2. Supporting people and places to achieve their potential

At Salix Homes we care about our customers, and we take pride in our mission to provide safe, inclusive places to live and to build happy communities.

In July we launched a new approach to the way we deliver services, reshaping internally, so that each neighbourhood now has dedicated officers who are able to provide a wide range of services to customers enabling them to achieve a greater understanding of need.

Then, through our ‘Gateway’ approach to customer support we are able to make referrals to access support. In 2022/23 we made 436 referrals for customers to access them support from other agencies. This includes support ranging from specialist advice, such as Citizens advice and welfare rights to accessing targeted services such as foodbanks, sim cards and energy vouchers. Further, our Money Advice Service accessed £75,458 of benefits and grants for customers during this same period.

Additional financial support has also been provided through Springboard, our community grant programme. This has provided much-needed cash injections to local projects that boost community spirit, promote health and wellbeing, reduce isolation, and improve the environment.

Every year, four recipients are chosen as our Springboard Heroes to be in with a chance of winning an extra £1,000 for their project, as voted for by the public. In total for 22/23, 44 community groups were supported through an investment of £49,805 and as a result 120,865 people benefited from this funding.

The Springboard Heroes 2023 winner was Chandos Bowling Club. Its members describe it as an “oasis in the middle of Salford” and for many, it’s been a lifeline for helping to overcome isolation or mental health issues.

Another scheme to support communities has been our Salix Seed Fund. Launched in October, colleagues can now nominate projects within our communities that they feel will benefit from funding which will support them to positively contribute to either the community, employment, health and wellbeing or the environment.

In November, we introduced new opportunities for colleagues to reconnect with our communities through our new Working In Neighbourhood (WIN) days. This enables all colleagues, operational and non-operational to listen to customers in person, ensure that we are visible and offer reassurance. Through these events we are seeking feedback on customer and community priorities so that we can target our resources through tailored neighbourhood action plans.

3. Using our position to find housing solutions >