salix homes
£10million 'green' transformation for Salford tower blocks

£10million ‘green’ transformation for Salford tower blocks

A pair of ageing Salford tower blocks are going ‘green’ as part of a multi-million pound eco-transformation. Housing association Salix Homes has unveiled its ambitious investment plans for neighbouring blocks Greyfriar Court and Whitefriar Court in the Greengate area of Salford. The 14-storey high rise buildings will undergo a £10million

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Homes take shape at Salford’s new Neighbourhood development

New homes are starting to take shape at the ambitious Neighbourhood development being built on brownfield land in Salford that has stood empty for more than a decade. Housing association Salix Homes and partner developer Step Places are building 157 new homes on two parcels of vacant land off Kara

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Poets multi-million-pound regeneration and housing scheme now complete

A multi-million-pound housing development and regeneration scheme that has transformed an historic part of Salford is now complete. The £22million Poets redevelopment project in Swinton is now finished and fully occupied – bringing 160 brand-new homes and breathing new life into the area, which is also known as Beechfarm. Poets

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Double award success for Salix Homes

Salford housing association Salix Homes is celebrating a double win in the prestigious Northern Housing Awards. Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes across Salford, won the Best Resident Involvement Initiative and the Best Digital Transformation categories in the awards, which celebrate the achievements of the housing sector in the North.

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New apprentices building a bright future

Salford housing association Salix Homes has welcomed its newest cohort of apprentices into the fold. Salix Homes has five new apprentices, four of whom have joined its Repairs and Maintenance Service, while the fifth is learning the ropes in the Customer Service Team. Among the new recruits is 19-year-old Connor

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MiiHome Project Nominated for National Award

MiiHome project, a pioneering home safety project that uses XBox technology to monitor the welfare of elderly people has been shortlisted for a national award. The project, which is being trialled in Salford, aims to help older people live more safely in their homes for longer by tracking their movements

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New homes for doctors and nurses to help plug acute staff shortage

The first housing development exclusively for clinical staff will open in Salford to help plug an acute staff shortage in the NHS. Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with housing association Salix Homes to provide a 26-apartment complex for doctors, nurses and other clinical staff who work at

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Latest Issue
Issue 325 : Feb 2025

salix homes

£10million 'green' transformation for Salford tower blocks

£10million ‘green’ transformation for Salford tower blocks

A pair of ageing Salford tower blocks are going ‘green’ as part of a multi-million pound eco-transformation. Housing association Salix Homes has unveiled its ambitious investment plans for neighbouring blocks Greyfriar Court and Whitefriar Court in the Greengate area of Salford. The 14-storey high rise buildings will undergo a £10million refurbishment, making them greener and more energy efficient. The planned improvement work includes external wall and roof insulation, new windows and ventilation; while the façade and balconies will be completely rendered and transformed. An eco-friendly ground source heating system will also be installed, which, combined with the external insulation will improve the thermal efficiency of the building and help reduce energy bills for Salix Homes customers. The state-of-the-art heating system works by harnessing the natural heat from the ground, rather than burning fuel to generate heat. Liam Turner, Executive Director of Assets, Growth and Sustainability at Salix Homes, said: “Salix Homes is committed to creating cleaner, greener homes and communities, so we’re pleased to share with residents our ambitious plans for Greyfriar and Whitefriar Court, which aim to enhance residents’ quality of life and reduce carbon emissions. “This significant investment project will give a new lease of life to these ageing 1960s tower blocks, transforming the properties into desirable, modern homes which are more comfortable and economical to run, while helping to meet our carbon neutral ambitions. “This marks another step forwards towards achieving our sustainability goals and improving the energy efficiency of all our housing stock, which will benefit both our residents and the planet.” Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes across Salford, has secured £4million from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) to help fund the project, following a successful bid from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on behalf of social housing providers across Greater Manchester. The SHDF scheme provides financial support to social housing providers and local authorities to undertake energy efficiency and decarbonisation measures. The Government has set a target that all social housing should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of a ‘C’ rating by 2030, as part of the net zero programme to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions, while Salix Homes has committed to becoming a carbon neutral organisation by 2038. Salix Homes’ partner contractor Casey will carry out the improvement work, which is due to start on site later this year, and is expected to be complete by March 2025. Alan Taylor, Operations Director at Casey, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Salix Homes to deliver the transformation of Greyfriar and Whitefriar Court. The work being undertaken supports our purpose of improving lives and will ensure benefits to the residents living within the blocks. Throughout the project we will also deliver social value initiatives to benefit the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Homes take shape at Salford’s new Neighbourhood development

New homes are starting to take shape at the ambitious Neighbourhood development being built on brownfield land in Salford that has stood empty for more than a decade. Housing association Salix Homes and partner developer Step Places are building 157 new homes on two parcels of vacant land off Kara Street and Liverpool Street in Seedley South. The eco-friendly development, comprising social housing, homes for affordable rent and properties for shared ownership and outright sale, is on track for completion in summer 2023. Terry McBride, development manager at Salix Homes, said: “Neighbourhood will bring a new era of housing to Salford and complement the wider regeneration taking place in the area, so it’s great to see these new homes starting to take shape. “This brownfield land has stood empty for over a decade and we’re very proud to see our long-awaited vision to breathe new life into the area and deliver much needed housing, start to become reality. “With housing in such short supply, we’re confident that Neighbourhood will deliver more of the right types of homes that people need in Salford, including social and affordable housing, creating a vibrant, sustainable and aspirational community of modern, high-quality and energy efficient homes.” The community-focussed development is a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes and one and two-bedroom apartments, and Salix Homes is working with Salford-based contractor Watson Homes to deliver its part of the scheme. The housing association has secured funding from Homes England to help finance the multi-million-pound project. Manchester poet Tony Walsh marked the start of work at Neighbourhood last year, when he penned a new poem – Salford Keys – to honour the spirit of Salford and commemorate a new era of housing and regeneration in the city. The honorary Salfordian, also known as Longfella, has a close affinity to the area, having previously worked in the Seedley and Langworthy communities as a regeneration manager. Speaking at the development launch last year, he said: “I have an association with Salford going back 40-years and know every back alley of this area in particular. Having worked on the regeneration project 15 years ago, it’s great to see what was planned back then finally come to fruition and the new Neighbourhood development will be central to the regeneration of the area.” The innovative design of Neighbourhood is a modern take on the traditional terrace house, complete with raised terrace gardens for some of the properties. There will be a public green space at the heart of the development, 86 trees planted, and all houses will have cycle storage and electric car charging points. Harinder Dhaliwal, managing director of Step Places, added: “It’s a great scheme of mixed tenures and innovative house types with sustainability high on the agenda. In the current climate of rising energy prices, the air source heat pumps and highly insulated homes will be a real benefit for occupiers” In total, 91 of the properties at Neighbourhood will be shared ownership, affordable rent or social housing, while 66 will be available for market sale, with Help to Buy support available. Salford Council is purchasing 25 of the homes for social rent, while a further five properties will go to Inspiring Housing Community Land Trust for a community-led housing model, which aims to support affordable homes for local people. Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “It is fantastic to see this vacant site being brought back to life and it is very positive news this new development is eco-friendly. I look forward to joining the celebrations when the site is finished next year and people can move in. “These homes are provided against a backdrop of a national housing crisis with people on our housing lists that are desperate for affordable homes. We need to continue to work together to provide many more affordable homes in the city that local people can live in.” The 32 affordable rent homes will be allocated via Salford Home Search, while the remaining properties will be available via Salix Homes’ affordable home ownership brand – Willo Homes. The first phase of 47 homes at Neighbourhood, have already been reserved, with a further 20 homes released this month. Properties available as part of the Shared Ownership scheme are due to be released this summer, and people are urged to register their interest with Willo Homes now. For more information about homes available, email neighbourhood@salixhomes.co.uk or visit Neighbourhood Salford. Building Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction & Property News

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Poets multi-million-pound regeneration and housing scheme now complete

A multi-million-pound housing development and regeneration scheme that has transformed an historic part of Salford is now complete. The £22million Poets redevelopment project in Swinton is now finished and fully occupied – bringing 160 brand-new homes and breathing new life into the area, which is also known as Beechfarm. Poets has been a major redevelopment scheme from housing association Salix Homes and has seen 146 defective properties, that were affected by structural issues, demolished. In their place, Salix Homes has built 120 new social housing properties, plus a further 40 homes for outright sale, available through the Government’s Help to Buy scheme. Sue Sutton, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “Construction at the Poets began five years ago, but we’ve been developing proposals with the community for many years before that alongside Salford Council, so to see the development finally complete and those ambitions for Poets brought to life is a monumental moment for the area and the community. “This area has always been known for its real strength of community, and we have endeavoured to preserve that community spirit throughout the development, so it’s fantastic to see residents, both new and old, settled and making memories in their new homes. “At a time when social and affordable housing is in such short supply, we’re incredibly proud that Poets has increased housing choice in the area, bringing new, modern homes to both people on the social housing register and aspiring homeowners.” The mixed tenure development of two, three and four-bedroom homes, marks the first new-build scheme for Salix Homes and its first properties available for sale as part of its affordable home-ownership brand – Willo Homes. New homeowner Robin Capon was one of the last residents to get the keys, moving into his new three-bedroom home on Christmas Eve, and the 30-year-old accountant has finally seen his ambition to get on the property ladder become a reality. He said: “I’d been renting for many years, so it was such a relief to finally get the keys and move in. I’d always wanted a new-build as I like the idea that you don’t need to do anything to the property and can just move straight in. “I didn’t really think it would feel much different to renting, but it does. It’s the first house I’ve lived in that’s actually mine and I’ve become really house proud. I love it here.” Poets derives its names due to the surrounding streets being named after famous wordsmiths, which include Shakespeare Road, Wordsworth Road and Tennyson Road. Existing residents have been involved in the redevelopment process from start to finish, and those affected by the demolition proposals were given priority for moving back into the new-build properties. The wider estate has also benefitted from additional investment to make environmental improvements, including new gates, fencing and landscaping. Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing, Property and Regeneration at Salford City Council, said: “It is fantastic news to hear this impressive housing scheme is now finally complete. “In Salford we are desperate for affordable properties for local people to live in and we are living with a national housing crisis. These 120 new social homes will make such a huge different to the lives of people who move into them. “I’d like to thank all involved with this successful project and I look forward to visiting very soon.” Salix Homes is now working on other new-build, affordable housing developments across Salford, which includes Neighbourhood – a 157-home development in Seedley; and Greenhaus – an eco-friendly apartment block on Chapel Street.

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Double award success for Salix Homes

Salford housing association Salix Homes is celebrating a double win in the prestigious Northern Housing Awards. Salix Homes, which owns 8,000 homes across Salford, won the Best Resident Involvement Initiative and the Best Digital Transformation categories in the awards, which celebrate the achievements of the housing sector in the North. The landlord scooped Best Resident Involvement Initiative in recognition of its pioneering Customer Committee, which was set up last year in a bid to give tenants a greater say in how its housing services are run. The Customer Committee has seen Salix Homes trailblazing a new approach to customer engagement, which was established ahead of national calls for greater transparency and for tenant’s voices to be better heard following the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The Customer Committee is made up of 12 residents in a paid-for role, on a par with the organisation’s board members, who can commission a piece of scrutiny work into any area of the organisation. The judges commended Salix Homes for its commitment to putting tenants first. They said: “Salix Homes have reacted to the Grenfell disaster by putting tenants at the heart of what they do, ensuring they have a strong voice and are able to participate. A very well done to all of you.” Salix Homes was also recognised for its digital innovation, which has seen the landlord launch a ground-breaking digital repairs service incorporating innovative chatbot technology; and becoming the first housing provider in the UK to fully embrace the public cloud. Judges were also impressed with the MySalix customer portal – an online platform which enables residents to manage their tenancy at the touch of a button or tap of a phone. Jim Battle, Chair of the Board at Salix Homes, said: “We’re an organisation that prides itself on being progressive and forward-thinking, with a bold vision to rethink the way our housing services are provided in order to meet the demands of a modern and digital world. “Despite the challenges of the past year posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we’ve pushed on with our plans to establish our Customer Committee and become a truly digital organisation, so to be recognised for our efforts for both these areas is a real honour and is testament to all the hard work of our colleagues and partners. “We’re particularly proud that our Customer Committee has been recognised for the impact it’s having on both our organisation and the wider social housing sector. Never has it been more important for social landlords to listen to the voices of tenants and we firmly believe our modern approach to customer engagement echoes the recommendations made in the Government’s Social Housing White Paper, calling for greater accountability, transparency and engagement with customers, so we’re very proud to be leading the way.” Salix Homes is no stranger to awards, having already been named Digital Landlord of the Year in the UK Housing Awards 2020, and coming in at number four in the recent Top 30 Digital Housing Providers roll of honour, organised by Housing Digital.

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Salford apartment block named in honour of revered minister and writer

The legacy of one of Salford’s most revered sons will be immortalised in a new apartment block, which will bring more than 100 affordable homes to the city. Housing association Salix Homes has announced its new high-rise development in Trinity will be named Artifex in a nod to Canon Peter Green, who was a rector at the nearby St Philips Church, as well as a published writer and pacifist who was passionate about fighting social injustice. During the First World War and until the 1950s, Canon Peter Green wrote a weekly column in The Manchester Guardian – which was later to become The Guardian – under the pen name ‘Artifex’. He wrote about pacifism and compassion as well as articles about social injustice and women’s suffrage and is fondly remembered as a ‘real man of the people who loved the Salford people’. The 11-storey residential building forms part of the £22.5m Canon Green Campus development in Trinity, which has seen 1960s tower block Canon Green Court completely transformed and modernised for its existing residents, along with neighbouring apartment block Westminster House. Sue Sutton, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “The legacy of Peter Green is already recognised in Salford, with Canon Green Court being named in his honour back when it was built during the 1960s. “We wanted to pay our own tribute to this much-respected Salford son whose fight against social injustice represents our own beliefs and values at Salix Homes and our ethos to deliver high-quality, affordable housing for everyone. This is even more pertinent in an area of Salford that has seen little to no new affordable housing for decades. “The Artifex will bring 108 desperately-needed affordable homes for people in Salford, at a time of a housing crisis. Peter Green was incredibly progressive for his time and very vocal against social injustice. He was passionate in his calls to prioritise housing for all and much of what he said all those years ago, still resonates today, so we felt naming the tower block in his honour is a fitting tribute to his memory.” Canon Peter Green was born in 1871 and served as the Rector at St Philips Church from 1911 – 1951, serving through two world wars in what was then a deprived dockyard community. He died in 1961. He dedicated his life to supporting impoverished communities and used his platform as religious commentator at The Manchester Guardian to speak out against war, hate, injustice and racism. He also wrote 38 books and served as a Chaplain to the King. During one column he penned in 1944 he spoke about the importance of prioritising housing as part of the Government’s post-war recovery and rebuilding plans. In it he said: “What is the good of building magnificent schools in which children can spend five hours a day for five days a week if the rest of their time when awake has to be spent in the street because their houses are holes to sleep in not homes to live in. “When the time comes for action, let stately civic centres and the repair of cathedrals and churches, and large hotels, and super cinemas, and everything else, give place in the competition for money, man-power and materials, to homes for the people.” This year marks the bicentenary of The Guardian, and The John Rylands Library, which houses The Guardian archives, will be celebrating the 200th anniversary with a special exhibition. Dr Janette Martin, modern history archivist (special collections) at John Rylands Library, which is part of The University of Manchester, said: “The University of Manchester Library Special Collections is proud to hold the archives of The Manchester Guardian. These include letters from the much-admired religious correspondent ‘Artifex’ – a well-known champion of social justice, compassion and decent housing. “Canon Peter Green’s weekly column under the pseudonym Artifex ran from the First World War to the 1950s shedding light on some of the hardships faced by Salford people in the first half of the twentieth century. “This year The Guardian celebrates its bicentenary, so the naming of the Artifex building by Salix Homes is a very fitting tribute to his memory during a very special anniversary year.” The Canon Green Campus enjoys an incredibly rich history, and the new Artifex block is built on the site of the old Blackfriars Road Baths, which were demolished during the 1970s. Ms Sutton added: “The site’s rich history means it’s played a central role in the lives of Salford people over the years and the next chapter for the site will deliver the largest affordable housing scheme in the area, so we’re proud to be building the much-needed homes that Salford desperately needs.” Salix Homes contractors Willmott Dixon are currently onsite and the Artifex block is expected to be complete this Spring. Once complete, the block will comprise of 108 one and two-bedroom affordable apartments, which will be available under the Rent to Buy scheme for expressions of interest from March. Willmott Dixon also carried out major improvement works to the refurbishment of Westminster House and Canon Green Court, which included new kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, sprinkler systems and exterior re-facing and insulation. The new Artifex apartment block has been partially funded thanks to a £3.8million grant from Homes England.

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Salix Homes provides new lease of life for Salford tower once earmarked for demolition

Residents at a Salford tower block are starting the new year with a new-look home thanks to a multi-million-pound refurbishment by Salix Homes. The Salford-based housing association has recently completed a £7.5million improvement project at Fitzwarren Court in Pendleton, which has seen the high-rise building undergo a major facelift. The 23-storey building had originally been earmarked for demolition as part of a wider regeneration of the area, but the plans were halted in 2016 when Salix Homes secured funding to modernise the block. The once-ageing 1970s building has been completely transformed inside and out, with the former blue and green façade replaced with modern tones of grey, green and orange render, as chosen by the residents, who have played an integral role in developing the proposals for the block. As part of the ambitious investment project, new kitchens, bathrooms, doors and windows have been fitted at all 135 apartments, along with a brand-new apartment conversion added to the ground floor. The communal areas, lobby and grounds have all been upgraded and a digital property intercom system has been installed enabling residents to contact Salix Homes via a portal to book repairs – the first of Salix Homes’ tower blocks to use such intelligent technology. The exterior has been completely rendered and a sprinkler system and state-of-the-art fire alarm system have also been installed as part of the landlord’s Safety Enhancement Programme across all its high-rise blocks in Salford. Sue Sutton, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “For many years, residents at Fitzwarren Court have been in limbo about the future of their homes, so we’re delighted that our ambitious improvement and modernisation scheme is now complete, and residents can start the new year, and look forward to the future, in their new-look homes. “Our significant investment has given the building a new lease of life, complimenting the wider regeneration taking place in the Pendleton area, and ensuring this iconic building can stand proud on the Salford skyline for many years to come. “Salix Homes is committed to raising the bar of building safety in all our homes, having been instrumental in the development of the national Building Safety Charter and the Government’s draft Building Safety Bill. The additional safety measures incorporated into this refurbishment project cements our commitment to delivering the safe, modern and energy efficient homes that everyone deserves.” A geo-thermal heating system has also been installed under the carpark, which has improved the thermal efficiency of the building and reduced residents’ fuel bills. The ground-source heating system works by harnessing heat from underground, rather than burning fuel to generate heat. Salix Homes has been working alongside partner contractor Casey to complete the refurbishment programme, which has also included improvements to 10 terraced homes on the neighbouring Rosehill Close. Alan Taylor, director at Casey, added: “The Fitzwarren Court scheme has been fantastic to be part of and we have been so pleased to assist with improving the lives of those living in the Salford community by undertaking these works. “The project has transformed the appearance, practicality and sustainability of the block for many years to come. Whilst working on the scheme we have also been able to deliver new apprenticeships, work placements, job creation and assist with community projects, all of which will leave a lasting legacy within the Salford area.”

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Flagship housing development for doctors and nurses receives national honour

A flagship housing development exclusively for clinical staff in Salford has been honoured at a national awards ceremony. Alexander Gardens in Broughton was Highly Commended in the Affordable Housing Scheme of the Year category in the prestigious 24 Housing Awards. The project by housing association Salix Homes, has seen an empty sheltered housing complex completely remodelled and transformed to provide 26-apartments for doctors, nurses and other clinical staff who work at Salford Royal Hospital.  Salix Homes teamed up with Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust to provide affordable homes for its workers after it emerged the hospital was struggling to fill 200 vacancies, with the lack of affordable accommodation cited as one of the barriers to attracting people to the area. Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “Our Alexander Gardens development is a fantastic success story for Salix Homes, providing much-needed affordable accommodation for doctors, nurses and clinical staff at our local hospital. “We are incredibly proud of this project which demonstrates just what can be achieved when the health and housing industries work in partnership to improve the lives of people living and working in our communities. “As a nation in the grips of a housing crisis, we are very proud to be leading the way in providing affordable accommodation for key workers, so to be recognised for our work in this area in such prestigious industry awards is a real honour.” Alexander Gardens on Gorton Street has stood empty since the Boxing Day 2015 floods after the former residents were re-housed when their homes were damaged by the worst flooding to hit Salford in decades. Salix Homes has spent more than £2million converting the building into modern one and two bedroom apartments, working alongside its partner contractor A Connolly Ltd. The project was partially funded thanks to a £780,000 grant from Homes England Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme. Salford Royal is letting the homes to new recruits in a bid to encourage more medical professionals to come to Salford to work, and reduce its reliance on agency staff. The first residents are expected to move in over the coming weeks.

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New apprentices building a bright future

Salford housing association Salix Homes has welcomed its newest cohort of apprentices into the fold. Salix Homes has five new apprentices, four of whom have joined its Repairs and Maintenance Service, while the fifth is learning the ropes in the Customer Service Team. Among the new recruits is 19-year-old Connor Boyle who had all but given up hope after applying for job after job but never hearing back. New-dad Connor, from Kersal, who welcomed his daughter into the world in June, said: “When I found out I’d got it, I was over the moon. I just want the chance to make a future for myself and my daughter. “I’d applied for so many different jobs and apprenticeships and had never been successful. I’d given up hope, but Salix Homes has been so supportive and all the way through the recruitment process, they made me believe I could do it – and now I know I can.” Connor is embarking on a plumbing apprenticeship, following in his grandad’s footsteps, and will be learning the tools of the trade four days a week while spending a day in the classroom with education providers Total People, working towards an NVQ. Over the past three years Salix Homes has created more than 50 apprenticeship positions through its Earn as You Learn programme, both within the organisation and with its partner contractors. Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome our newest cohort of apprentices onto our successful Earn as You Learn apprenticeship programme, which is helping local people in Salford build themselves a bright future. “An apprenticeship is a fantastic route for not only the apprentice, but for Salix Homes as an employer too. They’re gaining essential skills and experience while getting paid, while for Salix Homes, we are providing opportunities for local people and building our workforce of the future. “Our latest apprentice cohort will also benefit from the expertise and guidance of a dedicated mentor who will provide one-on-one support throughout their apprenticeship journey.” The new apprentices joining Salix Homes’ Repairs and Maintenance Team have been provided with new toolkits from its partner building merchants – Travis Perkins Managed Services. Maggie Devine, social value manager for Travis Perkins Managed Services, said: “We are passionate about supporting apprentices coming into the industry, and hope that the provision of these new tools will support them on their journey to train in their chosen profession. We wish them the best of luck through their apprenticeship and their future career.”

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MiiHome Project Nominated for National Award

MiiHome project, a pioneering home safety project that uses XBox technology to monitor the welfare of elderly people has been shortlisted for a national award. The project, which is being trialled in Salford, aims to help older people live more safely in their homes for longer by tracking their movements using artificial intelligence. A collaboration between housing association Salix Homes, working alongside Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Manchester, and The University of Salford, MiiHome project has been shortlisted in the Innovation of the Year category in the prestigious 24 Housing Awards, which recognises excellence in the housing sector. As part of the trial, X-Box Kinect sensors, which detect movement, were fitted into a number of properties at Salix Homes’ sheltered living schemes, which provide accommodation for older people. “The idea of MiiHome is that it acts as a sort of ‘digital guardian angel’ which is able to detect changes in behaviour that could mean something is wrong, for example someone’s gait may have slowed down, or they may be getting up more than usual in the night,” said Jonathan Drake, service director at Salix Homes. “Its aim is to provide an early warning system to enable a health professional to step in and provide the right sort of care before the situation escalates, and hopefully reduce hospital admissions and pressure on our already overstretched NHS,” he continued. The nomination for the prestigious award represents a double reason for celebration for Salix Homes, as its new affordable housing development – Alexander Gardens in Broughton – has also been shortlisted in the Affordable Housing Scheme of the Year Category. “It’s a real honour for Salix Homes to have two of our projects named as finalists in the 24 Housing Awards, and it’s testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved,” said Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes. The winners of the 24 Housing Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.  

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New homes for doctors and nurses to help plug acute staff shortage

The first housing development exclusively for clinical staff will open in Salford to help plug an acute staff shortage in the NHS. Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with housing association Salix Homes to provide a 26-apartment complex for doctors, nurses and other clinical staff who work at the organisation. It comes after the Trust revealed it was struggling to fill 200 vacancies, with the lack of affordable accommodation one of the barriers to attracting people to the area. Ian Moston, group chief finance officer for Salford Royal, said “Like most organisations in the NHS we have a significant number of vacancies. Our partnership with Salix Homes will provide a major benefit to us in helping to attract people to work and settle in Salford. “For the majority of us, the ability to live close to where we work is an important part of balancing work and home life. Through this partnership with Salix Homes we hope to provide people choosing to come to Salford with good quality, affordable housing whilst they establish themselves in the City on a long term basis. “We hope this venture with Salix Homes is the first of many areas where we believe we can collaborate to improve the health and wellbeing of people living and working in Salford, and the area and can become a template for other communities.” Salix Homes has spent more than £2million converting the former sheltered housing complex Alexander Gardens in Broughton into modern one and two bedroom apartments. The project was partially funded thanks to a £780,000 grant from Homes England Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme. Alexander Gardens on Gorton Street has stood empty since the Boxing Day 2015 floods after the former residents were re-housed when their homes were damaged by the worst flooding to hit Salford in decades. Since that fateful night, extensive flood resilience measures have been implemented within the facility and the wider area to help protect against future floods. Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “It’s no secret that the country is in the grips of a housing crisis, but it really brings it home when our own local hospital cannot recruit staff due to a severe shortage of suitable and affordable accommodation. “In the year our wonderful NHS turns 70, we are very proud to be able to offer a solution to provide affordable accommodation for doctors, nurses and other health professionals and help ensure our NHS can continue the fantastic work it does for another 70 years and beyond. “We believe this project to be among the first of its kind in the country and shows the importance of the health and housing industries working together to help overcome some of the most critical issues facing our sectors.” Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,000 homes across Salford, has worked alongside its partner contractor A.Connolly Ltd to completely transform and remodel the facility to create 16 two-bedroom and 10 one-bedroom apartments. Salford Royal intends to let the homes to new recruits for a period of six months in a bid to encourage more medical professionals to come to Salford to work, and reduce its reliance on agency staff. The fully-furnished properties, kitted out by north-west based Fusion Furniture, will be let as part of a comprehensive employment package provided by Salford Royal and will be available for single people, couples and families. Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “This unique project is one we are extremely proud of in Salford. Salix Homes and the NHS have worked closely together to pull this together, in conjunction with our bid to Homes England to support the scheme. “There is a national shortage of affordable homes –and a national crisis in housing – so anything that can support the fabulous staff who work tirelessly for the NHS and bring more of their workers to our city is welcomed.” The project has also provided work and opportunities for local people. Chris Connolly, commercial director at contractors A Connolly Ltd, added: “Supporting communities is important to us and we have employed local people through our partnership with Salix Homes, as well as recruiting two apprentices through the Build Salford project. “A.Connolly Ltd is pleased to have played a part in this unique scheme which will enable more medical professionals to live and work in Salford. “Major refurbishment work is in of our key specialisms and we were delighted to be able to use our expertise to support Salix Homes in bringing this building back into use.” The refurbishment and remodelling work is expected to be completed this summer and it’s hoped the first residents will move in during October.  

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