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Press release |
Ref:PRHSP017 Date: 26thJune 2024
Donation helps more people enjoy outdoor adventures
A Shropshire-based community organisation is set to take a major step forward in its mission to help people on low incomes improve their health by enjoying the great outdoors, thanks to the support of a leading regional housing association.
A grant from the Homes Plus My Community Fund is helping Kitsquad CIC to recycle donated clothes and equipment to supply to people who might not otherwise benefit from access to the countryside.
Founded in 2020, Kitsquad aims to assist low-income individuals to improve their health and wellbeing by exploring the natural world.
Samantha Allcott, Director of Housing for Homes Plus, explained: "Getting out and about is proven to be beneficial to mental and physical wellbeing, and encouraging more people to enjoy the great outdoors fits well with our wider goal of supporting the communities we serve.
"The Homes Plus My Community Fund was set up to help us achieve those ambitions, and we're delighted to be able to step in and help an organisation that is making a positive difference to people's lives.
"By recycling clothes and equipment, Kitsquad reflects our own commitment to sustainability. In fact, last year as well as increasing our use of electric vehicles, we also made sure that 92% of the waste produced in our home improvement programme was recycled instead of being sent to landfill."
The donation from Homes Plus is already making a difference at the Atcham headquarters of Kitsquad, helping even more people open a pathway towards improved health and wellbeing, according to founder, Fran Pearson.
"After receiving this wonderful grant we were able to purchase a washing machine, a printer and a reconditioned iPad," she said.
"We use these items daily, and they have made our working days so much easier. We are extremely grateful for this grant; it has gone a long way towards making it possible for us to help more people."
The My Community Fund is delivered in partnership with Jewson. The Homes Plus My Community Fund supports grass-roots organisations in Staffordshire and Shropshire. Learn more about the fund and apply for grants online athomesplus.co.uk/help-and-advice/the-my-community-fund/
Caption for picture HPG24075:
Kitsquad founder, Fran Pearson, with Homes Plus Community Safety Team Leader, Amanda Potter.
ENDS
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 companiesalso 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.
Further information
Mara Hargreaves
Head of marketing and communications
Mobile (p): 07967 967 466
e:mara.hargreaves@housingplusgroup.co.uk
Ruby Davies
Marketing and communications officer
m:07485 922 776
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