Housing Matters - September 2021
Community news
Older tenants have their say
Our new HOP (Housing for over 55s) tenants’ panel has now met three times. The first couple of meetings focused on identifying the issues that matter most to older tenants, including safety, social isolation/support, and how we can improve our homes and services for older people. We have been actioning their specific feedback and reporting back on progress at the meetings.
Above: HOP panel members Gary, Jane and Chris (Chair); (left) tenants getting active in the communal garden at their scheme
The packed March agenda covered a wide range of topics, including a consultation on Broadland’s pet policy and a discussion about the issues when tenants transfer to another property. The panel also discussed how Broadland tenants can get involved with their local community, which can be enriching for them personally and also supports their neighbourhood.
Panel member Richard Headicar said:
“Community involvement can provide social housing tenants with a valuable opportunity to contribute to their local area. At the same time, tenants can act as champions of social housing, helping to correct any unfortunate misunderstandings about it.”
The HOP panel is part of our tenant engagement strategy. It is one of lots of different ways tenants can engage with us and give feedback on our homes and services.
Training in independent living skills
Broadland’s membership of Independent East has given our tenants access to tenancy and independent living skills training.
Tenants honing their everyday living skills at a TILS+ workshop, delivered by Your Own Place
Since January 2022, Your Own Place CIC has been delivering its popular Tenancy and Independent Living Skills (TILS+) courses to tenants of Broadland, Saffron Housing, Freebridge and Orwell housing associations.
Your Own Place, a social enterprise based in East Anglia, delivers the courses online and in person at locations across Norfolk and Suffolk. The courses are designed to make a positive difference to tenants’ lives through developing their confidence and resilience. They provide opportunities for people of all ages to develop and build on existing skills, including saving and budgeting, self-care and wellbeing, and digital skills.
Helping more people into employment
The partnership with Your Own Place is an exciting collaboration for Independent East. The initiative aims to help more people into employment, reducing rent arrears and potential future evictions.
Catherine Little, Executive Housing Director, said:
“Helping people to sustain their tenancies is a central part of what Broadland do. We are thrilled to be part of this partnership with Independent East and Your Own Place to invest in more support and training for many more people.”
Rebecca White, CEO, Your Own Place, said:
“We know that the residents we work with are experts in their own lives. We respect their experiences and contributions and love the two-way learning. Fun, participative and engaging workshops will be delivered with 400 tenants during 2022 across 8 different locations – with the aim of building the skills to be happy in their homes and ultimately prevent homelessness.”
Paula Tuck, Assistant Director of Customer Services at Saffron and member of the Independent East Residents Group, said:
“Not only is it a great opportunity to learn new skills, but it provides scope for tenants to meet those from other housing associations, share their experiences, support one another and help create cohesive communities.”
Watch a video of Chantay, one of Saffron’s tenants, talking about her experience of the TILS+ workshops (credit: Your Own Place).
Tenants raise £900 for Ukraine
Woodcote tenants, who raised £900 from a coffee morning and film screening for Ukraine.
Generous tenants at our Woodcote sheltered housing scheme have raised £900 for the Red Cross. The fundraising will help support children and elderly people caught up in the conflict in Ukraine.
The 60 residents at Woodcote in Hethersett held a special coffee morning, with film screenings about the background to the conflict. One film was presented by Red Cross workers on the ground in Ukraine.
Woodcote tenant Molly Allison said:
“I have cried every morning when I see what is happening on the television.”
Stephen Baxter, scheme manager (far right in picture), said:
“Lots of tenants had been asking what they could do to help. They were moved by images of families and elderly people suffering terrible conditions as a result of the conflict. Also, one of the carers who works here has a Ukrainian husband, so that has also brought the crisis closer to home.”
Internally, Broadland signposted ways that staff and tenants can support the Ukrainian people. Our Mental Health Champions continue to support staff who are anxious about the situation in Ukraine or wanting to talk in confidence about their mental health in general, and signpost them for professional help if necessary.
Even growing sunflowers (the national flower of Ukraine) can be a way of showing solidarity
True love – 75 years and still going strong!
Charles and Ivy Humphries, both 89, moved into our housing with care scheme at Lloyd Court on Valentine’s Day in February – 75 years after they first met.
Charles was a retired chauffeur to Prince Charles, and Ivy, who was born near Long Stratton, was a former receptionist for the Duchy of Cornwall.
Charles revealed the secret of their enduring romance:
“Of course, life has had its ups and downs, as it does for everybody. But we have had a long and happy marriage because we understand there has to be give and take.”
Ivy added:
“We have a strong relationship and we have different strengths. We look after each other and still make each other laugh!”
The couple were living in a cottage in Wereham in Norfolk, before deciding to move to Lloyd Court, in High Kelling near Holt in north Norfolk. Our partners Norsecare provide care and support to our tenants who live in their own flat.
Ivy said:
“Lloyd Court is run by such lovely people and they have made us feel so welcome. It is perfect for us because we will have our own place that we can decorate and make our own, and yet the support is also there if we need it.
Marie Quantrill, Manager of Lloyd Court, said:
“Charles and Ivy are such a wonderful, truly special couple. They are real soulmates who still love, care and look out for each other after all this time.”
Read the full story of Charles and Ivy.
Charles and Ivy on their wedding day in 1953
Charles and Ivy today, at Lloyd Court
Housing with care - open days
This spring we are launching a series of open days at our housing with care schemes for prospective tenants and their families.
Our housing with care schemes allow older people with a care need to continue living a completely independent life in their own self-contained flat. All our schemes in Norfolk offer award-winning standards of care from our partners NorseCare.
Housing with care tenants benefit from round-the-clock access to on-site care professionals and services including:
- communal gardens
- on-site laundry
- communal dining and seating areas
- social activities
- freshly prepared meals with healthy food options
- on-site assisted bathing and toilet facilities
Each pre-booked open day slot will include a tour of the facilities, and a chance to chat with Broadland and NorseCare staff.
The Lawns at Great Yarmouth, one of our housing with care schemes
Happy 100th birthday, Doris!
Family, friends and neighbours of Ulliana (‘Doris’), who lives at our Woodcote sheltered housing scheme, gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday in April.
Doris enjoyed a home-made afternoon tea and birthday cake in the communal lounge. As well as her many cards (including the special one from HM the Queen!), Doris received a bouquet of flowers from us all at Broadland.
Scheme manager Stephen Baxter said:
“It was great to see people mingling and bringing life to the lounge after 2 years of Covid and lockdowns. We all wish Doris well and good health in the coming years.”
Doris celebrating her centenary at Woodcote