Wheatfields housing development in Bury supports seven community projects
Working closely with Bury Council, leading North West housing association Onward Homes is enabling more people to put down roots in Whitefield through the development of 30 new affordable homes on the former site of Wheatfields Day Centre.
As well as providing much-needed new homes, Onward is also partnering with local organisations to maximise the positive impact of the development in the wider area. Through Match My Project, a social value tool, community groups and organisations can request support for local projects from the housing association’s supply chain.
Over the last 12 months, a local contractor who is working on the development, John Southworth, has gone beyond house building to support seven community projects in the area.
This has included a careers event at St Monica’s High School, where employees gave an insight into the roles available in the construction industry, the replacement of flooring, worktops and cabinets at Trust House’s kitchen, and the development of a green space for children with additional needs at Mersey Drive Primary School.
Andrew Brown, Director of Housing and Specialist Living at Onward, said:
“As an organisation, we are committed to enabling communities to be their best and working with local partners that share this vision. We act as a catalyst for change across the communities we serve and by working closely with our supply chain are inventing new ways to deliver social impact.”
“As well as helping more people to put down roots in the area through the Wheatfields development, I am delighted to see that our partnership with local contractor, John Southworth, is facilitating incredible projects across the area that are having a positive impact. This is just one example of the work that we’re doing with suppliers to make a difference and we will continue to work together with local partners to do more for our customers.”
Steven Brown, Managing Director of John Southworth, said:
“We have worked really hard to not only build high quality homes, but to improve the image of construction and leave a legacy in the local community. I’m proud of their efforts and it’s amazing to witness how our team embrace the company’s social value strategy in such a creative way.”
The Wheatfields development, which has been funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Fund and Onward’s Strategic Partnership with Homes England, is on track for completion later this year.
Through Onward Living’s Shared Ownership scheme 14 of the new homes will be helping people onto the property ladder, with 16 homes available via Affordable Rent through Bury Home Options.
To learn more about how you can work with Onward to deliver social value projects, or how to get support for your community projects, please email socialinvestment@onward.co.uk or call 0300 555 0600.
