News

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.