Hello,
I would like to start this month by introducing you to the new Chair of our Group Board, Shelagh Grant. https://www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk/latest-news-and-updates/ckh-appoint-new-chair-1844 I say introduce you, but many of you will already be familiar with Shelagh as she is a former Director at Peterborough City Council and has been the Chief Executive of the Housing Forum for the last 17 years. I know that Shelagh’s knowledge of the social housing sector and the geographic area we work in will be a huge benefit to our residents and us. Shelagh will take up her role in September following the expiry of current chair Andy Orrey’s full term of office.
We continue to support those members of our communities who need the most help with a £181,000 award from the National Lottery Community Fund – https://www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk/latest-news-and-updates/we-have-secured-lottery-funding-to-widen-support-provision-1856
This money will increase the intensive, one-on-one support we offer to those who are unemployed, on zero hours contracts or economically inactive. It will help them across a range of life skills including, debt management and budgeting, getting online, getting into work or training and accessing support for their mental health. It will also help people with other things like cooking on a budget, so bringing benefits to the whole family. We are currently in the process of recruiting two new support workers for the project which will launch in October.
Our partnership working continues with our latest project to reinvigorate the volunteer sector – https://www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk/latest-news-and-updates/were-working-in-partnership-with-pcvs-1846 in Peterborough with PCVS. We are now funding the Volunteer Manager role at PCVS amongst other support functions. The role will raise the profile of volunteering, its benefits to individuals and organisations and celebrate the successes of volunteering projects. In addition, volunteers will identify barriers faced by individuals and organisations to successful volunteering and work hard to break them down.
I would like to end this month with the handover of some particularly innovative homes that we have built with Etopia in Wilburton. These EPC ‘A’ rated homes have been built with Etopia’s panelised system, not only reducing the build time but also ensuring much greater energy efficiency. In addition, the homes all have air source heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle chargers helping residents save money and whilst reducing their carbon footprint. https://youtu.be/FPL4aV7hGzU
As always, if you would like further information about our service provision, or have suggestions for partnership working, please do not hesitate to contact me and do not forget to follow us on our Facebook, Twitter and Linked In channels, to keep up to date with all our services and events or visit our website.
Best wishes
Claire Higgins MBE
Chief Executive, Cross Keys Homes