SOLVING THE SHELTERED HOUSING PROBLEM

Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has found that 92% of local authorities and 79% of large housing associations have sheltered housing schemes they find difficult to let. 

CSHS, the Centre for Sheltered Housing Studies, and Word Association have joined forces to stage a conference to help landlords solve the problem of managing, developing and promoting schemes which are falling below the standards expected by older people today.

The one-day conference will take place on March 14, 2007 at the Ambassadors Hotel, Bloomsbury, London. Presentations will cover:

• Why some sheltered housing is hard to let
• Refurbishing and revitalising to meet higher expectations
• Reaching out – marketing schemes effectively
• Widening allocation criteria
• Innovative solutions for remodelling older schemes

Download the conference brochure at www.wordassociation.co.uk/cshs. To book visit: www.cshs.co.uk, email: cshs@cornwall.ac.uk or call: 01905 727272.

Front cover picture, Inside Housing, November 3, 2006. Great photography was the key to getting coverage for Leicester's Foundation Housing Association. Our clients appear in this key publication for the housing sector regularly. To find out more about getting coverage in your trade press contact Mark Thomas. 

MARKETING TO CHANGE LIVES
– THE 2007 SURVEY

Word is conducting a pioneering survey in 2007. It aims to learn more about how effectively the public sector communicates with service users. We will also be asking what works, what the current status of marketing in the sector is and where it needs developing further. 

Mark Thomas, chief executive of Word Association, says: “What the survey is trying to do is find out the extent to which people's lives are changed and what works and what doesn't. The information will be put on our website as a guide to good practice for all public sector communicators.  We also hope it will generate a debate about how focused public sector marketing is on the clients, the people we are here to help.”

The survey can be completed at: www.wordassociation.co.uk/survey2007.html

CREATING A MARKETING STRATEGY FOR ADVOCACY CHARITY

Leamington-based charity Advocacy Alliance is working with Word to develop its marketing strategy. The strategy, which was presented to staff and trustees in December, makes a number of important recommendations on branding, events, media relations and a website.

Advocacy Alliance director Chris Bratchie, said: “As Advocacy Alliance continues to grow to meet the requirements of our clients, it is important to ensure we have a solid, cohesive and overarching marketing strategy to promote our service to individuals and organisations that may not be aware of the full range of services that we have to offer.

“It was important we partnered with an organisation that could understand our requirements, was used to working in the voluntary sector and had a reputation for delivering exacting standards of service. To this end we selected Word Association.”

Advocacy Alliance is an organisation that helps people speak out who may find it difficult to communicate. It has an essential role in providing help for those who may be vulnerable, due to illness, disability or old age. Advocates have many roles, including the provision of support at hospital ward round meetings and care assessments, plus support withhousing, banking, disability issues, tribunals and court proceedings.  A financial appointee service for vulnerable older people in residential care is also provided. 

Find out more about our marketing strategy service.

EMH Charity Ball raises £15K

Word Association recently supported a charity ball staged at Leicester’s Walkers Stadium. The ball was part of a fund raising appeal organised by East Midlands Housing (EMH) in aid of the South East Asia earthquake. The appeal has raised £15,000 so far.

Word sponsored a table at the event and took part in some lively bidding in the auction. As well as raising money for a worthy cause, the evening was very entertaining, and the Word team danced their way through to the early hours.

Caroline has taken on the role of media relations manager.  Before joing us, she worked freelance as a PR consultant for a range of manufacturing and professional businesses.  Prior to that, she was the uk pr and communications manager for a multinational chemicals and laboratory supplies business. She has also worked for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.  In her free time she runs, cycles, reads and gardens.

A former Leicester Mercury reporter, Julie Stretton's career includes working for the Press Association in Parliament, at the Old Bailey and on several big national news stories. She also freelanced for the Sun, Daily Express and Daily Mirror. She ran the press office for the Institute of Directors in her role as head of communications and was involved in organising the press coverage of the IoD’s annual convention at the Albert Hall.  Outside of work, Julie says her inquiring mind means she’ll try anything and is currently enjoying playing golf and bridge, reading, keeping fit, cooking and trying to find bargains on eBay.

Deputy chief executive, Sarah Thomas, makes a welcome return in the New Year after her baby break.