Latest news with #Incommunities
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Incommunities invites customers to apply for school uniform vouchers
A housing provider is supporting families with vouchers for school uniforms. Incommunities is offering the scheme to customers with school-age children to help ease the financial pressure of buying uniforms ahead of the new academic year. Emma Warden, manager of Incommunities' Money Matters team, said: "Last year, we had an amazing response to the school uniform campaign. "We received more than 1,400 enquiries from people all over the UK! "However, I'm afraid we can only offer the vouchers to customers who rent from Incommunities. "It just shows how much this kind of help is needed. "This time of year can be a real challenge for families with children – they have to feed and entertain them over the holidays, and for those who work, there may also be childcare costs. "Added to the existing challenges of the rising cost of living, families then also need to find the money for school uniforms in time for the September term. "We're really pleased that, thanks to funding we've received through social value initiatives, we're able to offer this bit of extra support to help take the pressure off our customers." Last year, nearly 900 families benefited from the scheme, receiving a share of £21,500 in vouchers funded through social value contributions from suppliers. The offer is open to all eligible Incommunities tenants with school-aged children who are willing to have a conversation about their income and outgoings. This discussion helps identify those who may need further support from the housing provider. The value of the voucher will be based on individual circumstances. Incommunities' Money Matters team provides practical support with finances, including help with benefits, reducing household bills, and accessing food banks. Over the past year, the team has helped families save and access benefits totalling more than £1 million. Eligible customers can apply for the vouchers by emailing moneymatters@ with the subject line 'School Uniform.' Applicants must include their name, address, and contact details. Vouchers can be used at Tesco, M&S, Asda, Sainsbury's, Matalan, Aldi, and Morrisons. For branded school uniform items, vouchers can be used at Whitakers of Shipley, The Uniform Shop, and Natasha in Bradford City Centre. The vouchers will be available for the next 12 months, but families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible if they need them for the start of the school year in September. More information about the Money Matters team is available at
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bradford man wins award for efforts to make his community 'lovely place to live'
A BRADFORD man who has strived to make his community a "lovely place to live" won an award at the Community Stars 2025 on Tuesday night. Luke Owens won the Good Neighbour of the Year award. The award, sponsored by Incommunities, celebrates people that go above and beyond to do the neighbourly thing in their local community. Luke is a dedicated community leader who always tries to make things better for others. He supports his neighbours and encourages community activities. Every Halloween, Luke hosts an open event in his garden, bringing people together over tea and cake. He also organises outdoor sessions in the local YBS woodland (Deer Woods), where residents engage in woodwork and crafts. The woodland has been transformed into a beautiful community asset, earning the BD5 in Bloom award. Luke participates in litter picks and now chairs the Parkside Together Group, earning respect from everyone in the area. "I couldn't believe it," said Luke. "I was lucky to be nominated. "This is about bringing people together and make the community a lovely place to live. Shahid Islam, who nominated Luke for the award, said: "I nominated him for the good things he is doing, particularly for this woodland. "He shows the true value of doing this kind of work." Speaking after the winning the award, Luke said: ""I was surprised, but it's wonderful to be nominated by a neighbour. "It just shows how special it can be to start to build a community." Anita Dunford and Jill Cook were also nominated for the award. Anita is a volunteer trustee at Ilkley Good Neighbours, supporting older and vulnerable people in her community. Since 2013, she has organised social trips, including drives in the Dales, afternoon teas and Christmas lunches, providing opportunities for those with limited mobility to connect with others. In December 2024, Anita arranged three Christmas lunches for 77 older residents, securing funding to make them free. She also undertakes fundraising efforts, such as a 50 km swim for the charity. Jill is a leader at The Hive in Silsden, transforming it into a vibrant community hub. She ensures inclusivity and provides activities for all ages, fostering connection and well-being. Jill goes beyond her duties as centre manager, volunteering her time to coordinate projects, organise events and lead fundraising efforts. She played a key role in Silsden's first Pride event, promoting inclusivity and community engagement.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Communities in Bradford urged to dispose of waste responsibly
Communities urged to dispose of waste responsibly 9 minutes ago Share Save Tim Dale & Nicola Rees BBC News, Yorkshire Share Save Nicola Rees/BBC Volunteers are taking part in clean-up days to remove rubbish from estates in Bradford Fly-tipping is a "massive problem" and waste should be disposed of responsibly otherwise it ends up with a price tag for local residents, the organisers of a series of community clean-up days have said. The campaign in Bradford aimed to tackle the impact of fly-tipping, waste dumping and littering on estates across the city, housing provider Incommunities said. The six days of action organised by Incommunities were are also aimed at educating people and reminding residents the price of clearing rubbish fell on them, a spokesperson explained. Patrick Collinson, the organisation's director of communities, said: "What residents need to realise is if we come and shift it, it is costing them." Nicola Rees/BBC Patrick Collinson says residents need to realise the cost of clearing waste falls on them The most recent council figures showed the number of reports of fly-tipping in Bradford had risen from 10,193 in 2023-24 to 10,624 in 2024-25, though the amount of material collected had dropped slightly. Mr Collinson explained that the community clean-up days involved volunteers, residents, West Yorkshire Police, Bradford Council and community payback, with activities such as litter-picking, painting, weeding, and planting shrubs. "We're just cleaning areas up. We're moving fly-tipping , bringing out rubbish from the gardens and getting it into skips," he said. Nicola Rees/BBC Luke Colman says there needs to be a lot of education to encourage people to dispose of their waste responsibly The first day of action run by Incommunities - which was set up as a registered provider in 2003 to take over homes from Bradford Council - was held earlier in Hendford Drive and Alcester Garth. Luke Colman, team leader of estate services with Incommunities, said those involved normally moved about two tonnes of waste a week from the area. "We have a lot of waste build-up in this area on a weekly basis. That's excess waste from residents and people coming in and fly-tipping," Mr Colman said. "We've got mattresses, sofas, nitrous oxide cannisters, a shed dismantled, wheelie bins full of contaminated waste. The majority of this is all just household waste." Mr Colman said there needed to be more education on how to responsibly dispose of household waste. He said he believed there was a behavioural problem with people used to putting waste in bags at the side of the road rather than in wheelie bins. "There are a lot of children and families around here and it's not fair that children can't come out and enjoy their green spaces," he said. Nicola Rees/BBC Resident Beverley Atkinson said the estate where she lives used to be "beautiful" Beverley Atkinson, who has lived in the area for 24 years, said it used to be "beautiful" but things had changed. "When it's bad, I've had three-piece suites, bedding, all sorts, dumped out here over the years," she said. "I'm ashamed to even bring my own family around. I don't bring no-one home. "People just assume its all my mess because it's on the end of my grass." Ms Atkinson said she believed the majority of the rubbish was dumped by local residents. Nicola Rees/BBC Volunteers take part in the action days by trying to clear as much rubbish as possible Mr Collinson said there was an issue with people getting rid of waste inappropriately and individuals offering to remove rubbish for a fee who then just went on to dump it. "What residents need to realise is if we come and shift it, it is costing them," he said. He added that the action days did improve areas and also helped staff get to know their tenants better and engage with them and their concerns. "Educating them around rubbish, we want to make sure they are recycling where they can, but also to tell us when people are dumping," Mr Collinson said. Kamran Hussain, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for neighbourhoods and community safety, said the clean-up events usually attracted an "enthusiastic response" from residents. They allowed people to take "positive action and pride in their neighbourhoods", he said. Further events were expected to take place across the Bradford district throughout the year, according to Incommunities. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
CCTV cameras vandalised hours after installation
CCTV cameras installed as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in part of Bradford were destroyed by vandals just hours after they were put up. The three cameras were damaged within 24 hours of being put in place on Monday 7 April at Stoneyhurst Square in Holme Wood, the Incommunities housing association said. A spokesperson for the organisation said: "The CCTV was installed as part of our efforts to improve safety and tackle anti-social behaviour, and we understand how frustrating this situation is for the people who live in the area." West Yorkshire Police urged anyone with information about the vandalism, or who saw what happened, to get in touch. The Incommunities spokesperson added: "We will continue to work with the local community and partners to find solutions that help make the area safer." A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "We are investigating a report of criminal damage of a CCTV camera on Stoneyhurst Square on 7 April and inquiries are ongoing." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Incommunities West Yorkshire Police
BBC News
14-04-2025
- BBC News
Holme Wood CCTV cameras vandalised hours after installation
CCTV cameras installed as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour in part of Bradford were destroyed by vandals just hours after they were put three cameras were damaged within 24 hours of being put in place on Monday 7 April at Stoneyhurst Square in Holme Wood, the Incommunities housing association said.A spokesperson for the organisation said: "The CCTV was installed as part of our efforts to improve safety and tackle anti-social behaviour, and we understand how frustrating this situation is for the people who live in the area."West Yorkshire Police urged anyone with information about the vandalism, or who saw what happened, to get in touch. The Incommunities spokesperson added: "We will continue to work with the local community and partners to find solutions that help make the area safer." A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "We are investigating a report of criminal damage of a CCTV camera on Stoneyhurst Square on 7 April and inquiries are ongoing." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
