This week (11-17th July) is Rural Housing Week. Eden Housing Association (EHA) is using the week as a platform to shine the spotlight on new affordable rural homes in Appleby. Two of seven new homes have just been released to local working families. Rural Housing Week is focusing on issues of affordable homes and aspirations for a living, working countryside. John Clasper Managing Director at EHA said “National census figures highlight that more than 1 in 5 of England’s population live in rural areas. Eden District is the least populated district in England, with just 25 people per sq. km – that makes us entirely rural. Support for rural communities has never been more important. “There is evidence that people are choosing to move way from rural areas because of the shortage of affordable rural homes and the cost of living there. We need new affordable rented homes right across our district. According to statistics, in some rural areas, only 1/5th of the homes needed have been built in the last 5 years*.” New housing in market towns and villages is vital for the survival of rural communities and services. Not only are housing associations helping local people to continue…

Family Fun Day is a winner with Dads and raises money too Families pitched up at Penrith RUFC on Father’s Day for a Family Fun Event and car boot sale organised by Eden Housing Association (EHA), and ‘ECHO’ – their Residents Assembly. The aim was to create a value for money event focusing on craft and activities to entertain families and raise money for charity. Families from across Eden enjoyed a wide variety of activities including huck-a-duck, tombola’s, designing a crown, jewellery making, trying the disability games, letting off steam on the bouncy castle and meeting the police and fire services. All activities were kept to £1 or less to ensure the best value for families, but also raising money for EHA’s nominated charity Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland. Sarah Bowman, Community Development Officer at Eden Housing Association said “This is the fifth Fun Day we have run, but the first on Father’s Day so we wanted to add in a few new activities that Dad’s might enjoy. There was Ernies Shed’, old ironwork display and Eden Valley Model Aero Club, plus Pete Osborn the wood turner who demonstrated making spinning tops for the kids, the team from…

Eden Housing Association is recognised for partnership working at TPAS Award ceremony Shortlisted for an award, Eden Housing Association represented Cumbria in a national award category that recognises excellence in engaging with contractors. It is the first time they have been nominated at the awards and only narrowly lost out on the top place. The awards are organised each year by TPAS –tenant engaging experts who bring together landlords, tenants and contractors to improve services. The shortlisted entry from Eden Housing Association focused on their ‘Creative Van Art’ project which involved working with contractors ‘Partnering in Property Management Ltd’ (PPM), Kirkby Stephen Grammar School (KSGS) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The aim was to create artwork to be used as van wraps for PPM vehicles in the area and at the same time, create awareness of apprenticeship opportunities. Students at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School stretched their creativity by designing a van bonnet that expresses how they feel about their local community. The two winning designs were then used as covers for the two PPM Ltd vans that travel across Eden. Sarah Bowman, Community Development Officer at Eden Housing Association co-ordinated the project, working closely with Mrs Modlin, Kirkby…

WISH Cumbria gets assertive – it is OK to say no Cumbrian branch of WISH (Women in Social Housing), held their latest event in Kendal, where attendees learned a few new tricks to help them become more assertive. Speaker Emma McColm from Lakes Coaching provided top tips, highlighting the difference between assertiveness and aggression. Feedback from women working in social housing right across Cumbria provided the organisers of WISH Cumbria with a list of topics that would be really useful for personal development. How to be more confident and assertive were at the top of that list. WISH events have been held in other parts of the country, but the WISH Cumbria team were keen to source local providers and eager to work with Lakes Coaching. Over twenty women took part in the event, including a team from Napthens Solicitors who sponsored the event. Carolyn Greenhalgh Assistant Director at Eden Housing Association and Chair of WISH Cumbria said “Our group is definitely gathering momentum and that’s because we have such a good mix of people; there were solicitors, surveyors, maintenance contractors as well as those involved in fund raising and housing management. It created a really nice buzz on the…