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PRESS RELEASE
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Ref:PRHSP013 Date: 13th November 2023
Boost to food banks in Staffordshire and Shropshire
Homes Plus is supporting food banks in Staffordshire and Shropshire to top up essential supplies for people struggling with the rising cost of living.
The social landlord has handed £1,000 each to four food banks in Hednesford, Shrewsbury and Stafford thanks to money donated by Homes Plus partner Phoenix Gas.
The money will help food bank volunteers stock up on products people need but which are sometimes in short supply.
Food Bank Plus, based at Barnabus Community Church in Shrewsbury, was one of the food banks to benefit from a donation.
Karen Williams, manager of Shrewsbury Food Bank Plus, said: "It's great to partner with Homes Plus in all sorts of ways, complementing the work they do supporting our clients.
"We are using the money to purchase more food, on top of the donations we receive, to ensure our food parcels provide a balanced diet and a full seven days worth of food."
House of Bread and Rising Brook Food Bank, in Stafford, and Cannock and District Food Bank, in South Staffordshire, were also awarded £1,000.
Simon Millington, Director of Compliance at Homes Plus, said: "We know that some of our customers make use of their local food banks to help them through the cost-of-living crisis.
"We decided to donate the £4000, given to us by Phoenix Gas, to four food banks in our area, to help top up the items that don't often get donated and fund other running costs.
"Ifyou're a Homes Plus customer you can contact our Employment and Money Advice team in confidence for advice on0800 048 8955or fill in a referral form."
Kyle Grocott, managing director of Phoenix Gas, said: "We value the relationships we have with our customers, colleagues and clients along with the people within the communities in which we work and take pride in supporting each other and our values are the foundation of our company.
"We have worked closely with Homes Plus since 2018 to work collaboratively to bring best value to the client and their customers.
"Working in partnership with Vaillant we have been able to bring added value to the contract and in turn help the local community in which we are working, by adding funding to the local food banks. We place social value at the heart of how we work and believe that our services should be delivered in a way that provides maximum public benefit.
"We always take into consideration how the services we commission might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area. We primarily operate in the domestic, commercial and renewable energy alternative markets. Working for local authorities, housing associations and private businesses, along with private domestic clients, local councils and estate agents."
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Caption for picture ref: LAN23097_Shewsbury Foodbank:
Managing Director of Phoenix Gas Services, Kyle Grocott, Food Bank Plus manager Karen Williams and Housing Plus Group's Director of Compliance Simon Millington.
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
Mobile:07485 922776
e:ruby.davies@housingplusgroup.co.uk
Martin Farrow
CHANGEWORKS Communications
t: + 44 (0) 1785 247588
m: +44 (0)7771 970025
e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk