Whitefriars right on the money with volunteer plan
Coventry residents in crisis are receiving extra help thanks to a new volunteering
scheme launched by Whitefriars Housing Group this week.
Twelve staff from the affordable housing provider have been trained up by Coventry
Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB) to offer support at the centre. The CAB assists
residents troubled by problems with debt, benefits, housing, employment, consumer
issues, family matters or immigration. After five weeks of training, volunteers put their
new skills to the test for the first time this week.
To support the staff’s volunteering commitment, the not-for-profit housing group has
pledged to allow the volunteers to help the charity as part of their working week.
This comes on the back of latest statistics* which show that the number of problems
that people are seeking support for from CAB has increased by 20 per cent.
The training of the first 12 volunteers follows a survey of Whitefriars’ employees
which showed that more than 80 would be interested in volunteering their skills to
help those who needed assistance.
Leisa Dixon, area services manager at Whitefriars, said: “Many of us were aware that
our experience and knowledge might be beneficial to those the Citizens’ Advice
Bureau helps, so we wanted to see how we could join forces to enable more local
residents to get the support they need.
“Many of our staff have a lot of specialist knowledge and the scheme allows us to do
our bit personally for the community, thanks to Whitefriars’ support.
“The work the Citizens’ Advice Bureau does is vital and we are delighted to play a
part in helping them to help others.”
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Charley Gibbons, chief executive officer of Coventry Citizens’ Advice Bureau, said:
“We are really pleased to have this support for our service from Whitefriars. It means
that we can keep our reception and information service open throughout the course
of the whole week, for people to drop in and find the information they need.”
To get help from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau call the advice line on 02476 252052
between 10am – 12pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday or drop into the reception
any day.
Ends
*CAB advice trends for Oct - Dec 2009
Notes to Editors
Whitefriars Housing Group Limited is a not-for-profit housing and regeneration organisation
is a not-for-profit housing and regeneration organisation
established in 2000 that owns and manages approximately 18,000 homes across Coventry.
Whitefriars Housing Group is part of West Mercia Housing Group (WMHG), which is the lead
partner of Spectrum Development Partnership. WMHG consists of Whitefriars Housing
Group, Harden Housing Association, Nexus Housing, Kemble Housing and Herefordshire
Supported Housing for Young People Project. The new combined group, which is a
development partner with the Homes and Communities Agency, manages around 23,500
homes across Coventry, the West Midlands, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Whitefriars has a key role, in partnership with others, across the West Midlands to develop
new affordable homes and regenerate communities.
Since transfer, Whitefriars has spent £340 million to repair and improve its housing stock.
The vast majority of its homes now meet the Government’s Decent Homes Standard –ahead
of schedule. It is currently embarking on a campaign, Services on the Up, aimed at improving
the core services received by residents.
In addition to providing homes, Whitefriars works in partnership with communities and other
agencies to provide training and employment opportunities and support services for local
residents, with the aim of building sustainable communities.
Whitefriars Housing Group Limited is a charitable industrial and provident society.
For further information please contact Val Hunt or Nikki Cheung at The Bridge
Group on
024 7656 0440 or v.hunt@bridge-group.co.uk