Places for People

How can we rebalance housing investments to build stronger Communities? 🏡 Yesterday, the Chartered Institute of Housing unveiled the latest UK Housing Review Autumn Briefing Paper, providing new insights into the UK housing policy and investment landscape. This year’s review highlights pressing challenges for Communities across the UK. Despite Government spending on housing reaching £30.5 billion, only 12% goes towards building or improving homes—a stark contrast to 95% in the 1970s. Today, most funding is directed towards housing benefits, emphasising the urgent need to shift resources back to creating homes, not just covering rents. As a proud supporter of the UK Housing Review, Places for People believes housing should not only shelter but also strengthen Communities. Sustainable, affordable housing is essential to creating places where everyone can thrive. By investing more in affordable homes, we can reduce dependency on housing benefits and build a better future for generations to come. Let’s build a future where everyone has a place to call home. Access the full report here to see how we can work together to reshape the future of housing in the UK: https://bit.ly/4eNJZr4 #BecauseCommunityMatters #UKHousing #HousingPolicy #AffordableHousing #SustainableHousing #UKHousingReview #CIH

Reflecting on this year’s Preston 10 Kilometre Run! 🏃 A few weeks ago, we marked our third consecutive year participating in the Preston 10K run, and this year was truly one to remember! Events like these, where Places for People stand side by side with the Community, have become part of our collective story and heritage. Our PfP team was out in full force, with over 90 of our People getting involved—whether running the 10K or volunteering to make the day a success. A massive congratulations to everyone who laced up their shoes and helped bring the day to life. We couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished together and are already looking forward to next year’s run. Our team was out in full force, with over 90 of our People getting involved—whether running the 10K or volunteering to make the day a success. Not only did we have a strong team of runners and volunteers, but we also set up a stand in the athletes' village, handing out water to runners and showcasing our PfP spirit. With such a large Community in Preston, this event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with the public and further embed our name within the local area. Furthermore, the entry fees for the race went to a charity chosen by the organisers, making it a meaningful day in more ways than one. On #NationalFitnessDay, we heard from so many of our people about the importance of staying active—not only for the health of our Communities but also for our own mental Wellbeing. Exercise can be a powerful tool to manage stress, lift our mood, and ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. We also took the opportunity to chat with some of our Colleagues about what running means to them and how it supports their Wellbeing. Take a moment to hear their stories and see the impact that fitness has on our team below... #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #Preston10K #PlacesForPeople #MentalWellbeing #FitnessJourney #CorporateWellness

Our Colleagues at Procurement Hub have recently made a powerful impact by donating £20,933 to their charity of the month partners! 💜 Through their Giving Back initiative, these funds will support The Buddy Bag Foundation QAVS, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Rainbow Trust Children's Charity, helping each organisation provide comfort and care to families in need. It’s great to see how we can #MakeADifference in our Communities through our donations which is why it was extra special to visit our partners. Firstly, the team visited Ronald McDonald House Charities UK at Alder Hay to present the donation cheque and spend time with the team learning about how they work to support the families that use their facilities. The donation will help ensure more families can stay close to their children in hospital, surrounded by love and support. Every family deserves to be together, and we are proud to play a part in This was then followed by a special invitation to attend the The Buddy Bag Foundation's awards last week. Procurement Hub Supplier Relationship Manager, Sacha Whalley, accepted the Corporate Partner of the Year award on behalf of Procurement Hub in recognition of the partnership. Next week Colleagues from the Procurement Hub team will visit Rainbow Trust, a children's Charity which provides emotional and practical support to families who have a child with life-threatening or terminal illness. It’s great to celebrate our partnership with these incredible charities that bring comfort and care to children and families during their most challenging times. https://lnkd.in/e4R9_5h4 #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #MakingADifference #GivingBack #Charity #RMHC #ProcurementHub

This post mentions topics that may be upsetting, including domestic abuse. If you, or someone you know, may need support, please visit our website: https://bit.ly/3zL2228 As we recognise #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth, we’re reminded of the strength and resilience within our Community. Today, we’re honoured to share Nikita Rowland's story—a journey that highlights the power of compassion, perseverance, and the importance of supporting those in need. Nikita joined us four years ago in the Customer Accounts Team, but her life changed in 2021 when she faced domestic abuse, losing her home and all her possessions. With the support of our People, she found a new home and received essential items to rebuild her life. Inspired by this experience, she joined our Money Advice Team, where she now supports Customers facing adversity, helping them access benefits, secure essentials, and rebuild stability. Recently, Nikita worked with a pregnant Customer fleeing domestic abuse, providing her with a safe, stable environment for her growing family. She explained: “Places for People provided a voucher for carpets, and I linked her with local charities. With the help of a Community Connector, we were able to secure a fridge, freezer, and a bed—transforming an empty house into a true home within four weeks.” Since 2018, Places for People has upheld the Chartered Institute of Housing’s ‘Make a Stand’ Pledge, and Colleagues like Nikita bring this commitment to life. By supporting each other, we can overcome even the toughest circumstances and build a safe Community. Learn more about Nikita’s story in her own words: https://bit.ly/403cZ9P #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #DomesticAbuse #MakingADifference

Join us for a day in the life of Community impact and see how we’re supporting our Communities. We recently visited several places where our teams are making a real difference. We started at Caritas Care Plungington Community Centre, one of our key Community Hubs, where our money advice clinics are held are having a significant impact. We received feedback from local Customers highlighting how this service is helping to address financial challenges especially since the #CostOfLiving. Next, we visited Inspire Youth Zone in Chorley, a longstanding partnership that provides essential services for people of all ages. We’re excited that their free minibus service, already serving Clayton Brook, will soon be extended to Astley Village, allowing even more young people to access the support and opportunities available. Our final stop was our Mill Bank Wellbeing Centre, where we saw, comprehensive support being offered to help people transition into stable accommodation. @The Ark, funded by the Places Foundation Impact Fund, continues to play a vital role, providing a well-used space for local Customers and services. Rory Monaghan, our Community Investment Manager who was there on the day shared: “Seeing first hand how these services uplift and empower our Customers and Communities is a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. Together with our Colleagues and key Community partners, we are building thriving, more resilient Communities, and it's a privilege to play my small part in this ongoing journey." This trip highlights our unwavering commitment to driving meaningful change. #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #MakingADifference #SocialImpact #DayInTheLife

Together, we can make sure everyone has a place to call home. Today is #WorldHomelessnessDay, a reminder that safe, affordable housing is not just a need—it’s a fundamental right. This year we launched the #TimeToBuild campaign, urging the new government to build social homes to address the UK's housing crisis and rising homelessness. A survey of 4,000 people revealed one in five fear they or someone they know could face homelessness in the next year, highlighting the urgent need for collective action. Whilst there is much work to be done, we are proud of the initiatives across the country that support our Customers experiencing homelessness: In Bristol, we've supported single homeless men for 23 years at Stonebridge Park. We're now developing seven modular homes to help them transition to independent living while still accessing our services. In Salford, we're creating a similar scheme for young homeless single-parent families, offering independence with support from our Salford Foyer service. In Nottingham, in partnership with Homes England, we've refurbished homes on Villa Road for single homeless individuals to live independently for up to two years before moving to long-term housing. We're proud to work with LandAid. In March, colleagues participated in #SleepOut events in Manchester and Edinburgh, raising funds to #EndYouthHomelessness and help build modular homes for young homeless families in Salford. Let's continue to raise awareness, advocate for solutions, and work to end homelessness. Whether by volunteering, supporting local efforts, or spreading the word, we can all make a difference. Find out more about how we have supported homelessness: https://bit.ly/3YaWib8 #BecauseCommunityMatters #EndHomelessness #AffordableHousing #MakingADifference #UKHousing #WorldMentalHealthDay

Celebrating excellence in affordable housebuilding! We’re proud to share an incredible milestone at our direct delivery site in Black Isle View, Inverness, led by our outstanding Senior Site Manager, Alan Wharton. This project has been a true showcase of our commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainable housing solutions from day one—and now, we have even more reason to celebrate. Congratulations to Alan Wharton, who has been awarded an NHBC 2024 Pride in the Job Regional Award for his exceptional leadership at Black Isle View. In addition to winning the prestigious Seal of Excellence—one of only 11 awarded across Scotland this year—Alan has also been honoured with the Regional Award for Medium Housebuilder. This recognition is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the outstanding contributions he makes to the site each day. The Black Isle View Phase 2 project includes 98 affordable homes, a mix of rental properties and shared equity options, meeting crucial housing needs in our Community. Beyond affordability, this site is leading the way with environmentally-friendly Air Source Heat Pumps, marking a significant step forward as our first project with no gas boilers. This multi-level recognition highlights not just the quality of the homes being built but also the exceptional leadership behind them. It’s Alan’s hard work, meticulous management, and dedication to high standards that have driven this project to success, earning him a well-deserved spot among the best in the industry. This achievement underscores our commitment to building homes that make a positive impact on Communities and the environment. Here’s to the continued success of this project and the dedicated team behind it! Find out more about Alan Wharton's award win: https://bit.ly/3NeST4W #NHBCPiJ #PrideInTheJob #MakingADifference #Housebuilding #AffordableHousing #Sustainability

We’re excited to announce that South Devon Rural (SDR) has now officially transferred into Places for People! Since first announcing SDR’s addition as a subsidiary in March, we’ve worked closely to bring our two organisations together, and we are proudly welcoming SDR Customers into the Places for People Community. SDR Colleagues have joined us as part of the wider Places for People team. As our Chief Executive Officer Greg Reed has highlighted, this is just the beginning. We’re committed to growing our impact by partnering with like-minded organisations, with more mergers and integrations planned for the future. Our work with SDR has paved the way for smoother, more efficient transitions ahead. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved for their dedication and hard work. Special appreciation goes to the South Devon Rural Board for their commitment to local affordable housing. Though the SDR name may no longer exist, its legacy will thrive within Places for People, becoming a part of our shared history and bright future. #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #Collaboration #AffordableHousing #BuildingTheFuture

Imagine a world where everyone can access and benefit from technology—regardless of age, background, or ability. That’s the vision behind #DigitalInclusionWeek and what drives us to bridge the digital divide for our Customers and Communities. However, digital poverty remains a major barrier. 19 million people report the cost-of-living crisis has impacted their ability to go online. One story that stands out for us this year is Margaret’s journey to becoming digitally empowered. When we first spoke to Margaret, she shared how difficult it was to get online for everyday tasks like banking, checking bills, and accessing her Places for People account. Using her mobile phone was a challenge due to her hands, so we provided her with an iPad and SIM card bundle that was easier for her to use. Margaret’s relief and gratitude were clear—now, she can stay connected without the stress of struggling with technology. And Margaret is just one of the 1,597 Customers we’ve helped get online last year. Through our national digital empowerment project, we’ve provided almost 400SIM cards and over 200 devices (phones, tablets, and computers) to support Customers’ digital journeys. Our target for 2024/25 is to help 19,000 people with financial and digital inclusion initiatives. We are committed to expanding these efforts, recognising that many more individuals need our support to bridge the digital divide. Let’s keep pushing forward, ensuring no one is left behind in our connected world. Find out more about Margaret's full story on receiving digital support: https://bit.ly/3ZSm7hj #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #DigitalEmpowerment #MakingADifference #InclusionMatters

You may have heard about our exciting new development in East London, East Wick and Sweetwater, but do you know how it got its name? The East Wick and Sweetwater development, in partnership with Balfour Beatty plc and Hill Group UK , has been built on the former Olympic Village that hosted athletes during London 2012, but its history stretches much further than that. The space was home to the iconic Clarnico Confectionary factory from 1897 to 1973, one of the biggest confectionary manufacturers in Europe, employing over 2,000 people at its peak in 1899. As the business grew, Clarnico found unique and innovative ways to reward staff for their hard work, including setting up a brass band, a choral society, and a social club. By the 1900s, they even had their own ambulances and fire engines! The legacy of Clarnico lives on through the current Clarnico Coffee Club, as well as referenced in the name of East Wick and Sweetwater! Find out more about Places for People’s hundreds of years of history and heritage: https://bit.ly/49WNkku #BecauseCommunityMatters #WeAreCommunity #LondonHistory #EastLondon