Curo News

Community share in Tintagel progress as new neighbourhood races ahead

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:20:01 Z

Progress report on regeneration site in the heart of Keynsham shows 100% affordable development ahead of schedule.

We invited local people from the community, including councillors and representatives of Queen’s Road Methodist Church to join us, and development partners EG Carter, on a site visit to check progress at the old Tintagel Close site, where there’s been huge progress recently.

We’re grateful to everyone who attended and spoke at the get together. There was strong support on show for the project and the benefits it will bring to the local area. Cllr David Biddleston complemented Curo on the communication and engagement offered to the community throughout the project. He said that “local people are absolutely buzzing” about the development.

We also heard from Curo’s Interim Chief Executive, David McQuade, who reflected on the journey that’s brought us to this stage. He said, “It’s great to see new social housing being built - Curo is delighted to be working in partnership to make this happen for local people.”

Mat Vye, EG Carter’s Residential Director, said, “Seeing the progress at Tintagel Close has been brilliant. There’s been a real transformation in a short space of time, and it’s great to know these homes will make such a positive difference for local people. Working closely with Curo and the community has been key to getting us to this point.”

We last shared pictures from the site in January, as demolition of Tintagel Close got underway. There’s no sign of the old building now and it’s hard to picture the 1970s development that once dominated the area and provided homes to generations of families.

Progress on the new scheme (name still to be decided) has been fast, with foundations for some of the 45 fantastic new homes already in evidence and timber frame construction due to follow shortly.

Progress has been so positive that we’re currently estimating finishing ahead of schedule – with the neighbourhood now more likely to be completed in 2027 than in early 2028.

What will this new neighbourhood be like?

It will enhance the local area and better connect people to adjacent green space. This will be complemented by landscaping and tree and hedgerow planting across the site, together with new community facilities, including accessible play areas.

The 100% affordable scheme will offer a range of homes, from one-bed flats to four-bed family houses, each with its own parking space and electric vehicle charging provision.

The homes will also be packed with the latest energy-efficiency technology, including air source heat pumps, solar energy and heat recovery systems. Together they guarantee an EPC ‘A’ rating for all 45 properties – the highest standard achievable.

34 of the homes will be available for subsidised social rent, significantly below the market rate, offered through Bath & North East Somerset Council’s lettings system. The remaining 11 will be available for shared ownership purchase.

Saving on summer childcare

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:08:02 Z

The summer holidays are a great chance to spend time together, but they can also increase household costs, especially for childcare, activities and keeping children occupied over the six-week break.

If money is already tight, planning ahead can ease pressure and help you avoid unexpected costs.
Find free and low-cost activities.

Many councils and community organisations across the UK offer free or low-cost holiday clubs during the school break, often funded through government schemes to support families.

These may include:

Free sports and activity camps
Creative sessions such as art, music or drama
Events at your local library
Activities run by community groups

Help with food costs

Some schemes also provide meals, which can help lower food costs during the holidays.
A good place to start is your local council website or by searching for the “Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme” in your area. In England, children who receive benefits-related free school meals may be eligible. Clubs usually begin in July, and booking often requires a code sent with your free school meals information.

Bath Community Kitchen is a local charity that provides a 'pay-what-you-can' service, offering delicious freshly cooked meals and a chance to connect with the community. Everyone is welcome.
📍 Radstock – Every Wednesday, 5:45pm @ The Community Hub
📍 Twerton – Every Thursday, 6:15pm @ The Lighthouse

Some national charities also run lunch clubs and food-based activities across the UK, including FareShare, Make Lunch and FeedingBritain.

Plan your weekly spending

Summer often brings small extra costs, such as days out, snacks and travel, which can add up quickly.

These steps may help you manage those costs:

Set a weekly spending limit you can afford
Choose free activities such as home crafts, parks, beaches or nature walks
Take packed lunches instead of buying food while out
Look for discounts on days out and activities

A simple plan can help you stay in control and protect money needed for essentials.

Reduce childcare costs

If you have friends or family nearby, why not consider sharing childcare responsibilities. For example, taking turns hosting playdays can reduce the need for paid childcare, and is fun for your children.
If you receive Universal Credit, you may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs. The childcare provider must be Ofsted registered to qualify.

If you’re a working parent you can apply for tax free childcare, to pay directly to your Ofsted registered childcare provider. For each £8 you pay into the account, the Government will add £2 up to the value of £500 over a 3-month period, per child.

If your child is aged 9 months to 4 years old, you can get 30 hours per week of free childcare for 38 weeks of the year – some childcare providers will stretch the hours over 52 weeks of the year to help with budget management. You apply via the Government website to receive your childcare code, which you need to give to your registered provider. Once your account is set up and the code is active, you need to reconfirm your eligibility every three months.

Check what help you could get with childcare costs

If you need extra support, you can:

Contact the our Customer Accounts team on 01225 366316 or email customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk
Call PayPlan on 0800 072 1206. Lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays.
Visit www.payplan.com/debtadvice to speak to them through live chat or WhatsApp

Aileen Evans awarded OBE

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:44:58 Z

Curo board member Aileen Evans has been awarded an OBE for services to social housing in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026.
Aileen has spent her whole career working in the housing sector, starting as a Neighbourhood Housing Manager at Nottingham City Council. Most recently, as Chief Executive of Grand Union Housing Group, she led a transformation programme which championed customers and raised ambitions – proving, in Aileen’s words, that “we can innovate and be deeply human”.
Aileen is the co-founder SHOUT — the national campaign for social housing. At a time when social housing was being talked down, SHOUT made the moral, financial and political case for genuinely affordable homes.
As President of the Chartered Institute of Housing, she was a passionate advocate for those who make social housing work. In her current role as Vice Chair of CIH, she chairs the Governance, Ethics & Remuneration Committee and remains committed to professionalising and elevating our sector.
She also led #Shinealight, a mental health campaign that raised significant funds for Mind and opened up honest conversations about wellbeing in our sector.
She has worked alongside government departments to influence housing policy and is an Associate at Disruptive Innovators Network.
Aileen has been a Curo Board member since March 2025 and is Chair of the Customer Experience Committee. She is Chair of Northamptonshire Partnership Homes, one of the country’s largest ALMOs, and also works with newly registered Church Housing Association.
Jane Tabor, Chair of Curo’s board, said “We are delighted that Aileen is receiving this recognition of her immense contribution to our sector. She is an articulate and wise champion of the importance of affordable, good quality homes - always advocating from a customer perspective - and is a highly valued member of our board and a great colleague – we could not be more proud!”
Aileen commented “I was overwhelmed when I received the letter telling me I had been nominated for this honour. I was surprised and deeply grateful - to be honest, it hasn’t properly sunk in yet!
“I have been privileged to work in housing for many years, and I want to pay tribute to each person in the sector working hard to make sure that everyone has a safe, healthy and genuinely affordable place to call home.”

Facebook Live June 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 12:35:00 Z

If you’ve got any issues, questions or thoughts you want to put to our senior team, live and direct, here’s your chance.

Julie Evans, Curo’s Chief Operating Officer, and Andrew Snee, Director of Housing and Support, will be in the hot-seat on Facebook LIVE.

Get involved!

Tune in to hear the latest updates, ask your questions and be part of the discussion.

You’ll be able to ask a written question during the live-stream or if you prefer, send it to us before hand by emailing communications@curo-group.co.uk.

To find out more and to put the date in your diary, click here.

Nominations now open

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:17:16 Z

Our annual awards recognising unsung heroes in the community and beautiful garden spaces are now open. We'll celebrate all those shortlisted by our panel of judges and give prizes for the winning entries in both awards at our free community day, Curo's Big Get Together, in September.

The closing date for both competitions is Thursday 27 August. It's quick and simple to enter - follow the links below to find out more.

>>Curo Community Awards 2026

>>Curo in Bloom

Do you remember our winners from last year? Here's a recap.

Community Catch ups May & June

Wed, 06 May 2026 09:30:00 Z

Our Resident Engagement team will be out and about again over the next few weeks with our regular Community catch-ups - keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

These sessions give customers a chance to raise issues, ask questions and get practical help on the spot. They also help us understand what really matters so we can improve our services.

We offer lots of ways to get involved in shaping Curo’s services, including VoiceBox, our online consultation and engagement platform. If you’d like to request a community catch‑up where you live, message us on voicebox@curo-group.co.uk

Date	Location and time
08/05/2026	Winstone Court -11am-1pm
09/05/2026	The Green, Odd Down, Bath - 10am-12pm
12/05/2026	Chandler Close - 12pm-2pm
14/05/2026	Combe Down - Whittaker Road area, Bath - 11am-2pm
19/05/2026	Trowbridge central & Grove Ward - 11am-2pm
21/05/2026	Congresbury, Backwell and Long Ashton - 11am-2pm
28/05/2026	Odd Down, Cranmore, Branwell, Lympsham estates, Bath - 11am-2pm
02/06/2026	Moorfield Flats, Bath - 11am-2pm

Deaf Awareness Week

Mon, 04 May 2026 08:00:00 Z

This week is Deaf Awareness Week, which is a chance to think about how we communicate and how we can make things easier for everyone.

The theme this year is ‘Right to understand – Together, we break barriers’. It’s a theme that focuses on closing communication gaps and reducing the social isolation that many Deaf people experience.

We know that our customers have different needs and we want to make sure you can contact us in a way that works best for you.

You can contact us using British Sign Language (BSL)

If you use British Sign Language, you can contact us using SignVideo.

SignVideo is a free service. It connects you to a qualified BSL interpreter through a video call. The interpreter passes the conversation between you and our customer contact team while you speak in BSL.

This means you can speak directly with us and get the help you need.

SignVideo means:

You can contact us in BSL
You don’t have to rely on others to help
The service is private and easy to use

Use SignVideo to contact us today

Making our website easier to use

We also want our website to be accessible.

That’s why we use ReachDeck, an accessibility tool built into our site.

ReachDeck lets you:

Listen to text
Use screen reader tools
Change text size and colours
Translate pages into other languages

You can use ReachDeck on any page of our website by selecting the ReachDeck button (pictured below) which you'll find in the bottom right hand corner of the website screen.

Putting pounds back in customers' pockets

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:59:08 Z

At Curo we don’t just provide a home to our customers – we offer vital support that can help them through the most challenging times.

Sarah Rogers heads our Customer Accounts team, she explains, “We’re a real lifeline for customers in need. I’m confident there’s no financial situation we can’t improve in some way. That’s because we have years of experience and real expertise in the team.

“We see people all the time that aren’t getting all the money they’re entitled to, or just need that little extra support because of an unexpected bill or bit of bad luck. Our message is, you’re not alone - pick up the phone or email now – you’ll be glad you did.”

Speak to the team on 01225 366316 or email customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk

A look back over the last 12 months, shows just how effective the team has been at putting money back in customers’ pockets.

🏠 Passport to Housing – 162 customers supported, £370,859 better off

This free service helps people bidding for homes through Bath & North East Somerset's Homesearch. It helps them to prepare for a successful tenancy and plan for the expense of moving.

Over the financial year finishing in March, the service supported 162 customers to secure housing with Curo or move to a more suitable property. Curo colleagues helped to boost their income, reduce outgoings and shrink debt. Overall, customers interacting with Passport to Housing were £370,859 better off thanks to the work of the team.

💷 Money and Benefits Advice – 66 customers supported, £268,408 better off

Our money advice colleagues are experts at managing debt and boosting finances. They’re also trained to deal with complex and difficult issues like loan shark debt.

Last year, the service supported 66 customers in financial difficulty. All of them were helped to improve their situation – overall the team put £268,408 back into the pockets of these customers.

🗝️ Zero evictions into homelessness – 153 customers support, £163,000 better off

If you’re worried about paying your rent, it’s really important you speak to us. Last year we helped 153 customers in rent arrears and prevented enforcement action taking place. Instead, we were able to secure £163,000 from grants and charities to turn around their situations and keep them in their homes – it’s part of our commitment to ensure no Curo tenant is evicted into homelessness.

New electrical safety regulations

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:05:42 Z

There’s new guidance from the UK Government about electrical safety in rented homes, including social housing.

The new rules mean that we need to check the safety of the electrics in your home every five years, and provide you with a report. This is known as an EICR (electrical installation condition report).

We already carry out these checks every five years, but after your next check, we’ll also give you a copy of your report for your records.

The most important thing is making sure we can get into your home when your appointment is due.

Electrical faults are one of the most common causes of house fires. These checks are done to keep you safe. They help us spot problems early and reduce the risk of electrical faults.

You can find out more about the checks and what they involve on this web page.

If your appointment isn’t convenient, let us know and we’ll rearrange it.

Watch the latest Facebook LIVE

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:56:35 Z

Thanks to everyone that joined us at the Facebook Live session on 8 April. It was great to host one of these lively interactive sessions again and we were really pleased with the number of customers getting involved with questions and comments. Please join us again for our next Facebook LIVE in June.

In the hot seat this time was Chief Operating Officer, Julie Evans, and our Head of Customer Accounts, Sarah Rogers.

Catch up with the session below - topics covered include:

Service changes and support for older or vulnerable residents
Organisational change and staffing
Estate and communal area issues
Property repairs and maintenance
Anti‑social behaviour and neighbour disputes

Food Support

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:51:16 Z

The impact of rising food and energy costs is putting pressure on many households, and it can affect anyone. If you’re finding things difficult right now, there’s support available in your community.

From food banks and community fridges to family food projects, local organisations are offering free food and essential items, and a welcoming space to help you get through these challenging times.

Below are links to services in your area, so you can quickly find help near you:

Banes

BANES Food Finder

Bristol

Community Food Support - Feeding Bristol

South Gloucester

South Glos LIFE - Food Provision

Wiltshire

Your care, Your support Wiltshire

Somerset

Food support for families in Somerset

North Somerset

Food support | North Somerset Council

Mendip

Free food options in Mendip - Health Connections

The Food Foundation

End Child Food Poverty Campaign

Responsible cleaning

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:30:04 Z

When it comes to cleaning the shared indoor spaces in our estates, the products we use are designed to be effective without being harsh. They are tough on dirt, odours and bacteria, but gentle on surfaces and everyday use areas.

This means:

a cleaner, fresher feel in communal areas
lower levels of harsh fumes, improving indoor air quality
reduced risk of irritation for residents, visitors and pets
protection for floors, windows and finishes, helping them last longer

Our cleaners are also pH‑neutral, meaning they clean effectively without damaging delicate or high‑gloss surfaces.

Better for the environment — and our communities

Using environmentally responsible products helps reduce the wider impact of cleaning on the planet. Many of the products we use avoid unnecessary chemicals and are kinder to waterways once rinsed away.

We also look beyond the product itself and focus on how it’s packaged and reused.

Reusable containers are collected, cleaned and refilled instead of thrown away
100% recycled plastic packaging helps reduce the need for new materials
Paper sachet refills cut down on plastic and avoid transporting excess water
Cleaning cloths and mops are returned for recycling, giving materials a second life

All of this means much less waste going to landfill and a smaller overall carbon footprint.

For residents, the right choices make a real difference

Making sure we choose the right products means:

cleaner, healthier shared spaces
fewer chemical smells in enclosed areas like hallways and stairwells
a home environment that reflects responsible, modern estate management
the reassurance sustainability is built into everyday services

A cleaner today, a better tomorrow

By choosing environmentally friendly cleaning products and recycling systems, we’re helping to protect shared spaces now, and resources for the future.

It’s just one of the ways we’re committed to looking after our estates, our communities and the environment around us.

Find out more about our cleaning routines here Estate Cleaning Services for Curo Residents

Bishopsworth bin store improvements

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:55:11 Z

Residents in Bishopsworth are now benefiting from a transformed communal bin store, following a major upgrade designed to tackle issues with waste, fly‑tipping and pest control.

The site, serving 24 flats, had poor facilities for many year that made waste disposal difficult and unpleasant for residents. With an entrance outside the site’s boundary railings, the area was vulnerable to misuse and meant the space had become increasingly unattractive and prone to fly‑tipping.

This was combined with lighting and security features which weren’t working, broken guttering, and a leaking roof. With no recycling facilities available and a growing rat problem caused by food waste and undergrowth, many residents avoided using the bin store altogether.

Recognising the impact this was having on the community, a comprehensive improvement project was launched to completely overhaul the site.

A fresh start for the bin store

The transformation began with the demolition and removal of the old bin store, clearing the way for a modern, fit‑for‑purpose facility. A new concrete base was laid, and modular bin units installed, providing a cleaner, more robust solution for waste storage.

One of the most significant changes was a redesign of the layout. Resident access was turned through 90 degrees so the entrance now opens directly into the car park. This simple but effective change has improved visibility and accessibility while helping to deter fly‑tipping. The area has also been fully fenced, creating a clear boundary and reinforcing the facilities are for residents’ use only.

Tackling pests and improving cleanliness

Alongside the physical improvements, action was taken to address the rat infestation that had made the bin store unsafe and unwelcoming. Working closely with external pest control contractors, undergrowth where rats were nesting was cleared and bait traps were installed to bring the problem under control.

New secure communal food waste bins were introduced, supported by Bristol Waste to launch dedicated food waste collections at the site. Residents were given kitchen food waste caddies to make separation of waste easier and more convenient.

Clear signage has also been installed to guide residents on how to use the new recycling and food waste facilities correctly, helping to prevent contamination and keep the area clean.

Listening to and supporting residents

Communication with residents was a key part of the project. Letters were sent ahead of the works to explain the plans and what residents could expect, followed by further updates once the new facilities were ready.

Door‑to‑door visits were also carried out to deliver kitchen caddies and explain the new recycling systems face‑to‑face. These conversations helped reinforce why it’s important not to mix materials in the wrong bins and gave residents an opportunity to ask questions directly.

A safer, cleaner place for the community

By improving the design, pest control and communication, the project has addressed the root causes of fly‑tipping and misuse, not just the symptoms. It’s led to a safer, cleaner and more welcoming bin store that residents can use with confidence.

More colleagues taking calls when you need us most

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:44:44 Z

New customer contact team hours from 5 May - Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Changes to our contact centre hours mean more help available at the busiest times.

Our customer contact team is here to answer your calls and messages throughout the day. Currently our contact centre is open for 12 hours Monday to Friday, from 8am to 8pm.

We've found that very few people contact us during these last two hours, so instead of staying open this late, we’re moving those colleagues to work earlier in the day when the volume of enquiries is higher. That means more Curo colleagues answering calls and messages when you need us most.

The change will take place from Tuesday 5 May. From this date our customer contact team will be available 8am to 6pm.

Our out-of-hours response service will operate outside of these times, available via our main number. So, if you have an emergency, you can still report it and get the urgent response you need.

See all the ways you can get in touch with us, including via our 24/7 customer portal, MyCuro.

Facebook Live April 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:42:19 Z

If you’ve got any issues, questions or thoughts you want to put to our senior team, live and direct, here’s your chance.

Julie Evans, Curo’s Chief Operating Officer, and Sarah Rogers, Head of Housing Access and Customer Accounts will be in the hot-seat on Facebook LIVE.

Get involved!

Tune in to hear the latest updates, ask your questions and be part of the discussion.

You’ll be able to ask a written question during the live-stream or if you prefer, send it to us before hand by emailing communications@curo-group.co.uk

To find out more and to put the date in your diary, click here https://fb.me/e/6HFqjHNFF

Share and Repair

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:39:26 Z

A Bath-based charity are on a mission to bring people together to share, repair, reuse, and learn across B&NES and beyond by:

fixing broken items instead of throwing them away in their weekly repair cafes
lending items from the 800+ items in their ‘Library of Things’
teaching practical skills in their ‘how to’ workshops
supporting low-income families with the household items they need

Go to Home - Share and Repair to find out more and to sign up to their newsletter. Or keep an eye on their social media for details about their Repair Cafes and upcoming events.

Lending lockers at Mulberry Park are a treasure trove of useful items

Curo is delighted to support the charity’s new ‘lending lockers’ at Mulberry Park Hub. These are the first of its kind in the South West. The lockers are stocked with 23 useful and fun items available to borrow and return, 7 days a week.

Whether it’s to help with DIY – a steam cleaner, pressure washer and drills – or for a party - a disco ball, party lights, chocolate fondue, bubble machine, bunting and more – there’s lots of great items to hire. Visit Lockers - Share and Repair

As CEO, Ruth Lambert, explained, “The average electric drill is only used for about 15 minutes in its whole lifetime, so sharing makes so much sense”.

See how simple it is We’ve launched the first Library of Things Lending Lockers in the South West!

Repair Cafes – if it’s broken, get it fixed

The charity has 11 Repair Cafes around B&NES and the wider area providing affordable, accessible general repairs, sewing repairs and blade sharpening.

On a Saturday morning, you’ll find volunteer repairers, administrators and organisers helping people with their broken household items, on a ‘give what you can basis’.

Find out more Repairs - Share and Repair

Tree planting Winter 2026

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:22:01 Z

For the last few years, Curo has worked with local charity More Trees to improve our estates green spaces, by creating homes and food for wildlife, as well as places for the community to enjoy.

In February, representatives from Curo and More Trees came together to plant more than 600 saplings on Whiteway Green. The saplings were grown by volunteers from More Trees, who forage for seeds each year and then sew and cultivate them in their nurseries around Bath and Keynsham, until they are big enough to be planted.

The new plants have filled in the gaps between existing pockets of trees and shrubs, to help create a safe passage for animals to move around, as well as food and homes for wildlife.

Curo Arboriculturalist Danny Earle said: “There’s a huge amount of potential here. There’s pockets of vegetation, but they are sparse in places and there’s big open patches of green land between them, so wildlife struggles to move around and find new habitats and food sources.

We’ve planted around 20 different native British species here, in a real range of different sizes and different colours. There are flowering shrubs which are great for bees and butterflies, fruit trees such as Cherry trees, Apples, Rowans, Oaks and Pines, which will produce food for birds and mammals, and thorny species like hawthorn and blackthorn which make for amazing habitats.

Some non-native species were selected for their exceptional beauty, such as Liquidambar styraciflua Lane Roberts (Sweetgums), Pyrus calleryana Redspire (Callery Pear) and Betula utilis jacquemontii Snow Queen (Silver Birch Snow Queen).”

These trees will join our forest of over 8,500 trees growing across Curo’s estates and continue our commitment to nurturing our green spaces on our doorstep.

Curo Arboriculturalist Danny, and Emma from More Trees BANES tell us about the tree planting project at Whiteway Green:

See more about the great work More Trees do here https://moretrees.earth/

Community catch-ups make a real difference

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:35:12 Z

Over the past 12 months, our Resident Engagement team — Hannah and Neil — have been out across our communities, meeting customers, listening to concerns and offering support. In that time, they’ve completed 82 Community Catch‑Ups and spoken with 915 households.

These sessions give residents a chance to raise issues, ask questions and get practical help on the spot. They also help us understand what really matters so we can improve our services.

Some highlights from this year

Helping a resident secure nearly £600 in unclaimed benefits to cover rent and heating costs, allowing them to stay comfortably in their home.
Organising temporary relocation for a customer while essential building works took place.
Resolving fencing issues so a resident could enjoy their garden again with better privacy.
Installing new safety window locks in a first‑floor property to improve security for a family with young children.
Providing guidance on applying to occupational health and reporting anti‑social behaviour, helping residents feel safer and more confident in their homes.

Hearing from our customers means a lot to us

“Neil and Sophie from the account team are very friendly and easy to talk to. They're very helpful and offered guidance."

"Respectful, Professional, they listened I felt that my concerns were heard, and later action was taken to resolve the concern."

"I felt 'heard' by the team who promised action would be taken. Plus It appears points were actually actioned as a result of this meeting."

“All my concerns were noted and listened to by the team and prompt action for Inspection of my property issues"

Get in touch if you want us to visit your area

Dates for Community catch-ups in April and May are now available go to Community catch-ups – coming to an area near you soon – and keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

We offer lots of ways to get involved in shaping Curo’s services, including VoiceBox, our online consultation and engagement platform. If you’d like to request a Community catch‑up where you live message us on voicebox@curo-group.co.uk

Charity of the Year 2026

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:32:10 Z

This year we are proudly supporting Wiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance (WBAA) as our Charity of the Year! WBAA provide critical medical care by land and air, across the local area. They receive no government funding and rely entirely on the generous support of the local community.

Each year we ask colleagues to nominate charities close to their heart, and a shortlist of organisations is put to a colleague vote. With over 44% of the total votes, it's clear colleagues feel WBAA is a cause we should support.

We were recently invited to the windswept airbase near Semington in Wiltshire to meet the staff, explore the site and get to know more about how their operations work. Did you know the team can provide critical care to anyone in Wiltshire in under 11 minutes.

We're starting our fundraising for WBAA with over £1,950 already in the pot, including a donation from Travis Perkins and income from our charity fridge. We hope to add to this amount over the coming year.

Our Charity of the year committee have been planning a packed calendar of fundraising events including quizzes, car washes, bake sales and more. And keep an eye out for our newly rebranded vans with our charity partner displayed on.

If you're interested in the types of missions the air ambulance has done in the past, and the locations, you can see all of this and more with the charity's interactive mission map Mission map | Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity

We look forward to sharing updates as we raise money for this brilliant charity.

Easter Opening Hours (1)

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:40:29 Z

The office at The Maltings and our contact centre will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. If something is urgent, you can still reach us - just call 01225 366000 to be put through to our emergency service.

Our normal opening hours are The Maltings 8.30am – 5pm and the Contact Centre 8am - 8pm.

You can also use MyCuro, our secure online customer portal, which is available 24/7 for you to manage your account.

Trees, Shrubs and Grass Maintenance - Estates campaign March

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:34:37 Z

We work hard to make our estates safe and popular places to live. So, it’s important the outside areas we’re responsible for are also a nice environment for everyone.

Grounds maintenance is done throughout the year, but it increases between March and October, as this is when most greenery does its growing. The main jobs include:

grass cutting
shrub and hedge pruning
managing growth along pathways/access routes
leaf clearance at the end of each growing season.

We also carry out planting and projects with partners to help improve estates and promote biodiversity and resilience.

All outside works are dependent on the weather, so timings can vary each year.

Did you know we:

cut more than 550,000 square metres of grass
manage 22,000 square metres of meadow grass to increase biodiversity
maintain over 55,000 square metres of shrubs
look after nearly 20,000 metres of hedging, pruned twice per year, tailored to the type of hedge
manage and clear leaves from over 48,000 square metres of pathways and open areas.

We also look after larger areas of open space, verges and small play areas. Across all our estates we have a growing tree population of 9,500 trees. This is on top of other woodland areas we manage.

To find out when your next grounds maintenance visit is, enter your postcode here Glendale Local - Curo - Glendale Live

Grading is as easy as A+ to C

So we have clear way for customers, landlords and contractors to understand the standards we work towards, we use a grading system that’s been developed in consultation with tenants across the UK.

Everything we’re responsible for is scored from A+ to C and covers things like length of grass, hedge growth, weeds and impacts on paths and roads. There’s more details in our estates standards booklet. You can also find out about how you can help us keep your green spaces a great place to use.

Spring Photography Competition

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:18:42 Z

With the days getting longer and the sunshine finally making an appearance, Spring is the perfect time to step outside and celebrate the places we call home. We’re excited to launch our Spring Photography Competition, inviting you to share what makes your neighbourhood special.

Whether it’s a splash of floral colour, a favourite green space, a colourful street corner or the character of local homes, we want to see the outdoor places that fill you with pride. We've included a few shots as inspiration to get your creative juices flowing.

Entering is as easy as 1-2-3

Take a high‑resolution, landscape‑oriented photo of an outdoor scene you love
Make sure the image doesn’t include identifiable people or personal information
Submit your photo by Friday 17 April by emailing communications@curo-group.co.uk - please include your name, email address and telephone number.

The winning entries will be shown on social media and the Curo website

After the closing date, we’ll choose three standout photos to receive £50 in high street vouchers and show them off on our Facebook and Instagram pages too.

Get involved!

Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just enjoy snapping moments on your phone, this competition is for everyone. Let’s celebrate the places that make our communities feel like home. We can’t wait to see your Spring scenes.

T&Cs available here Competitions

Facebook LIVE Feb26 recording

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:06:09 Z

Thanks to everyone that joined us at the Facebook Live session on 18 February. It was great to host one of these lively interactive sessions again and we were really pleased with the number of customers getting involved with questions and comments. Please join us again for our next Facebook LIVE in April.

In the hot seat this time was Chief Operating Officer, Julie Evans, and our Director of Property Safety & Compliance, Tom Battersby.

Catch up with the session below - topics covered include:

The length of notice Curo must give to tenants before visiting your home
Fire safety and safety audits, including advice for flats
Downsizing to a smaller home
Pest control
Sinking funds
Curo’s plans for its garage sites.

Next phase of Pride in Place

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:57:40 Z

Great news for our residents in Twerton and Whiteway. The next phase of the government’s Pride in Place Programme is being rolled out, bringing up to £20 million of funding to Twerton and Whiteway.

The article below from Bath and North East Somerset Council explains what to expect next and how members of the communities can get involved.

For more general information about the Pride in Place programme, search for ‘Pride in Place’ on the GOV.uk website.

Pride in Place is bringing up to £20 million of funding to Twerton and Whiteway to help improve opportunities for everyone over the next ten years. The programme is community-led and puts decision making in the hands of local people. Any member of the local community can get involved and play a part.

A new Neighbourhood Board will be set up to manage the programme and be champions of the local community. The board will be led by an independent chairperson following a competitive application process. The chairperson will be a part-time salaried position and the members of the board will be entitled to reasonable expenses

Work to bring Pride in Place to life will take place throughout the year, starting with a series of community events running from February 27 to March 8. These events will provide a space for the community to come together and explore ideas and ambitions for the project.

Events will take place at The Annex, Bath Foyer, a space made available with support from Housing Association Curo, with other activities held across the neighbourhood.

Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “We have written to all addresses in the area. If you get a letter, please spare a few minutes to read about Pride in Place and how you can get involved. It is an amazing opportunity for people who live and work in the area to make changes that will improve opportunities for everyone in Twerton and Whiteway. One of the first issues the board will be asked to look at is the project boundary. A change of boundary is fully supported by ward councillors who have been campaigning for Whiteway to be fully included.”

Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said “We strongly encourage the Twerton and Whiteway community to get involved at the upcoming events as well as the wider Pride in Place programme. Neighbourhoods and communities are not defined by lines on maps. They are formed of groups of people who have meaningful relationships and a shared sense of place, identity, or purpose. From residents to businesses, charities to clubs all are welcome to participate.”

Applications for the role of independent chairperson and expressions of interest for Neighbourhood Board positions will open in mid‑February. Anyone who is ‘from,’ living or working in the Twerton and Whiteway Ward; holds a prominent role in the community; or has a passion for the place, will be eligible to apply for the chairperson role or board positions when the application process opens.

People can sign up for alerts about the roles on the council’s jobs and careers website. Further details on the project are available on the regeneration pages of the council website.

Rent and service charges from 6 April 2026

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 09:22:25 Z

Updated information about rent and service charges for the coming year is currently landing on doormats and in inboxes. You may be wondering why changes are happening, and what they cover.

How we set your rent

Each year we have to use a formula set by the Government to work out how much rents need to change. The formula uses the rate of inflation, which affects everyone that pays for goods and services. So, an increase in costs, for example energy and contractors, have pushed up the cost of services.

Your rent goes towards the services we provide

The rent you pay goes towards improving homes and making them safe, as well as the services we provide for you. If we didn’t increase rent, we’d need to cut back on investing in homes and services.

You’ll need to take action if you receive Universal Credit towards the cost of your rent

There’s more information on this in your rent letter. It’s important you don’t take any action yet. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages for a reminder nearer the time.

It’s a good time to review the benefits you receive

As rents are changing, it may affect the benefits you receive. So, it’s a good time to check all your details are up to date and you’re receiving all the money you’re entitled to. There’s some helpful information here Benefit and budgeting calculators.

If you pay by Direct Debit, you’ll get another letter soon

We’re sending you a separate letter about your weekly or monthly payment schedule – you don’t need to do anything it’s just for information.

If you’re a leaseholder or shared owner, you’ll receive details about your service charges for the year ahead

Service charges include things like repairs, cleaning and grass cutting.

Each April, we estimate what these services will cost. Then, at the end of the year, we work out the actual cost and make a charge or a credit to the property for any difference.

Money worries? Please get in touch

We understand everyone is affected by rising costs, and talking to someone can often help with any worries you have. There’s help available whether you’re a Curo tenant or own your home.

If you’re a tenant, you can contact our supportive Money Advice Team. Call 01225 366316 or email customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk

We know it can be hard to ask for help, but you’ll get a supportive and sympathetic response from our amazing colleagues - someone able to offer practical help to improve your situation. They’re experts at dealing with financial difficulty and are trained to help with problems with debt, including money owed to loan sharks.

They can also make sure you’re getting all the money you’re entitled to.

Other help and advice are also available

There’s also other independent organisations below you can speak to for free about a variety of topics, visit Help and advice for more details.

Citizens Advice

Bath Citizens Advice: citizensadvicebanes.org.ukBristol Citizens Advice: bristolcab.org.uk
North Somerset Citizens Advice: nscab.org.uk
Wiltshire Citizens Advice: cabwiltshire.org.uk
South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice: southgloscab.org.uk
North Somerset Citizens Advice: nscab.org.uk

Debt

Debt Advice Foundation: debtadvicefoundation.org Call: 0800 043 4050
Step Change: stepchange.org Call: 0800 138 1111
National Debt Line: nationaldebtline.org Call: 0808 808 4000
PayPlan: payplan.com Call: 0800 316 1833
Stop Loan Sharks: stoploansharks.co.uk Call: 0300 555 2222 Email: reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk

Government Money Helper Service

Money Helper: moneyhelper.org.uk Call: 0800 138 7777 Webchat, WhatsApp and an Online form are also available

Credit Unions

Great Western Credit Union - open to all Curo residents. Email: info@gwcu.org.uk Call: 0117 924 7309
Westcountry Savings & Loans Email: mail@westcountry.org.uk Call: 0800 304 7041

Universal Credit

uk/universal-credit Call: 0800 328 5644 Text phone: 0800 328 1344

Curo News

Community share in Tintagel progress as new neighbourhood races ahead

Saving on summer childcare

Help with food costs

Plan your weekly spending

Reduce childcare costs

Check what help you could get with childcare costs

Aileen Evans awarded OBE

Facebook Live June 2026

Get involved!

Nominations now open

Community Catch ups May & June

Deaf Awareness Week

You can contact us using British Sign Language (BSL)

Making our website easier to use

We’re here to help

Putting pounds back in customers' pockets

🏠 Passport to Housing – 162 customers supported, £370,859 better off

💷 Money and Benefits Advice – 66 customers supported, £268,408 better off

🗝️ Zero evictions into homelessness – 153 customers support, £163,000 better off

New electrical safety regulations

Watch the latest Facebook LIVE

Food Support

Responsible cleaning

Bishopsworth bin store improvements

More colleagues taking calls when you need us most

Facebook Live April 2026

Share and Repair

Tree planting Winter 2026

Community catch-ups make a real difference

Charity of the Year 2026

Easter Opening Hours (1)

Trees, Shrubs and Grass Maintenance - Estates campaign March

Spring Photography Competition

Facebook LIVE Feb26 recording

Next phase of Pride in Place

Rent and service charges from 6 April 2026