Innovation, innovation, innovation!
CIH Cymru’s 2011 good practice compendium includes twenty five of the best housing projects and initiatives over the last twelve months; in this article, Vikki Hiscocks sets out some highlights.
The Welsh Housing Awards have become a key feature of the housing calendar, and the night itself goes from strength to strength with 450 people from across Wales coming together for a night of celebration in November each year.
The event is the culmination of a process to identify and recognise the very best in innovation and for the past two years CIH Cymru has produced a good practice compendium sponsored by Housemark Cymru. The compendium itself is based on the winner and runners up in seven categories drawn from over a hundred award entries.
Category – Empowering and Involving Communities
Winner – Charter Housing: Working for me
Working for Me is a truly innovative community project that helps people take control of their lives and shows them and others what some of the most excluded people in society can achieve. With funding from Charter, the Welsh Government and the SHARE Centre, it targets tenants who have most difficulty in getting and maintaining mainstream employment. The project works on the premise that everyone has a skill and that the best way for some people to earn an income is to turn that skill into self employment or a business so when and how they work is in their control. Confidence and motivation sessions help people think through what they are good at, what is achievable and examine opportunities. Business planning plays a vital role, ideas are tested vigorously so people only embark on ventures with a likelihood of success. There have been 13 new starts so far.
Contact – Bron Lloyd, Head of Community Regeneration, Charter Housing
Email – bron.lloyd@charterhousing.co.uk
Tel – 01633 678546
Runners Up
WLGA in partnership with Newydd HA – Community Wellbeing Coaches
Contact – Maria Uren, Programme Manager for Health Improvement, WLGA
Email – maria.uren@wlga.gov.uk
Tel – 07800 994816
Gofal – Our Business
Contact – Alessa Hill, Employment Case Worker, Gofal
Email – alessahill@gofal.org.uk
Tel – 029 2045 3840
Cartrefi Conwy – Participatory Budgets
Contact – Linda Humphreys, Communications Assistant, Cartrefi Conwy
Email – communications@cartreficonwy.org
Tel – 01492 805500
Valley To Coast Housing – W&M Enterprises
Contact – Steve Curry, Community Regeneration Manager Valleys
Email – steve.curry@v2c.org.uk
Tel – 01656 762445
Category – Most Community Focussed Contractor
Winner – Quicksons: More than just paint and brushes
According to RCT homes, Quicksons consistently show that they care about their customers and our communities. They do this by recruiting 9 out of 10 of their workforce from the south Wales area. They listen to customers, many of whom are vulnerable or elderly. It’s the small things that matter to tenants, things like spending time to explain what they do and how it is really important. On many occasions Quicksons have adapted their work programme or schedule to the changing needs of RCT Homes’ tenants (regardless of the impact on themselves). A fabulous example of their commitment to RCT Homes’ Give and Gain days is that year-on-year, since 2010 they have donated £6,000 to these days, excluding their expertise!
Contact – Lisa Balfe, Policy Research Officer, RCT Homes
Tel – 01443 494589
Email – lisab2@rcthomes.co.uk
Runners Up
Wates Living Space – reshaping tomorrow
Contact – Carla White, Customer Liaison Manager, Wates Living Space
Tel – 07739 333473
Email – carla.white@wates.co.uk
Cowlin Construction – At the heart of the community
Contact – Louise O\’Brien, PR & Communications Advisor, United Welsh
Tel – 029 2085 5659
Email – lobrien@uwha.co.uk
Category – Delivering Efficiency and Value for Money
Winner – Cardiff Community Housing Association: Cardiff Accessible Homes
Cardiff Accessible Homes (CAH) is a project managed by Cardiff Community Housing Association that provides physically disabled persons an holistic housing service which includes managing a central adapted property database, occupational therapist assessments, housing advice and support. This involves working in partnership with the local authority, several housing associations, agencies and voluntary organisations to find positive outcomes. As well as managing disabled re-housing in Cardiff, CAH also manage the referral process for Physical Adaptation Grants. This involves the project employing occupational therapists funded by partner housing associations and arranging visits and assessments. Since April 2009, CAH has been able to help over 800 clients remain in their home by providing necessary reports highlighting required adaptations. The service has led to significantly reduced waiting times for clients to have the required work, allowing them to remain in their homes longer in a safe and secure environment whilst reducing the risk of falls, slips and hospitalisation.
Contact – Robert Baker, Project Manager, Cardiff Accessible Homes
Tel – 029 2046 8408
Email – rob.baker@ccha.org.uk
Runners Up
Valleys to Coast Housing – Welsh Water Debt advice company
Contact – Keryl Jones, V2C
Tel – 01239 712036/ 07968 428141
Email – keryl.jones@v2c.org.uk
Charter Housing – Prevention by Intervention
Contact – Scott Sanders, Director of Housing, Charter Housing Association
Tel – 01633 678556
Email – scott.sanders@charterhousing.co.uk
Category: Developing and Regenerating Communities
Winner – Merthyr Valleys Homes: partnership with British Gas Community Energy
Merthyr Valleys Homes’ tenants are benefiting from cheaper energy bills and improved aesthetics in their homes after energy efficiency measures were installed as part of a regeneration project. A £1 million investment from ARBED and £200,000 from the Low Carbon Building Programme funded the project which has meant that properties have had solar photovoltaic and thermal panels installed and external wall insulation fitted by British Gas and the Joyner Group. Planned improvement works such as roof line work and the renewal of rain water goods were also carried out as part of the external wall insulation. The project has not only benefitted tenants, but it has provided multiple work opportunities for local businesses and individuals. Suppliers, installers and trainees who were at the heart of the programme were sourced within a 15 miles radius from the site – a remarkable community achievement.
Contact – Ceri Williams, Energy Solutions Manager, British Gas Community Energy
Tel – 07769 546 224
Email – Ceri.Williams@britishgas.co.uk
Runners Up
Carmarthenshire County Council – Building your own future in Sir Gar
Contact – Ray Symes, Senior Operational Officer, Property Services Division
Tel – 01554 784100
Email – rsymes@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Valleys to Coast – Diamond Jubilee – the refurbishment and local letting scheme of Jubilee Crescent
Contact – Julie Stewart, Housing Manager, Valleys to Coast Housing
Tel – 01656 762418
Email – julie.stewart@v2c.org.uk
Cymdeithas Tai Cantref – Local letting agreement in Tregaron
Contact – Lynne Sacale, Chief Executive, Cymdeithas Tai Cantref
Tel – 01239 712036
Email – lynnes@cantref.co.uk
Category – Making the Best Use of Stock
Winner – Newport City Homes: Woodside & Nightingale Court, Newport – Turning hard to lets into hard to gets
Newport City Homes (NCH) commissioned a project to tackle ‘hard to let’ issues in its largest sheltered scheme, Woodside and Nightingale Court. Despite winning a design award in the eighties, the scheme had become outdated and was no longer meeting the needs or aspirations of older people. This was evidenced by a significant number of voids and high refusal rates. To address this, NCH decided to combine WHQS works with a programme to convert bedsits into spacious ‘apartments’. Residents were fully involved in the planning and design process, culminating in a joint approach with design students and staff in creating ‘show homes’ for viewing. So, what were termed ‘hard to let’ have now become homes that are ‘hard to get’ and NCH has made the best use of its existing stock to meet the needs and aspirations of older people.
Contact – Joanna Fairley, Communications and Governance Manager, Newport City Homes
Tel – 01633 227644
Email – ffion.green@newportcityhomes.com
Runners Up
RCT Homes – Sheltered Housing Options Appraisal
Contact – Shirley Davies, Homes and Neighbourhoods Director, RCT Homes
Tel – 01443 494403
Email – shirleyd@rcthomes.co.uk
Wales and West Housing Association – Stoneleigh Manor more options homelessness project
Contact – Jackie Bloxham, Housing Manager
Tel – 029 2041 4083
Email – jackie.bloxham@wwha.co.uk
Category – Developing Skills and Capacity
Winner – Bron Afon Community Housing: Learning Development Programme
Bron Afon has embedded a culture of learning and development. Employees, board and members, volunteers and young people are encouraged to embrace learning to develop their skills, knowledge, experience and confidence. Since stock transfer, they have developed many new and innovative ways to encourage learning and this has included:
- leadership and management development programme for managers across the organisation
- apprentice schemes, placements and work experience and training for all ages, which have lead to some permanent employment with Bron Afon
- mentoring for students
- OCN accredited Green Futures Programme with 90 staff, tenants, leaseholders and residents including growing food and sustainable design
Contact – Liz Evans, Head of Community Housing, Bron Afon
Tel – 01633 620026
Email – liz.evans@bronafon.org.uk
Runners Up
Flintshire County Council – customer learning and involvement programme
Contact – Debbie Davies, Customer Involvement Officer, Flintshire County Council
Tel – 07789 945403
Email – debbie.davies@flintshire.gov.uk
RCT Homes – ZIGGIES literacy project
Contact – Catryn Grundy, Tenant Empowerment Officer, RCT Homes
Tel – 01443 494403
Email – shirleyd@rcthomes.co.uk
Category: Outstanding Leadership by a Local Authority
Winner – Powys County Council: loan rangers
Loan Rangers is a unique and highly adaptive interest-free loan scheme – tailored to local needs and individual strategies. Some of its key features are:
- easily implemented – adapted from established grant application process
- in-house administration & financial recovery – avoids costly FSA registered organisations
- 50% maximum funding – includes 1st year payment ‘holiday’ to establish rental income
- annual loan recovery over 5 years – allows accurate forecasting of finance & facilitates planning
- virtually self-financing – 88% of capital recycled for re-distribution
- pioneering and successful – Powys setting standards of collaborative working with partner organisations
The innovative way Powys Council has established this project ensures empty homes are brought back into use.
Contact – Ian Fraser, Housing Services Manager, Powys County Council
Tel – 01938 551214
Email – ianf@powys.gov.uk
Runners Up
Flintshire County Council – securing gifted houses for our local communities
Contact – Penny Storr, Housing Strategy Officer, Flintshire County Council
Tel – 01352 703830
Email – penny_storr@flintshire.gov.uk
Conwy County Borough Council with Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd: Ty Unnos
Contact – Sam Parry, Housing Strategy and Performance Manager
Tel – 01492 574224
Email – sam.parry@conwy.gov.uk
Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council – Penywaun CESP area
Contact – Keryl Lanfear, Housing Strategy Officer Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
Tel – 01443 425369
Email – keryl.lanfear@rctcbc.gov.uk
Individual achievement
As well as celebrating good practice by communities and organisations, the Welsh Housing Awards also recognise the achievement of individuals. 2011 winners include:
- Outstanding Academic Progress was awarded to Pauline Thomas of Rhondda Housing Association who greatly impressed the judges
- Community Leader 2011 went to Wayne Carter of the Penrhys Partnership, a hugely respected and dynamic champion for his community
- Housing Hero went to Cecilia Beale of Newport City Homes, a much loved and admired advocate for the residents of Newport
- Outstanding Achievement in Housing went to Steve Long for his phenomenal contribution to CIH Cymru, the Rent Officer Service and Welsh Government over many years
For your copy of the 2011 Good Practice Compendium, contact: victoria.hiscocks@cih.org