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.
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.
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.
Our Adaptations Team received over 2,900 requests for adaptations and 950 for rehousing due to health or medical reasons.
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.
Because of our decision to invest more in managing ASB, the following achievements have been made:
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.
Cash Wise helped tenants access over £ 1.7m in grants, benefits, utility savings and access to increased nutritional support.
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.
During 2017 / 2018 we spent almost £ 77m on goods and services, of which 47% was with local suppliers
Since 2013, 180 people have been on our Training for Employment programme, with 45% of them moving into further employment.
We continue to invest in our communities and 2p in every £1 generated is invested in community initiatives.
Open social value case study
During 2017 / 2018 we improved the energy efficiency of nearly 670 properties through our retrofit programme.