Ref:PRSH269.                                                                                    Date: July 23,2019

Kitchen boost for Children's Centre

A Children's Centre in Stafford has received a huge boost thanks to the generosity of employees at the area's leading provider of affordable homes and its in-house property repair company.

Housing Worx, a wholly owned subsidiary of Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH), has donated and fitted a new kitchen at the centre in Exeter Street which is also home to the Silkmore Foodbank.

Late last year, SARH employees donated dozens of food parcels and essential household items to the food bank to help spread a little seasonal cheer to families and individuals struggling to make ends meet as part of an ongoing commitment to help build stronger communities.

When the parcels were delivered, members of the Housing Worx team noted that kitchen facilities at the Silkmore Children's Centre were inadequate and desperately in need of a refresh, with volunteers struggling to cope with increasing demand for their help and support.

Martin Sawyer, Housing Worx Contracts Manager, explained: "When we saw the fantastic work being done at the centre and the condition of the facilities, we just had to step in and help.

"A new kitchen was designed around some surplus units we had from an extensive refurbishment programme that's seen hundreds of SARH properties improved this year.

"A team of fitters then moved in to install the kitchen at no cost to the centre, which is now fully equipped to provide even more support for the community. What's more, Housing Worx contractors also made some additional food donations, so now the cupboards are full as well as new!"

Karen Armitage, SARH Chief Executive, commented: "SARH and Housing Worx staff are always looking for ways to help and support the communities they serve.

"We're delighted that, through Housing Worx, we've been able to provide a significant boost to a valuable community resource that many in the Silkmore area rely on."

Mark Sutton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Staffordshire County Council said: "Our Children's centre staff work hard to help make sure that young children get the best possible start in life and that their families are supported to help them achieve this. 

"At Silkmore, families can access a range of services, take part in activities and get information about what is going on locally. The new kitchen is fantastic news and I'm sure it will go down very well with the families that use it. I'd like to say a big thanks to the teams for their support and kind donation."

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Caption:

Pictured atSilkmore Children's Centrefollowing the installation of the kitchen and delivery of the latest donations are: Sian Lovatt, Housing Worx Business Support Officer; Martin Sawyer, Housing Worx Contracts Manager; Julie Edwards, Administrator at Silkmore Children's Centre; Gavin McAlister, SARH Community Engagement Advisor; and Jane Plimmer, Housing Worx Scheduler.

About Stafford and Rural Homes

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) is the largest social landlord in Stafford with around 6,000 homes across Stafford, Stone and the rural villages across the Borough. Established in 2006 to own and manage the former Stafford Borough Council housing stock, SARHset up a trading subsidiary company Housing Worx, to deliver planned maintenance works to its properties and fulfil commercial contracts in 2012. SARHalso offers 18 Independent Living schemes for people aged over 55 andan award winning Telecare home safety and personal security system for the elderly and vulnerable.SARH has invested more than £100 million on improvement and regeneration programmes and building over 500 high quality new homes for rent and shared ownership which have benefited SARH customers by improving neighbourhoods and creating job opportunities for local people. A Community Benefit Society (CBS), the housing association works in partnership with local authorities, health trusts, statutory bodies and a range of voluntary organisations to create safe, sustainable communities where residents can ‘Live, Work and Grow'.

Follow SARH on Twitter@SARHomes

Media contact:

Martin Farrow
CHANGEWORKS Communications
 t: + 44 (0) 1785 247588
 m: +44 (0)7771 970025
 e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk
 

Stafford and Rural Homes contact:

Mara Hargreaves
Marketing Manager
 t:01785 216793 (Direct) 
 m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)  
 e:mara.hargreaves@sarh.co.uk