The National Federation of Housing’s Homes at the Heart theme this week is ‘Prosperous Communities’, which focuses on how housing providers support their communities by championing diversity, establishing apprenticeships and employment schemes, funding tenant and community initiatives, and doing everything they can to help communities thrive.

Here’s how we’re helping create thriving, inclusive communities…

Financial Inclusion

In 2019/20 Our Financial Inclusion Team generated £10.5m of social value, helping our customers access benefits which they may otherwise have missed out on. That’s a return of £184.50 for every £1 spent.

Customer Empowerment

We have established a Community Development Fund for voluntary and community groups who want to deliver projects or services that benefit customers in our communities. Further to this, our Customer Empowerment team work hard to improve communities by building relationships with local organisations and helping members of the community who need it most. Take a look at who we have helped so far this year…

Food bank donations

Over £16,000 of food and supplies was donated by OVH to local organisations in order to help tackle food poverty during these unprecedented times. Amongst those who received donations were South Sefton Food Bank, Netherton Park Community Centre, Sureline Food Bank Southport, Salvation Army, New Start Homeless Initiative, Liverpool/Sefton Veterans, NHS and Brunswick Youth and Community Centre.

Netherton Sports and Social Club

Valuable funds were donated to keep Netherton Sports and Social Club’s bowling green in perfect condition. When lockdown rules eased, the club was been able to reopen to members providing, once again, an opportunity for the community to come together when they need it most.

Netherton Park and Community Centre

A pallet of food and supplies worth over £2k was donated by OVH along with an additional £500 grant to deliver cooked meals to the community.

Betterdays Homes

Bespoke furniture and decorations donated by One Vision Housing’s Development arm have been used to furnish Betterdays Homes, a charity offering accommodation and a host of other services to those affected by domestic abuse.

Alder Hey 

Recycled furniture from void properties has been donated to Alder Hey to raise money for the charity.

Great Place to Work

In 2020, as part of The Sovini Group, we were recognised as the UK’s number one Best Workplace™ (Large Category), the UK’s Best Workplace for Women™ and the number three Best Workplace In Europe™ (Large Category).

Ben Gautrey, Great Place to Work UK Managing Director, said

“The Sovini Group has received recognition as a No. 1 Best Workplace™ twice in the past four years and has been recognised within the top 5 of its category for each of those years. This underlines the enormous commitment and value the organisation places in its people and organisational culture and is a testament to how important and vital the employee experience is in maintaining organisational objectives. The Sovini Group is a shining example where high levels of employee trust are continuously reported and cultivated. Very few organisations can boast that they have been a top 5 recognised Best Workplace four years consecutively and the fact that The Sovini Group has managed to do so is incredibly impressive and an inspiration for others within its sector and across the country.