Hello
I was very pleased to see that as part of last week’s Budget, benefits would be rising with inflation. This will be a huge relief to many of our residents. CKH has been an active part for the PlaceShapers’ Cost of Living campaign, and the case studies they have gathered from members show the very real hardships being faced by people this winter. April, when the benefit increase takes effect, is a long time for people facing rising food and utility bills and, sometimes, a very real choice between eating and heating. We remain committed to supporting our residents in whatever way we can, so please, if you are speaking to any of our residents, encourage them to talk to us.
The tragic death of little Awaab Ishak in a home so clearly unfit for occupation has shocked us all. No one should live in conditions like that. We have been taking a close look at damp and mould over the last year, reviewing and sharpening our processes and inviting residents to contact us if they are experiencing damp and mould in their homes. We have already contacted every resident who has reported damp and mould in the last three years to check that there had been no recurrence of the problem since.
We will work together with residents to clean and treat the problem, find out what the possible causes may be and how we can help prevent the problem from returning. So please, again, if you are speaking to a CKH resident and they mention any issues with damp, condensation or mould, encourage them to speak to us.
Now, I want to share some really good news. Our fabulous Care team shone at the recent regional finals of the Great British Care Awards. We won the Care Employer of the Year award, which I am particularly proud of. As a sector under immense pressure, we have continued to invest and value our wonderful care workers, paying above the industry average in the region, and training our employees to the very highest standards. We know the hard and invaluable work they do for the most vulnerable and I am determined to reward them fairly.
Our care team is not the only way we support older people in our communities. Our LifeLine service is quite literally a life saver, and on numerous occasions they have been able to get help to people when no one else could. Therefor I am immensely proud that they once again passed their TSA accreditation with flying colours.
Progress is continuing well on our flagship development in Northminster, Peterborough. Our partners in this development, Wilmot Dixon, have been making great headway with the goundworks, and we are excited to see this great asset for the city take shape as we work to bring 315 affordable homes to Peterborough.
As always, if you would like to find out more about our service provision, please don’t hesitate to contact me and don’t forget to follow us on our Facebook and Twitter channels, to keep up to date with all our services and events. And you can find out all about the support we offer our residents and communities on our website.
Best wishes
Claire Higgins MBE
Chief Executive, Cross Keys Homes
Supporting residents:
We’re proud members of Homes for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough along with 12 other housing associations helping to provide a single voice for the housing association sector in the region. Find out more and read our latest blog from CHS Group’s Head of Community Investment and Support, Andrew Church, about how they’re supporting residents during the cost of living crisis.