West Kent Housing Association

🌟 Celebrating National Customer Service Week 🌟 At West Kent, this week is all about reflecting on the remarkable moments our team has shared with residents. It’s a wonderful reminder of the impact great customer service can have, and how we strive to make every interaction count. 💙 Our customer service team is always ready to go the extra mile, offering invaluable support to residents who need guidance or have questions. Here are just a few examples of how they've gone above and beyond: 📞 Helping a resident in their 90s navigate our self-service portal, ensuring they felt confident and supported every step of the way. 🌻 Listening to residents’ wishes and transforming the front garden of a building, creating a beautiful space where new friendships have blossomed and flowers planted. 💡 Assisting a resident being chased for incorrect utility bills by providing the necessary information to dispute the charges. 📝 Completing an online garage application for an elderly resident, ensuring they felt reassured and heard. This week, and every week, our team continues to make a difference in the lives of our residents. To learn more about National Customer Service Week, visit: https://ow.ly/mTTq50TJQmS #NationalCustomerServiceWeek #WestKent #CustomerService #Community #GoingAboveAndBeyond

New research from National Housing Federation Home Builders Federation and Savills shows the significant need for new housing. ⬇ More information below and the full story below. ⬇

💚 Today is World Mental Health Day 💚 We believe that taking care of our mental health is just as vital as our physical health. That’s why we’re committed to supporting our residents with initiatives like our Wellbeing Walks at Beeches, which have been running for two years. 🚶♀️ 🌳 These walks offer an opportunity to get outside, connect with others, and enjoy the fresh air — small steps that can make a big difference. 😊🍃 Remember, you are not alone. If you’re finding things tough, please talk to someone — reaching out for help is the first step. 💬💙 To learn more about our mental health initiatives, visit: https://ow.ly/ls7b50TIyNT For more information on World Mental Health Day, visit: https://ow.ly/iU2750TIyNS #WorldMentalHealthDay #WestKent #MentalHealthMatters

As part of our 35 years of West Kent celebration, we listened to some of our amazing colleagues to explore what makes working here so special. 🎉 From strengthening communities to supporting vulnerable residents, our team plays a crucial role in everything we do. Their passion and dedication are at the heart of our success. 🎥 Watch our video to hear directly from the people who make a difference at West Kent. For more of our 35 years of West Kent stories, visit: https://ow.ly/Tfcf50Th9Bk #WestKent35 #WestKent #Community #MakingADifference

October marks Black History Month, which has been established in the UK since 1987. Black History Month gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture in the UK and globally. We are proud of the diversity of our staff and residents and will be celebrating the month by sharing inspirational stories over the course of October. To find out more on Black History Month, visit: https://ow.ly/W56550TCcVt #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM2024

⭐We're thrilled to have been nominated by our customers for a Sevenoaks Business Award for Abacus Furniture Project!⭐ Abacus collects good quality, unwanted furniture from households and sell it at affordable prices to people in need, redirecting it away from landfill. Its aim is to help everyone to furnish their homes without incurring debt. ✍ The 'Customer Choice Award' is open to a public vote, so please vote for us today! Visit: https://lnkd.in/eNXdDyyy

🧠 In support of World Alzheimer's Month, we're proud to highlight a special initiative setup for our residents in Edenbridge, through the West Kent Community Chest. 🌍 Residents at two of our schemes recently participated in a three-week mindfulness course. Mindfulness is an evidence-based tool that helps preserve cognitive function and improve brain health - key elements in fighting dementia. It can help reduce stress, enhance problem-solving skills, and even improve sleep and well-being. The course explored: 1️⃣ Connecting Body and Mind – helping participants steady themselves in the moment, especially during stress or worry. 2️⃣ Gathering the Busy Mind – providing tools to manage anxious thoughts and create more headspace. 3️⃣ Mindfulness in Everyday Life – encouraging awareness and gratitude in daily experiences. Some great feedback was received by participants, with one person saying it’s “helped me sleep better at night” and another stating, “the whole experience has been very relaxing and allowed me to step away from all my worries.” 🙌 The course was funded through the West Kent Community Chest and local Kent charity, Tenterden Mindfulness Group. The West Kent Community Chest is one way we support our residents and local groups to build successful and resilient communities, with grants available up to £1000. A special thanks to Penny Matthews, Brian Griggs, Kevin O'Reilly, Angela Jenner, Dr Neil Pillai, and Stephen Lovering for making this project possible for our residents. To find out more about the West Kent Community Chest, visit: https://ow.ly/oCUp50Tz5iV To find out more on how mindfulness can support brain health and wellbeing in our communities, visit: https://ow.ly/Zm2L50Tz5iU #WorldAlzheimersMonth #Mindfulness #WestKent #DementiaAwareness

🌿 Giving back to our communities 🌿 Last week, 22 members of our finance and governance team swapped their desks for a litter pick, making a real impact in the local community. Keen to incorporate volunteering into their away day, the team chose a litter pick up as part of our social value contribution to West Kent. A big thank you to our partners at Wealdens provided the equipment and joined us on the day. We split into two groups, covering Spitals Cross and the surrounding areas, and received plenty of positive feedback from residents who appreciated the efforts to keep the area clean. By the end of the morning, we had collected 15 bags of rubbish with support from the Edenbridge Town Council’s community warden. A huge thank you to Edenbridge Town Council and Wealdens for helping us make a real difference! 🌍 #WestKent #SocialValue #CommunityCleanUp #MakingADifference

As part of #WorldAlzheimersMonth our colleagues will be coming together across our offices for different lunchtime 'Brain Gyms'. Today colleagues in our Sevenoaks office heard from our engagement and activities co-ordinator on dementia, how to spot the signs and how it impacts some of our residents. There was also an opportunity to take part in fun activities to help stretch different parts of their brains. Our teams will also be running activities for our residents this month, to help raise awareness of the different types of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. In the UK alone, there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia; with 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 falling into this group. This is why it's more important than ever to stay informed and understand how we can help each other. #WorldAlzheimersMonth #AlzheimersAwareness #BrainHealth

Celebrating 35 years of West Kent and 20 years of youth services. 🎉 This year, as part of our 35-year celebration, we’re proud to look back at one of our significant milestones: 20 years of our youth services team supporting young people aged 8 to 19. 🏡 Over the years, our projects and services have evolved to ensure we provide the best possible support for those living in our homes and communities. What hasn’t changed is our unwavering passion for empowering young people. We believe in giving them the tools and services they need to reach their goals and make the best choices for their future. 🌱 Watch our video with Ben, our lead youth worker and a former attendee of our youth forum, about why our youth services are so important for our residents. To find out more about our 20 years of youth services, visit: https://ow.ly/3qyl50Tl8LN #WestKent35 #YouthServices #Community #WestKent