It’s safe to say that this year has got off to an unprecedented and challenging start, with homes up and down the country once again being placed under tough lockdown restrictions to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
Although the situation is ever-changing and developing daily, one thing that is certain is our resolve to do everything we can to help you through. I am truly proud of the way that you, our residents, have joined together to look after each other during the pandemic, and of the Clarion staff and partners who have gone the extra mile to keep services running and deliver vital support.
Despite this difficult start to 2021, we hope that in the months ahead there will be more positivity and brightness. In my first update of the brand new year, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to highlight some of our services that can make your life easier and share some of our exciting and ambitious plans for the next 12 months. While we know the road ahead won’t be without hurdles, we’re with you every step of the way.
Benefit from using your online account
One way we’re making life easier is by providing you with an improved online account. With us all spending more time than ever at home, I wanted to remind you of the benefits of signing up. Combining flexibility, security and our recently introduced new personalised features, you can access all our constantly updated services from any device, 24/7.
Registering is easy and if you sign up between 29 January and 2 April 2021, you could be in with a chance to win a £50 Love2shop voucher in our weekly prize draw. If you already have an account, simply reset your password.
Providing financial help and guidance
In January, many of us are inspired to make changes and we’re on hand to help you achieve them. If you’re struggling to pay your bills or need debt advice, please don’t suffer in silence. By telling us as soon as possible we can help get you back on track. Simply complete our online financial guidance form and a member of our Guideline team will contact you.
If you’re in need, we can also connect you with a community food pantry in your area, to help put meals on the table this year.
Perhaps you’re looking for a new job or career? Our free training and employment support, which includes expert advice and a whole host of courses, is tailored to your needs and can help you get on the path you want to succeed in.
Even during the first lockdown last year, our dedicated team helped 480 people into jobs and training and will continue working hard to help you find a job that’s right for you, despite the economic uncertainty that lies ahead.
Free Microsoft courses
To further enhance our package of support, I’m delighted to announce an exciting initiative Clarion Futures has launched in partnership with Microsoft this month.
With the world of work evolving to become more reliant on digital skills, this new programme aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills that are most in demand by employers and in turn boost job prospects.
We’re kicking the programme off in January with a series of free live virtual workshops, delivered directly by Microsoft via their online learning platform. Whether it’s becoming a pro at Excel, mastering Outlook, learning how to make your CV stand out, or preparing for a job interview, there is a course to suit everyone, no matter what your ability.
You’ll of course also have full access to support from our team, who will be on hand with advice and help with any additional training. We have more fantastic training opportunities coming soon, so please keep your eyes peeled.
Take a look at our digital courses, and register your interest.
Priorities for 2021
I mentioned in my last update that I would share with you more detail on some of our main priorities for this year.
We passionately believe that all our residents deserve to live in safe and comfortable homes and neighbourhoods; that are good quality, well managed, affordable, sustainable, and fit for purpose for generations to come.
To achieve this, we’ve developed the Clarion 2040 vision. This aims to ensure our homes mirror these standards by the year 2040. This is a hugely aspirational project on a significant scale, which is why we are investing in a long-term approach to improving all our new and existing homes and communities.
However, we also know that each of our communities are richly unique and that means we need to understand local needs and adapt or develop new services. We will do this through a series of local projects and initiatives often unique to your area and designed to improve your neighbourhood, your quality of life and your wellbeing.
We are also transforming the way we are working with you to make improvements to the services you rely on. Your knowledge, experiences and opinions are vital in helping us shape our offer and ensure they meet your needs. It is for this reason that we are introducing a number of ways for you to get your voice heard.
New ways to have your say
Launching in April, our refreshed Resident Involvement Strategy will have a multitude of ways for you to get involved at a national, regional or local level, either digitally, face-to-face or both. This can include anything from becoming a resident board member, participating in consultations, attending partnership events or even being a resident writer – no matter how much or little you are able to contribute your input is invaluable.
We’ve also created Clarion Voice Email. Signing up enables you to share feedback, receive regular updates, answer surveys and receive responses on consultations and research. For further information, contact us.
2021 is guaranteed to be a busy year, so make sure you stay up to date by visiting our website, reading our newly improved resident magazine and following us on Instagram.
Wishing you all the best for 2021 from us all here at Clarion.
