Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Press Release in Newbury Weekly News
Press Release 'Award for All grants community growth' appearing in Newbury Weekly News, 06/03-2012
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Awards for All grants community growth
Sovereign South+West Press Release
Date: 29 February 2012
Award for All grants community growth
Residents of sheltered housing schemes in West Berkshire who want to grow their own food and develop their gardening skills have been given a helping hand, thanks to a lottery grant.
Sovereign Housing Association and the Growing Together Project have been awarded £9,958 from the Lottery grants scheme, Awards for All (A4A).
The funding will be used in five sheltered housing schemes to develop residents’ practical skills in maintaining their communal gardens and growing their own fruit and vegetables.
“We believe this investment will lead to a stronger community as the residents’ interaction increases, as well as having a beneficial effect on their health and wellbeing,” said Lee Dillon, Sovereign’s Resident Involvement and Neighbourhood Investment Co-ordinator.
“We asked all schemes if they wanted to take part and then chose five, all sheltered accommodation, based on the interest residents showed and the suitability of the schemes.”
The five schemes selected to take part in the project are: Windmill Court, Mortimer; Gilbert Court, Thatcham; Speenhamland Court, Newbury; Leslie Southern Court, Newbury; and Springhurst House, Greenham.
The grant will cover a wide range of expenditure to help the communities’ green-fingered ambitions come to fruition, such as plants, seeds, compost and construction materials for raised beds.
There will also be 20 one-day practical courses to teach residents how to make raised beds, and how to grow and care for their plants.
Lee Dillon adds: “Our next step is for residents to meet up with the Community Furniture Project and our estates team to work out where they would like their raised beds, what they should look like, and what kind of vegetables and plants they would like to grow.”
The grants scheme recognises local community-based projects around the United Kingdom that strive to improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. The scheme was set up in 1994, and has raised more than £25 billion and over 317,000 grants have been awarded. In England the grants range from £500 to £10,000. Sovereign received the grant on the 19 December 2011.
Notes to Editors
* For more information on the Awards for All, visit: http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/index.html
* Sovereign Housing Association is a charitable body. It comprises Sovereign South+West, Sovereign Twynham, Sovereign Kingfisher and Sovereign Vale, which were merged into a single legal entity in October 2011. Sovereign Housing Association includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited. Sovereign is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Date: 29 February 2012
Award for All grants community growth
Residents of sheltered housing schemes in West Berkshire who want to grow their own food and develop their gardening skills have been given a helping hand, thanks to a lottery grant.
Sovereign Housing Association and the Growing Together Project have been awarded £9,958 from the Lottery grants scheme, Awards for All (A4A).
The funding will be used in five sheltered housing schemes to develop residents’ practical skills in maintaining their communal gardens and growing their own fruit and vegetables.
“We believe this investment will lead to a stronger community as the residents’ interaction increases, as well as having a beneficial effect on their health and wellbeing,” said Lee Dillon, Sovereign’s Resident Involvement and Neighbourhood Investment Co-ordinator.
“We asked all schemes if they wanted to take part and then chose five, all sheltered accommodation, based on the interest residents showed and the suitability of the schemes.”
The five schemes selected to take part in the project are: Windmill Court, Mortimer; Gilbert Court, Thatcham; Speenhamland Court, Newbury; Leslie Southern Court, Newbury; and Springhurst House, Greenham.
The grant will cover a wide range of expenditure to help the communities’ green-fingered ambitions come to fruition, such as plants, seeds, compost and construction materials for raised beds.
There will also be 20 one-day practical courses to teach residents how to make raised beds, and how to grow and care for their plants.
Lee Dillon adds: “Our next step is for residents to meet up with the Community Furniture Project and our estates team to work out where they would like their raised beds, what they should look like, and what kind of vegetables and plants they would like to grow.”
The grants scheme recognises local community-based projects around the United Kingdom that strive to improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. The scheme was set up in 1994, and has raised more than £25 billion and over 317,000 grants have been awarded. In England the grants range from £500 to £10,000. Sovereign received the grant on the 19 December 2011.
Notes to Editors
* For more information on the Awards for All, visit: http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/index.html
* Sovereign Housing Association is a charitable body. It comprises Sovereign South+West, Sovereign Twynham, Sovereign Kingfisher and Sovereign Vale, which were merged into a single legal entity in October 2011. Sovereign Housing Association includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited. Sovereign is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Monday, 6 February 2012
Additional safety services offered to leaseholders
Sovereign Kingfisher Press Release
Date: 06 February 2012
Additional safety services offered to leaseholders
Following the success of Sovereign Kingfisher’s Home Health and Safety Check, gas safety checks are now being offered to leaseholders and shared owners at a preferential rate.
The service, which covers gas, solid fuel and oil servicing, asbestos and water condition surveys, portable appliance as well as smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector testing was introduced in 2009. Over 100 leaseholders and shared owners have now taken advantage of the latest offer to have their gas servicing carried out at a preferential rate.
“These are important steps to make more people aware of the potential dangers of carbon monoxide in the home. I welcome Sovereign Kingfisher’s important work on this,” says Maria Miller MP, former chairman of the government’s Gas Safety Group.
This time of year is a known high-risk period when the majority of carbon monoxide incidents occur. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and is the number 1 cause of unintentional poisoning death due to faulty heating appliances. (1)
“It’s important to service your gas boiler annually,” John Dyson, Sovereign’s Building Services Manager explains, “not only to avoid the unexpected breakdown but to ensure your gas boiler is working efficiently and safely-it could save your life!”
Under the terms of their tenancy agreements all of our residents are responsible for the servicing and maintenance of their gas boiler or other gas appliances. These should be checked regularly to make sure they are working safely and efficiently. Under the Home Health and Safety Check, each resident receives an annual visit from Sovereign Kingfisher’s contractor, Central Heating Services (CHS).
Leaseholders and shared owners may be asked to provide us with a copy of the gas safety certificate but now we can arrange for our ‘Gas Safe’ registered engineer to carry out the gas service, taking the onus off of the resident.
If you are a leaseholder or shared owner with Sovereign Kingfisher and would like to have your boiler checked at a preferential rate by our contractor, Central Heating Services (CHS), please contact your leasehold services officer on 01256 464114 or 0800 988 4858.
www.sovereign.org.uk/kingfisher
http://www.gas-safety-trust.org%20/ (1)
Notes to Editors
* Sovereign Housing Association is a charitable body. It comprises Sovereign South+West, Sovereign Twynham, Sovereign Kingfisher and Sovereign Vale, which were merged into a single legal entity in October 2011. Sovereign Housing Association includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited. Sovereign is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* For further information please contact Debbie Down, External Communications Advisor on 01256 302307 or email debbie.down@sovereign.org.uk
Benefit boost for Didcot family carers
Sovereign Vale Press Release
Date: 06 February 2012
Benefits boost for Didcot family carers
A family in Didcot in which a son and daughter are caring for their elderly mother had a pleasant surprise when a diligent tenant support advisor from their housing association realised that they had not received benefits they were entitled to.
The family, who do not want to be identified, received £14,500 in backdated payments.
The family consists of a son, 47, and daughter, 51, who look after their 88-year-old mother. The daughter had to leave her job eight years ago when their father passed away to be able to stay at home to look after her mother. Later, the son became unemployed, and the family encountered growing financial difficulties.
They always managed to pay their weekly rent of £62.67, but struggled to meet their other financial responsibilities.
“We received a phone call from Sovereign Vale,” the son explains, “and they asked us why we weren’t able to keep up with the bills. We explained the situation and they sent a housing officer around to talk to us about the situation and try to find alternative ways to approach the situation.”
Tenant Support Advisor Peter Coombs realised the family had not applied for Carers Allowance during the years the daughter had been looking after their mother. This amounted to an extra £55.55 per week.
Coombs and Welfare Officer Suzanne Key also found that for two and a half years the family had not received housing benefits and council tax benefits they were entitled to. This amounted to £14,500.
“It’s not only a relief that we are now up to date with everything. It’s such a nice, stress-free feeling knowing that my mum is no longer getting all the letters we used to, telling us how behind with payments we are,” the son says.
“Sovereign was very helpful, and Mr Coombs was there for us throughout the whole process, and still is. We couldn’t have done it on our own, and I hope that there are other people out there who will realise that there are ways to get back on track with your finances, even though it might look like you’ve got nowhere to turn to.”
Notes to Editors
* Sovereign Housing Association is a charitable body. It comprises Sovereign South+West, Sovereign Twynham, Sovereign Kingfisher and Sovereign Vale, which were merged into a single legal entity in October 2011. Sovereign Housing Association includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited. Sovereign is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Date: 06 February 2012
Benefits boost for Didcot family carers
A family in Didcot in which a son and daughter are caring for their elderly mother had a pleasant surprise when a diligent tenant support advisor from their housing association realised that they had not received benefits they were entitled to.
The family, who do not want to be identified, received £14,500 in backdated payments.
The family consists of a son, 47, and daughter, 51, who look after their 88-year-old mother. The daughter had to leave her job eight years ago when their father passed away to be able to stay at home to look after her mother. Later, the son became unemployed, and the family encountered growing financial difficulties.
They always managed to pay their weekly rent of £62.67, but struggled to meet their other financial responsibilities.
“We received a phone call from Sovereign Vale,” the son explains, “and they asked us why we weren’t able to keep up with the bills. We explained the situation and they sent a housing officer around to talk to us about the situation and try to find alternative ways to approach the situation.”
Tenant Support Advisor Peter Coombs realised the family had not applied for Carers Allowance during the years the daughter had been looking after their mother. This amounted to an extra £55.55 per week.
Coombs and Welfare Officer Suzanne Key also found that for two and a half years the family had not received housing benefits and council tax benefits they were entitled to. This amounted to £14,500.
“It’s not only a relief that we are now up to date with everything. It’s such a nice, stress-free feeling knowing that my mum is no longer getting all the letters we used to, telling us how behind with payments we are,” the son says.
“Sovereign was very helpful, and Mr Coombs was there for us throughout the whole process, and still is. We couldn’t have done it on our own, and I hope that there are other people out there who will realise that there are ways to get back on track with your finances, even though it might look like you’ve got nowhere to turn to.”
Notes to Editors
* Sovereign Housing Association is a charitable body. It comprises Sovereign South+West, Sovereign Twynham, Sovereign Kingfisher and Sovereign Vale, which were merged into a single legal entity in October 2011. Sovereign Housing Association includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited. Sovereign is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Friday, 3 February 2012
Shared Ownership offers hope to first time home buyers in Wokingham
Sovereign Living Press Release
Date: 03 February 2012
Shared Ownership offers hope to first time home buyers in Wokingham
The housing situation in the South East is worsening. The average price of property in Wokingham is £312,545, which is 11.5 times higher than the average local income, £27,269.
However, shared ownership offers a low-cost way for people to meet their aspirations to buy a property of their own.
A government initiative, shared ownership allows you to part-rent and part-buy your property, making it much more affordable.
Entry levels can start from as little as 25 per cent, with the homebuyer paying a subsided rent on the remaining share; the bigger the share you own, the less rent you pay.
The other share of the property is usually owned by a housing association. At a later stage, if the property owner wishes, they can purchase a larger share of the home.
In a report published in December 2011, the National Housing Federation (NHF) warned that many families in the South East, as well as younger and older people, were facing huge difficulties in finding suitable places to live.
“As the NHF report showed, the average house price in Wokingham is now around £312,000, more than 11 times the average income; a whole generation risks being locked out of the housing market, and that ‘affordability gap’ looks set to grow as supply fails to keep up with demand,” said Tony Quigley, Sovereign’s Director of Home Ownership. “Shared ownership offers a way in and constitutes a fantastic opportunity for young local people to realise their aspirations to own their own home.”
Notes to Editors
* Sovereign Living is a non-charitable part of The Sovereign Housing Association Limited, a charitable body. Sovereign Housing Association Limited is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Date: 03 February 2012
Shared Ownership offers hope to first time home buyers in Wokingham
The housing situation in the South East is worsening. The average price of property in Wokingham is £312,545, which is 11.5 times higher than the average local income, £27,269.
However, shared ownership offers a low-cost way for people to meet their aspirations to buy a property of their own.
A government initiative, shared ownership allows you to part-rent and part-buy your property, making it much more affordable.
Entry levels can start from as little as 25 per cent, with the homebuyer paying a subsided rent on the remaining share; the bigger the share you own, the less rent you pay.
The other share of the property is usually owned by a housing association. At a later stage, if the property owner wishes, they can purchase a larger share of the home.
In a report published in December 2011, the National Housing Federation (NHF) warned that many families in the South East, as well as younger and older people, were facing huge difficulties in finding suitable places to live.
“As the NHF report showed, the average house price in Wokingham is now around £312,000, more than 11 times the average income; a whole generation risks being locked out of the housing market, and that ‘affordability gap’ looks set to grow as supply fails to keep up with demand,” said Tony Quigley, Sovereign’s Director of Home Ownership. “Shared ownership offers a way in and constitutes a fantastic opportunity for young local people to realise their aspirations to own their own home.”
Notes to Editors
* Sovereign Living is a non-charitable part of The Sovereign Housing Association Limited, a charitable body. Sovereign Housing Association Limited is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Monday, 30 January 2012
Young Enterprise boosts deprived communities
Sovereign Twynham Press Release
Date: 30 January 2012
Young Enterprise boosts deprived communities
A project to help young people gain and develop a range of skills to prepare them for future employment is underway in Bournemouth and Christchurch.
The project, ‘One Community: Prevention, Intervention and Direction’, involves three schools from Boscombe and Somerford, two areas that are among the 20 per cent most deprived areas in the country.
More than 550 young people, aged between 13 and 17, will attend three workshops, where they will learn about business and learn about the skills required to improve their employability and succeed as an entrepreneur.
The initiative is led by the business and enterprise education charity Young Enterprise and funded by the multinational banking corporation JP Morgan, which has offices in Bournemouth. Staff from Sovereign Twynham are volunteering to help run the sessions, which begin on 1 March.
“The young enterprise One Community project is a collaboration between local organisations, united to raise young peoples aspirations and prepare them for further education, employment and life,” Hannah Cook of Young Enterprise, who has organised the project explains. “We are grateful to Sovereign Twynham for pledging their support and time to help deliver aspects of the project."
The project includes youth centres, community-based organisations and secondary schools, including The Grange in Somerford, and Avonbourne Girls School and Portchester Boys School, both near Boscombe. Sovereign has several properties near these schools.
Other organisations involved in the project include BCHA, Next Generation, Bournemouth and Poole College, Brockenhurst College, AFC Bournemouth and Dorset Fire and Rescue.
“With such a range of organisations involved, we believe this project will be very successful,” Ann Brown, Senior Resident Involvement Officer at Sovereign said. “We were involved in something similar last year at the Grange school last year, but on a smaller scale, so when we got approached by Young Enterprise directly we decided to get involved again.”
Notes to Editors
* Sovereign Housing Association is a charitable body. It comprises Sovereign South+West, Sovereign Twynham, Sovereign Kingfisher and Sovereign Vale, which were merged into a single legal entity in October 2011. Sovereign Housing Association includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited. Sovereign is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Date: 30 January 2012
Young Enterprise boosts deprived communities
A project to help young people gain and develop a range of skills to prepare them for future employment is underway in Bournemouth and Christchurch.
The project, ‘One Community: Prevention, Intervention and Direction’, involves three schools from Boscombe and Somerford, two areas that are among the 20 per cent most deprived areas in the country.
More than 550 young people, aged between 13 and 17, will attend three workshops, where they will learn about business and learn about the skills required to improve their employability and succeed as an entrepreneur.
The initiative is led by the business and enterprise education charity Young Enterprise and funded by the multinational banking corporation JP Morgan, which has offices in Bournemouth. Staff from Sovereign Twynham are volunteering to help run the sessions, which begin on 1 March.
“The young enterprise One Community project is a collaboration between local organisations, united to raise young peoples aspirations and prepare them for further education, employment and life,” Hannah Cook of Young Enterprise, who has organised the project explains. “We are grateful to Sovereign Twynham for pledging their support and time to help deliver aspects of the project."
The project includes youth centres, community-based organisations and secondary schools, including The Grange in Somerford, and Avonbourne Girls School and Portchester Boys School, both near Boscombe. Sovereign has several properties near these schools.
Other organisations involved in the project include BCHA, Next Generation, Bournemouth and Poole College, Brockenhurst College, AFC Bournemouth and Dorset Fire and Rescue.
“With such a range of organisations involved, we believe this project will be very successful,” Ann Brown, Senior Resident Involvement Officer at Sovereign said. “We were involved in something similar last year at the Grange school last year, but on a smaller scale, so when we got approached by Young Enterprise directly we decided to get involved again.”
Notes to Editors
* Sovereign Housing Association is a charitable body. It comprises Sovereign South+West, Sovereign Twynham, Sovereign Kingfisher and Sovereign Vale, which were merged into a single legal entity in October 2011. Sovereign Housing Association includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited. Sovereign is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Social landlords support Bristol residents back into work
Sovereign South+West Press Release
Date: 19 January 2012
Social landlords support Bristol residents back into work
All social housing tenants in Bristol now have access to support to find work, thanks to a joint initiative from the housing associations that make up the Bristol Housing Partnership (BHP).
The social landlords have made a commitment – the BHP Bristol Offer to Assist Residents into Work - to provide all residents with clear information about the services available to them and the paths they need to take to find employment, as well as support throughout a person’s transition to work. The ‘Bristol Offer’ initiative came about through an offshoot of BHP’s subgroup ‘Into Work’, which focuses on worklessness.
Despite its thriving economy, Bristol still has areas affected by long-term unemployment, and a substantial proportion of the people affected live in social housing. Social housing providers estimate that 60 per cent of their tenants are out of work, representing around 75 per cent of unemployed people in Bristol.
Many unemployed people living in social housing face barriers to getting back into work, including a lack of relevant skills and experience, disabilities or caring responsibilities. All of these can lead to a loss of confidence.
“They need a lot of support to overcome these obstacles. While a network of support agencies exists, many people need support in finding out how to engage with them,” said Sarah Jones, Neighbourhoods Regeneration Manager at Places for People.
“For someone who has been out of work for a long time, the path back to employment can seem long and daunting. This is a concerted effort by Bristol’s social housing providers to tackle this problem and help people who have found it hard to engage with support agencies to access vital information and training with a view to finding sustainable and worthwhile employment.”
As part of this effort, earlier this year, with funding from Bristol City Council, the partnership appointed a dedicated full-time Employment and Learning Officer to support unemployed residents back into work and training.
“The landlords represented in the partnership have a big stake in Bristol, and are keen to play our part in tackling deprivation in the city,” said Gez Bentley, Employment and Training Links Coordinator with Sovereign South+West. “Housing providers are ideally placed to help identify those in need of support. We already have contact with them and enjoy a degree of trust.
“By joining forces, we can offer a consistent level of support to a much greater number of residents, and this will result in efficiencies. Ultimately we hope that this will result in fewer social housing residents being on benefits, which will result in a reduction in rent arrears and property maintenance costs,” he added.
Notes to editors:
* The members of the Bristol Housing Partnership are: Bristol City Council (BCC), Places for People, Sovereign South+West, Bristol Community Housing Foundation, Knightstone Housing Association, 16-25 Independent Living, Solon South West Housing Association, Redland Housing Association and Second Step.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Date: 19 January 2012
Social landlords support Bristol residents back into work
All social housing tenants in Bristol now have access to support to find work, thanks to a joint initiative from the housing associations that make up the Bristol Housing Partnership (BHP).
The social landlords have made a commitment – the BHP Bristol Offer to Assist Residents into Work - to provide all residents with clear information about the services available to them and the paths they need to take to find employment, as well as support throughout a person’s transition to work. The ‘Bristol Offer’ initiative came about through an offshoot of BHP’s subgroup ‘Into Work’, which focuses on worklessness.
Despite its thriving economy, Bristol still has areas affected by long-term unemployment, and a substantial proportion of the people affected live in social housing. Social housing providers estimate that 60 per cent of their tenants are out of work, representing around 75 per cent of unemployed people in Bristol.
Many unemployed people living in social housing face barriers to getting back into work, including a lack of relevant skills and experience, disabilities or caring responsibilities. All of these can lead to a loss of confidence.
“They need a lot of support to overcome these obstacles. While a network of support agencies exists, many people need support in finding out how to engage with them,” said Sarah Jones, Neighbourhoods Regeneration Manager at Places for People.
“For someone who has been out of work for a long time, the path back to employment can seem long and daunting. This is a concerted effort by Bristol’s social housing providers to tackle this problem and help people who have found it hard to engage with support agencies to access vital information and training with a view to finding sustainable and worthwhile employment.”
As part of this effort, earlier this year, with funding from Bristol City Council, the partnership appointed a dedicated full-time Employment and Learning Officer to support unemployed residents back into work and training.
“The landlords represented in the partnership have a big stake in Bristol, and are keen to play our part in tackling deprivation in the city,” said Gez Bentley, Employment and Training Links Coordinator with Sovereign South+West. “Housing providers are ideally placed to help identify those in need of support. We already have contact with them and enjoy a degree of trust.
“By joining forces, we can offer a consistent level of support to a much greater number of residents, and this will result in efficiencies. Ultimately we hope that this will result in fewer social housing residents being on benefits, which will result in a reduction in rent arrears and property maintenance costs,” he added.
Notes to editors:
* The members of the Bristol Housing Partnership are: Bristol City Council (BCC), Places for People, Sovereign South+West, Bristol Community Housing Foundation, Knightstone Housing Association, 16-25 Independent Living, Solon South West Housing Association, Redland Housing Association and Second Step.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Monday, 28 November 2011
Early Christmas present from Sovereign Vale
Sovereign Vale Press Release
November 2011
Early Christmas present from Sovereign Vale
The Food Bank in Abingdon has been given an early Christmas present. Staff at Sovereign Vale Housing Association has donated several boxes of food to the Food Bank, which allocates the food to those in need.
The initiative came from Jaz Kundi, Sovereign’s Resident Involvement Officer, who said: “This is the season when we think of those people who struggle to get enough to feed their family, the kind of people we sometimes come across at work.”
“Thanks to all the staff at Sovereign who have been very generous in donating this food and it gives me enormous pleasure to be able to hand it over to the Food Bank. It is something that Sovereign should do every year.”
The Abingdon Emergency Food Bank, which opened in 2009, distributes food to people in crisis such as bad health, redundancy or economic hardship. The volunteers at the Food Bank hand out food parcels that will last for three days to anyone who has been given a food voucher by a professional.
Food bank staff Jenny Corps and Jason Kelly (pictured), received the boxes of food on Friday 21 October. Jenny said: “We have been delighted with Sovereign’s staff’s contribution to the Food Bank. It is great to see caring people.”
Notes to Editors
* For more information on the Abingdon Emergency Food Bank, visit: http://www.abingdonfoodbank.org/
* Sovereign Living is a trading name of The Sovereign Housing Group Limited, a charitable body. The Sovereign Group is made up of four charitable associations: The Sovereign Housing Group Ltd; Sovereign Housing Association Ltd (incorporating Sovereign South+West and Sovereign Twynham); Kingfisher HVHS Housing Association Ltd; and The Vale Housing Association Ltd – plus subsidiaries. It also includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
November 2011
Early Christmas present from Sovereign Vale
The Food Bank in Abingdon has been given an early Christmas present. Staff at Sovereign Vale Housing Association has donated several boxes of food to the Food Bank, which allocates the food to those in need.
The initiative came from Jaz Kundi, Sovereign’s Resident Involvement Officer, who said: “This is the season when we think of those people who struggle to get enough to feed their family, the kind of people we sometimes come across at work.”
“Thanks to all the staff at Sovereign who have been very generous in donating this food and it gives me enormous pleasure to be able to hand it over to the Food Bank. It is something that Sovereign should do every year.”
The Abingdon Emergency Food Bank, which opened in 2009, distributes food to people in crisis such as bad health, redundancy or economic hardship. The volunteers at the Food Bank hand out food parcels that will last for three days to anyone who has been given a food voucher by a professional.
Food bank staff Jenny Corps and Jason Kelly (pictured), received the boxes of food on Friday 21 October. Jenny said: “We have been delighted with Sovereign’s staff’s contribution to the Food Bank. It is great to see caring people.”
Notes to Editors
* For more information on the Abingdon Emergency Food Bank, visit: http://www.abingdonfoodbank.org/
* Sovereign Living is a trading name of The Sovereign Housing Group Limited, a charitable body. The Sovereign Group is made up of four charitable associations: The Sovereign Housing Group Ltd; Sovereign Housing Association Ltd (incorporating Sovereign South+West and Sovereign Twynham); Kingfisher HVHS Housing Association Ltd; and The Vale Housing Association Ltd – plus subsidiaries. It also includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Local children get to meet the animal sculptures they named
Sovereign South+West Press Release
Date: 23 November 2011
Local children get to meet the animal sculptures they named
Children from Courtney Primary School, in Kingswood, will get to meet the crocodile, snake and turtles they named at an event on Friday 25 November.
The wooden creatures have been created by local wood carver Andy O’Neil to mark a new housing development at the old Woodstock School site, built by Sovereign South+West.
His snake, a crocodile bench, three turtle picnic tables and three signposts are being installed into a children’s play area on the development.
The young people from Courtney Primary School took part in a competition to create a poster and name the animals. The winning names are: Choppers the crocodile, Zark the snake, Milly, Tyler and Roxie the turtles.
Notes to Editors:
* The young people from Courtney Primary School will be meeting the reptiles and the artist at 1.30pm on Friday 25 November, opposite the school on the new development. Representatives of the media are welcome to attend.
* Sovereign South+West’s Woodstock School development, built by Leadbitter, contains 66 new properties: 22 for general needs rent, three for intermediate rent and 41 for shared ownership.
* Sovereign Housing Association is a charitable body. It comprises Sovereign South+West, Sovereign Twynham, Sovereign Kingfisher and Sovereign Vale, which were merged into a single legal entity in October 2011. Sovereign Housing Association includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited. Sovereign is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* For further information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager on 01635 277406 or at roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Date: 23 November 2011
Local children get to meet the animal sculptures they named
Children from Courtney Primary School, in Kingswood, will get to meet the crocodile, snake and turtles they named at an event on Friday 25 November.
The wooden creatures have been created by local wood carver Andy O’Neil to mark a new housing development at the old Woodstock School site, built by Sovereign South+West.
His snake, a crocodile bench, three turtle picnic tables and three signposts are being installed into a children’s play area on the development.
The young people from Courtney Primary School took part in a competition to create a poster and name the animals. The winning names are: Choppers the crocodile, Zark the snake, Milly, Tyler and Roxie the turtles.
Notes to Editors:
* The young people from Courtney Primary School will be meeting the reptiles and the artist at 1.30pm on Friday 25 November, opposite the school on the new development. Representatives of the media are welcome to attend.
* Sovereign South+West’s Woodstock School development, built by Leadbitter, contains 66 new properties: 22 for general needs rent, three for intermediate rent and 41 for shared ownership.
* Sovereign Housing Association is a charitable body. It comprises Sovereign South+West, Sovereign Twynham, Sovereign Kingfisher and Sovereign Vale, which were merged into a single legal entity in October 2011. Sovereign Housing Association includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited. Sovereign is one of the largest providers of affordable housing in the south and south-west of England. It owns or manages more than 33,000 properties, offering a variety of tenures.
* For further information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager on 01635 277406 or at roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
Monday, 14 November 2011
Skyllings estate set for improvements with removal of garages
Sovereign South+West Press Release
14 November 2011
Skyllings estate set for improvements with removal of garages
Work has begun on the Skyllings, in east Newbury, which will transform the estate, making parking easier and tackling anti-social behaviour.
The demolition of two sets of four garages began on Monday 14 November. In their place, off-street parking for 14 properties will be created, while people will be able to see children playing in the multi-user games area (MUGA), views of which have until now been obstructed by the garage blocks.
The decision to remove the garages was taken after an extensive consultation with local residents, conducted by Sovereign South+West. People on the estate overwhelmingly identified parking and anti-social behaviour as their major concerns.
“These improvements will make a positive difference to residents’ day-to-day lives. Parking will be much easier and the whole estate should be a safer and more open place to live,” said Norma Maggs, Housing Officer for Sovereign South+West.
“We are delighted to be able to tackle issues that clearly matter to our residents. The removal of the garages will allow an unrestricted view of the MUGA and any acts of anti-social behaviour being carried out. These works will make the whole area more open and discourage ASB from happening in the first place.”
The work is being jointly funded by Sovereign South+West and West Berkshire Council. While it is being carried out, the contractors will ensure that vehicles can move freely on the road and guarantee the safety of pedestrians.
David Betts, West Berkshire's Executive Councillor for Highways & Transport said: "The Council are taking the opportunity to combine the Sovereign scheme with resurfacing of the footways around Skyllings. This will provide a cost-effective way to provide an improved environment with minimum disruption to residents."
Beyond the physical improvements, Sovereign has also worked with residents to build a more sustainable community, by organising community events, such as the recent fun day, in collaboration with local partners such as Tesco, Clay Hill Neighbourhood Action Group, Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People and the neighbourhood wardens.
“The physical works are part of a bigger picture,” said Lee Dillon Resident Involvement Officer for Sovereign South+West. “We want to build communities where people want to live. The social events that have been held in the run-up to this project and that will continue throughout will help to enhance the community spirit.”
Notes to Editors
* Sovereign Living is a trading name of The Sovereign Housing Group Limited, a charitable body. The Sovereign Group is made up of four charitable associations: The Sovereign Housing Group Ltd; Sovereign Housing Association Ltd (incorporating Sovereign South+West and Sovereign Twynham); Kingfisher HVHS Housing Association Ltd; and The Vale Housing Association Ltd – plus subsidiaries. It also includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
14 November 2011
Skyllings estate set for improvements with removal of garages
Work has begun on the Skyllings, in east Newbury, which will transform the estate, making parking easier and tackling anti-social behaviour.
The demolition of two sets of four garages began on Monday 14 November. In their place, off-street parking for 14 properties will be created, while people will be able to see children playing in the multi-user games area (MUGA), views of which have until now been obstructed by the garage blocks.
The decision to remove the garages was taken after an extensive consultation with local residents, conducted by Sovereign South+West. People on the estate overwhelmingly identified parking and anti-social behaviour as their major concerns.
“These improvements will make a positive difference to residents’ day-to-day lives. Parking will be much easier and the whole estate should be a safer and more open place to live,” said Norma Maggs, Housing Officer for Sovereign South+West.
“We are delighted to be able to tackle issues that clearly matter to our residents. The removal of the garages will allow an unrestricted view of the MUGA and any acts of anti-social behaviour being carried out. These works will make the whole area more open and discourage ASB from happening in the first place.”
The work is being jointly funded by Sovereign South+West and West Berkshire Council. While it is being carried out, the contractors will ensure that vehicles can move freely on the road and guarantee the safety of pedestrians.
David Betts, West Berkshire's Executive Councillor for Highways & Transport said: "The Council are taking the opportunity to combine the Sovereign scheme with resurfacing of the footways around Skyllings. This will provide a cost-effective way to provide an improved environment with minimum disruption to residents."
Beyond the physical improvements, Sovereign has also worked with residents to build a more sustainable community, by organising community events, such as the recent fun day, in collaboration with local partners such as Tesco, Clay Hill Neighbourhood Action Group, Berkshire Association of Clubs for Young People and the neighbourhood wardens.
“The physical works are part of a bigger picture,” said Lee Dillon Resident Involvement Officer for Sovereign South+West. “We want to build communities where people want to live. The social events that have been held in the run-up to this project and that will continue throughout will help to enhance the community spirit.”
Notes to Editors
* Sovereign Living is a trading name of The Sovereign Housing Group Limited, a charitable body. The Sovereign Group is made up of four charitable associations: The Sovereign Housing Group Ltd; Sovereign Housing Association Ltd (incorporating Sovereign South+West and Sovereign Twynham); Kingfisher HVHS Housing Association Ltd; and The Vale Housing Association Ltd – plus subsidiaries. It also includes the non-charitable Sovereign Living Limited.
* If you would like more information, please contact Roy Probert, Public Relations Manager for Sovereign, on 01635 277406 or 07827 356479, or email roy.probert@sovereign.org.uk
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