TS10 Redcar bloggers

INDIE SHOWCASE EVENING 27th April 2013

2013-04-24T08:32:22Z

Coatham Memorial Hall
7 Coatham Rd, Redcar, TS10 1RH
£3.50 Entry on the door - In Aid of Redcar Development Trust & Macmillan Cancer Support

Line Up

1. Special Guests - To be chosen from amongst 50 bands playing at Stockton Calling

2. Josh & Alex - From James Arthur's original band Saltburn's Josh & Alex bring acoustic based wildness....

3. Lessons - Their sublime indie sound has been likened to American bands The Gaslight Anthem and Alkaline Trio. The band travelled to Middlesbrough's Twin Town Oberhausen last year to perform at Olgas Rock alongside international punk legends Yellowcard and Zebrahead. Recently launched a split-EP with No School Reunion. The best indie band from Redcar!

4. 3 Foot Ninja - From the wilds of the North York Moors - the best indie-punk band in the North. Played hundreds of gigs with bands such as The Subways, Ash, Wilko Johnson, The Buzzcocks. Radio play on BBC Radio 1 and BBC6 and podcasts worldwide. Their debut album launched at Middlesbrough's Empire (Gig of the Week - Evening Gazette) has received massive critical acclaim: "Exceptional debut... this album will grab you in the first ringing bar, shake you around and not let you go until the final knockings. You will be a changed person for the ride" - NARC Magazine

Charities get £6,000 boost from staff at Coast & Country

2013-04-18T13:06:51Z

Three local charities have been handed £6,000 each after fund-raising efforts by staff at Coast & Country.

A dedicated "charity champions" group of workers has pulled out all the stops for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), the Teesside baby hospice charity Zoë's Place, and Cancer Research UK.

Iain Sim, Chief Executive, of Coast & Country, one of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, said: "We are so proud of the efforts of our workers. I challenged our charity champions to raise £5,000 for each for these very deserving causes, and they managed to exceed that figure.

"In recognition of their fantastic efforts, Coast & Country topped this figure up to £6,000."

He added: "Our staff have shown once again they have a real heart and a real feel for the people in their communities."

The Coast & Country staff used a variety of methods to raise the money - they baked cakes, participated in a coast to coast bike ride, held golf days, marathons and several Boxing Day dips and organised a Santa's Grotto.

The money was handed over to representatives of the three charities at a special event at Coast & Country's Westfield Farm community training and resource centre.

Mandy Drake, Deputy Director of the Great North Air Ambulance, said: "We are bowled over by the effort and the donation given by Coast & Country. These fund raising efforts are what keep us in the air and providing the service that people in our area are so keen to maintain."

Liz Jacobs, Corporate Fundraiser, of Zoë's Place, said: "The £6,000 we have received from Coast & Country is so very welcome. It is wonderful to know that we are in people's thoughts and we can tell everyone who raised money for us that it will really make a very big difference."

Abby Christie, Volunteer Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: "We are grateful for the money we have received and the efforts made to raise this money. As a national charity, we are dependent on people going that extra mile for us. Coast & Country have certainly done that."

Residents get on-line with Coast & Country

2013-04-05T09:15:55Z

A new computer skills centre, aimed at giving people easy access to the internet, training with computers and guidance on funding and benefits, has been launched by Coast & Country.

The housing company, which focuses on creating a better future for its residents, has set up a UK On-line Centre at its Westfield Farm community resource centre in Dormanstown.

Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast & Country, one of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, said: "We're very excited about this.

"More than 60 percent of our tenants don't have access to the internet. We want to ensure as many of our tenants as possible tap into the practical benefits of the internet - such being able to save money by researching and obtaining cheaper deals online.

"In addition, those looking for work, will be able to easily search and apply for jobs or see what training and courses are available while others can research the benefits to which they may be entitled."

UK On-line has a network of centres throughout the country and runs its own courses, and well as offering learning resources from partners including the BBC and Digital Unite. Its gateway website has been designed as a 'one-stop shop' for new internet users, where they can get the best possible start to their online life.

Coast & Country also is recruiting digital champions from among its residents - who will staff a drop-in service for people at the farm offering friendly advice and introducing them to email and navigating around websites.

TV's Fairy Jobmother, Hayley Taylor, who is a patron of Westfield Farm, said: "Access to the internet is vital for people as they seek jobs. Many jobs these days involve email applications and online form-filling.

"The UK On-line centre at Westfield Farm, therefore, will help many more people find employment. As a patron of Westfield Farm, I am very proud of how Coast & Country is expanding and adding to the facilities at this fantastic community resource centre.

"There is so much talent out there among the Coast & Country residents. I know, I've met them. And remember, it's not just a one way thing - employers need the best people in these hard times."

The internet initiative is the latest development at Westfield Farm, which is now a major resource centre for local people.

Coast & Country's Westfield Farm is a thriving hub of activity, offering training, meeting and conference facilities. It also provides a base for the Working Communities Team which is made up of nine Jobcentre Plus staff working alongside Coast & Country and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council's Routes to Employment Team.

The converted farm also has community gardens and allotments.

Coast & Country in top 20 of best UK organisations to work for

2013-03-25T14:36:32Z

Coast & Country is in the top 20 of the UK's best organisations to work for, according to a prestigious national listing.

One of the largest regeneration and housing regeneration companies in the North East, has seen its position soar from 77th place last year to 19th in the Sunday Times' respected Top 100 Not-for-Profit Organisations to Work For.

Coast & Country has also moved up from a one star, (very good) company to a two star, (outstanding) company.

It has been ranked in 19th place after staff were asked to comment on how they felt about working for Coast & Country, the quality of its leadership, its community ethos, the opportunities available and the calibre of its workforce development programmes.

The organisation scored in the top 10 for five of the Sunday Times' eight survey factors, with the highest scores coming in the "Wellbeing" and "Fair Deal" categories, with an amazing 81% of staff saying that they were proud to work for the company.

Leadership, management, fairness, and staff personal development also have been highlighted by employees as major plus factors.

Coast & Country manages more than 10,000 homes across the Redcar and Cleveland area and employs more than 500 staff.

The Sunday Times says the listing highlights the best organisations to work for 'voted for by the people that know them best - their workers'.

Iain Sim, Coast & Country Chief Executive, said: "To have risen up this prestigious ranking to now be one of the top 20 not-for-profit organisations to work for is a fantastic achievement and we could not have accomplished this without the support and hard work of our employees.

"People lie at the very heart of everything at Coast & Country from our employees, who play a vital role in the running of the business, to the residents who are involved in all that we do to improve our services in the many communities that we work in.

"Without our hard-working and dedicated staff, Coast & Country would not be the organisation that it is. Our strategy will be to continue supporting and nurturing our staff's career development, equipping them with the knowledge, confidence and tools to do an efficient job as well as treating them with respect, and providing a healthy work-life balance."

Paula Breen, Chair of the Coast & Country Housing Board said: "I and the Board are extremely proud of the achievement of getting into the Top 20 on this very prestigious list.

"It shows the hard work and dedication from all at the Company, to make Coast & Country a great place to work. We firmly believe that supporting and developing our staff, and creating a company which people are proud to work for is the key to creating a culture which seeks to deliver excellent customer service and which seeks to involve our customers in all aspects of our business.

NORTH EAST BEDROOM TAX PROTEST GAINS MOMENTUM

2013-03-15T11:45:10Z

A people-power protest against the Bedroom Tax is gaining momentum across the North East following a Summit organised by Coast & Country Tenant Panel.

The Bedroom Tax Summit, held on Teesside, attracted 72 tenant representatives, from 24 housing providers, which supply housing for 95,000 tenants.

The tenant representatives, who attended the summit, now are putting plans of action in place to engage with residents, their local councillors and MPs and the media.

This includes:

• Developing a formal Welfare Reforms North East network

• Organising local anti-Bedroom Tax demonstrations/events

• Launching local petitions within their communities and estates

• Embracing social media to post comments on the Welfare Reforms and their implications

• Contributing to a North East Welfare Reform Newsletter.

The key messages that the delegates want to hammer home across the North East are that:

• Welfare Reforms, and the bedroom tax in particular, are unfair
• It is devastating for thousands of tenants affected by 'Bedroom Tax'
• It will put tenants at risk of losing their homes

Kim Gallagher, who chairs the Coast & Country Tenant Panel, said: "The aim of the Summit was to arm delegates with the knowledge and information to go back to their local communities and launch their own campaigns.

"The feedback we have had from the Summit has been very positive with delegates now raring to organise their own protests and events and help give a voice to the 95,000 social housing tenants in the North East.

"With each delegate keen to galvanise their community I believe that their local campaigns will contribute to a greater whole in the bid to get the Government to re-think this extremely unfair tax that will hit some of the most vulnerable and poorest people in society."

Households deemed to have one surplus bedroom will have the level of rent used to assess their Housing Benefit cut by 14 per cent.

That will rise to 25 per cent for people who have two or more "spare" bedrooms.

The region wide grassroots protest campaign follows Coast & Country's Tenant Panel holding a Welfare Reform Bedroom Tax Summit last month (February 26) with tenants' representatives from housing associations across the North East.

Delegates comprised those from:
• Coast & Country
• Tees Valley
• Erimus
• Dale and Valley
• ISOS
• Cestria
• Livin
• Durham City Homes
• Endeavour
• Teesdale Housing
• Darlington Housing Association
• Housing Hartlepool
• East Durham Housing Partnership
• Derwentside Homes
• South Tyneside Homes
• Two Castles
• Gentoo
• Homes for Northumberland
• Home
• Three Rivers
• Darlington Council
• Fabrick
• Vela
• Community Campus, which manages tenancies.

Caretakers receive distinction in their first qualifications

2013-03-05T12:28:50Z

Three caretakers from Coast & Country have achieved outstanding success in their first ever job related qualification.

Dave Phillips, Lee Wright and Mark Graham, who are all employed as caretakers to improve housing within the community, received the highest possible grade for the NVQ Level 2 in Caretaking. All three qualified with distinctions.

Iain Sim, chief executive of Coast & Country, one of the biggest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, said: "At Coast & Country we take real pride in staff development, encouraging employees to expand their skills and knowledge wherever possible. The caretakers all worked really hard to achieve distinctions. They are a credit to themselves and Coast & Country.

"We have seen the benefit of their training already as they are all tackling more complex projects, such as plastering, painting and decorating, all of which contributes to improving the homes of our residents."

The NVQ is the first vocational qualification to be achieved by Mark Graham, who looks after vacant properties as a voids caretaker, and Dave Phillips and Lee Wright, who both are part of the community investment team.

The NVQ course units, which comprised both practical and theoretical elements, have enhanced the caretakers' skills set and given them the confidence to tackle a wide range of projects that will benefit Coast & Country residents.

Lee Wright said: "It is great to have a qualification based on the work that I do every day. It has even given me the confidence and skills to take on more challenging projects.

"The course was enjoyable and taught me a great deal. The three of us are immensely proud of what we have achieved."

Campaign launched to harness voice of tenants in bedroom tax protest

2013-02-27T10:18:34Z

Coast & Country's Tenant panel is harnessing the voice and power of 100,000 social housing tenants from across the region to launch a mass protest against the Bedroom Tax.

From April, the Government will introduce the cut in Housing Benefits for anyone working age living in social housing who has spare bedrooms. This is part of a raft of changes introduced through the Welfare Reform Act.
Households deemed to have one surplus bedroom will have the level of rent used to assess their Housing Benefit cut by 14 per cent.
That will rise to 25 per cent for people who have two or more "spare" bedrooms.
Coast & Country's Tenant Panel organised a Welfare Reform Bedroom Tax Summit with tenants' representatives from 19 housing associations across the North East.
The aim was to educate them about the tax and its implications and mobilise them to go back to their areas and galvanise fellow tenants to launch protest campaigns.
Iain Sim, Coast & Country Chief Executive, said: "Last year we had an uprising about the pasty tax, now we have the nasty tax.

"The Bedroom Tax is nasty because it is affecting some of the poorest people in society, who through no fault of their own are living in homes that are classed as too big for them."

Mr Sim said the aim of the Summit was to help give a voice to 100,000-plus social housing tenants in the North East over the Welfare Reforms.

Mr Sim added: "If you look at the mechanics of the Bedroom Tax it is grossly unjust and could potentially cost the Government more.

"Coast & Country has 1,800 tenants who are under occupying, but we only have two one-bedroom properties empty and to let. If all these people moved to private rented accommodation where rents are significantly higher than our rents the Housing Benefits bill in Redcar and Cleveland alone would rise by £450,000."

The tenants that attended the Summit, which was held at the Wynyard Rooms, in Tees Valley, came from

• Coast & Country
• Tees Valley
• Erimus
• Dale and Valley
• ISOS
• Cestria
• Livin
• Durham City Homes
• Endeavour
• Teesdale Housing
• Darlington Housing Association
• Housing Hartlepool
• East Durham Housing Partnership
• Derwentside Homes
• South Tyneside Homes
• Two Castles
• Gentoo

• Homes for Northumberland
• Home

Trust set up to foster a love of learning

2013-02-14T14:08:47Z

An educational trust has been re-launched to boost the aspirations and educational attainment of young people and the wider community in the Redcar and Cleveland and Esk Valley areas.

Six secondary schools, Bydales, Kirkleatham Hall, Rye Hills, Sacred Heart, Redcar Academy, and Laurence Jackson, and three primary schools, Zetland, Castleton and Glaisdale, have joined forces to establish the Trust 4 Learning.

The Trust will work with a range of community partners including Coast & Country, one of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, Darlington Building Society, The Sage Gateshead, Teesside University, Prior Pursglove College, Redcar & Cleveland College and The Centre for Process Innovation.

The Trust, which embraces a total of 4,750 pupils, has been established to:

• Unlock the entrepreneurial and creative energies of its communities
• Promote innovation, inclusion, and inspirational education
• Encourage social equality and good citizenship
• Foster dynamic and productive partnerships

Trust 4 Learning spokesman Tony Hobbs said: "The aim of the Trust is to bring together the individual strengths of the nine schools and the partner agencies as a collective resource, schools and partners working together to pursue excellence in all areas of educational endeavour.

"This collaboration will add value to the learning journey for pupils in the Redcar and Cleveland and Esk Valley area and also provide long-lasting learning opportunities for the wider community.

"The Trust's pioneering approach will help young people achieve as much as they can, provide meaningful work experience and career support and advice, and help foster a spirit of aspiration."

Iain Sim, Coast & Country Chief Executive, said: "Coast & Country is committed to supporting initiatives to improve the well-being of the wider community.
"The Trust will be a great asset to the area by ensuring that young people reach their full potential from both an academic and personal development point of view."

The Trust also will:

• Extend the provision and access to high quality facilities, services and learning opportunities for members of the whole community

• Share experiences and provide a range of support and expertise beyond what the schools are able to offer individually

• Through external partners, provide learning and development opportunities for both students and staff, activities to support the curriculum and access to specialist resources

Payday loan danger day campaign success

2013-02-12T12:54:44Z

A hard-hitting Payday Loan Danger Day campaign has reached a substantial proportion of people living in Redcar and Cleveland and driven home the message that cash-strapped households should steer clear of payday loans.

The campaign, led by Coast & Country, a social housing provider in Tees Valley in the North East of England, warned that there are 'some sharks you can't see coming'.

Coast & Country, one of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, has taken a stand to counter the large scale advertising of payday loan companies and to publicise other forms of affordable alternatives, including credit unions, and the advice available to help people

The campaign directly connected with 11,500 residents, about ten percent of the local population.

Teams of experts from Coast & Country have been on the streets talking to local people, while advertising vans toured the area to ensure the message hit home!

Text messages were sent to tenants and newsletters and business cards were distributed throughout the Redcar and Cleveland borough.

Coast & Country has pledged that its campaign against payday loans will continue.

Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast & Country, said: "We will not rest in our fight to warn people of the dangers of payday loans.

"While our research identified January 24 as one of the peak times for taking out a payday loan, for many hard-up families every day is payday loan danger day as they wrestle in vain to make their income stretch to pay for daily necessities.

"Our teams of money management experts will continue hammering home the message that people should say no to payday loans and that there are affordable alternatives for those struggling to make ends meet.

"As the price of staples such as gas, electricity and food continues to squeeze households on low incomes, payday loans will continue to be a temptation as they strive to pay their bills.

"Some money lending websites charge a staggering 4,000 percent interest and it is far too easy for people to find themselves on a payday loan treadmill.

"Among the damning statistics surrounding payday loans is that one in three is taken out to pay off existing payday loans.

"Our advice is that people should think very carefully before taking on a payday loan as it can lead to them sinking further into debt.

"One of our key on-going missions will be to highlight the warning that "there are 'some sharks you can't see coming' to an even wider audience."

Research commissioned by Coast & Country highlighted that Payday Loan Danger Day was the date when people struggling to make ends meet are tempted to take out a pay day loan.

It fell on 24th January and was caused by the long gap between December and January wage packets. According to ICM research commissioned for the campaign, more than half a million people in the North East were paid on December 24; ahead of the Christmas holidays but nearly six weeks before the next payday on January 31st.

PAY DAY LOANS VERSUS CREDIT UNIONS:

With some companies, borrowers can choose between one and 30 days to settle a loan.

If someone borrowed £250 from Wonga and gave themselves a 28-day deadline to pay off the loan, they would incur £76.06 in fees and interest. This would take what they owed from £250 to £326.06 and would involve a massive weekly payment of £81.52.

However, there are much more affordable alternatives such as **Community Banks, also known as Credit Unions, where people can access money at reasonable rates.

In sharp contrast to a payday loan, £250 borrowed from a typical Community Bank could be paid back during a year at a cost of £5.30 a week, which is an APR of 19.6 percent.
Coast & Country has drawn up ten top tips on how to get out of debt and manage money:
1. Don't ignore debt: make it the first thing that you deal with.
2. Look at which debts need to be paid off first such as your rent, council tax, gas and electricity.
3. Don't ignore letters: make sure you reply to everything you get and make a payment plan to pay back your debt.
4. Talk to the companies to which you owe money: tell them all your details and how you are going to pay them back.
5. Make a budget and fill in a financial statement: look at your income and your outgoings, stick to a budget and decide how much of your debt you can afford to pay back.
6. Save money to make money: look at your spending and how you could save money, save energy, compare gas and electricity and supermarket prices.
7. Stop borrowing: do not take out any more loans and do not borrow from a payday loan website or a doorstep loan shark to pay off your debts, as they charge much higher rates of interest. If you do need to borrow look at affordable avenues such as Community Bank/credit unions.
8. Check your benefits: make sure you are getting everything to which you are entitled.
9. It's good to talk: make the most of the help and advice out there.
10. Don't panic: there is lots of help out there.
Coast & Country tenants can access its money management services by calling 01642 771424 or visiting helpwithmoney.cch-online.org.uk.

Other organisations that can help with money management include:
The Money Advice Service: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
UK Credit Unions - www.ukcu.co.uk

WR Financial Grows To Handle Auto Enrolment Workload

2013-02-04T13:50:09Z

Three new recruits are helping Tees Valley-based WR Financial Management gear up for the increased workload from the Government's auto enrolment pension programme.

The Stockton-based firm has taken its team to 17 with the addition of Andrea Softley, Perry Preston and Jack Mylchreest.

The Government's auto enrolment scheme is being rolled out, with employers obliged to offer workplace pensions to all employees. The phased scheme will see all companies included in auto enrolment by October 2018.

WR Financial Management is already dealing with a number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) preparing for auto enrolment. The largest companies were brought into the scheme in October 2012, while all employers with more the 250 staff should already be preparing for their deadline of February 2014.

Tony Slimmings, Managing Director of WR Financial Management, said: "The auto enrolment pension reform is one of the most important new pieces of legislation for business in many years and encompasses all companies, regardless of sector, structure or size.

"Many employers are having to think about pensions for the first time, and they have a deadline to work to, so we are seeing a significant increase in new business."

WR Financial Management was founded in 1987 and offers independent financial advice to individuals and businesses.

Andrea, from Peterlee, has joined the firm's Employees Benefits Team, having obtained a LLB in Law from Newcastle University. New private clients team member Perry, from Redcar, graduated from Teesside University where he obtained an Accounting Finance degree. Jack, from Darlington, has joined the pensions and benefits team, having been recruited from a leading employee benefits consultancy in Edinburgh.

Tony continued: "The growth in the business is a real boost because it allows us to recruit and develop young North East talent. It is great to bring Andrea, Perry and Jack into the team to help us deal with the new business auto enrolment is bringing."

Minister heaps praise on Teesside schools

2013-01-12T10:04:20Z

FIVE top-performing primary schools on Teesside have been praised personally by the Schools Minister for their hard work and success.

Schools Minister David Laws wrote to the schools to congratulate them on their primary school test results.

The schools - four of which are Roman Catholic schools - scored 100% in each of the three measures the Government sets as "floor standards".

At the end of primary school, pupils are expected to achieve a minimum of a level 4 in the English progress measure, the maths progress measure and in English and maths combined.

Three schools in Redcar and Cleveland were praised by the minister - St Bede's Catholic VA Primary School in Marske, St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School in Loftus and Guisborough's Saint Paulinus Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School.

Two in Stockton borough were also on his list - The Links Primary School in Eaglescliffe and Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary RC Primary School in Billingham.

Headteacher of St Paulinus School, on The Avenue, Simon Geaves, was thrilled to receive the letter.

He said: "I'm obviously delighted with the results these children attained and it's wonderful to have that recognised by the schools minister.

"The results are testament to the hard work and commitment of the children and staff.

"It's important to note that it's not just the Year 6 teachers who have a hand in these results - it's a team effort.

"Children all have different starting points when they begin school, so it's everyone who teaches them from when they begin, aged three, who's helped them to achieve.

"But as with anything like this, it is just a snapshot of life at our school. Results, particularly in English and maths, are so important but there's a lot more that goes on at our school too that's equally important.

"Our motto is to be the best that they can be, and they've all lived up to that. I'm very proud."

And Alison Toward, headteacher at St Joseph's, echoed his sentiments.

She said: "We received the letter just before we broke up for Christmas. It's great to get the recognition and to be able to share it with teachers. A lot of hard work goes into achieving results like that."

The Schools Minister said: "I would like to congratulate all staff, governors and pupils for their hard work and success and to thank the head for the leadership in continuing the drive towards the highest standards of educational achievement."

Ann Charlton Lodge receives Christmas 'cracker' of a donation

2012-12-20T14:20:06Z

A residential home caring for people with multiple sclerosis has received a Christmas 'cracker' of a donation from the Redcar branch of Darlington Building Society.

Ann Charlton Lodge, in the town's Edenhall Grove, has been given £250 from the Society's Community Fund.

The Christmas contribution is going towards the cost of refurbishing some residents' bedrooms.

The purpose-built Lodge, which is for people with multiple sclerosis and related central nervous system conditions, opened in 1992, thanks to the amazing drive and fundraising efforts of Ann Charlton.

Sadly, Ann died at the age of 66 in November 2010, but her legacy lives on in the shape of the £1.5m Ann Charlton Lodge, which provides care to 23 permanent residents and also has two respite care rooms.

The Lodge aims to create a home from home feeling in a warm, caring environment so residents get the best possible support that suits their needs.

The Lodge's qualified team is committed to promoting independence, choice, dignity and privacy
Julie Bourne, Darlington Building Society South Cleveland District Manger, said: "Ann Charlton Lodge is a wonderful facility with caring staff, who make a real difference to people's qualify of life.

"A couple of our customers use its fantastic facilities and as a result we are aware of the superb support and care it provides to those with multiple sclerosis and related conditions."

Maureen Ireland, Ann Charlton Lodge Manager, said: "The Lodge is independently run and we hold our own events throughout the year as well as relying on public donations to help to pay towards its upkeep.

"The generous gesture from Darlington Building Society will go towards helping us refurbish some of the residents' bedrooms."

Each branch in Darlington Building Society's network is allocated an annual community fund with staff able to choose which local worthy cause they want to support

Coast & Country Employee Honoured At National Awards

2012-12-17T12:45:51Z

Coast & Country employee Wilf Peggs has been recognised for his passion and commitment to an innovative project that has created a unique Teesside community resource.

Wilf, 62, was named North East Achiever of the Year at the Constructing Excellence North East Awards, going on to the national finals, where he was highly commended.

The regional award judges said: "The winner of this award showed exemplary actions that have changed the behaviour and performance of others and delivered disproportionate benefits for, and left a legacy in, the outputs of the built environment sector."

One of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, Coast & Country has renovated historic farm buildings at Dormanstown, in Redcar and Cleveland, to create a range of much-needed opportunities and facilities.

It needed a very special individual to manage the Westfield Farm project on site, day in day out - someone with the character and understanding to make this project a success for the Dormanstown community - Coast & Country found those credentials in Wilf Peggs.

A joiner by trade, Wilf has 48 years' experience, with knowledge and traditional skills, learnt as an apprentice and then as a qualified tradesman in Teesside shipyards.

Wilf, who has been employed by Coast & Country since 2004, quickly became the main driver of Westfield Farm's transformation on site, establishing links with the local authority's conservation officer and building control, contractors, workers and the project team.

During an early Westfield Farm meeting, Wilf came up with the idea of Coast & Country staff pledging time to help on the project and enlisting the support of contractors and suppliers to pledge materials, time and workers.

He also has nurtured and mentored apprentices working on the farm's conversion instilling them with a sense of confidence and passing on his building trade knowhow.

Iain Sim said: "Wilf has become the local face of Westfield Farm and this national recognition is well-deserved.

"His passion for the project has been second-to-none and thanks to his knowledge and commitment Westfield Farm has been transformed into vital community resource.

"He has been an inspiration to the young people working on the project with all the apprentices looking to him to guide them and help them learn the skills of the trade."

Mr Sim added: "Without Wilf, Westfield Farm would not be what it is today and its existence is a tribute to him. To manage the project as well as he has is a real credit to his dedication and his motivational abilities."

The new-look Westfield Farm offers training, meeting and conference facilities, community gardens and allotments, a community resource and training centre, and a base from which Coast & Country delivers its 'Journey into Work' programme.

It also is a base for the Working Communities Team and Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency.

The Working Communities Team comprises nine Jobcentre Plus staff working alongside Coast & Country and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council's Routes to Employment Team to take the service out to communities

Future plans for Westfield Farm include a local residents' food co-op growing and selling produce and the launch of a catering social enterprise.

Westfield Farm, a grade two listed building, is made up of a farm cottage and a farm house together with land and gardens that once included a working orchard.

The cottage was built about 1750 with the house being added about 100 years later. They are the only original buildings left in the area from the 18th Century.

Coast & Country Strengthens Its Management Team

2012-12-13T11:02:54Z

Coast & Country has appointed two experienced industry professionals to drive its ambitious development plans forward.

John O'Hare has been appointed Head of Commercial and Assets and Marie Lodge has joined the organisation, one of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, as Senior Development Manager.

John is responsible for leading the resource planning, commercial and asset management teams to achieve corporate objectives and key performance targets.

His remit also is to strengthen Coast & Country's commercial strategy to improve the delivery of the core property and assets operation and expand the business.

Marie will oversee Coast & Country's new build development programmes focusing on quality, value for money, schemes being completed on time and within budget and the meeting of Homes and Community Agency targets for the delivery of affordable housing.

John has worked for several leading names in the house building sector including Barratt Developments, George Wimpey and Persimmon.

His career progression saw him become a Commercial Director. Before being recruited by Coast & Country he was a director of C to C Surveying.

Marie, during her housing career, has held a variety of roles in front line customer care and management of leasehold property.

She has worked in the field of Regeneration and Development for ten years, overseeing the delivery of a wide range of projects including complex regeneration schemes, Extra Care and supported housing.

Iain Sim said: "John and Marie bring a wealth of experience that will further strengthen Coast & Country's ability to deliver high quality affordable homes across the North.

"Their blend of private sector and social housing knowledge will help ensure that Coast & Country's development strategies and regeneration programmes achieve successful outcomes for the benefit of our residents and the wider community."

Coast & Country's Homecall Awarded Highest Industry Standard for the Fourth Time

2012-12-10T11:10:48Z

HomeCall, Coast & Country's 24-hour community alarm and independent living service for elderly and vulnerable residents, has received further accreditation from the industry watchdog for the fourth year running.

Coast & Country retained the Telecare Services Association (TSA), Code of Practice award following a rigorous independent inspection, which confirmed that all areas of HomeCall - referral, 24-hour call monitoring and warden response service - are being carried out to the highest standard.

Jason Lowe, Head of Independent Living Services at Coast & Country, one of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, said: "The HomeCall service makes a real difference to the lives of residents, who are elderly and vulnerable.

"It provides confidence and peace of mind for their families and friends, who know that there is a guaranteed emergency response from our highly skilled staff when needed.

"The TSA Code of Practice award is only given to the providers that maintain the highest of standards. With the HomeCall service retaining it for the fourth consecutive year, it is clear that Coast & Country, as one of a small number of elite providers of telecare services nationally and the only accredited organisation in Redcar and Cleveland, is the premier provider of home support for the elderly and vulnerable in the area, and we are very proud of this achievement."

The service, which is available to all residents across Tees Valley and North Yorkshire , not only Coast & Country tenants, costs from 60 pence per day and provides a 24 hour emergency call monitoring, telecare and warden response service.

Residents are also able to receive access to a range of services to support independent living such as the valuable 'handyman' repair service. A real one stop shop for residents wishing to rely on an local organisation they trust.

HomeCall factfile for 2011/12:
• Provides a first point of contact and a vital lifeline to more than 3,500 people
• More than 80,000 calls handled
• More than 2,500 emergency response visits made
• 98% of calls answered within 60 seconds
• Majority of calls are attended to within 45 minutes