Clarion Housing

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/March:

In summary, we completed the following throughout February:

• 49 properties on programme for Social Housing Decarbonisation Funded (SHDF) works for energy efficiency improvements. Improvements include; cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, soffit insulation, window & door installation, new mechanical ventilation in kitchen and bathroom. Some properties required asbestos removal from the soffits, thereby having replacement fascia, soffits and gutters
• 8 properties completed in February - 44 total across Wisbech and March
• 1 property has had ventilation fitted - 48 total
• 2 properties have had loft insulation extracted and refilled - 46 total
• 8 properties have had cavity wall insulation extracted and refilled - 48 total
• 11 properties have had window and door insulation - 48 total
• Scaffolding now down at all properties
• 2 properties have received removal of asbestos soffits by Clarion Asbestos contractor
• Insulation works completed to passageway ceilings at 4 properties

The site team for these works include;

Senior Site Manager - Mick Cawley
Assistant Site Manager - Karen Walker
Trainee Site Manager - Reuben Rule
Resident Liaison Officer - Claudia Paton

As part of Equans' work with Clarion, a number of residents have taken the time to provide some positive feedback about the works carried out to their homes.

"Very happy with the windows, great service, thank you." Resident of Ludlow Court

"All teams worked extremely efficiently and were all very polite. Claudia you've been a star."
Resident of Russell Avenue, March

"Everything alright and worked well, I like my new front door specifically. Claudia has been very helpful, she's gone the extra mile for me, a good girl." Resident of Peyton Avenue, March

"All the workmen are great and all the jobs have been done lovely. Claudia and Karen are lovely young ladies." Resident of Smiths Drive, March

"I found all the men very helpful, all clean and polite. Happy with how warm my home feels now. Thank you for your good work." Resident of Peyton Avenue, March

"I was very happy with all the work undertaken at my flat, and all the help given to me."
Resident of Tyler Court, Birmingham

"We have found a lot of difference with our work done. The house is definitely warmer. The tradesmen were also very polite and helpful." Resident of Smiths Drive, March

"The window and door installers were absolutely brilliant, polite and couldn't do enough."
Resident of Peyton Avenue, March

"All work carried out was brilliant. Windows and doors was exceptionally brilliant."
Resident of Peyton Avenue, March

"My RLO has been amazing, nothing too much trouble. The tradesmen have been perfect, polite and tidy. Very satisfied." Resident of Fruman Avenue, March

"Very happy with all works completed to a high standard and pleased that workmen were polite and tidy. Very happy with all communication and booking of work." Resident of Ludlow Court

"You can never fault the work or anything that is asked of the young lady (RLO). It has been a privilege to have her in my home and keeping me updated on all works associated with this project, so once more thank you very much." Resident of West Close, March

"The men who did the loft insulation and cavity walls were very nice, happy and friendly. Claudia, the RLO, is very approachable and good at getting things sorted." Resident of Peyton Avenue, March

"I have to say, while the work was being done I have had no problems with any trade, they have all been very gracious to me and have done their utmost to make as little mess as possible. I have always been informed by Claudia and the team on messages, phone calls or in person. I have no complaints about any of the works." Resident of Maward Way, March

If you have recently received works from Equans and are happy about the service you received, please ask your Resident Liaison Officer for a comment card or blue house form and leave us a comment. Make sure to name any staff that you felt went above and beyond.

With help from Equans volunteers, a children's charity in Luton was able to sort and pack more than 200 boxes of toys and gifts for children.

On 28th February a team of volunteers from Equans joined Social Value Manager, Patrick Warren to spend the day at KidsOut charity in Luton helping to sort toys into boxes that would later be given to children across the UK who are victims of domestic violence.

The volunteers which included our entire Energy and Innovation team worked very hard sorting and packing 240 boxes.

The volunteering that was part of our social value offering to Clarion shows the impact that can be made in communities through planned works contracts.

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 March:

For January we continued works on SHDF 2.1 and the works are progressing well.

In summary, we completed the following throughout January:

• 49 properties on programme
• 9 properties completed in January - 36 total across Wisbech and March
• 7 properties have had loft insulation extracted and refilled - 44 total
• 11 properties have had cavity wall insulation extracted and refilled - 40 total
• 4 properties have had ventilation fitted - 47 total
• 8 properties have had window and door insulation - 37 total
• 16 properties have had scaffolding erected
• 6 properties have received removal of asbestos soffits by Clarion Asbestos contractor
• 4 properties have had fascia, soffit and gutter replacements

The site team for these works include;

Senior Site Manager - Mick Cawley
Assistant Site Manager - Karen Walker
Trainee Site Manager - Reuben Rule
Resident Liaison Officer - Claudia Paton

A group of students from Wisbech recently completed a week long work experience placement with Equans as part of our social value offering to Clarion.

During their placement in February, the students helped carry out redecoration works to the Oasis Community Centre in Wisbech to give it a fresh new look. They also undertook pre-employment and health and safety training thanks to Equans' in-house Trainers.

Upon completion of their work placement, some of the students gave us a comment: "I enjoyed learning to paint properly and feel I've learned new skills.", "This opportunity opened my eyes to a potential trade I could learn in college.", "It was good to have a new experience and this opened my eyes into getting a new apprenticeship."

The Windsor Hall Community Centre in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire received a fresh new look following a visit from Equans and their team of volunteers this month.

Earlier in February, Equans Social Value Manager, Patrick Warren, enlisted the help of several volunteers, including Equans' very own Divisional Manager, Brian Stern, to undertake decorative works to the community centre.

One of the volunteers also included Clarion resident, Isaac, who was undertaking a week long work experience placement with Equans.

Works included sanding down walls and preparing for a base coat before the final coat and cutting in could be undertaken.

The centre now has a fresh new look which is far more inviting to members of the community.

Patrick commented: "The hall, which is run by Communities 1st is a great communal hub for residents to enjoy so it's great to align our social value commitments to Clarion to help make a real positive impact in the community!"

Clarion resident learns valuable skills following a week long work experience placement with Equans office staff.

Earlier this month, Clarion resident, Isaac underwent a work experience placement with Equans at their head office in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. He spent the week with different parts of the business, interacting with various teams including retrofit, social value, project team and finance.

This opportunity was provided as part of Equans' social value offering to Clarion.

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:

175 properties completed vs 164 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. Two opportunities at workshop provided to Clarion in December 2024
• 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:

Works are now complete as planned.

Completed social value initiatives:

• Accredited training - First Aid Level 3 delivered to 8 attendees on 29th January 2024
• 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. Christmas food donation and clothes donation
• Provision of equipment or services - £160
• Staff volunteering at Fareshare by the Site Manager on Widnes on 13th December 2023

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 course booked in for 1st Feb and H&S Level 1 booked for 12th March
• Sponsorships & donations: Target achieved
• Digital Training: Target achieved
• Refurbishment projects: Thornhill Gardens booked in for February 2024 (£2,500 of work)
• Contractor engagement: Target achieved
• School engagement: 4 schools approached - awaiting responses
• Staff volunteering: Volunteering to be done at Thornhill Gardens

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 at Tyler Court and the Butts are still ongoing, but Ludlow is now complete. By the end of February we hope to have the final block at Tyler Court roof complete and handed over with a view to dropping scaffold.

As of 26th January:

Block 1 - New roof complete. Groundworks/new drainage and new slabs in drying area complete. Internal preparation work has started on communal areas, including over boarding of ceilings, new plaster, woodwork preparation and 1st fix electrics for new door entry system.

Block 2 - New roof complete and scaffold dismantled. New drainage/groundworks and paving to drying area complete. 1st fix electrics for door entry system has started.

Block 3 - Roof tiling nearing completion - approx. 90% complete.

Block 4 - Extension work complete. Flat to pitched roof conversion in progress. Tiling in progress.

The Butts/Fremington Court (Refurbishment of 33 void flats at The Butts and 3 void flats at Fremington Court)

Project progress:

Works have included new kitchens, bathrooms, glazing, electrical works and decorating. Works were slowed down by deficits on flat electric meters.

Ludlow Court

Following on from window replacements in 2023 all communal doors have now been changed over to a new fob entrance system with new handsets replaced in individual flats. Walsall voids commencing mid-February 2024.

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, Christmas event at Tyler Court as well as gifts and donations (£66)
• 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
• School engagement: Target achieved
• Staff volunteering: Finance team offered online training at community centre, awaiting Clarion approval