Gifts and Goodbyes

The Alliance 1500

Stafford and Rural Homes’ (SARH) Independent Living Customers have been given the opportunity to bid

Just some of the goods purchased for the
schemes with the Alliance 1500

for a share of £1,500 for their schemes.

Stafford and Rural Homes have given The SARH Alliance (a group made up of representatives from the Independent Living Schemes) £1,500 for them to distribute between the 19 Schemes. 

The Independent Living Schemes applied in their droves for a share of the money by telling the judges what they would spend the money on and by showing that they had worked together to make a decision. 

Some of the Alliance members receiving their 'winnings' from Anna McLauchlan, Community Involvement Officer

Shirley Wheat, Chair of The SARH Alliance, said “We were overwhelmed at the response and how everyone was thinking of their whole community in their applications.  We are hoping this will become an annual process and that over time more and more customers will benefit from it!”

It was a tough job but the judges decided that items from toasters and tea towels to lamps and landscaping were to be funded!  Keep a look out in later Blogs to see updates of how some of the items are being used!

If you want to know more please contact the Community Involvement Team on 0800 111 4554 or email cp@sarh.co.uk.

So What?

By giving customers the opportunity to bid for low cost grants to be used in their community SARH are empowering people to make a real change to where they live.

Loveable Lets!

SARH’s Customer Inspectors (CIs) are a group of customers who are trained to look at the way SARH communicate with and deliver services to all our customers across the Borough.  They are just about to embark on a new inspection and review of the condition empty properties are let in.

This is called the Lettable Standard and sets out the level of cleanliness and repair that the property should be in before somebody moves in.  By using the CIs to look at this we are getting customer opinion and a fresh set of eyes to really help things develop.

So What?

Every customer living in a SARH property will have experienced moving into an empty house or flat.  This is the first impression of their new home so it is important to get it right!

What’s new for March?

There are still some spaces left on the following courses in March...

Dog Ownership Workshop  Tuesday 11^th March 10.30am to 11.30am

Community Centre, Lovelace Close, Highfields, Stafford, ST17 9YB

This session is being run by the Dogs Trust and will teach you the basics of dog health care, the importance of stimulation and tips around basic dog training. It will also help you understand the law around dog safety. No dogs are to be brought to this session.

Introduction to Microsoft Word     Wednesday 19^th March   10.00am to 12.00pm

Holmcroft Youth and Community Centre, Newlands Avenue, Stafford,

ST16 1NL

Become familiar with the layout of Microsoft Word and practice typing, deleting and formatting, saving text and more using this software.  Build your confidence using Word and find out what it can offer you.  This session is suitable if you can use the mouse or have some experience of using the keyboard.

Application Forms and CVs Thursday 20^th March    9.30am to 12.30pm

Stafford and Rural Homes, Parker Court, Staffordshire Technology Park, Beaconside, Stafford, ST18 0WP

This session is suitable for anyone looking to improve their skills in applying for jobs. If you are finding it difficult to get an interview it may be that your CV is letting you down. This practical workshop will help you to turn your experience and qualities into a winning CV or application form that will improve your chances of gaining an interview.

DIY – Basic Tools  Tuesday 25^th March      1.00pm to 4.00pm

B & Q Meir Park, Whittle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 7QA

Before starting any home improvement, it’s important to understand how to use the tools correctly. This course will give you the confidence to correctly use the most basic tools for various DIY jobs.

There are lots of new and exciting things coming from the SARH Community Learning Programme this year so watch this space!

CLICK HERE to see the full programme

CLICK HERE to go to the Facebook page

So What?

The Community Learning Programme is used, enjoyed and appreciated by lots of customers. Many have gained confidence, friends and skills and for some customers it has even changed their lives e.g. by empowering them to find employment or supporting them to manage their finances!

To book on to a course or find out more information, get in touch with the Community Involvement Team by telephone 0800 111 4554 or email cp@sarh.co.uk.

Christine goes to pastures new

The 26^th February was a sad day for the Community Involvement Team as this was Christine Cartwright’s

Christine with one of her many leaving gifts!

last day at Stafford and Rural Homes.  Christine has been with the team for two and a half years,first as a Community Involvement Worker then as an Officer and in that time she has developed the Community Learning Programme and was the driving force behind the double award winning Meadow Road Allotment project to name just two of her many achievements over this time.  We wish her all the best in her new role of Prince’s Trust Outreach Executive in Essex.  

We are however really happy to say that Laura

MacPhee, Homes and Neighbourhoods  Assistant,  will be coming into  the team as a Community Involvement Officer in the near future.  We will keep you posted on how she is settling in but we are sure you will join us in wishing her all the best in her new and exciting role.

So What?

No matter what time you have on a project you can make a huge impact if you approach it with enthusiasm, dedication and focus.

If you want any more information about any of the events that have already happened or that are coming up in the future please do not hesitate to contact us on:

cp@sarh.co.uk or call us on

0800 111 4554