Chris S.’s Post

So 2 months in now at Oak Housing and it has been a busy few weeks interrupted by a weeks volunteering in Jersey! Despite not much great weather over the last few weeks (perhaps a hint of Late Summer now) it has been great to receive feedback from both our customers and colleagues following the launch of our "Colleague Pulse Survey" and "Customer Perception Survey" which both have shone lights on things we are doing well and of course not so well. From our colleagues it is clear that the uncertainty in the sector and our likely office move are top of the agenda with a real focus on training and focus on changes though Legislation , Regulation and understanding how these changes will impact all our roles moving forward. At our most recent team meeting I was able to provide an overview of the sector and the challenges that inflation, cost of living increased focus on consumer standards and "trial by media" of the sector will not go away any time soon and that if we remember to keep the "customer" at the heart of every decision, task we undertake although we will make mistakes together (it is human instinct and a great learning experience) we will never be criticised for doing the right thing. Interesting feedback from our customers, firstly they like us - which is a good start but akin to most Housing providers whether for profit or not for profit we must communicate better and involve customers in shaping the service we provide and they pay for!! Nothing new there but it is how we now pick up this mantle and drive both our customer and colleagues strategy together as it is a no brainer they compliment each other. Meeting the board and providing feedback on my first 8 weeks was great and the challenge to the board and ourselves is to be more visible to our customers no matter what role we have at Oak, great communication is our goal. Let us hope for a fine next 4 weeks, some nice weather to end the Summer on a high as we prepare for no doubt a turbulent Autumn in to Winter and the challenges that may bring.

Melancholy at the end of an exciting week, as we say goodbye to our team's office of the last two years. I find that feeling when the place you've lived or worked in stands empty gut-wrenching. All that's left in place of memories is a shell. I feel particularly sad about moving from our base beside the Engine Shed in Bristol because it was our first office after coming out of lockdown. And we've not chosen to do it. Sadly, we were informed five weeks ago that the 20 containers that have formed a base for successful, ambitious businesses since 2016 are to move off the site. There was no information about where they may move to, although we now know it won't be Bristol city centre. So we've decided to move on and take up space with a great team nearby (of which, more soon). This allows us to plan longer-term, at a pace that suits us. It feels ironic that - after years of advising regeneration teams to handle situations like this with care, and championing Temple Quarter's transformation - we bear the brunt of some poor communication as the change I've publicly supported happens without a conversation with those directly affected. It sitffens my view that empathy costs nothing, and good comms matters. It can make a bad situation easier for those at the sharp end. It supports delivery in a way that explaining 'meanwhile use' doesn't. That said, we look forward with optimism and excitement about what happens next. We'll be working from where it suits us best, with a presence in #Devon, #Somerset and #Bristol. I've been inspired by the team's positivity and resilience, and grateful to colleagues at Engine Shed and Design West for their collaboration and support recently. Finally, if anyone I know in Bristol wants to chat about sharing office space in the medium to long-term with a collaborative, well connected team, please get in touch. I'd be much more interested in that in future. Respectfully, no agents or brokers please. Onwards we grow Distinctive Communications Ltd. #regeneration #smallbusiness #communications

Interesting article in The Times, highlighting Irish Life's impressive work in innovating around physical, mental, and financial wellbeing as key parts of a comprehensive approach to prepare for long, fulfilling lives. It’s a great start and positive example for other organisations to follow. Expanding focus beyond Gen Z and engaging with those in mid and later life, would not only create a more inclusive and impactful approach, but leverage the wealth, health, loyalty and long lives of the most powerful (and often forgotten) consumers in today’s society - an opportunity not to be missed.

Five Minutes.... In the whirlwind of everyday life – from the hustle of school mornings to the bustle of the daily commute and the various responsibilities of work – it's easy to overlook the simple yet profound power of just five minutes for ourselves. But those brief moments spent immersed in nature can truly work wonders, flooding us with feel-good dopamine, sparking new connections, and even kindling a passion for something new. Five minutes may seem fleeting, but it's enough to make a world of difference. Just recently, I found it challenging to fully switch off during some well-deserved annual leave. However, a spontaneous decision to escape to the beach with my family, nestled in the heart of Lincolnshire where we have a holiday home, turned out to be a transformative experience. Just five minutes by the sea was all it took to ground me, clear my head, and offer a fresh perspective. In those five minutes, I cherished the sight of my dad's beaming smile – a rare outing for him since the grip of COVID took hold. I had an uninterrupted chat with my 18-year-old daughter and shared a cuppa with my mum. Nature has this incredible knack for giving us permission to pause, to breathe, and to savour the present moment. Reflecting on the upcoming grants round at Oxfordshire Community Foundation - Thriving in Nature, I couldn't help but draw parallels to my own experience. Just like those five minutes on the shore revitalised me, our initiative aims to support organisations that harness the power of green spaces to create opportunities and wellbeing for others. It's important to give yourself permission each day to embrace the beauty of nature and the significance of those five precious minutes – because within them lies the potential for true rejuvenation, opportunities and genuine connection. #fiveminutes #thrivinginnature #nature #wellbeing #humanconnection #OCF

This week we attended the British Council for Offices campfire session hosted at Skypark Glasgow where the focus was on the future of Glasgow. What immediately stuck me was the passion in the room and the aligned thinking, but also the frustrations we have with the city planning that are blockers stopping the city from being the vibrant, diverse, and thriving place it once was. So, what is the answer? ◾ Disrupt the regimented zoned plans currently in the city and integrate a community back, with a balance of retail, office, leisure, and public services. Angela Higgins made a great statement – We need to put ‘trust’ back at the heart of the community. ◾ Speak to our local businesses – Why do they want to be in the city, and what would they envisage the future should look like. ◾ Collaborate with Higher Education to understand how our next generation are taking away the barriers to put people at the heart of their experience. ◾ Organisations need to reframe their purpose, by putting humanity front and centre. ◾ Have early intervention with school kids to reduce the disengagement that is on the increase. When we explore how this translates into our own business humanity needs to be the focus to promote a positive culture, engaged workforce, and community. We should be embracing all of this to support our future generations and give back to the community. We need to continue to come together to take the lead on making Glasgow the destination to invest in. #investinglasgow #innovation #urbandesign #regeneration Nicola Cameron Adam Purvis Angela Higgins Graham Robertson Michael Gallacher Gillian Stewart

Tips for a Smooth Move to Boston from a Warmer State: 1. Weather-Ready Boots: ✅Navigate Boston's ever-changing winter weather. 2. Embrace Reserved Social Norms: ✅Adapt to Boston's social norms and enjoy local bars and sports events. 3. Passion for Boston Sports: ✅ Connect through discussions on Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox. 4. Navigate Boston Traffic: ✅ Manage commute times and choose neighborhoods. 5. Embrace Boston’s Resilience: ✅ Become part of the resilient and passionate Boston community. Experience seamless moving with Premium Q Moving and Storage. For a quote: 📞 (781) 549-8789, 🌐 https: https://bit.ly/46dCPs5, or ✉️ sales@premiumqmoving.com. #MovingtoBoston

What a lovely way to start a Thursday "Why I love Green Light Trust" from one of our participants at Blickling Estate ... 🌱🌱🌱 What I loved at the Green Light Trust … 🩷    Firstly, acceptance from the outset from the Participant Engagement Co-ordinator who helped me enrol and completed the form on my behalf when I could not.    The Green Light Trust lifted any barriers that could stop me attending.   Acceptance without judgement … no expectations or demands other than to “show up” as and when I could … and this being “okay”.    Being given the support and encouragement needed to try new things in a safe environment and at my own pace knowing it’s okay to try but not necessarily succeed.    Finding some “calm” (from my own mind) in the surroundings.   Giving me the reason to leave the safety of my home.   Being “heard” and having my basic needs met. When I said “I am tired” I was asked “shall we put up a hammock”   Being given the space to be my (authentic) self and to begin recognising that this is enough and okay - a work in progress!   Being able to help and being given help from others (staff or participants) without being made to feel like a “failure” / not good enough.   Finding a “sense of community” by working, relaxing and eating together feeling some sense of belonging as far as I ever feel I fit in anywhere.   Learning new skills and remembering old ones - how to smile and laugh again.    Being given the opportunity to return on another course - in recognition that I am still on my journey of recovery and self discovery (of “who me is”) - and that this takes time.   Restoration of belief that there are people out there who do “care”. #norfolkschools #norfolkeducation #norfolkyoungpeople

Kirsty Innes, conscious culture and purposeful branding is one of our rockstar CultureTalk-certified partners. She recently led a #team experience for 50 professionals who work day-in-and-out to create housing solutions for people in need. The theme of the event was adapting and thriving through #change 💪 Each person took a CultureTalk for Individuals assessment and validated their individuals storylines. As Kirsty says below, "Understanding ourselves and each other builds compassion vital to overcoming challenges. Through courageous #storytelling, we built greater empathy, trust and understanding.

Are the Fortune 500 afraid of the dark? 👀 It definitely feels like that when you look up at the skyline of the City of London well after office hours. All these towering skyscrapers are lit up with absolutely no one in. And while the legend of the occasional graduate banker burning the midnight oil and napping in sleep pods may well be the case at the top firms, the old-school idea of thousands of employees heading to their HQs every single night is simply more fiction than fact. While we know that switching off those office lights may not solve our climate crisis, it’s a very visible starting point that can pave the way for a lot of other meaningful energy reductions. So, at Metrikus we're asking the City of London and beyond to share how they’re reducing energy waste on LinkedIn, using the hashtag #LightsOut and nominating others to do the same. Find out more on how to get involved in this article on City AM: https://lnkd.in/esF7wPdh

As of today, none of the New York state towns, both urban or suburban, offer "Car free bike only" environment. However, many towns in Upstate do offer close to perfect setting for walkable living. Many old post-industrial success Era towns became nearly abandoned, due to lack of manufacturing & high end corporate sector. Mainly this was a tax issue for many businesses. But as of today, many small town began green revitalization process, which brings new younger generation in & improves quality of housing & living style.    I hope more people will notice & realize Upstate New York potential for both Online corporate headquarters, small communities & family businesses. As an online corporation you can allow your employees to work remote & have a small office for members meeting, while having corporate events in hotels & venues. This would: benefit you & hospitality industry, save on office rent & equipment, energy cost & travel expenses reimbursement.  As a private corporation you can chose private insurance plan with an incentive for the employees to stay healthy, by offering the refund, at the end of the year for any unused medical services, for example. Or create a saving refund fund from all unused medical funds, that would benefit disable or sick family members. Employees will have more freedom & ability to live happy & productive life, both career & family wise. I also hope my Development Idea of Small Businesses Community will find its fans, besides me. https://lnkd.in/eMVkqESh