Ref: PRHSP014                                                                         Date: 21^stDecember 2023

Homes Plus delivers festive cheer to families in need this Christmas 

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A housing association has been helping to deliver some festive cheer to families in need this Christmas after donating toys to a community hub at a Staffordshire primary school.

Many families have faced financial difficulty in recent years due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. These gifts have been made possible thanks to Homes Plus' generous repairs team, who donated all the loyalty points collected through their purchases of materials. They wanted these to be used to buy toys for children who might not otherwise receive a present this year.

The Homes Plus offices, in Acton Gate, Stafford, quickly turned into Santa's Grotto as numerous presents, toys and games, purchased using the loyalty points, began to arrive. The presents included books, Lego, puzzles and crayons.

The Community Hub at Castlechurch Primary School, in Stafford, were delighted to receive a donation of toys for local children, which were delivered by Home Plus' neighbourhoods team.

The Hub offers a warm and welcoming space for families and runs free toddler groups, craft clubs and cuppa clubs.

The presents will be handed out to children whose families may simply not be able afford to buy them something special for Christmas.

Homes Plus supports a wide range of projects run by voluntary groups and organisations here in Staffordshire and Shropshire.

Food banks helping people in need in Staffordshire and Shropshire also benefitted from timely donations from the Homes Plus My Community fund. These were awarded to House of Bread and Rising Brook Food Bank, in Stafford, Kingsway Food Bank, in Wombourne, Cannock and District Food Bank, in South Staffordshire, and Shrewsbury Food Bank at Barnabus Community Church.

"With many families continuing to feel the impact of the cost-of-living crisis we're pleased that we can help make a positive difference to so many local people, especially at this time of year,"said Homes Plus director of housing, Samantha Allcott.

"The financial pressure of the festivities can put families, who may already be struggling, in difficult situations. We're glad that we can help make sure our residents are supported."

Local charities and voluntary groups can apply for funding from the Homes Plus My Community Fund online:https://www.homesplus.co.uk/the-my-community-fund/

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Caption for image ref: HPG 23193_Toys

Colleagues from the Homes PlusStaffordshire neighbourhoods team.

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 affordable 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 and guided by the 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.

www.homesplus.co.uk

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 
m: 07950 254 279 
e:clare.chick@housingplusgroup.co.uk  

Ruby Davies
Marketing and communications officer
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