Clarion Housing

We're pleased to provide an overview and update for the works currently being delivered by our West Midlands team.

If you have any queries or concerns about the works being undertaken by Equans, please contact your appointed Resident Liaison Officer.

Tyler Court

Project progress:

Works currently on programme. As of 5th January:

Block 1 - New roof complete. Groundworks and new drainage now in progress along with laying new slabs in drying area.

Block 2 - New roof complete and scaffold nearly dropped. New drainage/groundworks ongoing.

Block 3 - Roof tiling underway, approx. 50% complete. New cut roof fitted over the original flat roof.

Block 4 - New insulation complete. Extension work has started to roof and windows. OSB boarding for new pitched roof conversion.

Other - Preparation work has started on interior decorating in all 4 blocks and wiring ready for new communal doors to be fitted is underway.

Additional Works

Project progress:

Progressing as programmed, due to complete December 2023.

Completed social value initiatives:

• Pre-employment training and work experience - both provided at Tyler Court for one individual who worked with the CLO throughout November. Seven pre-employment training courses delivered in Birmingham on 21st November
• Apprenticeships and job starts - two apprenticeship opportunities and one job start at Birmingham
• Specialise qualification sponsorship - £163.96
• Financial contribution towards digital devices - £500
• Clarion Futures donation - £400
• Contractor engagement - One Meet the Contractor event at Tyler Court
• Provision of equipment or services - £50

Planned social value initiatives:

• Apprenticeship & job starts: Will be difficult to achieve in this within our current contract but we are actively sharing employment opportunities for job starts with Clarion on a monthly basis. Two apprentice positions and one CLO job start potentially awaiting interview confirmation
• Accredited Training: Target achieved
• Sponsorships & donations: Target achieved
• Employment, Training & Work Experience: Target achieved
• Digital Training: Awaiting Clarion approval
• Refurbishment projects: £500 allocated towards projects. Awaiting confirmation to allocate to either hanging baskets or signage for the community centre
• Contractor engagement: Target achieved, plus Christmas engagement event planned with donations of gifts for Tyler Court residents
• School engagement: Target achieved
• Staff volunteering: Finance team offered online training at community centre, awaiting Clarion approval

The West Midlands Equans team currently undertaking works at Tyler Court are hosting a 'Meet the Contractor' event on Friday 15th December.

Visit the Tyler Court Communal Gardens from 11am-1pm on Friday 15th to meet the Equans site team and receive a detailed update on the works. This is also an opportunity for you to raise any queries or concerns you may have about the works being carried out by Equans.

We hope to see you there!

We're pleased to provide an overview and update for the works currently being delivered by our South East & East team.

If you have any queries or concerns about the works being undertaken by Equans, please contact your appointed Resident Liaison Officer.

Works update for SHDF 2.1 works in Wisbech:

We have completed 24 properties for the SHDF 2.1 works in November, measures included:

• New electrical fans within kitchens and bathrooms
• Cavity wall insulation
• Loft insulation
• Soffit fill
• Window and door replacements

Four of these properties have also had new fascia, soffit and guttering following asbestos removal works.

Our RLO, Sue has been collecting feedback from residents in the area which has all been very positive;

"Very friendly and competent staff. Work done extremely well and looks amazing. We have already noticed how cosy our rooms are now. We can't thank you enough for all of this amazing work." Railway Road Resident

"Workers were very friendly and efficient. The contractors that did the doors and windows were excellent, they worked very fast and cleaned up very well after completing their work." Sefton Avenue Resident

"Work completed to excellent standards. Workmen professional and polite." New Drove Resident

"I was very pleased with the work done so far, very impressed with the window fitters. I've been informed of everything as the work has progressed and I'm very pleased about that." Trinity Road Resident

"I am recovering from a stroke and get confused. Sue and all the workers were great at explaining things carefully to me. Every door and window looks lovely. I am very happy." Rowan Close Resident

"Both Mick and Karen are a credit to Equans! They both dealt with our queries and issues in a very friendly and professional way. They both went above and beyond for us and that has been very appreciated by us both. Thank you both very much!" Sefton Avenue Resident

We're pleased to provide an overview and update for the works currently being delivered by our West Midlands team.

If you have any queries or concerns about the works being undertaken by Equans, please contact your appointed Resident Liaison Officer.

Tyler Court

Project progress:

Works currently on programme. As of 24th November:

Block 1 - All tiling and conversion of flat to pitched roof complete. Scaffold now being dropped for new drainage works to be connected.

Block 2 - Flat to pitched conversion now complete. All brickwork and truss extensions complete. Tiling in progress and approximately 60% complete.

Block 3 - Batoning out to gable ends and backs of mono pitched roofs. Extended trusses.

Block 4 - Asbestos removal in progress. Temporary roof covering in place.

Additional Works

Project progress:

Progressing as programmed, due to complete December 2023.

Completed social value initiatives:

• Pre-employment training and work experience - both provided at Tyler Court for one individual who worked with the CLO throughout November. Seven pre-employment training courses delivered in Birmingham on 21st November
• Apprenticeships and job starts - two apprenticeship opportunities and one job start at Birmingham
• Specialise qualification sponsorship - £163.96
• Financial contribution towards digital devices - £500
• Clarion Futures donation - £400
• Contractor engagement - One Meet the Contractor event at Tyler Court
• Provision of equipment or services - £50

Planned social value initiatives:

• Apprenticeship & job starts: Will be difficult to achieve in this within our current contract but we are actively sharing employment opportunities for job starts with Clarion on a monthly basis. Two apprentice positions and one CLO job start potentially awaiting interview confirmation
• Accredited Training: Target achieved
• Sponsorships & donations: Target achieved
• Employment, Training & Work Experience: Target achieved
• Digital Training: Awaiting Clarion approval
• Refurbishment projects: £500 allocated towards projects
• Contractor engagement: Target achieved, plus Christmas engagement event planned with donations of gifts for Tyler Court residents
• School engagement: Target achieved
• Staff volunteering: Finance team offered online training at community centre, awaiting Clarion approval

We're pleased to provide an overview and update for the works currently being delivered by our Yorkshire team.

If you have any queries or concerns about the works being undertaken by Equans, please contact your appointed Resident Liaison Officer.

Project progress:

94 properties completed vs 85 planned. Completion is on target for 31st March 2023 (but sufficient works to run to December 2024).

Completed social value initiatives:

• Specialise qualification sponsorship - £442.54
• Financial contribution towards digital devices - £1,500
• Refurbishment/Improvement - £596.62 Skip Day, £750 Car Park lining and £2,000 donation towards MUGA fencing re-paint
• Clarion Futures donation - £1,200
• Contractor engagement - Two Meet the Contractor events
• Provision of equipment or services - £1,500
• Staff volunteering across two days removing graffiti at the Bradford Estate

Planned social value initiatives:

• Apprenticeship & job starts: Will be difficult to achieve in this within our current contract but we are actively sharing employment opportunities for job starts with Clarion on a monthly basis
• Sponsorships & donations: Target achieved
• Employment, Training & Work Experience: 'Skill for Success' training offered, awaiting Clarion approval
• Refurbishment projects - Target achieved
• Contractor engagement - Target achieved
• Staff volunteering: Target achieved

We're pleased to provide an overview and update for the works currently being delivered by our North West team.

If you have any queries or concerns about the works being undertaken by Equans, please contact your appointed Resident Liaison Officer.

Project progress:

Progress is continuing to achieve programme. We commenced in April 2022, with a target completion of December 2023.

Completed social value initiatives:

• Specialise qualification sponsorship - £497.33
• Work experience for two students and one other in October working with a Painter
• Digital training - 10 sessions including Marketing/Comms, Bid Writing and Business Mentoring
• Financial contribution towards digital devices - £1,600
• Clarion Futures donation - £1,400
• Contractor engagement - £200 foodbank donation and Macmillan coffee morning at Thornhill Gardens on 29th September, £430.29 raised
• Provision of equipment or services - £160

Planned social value initiatives:

• Apprenticeship & job starts: Will be difficult to achieve in this within our current contract but we are actively sharing employment opportunities for job starts with Clarion on a monthly basis
• Accredited training: First aid courses booked in for 29th Jan and 1st Feb in Salford
• Sponsorships & donations: Target achieved
• Digital Training: Target achieved
• Refurbishment projects: Thornhill Gardens booked in for January 2024 (£2,500 of work)
• Contractor engagement: Food/gift donation to local foodbank for Christmas planned for November/December and clothes collection for Whitechapel in December
• Staff volunteering: Volunteering to be done at Thornhill Gardens as well as volunteering at Fareshare on 13th December

On 21st November, Social Value Officer, Sian Dhillon attended Clarion's career fair held at Hawkesley Community Centre in Birmingham to promote Equans employment opportunities to Clarion Futures customers who had recently been supported by Equans to gain their CSCS cards.

The session involved sharing details of Equans' newest exciting vacancies to a group of Clarion Futures residents whom Equans had recently supported to gain CSCS cards in support of their future career aspirations within the construction sector.

During the 1-2-1 sessions, attendees were walked through the Equans employment application process using the Equans job search website.

As a result, a selection of attendees applied for current vacancies and subsequently their applications have been highlighted to the recruitment team and hiring managers for the roles they applied for.

"I really want to thank you for taking your quality time to come and meet our customers. I've received some really positive feedback from our customers and they all left with the optimism of starting a career in the construction industry." Shakeel Sadiq - Project Assistant North & Midlands Clarion Futures Jobs & Training

Thanks to the help of Equans volunteers, a children's play area in Hatfield, Hertfordshire has been brought back to life after receving vital redecorations.

On 21st September, Equans Social Value Manager, Patrick Warren enlisted the help of a group of Equans staff who had generously volunteered their time to contribute to help redecorate and revitalise a dilapidated children's play area.

Also joined by Social Value Officer, Richard Sanz, the volunteers rolled up their sleeves and all pitched in sprucing up the play area and re-painting the walls to give residents a space to enjoy again.

Please click here to read Patrick's full social media post including a short video.

Following the publication of Clarion's Making a Difference report in September, Clarion has released a report which provides a closer look at the social value generated through it's partners and contractors such as Equans.

As the largest social landlord in the country, Clarion is in a unique position to use its buying power to leverage social value from its supply chain, working with partners like Equans to transform lives and make a difference in its communities.

In 2022/23, this activity generated a record £16 million in social value, including the delivery of 195 apprenticeships, helping people of all ages to take their first step on the career ladder within the construction industry or re-join the employment market. In addition, more than 1,300 people completed training to help them gain new skills and find employment, and there have been 203 job starts with 102 work experience opportunities created.

As well as employment-related activity, partners and contractors have invested £216,000 to improve facilities in Clarion communities, with £483,000 donated to support community projects - a 137% increase on the previous year.

More than £55,000 has also been donated towards digital devices as part of a loan scheme that offers residents a lifeline by connecting them to jobs and training opportunities, as well as to family and friends. In 2023/24, this will be expanded to provide business mentoring to community organisations.

One example of the positive impact of this activity is the support provided to Clarion resident, Stacy Bradley, who set up an innovative social enterprise called 'Safe at Home' to help fellow domestic abuse survivors by offering the free installation of security cameras and lighting to reduce the likelihood of post-separation abuse and harassment.

Clarion Futures provided initial support to help develop the idea, before involving contractors Equans who contributed to the project through Clarion's social value programme, donating equipment and installing devices free of charge. Clarion has now committed additional funding, with contractors Equans, United Living and Wates all contributing alongside a package of non-financial support.

Phil Miles, Director of Clarion Futures, said:

"We're delighted to have worked with our partners and contractors to deliver £16 million in social value over the last year, and would like to say a special thank you to our three planned investment contractors, Equans, Wates and United Living, who have gone above and beyond to support our work.

"We take great pride in the tangible outcomes we have achieved together, including job creation, skills development, and the revitalisation of local community centres. By harnessing the collective power of our supply chain, we are making a significant and positive difference in the lives of our residents and communities."

James Cousins, Regeneration Director at Equans, said:

"We are delighted to see Clarion's latest report and the staggering amount of social value generated for the communities we're all working with.

"Social value is more important than ever. There's a pressing need for greater investment in communities and the construction industry must be prepared to step up and play a key role towards this. None of this would have been possible without the collaboration between all delivery partners and our valued key supply-chain.

"Initiatives such as the Safe at Home project are a great example of how, when we work together, and harness grassroots passion, experience and skills, we can deliver tangible, lasting benefits across our communities."

To find out more about Clarion's social value programme, please email socialvalue@clarionhg.com.

To read Clarion's full Making a Difference report, please click here.

We're pleased to provide an overview and update for the works currently being delivered by our West Midlands team.

If you have any queries or concerns about the works being undertaken by Equans, please contact your appointed Resident Liaison Officer.

Tyler Court

Project progress:

Works currently on programme. First block 50% complete. Second block - truss extensions in progress. Third block - stripping roof and fourth block - scaffold in progress.

Additional Works

Project progress:

Progressing as programmed, due to complete December 2023.

Completed social value initiatives:

• Specialise qualification sponsorship - £163.96
• Financial contribution towards digital devices - £500
• Clarion Futures donation - £400
• Contractor engagement - One Meet the Contractor event at Tyler Court
• Provision of equipment or services - £50
• Accredited training - CSCS training completed 29th September
• School engagement - Mock interviews held at Wood Green Academy on 10th October and Joseph Leckie Academy on 24th October

Planned social value initiatives:

• Apprenticeship & job starts: Will be difficult to achieve in this within our current contract but we are actively sharing employment opportunities for job starts with Clarion on a monthly basis. Two apprentice positions at Birmingham forwarded to Clarion for consideration
• Accredited Training: Target achieved
• Sponsorships & donations: Target achieved
• Employment, Training & Work Experience: Awaiting approval for training. One CLO work experience placement planned for w/c 13th November at Tyler Court shadowing RLO
• Digital Training - awaiting Clarion approval
• Contractor engagement: Target achieved
• School engagement: Target achieved - Mock interview sessions planned at Wood Green Academy on 10th October and Joseph Leckie Academy on 24th October
• Staff volunteering: 'Skill for Success' training - awaiting Clarion approval. Exploring volunteering at community centre in Birmingham for refurbishment project