Member Article

Larger-than-life locals star in poster campaign

CUSTOMERS of Housing Plus Group are starring in a campaign aimed at getting to the heart of what a home means to all of us.

The soon-to-be celebrities had their first taste of fame with the unveiling of super-sized posters in Telford. The posters have appeared on hoardings around Reynolds House, being developed to provide a new head office for Housing Plus Group.

“As we prepare for our own move into a new ‘home’ we wanted to underline the power of a home to change lives,” explained chief executive Sarah Boden.

Featuring in the #BuildingOurFutureHPG campaign are Danielle Harrison and her son Eli. Danielle found herself homeless on Christmas Eve and her new baby spent his first Christmas in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation. With help from South Staffordshire Housing Association, they have settled into a home in Penkridge.

“I never saw myself as someone who could be homeless. I was working; I had a husband and family. Now I feel so lucky. I’ve got a secure home and stability for Eli. This isn’t just somewhere to stay, it’s our home.”

Ex-goalkeeper Stephen Pugh is a tenant of Severnside Housing. Earlier this year, Severnside helped Stephen get back into work in a project funded by the Building Better Opportunities (BBO) programme. Stephen received one-to-one help, including improving his IT skills, searching for jobs and mock interviews. He is now working at Attingham Park. “Severnside provided me with a home and made me feel more worthwhile by giving me back my working life,” he says. Adam and Krystina Lloyd live in an apartment in Pencric, the award-winning extra care development in Penkridge managed by Care Plus. The couple, both of whom have disabilities, got married from Pencric last year.

“Home gives me independence and a sense of responsibility I’ve never experienced before. I enjoy being in our own space. When we close our front door it’s just me and Krystina,” explains Adam. “For many people with disability, independent living is an impossible dream.”

Simon and Jess Quilter were able to buy a share of their own home thanks to Severn Homes. They moved into their Shrewsbury home just before the birth of their daughter, Shannon.

“Our first proper home together has definitely changed our lives for the better. As a young family our home has given us the foundations for a secure and amazingly positive future together,” said Simon. Simon and Jess were helped by Severn Homes sales advisor Jackie Sheppard, who is featured in the campaign. Jackie says: “The best part of my job is helping somebody to find the right home and being there from start to finish.”

Also taking part in the campaign is John Grosvenor who works for Property Plus. He leads the award-winning Home MOT team providing facelifts for neighbourhoods across Staffordshire. He says: “It feels good to make a difference to a community.”

The posters have been installed on hoardings erected around Reynolds House, which will provide a new head office for the housing and care services group comprising Severnside Housing, South Staffordshire Housing Association, Care Plus, Property Plus, Severn Homes and AWE Electrical. The site is prominently located in Central Telford, a part of the town centre which has received more than £100m private sector investment in the last ten years.

“Since our merger in October 2016, Housing Plus Group has operated two head offices,” said chief executive Sarah Boden. “A new home for the Group will improve services for customers and reduce our operating costs, enabling us to create more homes for people like Simon, Jess and baby Shannon, Stephen, Adam and Krystina and Danielle and Eli.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Chick .