We’re partnering with several organisations to help train the next generation of retrofitters as part of our social housing decarbonisation project.
To mark Careers Week, which runs from 4 March to 9 March, we’re highlighting our work with Dyson Energy Services and Coventry College to reskill local people in Coventry and employ them so they can retrofit our homes.
We were successful in wave two of the Government’s social housing decarbonisation fund to improve 2,000 homes across Coventry.
The training by Coventry College is delivered through Insulation Bootcamps which cover a range of insulation measures including cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, and external wall insulation.
On completion of the training, candidates are interviewed and offered employment with Dyson Energy Services. They then work on our homes across Coventry.
Since the scheme has been launched over 50 people have been trained. Many of the students were unemployed and recruited from referral networks across the West Midlands including the National Careers Service, Job Centre Plus and Coventry Job Shop.
Two of the people who are working as insulation technicians for Dyson on our properties in Coventry are Daniel Falcnoer, 21, and Adam Breagan, 29.
Daniel (above), from Coventry, has been unemployed since he was 16 and said he’s proud of what he’s achieved.
He said: “If it wasn’t for the Insulation Skills Bootcamp, I would never have known about the energy efficiency industry and the career opportunities. I’m proud to be helping to improve the energy efficiency of homes in local communities I have grown up in and helping people to lower their energy bills.”
Adam said he remembered how cold the flat was he shared with his grandma, and he feels good helping those who are vulnerable.
Adam added: “Attending the Insulation Bootcamp and joining Dyson Energy Services has been career changing for me. Being able to help communities very similar to the ones I was raised in has such a rewarding feeling – that feeling of making a difference.
“The bootcamp was a good way of showing people there is an avenue into the industry. I had no skills and qualifications in this area prior to going to Coventry College, but now through training at Dyson Energy Services, am thrilled to have recently successfully passed my NVQ Diploma in Insulation and Building Treatments in Construction.”
The energy efficiency works being completed by people including Adam and Daniel, will support our customers to reduce their energy consumption and bills. It will also help them stay warm and comfortable in their homes.
Our director of asset management Bridget Guilfoyle said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Coventry College, Dyson Energy Services and Coventry City Council to help train the next generation of people who will be retrofitting our homes.
“It’s fantastic to hear from Adam and Daniel about how much the training has benefitted them. At Citizen we work with our partners to make a positive difference to our customers and communities and this partnership has helped to train the next generation of retrofitters. We are delighted to be part of a project which supports people to learn skills in retrofitting on the job.
“We’re also really proud that we were successful with Coventry City Council in our bid for wave two of the social housing decarbonisation fund which helps us deliver more energy efficient homes for our customers.”
By undertaking the social housing decarbonisation project, we aim to help to reduce fuel poverty and domestic carbon emissions, which currently account for 30 percent of the city’s total emissions.
Vice Principal for business growth, engagement and partnerships at Coventry College, Gemma Knott, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with key stakeholders in the city to provide training opportunities that help bridge the national and regional skills gaps, raise awareness of careers in green skills and provide employment opportunities for our local residents.
“The fact that our learners, and the work they are now doing, is making an impact their own community – helping people to reduce their energy bills during the cost-of-living crisis is just remarkable.
“We’re looking forward to the future opportunities this collaborative approach will bring for our community, employers and residents.
“The bootcamps offer excellent routes to employment and truly make a positive impact to our community.”
Ian Morrall, managing director at Dyson Energy Services said he recognises and appreciates the importance of partnerships like this.
He said: “As a business, we’ve always played our part in helping to educate potential new employees to understand the opportunities that lay ahead, as well as the important part they can play in helping to reduce the domestic carbon emissions. Thus, leading towards the government’s overall target to net zero by 2050.
“We’re delighted with the progress Daniel and Adam have made with Dyson Energy Services and look forward to seeing their future careers develop.
“In addition to this, we’re looking forward to welcoming more recruits in the near future.”
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, at Coventry City Council, added: “It’s vital that we look at every opportunity to help people develop new green skills and this is an ideal scheme especially as the need to retrofit and design more sustainable homes will grow and grow.
“As a city we are taking all the right steps to lead on the green industrial revolution and this partnership between Coventry College, Citizen and Dyson is really positive. I’m delighted that local students are benefiting.”
The bootcamps being run by Coventry College are designed for those employed in the construction sector and are looking to upskill. They are also suitable for people in the West Midlands who are unemployed and looking for a career in green skills.
You can find out more and apply for the bootcamp here.
We’ve helped 11 community groups across the West Midlands through the Citizen Local Fund – including Benshow Housing in Smethwick.
The fund supports our customers and communities to thrive with grants of up to £3,000 available – in particular, we support projects which improve wellbeing, reduce social isolation, enhance local areas and bring communities together.
Benshow Housing used the money to hire a space and instructor to run African ladies’ dance fitness clubs for the over 55s in the Smethwick area.
The charity, which helps people who have found themselves homeless, wanted to provide women from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community with an exercise class as it was found they couldn’t afford it or lacked motivation to join.
Kashindan who attended the sessions said: “I had a problem with my hip but since I have attended the sessions, I feel more comfortable. I also feel I have the courage to attend more classes and would attend these again if more happen as I have made new connections in the community.”
People from Smethwick and Sandwell attended the classes which were held at the Drum in Aston.
Chairman of Benshow Housing, Bernard Ntivunwa, said the group held seven sessions with the funding.
He said: “We applied to help African ladies in the area after we carried out research which showed that women aged between 50 and 75 in the area were very inactive and this was having an impact on their health. They also said they couldn’t afford recreational activity but if we were able to organise dance classes, then it would benefit them.
“We are very grateful to the Citizen Local Fund so we could arrange the sessions. The classes were African Zumba and the participants were able to suggest their favourite songs and if it was adaptable to the dance style then they could dance to their favourite tunes.
“We had a lot of positive feedback from the participants, particularly with mental health. Some of our participants said they used to be lonely and it helped them create connections with the community.
“We love to see our community getting along and being active. The people who attended the sessions are the ones who use our services. We provide support for refugees, asylum seekers and pensioners who are from the BAME community.”
Benshow Housing are hoping they will be able to host more sessions in future.
Customer engagement partner at Citizen Caroline Arrow said: “We are thrilled to hear how useful the funding has been for Benshow Housing and the ladies who attended the classes.
“At Citizen we want to work with our partners to make a difference to our customers and communities and the Citizen Local Fund does this.
“We love the feedback from Benshow Housing about the dance classes and the experience the community has had by making new connections at the classes and improving their wellbeing.
“Congratulations to everyone who has been successful in the latest round of the Citizen Local Fund, we’re looking forward to seeing the impact the funding makes.”
The other winners in the latest round of the Citizen Local Fund are:
BNH Forum, Birmingham – they will be using the money to refurbish the allotment pavilion at the Livingstone Allotments site. The pavilion will be used by the community for a lunch club and other uses such as craft and Pilates classes.
Coventry Rambling Club – the funding will help put on walks throughout the year for people who feel isolated or lonely.
FishFry, Birmingham – funding will help with a digital literacy initiative for older people. Fish Fry is a food van which provides Caribbean food and is helping older people develop online skills to order food online and pay bills.
Ludic Rooms, Coventry – The group will offer a workshop programme that provides informal skills development in communication technologies such as message forums and video chats so residents can connect with each other in William Batchelor House which is a retirement living scheme.
Mercia MS Therapy Centre, Coventry – the money will be spent on the project to help the wellbeing of people in the disabled community who have MS. The project will include arts and crafts classes.
Guardian Ballers, Coventry – the group will host a big event to engage local residents and young people on the Manor Farm estate. It will include basketball activities, wellbeing conversations and an opportunity to litter pick.
Spon Gate Community Church, Coventry – funding will help pay for professional help to clean and renovate a new building which they are relocating their hub to. The church provides activities including youth clubs, mental health drop-in sessions and free student study sessions.
St Luke’s, Birmingham – the community group will use the money to provide “bags of kindness” which included a hot water bottle, gloves and toiletries and toys for children. They also held a lunch and craft event.
The Noteables, Coventry – the group will use funding to develop the popular outreach sessions to day care centres, local schools, children’s respite centres, and homes for the elderly where community musicians lead music sessions and support people to take part in live music performances where they can sing, dance, play a musical instrument and enjoy the entertainment.
Warwick Scout Group – money will be used to restock and expand the group’s camping equipment by buying five tents so more young people can experience camping and outdoor activities.
The next round of the Citizen Local Fund will open in April.
Citizen, a leading social housing provider, has recently taken a significant step towards preventing homelessness by participating in the Commitment to Collaborate (C2C) process to Prevent and Relieve Homelessness, a new initiative developed by the West Midlands Combined Authority’s [WMCA] Homelessness Taskforce, in partnership with Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC).
The initiative comprises a toolkit, that supports organisations and partnerships to work through practical steps and develop action plans they can implement to prevent and relieve homelessness – as well as spot the early signifiers of someone becoming homeless.
The toolkit’s primary objective is to facilitate a collaborative response to homelessness with roundtable discussions, case studies, discussion logs and shared action plans.
After working through the toolkit, organisations submit their pledges to WMCA and are honoured with the coveted C2C logo. To maintain accountability organisations are required to periodically report to WMCA on the progress of meeting these pledges.
Kevin Rodgers, Chief Executive Officer at Citizen, said:“We believe that preventing homelessness requires a united effort. Our participation in the Commitment to Collaborate initiative aligns with our commitment to making a tangible difference to preventing homelessness. These pledges are not just promises – they represent actionable steps towards a future where homelessness is a rare occurrence.”
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and Chair of the WMCA, added: “Right from the very outset of my time in office, I’ve made tackling homelessness a key priority. But it’s a difficult issue to solve and requires innovative and collaborative working, across organisations, to better support people at the earliest opportunity.
“That’s why I’m so pleased that Citizen has chosen to work with us and use our Commitment to Collaborate toolkit as part of its ongoing commitment to designing out homelessness. The pledges Citizen has committed to will make a significant and lasting difference in preventing homelessness for the people they work alongside.
“By collaborating in this way, we can help give people the support they need to change their lives for the better, building their resources, skills, incomes and opportunities so they can have a secure an affordable home from which to reach their full potential.”
Citizen has made three pledges:
Comprehensive pre-tenancy support: Citizen pledges to develop and implement a comprehensive pre-tenancy information and guidance programme, ensuring tenants have access to necessary resources, during their transition to new accommodation, to avoid becoming homeless.
Data-driven decision-making: Citizen commits to establishing a robust data analysis system to track and analyse tenancy breakdowns. The organisation will collaborate with key stakeholders and local authorities to share that information, to enhance data-driven decision-making in homelessness prevention and relief efforts.
Collaborative partnerships: Citizen vows to foster strong collaborative and partnership working with key stakeholders, including local authorities, support agencies, and community organisations. This collaborative effort aims to add significant value to collective initiatives, addressing homelessness prevention and relief, including pathways and support.
Citizen has developed a comprehensive action plan to guide the implementation of these pledges. This strategic approach ensures transparency and allows the organisation to report progress, accurately – demonstrating a commitment to real and measurable impact to end homelessness.
Would you like to make a difference for tens of thousands of people in our communities? Then consider joining our Customer Scrutiny Panel.
We’re looking for new people to join the panel to review our services.
The Customer Scrutiny Panel will meet several times a year to assess our services and report back their findings and recommendations to help us improve.
The panel reports into our Customer Assurance Committee, which is part of our formal board structure. This means their work will feed directly into the highest levels of our organisation and exert real influence on our services.
Head of engagement and customer voice Ruth Arnott said: “We’re looking for new people to influence our work as part of our Customer Scrutiny Panel and help us improve our services.
“There are many benefits to being a panel member including training opportunities, support with care costs or travel costs and a £2,500 salary (or voluntary).
“At Citizen, we are committed to listening to our customers and focusing on the things that matter the most – and the Customer Scrutiny Panel helps us achieve this.”
Find out more about our Customer Scrutiny Panel and apply for the role here.
The deadline to submit your application is Monday 25 March at 4pm.
Find out more about our Customer Scrutiny Panel from our current member, Nadine, here:
From 1 February 2024, it will be a criminal offence to be in possession of an XL Bully type dog, unless the dog has been certified as exempt on the Index of Exempted Dogs and is compliant with these requirements.
People who are in possession of these dogs must apply to DEFRA for a Certificate of Exemption by 31 January 2024, to be granted a Certificate of Exemption.
After the 1 February 2024, if you think someone has an XL Bully type dog without a Certificate of Exemption you should report this to the Police.
We’re working with Axis Midlands Division who will be helping us to carry out extra repairs in our homes.
The initial contract will be for four years and is extendable for a further two terms of up to three years each, up to a total contract of 10 years.
The works Axis will carry out include:
responsive repairs and maintenance
voids and major voids
flooring
roofing
groundworks
damp and mould disrepair works
Director of maintenance operations at Citizen, Steve Kirk, said: “We are pleased to be partnering with Axis who will carry out extra repair work on our homes.
“The social housing sector has seen a significant increase in repair requests, and we are no exception, which is why we will be working with Axis to reduce our repair waiting times and to provide ongoing support to our teams and our customers”
“Axis will carry out appointments each day alongside our current inhouse teams and we are committed to working with them to make a positive difference to our customers.”
Axis will be carrying out work across our customer base including Birmingham, Coventry and Worcester.
Axis Midlands Operations Director Leanne Ball said: “We are excited to begin working with Citizen and building a successful partnership in the coming years.
“I’m confident that we will contribute to Citizen’s aims of providing homes that are a foundation for life.”
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