One Vision Housing
December 2024
Merseyside & North West
Summary
For the second year running, Sovini's BIG Community Christmas initiative brought festive cheer to nearly nine thousand people across the North West. By collaborating with community partners, we were able to identify resident needs and tailor support during the Christmas period.
Working with both internal and external partners, a concerted fundraising effort maximised the initiative's reach. This collaborative approach not only ensured targeted support for those most in need but also generated over £30m in social value, demonstrating the significant positive impact of Sovini's BIG Community Christmas.
Our Partners
Group Partners and External Commercial Partners
- One Vision Housing
- Pine Court Housing Association
- Sovini Charities
- Sovini Property Services
- Sovini Construction
- Service Electrical Distributors Ltd
Community Partners
- Bootle Together Christmas
- Breckfield North Everton Neighbourhood Council (BNENC)
- Brunswick Youth & Community Centre
- Equilibrium North West CIC
- The Florence Institute (Florrie)
- Gateway Collective
- Halle's Hub
- Inclusion Network CIC
- Indy Food Pantry
- Joseph Lappin Centre
- Julie Lawson CIC
- Kindfulness Coffee Club
- Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre
- St Mary & Michael Catholic Primary School
- Sefton OPERA
- Southport Veterans
- Veterans HQ
- Veterans in Sefton
About One Vision Housing (OVH)
We are an award-winning housing provider offering high quality, affordable housing across the Liverpool City Region, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. We currently manage over 14,400 properties across the region.
We provide a range of rental options from Social Housing and Private Rent, to Rent to Buy and commercial lettings of shops, creating equal opportunities for all. We were formed in October 2006, following a successful stock transfer from Sefton Council, and operate as a not-for-profit organisation, regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing.
As a member of The Sovini Group, One Vision Housing believes in providing good quality, affordable homes for rent and to buy, helping to create thriving and inclusive communities. We work closely with partner organisations to build a better future for our customers, supporting thousands of beneficiaries each year.
Externally recognised as a leading provider of homes and services, One Vision Housing is graded G1 for Governance and V1 for Viability by the Regulator of Social Housing.
The Importance of Christmas Support
Communities in the North West, like many across the UK, face a range of challenges, exacerbated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. The lasting impact of rising costs has placed immense pressure on household budgets, with many families struggling to afford even basic necessities. This financial strain is particularly difficult during the Christmas season.
For those already facing hardship, the added pressure to provide gifts, festive meals, and create a special experience for loved ones can be overwhelming, leading to increased stress and anxiety. Support during this time is crucial, offering not just material assistance but also a sense of community and hope during what can be an incredibly difficult time.
Our Approach
Building on the success of last year's activities, Sovini's BIG Community Christmas took a multifaceted approach to supporting those in need. A key element of this year's initiative was recognising the invaluable contributions of our Customer Voice members. Following a massive push to boost engagement, we hosted a special Christmas party to thank our involved customers for their time and feedback.
Our efforts were strategically focused on delivering tangible outcomes across five key areas: support for local veterans, improved health and wellbeing, support for vulnerable persons, improved community safety, and support with environmental projects.
This targeted approach ensured that our resources were directed where they could have the greatest impact, maximising the positive effect on individuals and communities across the region.
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Our Initiatives
Take a look at how our initiatives helped to support our communities.
Food and Toy Pallets
We partnered with ten local organisations to distribute twelve pallets of food and toys to community groups across Merseyside. Each organisation received a pallet containing a variety of food, toiletries, and household essentials to support residents in need. Two of the organisations also received a pallet of toys, which provided much-needed Christmas gifts for children who might otherwise have gone without.
Christmas Events
We proudly sponsored a range of Christmas events across our communities.
In Bootle, we supported the Bootle Together Christmas event at the Strand Shopping Centre, a free celebration for 3,000 residents featuring a stage show, fairground rides, and a visit from Santa, complete with selection boxes provided by OVH. Further support in Bootle was provided to the Brunswick Youth & Community Centre, enabling them to host a special Christmas party for their "Brunny Old Boys" walking football team, combating loneliness and boosting wellbeing for older residents.
A variety of family-friendly events were also sponsored across the region, providing opportunities to enjoy free or low-cost festive entertainment. These events offered a welcome respite and allowed families to create lasting memories together without the worry of excessive costs.
Beyond family-focused activities, OVH also supported events specifically for adults, designed to combat social isolation and loneliness during the Christmas period. These gatherings provided a chance for individuals to connect with others, enjoy festive cheer, and strengthen community bonds, ensuring that everyone had the opportunity to participate in the holiday spirit.
Veterans Support
As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, we supported veterans across Sefton and Liverpool by sponsoring festive meals for them and their families.
We partnered with three different veterans' organisations to make these celebrations possible, recognising the sacrifices made by those who served. These Christmas meals provided a valuable opportunity for veterans to connect with loved ones and enjoy the festive season in good company.
One of these events, hosted by Veterans HQ, took place within a prison setting, specifically designed to support veterans currently in custody and help them maintain important family connections during the holiday season.
Hampers & Christmas Eve Boxes
We also extended a helping hand to families across our communities by donating both festive hampers and special Christmas Eve boxes. The hampers, packed with essential food items and festive treats, were distributed through the community organisations we previously supported with pallet donations. This ensured that the resources reached those most in need within the local area.
Adding to the festive cheer, members of staff from The Sovini Group generously donated a collection of Christmas Eve boxes, filled with goodies to help families create magical memories on Christmas Eve. These thoughtful gifts were then distributed to families, bringing joy and excitement in the lead-up to Christmas Day.
Community Initiatives
We also proudly supported two vital community initiatives focused on connection and wellbeing.
In Bootle, we partnered with Gateway Collective, sponsoring lunches for over 30 of their open access sessions at the North Park Community Garden. These weekly gatherings provide a crucial space for individuals facing isolation, mental health challenges, or addiction recovery to connect, grow, and thrive through gardening, shared meals, and community building. Our support ensures that those attending these sessions, often 25 or more at a time, can enjoy a nutritious meal while fostering a sense of belonging.
Furthermore, in Litherland, we sponsored a warm hub at Halle's Hub, responding directly to a need identified by the local community. This safe and welcoming space provides free hot meals, drinks, and social interaction for vulnerable and isolated individuals throughout the winter months, combating loneliness and positively impacting mental health.
Nearly 9,000 residents supported in total
All of these initiatives, from sponsoring festive meals for veterans and families to providing warm hubs, community garden lunches, hampers, Christmas Eve boxes, and supporting large-scale community events, came together to form Sovini's BIG Community Christmas.
Through these diverse projects, OVH and The Sovini Group touched the lives of nearly 9,000 residents across the Liverpool City Region, bringing festive cheer, combating isolation, and providing vital support to those in need during the holiday season. This collective effort demonstrates a true commitment to strengthening communities and making a positive impact where it's needed most.
Outcomes and impact
Through our various activities, £33,528,472 was generated in social value according to the HACT Social Value Calculator.*
Sharon Munroe, Centre Manager, Equilibrium North West CIC, said:
Thank you so much for your kind donations - this is fantastic! We really do appreciate it, many thanks on behalf of the whole team.
Victoria Robins, School Administrator, Wrenbury Primary school, said:
Thank you for Sovini Construction’s gift of selection boxes for the children this year. These will be handed out to them by Father Christmas and I am sure they will bring a little extra joy to their Christmas. We thank The Sovini Group for this donation and look forward to their continued support and investment in their local community.
A One Vision Housing customer, said:
Thank you for everything you've brought for me and have a very blessed merry Christmas.
*Figures subject to verification by HACT.