Two social landlords joined forces earlier this month to transform the grounds at a supported living scheme in Herefordshire. Platform Housing Group and Stonewater Ltd teamed up with Orphans Press to create a ‘happy to chat’ bench within the communal garden at Newman House in Leominster as well as tidying up the area to
Platform Housing Group (PHG) has partnered with social housing data and insights company Switchee to rollout Switchee devices in their residents’ homes. Implementation of IoT (internet of things) technology is part of the group’s digital transformation programme to help improve its offer and service to residents. Specifically, Platform Housing Group
ANDY Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, has been welcomed on site to view the progress of the highly anticipated Cookley Works scheme, which we are developing alongside Lovell Partnerships in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). It’s one of many projects in the region helping to regenerate
A property maintenance company has had an ISO certificate reconfirmed after a recent audit. Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group – has passed an external audit for ISO 45001 by Direct Assessment Services – or DAS – a UKAS accredited certification body for international ISO standards. The company was originally awarded the certification in November 2019; this
Two employees at a Midlands housing association have been announced as finalists in a top awards scheme. Joe Henshaw and Andy Hibbert – colleagues at Platform Property Care, a subsidiary of one of the UK’s largest housing associations, Platform Housing Group – have been shortlisted in The Team of the Year category in The 2022 Direct
Work has begun on a substantial housing development in Carterton in Oxfordshire that will see 200 homes provided for people to live in the area. Platform Housing Group have begun work at the site at Milestone Road which has been provided by West Oxfordshire District Council and will be developed
A social landlord has announced a significant increase in customer’s first time gas appointments thanks to a powerful digital solution. Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group, one of the UK’s largest housing associations – has employed the Voicescape Compliance solution with excellent results. The brainchild of Manchester-based Voicescape, Voicescape Compliance helps
Two social landlords have joined forces in a newly formed partnership to offer a more locally based repairs service. Platform Housing Group and national housing provider, Stonewater, have signed a contract which will see Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group – undertaking repairs on Stonewater homes in Herefordshire
A local builder working for a housing association has shared his delight at seeing fresh talent coming through the ranks in the construction industry. T G Sowerby Developments, based in Scunthorpe, have been sharing the progress of their apprentices on a site on Bottesford Road over the last year. Ben
Construction will soon begin on a new Retirement Village development on Roman Road on the outskirts of Hereford. The site in Holmer will provide 80 one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent and is being brought to the city by Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group. Platform, who run a similar development at Harling Court in
Two social landlords joined forces earlier this month to transform the grounds at a supported living scheme in Herefordshire. Platform Housing Group and Stonewater Ltd teamed up with Orphans Press to create a ‘happy to chat’ bench within the communal garden at Newman House in Leominster as well as tidying up the area to provide a better environment and peaceful retreat for the residents to enjoy. The initiative came about as part of a 150th birthday celebration; Orphans Press – a print, publishing, design and web agency based in the town – was established in 1873 to support the Leominster Orphan Homes, founded in 1869 and located at Newman House until its closure in 1951. The home housed 18 destitute children from industrialised parts of the country who had been orphaned. Henry Stanley Newman – founder of the Leominster Orphan Homes and Orphans Press – was determined to make sure that the children felt at home there, providing access to education, training and religious teachings. The event also included the planting of a ceremonial apple tree. Helen Bowden, Director at Orphans Press explained: “We discovered that there used to be an orchard in the garden at Newman House where the children used to pick apples. We decided to commemorate Henry Stanley Newman by planting an apple tree where the orchard used to be.” Newman House is run by Stonewater Ltd; since March 2022, Platform Housing Group has been undertaking repairs on Stonewater homes in the Herefordshire area. Matthew Stock, Grounds Maintenance Delivery Manager at Platform Housing Group said : “We were absolutely delighted to be approached by Orphans Press to undertake such a fabulous project on behalf of Stonewater. The history behind the home is fascinating and being involved with it has really brought it all to life. We hope the residents of Newman House will enjoy their new bench amidst the beautiful grounds.” Helen Holland, Connected Communities Peer Leader, Neighbourhoods, at Stonewater, said: “We’re so thrilled that Stonewater can be part of such a positive and essential initiative. We understand how necessary it can be for people to be able to chat to others, especially given the difficulties we’ve all faced over the last few years. We’re glad to be able to help strengthen the sense of community among new and future residents.” Helen Bowden concluded : “Newman House is such an important part of the history of both Orphans Press and Leominster. We felt it was important to do something really special for our 150th birthday and collaborating with Platform and Stonewater to transform the grounds at Newman House was the perfect way to commemorate Henry Newman and give back to the residents.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Platform Housing Group (PHG) has partnered with social housing data and insights company Switchee to rollout Switchee devices in their residents’ homes. Implementation of IoT (internet of things) technology is part of the group’s digital transformation programme to help improve its offer and service to residents. Specifically, Platform Housing Group is looking to use Switchee smart thermostat devices to provide real-time data and analytics about the performance of its housing stock. The use of Switchee data and its use in PHG systems (via API) will help to inform decision making and resource deployment around maintenance and flag issues such as damp and condensation mould. It will also identify where residents may need support. The project forms part of the group’s programme to achieve a minimum EPC C rating (Energy Performance Certificate) in targeted properties by 2028. Installations are being carried out through Switchee’s Trusted Installer Network, which supports Switchee’s housing partners with swift and efficient device rollouts. The devices will be installed across different types of properties; supported accommodation, properties at risk of condensation, damp and mould and into properties as part of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. All Switchee smart thermostats will be fitted by the end of March, with Platform Housing Group and Switchee providing full data analysis on an ongoing basis throughout the project and beyond the initial term. Jonathan Cocker, Chief Information Officer for Platform Housing Group said: “We’re delighted to be working with Switchee to improve the way we help customers in their homes. These devices are just one of the ways we’re investing in technology to achieve energy efficiency in all that we do and benefit the wider UK housing sector.” Tom Robins, Switchee CEO added: “Utilising technology like Switchee is a game changing for landlords. By enabling them to understand what’s going on in their properties, they can change their operations from reactive to proactive. They can see where their biggest issues are and can deploy resources more efficiently and lower their operating costs.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ANDY Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, has been welcomed on site to view the progress of the highly anticipated Cookley Works scheme, which we are developing alongside Lovell Partnerships in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). It’s one of many projects in the region helping to regenerate acres of derelict industrial land for affordable new homes, supporting the region to meet its housing needs. When complete, Cookley Works will become a thriving community offering a mix of affordable rent and low-cost home ownership. Platform will look after 71 of the homes, providing affordable rent and shared ownership opportunities. Marion Duffy, chief operations officer at Platform Housing Group, said: “We are really pleased to deliver much needed affordable housing for the community. It’s especially pleasing that this site uses remediated land as a solution, protecting vital green space in the area. I’d like to thank our partners, notably Lovell and the WMCA for their work towards bringing this project to fruition.” The Mayor said: “Cookley Works is another great example of the commitment of the WMCA, alongside partners Dudley Council, Lovell and Platform Housing Group to continue delivering good quality, affordable homes for our communities. “Despite the challenges of the last couple of years, we’ve continued to make significant investments into the regeneration of brownfield land, unlocking previously difficult to develop sites for new homes, helping to protect our precious green belt in the process. “This is also helping to drive our economic recovery by creating vital new jobs and apprenticeships and I look forward to seeing local people move into these new homes and create a thriving, attractive new community.” Stuart Penn, regional managing director for Lovell Partnerships, said: “Having begun work to prepare the site for building, it was a great opportunity to welcome Andy Street and show him around this area where this fantastic project will come to fruition. Partnerships such as the one between Lovell and WMCA are vital to help meeting the housing demand for communities and aligns with our mission to create a lasting legacy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A property maintenance company has had an ISO certificate reconfirmed after a recent audit. Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group – has passed an external audit for ISO 45001 by Direct Assessment Services – or DAS – a UKAS accredited certification body for international ISO standards. The company was originally awarded the certification in November 2019; this latest review means the certificate is now valid for the next three years. The audit – which took place between 23 and 26 September this year – covered a vast geographical area in Lincolnshire, from Grimsby to Skegness and beyond. ISO 45001 is the world’s international standard for occupational health and safety, issued to protect employees and visitors from work related accidents and diseases. Mark Lane, QESH Manager at Platform Property Care said : “It’s a true measure of a great team effort to achieve recertification of this internationally recognised standard; it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to all stakeholders and external regulators in relation to health and safety. For our many customers, it also gives reassurance that all our work will be undertaken safely with attention to detail. It places the customer at the very heart of what we do. We are justifiably proud to have been awarded this certification again.” The audit – which took place over a six day period – involved interviews with senior managers, lead engineers, service managers and trades people with 19 key people involved; nine workplace site inspections to observe safety working practices also took place. Preparation for the audit began in May 2022 and involved compiling appropriate policies, procedures and systems; the process looked at how Platform Property Care demonstrates compliance with the clauses of the ISO45001 standard and related evidence. Mark concluded : “This standards give assurance to the Board and the wider Platform Housing Group business, that Property Platform Care is a sector leading organisation. External audits give a completely impartial measure of a business and we are proud of our achievements. Our thanks and congratulations go to all those involved.” For further information please contact Mark Lane, QESH Manager at Platform Property Care on 01684 579398 or email him at mark.lane@platformhg.com. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Two employees at a Midlands housing association have been announced as finalists in a top awards scheme. Joe Henshaw and Andy Hibbert – colleagues at Platform Property Care, a subsidiary of one of the UK’s largest housing associations, Platform Housing Group – have been shortlisted in The Team of the Year category in The 2022 Direct Works Award. The winners will be unveiled at a ceremony in Manchester on Monday 14 November. Lee Duty, Head of Programme at Platform Property Care said : “Following our merger, there was a huge amount of work to do and staff to recruit in order to create one accredited and compliant team. It was at this time that Joe and Andy both stepped forward to – not only continue carry out their roles as qualifying supervisors – but support those in our other localities which were not as well served.” Their dedication and commitment has resulted in achieving the following in the short timescale of three months: Consistent inspection of all electricians; Introduction of relevant software across the board to ensure consistency and remove the paper trail; Provide relevant recommendations and improvements for all electricians; Develop a performance database for all electrical work; Compliance with NICEIC criteria, which confirms competence when undertaking electrical work. Lee concluded : “We are so proud of both Joe and Andy and how they have gone above and beyond in their roles, ensuring that we are now moving forward as one robust and compliant organisation. Well done both! We wish them all the luck at the forthcoming awards evening!” Direct Works acts as the leading voice for specialists in social housing maintenance; its awards scheme provides an opportunity for colleagues to recognise and reward each other on a national scale. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has begun on a substantial housing development in Carterton in Oxfordshire that will see 200 homes provided for people to live in the area. Platform Housing Group have begun work at the site at Milestone Road which has been provided by West Oxfordshire District Council and will be developed by United Living. It represents the group’s largest site in the area to date and the continuation of their strong start of their strategic partnership with Homes England. Over the next four years, the new homes will be made available through Platform’s different affordable options. 105 of the homes will be available to rent, 12 as rent to buy and 83 through the increasingly popular shared ownership scheme. This allows people to purchase a share of their home and then pay a rent on the rest with the option to increase that share up to 100%. Amongst those visiting the site was MP for Witney and West Oxford Robert Courts who said, “It was a pleasure to visit the site in Carterton which will provide much needed affordable homes for local people. It was encouraging to see work getting underway and useful to learn more about how this development will benefit local people and the wider area in Carterton. I look forward to following progress closely.” Group Chief Executive of Platform Elizabeth Froude said, “It’s been fantastic to see the site today where we’ll be able to provide much needed affordable housing for the area. We look forward to offering people real opportunities to live in the area and even buy a home that is quality and affordable. With 200 different homes, we are delighted to be offering such a large site for our partners at West Oxfordshire District Council who have been fully committed to these options to help with the growth of the area. I’d also like to thank our developers United Living and Homes England for their help in delivering this development.” Carl Rylett Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainable Development at West Oxfordshire District Council said, “It’s good to see this site come forward for development; affordable housing is greatly needed in West Oxfordshire. We identified the site through the Council’s Local Plan, and granted planning permission in 2020. We are fully committed as a council to bringing forward sites for affordable housing development, and this development will make a real difference to the community.” Neil Farmery, Construction Director, United Living New Homes, said: “We are delighted to have started building work at Milestone Road. Working collaboratively with Platform Housing Group, we look forward to delivering high-quality, affordable new homes that will provide a welcome housing boost to the local community.” The diginitaries took in a site tour as part of the visit today and got to find out how much the development will benefit people in the area from members of Platform’s communities department, who spoke about the services and support they give their customers. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A social landlord has announced a significant increase in customer’s first time gas appointments thanks to a powerful digital solution. Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group, one of the UK’s largest housing associations – has employed the Voicescape Compliance solution with excellent results. The brainchild of Manchester-based Voicescape, Voicescape Compliance helps compliance teams meet their statutory property maintenance requirements; in the case of Platform Property Care, it is being used for annual gas safety checks. In essence, the software automates the process of booking, confirming and rescheduling appointments with customers before they happen. This prevents both non-compliance and the cost of no-access visits. Prior to using this new technology, the social landlord was booking gas appointments through either letters or texts; if a customer needed to rearrange an appointment it required the customer to make contact. Lee Vernalls, Assistant Director at Platform Property Care said: “Voicescape is allowing us to change the way we schedule our gas servicing appointments, moving from a prescriptive approach to a more consultative approach. We are now providing a better service for our customers and ultimately reduce the cost and inefficiency of no access appointments. We can now see, in real time, the customers who have confirmed appointments and those who still require contact. Having this level of information is truly changing how we work.” In four months, the rate of no-access appointments has reduced by 24 per cent; it is hoped that this figure will continue to rise. Lee concluded : “Voicescape has provided us with a faster, more proactive approach to engaging with our customers and having quality conversations to meet their requirements. Our access rates have increased, allowing us to book appointments that suit the customers whilst also managing our compliance.” Bill Williams, Chief Revenue Officer at Voicescape said : “Our partnership with Platform Property Care has helped to deliver huge efficiencies in dealing with the growing and costly challenge of no access. The automated element of the solution ensures operatives are only involved if a customer needs to rearrange an appointment. This has led to capacity being freed up so that Platform’s team can further concentrate on those customers who need more targeted support. “Voicescape is proud to support Platform Housing Group – and the wider social housing sector –to meet its compliance requirements while improving the experience for both customers and team members.” For further information please contact Lee Vernalls, Assistant Director at Platform Property Care at Lee.Vernalls@Platformhg.com.
Two social landlords have joined forces in a newly formed partnership to offer a more locally based repairs service. Platform Housing Group and national housing provider, Stonewater, have signed a contract which will see Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group – undertaking repairs on Stonewater homes in Herefordshire and surrounding areas. Leon Storer, Assistant Director of Homes – Capital Investment at Stonewater explained: “I’m really pleased to say that from 1 April this year, Stonewater’s repairs in this area will be delivered by Platform Property Care. Platform already has homes in the same location as ours and by working with a partner that is based geographically closer to our customers there are a host of benefits. Not only does this bring together two likeminded organisations, with shared values, it ensures that customers across this area receive fantastic services that demonstrate true value for money.” The work to be carried out at Stonewater’s homes will include home repairs and maintenance, and repairs to empty properties that are due to be re-let to new customers. It is hoped that in time Platform will also take over responsibility for on-going maintenance projects, like the fitting of new kitchens and bathrooms. Lee Vernalls, Assistant Director at Platform Property Care said: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Stonewater. We share the same social values and will ensure excellent service delivery.” Platform Housing Group has a similar arrangement with Rooftop Housing; the Worcestershire based social landlord that is a charitable association and focuses on provision of affordable housing for all household types and needs. Stonewater customers wishing to report a repair can do so through the usual ways, either via MyHome or by calling 01202 319 119. Tenancy agreements and repairs standards will remain the same.
A local builder working for a housing association has shared his delight at seeing fresh talent coming through the ranks in the construction industry. T G Sowerby Developments, based in Scunthorpe, have been sharing the progress of their apprentices on a site on Bottesford Road over the last year. Ben McCormack, Jack Gaynor and James Green have been working on the development, with Ben and Jack on joinery apprenticeships and James working in plumbing. Director Steve Sowerby said “All our apprentices are offered full time positions with us once they’ve completed their studies and it will be no exception for these three. That then gives us the opportunity to offer other students the same chance of an apprenticeship once the current apprentices have moved on to full time positions, we already have a bricklayer on trial.” For Ben and Jack, the project represents part of their journey, having worked on the popular Coal Yard at Royston-Under-Dinmore before moving on after this to work on site at the White Swan in Barton. All three projects are being done for Platform Housing Group, who themselves have also said how pleased they are with seeing their local contractors giving young people the opportunity to learn their vital trades. Project manager for Platform Housing Group Christine Storr said, “When looking for small and medium sized enterprises to partner with, the use of apprenticeship schemes is high on the criteria for awarding the work. As a large provider of affordable homes, we’re seeing how the sector is struggling with the skills gap. Allowing young people to learn on the job from the experienced tradespeople we work with is good for both the housing sector and the local economy and is just one of the ways we feel we can best contribute to the communities we build in.” Working with 1,200 colleagues and 45,000 homes, Platform Housing Group works to deliver quality homes and customer services that bring tangible differences to local homes and lives across the Midlands. For more information about Platform Housing Group, visit – https://www.platformhg.com/
Construction will soon begin on a new Retirement Village development on Roman Road on the outskirts of Hereford. The site in Holmer will provide 80 one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent and is being brought to the city by Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group. Platform, who run a similar development at Harling Court in Ledbury, will also provide onsite care and support services plus various communal facilities for the residents. Darren Beale, Regional Managing Director at Vistry Partnerships West Midlands said, “We have extensive experience designing and constructing extra care schemes and we’re very pleased to be working in partnership again with Platform Housing. As one of the country’s leading regeneration specialists we recognise the need to support our partners to build homes across all tenures, particularly homes and care services for older people.” Steve Eaves, Director of Regeneration at Platform Housing said, “This is a fantastic partnership that will provide much needed older persons housing in a very popular and strategically important area for our partners at Herefordshire Council. We are also very much looking forward to working with Vistry again. They have a great track record of successfully delivering large schemes with Platform.“ Cllr Ange Tyler, Cabinet member for Housing, regulatory services, and community safety, said: “Providing affordable housing is a key issue for Local Authorities across Britain, and Herefordshire is no different. One of our key priorities is to deliver safe, comfortable and affordable housing, particularly for vulnerable people. We are therefore delighted to be working in partnership with Vistry Partnerships and Platform Housing Group on this project, and look forward to the new Retirement Village taking shape.” Some £19m is being spent on the project which is anticipated to begin in the spring.
