Latest news with #communitywellbeing
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Karbon Homes praises 'positive impact' of £2.8m social value activities
Karbon Homes has celebrated the 'positive impact' of its £2.8 million social value activities on customers and communities across the North East and Yorkshire. The housing association worked alongside 47 contractors and suppliers in the 2024/25 financial year, matching a record number of social value commitments to various projects and charitable organisations in the region. Their efforts were summed up in the annual social value report, which scrutinises the benefits of these initiatives on community wellbeing. Philip Pollard, assistant director of customer and community engagement at Karbon Homes, said: "Social value is a key part of our procurement activity, using the returns we get from our contracts and suppliers to create valuable, often life-changing opportunities for our customers and communities. "From helping residents find jobs to improving local spaces and supporting essential services, our programme really helps us go beyond just cash value. "It's about people, futures, and real-life impact." Karbon Homes also overhauled its social value measurement framework last year, ensuring that it aligns with their broader strategy. The refresh ensures that the outcomes recorded accurately reflect the broader impact of Karbon's expenditure, particularly concerning employment. Activities and investments are made for the benefit of customers, identified by working closely with regional partners to determine how Karbon's supply chain can best support them. Jess Alexander, social value lead at Karbon Homes, said: "At Karbon, we believe in creating strong, thriving communities, and it's fantastic to be able to utilise social value commitments to bring real benefits to people's lives. "I've loved being able to work with our contractors and suppliers to find ways they can make a lasting difference to our customers' lives." The social value commitments of three material contracts suppliers, Jewson, CEF and Wolseley, have enabled Karbon to partner with the Greggs Foundation to fund breakfast clubs in 11 primary schools across the North East. This £60,000 investment is part of a broader approach to combat the cost-of-living crisis, which is affecting numerous families in the area. The Social Value Lead role within Karbon has been funded through its dividend from procurement partner Prosper's Social Value Dividend Fund. Its dividend for the new financial year is also funding an additional Social Value Coordinator role within the structure. Edward Baker, a resident of Consett, is among those benefiting from the breakfast club at The Grove Primary School. As both a parent with children attending and a member of the school's teaching staff, he said: "The club is fantastic, not just for the kids but for the parents. "I have to get to work first thing and without this before-school provision, I'd be at risk of not getting to work on time. "My eldest does struggle when he first comes into school, but I find that having him come in that bit earlier to have breakfast helps him settle down and as a result his behaviour is a bit better. "It's a big bonus for us. "It also means that I don't need to worry about breakfast mid-week; I know the school's going to have it sorted."
Khaleej Times
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Portable ACs for mourners at Al Ain cemeteries during extreme heat
As summer temperatures soar to a scorching 50°C in the UAE, authorities are ramping up efforts to ease the discomfort for residents in the country. To help alleviate the heat of attendees during funeral services, Al Ain City Municipality has provided portable air conditioners at cemeteries. The coolers have been placed in key cemeteries across Al Ain, including Al Sarooj Cemetery, to provide relief to grieving families. This initiative aims to ensure a more comfortable and respectful environment, reaffirming the Municipality's commitment to community well-being and the quality of its public services. An Emirati citizen recently shared his experience on Instagram during a visit to Al Sarooj Cemetery, where he was surprised to see the coolers. "I went to visit my father's grave and noticed several large air coolers. I initially thought the family of a deceased person had arranged them," he said. "But the guard explained that the coolers were provided by Al Ain Municipality, free of charge, to make it easier for people to bear the heat during funeral prayers," he added. The visitor expressed his appreciation for the gesture, stating, "Thank God for the blessings of the Emirates and the generosity of its wise leadership." Other summer-related initiatives The UAE addresses heat-related issues with initiatives like the midday break, which prohibits outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day. This break, introduced to protect workers during the country's peak summer heat, will be from 12.30pm to 3pm daily for three months until September 15. There are nation-wide campaigns focused on heat exhaustion awareness and worker safety, including free health checkups and educational programmes. Several organisations are going the extra mile to help blue-collar workers this summer. They are offering free classes and health campaigns to ensure that these workers have a safe and productive season. Over 10,000 air-conditioned rest stations will serve delivery service workers across the UAE throughout the peak summer period. Delivery service workers can access the nearest rest stations through interactive maps available on the apps. Under the blazing sun, hundreds of construction workers pause their daily grind to receive something simple yet deeply appreciated — cold water, juice, and frozen treats. As part of the Al Freej Fridge humanitarian campaign, now in its second edition, thousands of bottles of water, juice, and ice cream are handed out to workers at the massive construction site, offering not just physical relief from the heat but a moment of care and recognition.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'It's like we're in a new home': Residents rejoice after bees removed from street
RELIEVED residents were 'buzzing' after the removal of 22 beehives which left them feeling like they had "moved into a new home". Millions of bees that were plaguing Corfe Avenue in Warndon for over a decade were removed after scared neighbours feared leaving their homes. The hives had become an area of concern for nearby residents due to swarming, noise, pollen accumulation, and fears of being stung. Scared neighbours are 'trapped in their homes' as a huge swarm of 'one million' bees took over their street in Worcester. (Image: SWNS) One resident, who wished not to be named over fears of retaliation from bee activist groups, said: "It really has felt like I have moved to a new home. RECOMMENDED READING: Climate change affecting Worcestershire's bees - how you can help These are the 10 best flowers and plants to bring bees buzzing to your garden "I now have bumblebees, butterflies and an abundance of small birds in my garden. "There's no more noise, no more bees dying on the patio, and I can sit outside without fear. "It has made a huge difference to my wellbeing.' The 22 unmanaged beehives were removed. (Image: SWNS) According to residents, the issue was caused by a landlord allegedly keeping 22 hives in the garden of his rented property. These were later voluntarily removed. Councillor Sarah Murray for St Nicholas ward in Warndon said the decision to remove the hives took into consideration both environmental and community wellbeing. 'As someone with a long-standing commitment to environmental causes, I understand better than most how vital pollinators are to our ecosystems. BALANCE: Councillor Sarah Murray for St Nicholas ward in Warndon. (Image: SWNS) "But, like any ecological intervention, location and management matter. "When hives are left unmanaged in dense residential areas, they can create risks — not just for residents but for the bees themselves. "Good environmentalism isn't about slogans. It's about thoughtful, proportionate decisions that protect people and nature in tandem. A picture of a swarm flying around Corfe Avenue. (Image: SWNS) "That means working with residents — not ignoring them — to find the right solutions for the right places.' She added how she is pleased residents can enjoy their gardens again, and the ecosystem in the area has been rebalanced. Worcester City Council required no enforcement action after the beekeeper on Corfe Avenue agreed to remove the hives voluntarily before the council's abatement deadline. Ongoing monitoring will ensure any future changes are managed appropriately. A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: 'After being alerted to the situation, Worcestershire Regulatory Services, acting on behalf of the City Council, quickly investigated the matter. 'This has resulted in the beehives being removed from the property, without any formal action being required.'
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Six New Wellness Real Estate Principles Enhance Your Home, Well-being
Wellness programming and gathering spaces, like water aerobics in a community's pool, enhance ... More residents' wellbeing. The Global Wellness Institute, a leading research resource for policymakers, analysts and writers on the international wellness industry, just released its June 2025 'Build Well To Live Well: The Future' report and it has some compelling new principles for real estate professionals, homeowners and homebuyers looking for their next place to live. The first point worth noting is that wellness real estate is now a $438 billion global industry, according to GWI, with the U.S. accounting for $180.6 billion and a first place global rank. 'The wellness real estate market has grown by 19.5% annually over the five-year period from 2019-2024, as compared to a 5.5% average annual growth rate for overall construction,' the report states, adding this prediction: 'We project 15.2% annual growth over the next five years, with the market increasing to a projected $1,114.0 billion by 2029.' For homebuyers, that's good news in terms of available options. 'Wellness real estate is no longer the domain of one-off 'passion projects,' and is increasingly undertaken by larger, professional development companies, some of which are adopting a 'wellness lens' for their entire portfolio,' the report shares. As wellness design – the component that turns real estate assets into enhanced homes and communities where people live – is gaining awareness among buyers and commanding higher prices, it's not surprising that major developers are noticing! With a more comprehensive approach to the field, there are also more types of wellness real estate offerings, which is great news for first time buyers, downsizing buyers and just about everyone else. Six Dimensions of Wellness Real Estate The report makes the case that wellness real estate benefits residents in many ways, including these: 'More physical activity, better sleep, lower rates of chronic disease, reduced hospital admissions, reduced symptoms of asthma, reduced sick days at work, lower crime rates, more time spent in nature, improved self-reported well-being, better memory and cognitive function, more interactions with neighbors, and a greater sense of belonging and connection.' It outlines six dimensions in which these benefits are conceived and produced. The first, Physical, dimension includes providing space for movement and exercise; a kitchen designed for preparing, storing and serving healthy food; building to manage environmental exposures and comforts (which can include the home's heating and cooling systems, as well as minimizing building components that exposure residents to toxins); enhancing mobility and accessibility for all residents, (something we'll be seeing much more of as our population rapidly ages), and enhancing safety and security for residents. (Building for wildfire and hurricane resilience are both trending.) Mental and Spiritual dimensions include designing in nature features; creating spaces that foster rest, solace and sleep; reducing daily friction; spotlighting spiritual traditions (including with personalized design elements), and optimizing work-life balance. The Social dimension is a fairly recent aspect of wellness real estate, one that likely emerged from the pandemic-driven evidence of isolation's painful costs. Prosocial design creates shared spaces for gathering, like roof or courtyard gardens and shared athletic facilities; diverse and integrated housing that can mix affordable with market rate and promote multigenerational living, and tech-based connectivity that facilitates meetings, classes, accessibility, and easy online access. Related to Social is the Civic and Community dimension, which seeks to incorporate local history, heritage and culture into new communities; encourage engagement, inclusion and diversity; provide public services, and feature where possible regeneration and renewal of older neighborhoods and buildings. The Financial and Economic dimension is about providing affordable housing to all, enhancing access to education and employment and support for local entrepreneurs, which can include sourcing their products and services to create a community. The Environmental dimension includes earth- and climate-friendly building strategies that optimize energy, water conservation and biodiversity. These dimensions all come together in projects that support their residents' wellbeing and incorporate six guiding principles GWI outlines. Six Guiding Principles for Wellness Real Estate 'The built environment is an essential foundation for building healthy lives,' the report states, and these are its six principles for making that happen. Last Words 'Our built environments have a profound influence on our health and well-being (an impact that is often negative), and these impacts have become more obvious since the COVID-19 pandemic,' the report observes. I couldn't agree more! Nothing drove the point home – literally – more than a virus that kept us in our dwellings for months on end at the start of the crisis.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Newly launched Polk Collaborative aims to integrate the arts with health
Polk County has launched the Polk Arts & Health Collaborative, a cross-sector alliance dedicated to enhancing individual and community well-being through the integration of arts and health. Modeled after the national NeuroArts Blueprint, an initiative from Johns Hopkins University and Aspen Institute, PAHC opens with a Lakeland Chapter, Watson Clinic said in a news release. The Watson Clinic Foundation's Arts in Medicine program will serve in the new alliance. 'We are proud to align our local vision with the momentum of the national NeuroArts movement,' Tiffany Van Wieren, the Watson Clinic Foundation's Arts in Medicine Program Coordinator, said in the release. 'This collaborative will amplify existing efforts while also inviting new partners to explore how creative expression can support healing, resilience, and connection in our community while also elevating the research behind this movement.' Joining the Watson Clinic Foundation's Arts in Medicine Program in the initiative are the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, Florida Southern College, Lakeland Vision, Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine, Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, Orlando Health, Mayor's Council on the Arts and the Polk Arts and Cultural Alliance. The initial phase of PAHC will focus on identifying programs, individuals and institutions currently integrating arts and health throughout Polk County, the release said. The mission of PAHC will not only recognize existing work but will also serve as a gateway for curious individuals and organizations to learn about NeuroArts and to join the collaborative, sparking fresh initiatives and innovative partnerships in previously unengaged sectors. Any organization or individual with interest in joining the collaborative should contact Tiffany Van Wieren at 863-603-4718 or AIM@ For more information on PAHC, visit This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Polk Arts & Health Collaborative launches Arts in Medicine program
