As the situation around COVID-19 continues to develop, our chief executive is reassuring tenants and staff alike that Ocean continues to put them at the heart of everything.

Health and safety and tenant services continue to be the priority of all at Ocean Housing, despite the coronavirus outbreak. Our team is committed to delivering services, albeit on a slightly reduced scale, in-line with the latest Government guidelines to limit potential exposure to the virus.

“We have been following the government’s advice, and are monitoring the situation very closely to ensure that we keep both our residents and staff safe”, said Mark Gardner, Ocean Housing Group’s chief executive.

“We have a number of staff working remotely, and on a rotational working policy, but our robust systems are working well, which means we can continue to deliver services to our tenants.”

Visits to tenants are continuing as usual, with prior screening questions for the benefit of staff and tenants, and with all the appropriate health, safety, and hygiene practices in place.

In addition to standard advice and support services, we are offering intensive support to tenants who find themselves in rent arrears or who are worried about paying their rent.

𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘂𝘀 (𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗜𝗗-𝟭𝟵)

Ocean is closely monitoring the status of the #COVID19 outbreak, and any impact this could have on our services.

Further details and updates can be found here⬇️https://t.co/ebPy6uYQxj pic.twitter.com/wjkucz2P4I

— Ocean Housing (@Ocean_Housing) March 13, 2020

Mark continued: “We will not seek to evict any tenant for rent arrears due to coronavirus, but tenants still have to pay their rent. However, tenants have two rent free weeks at this time of year.

“We would urge tenants to use the Ocean app, their AllPay card or direct debit to pay their rent. If any of our tenants have concerns then I would ask them to get in contact with us as soon as possible.”

Ocean introduced its new app at the start of the year, which has become more useful than ever over the last few weeks. It can be downloaded for free via either the Google Play or Apple App stores by searching for ‘Ocean Housing’.

Our repair services are running at a reduced level, with priority being given to health and safety work and inspections, and emergencies such as water leaks and loss of utilities supply. These repairs can be reported on the app, along with functions such as paying rent, and accessing social media updates.

Loraine Hoar, Customer Accounts manager, added: “We know that this is a difficult time for many of our tenants, however we can support you to claim any benefits that you may be entitled to claim, if you have been effected by illness, self-isolation, school or work closures.

“We want to reassure our tenants that we will still be available to help and support them through these challenging times.” – Mark Gardner, Ocean Housing Group chief executive.

“If you have had a change of circumstances and you are already claiming universal credit or housing benefit, it’s important that you update them and continue to pay your rent as normal. We are here to help you through this and have specialist team members who can offer debt advice and complete benefit calculators to establish what you may be entitled to.”

With the community pulling together in this challenging time, Mark concluded: “We want to thank all our tenants and staff for their patience and understanding during this difficult period. We will continue to keep our website updated with the latest information, and will be sharing useful links via our social media.”

“Finally, I want to reassure our tenants that if government advice is escalated we will still be available to help and support our tenants through these challenging times.”

For up-to-date information and advice from Ocean Housing about the coronavirus, visit oceanhousing.com/coronavirus.

Ocean Housing hosted its first community action day of 2020 in fine weather.

Our ‘Spring into Action’ event was held at Hawkins Road in Newquay on Wednesday March 11. It was an opportunity for residents to meet the Ocean Housing team, spring clean their homes, and gain some free advice from other local services.

Abigail Vercoe, Tenant Involvement coordinator, organised the event.

“It was a great day, and we had some positive discussions with residents about ways to improve the community atmosphere,” she said.

“Community action days are really important for our team to gain a better understanding of the issues faced by residents in the area, as well as giving our tenants the chance to access free advice and useful tips for running their home.

Meet the team! 😁👋

Ocean staff from all over the business have been in #Newquay today meeting residents and getting feedback. #OceanCAD pic.twitter.com/M2YFYxtRJn

— Ocean Housing (@Ocean_Housing) March 11, 2020

“Whether our residents wanted to learn how to raise a repair request, discuss heating issues, or get further information on Universal Credit, Ocean Housing staff were on hand to provide assistance and answer any questions.”

Other local agencies offering advice on the day included Cornwall Council, Harbour Housing, Outset Cornwall, Devon and Cornwall Police, and South West Water.

“I was really impressed with Ocean Housing. It was a great example of how a successful modern housing association should interact with their tenants” – Olly Monk, Cornwall Councillor.

Ocean Housing also provided a skip, which gave tenants the chance to dispose of unwanted household items. It was returned full to capacity, with many residents taking the opportunity to clear some valuable space at home.

Newquay Treloggan and Mayfield councillor, Olly Monk, also attended the event. He said: “I was really impressed with Ocean Housing, and the organisation of the community action day. It was a great example of how a successful modern housing association should interact with their tenants.

“As Cornwall Councillor for the area, I know how much the residents appreciated the level of response by Ocean Housing’s team when addressing any concerns they had. Well done all.”

Abigail concluded: “We would like to thank everyone who turned up and played a part in the day. A special thanks to Maggie’s Mobile Barista for providing refreshments to keep everyone going.”

Plans to host further community actions days throughout the year in other locations are being made.

Further details on the ways to get involved in your community can be found here: https://bit.ly/2TLbaMg

Ocean Housing tenants from St Columb, who were rewarded for their gardening success in 2019, are keen to keep up the good work this year.

Ivydene House, St Columb, is for residents over 55 and has 12 one-bedroomed flats. There is a grass/shrub area alongside a communal courtyard which is maintained by Ocean.

One resident, Eric, felt the courtyard could ‘do with being brought to life’. So, with Eric’s love of gardening and the help of his neighbours, a brilliant space of colourful pots and plants has been created.

“I love looking out of my window, it’s looking really beautiful,” said Greta, 90, who we spoke to last summer.

Eric added: “It’s been fantastic bringing the community together and we are all enjoying the outside space.”

Read more: ‘Meet Clive, a true Ocean Housing community champion‘.

The newfound space was put to good use in no time. Residents enjoy many tea parties, while toasting and enjoying the fruits of their labour.

Their work and commitment did not go unnoticed. Delivery and bus drivers, and even customers from a nearby pub, came to investigate and pay compliments.

Soon the word was out. It was not too long before, thanks to so many comments from residents and visitors, the team decided to enter the Newquay in Bloom Competition.

When the results were announced in August they were delighted to win First Prize for Best Courtyard/Small Garden.

“All of us were very delighted to win something,” added Irene, Eric’s wife. “We didn’t expect to win – we didn’t enter to win.

“We entered it, just to bring people together really.”

With such a successful summer the green-fingered residents could perhaps have been forgiven for taking it easy in the winter. But no, they kept up the good work throughout and are already planning to do the same in spring and summer.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Would you like to bring some colour to your courtyard or communal area or organise an event for your neighbours to enjoy?

Then why not apply to the treasure chest!?

The Tenants and Residents Panel can grant up to £400 per application each year, for more information contact the Tenant Involvement Team on 01726 874450 or visit www.oceanhousing.com/treasure-chest

This month all at Ocean Housing are reflecting on two decades worth of achievement and £240m of investment in Cornwall.

Employees, stakeholders and tenants came together at a special event held at Ocean Housing’s head office on February 7 – twenty years to the day that the Group began work in 2000.

“We’ve come a long way over the last 20 years,” said Mark Gardner, group chief executive, while speaking at the event.

“The transfer of council housing stock to the trust was the biggest ever investment in improving homes in the area.

“At that time, we made a pledge to improve the quality and standards of housing, and £28.5 million was invested to make social housing a better place to live.”

Over the last 20 years, the company has built 1,406 properties, including more than 1,000 houses, nearly 300 flats, and 36 bungalows.

“Our vision is to be an innovative provider of quality homes and services, with residents and staff at the heart of Ocean, and Ocean at the heart of the community.”

Established as Restormel Housing Trust (RHT), the company rebranded to Ocean Housing in 2003, and relocated to its current offices. In 2004, The Ocean Group structure was introduced as the parent company of Ocean Housing, and Gilbert & Goode, which joined the group a year later.

Gilbert & Goode was established in 1972, and is now one of the largest construction businesses in the region. It was acquired by Ocean Housing in 2005 to construct the group’s social housing developments, as well as expand the portfolio of traditional building and contracting work. Its profits are gift-aided back into Ocean to invest in social housing.

Since the takeover, the company has seen considerable growth. The number of employees has grown from 149 to 233, and the housing stock has increased from 3,502 to 4,642 properties, many of which have been built by sister company Gilbert & Goode.

It has also completed 247,784 day-to-day repairs, installed 4,286 kitchens, 3,473 bathrooms, and 2,063 central heating systems.

Judy Sturtridge lives in St Austell, and has been a tenant since the 1970s, formerly through Restormel Borough Council. She has seen many improvements to her home under the ownership of Ocean Housing.

She said: “I’ve always lived on the same estate. The area used to be quite run down, but Ocean has put in new double glazing and central heating, and replaced kitchens and bathrooms throughout many of the houses here.

“There has been a complete transformation to the area, and I’m proud to call it home. It has been a great place to raise a family, and there’s a real sense of community. Ocean has played an important role in this, being involved with the resident’s association, organising events such as coach trips and Christmas parties for us all to get involved in.

“There has been a complete transformation to the area (…) Ocean has played an important role in this” – Judy Sturtridge, St Austell resident.

“Everyone at Ocean is so approachable, they’re very easy to deal with. You often see members of the team visiting the area, and if I’ve ever needed something repaired then they are very responsive.”

During the celebrations, 16 members of staff were recognised for long service, having worked with the company since it took over the social housing stock from Restormel Borough Council in 2000.

Nile’s Bakery provided much appreciated sustenance, as guests shared their fond memories and took part in a quiz of the last 20 years.

Staff have had a 20 day countdown on their computer monitors leading up to the day, showing pictures and facts from each year. Screens around the building were also fill of pictures from over last 20 years – including some big blasts from the past!

Ocean has ambitious plans for the future, aiming to build over 2,000 new homes by 2030.

Mr Gardner adds: “Since 2000, Ocean Housing has invested more than £240 million within Cornwall, through community involvement, property development, jobs, and apprenticeships.

“Our vision is to be an innovative provider of quality homes and services, with residents and staff at the heart of Ocean, and Ocean at the heart of the community.”

More information about Ocean Group can be found here.

Have you ever considered an apprenticeship? At Ocean we recruit in a range of areas, and have a proud record of supporting our local community and education.

Towards the end of last year we were delighted to recruit four new apprentices to join our growing team. Now, coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week 2020 (Feb 3-7) we are looking forward to finding our next wave of recruits!

Ocean offers vocational training in a variety of trades and business services. Our latest cohort of apprentices studied electrics, heating, and plumbing. This year’s apprentice vacancies will include Business Administration, Plumbing & Heating and a Mason role.

“We have a strong reputation for our apprenticeship scheme,” said Mark Gardner, Ocean Housing Group’s chief executive. “And I think this is reflected in the quality of applications.

“We offer a competitive salary, paying the national minimum wage rather than the standard apprentice rate, and provide good job prospects for the apprentices once they have finished training.

“This has helped us to attract a wide range of candidates, not just school leavers, but also those looking for a change in career.”

Video – Hear from a former Ocean apprentice

Emelye explains why a placement with Ocean Housing was the perfect choice for her:

Ocean recently won an award for outstanding commitment to training at the Excellence in Business Training Awards 2019, and was also recognised as the runner-up in the outstanding commitment to apprenticeships category.

33-year old Mike Barnard has joined Ocean as an apprentice electrician. He said: “I always thought apprenticeships were for teenagers, but this is definitely not the case. I really enjoy being tested and learning a new trade.

“Apprenticeships are not just for teenagers“

“I worked in leisure for 12 years, then moved to retail as a deputy manager of a supermarket. But I wanted a better work-life balance, so when I saw Ocean was recruiting for apprentices, I started to do my research. Having purchased a shared ownership home with Ocean, I was already aware of the company. I also have friends who work here and gave it a good recommendation.

“The career change is definitely working for me, as I have already seen my children more in the past six weeks, compared to the last six months. Ocean has been fantastic – they put a lot of effort into looking after their staff, and I even met the CEO on my first day.”

Ocean Housing Group actively promotes the construction and social housing sector as a career of choice. Through links with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), we have been involved in a series of school visits to talk about careers in construction.

Looking for an apprenticeship? Brandan Crocker and Mike Barnard are two of Ocean’s most recent apprentices.

Heather Taylor, HR coordinator at Ocean Housing Group added: “It’s well known that there is a skills shortage in the construction sector and we are always trying to attract more women in construction, which is why we work so closely with local schools to try and improve the perception of the industry, and the jobs available.

“Our apprenticeship scheme is helping to build a pipeline of qualified trade and admin staff, which will help to address the increasing housing demand within our sector.”

For more information on the jobs and apprenticeships available visit: oceanhousing.com/home/about-us/jobs

New Year, new app! Ocean Housing has launched a new platform, so that tenants can manage a range of tasks within just a few clicks, all from the comfort of their mobile.

Whether a resident is looking to pay their rent, report a repair or even read up on Ocean’s latest news – they can now do so with less effort than ever before.

The Ocean Housing app, launched in January 2020, pulls together a variety of options and opportunities. It is now free to download from the Apple App Store and can also be found on Google Play. Simply search ‘Ocean Housing’ and you’re away!.

“We are delighted to finally be launching our new app,” said David Jory, customer experience manager. “It’s something that we’ve been looking into for a while. Now that it’s launched we are sure residents will enjoy all the benefits it brings.”

“LiveChat can be reached in just two clicks, connecting residents directly with the Customer Service team. You can also email, report a repair, pay rent and have access to a variety of other options all from the app, saving most people having to make a call.”

Key Features:

Home Screen: This far-reaching menu, presented in a clear and accessible way, allows users to get to where they need to be within seconds. From here you can pay rent, report repairs, log in to the tenant portal, access Live Chat and much more. You will also be able to jump directly to our social media pages and our News section.

Side menu: If you require something more specific, you will be able to access a broader range of options from the side menu. This includes organising an Estate Inspection, and being able to find a home to buy or rent with Ocean Housing.

Live Chat: Sometimes it’s not always possible for tenants to pick up the phone, with access to LiveChat directly from the app they can speak with a member of our team in a chatroom format, where you can also send images.

Direct contact: As well as Live Chat, the home screen also has a direct link to our email address and phone number – so if the details are not in the front of your mind, they will now at least be always in your hands. Our About Us section also contains these details, as well as opening hours and company story.

For further information about the Ocean Housing app, and the chance to download today, please visit the relevant application store:

Apple App Store

Google Play store

The St Austell foodbank, which helps support local families in crisis, has seen more than 4,200kg of food collected by volunteers.

Staff from Ocean Housing are proud to have been part of this achievement. We have been fundraising and hosting food collection points in our offices, as well as taking part in food drives at nearby supermarkets.

“The foodbank team do such a fantastic job and we are proud to support where we can,” said Louise Brown, welfare adviser at Ocean Housing, who has been leading the initiative.

“We run monthly dress down days on the last Friday of each month, collecting £1 from anyone who wants to take part. So far the team has raised more than £330 since June, and we take this money to the Foodbank, which is then used to top up people’s electric keys.

“We have a number of food collection points around the office, which we donate three times a year. The last drop in September totalled 55.4kg, and the Christmas collection will be even bigger.”

Well done to our New Tenant Support Advisor, John Wiles, who recently made a donation of £50 to @StAfoodbank 👏🏼👏🏼

After his success in a @HousingSystems quiz, John visited the Light & Life Centre to meet their incredible team and gift his winnings. pic.twitter.com/uGlZegSnJm

— Ocean Housing (@Ocean_Housing) November 29, 2019

Staff from Ocean Housing also took part in a food drive in St Austell Tesco at the end of November, helping to collect a total of 2,592.43kg of food across three days. This involved the team greeting shoppers on their way into the store, encouraging customers to buy an extra item of food whilst shopping, and donating it at the collection point on their way out.

A second food drive also took place at St Austell Asda, where some Ocean Housing staff helped to collect a further 1,675kg of food over two days.

Statistics from the Foodbank show one in five of the UK population live below the poverty line. The charity, run entirely by volunteers, gives a lifeline to families in need, by providing food packages with three days’ worth of nutritionally balanced meals to people in need.

“The team at Ocean are a glowing example of volunteers, donating not just food, but also their time and money,” – Jon Langford, St Austell Foodbank manager.

Jon Langford is St Austell’s Foodbank manager, which also covers areas around Roche and St Stephens. He has praised Ocean Housing for its support, saying: “The team at Ocean are a glowing example of volunteers, donating not just food, but also their time and money.

“They are stable and reliable supporters of the Foodbank, and an incredible group of people to work with. We have seen demand increase by around 15-20% this year, so their help has been very much appreciated.

“We are on track to deliver 4,000 food packages by the end of this year, which will positively impact around 1,200 children.”

Ocean Housing works closely with the Foodbank and other support organisations, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, Citizens Advice, and credit unions to help tenants who find themselves in financial crisis get back on track.

Plans to build 60 affordable homes in St Blazey have been approved by Cornwall Council.

Polgrean Place is an ambitious £12 million affordable housing scheme from Ocean Housing, providing 51 units for rent, nine for shared ownership, two commercial units, and a community space. It will replace existing flats, Cornish units, and six commercial buildings.

In November, Ocean Housing is to stage an event for previous residents and the wider community, to say farewell to the estate, and share memories of living there.

Mark Gardner, chief executive of Ocean Housing Group, said: “Ocean Housing is committed to investing in its existing homes and communities. It is time for the area to be rejuvenated, yet we should remember that many families have fond memories of growing up and living in the area, so we would like to invite them to share their memories, and commemorate an end of an era.”

There will be a memory board for photographs to be shared at the event on 22 November 2019, which Ocean Housing would like to use to decorate hoardings around the site during its redevelopment.

“We look forward to being able to start the development and provide quality affordable homes to people in and around St Blazey.” – Mark Gardner, Chief Executive of Ocean Housing Group.

Demolition is scheduled to start in January 2020, and it is anticipated the whole redevelopment will take around two and a half years to complete. Gilbert & Goode, Ocean’s sister company, will be undertaking the build which is to be of traditional design, including pitched roofs, and an external finish using a combination of stone and render.

The scheme will be carried out across several phases and comprises a selection of one, two, and three-bedroomed affordable flats and houses. It will incorporate parking, gardens and landscaping, with a small community hub to be used by local businesses and community groups.

Mark Gardner continued: “Polgrean Place is Ocean Housing’s largest scheme to date and we would like to thank the local councillors, which have been very supportive of this project.

“Our thanks also extend to the local community which has positively supported the re-development and provided constructive feedback during the consultation period. We look forward to being able to start the development and provide quality affordable homes to people in and around St Blazey.”

The first family homes are expected to be completed and ready for occupation by spring 2021.

We have appointed two new welfare advisers to assist tenants with claiming Universal Credit, managing monthly income, getting back to work and applying for grants.

Louise Brown has formerly worked with Caradon, Winchester and Test Valley councils as a housing benefits adviser and housing officer, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role.

Simon Griffiths joins the Welfare Advisory team from our property services. He has also worked for the Department of Work and Pensions as an adviser.

As well as offering advice to tenants, Simon and Louise will work closely with voluntary agencies and statutory organisations to help tenants find appropriate support.

Their appointments come at a time where tenants face the transition to Universal Credit. The new benefit reform represents a big change for those receiving benefits, and combines jobseekers’ allowance, child tax credit, housing benefit, income support, working tax credit, and employment and support allowance into one monthly payment.

Mark Gardner, group chief executive for Ocean Group, predicts that changes to the welfare system may affect housing affordability.

He said: “Generally, it is people who are already near financial crisis that have experienced issues with the transition to Universal Credit. Delays in the initial payment, a cap on benefits, and stricter rules for getting back to work mean that some families could find themselves worse off under Universal Credit.”

A report from the Affordable Housing Commission, (AHC), highlighted that housing affordability becomes critical where housing costs represent more than 40 percent of household income. The tipping point tends to be highest amongst first time buyers, families with dependent children, and those in private rented accommodation.

Mark Gardner said: “Cornwall has a high proportion of workers on minimum wage and zero-hours contracts due to seasonal work. Unexpected bills, reduction in income and changes to personal circumstances can all push tenants towards, or beyond, the 40 percent tipping point.”

Ocean Housing is working in partnership with the local Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Citizens Advice, credit unions and support organisations such as the local food bank, to help tenants manage debt and get finances back on track.

Gina Cutler, head of neighbourhood services at Ocean Housing, said: “People can fall on hard times for any number of reasons. By working as a collaborative team, we help tenants cut through the red tape and alleviate financial stress so that tenants can reach the end of the month with greater peace of mind.”

For those finding it difficult to make ends meet, Ocean Housing has put together a quick checklist:

• Plan ahead financially to create a cushion for unexpected costs.
• Find out whether you qualify for benefits.
• Avoid financial sanctions by actively seeking employment.
• Shop around for the best deals with utility companies.
• Talk to creditors and support organisations if you are experiencing financial difficulties.
• Credit unions may provide a more affordable debt management plan to start tackling debt.

For those looking for help with Universal Credit claims, we recommend contacting Citizens Advice. They have launched a Help to Claim service, providing support in the early stages of a Universal Credit claim, including guidance on the verification process which currently is holding up many Universal Credit claims.

Being a Neighbourhood Services Officer (NSO) is a busy job.

But it’s also incredibly rewarding, as our very own Susie explains.

Susie has worked for Ocean for four years, and is currently managing properties in Newquay and St Columb Minor as a NSO.

At Ocean, we currently have six NSOs in total, taking care of over 4,200 properties across Cornwall. On average, an officer manages between 700-1000 properties. The team also assist the management of around 700 shared ownership and leaseholder properties.

“No one day is ever the same in this role, which makes it really interesting,” says Susie. “On a typical day I start by checking my emails and ensuring there have been no emergency housing issues overnight, such as fire/flood or a criminal offence involving a tenant or property.”

After that, Susie then heads off to her patch to carry out visits. These can range from:

• Meeting a new tenant who has recently moved in to their property
• Boundary and parking issues
• Inspecting the condition of a garden or property
• Reports of anti-social behaviour
• Welfare visits
• Estate walkabouts
• Safeguarding – protecting our tenants from possible abuse, harm or neglect.

“I also attend multi agency meetings with the police, social services and other organisations,” continues Susie.

“This is for specific cases where the experience of many teams are necessary involving the care of children, vulnerable adults and serious levels of crime.”

She added: “In amongst the various appointments of the day, I try and fit in a quick lunch break and type up any notes or referrals that need to be made.

“Obviously, my mobile is on should anyone from the office need to get hold of me, the world of housing never stops!”

At the end of the day, Susie types up her many notes. She also logs any referrals that need to be made.

“As busy and challenging as this job is, it can also be incredibly rewarding,” she said.

“Especially when you see the difference you can make to a person or family’s life, no matter how small this may be.

She added: “The best thing about my job is when a tenant picks up the phone or sends a card to say thank you for my help or support.

“I’m lucky to say that I am part of a resilient team who work well together and provide support both emotionally and practically when needed.”

Being a Neighbourhood Services Officer is an important role. Is there anything else that you want to know about their responsibilities?

#jobs Neighbourhood Services Manager – St Austell https://t.co/Q0yg1Jf8q4

— Ocean Housing (@Ocean_Housing) October 16, 2019

Or, do you fancy joining the team? We currently have a very exciting role – Neighbourhood Services Manager – advertised.

If you’re looking for a new challenge in your Housing Management career, we would love to hear from you!

More details here.

In every community there is often an unsung hero. Somebody who goes the extra mile, purely because of their love of where they live and their neighbours.

This summer, we were incredibly impressed by one of our own residents – a true community champion. Clive, who lives in St Austell, can only be described as Chapel Fields’ own community hero.

A keen gardener, Clive has been a tenant at Ocean for many years.

Recently he contacted Arthur Robertson, who heads up the grounds maintenance service. Clive sought permission to bring the communal area, and beds, back to life with a sparkle of colour.

“I had no hesitation in saying yes,” said an impressed Arthur. “It is great to have a working partnership with tenants on our estates.”

So, with contributions and help from his neighbours, Clive soon transformed a corner of Chapel Fields into what he calls ‘The Lost Gardens of Chapel Fields’.

Community champion Clive told us: “It is surprising what a community can do when they all pull together. I’m delighted to see the results of all our hard work.”

‘Community champion’

Bird feeders, colourful flowers and even a bug hotel make for a wonderful view for those who live nearby.

Pat, another resident, is one of many who has been delighted with the difference. Due to limited mobility she is unable to help out, but she provides much-welcomed tea and cake for the workers to enjoy.

She added: “It’s been a blessing to have such a lovely outlook from my ground floor window.”

Clive is also finding time to help neighbours with their own individual gardens. Arthur has even recruited him as one of our grounds maintenance monitors, to let us know if we are providing a good job.

Would you like to be a monitor and give us feedback on our grounds maintenance service? If so, visit Tenant Monitors for more details. You can also contact our Tenant Involvement Team on 01726 874450.

We would love to hear similar stories of residents like Clive, who also go above and beyond to bring their community together. Let us know!

Shared Ownership Week 2019 is now here and the Ocean team have been busy to make sure we mark it in style!

To better explain Shared Ownership and its many benefits, we will be sharing a series of short videos throughout the week – which runs from Thursday September 19 to Wednesday September 25.

This form of house purchase is becoming increasingly popular, and indeed Ocean Housing is offering many Shared Ownership options in Cornwall.

Our week’s coverage kicks off with a quick introduction from Nicola Mitchell, our sales coordinator, and Scott Burrows, our home ownership advisor.

They will run through the week ahead and explain how you can get involved. Above all, you can interact with our coverage on social media and follow our hashtag #SOOcean (Shared Ownership Ocean).

On Friday we will introduce you to Louise Pyle, our head of commissioning, who will explain Ocean’s personal shared ownership goals and achievements.

There's just one more sleep until the start of #SharedOwnershipWeek 2019! 📅👀

Tomorrow we'll be joined by Scott & Nicola, who will introduce what you can expect from our week's coverage.

For more on Shared Ownership opportunities with Ocean, visit 👉 https://t.co/ajigDg1fDj pic.twitter.com/HaC8ODzdTz

— Ocean Housing (@Ocean_Housing) September 18, 2019

Over the weekend our first taste of Shared Ownership Myth Busting will see Sarah Pechkaytis (sales administrator) and Leanne McIntyre (home ownership administrator) discuss the facts and dispel the fiction behind Shared Ownership.

We will also post a quick interview with Bianca, one of our happy Shared Ownership buyers, who will describe how the scheme really helped her family get on the property ladder and give them greater stability.

On Monday we will welcome you to have a look inside some of our Shared Ownership properties, before returning to bust more myths on Tuesday. Finally, on Wednesday, we will hand you back to Scott and Nicola who will wrap up the week!

What is Shared Ownership?

This is exactly why we’re marking this week, to raise awareness of the benefits of Shared Ownership. Shared Ownership is essentially where you part-buy and part-rent your home.

With Ocean, you can buy between 40% – 75% of your home and pay rent at an affordable level for the portion that you don’t own. The rent will always be set at an affordable level, so you’ll never be priced out of your own home.

Shared Ownership also provides local homes for local people. This means that if you’re priced out of the area you currently live in and want to stay – thanks to local connection rules – these affordable homes are set aside for people like you. So, you can remain in the area you grew up in or stay close to work and loved ones.

Another key feature is that you can personalise your own home. You can really make it your own and a home to be proud of. Feel free to add your own wallpaper, colours and any other furnishings!

What can you expect from Ocean’s Shared Ownership service?

“As a sales team we are very approachable and incredibly friendly,” says Nicola. “We are very much open to tailoring our service to suit you. We are with you every step of the way and will happily answer any question you have, big or small.

“Quality is definitely key. We ensure value for money and the best quality – building homes and communities for the long term.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2d93s9HMxT/

She added: “At Ocean, we set out to make your buying experience as seamless as possible. This includes tailoring all communications for you.

“We get a real buzz from seeing the process through from start to finish. So, it is especially rewarding to hand you the keys for your new home. We are essentially silent partners in this, you are the homeowner and securing your financial future.”

Get involved!

To find out more about the scheme you can take a look at our dedicated webpage on our site. Here we have outlined exactly what you can expect from Ocean, current opportunities and the answers to common queries.

Through the #SOOcean hashtag we will be posting regular updates on social media this week. We would love to see as many comments, questions and general interaction as possible.

Our video content will be primarily uploaded on social media, but will also appear in this article.

So, Happy Shared Ownership Week 2019! We hope the following videos and information will be really helpful!

Are you local to the Crowan Parish and interested in finding out more about new affordable homes being built in the area?

We are holding a drop-in event for local residents from the parish near Camborne this Thursday (September 19) from 2pm – 6pm. At the event, we hope to speak to as many people as possible who are keen to find out more about how they can access new affordable rental housing being built in the area.

Ocean Housing is currently building 16 affordable rented properties on Fore Street in Praze an Beeble; comprising eight two-bedroomed and four three-bedroomed houses, and four one-bedroomed flats.

Taking place at the Praze Institute on Fore Street in Praze an Beeble, the free-to-attend event will have representatives from Cornwall Homechoice and Ocean Housing on hand to discuss the process of bidding for the new rental properties. Plans for the scheme will also be displayed.

“We aim to ensure no local people miss out on this exciting opportunity to live within an area in which they have a strong affinity.”

Tim Boston, lettings and lifeline manager at Ocean Housing, said: “We are keen to ensure these properties go to local people with a strong connection to the Crowan parish.

“The homes are soon to be advertised on Cornwall Homechoice, and this open event aims to ensure potential applicants have a live and up-to-date application ready for when the properties become available for bidding. Cornwall Homechoice will be attending to offer advice and guidance on this.

“We aim to raise awareness of the timescales and availability, to ensure no local people miss out on this exciting opportunity to live within an area in which they have a strong affinity.”

For more information about renting or buying an affordable home with Ocean Housing, visit the Your Home section on our website.

The Ocean team will be in Mevagissey this month to talk about local shared ownership and affordable rent opportunities.

Have you ever wondered if you might qualify for affordable rented housing? Or have you considered whether shared ownership might be right for you?

If so – and you come from Mevagissey – this event could be perfect for you. Our affordable housing team will be hosting the drop-in event to explain how local residents can find out more about new affordable housing planned for the town.

Ocean Housing has previously developed two schemes in Mevagissey. Now a planning application for a third has just been submitted. Comprising of 26 new homes, the plans detail 18 affordable rent and eight shared ownership properties.

“The average house price in Mevagissey is more than £275,000*, pricing many locals out of the area.”

“We are keen that all sales and rental lettings go to local people from Mevagissey, who have a strong connection with the parish,” said Louise Pyle, head of commissioning at Ocean Housing.

“The average house price in the village is more than £275,000*, pricing many locals out of the area.

“The aim of this event is to raise awareness that local people may qualify for an affordable rented home, through the housing register or for a shared ownership home, even if they think they may not.”

The event will take place on Monday September 16, between 3pm – 7pm, at the Jubilee Hall on Chapel Street, Mevagissey (PL26 6SS).

Ocean Housing has previously developed two successful schemes in Mevagissey

This free-to-attend event requires no booking, you can simply drop-in when it most suits you. Those in attendance will also have free entry to a prize draw. The draw will see someone win a £50 shopping voucher.

We will have a number of specialists on hand to explain how shared ownership and affordable rented housing schemes work. The qualifying criteria to apply will also be outlined.

Further information about renting or buying an affordable home with Ocean Housing can be found throughout our website.

*Source: Rightmove

For all of us, the thought of having a new kitchen or bathroom is exciting. However, not having access to the rooms we use every day can be quite an upheaval…

It can be very daunting, especially for elderly residents. In some cases, our residents have declined to have any works done – in order to avoid the disruption.

That’s why, at Ocean, we want to re-assure our residents that we are here to make any work as easy as possible. Our tradesmen will work around you, so as not to disrupt your daily routine.

Carol from St Austell can vouch for that, having just had a new kitchen fitted.  She had previously declined the works, but this year our property supervisor Mark convinced her to agree to a kitchen refurbishment.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the kitchen and wish I’d had it done before now,” said Carol.

“I couldn’t have asked for more from Ocean”

“Steve and Louis were the tradesmen fitting the kitchen and were able to move appliances and ensure that water and cooking facilities were available at the end of each day.

“I couldn’t have asked for anymore from Ocean, they made it so easy and I just needed to empty my cupboards and clear the worktops.”

At Ocean, we replace kitchens & bathrooms on a continuous cycle. This year alone we are replacing 129 kitchens and 101 bathrooms with an investment of just under £650,000.

Carol from St Austell is delighted with her new kitchen – she wishes she’d done it before!

As tenants you have a real say with the works. You can choose the style of the cupboards, drawers, handles and worktops in their kitchens. You can also choose the colour of floor coverings in both kitchens and bathrooms.

There’s always going to be some disruption when we carry out these works, however this is kept to a minimum and we always explain what is involved. We aim to fully complete a kitchen within three to four days and a bathroom in three days.

If you would like to find out when your kitchen or bathroom is due for renewal please email help@oceanhousing.com

Ocean Housing is organising a Drop In Event in Hayle. It’s so that we can hear your views on our housing management service.

The event will be held at Hayle Rugby Club, opposite the West Cornwall Shopping Park, on Friday August 30.

We are keen to meet as many of you there as possible, and answer any questions that you may have.

Don’t worry, there’s no need to book an appointment. Simply ‘drop in’ at any time between 10.30am – 2.30pm.

There will be Ocean goodies for every household who attends. Meanwhile, refreshments will be available. Entertainment has also been planned for the young ones!

A FREE ENTRY prize draw will also take place, with the lucky winner able to win a £50 shopping voucher.

To find out more about what Ocean is doing in Your Community, stay tuned to our News and Social Media updates.

Ocean Housing, has officially opened its development of 57 new affordable homes in north Cornwall.

The homes are part of an £8 million project to develop the old MPG Books site in Bodmin. Built on land once used as the old parade ground for the military barracks, before being transformed into the old books factory, the site has a lot of history which has been reflected in street names such as Batallion Close and Bugle Way.

“Ocean Housing’s biggest scheme to date”

This has been Ocean Housing’s biggest scheme to date, receiving funding of £685,000 from Cornwall Council and £1,050,000 from Homes England.

The development has a mix of 20 shared ownership and 37 affordable rented homes, comprising 15 one-bedroom flats, 23 two-bedroomed and 19 three-bedroomed houses.

“MPG Books is one of our most beautiful schemes, and our first in Bodmin,” said Ocean Housing’s chief executive, Mark Gardner.

“A lot of thought was put into the design, including restoring some history from the old parade ground by replacing and repairing a traditional stone wall. We also installed a park with children’s play equipment in Bugle Way.”

“Location a massive benefit to Ocean residents”

With nearly 10,000 people on the Cornwall Homechoice register, and the average house price in Bodmin being *£192,031, Ocean Housing’s development has been welcomed by the town council and local residents.

Mark continued, “The scheme has a wide mix of housing which directly relates to the housing need in Bodmin. Its location is also a massive benefit to our residents, being close to the town centre, college, leisure centre, and industrial estate where many of them work.”

The scheme was officially opened by north Cornwall’s MP Scott Mann, and Cornwall Council’s Portfolio Holder for Homes councillor Andrew Mitchell on Thursday 22 August.

Affordable housing for local people is one of Scott Mann’s top priorities. He commented, “There has been, and continues to be, huge investment in Bodmin. The MPG Books development is an example of the quality that many of us would like to see replicated on other brownfield sites in the town.”

A full list of future development schemes and new homes for rent and shared ownership can be found at www.oceanhousing.com.

Our colleagues at Cornwall Council have put together a calendar of events from across the county which have a particular focus on health.

There are some great events planned most of which are free to attend.

You can view and download a copy of the calendar by clicking the link below:

Events Calendar 280519