Before we’re too far into 2024 we have taken the opportunity to look back on the year gone by and reflect on what was another memorable year for both Fairoak and many of our tenants alike.
New Properties
With the assistance of a Homes England grant, Fairoak developed and adapted a three bedroom property near Workington, Cumbria, which now provides supported living for a young man with autism who requires 24-hour care.
In North Lancashire, we were commissioned to find accommodation for twin sisters with learning disabilities. The girls were students at Beaumont College, Lancaster, with the purchase and subsequent adaptation of their three bedroom home in Bolton-le-Sands made possible thanks to a supported living funding from the JMS Trust.
Back here in Cumbria, Fairoak have developed two properties in close collaboration with tenants’ parents who were seeking supported living for their son and daughter respectively.
The first is a two bedroom house in Stainburn, close to Workington in West Cumbria, where Fairoak have leased a property for a young man with a learning disability. In Kendal, the lease on a property was also secured and the house adapted for a young lady with both physical and learning disabilities.
Homes England also assisted with the purchase and renovation of a two bedroom terraced house close to Workington town centre, which is now a cosy home for a young lady with accommodation for her support workers.
During 2024, we’ll continue to seek suitable properties to buy or lease on behalf of our tenants and to meet the ongoing need for supported housing for people with learning disabilities and Autism. If you or anyone you know have a property which may be of interest to us, please get in touch with the Fairoak team at enquiries@fairoakhousing.co.uk
Property Repairs and Updates
We have a rolling programme for keeping our properties in good condition and along with necessary repairs and maintenance a number have been re-decorated and new carpets fitted. Wherever possible, tenants are encouraged to choose the new colours, wallpaper and carpets – it’s their home after all!
The kitchen at the care home at Sandy Lonning in Maryport was in need of updating and modification, so it was great to be able to push ahead with this in the Autumn and officially open it in early November.
The new kitchen also features a wider door allowing easier access for residents with wheelchairs and, likewise, a height adjustable worktop for everyone to help making breakfast.
Events and Activities
As well as the regular weekly or monthly activities our tenants kept us busy throughout the year with a whole host of activities, outings and expeditions.
Miguel and Rebecca were great ambassadors for Fairoak at the Learning Disability England conference in York in March, bringing back lots of great ideas and suggestions.
It was a very hot day in May when the Fairoak team (including a few Board members) took on the Coniston 2 Barrow, a 21-mile walk which they completed with smiles on their faces and raising money for Friends of Fairoak in the process.
The warm weather of early Summer was also a great opportunity for a tenant outing to Leighton Moss Nature Reserve and also during June we celebrated Volunteers Week which gave us a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say a great big thank you.
Fairoak’s chief executive Lisa Chant was invited to be part of a delegation at the Houses of Parliament in July, advocating the need for greater supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in England.
Thankfully the weather stayed fine for our residential at the Calvert Lakes near Keswick in September. Our tenants totally challenged themselves and joined in everything and we are so proud of what they have achieved – canoeing on the lake, climbing, orienteering, high ropes course and zip wire.
Fairoak tenants, staff and board members welcomed councillors Jonathan Brook and Janet Battye from Westmorland and Furness Council in September as part of the National Housing Federation’s Starts at Home campaign.
Now in its seventh year, Starts at Home celebrates the value of care and support services and the difference that having a safe and secure place to call home can make to people’s lives.
Unfortunately it was a wet evening in early October when we took a group of tenants to Keswick for a ghost walk – plenty of spooky goings on with ‘The Lady’ who told us creepy stories about the ghouls of Keswick.
And always a high point each year, the tenant’s Christmas party was held at The Carnegie in Workington where we were joined by around 50 tenants for festive fun and games, lovely party tea and a great disco by Mike and Lily.
Whilst we try to put as much information on our website as possible about these events and activities, it isn’t always possible. The best way to keep up to date with all our events and activities is by following our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FairoakHousing
Awards
Alertacall works with housing providers across the UK and each month recognise someone for their hard work and dedication with their Sheltered Housing Officer of the Month Award – and in April it was Fairoak’s Lisa Taylor!
We’re really proud of our tenant Pip who, in June, won the Pride of Cumbria Sports Person of the Year Award. Pip has competed and gained podium places at national para-climbing competitions but her passion now is supporting younger paraclimbers through the Bendrigg Trust Climbing Club who are based near Kendal.
There was also a big win in the Summer when Fairoak Housing Association were the recipients of a Team of the Year Award at the Housing Heroes Awards in Manchester – a brilliant achievement for our small team to win this prestigious national award.
New Faces at Fairoak
There were two new additions to the Fairoak Board in 2023, with Rebecca Field and Bill Truin joining us. Both Bill and Rebecca bring a wealth of experience in social housing and property development and have already proved to be a great asset to our organisation.
In October, we welcomed James Arnold to the Fairoak team as a Housing and Support Officer. James has previously worked as a lettings manager for a local estate agency and his role includes dealing with all aspects of management visits, repairs and housing issues.