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PRESS RELEASE
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Ref:PRHSP009 Date: 27th March 2023
Housing Association supports safety initiative for Shropshire children
An annual event that delivers important safety and social awareness lessons to primary school children has received financial support from a local housing association.
Homes Plus has donated £1,500 to the charity that runs Shrewsbury & Oswestry Crucial Crew; a ten-day safety event attended by 1,400 11-year-olds from up to 60 local primary schools each year.
The event has been running for 28 years and this year's was held at the Nesscliffe Military Training Camp. Children took part in safety lessons and workshops delivered by organisations, including the police and fire service, on subjects such as internet safety, first aid, hate crimes and the dangers of building sites, farms, rivers and railways.
The 2023 event also marked the coronation of King Charles III. All the children attending received a commemorative leather bookmark and goodie bag as well as their coveted Crucial Crew t-shirt.
Around 1000 of the children attending were from primary schools, in Shrewsbury, with many living in Homes Plus houses.
Crucial Crew is organised by a team of volunteers and Homes Plus' donation went towards the event's running costs.
Homes Plus staff also volunteered as chaperones at the event. This was not only beneficial to the children attending but is also a form of staff personal development.
Jaswinder Kaur was one of the Homes Plus colleagues who volunteered at the event. She said: "I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Crucial Crew. The children took part in many workshops and learnt about the dangers of alcohol, knife crime, anti-social behaviour and much more!
"The children were a friendly group and they have received valuable information that they can take home to their families.
"I felt proud to represent Homes Plus. I had great feedback and have been asked to attend next year!"
The Homes Plus My Community Fund is delivered in partnership with Jewson.
Sam Allcott is Director of Housing at Homes Plus and explained why the housing association wanted to support the project.
She said: "At Homes Plus we are proud to have supported Crucial Crew over the last few years so they can continue to provide invaluable life skills to children in Shropshire.
"We love being able to offer our staff the opportunity to volunteer at the event and many of our staff who get involved tell us how much they enjoy and value the experience.
"Making a positive difference in the communities where we live and work is especially important to Homes Plus."
Geof Proffitt, Crucial Crew Deputy Chairman and Trustee Fundraiser, said: "This year Shrewsbury & Oswestry Crucial Crew were particularly well supported by management and staff of Homes Plus who supported the event in a number of ways. Homes Plus not only provided invaluable financial support, but they allowed their staff to attend as chaperones. Their enthusiasm for what we do is infectious and re-energises us all. We were also pleased to welcome one member of staff onto our management team."
Charities, voluntary groups or community organisations can apply for sponsorship from the My Community fund here.
Caption:Homes Plus colleagues Jaswinder Kaur and Emily Jukes.
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Background for editors
Homes Plus is a social landlord which owns more than 19,000 homes in Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Registered as a Charitable Community Benefit Society, Homes Plus is a Housing Plus Group company. The Group is a leading provider of quality, affordable homes and care services that customers can trust. Member companies also include Care Plus, Property Plus and Severn Homes.
With a vision to be a resilient organisation, making a positive difference to homes, lives and communities, Housing Plus Group employs around 1,000 people in Staffordshire and Shropshire. The growing Group is addressing the housing crisis locally, by building new homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale. It has committed to delivering one-third more hours of care and support for older people in their own homes and to creating new apprenticeship opportunities in the Group and its supply chain.
Housing Plus Group is inspired by the CLARITY values which are the foundations of its work: Communication, Learning, Accountable, Respectful, Inclusive, Trust and You.
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) requires that all registered providers confirm compliance with the Regulatory Framework, Governance and Financial Viability Standard. Housing Plus Group complies with this standard, holding the RSH highest rating for governance, G1 and V2 for viability. Please visit www.gov.uk to find out more.
Further information
Mara Hargreaves
Head of marketing and communications
Mobile (p): 07967 967 466
e:mara.hargreaves@housingplusgroup.co.uk
Clare Chick
Marketing and communications officer
Mobile (p): 07950 254 279
e:clare.chick@housingplusgroup.co.uk
Ruby Davies
Marketing and communications officer
Housing Plus Group
Mobile: 07485 922776
ruby.davies@housingplusgroup.co.uk
Martin Farrow
CHANGEWORKS Communications
t: + 44 (0) 1785 247588
m: +44 (0)7771 970025
e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk