Leeds BME housing association launches search for new Chief Executive

One of the country’s leading BME housing associations has begun the search for a new Chief Executive.  

Unity Homes and Enterprise, which has its headquarters in Leeds, is seeking a permanent replacement for Ali Akbor OBE who left his post after more than two decades to join the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel.

Established in 1987, the association manages more than 1,300 rented and shared ownership homes in Leeds and Kirklees - with ongoing developments continuing to increase its affordable housing stock - and holds the highest available (G1/V1) gradings for governance and viability from the Regulator of Social Housing.

Unity also provides affordable business units for more than 80 diverse businesses across three centres in Leeds and has dedicated financial inclusion and employment support teams to help stimulate social and economic regeneration, improve life opportunities and address inequalities.

Shruti Bhargava, Chair, Unity Homes and Enterprise

Unity Chair Shruti Bhargava said the Board was “open-minded” about where the rigorous recruitment process might take them but made clear that the association’s unwavering commitment to diversity and social purpose was “non-negotiable.”

She said: “This is a great opportunity for a creative person with the right track record and who ‘gets’ what we are all about to work with the Board, staff, tenants and local communities, to put their stamp on our next stage of development.

“The successful candidate will have the vision to further advance our distinctive identity, build upon the success of our enterprise centres, deliver change through the development and involvement of local communities and have the ability to make sound financial decisions.

“We have also progressed an innovative draft corporate plan - produced by our Interim Chief Executive, Cedric Boston - which has social purpose at its heart and will guide Unity’s journey over the next five years.

“The new Chief Executive will have the opportunity to bring their own creative thinking to the task of delivering this plan in a way that enhances our customer service and engagement, improves our business performance, strengthens our partnership working and invests in our social purpose which underpins everything we do.”

The recruitment process is being delivered in collaboration with leadership recruitment consultancy Green Park which specialises in identifying talent from diverse communities.

A microsite dedicated to the Unity vacancy has just gone live with a range of avenues being explored over the coming weeks to encourage top level candidates to apply.

The selection process will move into a new phase in early August when applications close with interviews in differing formats and an assessment centre due to be held.

It is expected that that identity of the new Unity Chief Executive will be announced in September.

John Jeffries, a Unity Board member who serves on the task group overseeing the recruitment procedure, said: “Unity may be small in size but has always punched well above its weight - locally, regionally and nationally. 

“Alongside responsibility for the day to day running of the association, the successful candidate will be tasked with building new working relationships with partners and agencies which can help us to grow our core business and progress our social purpose ambitions.

Andy Welsh, who also sits on the task group and is a member of the Unity Enterprise Board, said: “We exist to provide high quality affordable homes, but also to fight inequality and empower BME people to improve their lives by creating opportunities and helping to regenerate communities.

“That is our commitment to social purpose and it will also be the mission of Unity’s new Chief Executive.”   

Unity marks Windrush Day with public exhibition set to open next month

Leeds BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has announced that a major exhibition showcasing the ground-breaking contribution of the Windrush Generation to business success and social reform in the city will open to the public on 20 July, subject to Government Covid restrictions being eased.

The team behind the ‘The Windrush Project’ exhibition which is due to open to the public at Unity Business Centre in Chapeltown, Leeds next month 

A limited number of guests were invited to a scaled down preview of the exhibition at Unity Business Centre in Chapeltown on Tuesday (22 June) to mark Windrush Day 2021.

It was hoped that the full public opening would take place on the same important date, but this was ruled out after the Prime Minister delayed the relaxation of rules on extended indoor gatherings until next month.

Delivered in partnership with Leeds Trinity University, ‘The Windrush Project’ exhibition features a series of video interviews with local Windrush reformers, together with a photographic display illustrating the growth and diversity of Leeds Windrush businesses and their positive impact on local communities.

The films were produced by Leeds Trinity’s final year journalism students under the guidance of the University’s Senior Professional Practice Fellow and Broadcast Journalism Programme Leader Katherine Blair.

The project is being supported by grant funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Windrush Day Grant Scheme.

Cedric Boston, Unity Interim Chief Executive, said: “Whilst it was disappointing not to be able to open our doors to the public on Windrush Day itself, it was a privilege to welcome a small number of guests who were so important in helping us put the exhibition together.

“We are immensely grateful to Katherine and her team at Leeds Trinity for producing the inspirational videos.

“Alongside the photographic display, they provide a truly fascinating insight into the life experiences of local Windrush Generation descendants who play such a critical role in everyday community and business life in Leeds.”

Cy Powell, a Unity Enterprise Board member who came to the UK from Jamaica in 1966 and features prominently in ‘The Windrush Project’ exhibition, said: “It is fantastic to see the exhibition ready to go.

Left to right: Hughbon Condor, High Esteem Carnival Design; Katherine Blair, Leeds Trinity University; Jackie Walker, Phun in The Sun; Patrick Bernard, Bernard Solicitors; Christina Cambridge, Cardinal Care Services Ltd; Adrian Green, Unity Enterprise; and Sharron Smithen, Kalabash 

“Unity’s history and progress as a community-focused organisation with a strong social purpose is rooted in the Windrush Generation.

“I am proud that Unity has stepped forward to enable these stories to be told.”    

Katherine Blair said: “After such a difficult year for our students where much of their work had to be done online, I jumped at the offer of doing these interviews with people in the Chapeltown community.

“Everyone we interviewed had such rich stories to tell. They were so generous with their time and their memories.

“It was an absolute pleasure to have worked on this and the students are delighted with what they created.”

Martha Sanders, Leeds Trinity MA Journalism student and producer of the series, said: “The people we spoke to had so much to say and it was fantastic being part of the team that put the project together.

“The stories we helped to tell are so important to Leeds as a city and it was a privilege to be asked to produce the show.  

“I hope that people who visit the exhibition find the work impactful and that we have done the amazing interviewees justice.”

It is intended that that the exhibition will be open to the public between 10am and 3pm from 20 July until 15 December.

Further information including details of Covid-related safety restrictions that may be required will be announced next month.  

MLCSL and Kepak agree deal to boost independent carcase classification

Carcase classification specialist Meat and Livestock Commercial Services (MLCSL) has announced a seven-year contract to provide leading international meat processor Kepak Group with three automated carcase classification machines in two of its UK plants overseen by MLCSL’s independent, on-site classification officers.

MLCSL, which was acquired by Vorenta Limited - which also owns Hallmark Veterinary Compliance Services – from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board in 2018, plans to install the VBS 2000 machines this year in Kepak’s facilities at Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales and Bodmin in Cornwall.  MLCSL is working with the Rural Payments Agency to secure the appropriate licences for them.   

David Peace

The automated carcase classification process, known as Video Image Analysis (VIA), uses cameras and bespoke software to classify carcases on the EUROP scale.

David Peace, Chairman, MLCSL, said: “We are absolutely delighted to agree this new partnership with Kepak, one of Europe’s foremost meat processers. 

“The machines use E+V camera-based technology which is already widely utilised in Kepak’s Irish manufacturing sites.    

“It is a superb opportunity for MLCSL to demonstrate that we can provide these machines, as well as maintain the overall independent classification service which includes having our own classification officers permanently overseeing the grading process in each plant.”

Tom Finn

Tom Finn, Chief Commercial Officer, Kepak, said: “The move into automation in two of our UK plants is a significant advance for Kepak, whilst continuing to rely on the long-standing and highly-respected independent classification service.

“MLCSL has agreed to provide three machines as well as classification officers to manage the work on a permanent basis.

“It is an exciting development which further emphasises Kepak’s established reputation for efficiency and transparency in our relationships with suppliers and customers. The support of the NFU and FUW will contribute to a smooth changeover of systems to include VIA grading.” 

Wyn Evans, Vice Chair, NFU Livestock Board and Chair, NFU Cymru Livestock Board, said: “I welcome the rollout of automated carcase classification at two Kepak sites, Merthyr and Bodmin.

“Crucially we must continue to maintain trust and transparency in the weighing and grading/classification process that ensures producers are adequately and fairly rewarded for the livestock they produce. 

“The introduction of automated classification at Kepak, where this will be supported by a fully trained independent MLCSL classification officer, will give producers the confidence that their livestock are classified consistently and accurately.”

Glynn Roberts

Glyn Roberts, President, Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), said: “Getting such technology up and running has been supported by FUW for many years, and we therefore fully support this move.

"The independent oversight of the system will bolster the transparency this system brings, and we look forward to seeing the machines being installed and the new automated grading process being launched in the coming months.”

Housing association secures funds for Leeds Windrush Generation exhibition

Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has been awarded Government funding to stage an exhibition showcasing the huge contribution of the Windrush Generation to business and social reform in the city.

The project, which will be hosted at Unity Business Centre in Chapeltown, will feature short video interviews with local Windrush reformers sharing their stories of resilience.

The videos are being produced in collaboration with Leeds Trinity University which has kindly agreed to support the initiative.

These will be complemented by a photographic display illustrating the growth and variety of Leeds Windrush businesses and their positive impact on the diverse communities they serve.

Funding for the exhibition follows a successful bid to the Government’s annual Windrush Day Grant Scheme which first launched in 2019.

Applicants were invited to devise projects that “will bring communities together, create a lasting impact and improve education and learning through building a deeper understanding of the Windrush Generation and their contributions to British society.”

Cedric Boston

Cedric Boston, Unity Interim Chief Executive, said: “We are proud to have secured the funding to deliver a truly first-class exhibition, in partnership with Leeds Trinity University, which will be closely aligned with our values and social purpose.

“The Windrush Generation has been pivotal in Unity’s establishment and growth and so much of our success as a community-focused organisation rooted in Chapeltown is down to them.

“Everyone at Unity is looking forward to raising awareness of the challenges the Windrush Generation faced and how they overcame each hurdle with dignity and grace.”  

Katherine Blair

Katherine Blair, Senior Professional Practice Fellow and Broadcast Journalism Programme Leader at Leeds Trinity University, said: “We are delighted to work with Unity on this exciting and timely project to celebrate the hugely positive impact the Windrush Generation and their descendants have made on the city. 

“It is a privilege for Leeds Trinity University journalism students to have the opportunity to provide a medium for these inspirational people to tell their stories.”            

Cy Powell

Cy Powell, who came on a scholarship to the UK from Jamaica in 1966 and serves on Unity’s Enterprise Board, said: “The exhibition will be about remembrance and informing younger people about the significant contribution of the Windrush Generation to this country.

“Their achievements have not been forgotten but they have been elided.

“Unity now has a platform to change that.” 

The exhibition will open to the public on Tuesday 22 June - Windrush Day 2021 – and run until the end of the year.

More information, including opening hours and details of Covid-related safety restrictions that may be required, will be announced shortly.  

Housing tops the agenda as West Yorkshire mayoral candidate visits Bradford

Senior representatives of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) have welcomed Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin to their Bradford head office to talk about the organisation’s work and her campaign to be West Yorkshire’s first directly-elected Mayor.  

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin (front centre) with MHA staff and board members in Bradford

MHA Chief Executive Lee Bloomfield and Vice Chair Abdul A. Ravat gave Ms Brabin a socially-distanced presentation outlining the history of MHA including its recent achievement in becoming the first housing association in the country to be officially accredited for its success in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

They also detailed examples of MHA’s commitment to local partnership working through its Community Investment Strategy and explained the proactive role it plays in tackling the unique challenges faced by its Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) residents.

Founded in 1986, MHA manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 tenants in Bradford and Keighley.  Around 80 per cent of MHA tenants are of South Asian origin.

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “We have engaged with all of the mayoral candidates through our membership of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership and it was a pleasure to meet Tracy, discuss our work and learn more about her policy ideas.

“There is a major shortage of good quality affordable homes in Bradford and Keighley, with a particular need for more large family properties.

“As a trusted and respected local housing provider, MHA is keen to play our part in delivering the many additional affordable homes local communities here require.

“The election of a West Yorkshire Mayor presents a gilt-edged opportunity to make progress on an issue that successive Governments in London have sadly failed to address.”

Tracy Brabin MP said: “Manningham Housing Association is one of the exemplars of how we support Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

“It’s about larger properties and making sure that there is housing stock across Bradford – I know they have ambitions to widen out across West Yorkshire.

“This is work that’s very much on my radar, particularly as someone who grew up in social housing.

“I understand the value of a secure home and how you can then flourish, not worrying that you’re going to be made homeless at any moment.”  

Abdul A. Ravat, MHA Vice Chair, said: “I have known Tracy for some time and was delighted that she chose to visit MHA during her busy campaign.

“I am a strong advocate for devolution which should lead to better informed decision-making and enhanced political accountability at a local level.   

“The directly-elected Mayor will be a powerful voice for West Yorkshire who can deliver real change and improve life chances in some of the most deprived parts of the region including Bradford and Keighley.

“25 per cent of the community across West Yorkshire is BAME and in Bradford it is between 40 and 45 per cent.”  

The West Yorkshire mayoral election will take place on Thursday 6 May.

£2.4 million affordable housing development close to completion

Construction of a new 14-unit affordable homes scheme in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire is set for completion in June.

The site at Dale Lane was owned by the Joshua Wood charity before being purchased by Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise to build a mix of two and three bed bungalows for affordable rent.

Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, contractor Torpoint has made excellent progress on the £2.4 million development with keys to the properties due to be handed over to the first tenants from Kirklees Council’s housing register early this summer.       

The Heckmondwike project will further extend Unity’s footprint in Kirklees following the opening of new affordable housing developments at Northgate in Cleckheaton and Quarmby Road in Huddersfield.

Wayne Noteman, Unity Regeneration Director (right) with Josh Paterson, Torpoint Director (centre) and Mick Rogers, Torpoint Site Manager (left), outside one of the new Dale Lane properties which is nearing completion

This is an exciting time for Unity and Huddersfield as the association has just obtained planning permission to build an additional 30 new two and three bed homes at Plane Street, with construction work also due to begin in the summer.

Unity was formed in 1987 with the objective of building a strong, community-based housing association to address the needs of black and minority ethnic communities in Leeds. 

It now manages more than 1,300 properties for tenants from all communities and ethnic backgrounds in West Yorkshire.

Wayne Noteman, Unity Regeneration Director, said: “It is always satisfying to reach the concluding stages of a major development project.

“There were added challenges with this scheme because of Covid and the end of the Brexit transition phase which risked impacting on building supplies, but close partnership working has ensured a relatively seamless process.

“Torpoint has done an excellent job and Unity is grateful to our partners Kirklees Council and Homes England for their strong support in delivering this scheme in these extraordinary challenging times.”

Unity Interim Chief Executive Cedric Boston

Cedric Boston, Unity Interim Chief Executive, said: “This development represents another significant step towards our objective of delivering 220 new properties under the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme, the most ambitious development plan in our history.

“Unity is a housing association with social purpose at its heart.

“Building high quality affordable homes for people from diverse communities and positively impacting their lives is the mission that drives us on.”   

Manningham Housing Association shortlisted for two prestigious awards

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has been shortlisted for two Northern Housing Awards including the blue ribband Landlord of the Year category.

The association, which owns and manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley, has also made the final cut for the Resident Support/Advice Programme of the Year award.

MHA representatives have been invited to attend a virtual ceremony on Thursday 13 May where the winners will be announced.  

In the last 12 months, MHA has received highest possible gradings from the independent regulator which oversees the performance of housing associations in England.

It has also been awarded the Customer Service Excellence quality mark, gaining Compliance Plus status in 15 separate areas, and become the first housing association in the country to be officially accredited for its work in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Being shortlisted in the Resident Support/Advice Programme of the Year category is as a result of the association’s highly successful Community Initiatives Programme which provides tailored support for Bradford and Keighley residents at risk of suffering from poor mental or physical health, isolation, financial difficulties, economic inactivity, digital exclusion and substance misuse.

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “It is a great honour to be shortlisted for both Northern Housing Awards and especially this year given the additional challenges we have faced because of the pandemic.

“The wellbeing of residents will always be our top priority and MHA staff at all levels have really pulled together to support them, as well as each other.

“Our overall customer satisfaction rating is consistently around 92%, rent arrears is under 2% and rent collection is at 100% - all three measures in the top quartiles nationally.  Importantly for our tenants, our health and safety indicators for issues such as gas compliance, electrical compliance and legionella testing are also at 100%.

“The MHA team have really stretched themselves in the most difficult of circumstances.  I am proud of every single one of them.”

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “Being shortlisted for these awards is an immense achievement and underlines the high regard in which Manningham Housing Association is held not just in Bradford and Keighley, but also much further afield.

“The association has a hard-earned reputation for creative thinking and ambition on behalf of our residents and the neighbourhoods in which we operate.

“A major financial package finalised last year will also enable us to add another 100 affordable homes to our stock over the next four years, enabling us to directly improve the lives of many more individuals and families.

“This high profile recognition is thoroughly merited and, on behalf of the board, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Lee and his team.” 

National role for Manningham Housing Association board member

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) board member and tenant Cath Bacon has been chosen to represent the views of social housing tenants around the country on a high profile committee.

She will serve as a member of the Housing Ombudsman’s Resident Panel which provides feedback and advice on the formal process of investigating complaints about registered social housing providers including housing associations, other landlords, managers and agents.

The Panel also examines key areas of the Housing Ombudsman’s work including the annual business plan and three-year corporate plan.   

Membership is made up of tenants from a cross-section of landlords in the Housing Ombudsman Service, ensuring that occupants with different types, size and location of social housing provider in England are represented. 

In addition to her role on MHA’s board, Cath Bacon is also Chair of the Bradford-based association’s Customer Panel which scrutinises the services it offers to tenants.

Away from MHA, she is Vice Chair of Bradford District Credit Union and is preparing to stand for election to Bradford Council in May having previously served a four-year term on the local authority.  

Cath Bacon

Cath Bacon said: “I am proud to be appointed to the Housing Ombudsman’s Resident Panel following a competitive process.

“I believe I bring a wealth of experience to the role through my work with MHA, my experience as an elected member of Bradford Council and my role as a trade union local organiser.

“Tenants who choose to bring complaints to the Housing Ombudsman do so because they have felt let down by their social housing provider and want their voice to be heard.       

“I will seek to give them that voice whilst working with the Housing Ombudsman to deliver service improvements.”

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “Putting tenants first and shaping our services according to their needs are MHA’s guiding principles.

“No one understands this better than Cath which makes her an excellent choice for this vital role which will allow her to speak up for tenants on a national level.  

“She has been a first class board colleague and I know she will do a magnificent job.”  

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “There is a wonderful culture of togetherness at Manningham Housing Association which has enabled us to achieve the highest possible gradings from the Regulator of Social Housing, attain the Customer Service Excellence quality mark and become the first housing association in the country to be accredited for our work in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

“Cath is an incredibly important part of our team and her appointment is fantastic news for MHA, social housing tenants in England and the Housing Ombudsman Service.”

Border checks delay is a betrayal of vets and Brexit

The Managing Director of one of the country’s leading providers of Official Veterinarians and Meat Hygiene Inspectors has strongly criticised the UK Government’s decision to further delay checks on goods entering Great Britain from the European Union.

Yesterday, in a Parliamentary Written Statement, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove announced that health certificates on EU imports such as meat and milk will not be needed before October, having previously said that these would be required from 1 April.

Diederick Opperman, Managing Director, HallMark Veterinary and Compliance Services

He also admitted that in-person inspections on such animal products, which were due to start in July, will not begin before January 2022.

In a statement, Diederick Opperman, Managing Director of HallMark Veterinary and Compliance Services, said that Mr Gove’s announcement had placed his company in “an extremely perilous position.”

Mr Opperman commented: “Michael Gove and his colleagues now at the top of Government assured us that they had a plan to deliver a Brexit that would be in the best interests of our country.  We now know this not to be true.

“Unlike our political masters, the veterinary sector has prepared long and hard for the post-Brexit period including the introduction of checks on meat and dairy imports from the EU.

“That has included the recruitment of significant numbers of professionally trained staff and paying for them to be ready to begin work in a matters of weeks.

“And then, without consultation, Mr Gove slips out an announcement which has left HallMark in an extremely perilous position because the work we promised to our new team members has been taken away.

“Based on past experience of this Government, I also have no confidence in any commitments Ministers make in relation to future start dates. 

“It truly is an appalling situation and amounts to a betrayal of vets and, indeed, the Government’s supposed Brexit ideal. 

“Boris Johnson and Michael Gove promised the British people that Brexit enable the UK to take back control of its borders.

“In truth and for reasons of political expediency, they have chosen to throw our regulatory borders open.

“We will be writing to Mr Gove to seek a meeting and ask when he intends to come up with a plan that sticks and what he expects me to tell my vets in the interim.”

Leeds firm demonstrates that Agile thinking gets IT done

A Leeds-based company which has risen from start-up status to a staff of 65 and a £10 million annual turnover is celebrating its third birthday this week.

Burendo, meaning “blended” in Japanese, specialises in Agile business transformation which involves teams tackling software development challenges in short “sprints” or iterations and reviewing results to address a client’s digital needs more quickly and effectively.   

The company was established in 2018 by Glenn Crossley, Austen Bell and Gary Green who previously collaborated to launch the Blended Agile Delivery (BAD) Toolkit.  Created on a not-for-profit basis, their motivation behind the toolkit – which remains available online - was to allow open access to the benefits of Agile techniques and processes.

In its short history, Burendo has worked with numerous well-known clients in the United Kingdom and United States including Equifax, Yorkshire Building Society, the NHS and William Hill.

Over the last 12 months, coinciding with the Covid-19 pandemic, the company has had teams working with NHS Digital on a new data collection platform which is improving efficiency levels whilst gathering information that assists decision-making in areas such as commissioning, resource allocation and patient choice.

Glenn Crossley (right) with Austen Bell and Burendo office manager Daniella Preston

Glenn Crossley, director at Burendo and co-founder of the BAD Toolkit, said: “We are celebrating our third birthday with a week-long programme of online activities but hope to get the team back together in our Leeds head office in the summer.

“The past year has been challenging but our client base continues to grow, and we have ambitious plans for the future.

“Working alongside Austen, Gary and the rest of the team, it is really satisfying to have taken Burendo from an idea to an Agile consultancy that is valued and respected far beyond our proud Yorkshire roots including, for example, in Atlanta where we are currently delivering Agile training to 65 people each week.

“The strength of the Yorkshire tech sector is no longer a hidden secret, as the depth of talent now available to employers such as Burendo clearly demonstrates.      

“We look forward to building on our foundation for growth by demonstrating what Agile people can do and empowering businesses to achieve their digital aspirations.”  

Northern Ireland vet shortage must be addressed as Protocol problems deepen

A senior Ulster Unionist peer has called for urgent action to address an increasingly serious shortage of vets carrying out official meat inspections in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rogan was speaking after the Province’s Chief Veterinary Officer told a Stormont committee yesterday that, when the supermarket grace period in the Northern Ireland Protocol expires, the number of argi-food certificates processed locally will be close to the figure handled by the EU as a whole.

Dr Robert Huey advised the Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee that these duties were currently being carried out by just 12 vets and “that’s not going to work.”

Lord Rogan

Lord Rogan has also received an answer to a Parliamentary Question in which the UK Government admitted that contingency plans had been put in place in the event that the current contract to deliver official veterinary controls in Northern Ireland was not delivered (see under Notes to Editors).

Lord Rogan said: “I have been concerned about this developing situation for some time and I will be tabling further Parliamentary Questions to seek to establish a clearer picture of what exactly is going on.        

“The disastrous Northern Ireland Protocol has clearly made the situation much worse, but the shortage of qualified vets to undertake certification responsibilities should have been dealt with long ago and certainly well before the end of the Brexit transition period.

“The UK Government and Food Standards Agency must get a grip on this situation and do so urgently.

“We need more vets and they must be fully-qualified, trainees will not do.

“It is yet another instance of the UK Government taking its eye off the ball on Northern Ireland in general and Brexit in particular.

“I commend Dr Huey for bringing this matter to wider public attention, but it should never have come to this.” 

People on lowest incomes left exposed by Budget measures - housing association CEO

The Chancellor’s decision to only partially extend the time limit on additional Universal Credit payments, freeze the basic rate personal income tax threshold and increase access to the property ladder without tackling the shortage of rented accommodation has placed people on the lowest incomes at greatest risk, the Chief Executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing association has said.

Lee Bloomfield, Chief Executive, Manningham Housing Association

Responding to Rishi Sunak’s Budget speech earlier today, Lee Bloomfield said: “Whilst I welcome news that the £20 uplift to Universal Credit payments has been extended until September, the Chancellor has merely created yet another cliff edge for those families that depend on this extra income.

“Mr Sunak claimed that income tax would not go up but, for those in the lowest paid jobs, the decision to freeze the personal allowance for basic rate taxpayers will have the same effect with workers losing increasing amounts of their take home pay as time goes on.

“I fully understand the desire to help people on to the property ladder.  However, history tells us that this will gravely impair access to decent quality homes for those unable to afford a mortgage.  Decreasing the size of the rented sector in the midst of an ever-deepening housing crisis is short-sighted at best and grossly irresponsible at worst.

“With pay for key workers also frozen and unemployment levels expected to rise in the months ahead, these decisions have placed people on the lowest incomes at greatest risk.” 

Choice on the menu as Manningham Housing Association guides Bradford through lockdown

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) is stepping up its work to engage with Bradford residents during lockdown by significantly expanding its programme of community projects.

MHA has launched a brand new ‘Menu of Choice’ which includes almost 50 different initiatives to encourage local people of all ages to gain different skills, get active, be entertained and meet new friends.

All activities are online and range from sharing tips on healthy eating, fitness classes such as yoga and chair-based exercise, music therapy, virtual coffee mornings, financial advice workshops and interactive sessions on improving mental wellbeing and developing resilience.

The schedule builds on ‘Building Bridges Bradford,’ a series of mental health, social cohesion, employment and digital inclusion schemes launched by MHA last year with funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. 

Thanks to additional financial support from the National Lottery Community Fund, a new MHA health and wellbeing project known as ‘Fighting Fit’ has been added to help people struggling with mobility issues and mental challenges, alongside ‘Let’s Get On’ to offer Bradford residents the chance to enjoy arts and crafts, learn about computers and improve their communication skills.

‘BAME Ladies Smashing Boundaries,’ a Sport England-backed project piloted last June by MHA to encourage BAME female participation in sports including cricket, boxercise and Zumba will also form part of its ‘Menu of Choice.’

 All activities are free of charge and open to everyone in Bradford.

Nasir Hussain, MHA Community Partnerships and Investment Manager, said: “We are excited to be pressing on with our tailored offering to the community which the team has worked so hard to put together.

“The past 12 months have been challenging for everyone but we have remained determined to step forward and support local people.

“Creativity, ambition, innovation and positivity are the threads that knit the programme of activities together in the ‘Menu of Choice.’

“Whilst everything has to be online for now, we hope to continue many of these projects after lockdown and build on the remarkable Bradford community spirit.”     

MHA Chief Executive Lee Bloomfield (left) and MHA Community Partnerships and Investment Manager Nasir Hussain (taken before social distancing guidelines)

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “I am incredibly proud of Nasir and his colleagues in our Community Investment and Partnership Team.

“We were making excellent progress in delivering our three-year Community Investment Strategy and there was a risk of this being blown off course when the pandemic took hold last March.

“However, thanks to the tenacity, invention and energy of MHA staff coupled with the valued support of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the National Lottery Community Fund and Sport England, we have been able to help large numbers of people cope with the challenges of lockdown.

“Difficult months still lie ahead and I would urge individuals and families keen to be part of what we’re doing to get in touch.”           

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair, said: “Manningham Housing Association is an organisation with high aspirations for the people and places we serve.

“The past 12 months have been almost unimaginably tough for neighbourhoods with large numbers of BAME residents where COVID-19 infection rates have been disproportionately high, lockdowns have been longest and levels of deprivation deepest. 

“I am thrilled but not surprised that MHA staff have risen to the challenge and demonstrated the foresight and endeavour to put together such an impressive schedule of events, surpassing all our expectations.

“There will be further mountains to climb after lockdown, but the Bradford community can be assured that we will continue to be there for them.”

Full details of Manningham Housing Association’s community engagement activities and how to get involved are available on its website. 

Leeds financial firm calls on peers to help bridge the digital divide

Leeds-based financial services firm Hitachi Capital have delivered their first 42 machines to Leeds Tech Angels, the campaign to provide laptops to children and young people in some of the city’s most digitally excluded neighbourhoods. 

The machines, which were due to be recycled after refurbishment, were instead donated to Tech Angels after their disk drives were removed and disposed of securely, with Hitachi Capital providing funding for replacement disk drives. 

Theresa Lindsay, Group Head of Marketing, Hitachi Capital UK PLC said: “We’re really pleased to work with Tech Angels to ensure that the laptops we’re donating will go to children in Leeds who really need the equipment to continue their education. 

“It’s easy to forget there’s such a digital divide in our communities and I’d encourage all businesses in the region to look at what kit you have spare and talk to the charity about donating. 

“Every laptop really does count and can make a huge difference to a child’s life.” 

A Hitachi Capital technician hands over laptops to Leeds Tech Angels representatives

This sentiment was echoed by Ben McKenna who is coordinating the Leeds Tech Angels campaign. 

He said: “These machines will be hugely useful to pupils across Leeds struggling to catch up with their schoolwork after spending the best part of a year in lockdown.

“We would like to thank Hitachi Capital as well as all of our other donors for helping to give these young people a chance to realise their potential.

“If any other businesses have spare kit, we can ensure this is safely recycled and put into the hands of schoolchildren in need.”

The campaign to find Leeds Tech Angels is being led by a recently established group, Digital Access West Yorkshire, with funding from Leeds Community Foundation and support from Ahead Partnership, Leeds City Council and Zero Waste Leeds.

The digital divide has been exacerbated by coronavirus with many school children lacking the means to join online lessons.

More information about Leeds Tech Angels including how to donate tech kit can be found at tech-angels.net

Manningham Housing Association expresses positive hopes for 2021 in New Year message

The Chair and Chief Executive of Manningham Housing Association (MHA) have said that 2021 can bring “better times for people of all ages” after a “horrendous year of uncertainty and distress.”

In a New Year message, Barrington Billings and Lee Bloomfield said that inequalities highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic needed to be “urgently addressed” by the Government with community-based organisations such as MHA keen to help provide policy solutions. 

Barrington Billings

Founded in 1986, MHA manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley and is the first housing association in the country to be officially accredited for its work in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Over 80 per cent of its residents are of South Asian origin but the association caters for the needs of individuals and families from all ethnic backgrounds.

In their joint statement, the MHA Chair and Chief Executive said: “2020 will be forever remembered as the year when coronavirus brought the world to a standstill.

 “Over 70,000 people have died across the United Kingdom including more than 600 in Bradford and Keighley.

“Each death is a personal tragedy and we offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have been lost.

“Last summer we raised our deep concerns over the disproportionately adverse impact of Covid-19 on BME people - confirmed in a series of studies – and that disturbing trend has continued throughout the pandemic.

“Deprived neighbourhoods have also been much more severely affected than affluent areas.

Lee Bloomfield

“Lessons need to be learnt and the Government must take a lead in urgently addressing the inequalities which organisations such as Manningham Housing Association see every day in local communities.

“We are keen to work with policymakers to find the answers to the numerous questions our society faces, including how to significantly increase provision of high quality affordable homes.”

Mr Billings and Mr Bloomfield spoke of their positive hopes for 2021.  They said: “We believe that the next 12 months can deliver better times for people of all ages after a horrendous year of uncertainty and distress.

“Alongside the many deaths and long-term health problems resulting from Covid-19, there have been a huge number of job losses, significant falls in family incomes and other opportunities lost such as access to workplace training.

“Children have also been out of school for prolonged periods.

“But the vaccination programme is about to go up a gear which will hopefully bring an end to the misery and suffering as some form of normality returns.    

“We must continue to look out for each other – our family members, friends and neighbours.

“Manningham Housing Association will be proudly at the forefront of these community efforts across Bradford and Keighley.”  

Search is on for Leeds Tech Angels to bridge Covid digital divide

An appeal has been launched for businesses and other employers in Leeds to donate unused laptops and tech to young people across the city not able to access technology at home.

The campaign to find Leeds Tech Angels is being led by a recently established group, Digital Access West Yorkshire, with funding from Leeds Community Foundation and support from Ahead Partnership, Leeds City Council and Zero Waste Leeds.

The digital divide has been exacerbated by coronavirus with many school children lacking the means to join online lessons.

With Leeds now under Tier 3 restrictions and thousands of pupils likely to be self-isolating in the months ahead, there is an urgent need for those from more challenging social backgrounds to be properly equipped to learn remotely.

Ben McKenna, Chief Executive of social enterprise Solidaritech and a founder of Digital Access West Yorkshire, has issued a plea for local businesses to invest in the future of young people by signing up as Leeds Tech Angels.

He said: “There are far too many digitally-excluded children and young people in Leeds, and we want to work with businesses and other organisations to help them.

“Laptops are at the top of our wanted list, but tablets and smart phones would also be useful.

“Unused machines can be deposited at several secure locations around the city or we can collect them.  Each item will be fully wiped and reset to its original factory settings by an IT specialist. No personal data will remain on any devices distributed to recipients.

“2020 been difficult for all young people but particularly those without access to technology in their homes.  Sadly, the likelihood of future periods out of school is high.

“I urge businesses with unused or wanted hardware to answer the call to become proud Leeds Tech Angels.  Donations of personal equipment are also welcome”   

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment at Leeds City Council, said: “We have been working hard for many months to distribute digital devices to children and families in Leeds. 

“This has included close cooperation with headteachers to maximise effective targeting of need.

“Leeds Tech Angels provides an ideal vehicle to help to achieve this and I urge employers and individuals to come forward with their donation of IT equipment.

“Leeds City Council is pleased to offer our support.”

Leeds-based social enterprise Ahead Partnership will be working with their network of corporate partners - which fund and support activities that boost young people’s career aspirations - to donate their tech to the scheme.

Megan Lipp, Head of Development at Ahead Partnership, said: “Our mission is to help partners from the corporate sector to bring positive change to their local communities and give young people a more confident start to their careers.

“We are delighted to be working with Digital Access West Yorkshire to help Leeds employers do this in the simplest of ways by donating their unused tech.

“Young people are spending more time learning from home because of the pandemic but, according to the Children’s Commissioner’s Office, up to 1.78 million children in the UK do not have access to a suitable device. 

“It is more important than ever that we all take action to close this digital divide.”

More information about Leeds Tech Angels including how to donate tech kit can be found at tech-angels.net

Leeds housing association appoints Interim CEO

The board of Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has appointed Cedric Boston as Interim Chief Executive.

Cedric Boston

He will replace Ali Akbor OBE who led the organisation for more than two decades before stepping down to serve as a member of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel.

Mr Boston has over 30 years of experience in social housing, including 25 years at senior executive level.

He is a former Chief Executive of Arhag, a London BME association which specialises in addressing the needs of migrants and refugees.

Mr Boston was previously Director of Housing at Lambeth Living, one of the UKs largest ALMOs. 

He has a degree in law and politics from Keele University and is a member of Gray’s Inn where he qualified as a barrister.

Unity was formed in 1987 with the objective of building a strong, community-based housing association to address the needs of black and minority ethnic communities in Leeds. 

It now manages more than 1,300 properties for tenants from all communities and ethnic backgrounds in West Yorkshire.

Mr Boston said: “Unity has a proud history and a wonderfully bright future.  I welcome the opportunity to play a role in what comes next.

“My first priority is to get to know the staff at all levels who have worked so hard to make the association what it is today,

“I am also keen to meet the many partners and stakeholders who contribute to Unity’s success and encourage anyone who wants to get in touch with me to please do so.    

Shruti Bhargava

“I look forward to working with my new colleagues to further Ali’s many achievements on behalf of the communities that Unity was established to support.”  

Unity Chair Shruti Bhargava said: “Cedric has a good understanding of Unity and is closely aligned with our values and social purpose. 

 “We are really pleased that he is joining us on the next stage of our journey.

 “He comes with a strong track record of working with partners, local agencies and communities to improve lives.

“We have every confidence that Cedric will fit really well into the Unity family and work collectively with all staff and board members to help deliver our mission.”

Mr Boston will take up post on Friday 4 December.

MANNINGHAM housing association secures major funds to build bridges across community

Manningham Housing Association (MHA) is celebrating after being awarded more than £120,000 from the Government to run a series of projects to promote shared values and tackle discrimination as well as supporting those members of community affected by Covd-19 in Bradford district.  

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced that MHA, which manages more than 1,400 homes for around 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley, is one of nine organisations nationally chosen to receive support from the Faith, Race and Hate Crime Grants Scheme.

The £121,531.34 in new funding will be used to launch a pioneering new venture, Building Bridges Bradford, to strengthen community cohesion, celebrate difference and challenge prejudices.

Planned activities include workshops, online training and community events, all taking place in Covid-safe environments. 

Sessions co-designed with service users and partners will also support individuals and families suffering from personal challenges made worse by the pandemic such as financial pressures, diabetes, cancer, dementia and poor mental health.

The application was overseen by Nasir Hussain, MHA Community Partnerships and Investment Manager.

He said: “Manningham Housing Association has a proud record as a community-led organisation of achieving real and meaningful change across Bradford.

“With this funding, we will be actively supporting people from diverse communities to come together in innovative ways to build new relationships, become better neighbours and strengthen cohesion in the district. 

“2020 has been difficult for everyone but we firmly believe that Building Bridges Bradford can be the catalyst to positively impact the lives of large numbers of individuals and families for many years to come.”       

Lee Bloomfield, MHA Chief Executive, said: “This award will enable us to really step up our community engagement work.

“In addition to the Government grant, we are putting in extra support from our own resources so we can do even more.

“There are several other grant applications in the pipeline as we work to deliver an ever-growing list of projects through our Community Investment Strategy which provides a framework for us to work with stakeholders to help local residents and build more resilient communities.”

Barrington Billings, MHA Chair: “Huge congratulations to the team for delivering this funding which will really bolster our community engagement activities.  

“Investing in and developing diverse neighbourhoods where people want to live and thrive is at the heart of Manningham Housing Association’s mission statement.

“Building Bridges Bradford provides a powerful vehicle for us to play an even greater role in strengthening community relations and social integration.”

Leeds housing association CEO appointed to Grenfell Tower Inquiry panel

The Chief Executive of Leeds-based housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise has been appointed to serve as a member of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel.

ALI AKBOR OBE

Ali Akbor has led Unity since January 1999 and was awarded the OBE in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to the community in Leeds.

He said: “I have been privileged to work with Unity colleagues and partners for more than two decades to deliver high quality affordable homes and other essential services to those in greatest need.

“We have radically improved the quality of life for thousands of people. This is a source of great pride to me and I know that this wonderful work will go on.

SHRUTI BHARGAVA

“The future of the association and its customers will be in excellent hands.”  

Unity Chair Shruti Bhargava said: “We are sorry to be losing Ali but proud that he has been chosen to join the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Panel.

“He is a person of the highest levels of integrity, decency and authenticity.

“He is regarded as a role model for staff at all levels of Unity and across the diverse communities we serve.

“We are thankful for everything Ali has done to help so many people and wish him well for the future.”