Our staff welcomed residents with a ‘yo ho ho’ at this year’s pirate-themed Annual Conference.
More than 50 residents attended the free Annual Conference on Wednesday, July 25, at The Gateway, Sankey Street, in Warrington town centre – where families enjoyed lunch and refreshments.
They were able to join in with games and activities including face painting, and arts and crafts, alongside a free treasure hunt – where you had to visit each stall to find clues to be in with a chance to collect the booty – with the top prize of a new Samsung tablet computer.
Our staff were on hand to talk to residents about our services, including our WHiA team – who provide repairs and adaptions to homes, and our LifeTime team – which helps people over the age of 50 join in with more than 60 activities and events each week.
Money advice workshops were also held, and information was given on how to become a WHA volunteer, as well as demonstrations on the newly rebranded website.
Two ‘Good Neighbours’ were crowned at the conference, Helen Broderick, of Guildford Close, and Bernard Whitley, of Lowry Close, who were given their titles and a cheque for £50 after being nominated for all the help they give fellow residents.
Helen, who has a daughter and three grandchildren, said: “I help by taking neighbours out on a Saturday night, when they are ill, making phone calls, having a brew and checking everyone is OK. I am very overwhelmed to have been crowned as a good neighbour. It is just in my nature to help after working at Warrington General for 30 years.”
Bernard, who is married to Margaret and has two children and four grandchildren, added: “It is such a privilege – you just do it, don’t you! I help with DIY and taking people out and every year in our building we put on a Christmas party for about 40 people.”
Other organisations joined in with the day including Warrington Voluntary Action, Alzheimer’s Society, United Utilities, Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust, Armed Forces Community Support Hub, Footsteps, Warrington Borough Council Energy Conservation and the Warrington Borough Council Health Equalities Team.
Beth Blenkinship, Community Development Officer said: “The conference is a great opportunity to gain residents views and opinions to help shape the way we do our work.
“It was great to see more of our families and younger residents at the conference this year – and we hope to continue to build on the strong relationships we have. I would like to thank all the residents, staff and other organisations that joined in the fun for making it such a great day. The pirate-themed day was a big hit – and thankfully no one had to walk the plank!”
For more information on Warrington Housing Association visit www.wha.org.uk
