This year, we introduced a priority repairs team to focus on any repairs necessary to stop damp and mould. We provided award-winning support for apprentices and gained a Best Companies ranking as a great place to work.
Priority repairs team
It was hard for us to maintain our normal repairs timescales as we were receiving very high levels of demand for repairs. At the same time, we were asking you to report any concerns that you have about damp and mould. Our colleagues were also looking out for signs of damp and mould in homes that they routinely visited.
We changed the waiting times for routine and major repairs. By doing this, we were being clearer about when you can expect us to carry out your repair. You can find the updated repairs timescales here.
We introduced a new Priority Repairs Team. Our colleagues in this team will focus on any repairs that need to be carried out to stop damp and mould and address any other urgent repairs. By providing a dedicated service, we can address these issues promptly.
Customer involvement in policies and documents
Our customers have had a direct influence in the revision of some of our key policies, particularly in the areas that matter most to them.
Our Customer Partnership Panel, which used to be known as Scrutiny, represent you and are consulted on the development of policies that affect tenancies and the services that customers receive.
This year, the panel have had a direct influence on policies in areas such as lettings, property improvement and damp and mould.
They also helped to introduce a new key facts sheet to sit alongside policies on the Homes Plus website, after customers said they wanted important policies to be more accessible and easier to understand.
We were named one of best places to work
We are celebrating great news that employee engagement specialist Best Companies has recognised us as one of the best places to work.
Having already awarded the highly-prized accreditation to our Group earlier this year, Best Companies has now published its latest rankings. We are delighted to appear in no fewer than three Best Companies charts:
- The top ten best housing associations to work for
- The top 50 best companies to work for in the West Midlands
- The top 75 best large companies to work for in the UK
Best Companies rankings include some of the world’s best-known businesses and we’re delighted that our organisation has made the grade.
Graduation day for our apprentices
Our apprentices were among the high-achievers invited to mark the completion of their training at the Stoke and Staffordshire Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony, at the County Showground in Stafford.
The graduation recognises the dedication required to combine a demanding vocational qualification with employment.
Proud friends, family members, tutors and colleagues joined the new graduates to celebrate their success.