Date published: 19 September 2023
Stonewater has won national recognition for its innovative work to support customers struggling with the cost of living crisis and its trailblazing campaign to promote the community benefits of public art.
The social landlord has been shortlisted in the Affordable Housing Awards 2023 for both the Financial Inclusion Initiative and Campaign of the Year awards.
Judges are looking for outstanding work that has had a positive impact on residents and communities, so that fellow housing providers can learn from and replicate such initiatives across the country.
Stonewater works with partners to offer wide-ranging financial support for customers struggling to make ends meet, from charitable grants to advice on benefits, debt, budgeting, physical health and mental wellbeing.
In response to the cost of living crisis, the team also launched an Energy Campaign to help residents cope with spiralling fuel costs. This includes an online customer hub providing tips on cutting energy use and running homes more efficiently.
Over the past year, Stonewater has talked to around 3,000 customers about what support they might need, awarded 670 grants and seen almost 3,000 visits to the online hub.
Stonewater's longstanding commitment to installing public art around its homes led to the launch of the Blunden Prize, a national competition seeking talented artists to produce pieces of art for new housing developments.
This annual contest – the first of its kind to be run by a housing association – not only offers opportunities for new and established artists, but has also resulted in striking artworks that create a sense of place and strengthen community spirit at Stonewater schemes.
In 2022 the competition attracted interest from more than 100 artists, with the winner and three other finalists receiving commissions with Stonewater.
Nicholas Harris, Chief Executive of Stonewater, said: "We are dedicated to supporting customers and building strong communities, and this commitment is reflected in our Energy Campaign and the Blunden Prize.
"I am extremely proud of what we have achieved with both these initiatives, so it is rewarding to see this work recognised at a national level for our contribution to the sector and as a source of inspiration for fellow housing providers.
"I want to congratulate all our colleagues who have been involved in these successful campaigns, which have made a difference to so many people."
Winners of the Affordable Housing Awards will be announced in November.