Corporate Responsibility Statement 2017 / 2018

We acknowledge our responsibility to the environment and to our local communities. Below are a few examples of how we have shown our commitment to practice responsible corporate behaviour and to establish and support initiatives both in our offices and communities.

Investment in our homes

In 2017 / 2018 we invested over
£25m
in our existing stock. The social value to our tenants and communities this year is calculated to be £81m.

Wellbeing Caseworkers

Our Wellbeing Caseworkers and Mental Health Navigators have received
824
requests for wellbeing services in 2017 / 2018. These early interventions improve people's health and reduces the burden on the local health service by an equivalent of £1.3m each year.

Adaptions and Wellbeing team

Our Adaptations Team received over
2,900
requests for adaptations and 950 for rehousing due to health or medical reasons.

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Falls attended by Care Link

Of the
1,733
falls we attended in 2017 / 2018, only 121 people needed an ambulance. This saved the NHS more than
£400k
based on an average ambulance call out costing £249.

Antisocial behaviour

Because of our decision to invest more in managing ASB, the following achievements have been made:

  • reduced tenancy turnover from 8% to 7.5%;
  • reduction in cost of ASB of £22.63 to £50 from £72;
  • increase in outcome ASB satisfaction from 93% to 94%;
  • feeling safe and secure in the home maintained at 86% satisfaction; and
  • satisfaction with our management of ASB up 2% to 78%.

Foundation Grant Scheme

Our Foundation Grant Scheme provides grants of up to £500 for tenants to improve their opportunities for learning and employment. In 2017 / 2018 we provided
£ 5,500
of funding, supporting people in areas such as becoming a professional driving instructor, gaining a Construction Skills Certification Scheme Card, obtaining clinical experience, and becoming a fork lift truck driver.

Carbon Footprint

Carbon Footprint Graph We have reduced our carbon footprint by
7.5%
over the last 12 months, resulting in a 9.1% reduction against 2014 / 2015 baseline. This puts us ahead of meeting our target to achieve a 10% reduction by 2020.

Cash Wise

Open Cash Wise case study

Cash Wise helped tenants access over
£ 1.7m
in grants, benefits, utility savings and access to increased nutritional support.

Community Employment Advisors

During 2017 / 2018 our Community Employment Advisors engaged with
598
new clients, supporting 218 into employment, and assisted 280 into further training or learning that will help them on their journey into employment.

Goods and services

During 2017 / 2018 we spent almost
£ 77m
on goods and services, of which 47% was with local suppliers

Training for Employment

Since 2013,
180
people have been on our Training for Employment programme, with 45% of them moving into further employment.

Investment in communities

We continue to invest in our communities and 2p in every
£1 generated is invested in community initiatives.

Open social value case study

energy efficiency

During 2017 / 2018 we improved the energy efficiency of nearly
670
properties through our retrofit programme.