One Vision Housing
December 2023
Merseyside & North West
Our partners
Group housing partners
- One Vision Housing
- Pine Court Housing Association
Group commercial partners
- Amianto Services
- Sovini Construction
- Sovini Property Services
- Sovini Trade Supplies
External commercial partners
- AHS Plastering
- AJP Ltd
- Bogans Carpets
- Platinum Groundworks
- S&K Brickwork
- Service Electrical Distributors Ltd
- Sticx
- TEC CON
- Urbcon
- Weightmans
- Westshield
Community partners
- Bay Tree Cookery Academy CIC
- Bootle Together Christmas
- Breckfield North Everton Neighbourhood Council (BNENC)
- Brunswick Youth & Community Centre
- Equilibrium North West CIC
- The Florence Institute (Florrie)
- Inclusion Network CIC
- Indy Food Pantry
- Joseph Lappin Centre
- Julie Lawson CIC
- Kindfulness Coffee Club
- Light for Life
- Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre
- Orrell Trust
- Radio City Cash 4 Kids
- St Helens Food Bank
- St Mary & Michael Catholic Primary School
- St Marys & St Andrews Catholic Primary School
- Sefton OPERA
- Southport Veterans
- The Wingate Centre
- Wrenbury Primary
- Veterans HQ
- Veterans in Sefton
Summary
In order to help ease the additional financial burden that Christmas can often bring to families, The Sovini Group united more than 40 organisations in the North West to implement Sovini's BIG Community Christmas providing essential support to over 11,000 individuals during the holiday season, generating nearly £19m in social value.
Challenges facing our communities
Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, households throughout the Liverpool City Region have been struggling with ongoing difficulties. The surge in energy costs and the consistent rise in prices for everyday necessities has made it increasingly difficult for many to manage their finances effectively.
According to findings from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), around 2 million households in the UK have had to disconnect their fridge or freezer to manage expenses, and 2.8 million individuals have accumulated debt to cover food costs. Additionally, 1 in 6 people report resorting to a "warm room" due to financial constraints.
Rising costs have resulted in some of our clients being frightened to turn their heating on. We are incredibly grateful for the donation of this food pallet which will enable us to support hundreds of people locally. - Vicki Martlow, Sefton OPERA
Our approach
Throughout the year, the Group's Stakeholder Engagement Team has been forming new partnerships and strengthening current relationships with community groups, schools, and businesses across the North West to help achieve the Group's mission to create opportunities and change lives.
During this Christmas campaign the team focused on four strategic outcomes:
- Support vulnerable persons
- Improve health & wellbeing
- Support local veterans
- Improve commercial relationships
By collaborating with internal and external partners, the Stakeholder Engagement Team were able to successfully optimise opportunities for maximum benefit.
“Thank you so much for thinking of me and for the lovely things you have provided. I can’t believe what a lovely landlord you are. - One Vision Housing Customer
Early involvement and internal partnerships
Taking on board key learnings from the previous year's Christmas campaign, the Stakeholder Engagement Team began project planning early on in the year to gain additional support both internally and externally.
In June, Stakeholder Engagement reached out to various teams in the Group to establish what was most needed by One Vision Housing customers and how we could work together to help customers maintain and sustain their tenancies. By working with the Neighbourhoods Team, it was established that customers would most benefit from involvement early on in the season so as to avoid going into debt, and would further benefit from our continued involvement into the new year.
The Group's Marketing Team were instrumental in helping to share key information with our customers. Additionally, our Value for Money Officer and commercial partners played a pivotal role in securing external funding.
External partnerships
The Stakeholder Engagement Team worked with community groups to establish pressing needs and identify the best way to provide support to our diverse communities. A form was completed for each group to define both short-term and long-term goals for the communities. The team then evaluated each submission to determine how the Group could collaborate with partners to assist in achieving their aims.
As the cost-of-living continues to rise, we know many will be finding this time of year challenging. We believe in creating a better future for the communities we serve and thanks to our people and partnerships, together we are creating opportunities and changing lives this Christmas. - Roy Williams, Chief Executive Officer at The Sovini Group
About One Vision Housing
Delivering high-quality, affordable housing, One Vision Housing manage over 13,000 homes, supporting the housing needs of tens of thousands of residents. Their journey began in October 2006 following a successful stock transfer from Sefton Council, and since then they have been working to build thriving, inclusive communities across the North West.
As a valued member of The Sovini Group, they are committed to excellence and have earned external recognition as a leading provider of homes and services, in addition to being named one of the best workplaces in the UK.
Our initiatives
Take a look at some highlights from Stakeholder Engagement's initiatives below.
18 food & toy pallets delivered to community centres across Merseyside
14 community Christmas events sponsored
Three community initiatives funded including the Kindfulness Coffee Club's Gingerbread Project
Two veteran organisations supported as part of the Group's ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant
Nearly 200 One Vision Housing households provided with food, toys, hygiene products, and/or energy vouchers
Over 11,000 residents supported in total
Outcomes and impact
Through our various activities, £18,994,883 was generated in social value according to the HACT Social Value Calculator.*
Discover Our Purpose
Through the Group’s inventive approach to social engagement, they have been able to enhance the health and wellbeing of colleagues, customers, and the local community in addition to contributing to economic growth, aligning with the Group’s vision for a better future. Opportunities within communities have been fostered through various initiatives carried out by the Group’s commercial and non-profit entities, benefiting individuals across the North West. By leveraging its integrated supply chain, the Group has played a pivotal role in shaping vibrant neighbourhoods throughout the region.
James Flannery, Director of Construction and Land at The Sovini Group, said:
We continue to build more than homes, we create thriving communities and are committed to making a positive impact for our residents. As we strive to create a better future, these initiatives will provide much-needed support for those in need thanks to our partners.
Jim Brett of the Indy Food Pantry, said:
Thank you so much for the kind and generous donation, these items will be gratefully received and help so many people over the next few weeks.
Sarah Roach, Headteacher for St Marys & St Andrews school (Preston), said:
I just wanted to say thank you so very much for your hugely generous donation of the selection boxes to our school. It's made a real difference. We really appreciate your support, thanks ever so much.
Thomas, One Vision Housing customer, said:
Thank you so much for my hamper, I am a single man on job seekers allowance and I'm finding it very difficult to cope. When I got your hamper I was overcome, it felt like I was in an old black & white Christmas movie when an angel knocks at the door to give someone help. Thank you One Vision. I didn't know landlords did such amazing things, you made my Christmas.
*Figures subject to verification by HACT.