As we welcome spring - a season that traditionally sparks thoughts of optimism, renewal and, of course, Easter eggs - I am sure that you are sharing my hopes for brighter times ahead.
Last month, the Government outlined a roadmap to recovery that will gradually ease national restrictions, and see parts of society opening up again. Here at Clarion, our shared purpose is to keep you, our residents, at the core of everything we do. I am therefore proud that throughout a year marked with uncertainty and disruption, we have been able to keep delivering the essential services you rely on. We have kept these services going by our staff adapting quickly to change while thinking creatively and innovatively.
Providing career opportunities for our younger residents
At Clarion we are deeply passionate about supporting you at any stage of life. As part of this, we are an organisation that is constantly seeking worthwhile opportunities for our younger residents, with a mission to maximise potential and get their careers off to a flying start.
Over the past 12 months the UK has seen youth unemployment increase significantly, and we want to help remedy this. Therefore, I am delighted that Clarion has joined the Kickstart scheme, a new government initiative that aims to create high-quality work placements for 16 to 24-year-olds. We will be inviting 300 young people to join us at Clarion at the start of their careers, giving them support, guidance and invaluable work experience. Please keep a look out for more information on how to apply.
Clarion Voice is changing
In my last update, I mentioned that as part of our revitalised Resident Involvement Strategy we are changing the ways you can give feedback and help shape our services. We want to make doing this as easy as possible, which is why we’re excited to introduce Clarion Voice Email.
Clarion Voice Email is our replacement service for Clarion Voice portal, which is closing at the end of this month. By registering, you will be able to take advantage of a number of simpler and more direct ways you can get involved and have your say. Just some benefits include:
- Direct feedback on consultations, documents and research
- Quarterly snapshot with updates on regional involvement activities
- Weekly email, including survey invitations.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to get involved and share your views by signing up today.
The latest edition of Your Clarion, our quarterly magazine written especially for you, features more on the new ways you can get involved and our local offer initiative, as well as the usual engaging mix of news, events, opportunities and handy tips.
Enriching your experience with our online services
Since we launched our improved online account last year, we have seen more than 44,000 of you register. We strive to make your life as hassle free as possible – it is nothing less than what you deserve - so we’re working hard to provide constantly updated online services that enhance your customer experience with us and make managing your home easier. It’s also a great way to keep abreast of our latest national news and updates via your personal dashboard.
If you haven’t already registered, it’s easy to do and if you sign-up before Friday 2 April 2021, you could be in with a chance of winning a £50 Love2Shop voucher in our weekly prize draw. If you already have an account, you simply need to reset your password.
On our website we’ve also recently launched a new chatbot service to join our popular Live Chat function, further taking away the need for you to wait in a call queue. Available 24/7, this virtual assistant will offer you help on a few common topics, such as repairs, permissions, your household situation, and payments and finances. Please give it a try and let us know what you think.
Supporting healthy, thriving communities
As the pandemic has unfolded, I have been truly inspired by the remarkable work being delivered in our neighbourhoods through community organisations. These organisations offer vital support to scores of people and families who are struggling and, during this time, have been relied upon more than ever. We have therefore increased our support through the Clarion Futures COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund. This grant ensures that organisations are able to adapt and respond to the demands of what our communities need, including keeping food on tables and crisis support for the most vulnerable. Since the first lockdown, we have awarded 61 grants to our local partners, totalling £109,626.
We place paramount importance on your health and wellbeing, which is why we are passionate about supporting local initiatives that make a powerful difference. For example, Clarion has joined forces with Brompton Bike Hire and Hadley Property Group, to offer those of you living in Merton access to 50 Brompton folding bicycles at no cost, on a 90-day trial basis. Based at a pop-up cycle hub in Colliers Wood, the scheme has been developed to help improve the mental and physical health of Merton residents, while also promoting more environmentally friendly ways to travel.
