Making a commitment to communities
Investing in communities, helping them to achieve their aspirations for themselves and their neighbours, is fundamental to our sector’s social purpose.
Investing in communities, helping them to achieve their aspirations for themselves and their neighbours, is fundamental to our sector’s social purpose.
Employment scheme Wheatley Works is just over a year old and already it has created nearly 800 jobs and training opportunities in Scotland’s most deprived communities. Here’s their story so far.
A dressing up box that teaches primary school children about different roles in housing will soon be piloted at three primary schools in the South West. Could this be a solution to the housing sector’s recruitment problems?
Last summer, amidst the world cup frenzy, Frances Harkin wrote about the role HACT was playing in building bridges between social housing providers and sports organisations. Here we reflect on her thoughts a few months on.
Here we reflect on HACT Chief Executive Andrew Van Doorn’s blog in which he outlined the third pillar of the Centre for Excellence in Community investment: insight. Originally published in October 2018, his words are still relevant a year on.
We look back at a blog written by Ian Wardle, a member of the Great Places Commission, and Group Chief Executive at Thirteen Group, about the special role Housing Associations can play as organisations in tune with local issues, and how they can contribute to creating ‘great places’.
We take a look back at HACT’s head of social value James Williams wrote a blog on financial stability.
The Centre for Community Investment is celebrating its first birthday. And after one year in operation, there is lots to shout about. Here we take a look back at some of our best blogs this year.
How OCSI have developed quantitative measures to understand left behind communities
As housing associations, we already make a difference day in day out, but could we do more to help the communities we serve?
When you’re talking about your work to someone in a social situation and you mention community investment, how often do you get greeted with a blank stare and non-committal nod?
Thank you to everyone who attended our first research symposium event in Manchester yesterday (18 July). It was an excellent, insightful and stimulating day.
Society has changed a lot over the last two decades in England. What implications are there in these changes for the role of civil society?
Our approach to social value is simple: it’s about making a positive difference to the communities we serve.
Say the term “poverty premium” to people and many won’t know what it is. But when you use the “Boots Theory” to describe it, then it makes complete sense.
I don’t think there’s ever been a more important or pressing time for housing associations to breathe life into their social purpose and step up to the community plate.
Sovereign recently committed to triple its investment in communities. This step change in investment was won off the track record set by our work in our priority communities, and the fantastic results our employment and training service deliver.
The Welsh Government’s rent settlement announcement at the beginning of the year was greeted with dismay by many social housing providers in Wales. It has already resulted in many assessing cost-cutting strategies, and may result in a significant reduction in community investement activities by some Welsh housing associations.
Last week, I attended an interesting event to showcase the Community Impact Partnership, a £3m social investment fund run by Clarion, Peabody L&Q and Orbit. The programme provides an alternative option to traditional models of funding by offering a blend of grants and loan of between £25,000 and £150,000 to community businesses, social enterprises and charities.
We wrapped up our tour of Centre for Excellence Roadshows in Bristol last week, at the rather brilliant Armada Rooms. The conversation was lively with attendees coming from as far apart as Plymouth and Newcastle, and it was nice to see a few familiar faces.
Yesterday I was invited to a workshop in Cardiff being run by Barry and Adam from HACT to develop the Centre for Excellence in Community Investment. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect…
Following the budget announcements last week we welcomed the top level announcement on the additional support and funding for Universal Credit roll out. With 61% of customers in receipt of Universal Credit in arrears, Orbit have been actively looking at how we support customers and are successfully reducing levels of arrears.
Sure enough, Kevin from CoControl was true to his promise, turning up at his third consecutive roadshow. Despite being warned by Barry that all the roadshows follow the same format, Kevin was no doubt conscious there are regional and national differences that emerge through the discussions we have at roadshows. Glasgow proved to be no different.
As we continue our journey around the UK to talk with community investment colleagues to shape the Centre for Excellence, some of our intended outcomes are already being realised (albeit in a small way!).