Fairoak Housing Association is celebrating a significant milestone as 2024 marks our 20th anniversary.
Fairoak was originally a part of a local charity, the Oaklea Trust, with just a few properties in and around Kendal and worked solely with people with learning disabilities in Cumbria, but over the subsequent years this has expanded to include people with Autism and other disabilities.
Today, Fairoak supports over 110 tenants in South Lakes and Furness, North Lancashire, West Cumbria, County Durham and Northumberland.
To mark the anniversary, a celebration evening was held on 25th September at the IBIS Sports & Social Club in Kendal. Tenants, their families and support workers joined in the celebrations, along with many of those who have been part of the Fairoak story over the last two decades.
Sarah Parr, Chair of the Fairoak Board, spoke at the event: “We are immensely proud that Fairoak has reached its 20th birthday and delighted to have some tenants here this evening that have been with us for all of those years.”
“Fairoak has grown since those early days in terms of the number of tenants, the number of properties we have and the geography we cover across the North of England.”
“Our intention is for continued, sustainable growth in the years to come in order to provide additional supported accommodation for people with learning disabilities and Autism, both here in Cumbria and the North East and Lancashire.”
Sarah was also keen to convey her thanks to the Fairoak Owls, the tenant board who help make decisions about how the Association is run and develop policies and strategies that affect all of our tenants.
“The Owls have played such a big part in organising the celebration event, but they also play such a big part in our organisation, and we are stronger as a result of their input and contribution.”
Sarah made a special mention of thanks to Lisa Chant, Chief Executive at Fairoak and all of the team: “It’s not an exaggeration when I say that Fairoak would not achieve a fraction of what they do without their tireless commitment and incredibly hard work.”
“I always say that Fairoak is ‘small yet mighty’ and that’s because there is this great team who always go above and beyond for the tenants. They are ambitious and achieve so much as a result of their efforts.”
The relationship between the tenants and Fairoak was something that Sarah was especially keen to mention:
“You tell us when we get things right but, more importantly, you tell us when we get things wrong, and that feedback is so important to ensure we remain focused on providing the right support and housing to meet your needs and that of your fellow tenants. We simply can’t get better unless you tell us where we need to improve.”
The Fairoak Owls took to the stage for the next part of the evening where James hosted a question and answer session with Lily, Kirsty, Michael and Vikki sharing some of their highlights from the past year: consultations, going to conferences, excursions and social events.
To help bring the 20th anniversary celebrations into context, James asked his fellow Owls what it meant to them to be a Fairoak tenant.
“There are hundreds of good things,” explained Lily, “but I think we all agree that our independence is by far the best thing. We all need our independence and, personally, I’m thriving as a result of the independence that being a tenant has given me.”
“We all feel safe in our properties, have privacy and peace and quiet when we need it, have lots of opportunities to try new experiences, and that we are listened to.”
“But we also know the staff are there for us – there when we laugh, but also there when we need support or a shoulder to cry on.”
Clive Wigley is Chief Executive at the Oaklea Trust and was instrumental in the set up and growth of Fairoak in the early years. Unfortunately, Clive was unwell on the evening, but sent some kind words and asked that they be conveyed:
“I have been asked what makes Fairoak so special, and the answer is simple: the tenants.”
“They are why Fairoak does what it does, and what drives it forward. Their needs determine what type of housing Fairoak develop and in which communities, and how Fairoak invests funds in order to support their needs.”
“The best thing of all is that the Board and Employees all work well together making the Association a very friendly, responsive and helpful organisation, and we all believe that nothing is too much trouble where the tenants are concerned.”
“Fairoak has kept this principal at the front of all that they do. Here’s to the past twenty years of Fairoak Housing Association, and I look forward to hearing of all its success moving into the future.”