As our Prime Minister announces further measures to relax the lock down we have all found ourselves in over the past months, at WDH we are continuing to look at ways that we can continue to reintroduce services safely and gradually. I asked last week for your feedback on what you think we should prioritise first. Which services do you think need to be made available to you sooner rather than later? There is still the opportunity to give us your feedback by completing this short, five question survey. I hope you will share your views with us so that we can make sure that we get it right. Complete the survey now.

As we continue to find ourselves in these unrecognisable circumstances, I want to let you know that we are listening and your safety and security is at the forefront of everything that we are doing here at WDH. As we are now looking to the future and beginning to bring some of our services back into action, I’m keen to gather your views.

It may come as welcome news for many of you that our Prime Minister has announced that we can spend a little more time outside and that we can travel a little further afield. However, I know for many it makes things a little more confusing. What I can assure you of, is that we are continuing to follow the guidance that is coming from Government in everything we do. That means we are adhering to social distancing and using the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), where needed, but we are also pushing ahead to resume as many services as we can as soon as it is safe to do so.

Today we are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. We had a fantastic response to our call out for people’s VE Day memories! Lots of people were keen to share their celebrations from 1945, war time memories, recipes and more with us!

I am over the moon to announce that we are now able to start cutting grass and maintaining shared areas with the support of our partner Sodexo Horticultural Services.

Ready, steady, cook and share your families favourite recipes for a chance to win £10 of shopping vouchers! These could be VE Day inspired or a tribute to your favourite restaurant or takeaway dish!

Since lock down started in March, I have been moved by the way the district and particularly WDH and you our customers have come together to support each other at this challenging time. Many of our employees have been continuing to work supporting you, our tenants, whilst spending their free time sewing scrubs, face masks and kit bags, to support our NHS and care home workers, making sure the most vulnerable in our community are able to be cared for. Our employees have also gone above and beyond to support local foodbanks and other charity services to offer provisions in addition to food such as milk and boxes for distributing food parcels. I have seen much community spirit over the past weeks and it makes me exceptionally proud

The Community Employment Team is continuing to help tenants back into work by offering a telephone support service during lockdown.

On Friday 8 May it is the 75th Anniversary of VE Day, WDH employees planned to celebrate this in our Independent Living Schemes with residents and on our estates with community groups and residents, however due to the coronavirus outbreak this is no longer possible. We are still celebrating but will do it digitally instead!

Whilst the world is very much focused on coronavirus, as we all are, I’d like to take the opportunity to highlight the importance of safety. The safety and wellbeing of our tenants is our top priority.

We have recently seen a few incidents across the district involving garden fires. Due to the coronavirus outbreak Wakefield Council have taken the decision to suspend the collection of garden waste in order to maintain normal household and recycling waste collections.

The bank holiday and extended weekend will soon be upon us and, with the good weather we’ve been having, it is tempting for all of us to stretch the guidance a little bit to visit family, join friends in the garden or visit some of our local parks. However, I must urge you continue to support our NHS and follow the advice that has been given.

It has recently been announced that GnERGY Ltd has entered administration and that Bulb will take over GnERGY's customer base from Sunday 22 March 2020.

For those of us who are currently self-isolating and having to spend more time at home, it may be of some relief to hear that the government has pledged to support people with energy costs during this time. There will be specific arrangements put in place for those on pre-payment meters struggling with the implications of the Coronavirus, as well as energy customers facing financial distress. Whilst I appreciate there is a lot more to consider at the moment, I hope this relieves at least some of the worries you might have.

The main priority of WDH is to look after our tenants and the homes they rent from us. But yet in these unfamiliar circumstances it is often difficult to prepare and know how to take the best care of ourselves and our families.

Although we are approaching the weekend, I want to assure you that WDH will be continuing to work around the clock to support you and keep you and your homes safe. I would also like to offer thanks for the amount of support and appreciation you have shown for our teams in the most challenging of times. This support has meant a lot to them and is helping them to get through the most challenging of times for us all.

During these uncertain times, the health and wellbeing of our tenants and employees is our highest priority. Please rest assured that we will never leave you in an unsafe home. In response to the Government guidance regarding Covid-19 (coronavirus) we have had to implement a number of changes to how we deliver our services, none of which will affect your safety and security. The information below will be updated as the situation changes.

Community Hubs are providing help to those who need it across the Wakefield district. They have volunteers and a range of support to help those affected by the coronavirus outbreak. They are working with the Council and others to support communities during this crisis.

I’m sure you will agree, the pace at which the coronavirus pandemic situation has taken hold has been phenomenal.

Please note that due to the rapidly changing situation we are currently facing due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the last Homesearch cycle will close on Wednesday 25 March 2020 in the morning