Creating sustainable communities

As part of our sustainable neighbourhoods strategy, we identified four 'anchor' neighbourhoods where we have a large concentration of properties, and where we feel we can have a real impact on our customers through investing in the local community and partnership working.

The four neighbourhoods are Wybourn in Sheffield; Longridge and Shaw Heath in Knutsford; Northmoor in Manchester; and Seedley and Langworthy in Salford.

This year we have developed and launched a specific neighbourhood plan for each anchor neighbourhood. Through a partnership approach, we listened to what was important to local residents and through working together, we aim to make these neighbourhoods even better places to live.

Here's what's happened so far this year:

• In Manchester, we funded the Centre Manager role at Northmoor Community Association, where the Next Step project helps local residents to find work, complete qualifications and navigate the Universal Credit system.
• We've enabled 60 young people to attend the weekly homework club at Northmoor Community Association, where they received specialist tutoring from professional teachers.
• In Salford, we recruited a dedicated Employability Coach who delivers sessions so customers in Seedley and Langworthy can receive support with CV writing, job searches and interview preparation. With first-hand knowledge of local and regional job opportunities, they provide advice regarding financial support, access to equipment and support with travel costs.
• In Sheffield, we referred over 20 customers in Wybourn to National Energy Action’s service so they can receive Great Places funded emergency meter top-ups, and additional energy support grants and advice. This has resulted in energy savings and grants approval totalling just over £3,500.
• In Knutsford, we provided The Welcome Community Centre with £15,000 from our Resilience Fund, to support their recovery from the pandemic and help them deliver their much-needed services in the local area.

One of the customers who we have supported with the support of our partner National Energy Action is Samuel.

Samuel is a Ugandan national who arrived in the UK in 2015 as a refugee after experiencing considerable hardship, including torture in his home country. He arrived in the UK on his own with no family or friendship support and was struggling to adapt to the structure of UK society, including money management.

Samuel had originally enrolled in university but due to his failing eyesight, he could no longer continue with his course. He sought work but as he wasn't aware of the benefits of the UK's welfare system, he did not register as unemployed for two months. In this period he had no money coming in and he fell into debt.

As a Great Places customer living in Park Hill in Sheffield, Samuel's Neighbourhood Services Manager was in regular contact with him. Understanding Samuel's situation, our colleague worked in partnership with the Community Investment Partnership Manager and helped him access funding from COSARAF and National Energy Action to enable him to write off his electricity and gas bills of over £500.