Ref: PRSH27
Date: Nov 13, 2014

National award recognition for SARH

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A Stafford-based housing association has been recognised for the way its customers help to improve the services it delivers.

Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) scooped top honours in the Excellence in Inspection and Mystery Shopping category at an awards ceremony in Manchester for social landlords.

The accolade at the National Customer Scrutiny Inspection Awards recognised the hard work of volunteers who give up their time to identify ways SARH can improve its services and the way the housing association acts on their recommendations.

Chris Plant, Head of Housing Management at SARH, explained: "We have a team of eight volunteer inspectors drawn from across our customer base, and they spend a lot of time talking to fellow customers, visiting our properties and dealing with our staff as mystery customers. They also assess our services from a customer's perspective, providing an insight to our processes from start to finish, and several of them have fulfilled this role for many years.

"The reports they produce are presented to the management team, and to date more than 90 per cent of their recommendations have been implemented.

"This award provides deserved national recognition for all their hard work."

The award was presented by former Deputy Housing Ombudsman Rafael Runco, and during his address he recognised how deeply embedded the Customer Inspectors project is within SARH.

Karen Armitage, the housing association's Chief Executive, added: "We are delighted at this latest award as we faced some stiff competition from other social landlords and local authorities from across the country.

"As well as reflecting the hard work and dedication of the inspectors, it also recognises our commitment to listening to customers when it comes to providing affordable homes and building better communities."

Caption:

Pictured with the award and SARH Chief Executive Karen Armitage (back row, third left) are Customer Inspectors David Hughes, Tina Bevan, Tony Young, Doug Faulkner, Annie Mellor, Jessie Thomas and Mandie Howard.

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Editor's Notes

About Stafford and Rural Homes:

Stafford and Rural Homes is a Times Top 100 'Not for Profit' organisation and registered charity formed in 2006. We own and manage over 6,000 homes across Stafford and the surrounding area as well as delivering a number of local Independent Living schemes. Operating as a business, profits are used to fund our social housing and community schemes.  We also work in partnership with local authorities, health trusts, statutory bodies and a range of voluntary organisations to create safe, sustainable communities.  

Media contact:

Martin Farrow

CHANGEWORKS Communications
t:  + 44 (0) 1785 247588

m: +44 (0)7771 970025

e: mfarrow@changeworkscom.co.uk

Stafford and Rural Homes contact:

Mara Hargreaves
Marketing Manager

t:01785 216793 (Direct) 

m:07800 619 863 (Mobile)  

e: mara.hargreaves@sarh.co.uk