Herefordshire Housing
The Association has been working with older residents of a housing scheme in Ross-on-Wye to improve their knowledge of digital technology and start using the internet. The result has been the creation of a digital hub.
Residents set up their own internet access, as they were keen to learn more about digital technology. Working with the residents, Herefordshire Housing arranged for a reconditioned computer from local company, Enviroability. A second computer was also kindly donated by a resident.
Get Digital sessions were organised by the Association with the help of IT colleagues and IT support from Enviroability.
Residents used search engines, emailed family members in Australia, looked at street views of loved ones homes in other countries, made online purchases, viewed online art galleries and got to grips with the Nintendo Wii!
The group also connected the computer to a projector and watched a clip from British Pathe of historic Ross-on-Wye and used YouTube to watch films of the Wye Valley. Residents will also be exploring social networking in the near future as they learn how to use facebook.
__________
Hillcrest Housing Association and Northern Housing Company
It was announced that Northern Housing Company (NHC) and Hillcrest Housing Association (HHA) are close to concluding partnering talks which will result in NHC joining the Hillcrest Group of Companies as a subsidiary.
NHC and HHA have been discussing the potential mutual benefits of a closer form of partnering following discussion and collaboration over recent years.
John Mulloy, Hillcrest Group Chief Executive commented that:
"NHC is an ideal partner for Hillcrest in the current policy and funding environment.
"We are delighted that NHC are considering joining the Hillcrest Group as they will bring expertise in mid market renting and the ability to manage new supply provision as well as some of our existing low demand stock that we plan to convert to mid market or intermediate rent."
NHC is an unregistered social landlord with charitable status. It owns about 400 properties in Dundee and Perth for mid market renting.
The promotion of mid market and intermediate renting by the Scottish Government as a way of relieving pressure on social renting waiting lists added impetus to the partnering talks. The possibility of adding new supply intermediate and mid market renting with the necessary help of subsidy is also an attraction for both parties.
__________
Sanctuary Group
An agreement has seen Sanctuary Group pledge funds to support the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford for the forthcoming 2010 IBSA World Blind Football Championship.
The event takes place towards the end of August at Hereford's multi-million pound international-standard sports and conferencing centre, thePoint4 at the RNC. It is the first of its kind to take place in this country and will see ten teams from across the World, including England, battle it out for one of the most coveted prizes in disability sport.
Sanctuary's support will provide vital funding for the Championships and will be used by the RNC to pay for a spectator stand at thePoint4. The world-class viewing facility will accommodate over 450 fans and supporters.
Sanctuary's support for the RNC continues to strengthen the Group's operations in Hereford where it has been selected to manage the development of a proposed urban village in the City centre.
The planned development will see the building of up to 800 much needed homes in Hereford and forms part of proposals for major regeneration throughout the City, which is being led by Hereford Futures.
Sanctuary will link investment and construction programmes on the project to local employment and training initiatives. This will involve providing education and training opportunities and working with contractors and local suppliers to encourage them to recruit local people.
__________
Servite Housing Association
Lord Provost John Letford was the special guest at a garden party to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Servite HA.
Eighty guests attended the event at the Association's Head Office in Broughty Ferry. They were given a brief history of the Association by Servite Chair Bill Roberton, from its inception on 1st April 1985 to the present day. The Lord Provost officially opened a refurbished garden to the rear of the premises.
The garden was initially renovated by Helm Training, a Dundee and Angus-based charity which provides a range of targeted training, life skills and workplace skills aimed at helping young people aged between 15-19 years.
Servite became independent in 1985, having previously been part of the English-based Servite Houses. It has grown from having one full-time member of staff in 1980 to an organisation with over 150 staff, over 1700 properties and a £6 million turnover.
The last year has seen Servite open seven developments with a further two imminent. It has won prestigious awards in the shape of a Scottish Homes Award for their new Inverness development, listed as "One to Watch" in the "Best Companies" grading, the Bronze Award in the "Healthy Working Lives" classification and listed as "Winner" in the Business to College Awards.
