As with most of the country the early onset of snow this year caught us at SYHA somewhat by surprise. Despite this, with the help of our staff and residents we have worked hard to continue providing services as normal. Our thanks go out to all who have helped friends and neighbours cope.
There have been a number of positive stories which we have become aware of during the recent cold spell and here are just a few:
- In Maltby at Aldersgate Court a resident, our warden and the local postman cleared paths for elderly residents who were unable to do this themselves.
A resident in Maltby helped a member of our staff who was stuck in the snow dig their car out and then drove it up to the main road for them. This Good Samaritan spent 45 minutes doing this responding to someone who they saw was in need of help and we would like to say a big thank you. Our maintenance contractors continued to make every effort to respond to repairs orders and prioritise emergencies. In one such instance plumbers responded to a blocked drain in the knowledge they would have difficulties getting off site if they did so but knowing the difficulties the tenants may have if they didn’t. They attended did the work and awaited a tow from colleagues. Initially our Caretakers in the Neighbourhood team (NEAT) found it difficult to respond due to access problems but using a 4x4 vehicle were able to grit nearly 20 of our schemes where elderly and disabled residents live. A number of our tenants have submitted praise for the work the team did which is appreciated - Staff in one of our care schemes spent over 48 hours at work as staff scheduled to relieve them could not get to work. The staff continued to provide a normal service to residents and simply got on with the job.
- Our Customer Services and Repairs team remained on hand to take and respond to calls. One example was a member of the team ensuring an elderly man who rang up telling us he was running out of food and could not get to the shops was visited by a local charity who got the essentials to him.
SYHA appreciate there is always more that can be done and we are looking at ways that our response to bouts of cold weather such as this may be improved in future.
We are however proud of how our staff strived to carry on providing as normal a service as possible.
We are also proud of how our tenants and residents responded to help those in difficulty or need, who they knew may be struggling due to the weather and acting as good neighbours.
Our thanks go out for the understanding and patience shown by our customers during this difficult period.
May we also take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year
December 2010
