Wrekin thanks volunteers for their hard work
This week marks Volunteer’s Week, an opportunity to celebrate those who dedicate their time to selflessly supporting others in the community.
The Wrekin Housing Group is proud of the work that our volunteers do throughout the community. This past year has been incredibly challenging for everyone and the voluntary action in communities across the country has been really important.
Across Wrekin, staff have continued to support vulnerable tenants in different settings, upholding high standards and making sure people are well looked after. Wrekin faced various challenges such as continuing to deliver services, cater, care and support residents in care settings, source PPE and collect rent whilst providing welfare support to customers who were shielding or struggling with their mental health.
Wrekin set up the ‘Happy to Help’ initiative where employees volunteered and provided extra cover to support where it was needed most. This saw 80 staff members come forward and volunteer their services.
Staff have provided welfare support, befriending calls, delivered shopping and medication whilst adapting to support customers and tenants facing difficulties associated with the pandemic. The selfless acts have continued right through the pandemic and Wrekin is so proud of everyone for doing their bit to inspire positive change in a challenging time. We call this Values in Action, demonstrating that our mission to make a difference to people’s lives is more than just a sweet sounding sentiment, it’s what we do.
It’s not only our staff who are making an impact through volunteering. Our tenants are also giving their time to ensure that the people who receive our services are at the heart of everything we do.
Wrekin’s Co-regulation Co-Ordinator, Dave Lewis, said: “Our residents have continued to put in many hundreds of voluntary hours, ensuring that Wrekin maintain excellent standards for all our customers. The Tenants Panel have reviewed many policies relating to different areas of health and safety. The Tenant Auditors have then undertaken audits into these areas, scrutinising Wrekin against safety guidelines, and the Customer Assurance Panel have ensured compliance against the Wrekin Tenants’ Charter. Finally the Customer Voice Panel have reported this information to the Wrekin Group board, maintaining meaningful customer engagement. All of this involvement has been undertaken remotely, with many residents having to learn new digital skills and enter the world of online meetings. It is a huge credit to them that they have undertaken this challenge.”
Due to social distancing restrictions we haven’t been able to welcome all our volunteers into the workplace during the pandemic. However as lockdown begins to ease we look forward to being able to invite them back into our wide ranging roles. From voluntary work experience placements in our furniture schemes and extra care homes, to those who give up their time to support our housing stock and retirement living schemes - we’re excited to bring back social activities for people to get involved in as restrictions allow.
As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility we are getting ready to launch a new look Corporate Volunteer Scheme, where staff can give their time to get involved in a variety of community based volunteering opportunities. This might include environmental initiatives, support to schools and colleges, digital inclusion and food poverty schemes and various fundraising activities.
This past year has taught us much about ourselves and our own workforce. It’s demonstrated that we are more resilient than we know and can pull together to support our community when needed. Well done and thank you #TeamWrekin.
1st June 2021