Chloe Smith MP visits Wherry Housing Association

Following a meeting with Mark Jones, MD, Ms Smith was introduced to staff working within the different departments. She took the time to speak to each of them directly about their individual role within the organisation.

Speaking after the visit, Ms Smith said: “I’m really pleased to be able to visit Wherry so soon after being elected. I was very impressed by the work that Wherry does to involve residents in their communities and with their aim to increase the amount of high-quality affordable housing in the area.”

Mark Jones said: “We were delighted Chloe Smith took the time to visit the Wherry offices and also attend a community event in Thorpe St. Andrew. She understands many of the challenges the sector is facing at the moment and her visit gave us the opportunity to discuss a range of issues and how they affect her constituents.”

Staff talked to Ms Smith about some of the following key achievements:

• Wherry Housing Association is a founder member of the Norfolk RSL Alliance, which brings together the ten major housing associations in Norfolk to promote, contribute to and influence the delivery of housing and sustainable communities in the county.

• Wherry is building 300 homes a year as well as investing £9m during 2009-2010 to improve existing homes and carry out estate improvements.

• Wherry has developed a wide ranging sustainable communities programme to address issues in the area such as worklessness, financial inclusion and ASB. This includes working with the Norfolk Credit Union and offering mediation to help residents manage financially and to stay in their homes in these difficult times.

• The team has also launched a free interactive digital television service allowing residents to report repairs, ASB or Domestic Violence or search for job vacancies, find legal and money advice or make appointments with GPs.

• Wherry staff have also finished a summer programme of community fun days engaging with over 700 residents.

28/08/09 14:15