Yorkshire Housing, through its social value partnership with Travis Perkins Managed Services, have transformed the outside space at one of its supported living properties in Lupset, Wakefield.
The property, which is home to customers with learning and physical disabilities, has had a new decking area installed and the car parking facilities have been upgraded.
The builders’ merchant, Travis Perkins Managed Services, donated £8,000 of materials to the project through its social value fund, which was set up with Yorkshire Housing in 2014. Through its partnership with Travis Perkins, Yorkshire Housing has created a community legacy fund which is invested in projects that improve the quality of life for customers and create opportunities for people who live in local communities.
James Haigh, Enhanced Tenancy Services Manager at Yorkshire Housing said: “The work that’s been done at Lupset is a great example of how we’re working in partnership with our suppliers to make a real difference to people’s lives.
“The positive impact on mental wellbeing from spending time outdoors was highlighted during the Covid pandemic, and unfortunately, the space at Lupset was unsuitable as it was on a steep embankment. The changes we’ve made mean that our customers now have a safe, secure outdoor space that they’ll be able to enjoy, especially in the spring and summer months, and the improved parking area will make life a lot easier for visitors and the team who provide supported living services to residents.”
Graham Haworth , Customer Operations Manager at Travis Perkins added: "Helping to build better communities and enrich lives is part of our core values. We recognise that, through our supply partnerships and collective skills, we can improve people's lives and their daily wellbeing. We’re committed to working with Yorkshire Housing to keep delivering these social value initiatives across the county."
Every application for social value funding has to demonstrate how it will enhance social and environmental wellbeing for Yorkshire Housing customers and must meet specific criteria about how it will deliver improvements across a range of themes including health and wellbeing, community safety, employment, skills and training.
The Travis Perkins social value fund has already supported a variety of Yorkshire Housing projects including the delivery of a digital inclusion project, funding for Sheffield’s first mental health-friendly black hair salon, Tyrah’s Touch and a donation of tool kits for apprentices joining Yorkshire Housing’s 2022 apprenticeship programme.