Toolbox Times | January - March

TOOLBOX TIMES

Welcome to the latest edition of Toolbox Times; recognising, rewarding, and informing our colleagues as we head into the new financial year.

TOOLBOX TIMES

CONTENTS 03 04

UPDATE FROM MIKE DALE HOT TOPICS • DAMP, MOULD AND CONDENSATION • NEW WAYS OF WORKING

04

• COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

05 06

APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS 2023 EMPLOYEE FOCUS • INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

05

• MOVERS AND SHAKERS • PROMOTIONS CORNER

07

LATEST NEWS • WE’VE BEEN SHORTLISTED

06

• COMING SOON: THE HUB • LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! • SPRING INTO ACTION • OURSPACE

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07

January - March

UPDATE FROM MIKE DALE

Mike Dale, Head of Property Services & Growth

We ended the financial year positively with new business growth opportunities secured!

You may already be aware that we were proudly appointed to Torus’s new £1.2bn Repairs and Maintenance framework. The new work secured is enabling us to recruit around 20 new multi-skilled operative posts within the company. This recruitment will support the set 25 voids per week from the Torus framework.

Our new recruitment drive has now commenced, so don’t forget to share amongst industry friends – contact HR@sovini.co.uk for more information on the SPS Refer a Friend scheme. With a reward of £300, you could benefit too as we attract like-minded and talented colleagues!

In late 2022, into 2023, damp, mould and condensation became a hot topic across the housing sector. Since then, we’ve been working with our colleagues across the Group in implementing new processes and policies to ensure all customers have a safe and healthy home environment.

Our efforts have been widely noticed and recognised across the business, so thank you for your commitment and your ability to adapt during challenging times.

I’d like to thank all operatives and schedulers in their pivotal role in identifying, reporting and addressing damp, mould and condensation.

I’m also proud to be sharing some new accreditations which have been recently secured. The Grounds Maintenance team achieved their LANTRA, ensuring the safe use of hedgecutters, brushcutters and strimmers.

The Gas team successfully achieved their MSC accreditation, for the safe installation of heat pumps, making strides towards our net-zero carbon reduction commitment.

I hope you enjoy reading the latest edition of Toolbox Times and keeping up to date with all things Sovini Property Services!

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TOOLBOX TIMES

HOT TOPICS Damp, mould and condensation Since December 2022, we have collaboratively completed over

2,100

damp, mould and condensation jobs.

New ways of working We’ve changed the way in which we work by adapting to our operating environment and implementing the necessary changes to support our customer, colleagues and communities.

From 1st April 2023, changes to One Vision Housing’s and Pine Court Housing Association’s Repairs Maintenance and Planned Works Policies, will take effect.

Our new approach to tackling damp, mould and condensation has only been achievable by the initiative and dedication from all involved.

All policy and process changes will have been communicated to those impacted, including: E-Emergency (24 Hours), U-Urgent (5 Days), R-Routine (20 days). If you require further guidance surrounding NHF priorities and SOR codes, please contact your line manager.

Thanks to a great effort between all SPS teams, and recent collaboration with Amianto Services, we are successfully and proactively tackling all damp, mould and condensation issues efficiently for our customers.

We’re hoping our new approach will increase first-time fix rates and time efficiency.

Jo Gamble, Service Improvement Manager

Community Commitment We’re proudly backing South Liverpool FC in their 2023 season! We’ll be keeping you posted with all things South Liverpool FC related which hopefully includes some epic wins.

Compliments Corner In past three months we’ve received over 143 compliments, which is testament to the dedication and talents of our colleagues!

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Our office cake sale which supported Red Nose Day and the Turkey Earthquake Fund provided much needed monetary donations for very worthy causes. A big thank you to our very own Caitlin Riding for organising the event!

January - March

Apprenticeship Awards 2023 Congratulations to all of our worthy winners and nominees at the Group’s annual Apprenticeship Awards.

•

Alan Philips Apprentice of The Year (Traditional)

•

Matilda Beckett Rising Star

•

Harley Bennett Above & Beyond Call of Duty

We look forward to watching your careers develop further as we continue to create opportunities and change lives!

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TOOLBOX TIMES

EMPLOYEE FOCUS Investing in our future

Movers and shakers

During National Careers Week and National Apprenticeship Week, we provided young people throughout our communities with the unique opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the industry. The opportunity provides an insight into the careers and pathways available to education leavers.

Please give a big, warm welcome to our new colleagues who have recently joined us: • Kieran Greene, Void Supervisor • Michael Murphy, Multi-Skilled Bathroom Fitter •

Matthew Bell, Multi-Skilled Wet Room Installer

• Georgia Walsh, Intermediate QS • Fionne Lavelle, Arboriculture Team Groundsman Climber • Lois Morrison, Cleaning Operative • Kevin Williams, Plumber • Andy Cauldwell, New Working Foreman • Kelly Devitt, Scheduler • Jessica Reece, Scheduler Thank you for all who supported in creating these opportunities. In addition, a well done to Phillip Hughes and Matthew Colford who inspired students at Maricourt High School with an exclusive insight into the careers on offer at Sovini Property Services.

We proudly backed The Sovini Group’s Supported Internship Programme, which welcomed four neurodiverse students into the company to gain hands-on experience in a variety of roles and an insight into the construction industry.

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• Summer Fitzmaurice, Apprentice Plumber and Heating Technician

Promotions Corner A huge congratulations to the following colleagues on their recent promotions: •

Gary Roach, who was recently promoted to Estates Team Supervisor

•

Antony Payne, who was recently promoted to Estates Services Manager

January - March

LATEST NEWS We’ve been shortlisted! Lights, camera, action!

We are thrilled to announce we have been shortlisted for Best Repairs & Maintenance Team at The Northern Housing Awards!

The team was shortlisted due to showcasing a catalogue of innovative ways of working that have promoted strong growth within the organisation.

A big congratulations to the team! Winners will be announced on the 2nd May.

Our very own Kev Bentley, Thomas Fletcher and Paul Westerman are set to become stars as the highly anticipated ‘How-To’ customers videos are launched.

The trio were involved in creating videos for One Vision Housing and Pine Court Housing Association, supporting small-scale maintenance that can be carried out by the customer.

Coming Soon: The Hub We are delighted to share we’ll be relocating in Spring 2023 to Dunnings Bridge Road, Bootle.

Work is underway to provide a warm and welcoming office!

Official move-in dates will be shared in due course.

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LATEST NEWS Spring into action!

An update from the Estates Team • So fresh and so green: The Grounds Maintenance Team have been carrying out soft landscaping works at One Vision Housing’s flagship Morris Meadows development. It’s blooming lovely, I’m sure you will all agree!

• There’s no I in Team: A big thank you to the Communal Cleaning and Window Cleaning Teams who have collaborated and successfully supported in completing damp, mould and condensations works.

OurSpace

OurSpace is an interactive platform where colleagues can access a wide range of information and support, participate in competitions, find out about upcoming health & wellbeing infinitives, social events and much more!

Download the OurSpace app by searching ‘Sovini’ in the App Store on Apple or the Play Store on Android devices. You can also access OurSpace online at ourspace.sovini.co.uk.

We’re always looking for ideas and stories to put into our next issue.

If you’ve got a suggestion please drop us an email - mac@sovini.co.uk

Sovini Property Services @sovinipropservices