Our Chief Executive, Michael Newey, recently talked to Tpas members nationally about how Broadland staff and tenants are working together to meet the challenges of Coronavirus.
Watch Michael’s chat with Tpas members from all over the UK here:
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Broadland signs mental health pledge
Broadland has joined more than 1,200 organisations across the UK who have signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge.
The pledge is a commitment to changing the way we all think and act about mental health in the workplace.
Group Chief Executive Michael Newey said:
I’m delighted to sign this pledge on behalf of Broadland. Although things are slowly changing, there is still a great deal of stigma around mental health, and often a lack of understanding of the issues. We want our staff to feel comfortable to be able to start conversations around mental health and are committed to supporting their wellbeing at work.
By signing the pledge, Broadland commits to a 12-month Employer Action Plan. The plan will help us put in place best-practice interventions and policy to help our staff work in ways that promote positive mental wellbeing. This will support lasting, cultural change through a plan of tangible, measurable activity.
In May 2019 Broadland launched a team of staff Mental Health Champions across the organisation. The champions offer a confidential, 1-to-1 service in the workplace. The Mental Health Champions’ role is to listen, support and signpost suitable services to colleagues who may be struggling with their mental health. They also raise awareness and promote mental wellbeing across the organisation.
Staff have also voted for Mind as their charity of the year for fundraising.
Raising awareness of self-neglect and hoarding in Norfolk
Broadland Housing has created a short video to accompany the launch of Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board‘s updated guidance on self-neglect and hoarding.
The 3-minute animation summarises the county strategy on self-neglect and hoarding. It is designed to raise awareness among adult safeguarding practitioners and give practical advice on how to report concerns.
The strategy and the video focus on the importance of collaborative, multi-agency working. The aim is a more preventative approach, and to promote tools such as the Clutter Image Rating Scale and the Self-neglect and Hoarding Assessment Triangle.
Stephani Davis, Senior Housing Manager, said:
Broadland is committed to working with Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board and other agencies in Norfolk to proactively deal with safeguarding.
We hope this short video will support practitioners who have involvement in self-neglect and hoarding in their role by providing useful information in an easily accessible way.
Rural housing week – investing in Norfolk’s future
Broadland Housing is celebrating Rural Housing week (1-5 July) with a focus on Norfolk villages, where we are building affordable homes that are helping to create sustainable communities with a positive social impact.
We are committed to building to ensure that everyone living in a rural area lives in a quality, affordable home. In an area of high second home-ownership, local people are increasingly being priced out of Norfolk and forced to move away from their communities. Our new homes are making a real difference to people’s lives in the county:
Case study
New Broadland Housing tenant Gillian was brought up in Trunch but had been
living in Paston. Her family have lived in Trunch for more than 40 years, and
she works locally as a carer. She is thrilled that her new bungalow backs onto
her mother’s house. Broadland has installed a garden gate so that Gillian can
visit her mother (who is 80 and lives alone) every day. She is also delighted
that for the first time, her severely disabled grandson, who uses a wheelchair,
can now visit her at home, thanks to the new bungalow’s level entry and wide
doors. Gillian said:
“It has taken a weight off my shoulders to have Mum so close and I can keep a really close eye on her. I feel less stressed about work because I’m in the village and can get to the people I care for quickly. I have got to know all the neighbours really well already.”
At our Great Ryburgh scheme, completed last year, 100% of the 5 homes are affordable rent. In April this year, Broadland celebrated the completion of 6 new bungalows at Fuller’s Lane in Trunch, Norfolk – 4 affordable rent and 2 shared ownership. This was the second phase of Broadland’s Trunch development. Phase 1, on Cornish Avenue, was finished in March 2018 and includes 8 affordable rent and 4 shared ownership houses/bungalows.
We work closely with local councils to ensure that our new rural properties meet real housing need. Rob Young, North Norfolk District Council’s Head of Economic and Community Development, said:
“[Trunch] is an excellent example of partnership working between Broadland Housing, the parish council and North Norfolk District Council. It is a sensitively designed development of the highest quality housing, not only helping to meet local housing need but to help sustain a strong community in Trunch.”
In April 2019, Broadland started building work 12 new affordable homes and 10 open market homes at Edgefield near Holt. Again, priority will be given to local people once the new homes are completed next year. Broadland Housing Executive Development Director Andrew Savage said:
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Wellington on giving the
local people of Edgefield the opportunity to remain in the village with 9 homes
for affordable rental, as well as an opportunity to get on the housing ladder
with 3 shared ownership properties”
The Edgefield homes are being built by Lowestoft-based contractor Wellington, which has a long track record of delivering affordable homes for housing associations and local authorities in the region. The construction project is also creating employment for local people, keeping money in the local economy.
We work with local architects and builders to ensure the highest standards of design and energy efficiency. Our homes use local building materials such as flint that harmoniously blend with existing architecture. This also helps remove the stigma attached to social housing.
At every stage of the design and construction process we engage with local communities through consultations with village residents. In the first 2 consultations of 2019, 98 people attended our village hall consultations, where our Development team, architects and local authority staff explained our plans and answered residents’ queries.
TV spotlight on New Horizons scheme
ITV news recently featured New Horizons, a scheme that is helping people tackle debt and housing issues in Cambridgeshire and King’s Lynn in Norfolk. Broadland supports New Horizons in the King’s Lynn area.
Watch the video: https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2019-05-28/life-coaching-for-those-in-need/
Pictures credit (main image and above): ITV