residents
OUTCOMES:
a gardening club. When the project was first initiated only 3 residents turned up, but now 15-20 residents enjoy the outdoor space, keeping them active and healthy, whilst reducing social isolation. The group are all over 55, some found the labour intensive and quite difficult, so they teamed up with young people from Verve Place and neighbouring communities to get
• Up to 20 people regularly enjoying outdoor space • Now a sustainable project that continues to grow • Reduces social isolation • Brings all members of the local community together – young and old • The value of the area has increased
help with some of the lifting and planting. Because of the hard work the community
“Before we started to do things in the
had put into the project - there was a real
garden, my daughters were always
community spirit, the scheme has gone from
worried I was on my own and lonely.
quiet and impersonal to one of the most
They had to come down each day to
sought after places to live for older people
see me and make sure I was ok. Now
in Warrington. As the garden project took
they laugh and say they have to make
off so did other things. The scheme now has
an appointment to see me because I am
activities every day from a breakfast club to
always out with my new friends”.
film nights and days out.
Rose, Customer
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rather than isolating people, the devices have been bringing communities together.” Nigel Devereux, Community Project Officer
#2 CLICK AND CONNECT – YOUR TUNG SING Research by Price Waterhouse Cooper
OUTCOMES:
identified that 1Million of +65 year olds in the UK say they always or often feel lonely.
won £700 of Dragons’ Den funding to setup
the internet in ways they hadn’t before, but
• 152 customers have attended introduction
3.1Million of +65 year olds in the UK don’t see
to IT sessions for older people across Your
family, friends or a neighbour once a week
Housing Group
and 81% said computer literacy made them feel part of modern society. With this in mind, we recognised the importance of helping our older customers to get online – helping to reduce social isolation and provide access to potential economic benefits.
• 16 Chinese older people have been supported • The project has generated a social value of over 82K • The Click and Connect project has been shortlisted for the Northern TPAS Northern Awards for Excellence in Digital Inclusion
Your Tung Sing have held regular sessions, delivered by Chinese language speaking staff, to encourage and support Chinese elders get onto the internet. We have also used this as an opportunity to introduce them to Chinese mobile apps that can help them communicate.
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Connecting with our Communities Number of hours volunteered:
AIM:
659
To encourage our staff to fulfil our community promise that our people will volunteer 602 hours per year.
#2 THE BIG MOVE - ALDER HEY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
#1 ANFIELD ROAD PRIMARY SCHOOL STEWSDAY PROJECT
The hospital needed to source corporate
“A fantastic achievement and one that
A primary school in Anfield approached us to
volunteers to assist with the move in order
we could not be more grateful for. It was
support their monthly ‘Stewsdays’ – an event
to keep costs down and maintain service
thanks to the amazing support from the
that opens up its canteen for families of school
at the old site. The project was named ‘The
people who gave their time for free that
pupils to socialise together after school and
Big Move’ and as an organisation who have
we were able to achieve such a smooth
enjoy a free homemade meal of Scouse.
supported the hospital in the past (we raised
transition.”
The project aims to provide an environment for
Spokesperson from Alder Hey
families to eat together and build relationships
£10,000 to sponsor a child’s bedroom within the new hospital) we were one of the first to be asked if we could help out.
OUTCOMES: • A team of 29 staff volunteers from YHG volunteered a total of 229 hours to help Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. The team contributed to making beds, delivering toys and orienteering both existing Alder Hey staff and visitors around the new site.
OUTCOMES: • In excess of 22 volunteer hours contributed since Autumn 2014 including setting up the canteen, waiting on tables and cleaning up
with the school and its staff. The project is led
• 10 members of staff have regularly volunteered since Autumn 2014
“It was such a great pleasure to be
by the school and supported by community
involved in this project and help a local
volunteers who prepare the meal each month.
charity which is close to all of our hearts.
Following a successful application to the
We all felt privileged to be amongst
Community Grants Fund to assist with the
the first to see the new and stunning
purchase of crockery and ingredients, the
hospital and were all delighted to have
panel, made up of involved residents and staff,
been able to help them on their new
“We cannot thank your staff enough,
wanted to go the extra mile to support the
and exciting journey.“
who have given up their time to help.”
project and asked Community Project Officer
Lisa Earle,
Anna Simon to coordinate staff volunteering at
Housing Manager at YHG
Stewsdays as a part of our commitment
• In excess of 200 parents, children and their extended families from the Anfield area have received a monthly ‘Scouse’ at Stewsday
Cathy Downing, Anfield Road Primary School
to volunteering.
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Tenancy Support and Money Advice
#2 HELPING CUSTOMERS’ ACCESS SUPPORT One of our customers - a single father of two was struggling to pay priority bills including his TV licence and council tax, he was in imminent risk of court action regarding his rent arrears. A Money Advise Officer investigated the situation to find that he had a problem with his Universal Credit claim and was not receiving housing costs to put towards his rent.
AIM: To support customers to sustain their tenancies
#1 SUPPORTING CUSTOMERS THROUGH RENT ARREARS Whilst undertaking a visit a Tenancy Support Officer noticed a neighbouring property appeared to have been abandoned. The garden was overgrown, curtains closed and it did not appear that anyone had been at the property for some time. She checked with a housing officer and arranged a visit.
OUTCOMES: • The officer spent time gaining the confidence of the customer and helped the customer manage her rent arrears and improve her living conditions, including applying to British Gas Energy Trust Fund - which resulted in customer’s utility debt
The customer living at the property told
being cleared and the customer receiving
the officer that she had been the victim of
a grant for personal items
domestic violence, she was suffering from anxiety and depression, had rent arrears and other debts, and had not been opening her post. She was sleeping on a broken sofa in the living room. There were repairs outstanding but she had not reported them as she was worried about having repair operatives at the property.
Number of residents supported to sustain their tenancies:
2336
OUTCOMES: • The Money Advice Officer was able to source a back date of Universal Credit for the maximum period possible. • The Officer also applied to the local council under Discretionary Housing Payment for help to sustain his tenancy. • The customer’s account is now in credit and he receives full Universal Credit costs • The officer also helped him prioritise his bills, and also helped to obtain a council tax backdate which has cleared his council tax arrears
• Additional grants were obtained to buy a much needed bed for the customer. They have also referred the customer to our Money Advice Team to address the nonpriority debt and to help sort out her benefits • The customer’s mental health has improved, she now has essential items, has allowed access for repairs and is maintaining her rent payments
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Charity Fundraising
“We are delighted that Your Housing Group is giving their time to support Alzheimer’s Society. One in three people over 65 will die with dementia. It is more than just memory loss - it robs people of their lives and has a devastating impact on families and loved ones. As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals and companies
Charity funding has raised
12K so far (April 2016)
AIM: To raise money for our Charity of the Year – Alzheimer’s Society.
like Your Housing Group to help us continue our vital work.” Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society
AWARDS Over the past year our projects and customers have been nominated for 10 awards: • Stockport Homes’ Star Award Winners Offerton Community Kitchen
CHARITY OF THE YEAR
• TPAS Central Young Tenant of the Year Award Nomination We chose Alzheimer’s Society as our Charity
In just 6 months we have so far raised
of the Year 2015/16, following a staff vote.
12K and are on target to reach the
Alzheimer’s Society is the leading support and
20K total by August 2016. This will
research charity for people with dementia,
help the Alzheimer’s Society to
their families and carers. There are currently
continue providing vital support to
850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with
thousands of people across
numbers expected to rise to 1 million
the UK.
by 2021. We set a target of reaching an ambitious
in a variety of ways, including holding memory walks and sponsored runs, abseiling challenges, pool tournaments, quiz nights, raffles and cake sales.
• TPAS Central Equality and Diversity Award Winners Leek Town Ability Counts FC • TPAS Central Tenant of the Year Award Winner Kelvin Hurst • Wire FM Life Time Achievement Award Winner Barbara Brand
OUTCOMES
£20K by August 2016, to successfully achieve this, employees have been raising money
Joe Byrne
• Raised £12,000 to date
• Live Wire Community Award Nomination Birchwood Tennis Club project • Aspire Apprentice Awards Winner Holly Gordon • TPAS North Excellence in Employment and Skills Award Nomination Birchwood Work Club • TPAS North Excellence in Digital Inclusion Nomination Your Tung Sing’s Click and Connect project • TPAS North Excellence in Community Action Winners Offerton Community Kitchen
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Health and Wellbeing
AIM: To provide opportunities for customers to improve their health and wellbeing and to reduce social isolation.
#1 LEEK TOWN ABILITY COUNTS FC Leek Town Ability Counts FC is a football
Number of people engaged in health and wellbeing projects:
31,105 #2 WALK TO HEALTH OUTCOMES:
Working in partnership with the Chinese
• Expanded from 1 team to 2 male
Tung Sing in Manchester have delivered an
team for players with disabilities from all over Staffordshire Moorlands, sponsored by Your Housing Group. The team provides an opportunity for the players to play competitive football in the Staffordshire FA Ability Counts League. By using sport as an engagement tool the project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the players, and increase their confidence and social skills.
teams and 1 woman’s team • 20+ players now attend weekly training sessions • 2 team members with disabilities have completed an FA coaching course and are now qualified to assist with training sessions • With support from Leek and Cheadle Work Clubs, 1 player has joined Your
OUTCOMES:
Health Information Centre (CHIC) Your enhanced health and wellbeing programme of activities. The activities involve mild to moderate exercise, access to health advice and the opportunity to meet and connect with
• 86 Your Tung Sing residents engaged • 150 people benefited in total • The project generated a social value of over 854K
other people to reduce social isolation. This programme has included weekly health walks around central Manchester, quarterly coach trips and organised walks in areas of interest around the North West.
Housing Group on an accessible work placement, and another has returned to college after being long-term NEET • Won a TPAS Award in Excellence in Equality and Diversity
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Financial Inclusion
£
Level of customer benefit secured by money advice team:
“I had purchased a washing machine
£762K
Bright House their washing machine
with Bright House where I was paying high interest rates. So I gave back and purchased one from the CoOperative Electrical scheme via the Credit Union which I can pay off in just 12months, which will mean I will only be paying £42 interest.”
AIM:
Deepdale Customer
To support customers to manage their money and pay their rent using incentives to help customers plan and save more money.
#1 MOVE ON SUPPORT GRANTS
#2 YOUR EAVES BROOK CREDIT UNION INCENTIVE SCHEME
The Move On Support Grants were setup
“I had to leave everything behind including
to support customers who could not access
all the clothes for my 3 daughters and I am
Your Eaves Brook partnered with the Credit
Christmas, we offered extra funding (of up to
local furnishing initiatives but were in need of
now starting from scratch on a low income.
Union to develop various incentives to help
£20.00) when each customer reached a saving
further support to help them move to a new
It would have been impossible to buy a
customers reduce debt and start saving.
goal.
property successfully, reducing the risk of
cooker and fridge with everything else that
them abandoning and returning to
I needed. The fund has helped me to get
One of the ways we did this was to set up a
The final incentive was aimed at younger
temporary accommodation.
these items so I can now cook for myself
saving scheme, offering each of our Eaves
customers, offering junior savers £5.00 credit
Brook customers a £5.00 incentive to help
when they opened up a savings account
and my family.”
OUTCOMES: • From an annual budget of £5000 to date the move on support grants project has helped 72 residents and service users to move on successfully • The project has created £235,712 of social value
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Lisa, Customer
them save – to receive the incentive all they needed to do was to save £5.00 per week for 5 weeks.
“Without the move on grant I wouldn’t have been able to purchase the items I need for me and my baby to live in our new house.”
We also offered Co-operative electrical loan users reimbursement of one months loan
OUTCOMES: • 12 customers have benefited from the Credit Union schemes
repayment (of up to £40) on the completion
• 2 of our local Residents Associations have
of their last repayment. Customer’s plan for
now opened corporate bank accounts
Naomi, Customer
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Employment and skills
#2 BIRCHWOOD WARRINGTON WORK CLUB Birchwood Warrington Work Club is delivered in partnership Number of residents supported to move onto positive employment and skills outcomes:
2541 AIM:
Birchwood Work Club is now in the heart of the Birchwood
The event was a huge success with over 30 employers attending from a variety of sectors, including hospitality, care, construction and retail with casual vacancy opportunities with
opportunities free of charge. The Work Club offers a year round service and opens at the
week by at least 10 of our
same time every Monday, making it easy for customers to
tenants and it is a very friendly
schedule attendance into their weekly schedule.
the last financial year.” Henry O’Carroll Resident
OUTCOMES:
OUTCOMES: • 150 individuals have accessed the service • 40 customers have been supported into sustainable employment, with a significant number of these
Isla Gladstone Conservatory in partnership Work Partnership.
can get access to IT resources, training and development
Community it is attended every
has exceeded all of its targets for
#1 ANFIELD JOBS FAIR
with Liverpool in Work and the Ready to
with the local library, college and training providers. Attendees
but productive Work Club which
To support people on their journey to employment.
In February 2016 we held a jobs fair at the
“I would like to say that
• 908 people attended the jobs fair • Positive feedback from all, with 92% of attendee’s surveyed saying they would attend a future event • Within one week of the jobs fair,
Liverpool Football Club. Support agencies
40 people had secured
attended including North Liverpool CAB,
casual employment in the
Anfield Children’s Centre and the Adult
hospitality industry,
Learning Bus, to offer job seekers help and
others had started
support about getting back into work.
training courses
overcoming multiple barriers to find work including rent arrears, alcoholism/drug misuse, mental illness and gang crime involvement • Over 100 customers have successfully completed work related training courses including Food Hygiene, First Aid, CSCS and DIY • 20 customers have progressed into study at Warrington Collegiate • 25 customers have been supported into volunteering roles as a stepping stone to employment
or registered for
• The Work Club was a finalist in the category of Excellence in
casual Match Day
Employment and Skills for a Central Region TPAS Award
opportunities at LFC
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