Eastbourne Homes
We are the lead partners in this project. We are responsible for managing Eastbourne Borough
Councils housing stock of 4,500 properties, shops and community centres and more recently
properties on behalf of other social landlords.
We have four Area Panels, with budgets to spend on environmental improvements and community
development within the communities we work. We also have a number of other panels and forums
with budgets to improve services for customers.
This includes a Disability Panel, Leaseholder Panel, Retirement Housing Panel and Equality
and Diversity Forum. The Equality and Diversity Forum have allocated £4,500 of their budget
for 2010-2011 towards Street Learning.
Engagement work through a number of activities is also carried out by a social engagement
officer for customers living in our retirement courts.
We have been working with a number of residents to provide training to improve customers IT
skills and provided community development training courses for our customer reps. More recently
we have trained customers to carry out Mystery Shopping.
We are also accredited to work with and assess young people under the Duke of Edinburgh (DoE)
Awards.
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Places for People
We are responsible for managing nearly 60,000 homes, and developing thousands of new homes
each year. We focus on the provision of mixed tenure communities that offer a choice of homes
to rent, buy or part rent/part buy, and provide a range of social support services including
affordable childcare nurseries; elderly care support and financial services such as mortgages
and low-cost loans and can provide a range of housing solutions, specialist care and support
services.
Across different areas of the country we have also delivered a range of employment projects
and training opportunities and other community services.
This includes setting up and running in partnership with other housing providers projects
to tackle worklessness. A current project “Sustainable Ways to Work” supports job seekers
and entrepreneurs in Manchester by providing guidance and advise on learning and training
opportunities, help in finding and applying for jobs, and support for new business start-ups.
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Mears
We are the leading social housing repairs and maintenance provider in the UK and have a growing
presence in the care sector. We also have a well established mechanical and engineering division.
We work in partnership with Eastbourne Homes to maintain, repair and upgrade the councils
properties. We also support the wider community through much-needed work that improves the
quality of life for people. This includes making a positive difference to the communities
were we work by improving homes, improving neighbourhoods and improving lives.
The concept of ‘community’ is at the heart of Mears and therefore community based projects
have and always will be an integral part of Mears’ success.
As a company we have a well developed Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy and ethos and
believe in empowering people and delivering projects that do just that. Our Corporate Social
Responsibility Strategy has the following goals.
- To improve the lives of people living within our communities
- To reduce prejudice and improve understanding of differences within our diverse communities
- To provide skills development and career opportunities to those needing them the most
- To be a positive contributor to the environment
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English in the Community (EITC)
We are a registered charity, founded by immigrant English language teachers. We provide free
quality English language courses to speakers of other languages and services which signpost
and connect people with agencies which can assist their successful integration into society.
EITC and its volunteers serve as advocates for the local migrant community. We do this by
providing research and insight to policy makers to ensurie social inclusion of non-native
people.
EITC is a completely independent organisation, with over 30 volunteers. Our objectives are:
- The advancement of education of those people resident in the area of benefit who do not have
English as a first language, by the teaching of English language, British culture and community
awareness.
- The promotion of equality and diversity for the general public benefit by promoting activities
to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds.
- The relief of financial hardship and sickness amongst those people resident in the area of
benefit who do not have English as a first language particularly but not exclusively by the
provision of advice, representation and support relating to issues of poverty, housing, crime
prevention and health.
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