Bracknell Forest Homes is keen to keep customers and stakeholders up to date with latest news, events and projects. Here you can view the news archive and the Spotlight newsletter, which is sent to all customers of Bracknell Forest Homes. Please also use the left hand menu to find different publications, including leaflets, annual accounts and handbooks. We also want to hear your news and views, so why not write to us with your story. Please click here to tell us about what's happening in your area.
Spotlight is sent to all customers every three months. It is written by an editorial group including customers and we are always looking for contributions to the newsletter from tenants and leaseholders. Please click on the editions below to view the recent newsletters, or the audio version to listen to the newsletter (it may take minutes to download depending on your internet connection). Please contact us if you have any articles or interesting stories you would like to contribute.
Editorial Board
Bracknell Forest Homes
Berkshire Court
Western Road
Bracknell
Berkshire
RG12 1RE
Telephone: 01344 382912
Email: emma.martin@bracknellforesthomes.org.uk
Bracknell Forest Homes is meeting more than 80 per cent of the five year promises made to local tenants and leaseholders in the housing transfer from the Council after just two years. The other promises are part of the five year programme and are on track to be completed.
General tenant satisfaction with the housing service has increased by 10 percentage points from 75% to 85% since a similar survey was carried out in 2006.
Caroline Titley, Chief Executive, commented: “We have worked incredibly hard in the short space of time since transfer, which is a reflection of the commitment of employees, customers and the Board to create a successful housing association and deliver excellent services. We are fortunate and appreciative of the involvement customers have given to help shape our service, from reviewing policies, contributing to our newsletter Spotlight, inspecting empty properties before letting, to being involved in recruiting 38 employees. Now we are starting to see real benefits, which is obviously very good for customers and the community."
This spring sees a series of exciting landscaping improvements across the borough, including Great Hollands, Priestwood, Harmans Water,
Customers from a Landscape Forum have been driving the new landscape. There are also parking improvements in Bullbrook as part of a joint project with the Council, which help relieve parking issues for local people.
Home improvements are progressing swiftly giving more than 1,200 new kitchens, 1,200 bathrooms, and over 2,000 heating replacements to customers’ homes since 2008. The replacement window programme is complete with more than 1,500 properties benefitting from the new windows and improved insulation.
The housing association is continuing to run a community development strategy to build on last year’s Oakwood youth activities and radio broadcast. Football Fever has hit the Great Hollands recreation ground, encouraging 12 to 15 year olds to sharpen their dribbling and shooting skills with professional football coaching and a local world cup. The latest estate action day in Ladybank, Birch Hill, was another success helping generate community spirit, clean up and landscape the area.
Mrs Titley added: “The pace of change is fast and we’re pleased there are real benefits and exciting things happening for the local community. We know there are areas to improve further but with our employees and customers, and working closely with the Council, Police and other agencies, we are confident that these will come to fruition."