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29.
October
2019.
Conference focus on what's strong

 

                     Press Release

               

Ref:PRSH280                                                                                         Date: 29thOct 2019

Conference focus on what's strong rather than 
 
what's wrong

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A special conference for customers of Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) has heard how SARH has led a fresh approach to tackle the challenges faced by local communities.

All too often, organisations tasked with improving the lives of local people focus on what's wrong in the community rather than what's strong according to the keynote speaker at the Full of Life conference, organised by the housing association that's now a proud member of Housing Plus Group.

Chris Chinnock of Nurture Development, an organisation that provides a wide range of community support services, explained: "By focussing on specific social problems, the fantastic work already being done within the community is often overlooked.

"As a result, a lot of energy is wasted on what's missing in a community rather than nurturing what's already there.

"The answer lies in connecting people who are already working to build stronger communities, and this is something that SARH has been very good at."

Chris was speaking at a popular annual event at the SARH offices in Parker Court, Stafford, that aims to update customers on developments at the housing association whilst celebrating the contribution made by older members of the community.

As part of the event, which also coincided with International Older Person's celebrations, around 100 guests also took part in a range of activities, including arts and crafts and dancing to live music.

Another guest speaker, John Henderson, Chief Executive of Staffordshire County Council  paid tribute to the work of SARH and the organisation's commitment to the communities it serves.

"At SARH the focus has always been on providing homes rather than just houses," he said.

"As the population ages, the health of individuals within our communities is dependent on a wide range of factors, including housing, employment opportunities and the environment.  SARH has played a key role in boosting these while building stronger communities."

Kathy Jones, operational director of housing for Housing Plus Group added: "The Full of Lifeconference has become one of our most popular events and this year proved no exception.

"All who took part enjoyed getting together to celebrate getting older with friends old and new!" 

Caption:

Pictured here Gavin McAlister, SARH Community Engagement Advisor, with SARH customer Jessie Thomas. 

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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 ‘You First'.SARH has invested more than £280 million on improvement and regeneration programmes and have built 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. The housing association has pledged tobuild or acquire 900 new homes by 2021 andworks 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'.

 

SARH is registered as a Charitable Community Benefit Society and is part of Housing Plus Group, one of the largest housing providers in the region.  

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 and Communications Manager

t:01785 216793 (Direct) 

m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)  

e:mara.hargreaves@sarh.co.uk