Ref: PRCP020                                                                            Date: 24^thSeptember 2024

Green-fingered cadets lend a helping hand at retirement living scheme

Hi Res image
A group of sea cadets have been making waves at a retirement living scheme in Stafford where they've helped residents bring a communal garden back to life.

Members of the Stafford and Rugeley Sea Cadets have been visiting the scheme, which is managed by Care Plus, a Housing Plus Group company, for the last three months and helped create an outdoor space for everyone to enjoy.

Thanks to everyone's hard work, resident Margaret could get busy filling the garden with flowers and afterwards said: "The garden was quite overgrown and the sea cadets helped to clear it all away, they ended up with piles of twigs and weeds.

"They worked really hard, and they were all so pleasant and lovely. Young people get such bad press, but to see these youngsters working hard has been a joy."

The Sea Cadets began volunteering after Margaret and Care Plus Retirement Living Officer (RLO), Zoe, were offered their help at the local church.

Each month a group of around eight cadets visit the scheme to help with the garden.

Commanding Officer of Stafford and Rugeley Sea Cadets, Charlotte Folland, said: "Alongside our training activities our cadets, who are between the ages of 12 and 18, undertake various tasks in the local area to help the community as well as help with their personal development.  These types of interactions help to strengthen links within our community."

RLO Zoe thanked the cadets for their help. She added: "We're delighted that the Sea Cadets have given up their time to help our residents with the garden here.

"They did an excellent job pulling out weeds and tidying up flower beds. You could really see the difference afterwards and their efforts have really enhanced the garden.

"We want to thank them for all their hard work."

Care Plus are looking for more volunteers to help make a positive difference to their communities throughout Staffordshire and Shropshire.

All you need is enthusiasm and a desire to help. You can choose how much time you offer, and Care Plus will provide the training and support.

If you would like to be their next volunteer, please get in touch by emailingEngagement&Volunteering@care-plus.org.uk.

Caption for picture:

The Sea Cadets with resident Margaret

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Background for editors  

Care Plus specialises in housing and support for older people and those with physical or learning difficulties. Managing 57 retirement living communities in Staffordshire and Shropshire as well as a residential nursing home, Care Plus helps people to live independently in their own homes with support including 24:7 telecare response, wellbeing services and home care.         

The personal care service delivered by Care Plus has been assessed as Good in all areas by the Care Quality Commission.     

Registered as a Charitable Community Benefit Society, Care 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 Homes 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 guidedby 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.care-plus.org.uk    

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  
Housing Plus Group   
Mobile: 07485 922 776  
e:ruby.davies@hosuingplusgroup.co.uk   

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