Housing Association Blog provided by Chevin Housing

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The Together Housing Group has won a major development contract, landing a £23 million bid to provide three extra care housing schemes in Derbyshire.

The group, made of six partner housing associations from either side of the Pennines, has been selected as the preferred partner to deliver 197 new apartments to Derbyshire County Council. 

This success for the Together Housing Group, builds on the Group's extensive experience as a developer and provider of extra care housing.

Chevin Housing Association Ltd, a member of the Together Housing Group, will provide the lead on the project working with Lathams Architects, PKF Financial and Wilmott Dixon Construction.

The three schemes have been carefully and sensitively designed to be contemporary, stylish and affordable and will achieve high standards of sustainability to code level 3. .

The investment is for:

55 two-bedroom extra care apartments and communal facilities with parking and gardens at Foolow Court in Foolow Avenue, Chesterfield. 

52 apartments and communal facilities on the Cressy Fields site in Cressy Road, Alfreton.

90 apartments along with communal facilities and a Day Care centre on the former Clay Cross School site in Market Street, Clay Cross, complementing the District Council's regeneration master plan.

Together Housing Group's Director of New Business, Paul Hayes, said: "The Group is delighted to be working with Derbyshire County Council and all our other partners to create fantastic new extra care schemes.  These homes will make such a positive difference to people who need extra care and support and they will also help support local communities by keeping people together and bringing new jobs and amenities."

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Care Councillor Charles Jones said: "It is very exciting that, following discussions with residents from the local communities, planning applications have now been submitted for two of the schemes (Foolow and Clay Cross).  Scheme designs for the Cressy Fields site are currently being amended in response to consultation with local residents as part of the submission process for planning application which will follow shortly.  We want everyone to live independently for as long as possible in five-star accommodation and surroundings.  Our plans for extra care mean couples would be able to stay together and have 24/7 on site care if they need it, and there would be an excellent mix of services available for all older people in Derbyshire".

Visuals shown above are architects drawings of Foolow Court (left) and Clay Cross (Right).

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Smarterbuys offers one amazing deal every month – it could be for a fridge, washing machine, bed, sofa – any of the essential items you might need for your home.  And there are a range of payment options to suit you – whether you have a bank account or not. You can pay with a debit card, use cash, or can access low-interest, affordable finance through credit unions.

We know some other high street stores and websites offer low weekly prices for goods, but you end up repaying far more than the goods should have cost you because of their huge interest rates. It's a totally false economy – and we don't think that's fair. That's why we are working with credit unions to help you access the lowest interest rates with the minimum amount of hassle. So, with Smarterbuys, you not only get a huge discount on the products you want, you get low cost finance too. It's about helping you to make your money go further – and making smarter buys.

Credit Unions can provide helpful financial advice and support, responsible lending at low interest rates and great saving terms! If you'd like to find your local credit union, you can do so by visiting the ‘find affordable credit' section of the Smarterbuys site. Simply type in the postcode of where you live or work to search for the credit union that's most convenient for you.

To subscribe to Smarterbuys visit http://www.smarterbuys.org.uk/

Smarterbuys is supported by Chevin Housing and all of the other organisations which are part of the Together Housing Group. If you don't have internet access at home, you can access the internet free of charge, or for a small fee, at local libraries, community centres, or internet cafes.

Be smart – make Smarterbuys.

You can follow Smarterbuys on twitter: @smarterbuys

Budding Rossendale fashion designers unleashed their first collections when the Passion 4 Fashion Kirklees project hit the catwalk at Huddersfield Town Hall.

The programme, supported by the Together Housing Group, has given a group of 50 unemployed residents from the Kirklees area and surrounding areas the chance to learn new skills from fashion industry experts, as well as training in budgeting and job skills.

Each designer was given a budget of £20 to spend in charity shops to buy clothes which they "upcycled" into a new creation and wore on the catwalk by the models themselves.

Throughout the project, advisors from the Citizens Advice Bureau, credit unions and JobCentre Plus have also been on hand to give advice, including how to write a CV, fill in applications and tackle job interviews.

Danielle Hinchcliffe, one of the participants, is re-taking her GCSEs in maths and is hoping to train as a dance instructor in the future.

 She said: "This has opened my eyes in lots of ways, not just about fashion. I can't prioritise when it comes to money and the advisors have helped me with that."

Chevin resident Miriam Kirby, who is currently looking for work, told how the project had helped to re-build her self-esteem.

 "I nearly gave up on the project because I felt lacking in confidence," she said. "But it's been absolutely fantastic.  Passion 4 Fashion has brought out my creativity which I thought I'd lost.  It has inspired me to look for a job that's creative because that's where I'm happiest."

After the show, Green Vale Homes resident, from Rossendale, Tracy Cope said: "I would just like to say a big thank you for the opportunity to participate. I can't describe in words how amazing it was. I am still buzzing!"

Pennine Housing resident Callista Muteswa added: "It was amazing. I feel like a celebrity now. I just loved the experience."  

Jess Ryan, also a Pennine Housing resident said: "Thank you for this experience, I had a fabulous night and I'm looking forward to the next one!"

The project was supported by Connect Housing, Kirkless Council, Together Housing Group, Deighton & Brackenhall initiative, Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, Sadeh Lok Housing Ltd and Headrow Ltd. 

Photographed above: Green Vale resident Tracey Cope on the catwalk.