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    <title>Curo News</title>
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      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/community-catch-ups/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Community Catch ups</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;Our Resident Engagement team will be out and about again over the next few weeks with our regular &lt;a rel="noopener" href="/residents/get-involved/community-catch-ups/" target="_blank" title="Community Catch-ups"&gt;Community catch-ups&lt;/a&gt; - keep an eye on your inbox for updates.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;We offer lots of ways to get involved in shaping Curo’s services, including &lt;a href="/residents/get-involved/groups-and-forums/join-voicebox-the-curo-feedback-community/"&gt;VoiceBox&lt;/a&gt;, our online consultation and engagement platform. If you’d like to request a community catch‑up where you live, message us on&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="mailto:voicebox@curo-group.co.uk"&gt;voicebox@curo-group.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 class="MsoNormal"&gt;November and December dates&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;table border="1" height="669" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 720px; margin-left: 0px; height: 480.435px; border-spacing: 10px; margin-right: auto; border: 1px solid rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;tbody&gt;
&lt;tr style="height: 44.3403px;"&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; height: 44.3403px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;Date&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; height: 44.3403px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;Location and time&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr style="height: 71.6667px;"&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 71.6667px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;03/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 71.6667px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Oldland Common, Bristol - 1pm - 3pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr style="height: 10px;"&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 10px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;03/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 10px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;New Cheltenham, Bristol - 1pm - 3pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr style="height: 80.7639px;"&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 80.7639px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;03/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 80.7639px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Woodstock, Bristol - 1pm - 3pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr style="height: 80.7639px;"&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 80.7639px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;07/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 80.7639px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Green Odd Down, Bath with local Councillors - 10am - midday&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr style="height: 112.049px;"&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 112.049px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;10/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 112.049px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Southdown Area, Bath - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr style="height: 80.8507px;"&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 80.8507px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;17/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59); height: 80.8507px;"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Bathampton, Bath (Not Sheltered) - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;19/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Green Odd Down, Bath, meet your Housing Officer - 10am - midday&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;19/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Chilcompton, Bristol - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;19/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Hinton Blewitt, Bristol - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;24/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Melksham, Smeaton &amp;amp; Telford - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;26/11/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Weston - Holcombe Green, Bath - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;03/12/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;East Twerton, Bath - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;08/12/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Worle, Bristol - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;08/12/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Weston Super Mare - Ryddenwood - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;10/12/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Moorfields - Sheltered Areas, Bath - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;tr&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 331.594px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;15/12/2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;td style="width: 346.406px; border-width: 1px; padding: 10px; border-color: rgb(192, 220, 59);"&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Bradford on Avon - 11am - 1pm&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/td&gt;
&lt;/tr&gt;
&lt;/tbody&gt;
&lt;/table&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2026 14:25:00 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-10-29T14:25:00Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25581</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/the-warm-home-discount/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>The Warm Home Discount</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;The Warm Home Discount is a government-backed scheme which gives eligible households a one-off discount of £150 on their winter electricity bills.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;How does it work?&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you are eligible, you should get a letter between late October 2026 and early January 2027. Some people will receive a letter asking them for more information first.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you have not been contacted by early January 2027, &lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/get-help" target="_blank" title="Warm Home Discount Scheme"&gt;please visit the Warm Home Discount Scheme website.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Your electricity supplier will automatically take the money off your bill by 31 March 2027. If you use a prepayment electricity meter, you may be given a voucher.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Who gets the discount?&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This year, it is easier to get the discount as you do not need to complete a form or prove that your home is expensive to heat.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Instead, you may qualify if these criteria applied to you on &lt;strong&gt;23 August 2026:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Your energy supplier is part of the scheme&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;You (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The means-tested benefits which can make you eligible are:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Universal Credit&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Housing Benefit&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Pension Credit&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You may also get the discount if you recently started receiving benefits and your payments have been backdated to 23 August 2026 or an earlier date.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Will it impact my benefits?&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The discount will not change your benefits, Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment, Council Tax reductions or social care entitlement.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;What if I use gas or solar energy?&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If the same supplier provides your gas and electricity, you can ask them to move the discount to your gas. If you use two suppliers, the discount can only be applied to your electricity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you have solar panels or use community energy, contact the supplier who provides your bills for more information.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;What if I’m moving?&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If your new home is in England and Wales, make sure your electricity supplier from 23 August 2026 has your new address. If you are moving outside of England and Wales, please seek further advice.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;What if I need more support?&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Warm Home Discount is not the only way of getting help this winter. Most energy suppliers offer a range of extra support, particularly if you have joined the Priority Services Register.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;We’re here to help&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you are worried about staying warm, &lt;a rel="noopener" href="/contact-us/" target="_blank" title="Contact us"&gt;please contact us as soon as possible.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We can give you advice about managing your money, find out which benefits and grants you are entitled to, or take urgent action if your home has no power.&amp;nbsp;&lt;span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2026 13:39:37 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-10-27T13:39:37Z</a10:updated>
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    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25557</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/reception-closed-on-wednesday-14-october/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Reception closed on Wednesday 14 October</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;Our reception will be closed on Wednesday 14 October while essential works are carried out.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You can still &lt;a rel="noopener" href="/contact-us/" target="_blank" title="Contact us"&gt;contact us&lt;/a&gt; by phone, live chat, online or through MyCuro during this time, and our teams will be happy to help.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Thank you for your patience while we make these improvements.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 14:01:17 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-10-08T14:01:17Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25556</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/introducing-housing-officers-in-your-area/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Introducing housing officers in your area</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;We have made some changes to the way we deliver housing and support services to provide you with a better experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You said you wanted us to be more visible in your neighbourhoods and better able to support you when issues come up. We've listened and acted on that feedback.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To make this happen, we've brought our housing teams together into one larger team. By working more closely together, we can make better use of our expertise and provide the right help and support when you need it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;figure&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/bjpafrbt/p1004168-lynn-quick-cmyk.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=384&amp;amp;height=245" alt="Red haired smiling lady wearing a blazer, stood in one of our community green spaces." width="384" height="245" data-caption="Lynne Quick, Housing Officer for Walcot and Lambridge, Bath."&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;&lt;em&gt;Above: Lynn Quick, Housing Officer for Walcot and Lambridge, Bath, out and about in the community.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&amp;nbsp;&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;What does this mean for me?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We have teams of specialists who will be able to help you with your housing issues or additional support you may need. &amp;nbsp;We’ve also introduced a new team called Neighbourhoods and Communities, which is made up of 23 housing officers, neighbourhood managers and resident engagement coordinators, who look after patches of around 550 homes each.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;What will my Housing Officer do?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Your Housing Officer will be at the heart of your community, available in your neighbourhood to coordinate your enquiries, help resolve local issues, and support you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;How will I get hold of them?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We still have our &lt;a rel="noopener" href="/contact-us/" target="_blank" title="Contact us"&gt;Customer Contact team&lt;/a&gt; and specialist services, who can support with any issues or concerns. Ideally, we’d still like you to contact us in the ways you did before, to make sure we can get you the right support quickly. Your Housing Officer will be out and about in your area and will be setting up some walkabouts and activities to get to know you soon.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Who is my Housing Officer?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;You can &lt;a rel="noopener" href="/residents/your-housing-officer/" target="_blank" title="Your Housing Officer"&gt;find out who covers your area here&lt;/a&gt;, or call our Contact team to ask them on 01225 366000. We’ll also be adding the name of your Housing Officer to your MyCuro account soon.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;How will my Housing Officer work with me?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Gets to know what matters to you&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We take the time to understand you, your home and what matters most to you, so you receive personalised support tailored to your needs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Coordinates the right expertise&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When you need specialist support, your Housing Officer will connect you with the right people across Curo and other local services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;In your community&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Your Housing Officer will carry out home audits, community inspections and regular neighbourhood visits, so they are available where you live.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;Checks the outcome&amp;nbsp;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We follow up after issues have been resolved to make sure the solution lasts and your neighbourhood continues to be a great place to live.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:54:28 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-10-08T12:54:28Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25554</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/a-great-day-at-the-big-get-together/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>A great day at the Big Get Together!</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;Our Big Get Together brought customers, colleagues and community partners together for a fantastic day of fun, activities and conversation at Mulberry Park in Bath on 26 September.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/wefnn1rj/biggettogether-24.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="White marquees set up with stalls and colleagues on a grass pitch." width="750" height="500"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Almost 500 customers joined us for the event, which was packed with things to see and do. There was something for everyone, including a barbecue, a bouncy castle and the chance to meet teams from across Curo, as well as local organisations and community partners.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/caxang2f/biggettogether-46.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=342&amp;amp;height=228" alt="Two children and an adult engage in one of the games at one of the marquee stalls" width="342" height="228"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/4ymaqyx2/biggettogether-68.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=341&amp;amp;height=227" alt="2 young children play knock out together, laughing and smiling." width="341" height="227"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Bath and Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Curo's Charity of the Year, joined us to share more about their work, alongside Dorothy House, Share and Repair and Bath &amp;amp; North East Somerset Council, who were on hand to talk about the support and services available locally.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The day was also an opportunity to hear more about Curo's work and future plans. Andrew Snee, our Director of Housing and Support, spoke about the introduction of housing officers and how this will strengthen the support we provide to customers. Aileen Evans, a member of the Curo Board and Chair of our Customer Experience Committee, shared an update on the proposed partnership with Abri.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/dyknktuw/biggettogether-4.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=342&amp;amp;height=228" alt="Older lady with white hair and white tshirt, smiling whilst conversing with a Curo Resident Engagement Officer, an older man with grey hair, wearing a blue Curo branded hoody." width="342" height="228" data-caption="Neil Rogers, Resident Engagement Officer talks with one of our customers"&gt; &lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/kbzlmlvt/biggettogether-78.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=344&amp;amp;height=229" alt="Two parents play giant twister with their toddler" width="344" height="229"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Customers also had the chance to put their questions directly to Curo's senior leadership team, including our Interim Chief Executive David McQuade and Chair of the Curo Board Jane Tabor, during a Q&amp;amp;A session.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Resident Engagement Co-ordinator Hannah Gavin said: "It was wonderful to see so many customers come along and enjoy the day. There was a real sense of community, and it was lovely to see people chatting, getting involved in the activities and taking the opportunity to meet our teams. A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the day such a success. We really enjoyed spending time with you and hope you did too!"&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/pAyTkLk-EzY?si=02_32hhv3wN4tY94" data-embed-height="240" data-embed-width="360" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;iframe width="360" height="203" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pAyTkLk-EzY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" title="Curo's Big Get Together 2026"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:49:20 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-10-06T14:49:20Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25520</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/residents-celebrate-revamped-community-hall/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Residents celebrate revamped community hall</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;Residents at Wick House are enjoying a fresh new community space after a major makeover of their communal hall.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Working closely with residents, we held several meetings to understand how the hall could be improved. Together, we redesigned the space, introducing new tables and chairs, new curtains, and carrying out a complete clear-out of years of unwanted clutter. The hall's new centrepiece is a multi-use pool table, giving residents an enjoyable space to socialise, relax and spend time together.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;figure&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/4qmhgwtg/img_6851.jpeg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Wick House Community Room before the redesign, dark, old furniture, old red curtains." width="750" height="563" data-caption="Wick House Community Room before the redesign."&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;(Above) Wick House Community Room&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;before&lt;/em&gt; the redesign.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;figure&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/1dufjiqu/img_7383.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Wick House Community Room after the redesign, bright and airy, new comfy grey chairs, clean white curtains." width="750" height="558" data-caption="Wick House Community Room after the redesign"&gt;
&lt;figcaption&gt;(Above) Wick House Community Room&amp;nbsp;&lt;em&gt;after&lt;/em&gt; the redesign&lt;/figcaption&gt;
&lt;/figure&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To celebrate the transformation, residents and colleagues came together for a launch event on 4 September.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The feedback from residents has been overwhelmingly positive. Many have told us how much they appreciate having a welcoming, modern space where they can spend time with neighbours, make new connections and enjoy community activities together.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A Wick House resident said:&lt;br&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;"The hall feels completely different now. It's somewhere people actually want to spend time in, and it's brought the community closer together."&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2026 13:46:21 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-09-25T13:46:21Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25427</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/gas-safety-week-2026-take-no-chances/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Gas Safety Week 2026: Take No Chances</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Gas Safety Week 2026 is here, and we're reminding customers to take no chances when it comes to gas safety.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Running from 14 to 20 September, the national awareness campaign highlights the importance of keeping gas appliances safe and knowing what to do if something doesn't seem right.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This year's theme, "Take No Chances", is a simple but important reminder not to ignore potential gas safety risks. Whether it's &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="/news/news-stories/annual-gas-safety-check-appointments-now-on-mycuro/" target="_blank" title="Annual Gas Safety Check appointments now on MyCuro"&gt;booking a gas safety check&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;, testing a carbon monoxide alarm or checking an engineer's credentials, taking action early can help protect you and your household.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Why gas safety matters&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Unsafe gas appliances can lead to gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that you can't see, smell or taste, making it particularly dangerous. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea and tiredness.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you notice any concerns with a gas appliance in your home, it's important to report them as soon as possible.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Annual gas safety checks&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;At Curo, we carry out annual gas safety checks in homes with gas appliances to help keep customers safe.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These checks ensure that appliances such as boilers, cookers and gas fires are working correctly and safely.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you've received an appointment for your annual gas safety check, please make every effort to provide access. If the appointment isn't convenient, &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="/residents/your-home/repairs-servicing/rearrange-a-missed-appointment/" target="_blank" title="Rearrange a missed appointment"&gt;get in touch with us to rearrange it.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Don't be fooled by appearances&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Research carried out for Gas Safety Week found that many people assume a tradesperson is qualified because they arrive in a branded van, wear a uniform or simply "look the part".&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;However, appearances alone don't prove that someone is legally qualified to carry out gas work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Before allowing any gas work to take place in your home, always:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Check the engineer is Gas Safe registered&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Ask to see their Gas Safe ID card&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Make sure the ID card matches the work being carried out&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our Gas Engineers will always be happy to show you their ID and answer any queries you may have.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;What to do if you smell gas&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you suspect a gas leak:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Open doors and windows&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Turn off the gas supply at the meter if it's safe to do so&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Avoid using electrical switches or naked flames&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Leave the property if you feel unsafe&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="tel:%200800%20111%20999" target="_blank" title="Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999"&gt;Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;Never ignore the smell of gas. Acting quickly could help keep you, your family and your neighbours safe.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 class="MsoNormal"&gt;Find out more&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;For more gas safety advice and resources, visit the &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/gassafetyweek/" target="_blank" title="Gas Safe Register website"&gt;Gas Safe Register website.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;If you have concerns about gas safety in your Curo home, please &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="/contact-us/" target="_blank" title="Contact us"&gt;contact us&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; as soon as possible or report the issue through &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="/residents/mycuro-customer-portal/" target="_blank" title="MyCuro customer portal"&gt;MyCuro&lt;/a&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:30:21 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-09-14T13:30:21Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25358</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/help-shape-the-information-we-share/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Help shape the information we share</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;Later this year, new Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRS) will give social housing customers the right to access more information about how housing providers like Curo are run.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;By completing our short survey, you can tell us what information matters most to you and how you'd prefer to receive it.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, and your feedback will help shape the information we publish in the future.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As a thank you, everyone who completes the survey can choose to be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2Shop voucher.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="button"&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://eu1.surveydynamix.com/webhook/web_survey/95d048d0-7ba4-11f1-85b3-cfe68ca25cab" target="_blank" title="Complete the survey here"&gt;Complete the survey here&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://mcusercontent.com/96469e58b9e52e564ce0d75a2/images/902784cd-dcb1-9604-3ed0-3f4941b56415.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=615&amp;amp;height=410" alt="" width="615" height="410"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:00:00 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-08-17T12:00:00Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25281</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/home-insurance-advice/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Home insurance advice</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;Unexpected events can happen to anyone, from accidental damage in the home to water leaks, theft or severe weather. That's why having the right protection in place can make a real difference when things go wrong.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;During 2025, a total of 3,619 claims and incidents were reported by customers covered through the Thistle Tenant Risks scheme.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These claims highlight some of the most common challenges tenants face and the importance of having contents insurance in place to help recover from unexpected setbacks.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;What were the most common claims?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The majority of claims related to everyday accidents in the home:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Accidental damage: 2,827 claims&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Escape of water: 432 claims&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Theft: 140 claims&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Storm and flood: 96 claims&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Fire: 58 claims&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;br&gt;Accidental damage remained the most common reason for claims, accounting for more than three-quarters of all incidents reported during the year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Supporting tenants when they need it most&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In 2025, insurers paid out a total of £1,760,765 to customers across the Thistle Tenant Risks scheme.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The average claim payment was £490, helping tenants replace or repair essential belongings following unforeseen events.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Whether its replacing damaged furniture, repairing items affected by a leak, or recovering after a theft, insurance can provide valuable financial support and peace of mind.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Why contents insurance matters&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Curo's insurance usually covers the building itself, but not the personal belongings inside the home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Making sure that items such as clothing, televisions, laptops, furniture and other household possessions are insured is the customer's responsibility.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Having contents insurance means that if the unexpected happens, there is support available to help cover the cost of replacing or repairing insured items.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Real protection for everyday life&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The claims figures from 2025 show that incidents can happen at any time, often when least expected. From accidental spills and damaged belongings to water leaks and extreme weather, having insurance in place can help reduce the financial impact and make recovery easier.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Over the last year alone, more than £1.76 million was paid to customers, demonstrating the important role tenant contents insurance can play in protecting the things that matter most.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;2025 at a glance&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;✅ 3,619 claims and incidents reported&lt;br&gt;✅ £1,760,765 paid to customers&lt;br&gt;✅ Average claim value of £490&lt;br&gt;✅ Accidental damage was the most common claim type&lt;br&gt;✅ Support provided for theft, escape of water, storm, flood and fire claims&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Figures relate to claims and incidents reported across the Thistle Tenant Risks scheme between January and December 2025.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There's more information about home insurance &lt;a href="/residents/living-in-your-home/home-contents-insurance-got-it-covered/" title="Home contents insurance - got it covered?"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;on this web page&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:42:13 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-07-16T15:42:13Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25276</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/summer-safety/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Summer safety</title>
      <description>&lt;h1&gt;Enjoying the summer safely&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Whether you're staying at home or going away for a few days, it's worth thinking about how to stay safe during the warmer weather. We've put together a few reminders to help you make the most of the summer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Hot weather&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Hot weather can affect anyone, but older people, young children and people with health conditions are more at risk.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Drink plenty of water, keep your home as cool as possible and try to avoid being out in the hottest part of the day.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There's lots more useful advice about how to stay safe in hot weather on the&amp;nbsp;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/" target="_blank"&gt;NHS website&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/4dlnosjf/hot-weather-1.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750&amp;amp;height=500" alt="A woman pouring a bottle of water over her head to cool down" width="750" height="500"&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Barbecues&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The recent hot, dry weather means there's a greater risk of accidental fires.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you're using a barbecue, keep it on a stable, non-flammable surface and well away from dry grass, bushes, fences and anything else that could catch fire. Never leave it unattended and make sure it's completely cool before disposing of the ashes. You can find more barbecue safety tips on &lt;a rel="noopener" href="/news/news-stories/barbecue-safety-tips/" target="_blank" title="Barbecue safety tips"&gt;this page&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Disposable barbecues get extremely hot and can easily start a fire if they're placed directly on dry ground. We ask customers not to use disposable barbecues during periods of hot, dry weather.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Visit the&lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.avonfire.gov.uk/news/help-prevent-fires-during-hot-weather/" target="_blank"&gt; Avon Fire and Rescue website&lt;/a&gt; for their advice on preventing fires in hot weather.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you'd rather use a public barbecue area, check your local council's website to see what's available near you. Bath &amp;amp; North East Somerset Council, for example, has &lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/visit-royal-victoria-park" target="_blank"&gt;barbecue facilities in Royal Victoria Park&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/eflmpjyk/bbq.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="A family enjoying a barbecue int he garden" width="750" height="500"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Paddling pools&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Paddling pools are a great way to cool down on a hot day, but they should only be used in your own private garden. They aren't permitted in communal gardens or shared outdoor spaces.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Children should always be supervised around water, however shallow it is, and paddling pools should be emptied after use.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Read more:&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;a rel="noopener" href="/news/news-stories/barbecue-safety-tips/" target="_blank"&gt;Royal Life Saving Society&lt;/a&gt; has more advice about splashing safely in the garden.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/201j5hh4/paddling-pools.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Young children playing in a paddling pool, being supervised by adults" width="750" height="500"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Going away?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you're heading off on holiday, don't forget to lock all doors and windows before you leave. If you can, ask someone you trust to keep an eye on your home and wait until you're back before posting holiday photos on social media.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Check out &lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/protect-home-crime/leaving-your-home-checklist/" target="_blank"&gt;this advice from the police&lt;/a&gt; about keeping your home secure while you're away.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/zlraheuq/going-away-2.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750&amp;amp;height=500" alt="A family pose with suitcases and a rubber ring" width="750" height="500"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Look out for your neighbours&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you have an older neighbour or someone nearby with a health condition, checking in on them during very hot weather can make a real difference.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/1omlsawb/look-out-for-your-neighbours.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="A woman stands outside a home, waving to the elderly couple standing in the open doorway" width="750" height="500"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:08:45 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-07-16T14:08:45Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25274</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/an-update-on-how-were-improving-our-housing-and-support-services/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>An update on how we're improving our housing and support services</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;We're always looking at how we can improve the services we provide and make it easier for you to get the help you need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;Over the past few months, we've introduced a new way of delivering our housing and support services. These changes are designed to help us provide a more joined-up, responsive service that better meets the needs of you and your community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/ul3dosxc/image-29.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=597&amp;amp;height=398" alt="A person in a wheelchair speaks with a Curo employee wearing a turquoise hoodie and lanyard beside a table displaying event materials. The scene is set under a marquee at an outdoor community event, with additional attendees, decorations and display stands visible in the background." width="597" height="398"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;What has changed?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We've brought together teams that previously worked separately, creating a more integrated housing and support service. This means colleagues can work more closely together, helping us resolve issues quickly and provide a more consistent experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our new approach also allows us to spend more time in our neighbourhoods as we have introduced a new housing officer role and created patches for all our areas. This should make it easier for you to get any support you need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Why have we made these changes?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We listened to customer feedback, which told us that:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;You want services to be simpler and more joined up.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;You don't want to have to repeat your information to different teams.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;You want us to be more visible and accessible in your community.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;You want issues to be resolved as quickly as possible.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;By changing the way we work, we're aiming to reduce delays, improve communication and make it easier for you to get the right support from the right person.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;What does this mean for you?&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Most customers won't notice any immediate changes to the services they receive. You'll still be able to contact us in the same ways, and we're committed to continuing to provide high-quality housing and support services.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Behind the scenes, however, our teams are starting to work more closely together. We’ll write to you soon to share who the contacts will be in your area.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2026 12:35:22 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-07-16T12:35:22Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25255</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/curo-and-abri-in-partnership-talks/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <category>customers</category>
      <category>Abri</category>
      <category>Partnership</category>
      <title>Curo and Abri in partnership talks</title>
      <description>&lt;div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;
&lt;p class="Paragraph SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;The Boards of&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;housing associations&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;Abri Group (Abri) and Curo Group (Curo) have today (1 July 2026) announced that&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;they’re&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;exploring options to form a new partnership&lt;/span&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;This&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;partnership would support&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;142,000&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;customers and own and manage more than&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;73,000&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;homes and community assets across the south and&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;south west&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;of England.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;
&lt;p class="Paragraph SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;Abri and Curo are well respected housing associations and house builders, with strong credentials and solid track records of delivering for their customers. &lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;
&lt;p class="Paragraph SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;On the partnership, Gary Orr, Group Chief Executive of Abri said:&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;
&lt;p class="Paragraph SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;“We believe Abri and Curo are an excellent fit for one another. As well as&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;operating&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;in the same geographical area, both groups share&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;the same&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;core purpose,&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;vision&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;and values. Separately we are two high-performing organisations, but together we believe we can be even greater. Our combined strength and resilience will allow us to invest more into our customers&lt;/span&gt;’&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;homes, offer&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;greater&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;services&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;and build more much&lt;/span&gt;-needed affordable homes.”&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;
&lt;p class="Paragraph SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;David McQuade, Interim Chief Executive of Curo said:&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;
&lt;p class="Paragraph SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;“Curo and Abri have many things in&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;common&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;and our boards believe that together we will have more capacity to improve homes and services. Combining resources and capabilities is in the long-term interests of our customers and communities. While the partnership discussions progress, our focus will be on&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;maintaining&lt;span&gt;&amp;nbsp;the delivery of high-quality services. Our customers’ views are extremely important to us, and we will give them every opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals and their priorities for the future.”&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;
&lt;p class="Paragraph SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;&lt;span class="NormalTextRun SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;A final decision is expected later in the year, following a formal consultation with customers and the agreement of both boards to the final business case.&lt;/span&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="Paragraph SCXW164385080 BCX8"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/media/4wqd4s10/austen-letter-for-website-on-headed.pdf" title="Austen Letter For Website On Headed"&gt;&amp;nbsp;Read the letter we've shared with customers, together with frequently asked questions&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:30:00 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-07-01T14:30:00Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25251</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/storm-disruption-update/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>⚠️ Storm Disruption Update</title>
      <description>&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span data-teams="true"&gt;Tuesday 23/06/2026:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span data-teams="true"&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-teams="true"&gt;Following last night’s storm, our phone lines are currently very busy.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;To make sure those with urgent needs can get through, we’re asking customers to please only call us if you have an emergency repair to report.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;For routine enquiries and non-urgent repairs, you can reach us via:&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://my.curo-group.co.uk/sts/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fsts%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3DCuro%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmy.curo-group.co.uk%252F360.OpenIdAuthentication%252Fconnect%252Fsignin-oidc%26response_type%3Dcode%2520id_token%26scope%3Dopenid%2520profile%2520email%2520aareonuk360.profile%2520live.curo.aareonuk360.tenant-api%2520live.curo.aareonuk360.api-gateway%2520live.curo.aareonuk360.backoffice%2520offline_access%26response_mode%3Dform_post%26nonce%3D639177991955236716.ZWIyYTRhMWMtZjRhNS00OWViLTliZTctMTc2NjZkYzQ2NDg4NTI5OTJiYjEtYjUwMi00ZjdkLTgwYzEtMzNjMDZjY2MwZWFm%26acr_values%3Dtenant%253ACuro%26state%3DCfDJ8FY6Y6HvIXZKsg-udxYzgjTkstIgk2ruR59mtK1HpXF83XL8InB2QbJ8bWlSo_X23nPGQjE_uwE8O-i3AW0FCo-k-o_0Ygxzp4psxHCBqwIJ-zF5sF99uXlI2mGiDH_tstM9eLql-cif8ktOilfE0JeVD5GTUrouA638lcJ7ASyLXEooBYvkgKcBFVW5mhRLcIjretflIY0SPyeFU28l17JqZWP-j8X0fPOsfo9YuUuh4nG6MSmA1CU_NxLDybJNm4d6QEZCNs7Lc80JENh7MNzb6vtzUs5MTgrfAktmLlKa-h1I7cMbpWuq74_tZPE8Ely0iQdwjF_MfQ2OSadm2FE%26x-client-SKU%3DID_NET8_0%26x-client-ver%3D7.1.2.0" target="_blank" title="MyCuro customer portal" data-anchor="?ReturnUrl=%2Fsts%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3DCuro%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fmy.curo-group.co.uk%252F360.OpenIdAuthentication%252Fconnect%252Fsignin-oidc%26response_type%3Dcode%2520id_token%26scope%3Dopenid%2520profile%2520email%2520aareonuk360.profile%2520live.curo.aareonuk360.tenant-api%2520live.curo.aareonuk360.api-gateway%2520live.curo.aareonuk360.backoffice%2520offline_access%26response_mode%3Dform_post%26nonce%3D639177991955236716.ZWIyYTRhMWMtZjRhNS00OWViLTliZTctMTc2NjZkYzQ2NDg4NTI5OTJiYjEtYjUwMi00ZjdkLTgwYzEtMzNjMDZjY2MwZWFm%26acr_values%3Dtenant%253ACuro%26state%3DCfDJ8FY6Y6HvIXZKsg-udxYzgjTkstIgk2ruR59mtK1HpXF83XL8InB2QbJ8bWlSo_X23nPGQjE_uwE8O-i3AW0FCo-k-o_0Ygxzp4psxHCBqwIJ-zF5sF99uXlI2mGiDH_tstM9eLql-cif8ktOilfE0JeVD5GTUrouA638lcJ7ASyLXEooBYvkgKcBFVW5mhRLcIjretflIY0SPyeFU28l17JqZWP-j8X0fPOsfo9YuUuh4nG6MSmA1CU_NxLDybJNm4d6QEZCNs7Lc80JENh7MNzb6vtzUs5MTgrfAktmLlKa-h1I7cMbpWuq74_tZPE8Ely0iQdwjF_MfQ2OSadm2FE%26x-client-SKU%3DID_NET8_0%26x-client-ver%3D7.1.2.0"&gt;MyCuro&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thank you so much for your understanding — we really appreciate your patience while we work through the disruption.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;&lt;span data-teams="true"&gt;Monday 22/06/2026:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span data-teams="true"&gt;During the severe thunderstorm this evening our head office at The Maltings has been damaged, and as a safety precaution, we’ll be closing the building tomorrow.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Our out of hours service is currently extremely busy and we want to make sure those with urgent needs get through to us as quickly as possible. If your query is routine, we’d be really grateful if you could hold off contacting us until the situation improves. Thank you - your patience is appreciated.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;strong&gt;If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 999.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;From tomorrow our phones will be open as usual, though please bear with us as wait times are likely going to be longer than normal. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;If you need to log a repair, you can do this anytime via &lt;a href="/contact-us/mycuro-customer-portal/" title="MyCuro customer portal"&gt;MyCuro.&lt;/a&gt; You can also reach us as normal on &lt;a href="/contact-us/text-or-whatsapp-us/" title="Text or Whatsapp us"&gt;WhatsApp&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="/contact-us/do-it-online/whatsapp-x-facebook/" title="WhatsApp, Twitter &amp;amp; Facebook"&gt;Facebook.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thank you for your understanding. We appreciate your patience, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by tonight’s storm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:12:02 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-06-22T20:12:02Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25229</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/community-share-in-tintagel-progress-as-new-neighbourhood-races-ahead/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <category>Tintagel Close</category>
      <category>regeneration</category>
      <category>keynsham</category>
      <category>affordable</category>
      <category>construction</category>
      <title>Community share in Tintagel progress as new neighbourhood races ahead</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="MsoNormal exec_text"&gt;Progress report on regeneration site in the heart of Keynsham shows 100% affordable development ahead of schedule.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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 complimented Curo on the communication and engagement offered to the community throughout the project. He said that “local people are absolutely buzzing” about the development.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;We last shared pictures from the site in January, &lt;a href="/news/news-stories/tintagels-coming-down/"&gt;as demolition of Tintagel Close got underway&lt;/a&gt;. 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/c2gholjs/dji_0093.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=350&amp;amp;height=262" alt="Drone shot over the site shows construction underway" width="350" height="262"&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/zm4j5x0l/smh02964.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=393&amp;amp;height=262" alt="People in hard hi vis and hard hats laughing" width="393" height="262"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/wgcj3u3j/smh02958.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=393&amp;amp;height=262" alt="Construction underway on Tintagel site" width="393" height="262"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;What will this new neighbourhood be like?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/qi4mkvz1/neighbourhood-visualisation-landscape-reduced-size.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=608&amp;amp;height=430" alt="Image of proposed development show people enjoying green space in which a modern low-density development sits" width="608" height="430"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;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.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;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.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;34 of the homes will be available for subsidised social rent, significantly below the market rate, offered through Bath &amp;amp; North East Somerset Council’s lettings system. The remaining 11 will be available for shared ownership purchase.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:20:01 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-06-18T15:20:01Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25192</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/saving-on-summer-childcare/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Saving on summer childcare</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If money is already tight, planning ahead can ease pressure and help you avoid unexpected costs.&lt;br&gt;Find free and low-cost activities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These may include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Free sports and activity camps&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Creative sessions such as art, music or drama&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Events at your local library&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Activities run by community groups&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Help with food costs&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Some schemes also provide meals, which can help lower food costs during the holidays.&lt;br&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bathcommunitykitchen.org.uk/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSfPzpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBudzd5bHAzNmpJenFXNEFnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqDyk6fyBf6AkyQxQ_zRbjQ2NV4CJ-lehSrwIWdLno2wsku6I7mChSkIBx-j_aem_6IglBBM5Qd8JckOd3bbDVw" target="_blank" title="Bath Community Kitchen" data-anchor="?fbclid=IwY2xjawSfPzpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBudzd5bHAzNmpJenFXNEFnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqDyk6fyBf6AkyQxQ_zRbjQ2NV4CJ-lehSrwIWdLno2wsku6I7mChSkIBx-j_aem_6IglBBM5Qd8JckOd3bbDVw"&gt;Bath Community Kitchen&lt;/a&gt; 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.&lt;br&gt;📍 Radstock – Every Wednesday, 5:45pm @ The Community Hub&lt;br&gt;📍 Twerton – Every Thursday, 6:15pm @ The Lighthouse&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Some national charities also run lunch clubs and food-based activities across the UK, including FareShare, Make Lunch and FeedingBritain.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Plan your weekly spending&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Summer often brings small extra costs, such as days out, snacks and travel, which can add up quickly.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These steps may help you manage those costs:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Set a weekly spending limit you can afford&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Choose free activities such as home crafts, parks, beaches or nature walks&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Take packed lunches instead of buying food while out&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Look for discounts on days out and activities&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A simple plan can help you stay in control and protect money needed for essentials.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Reduce childcare costs&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;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.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you’re a working parent you can &lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare/apply-for-tax-free-childcare" target="_blank" title="Apply for tax free childcare"&gt;apply for tax free childcare&lt;/a&gt;, 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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. &lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/what-youll-get#:~:text=If%20your%20child%20is%20aged,38%20weeks%20of%20the%20year." target="_blank" title="Apply for free childcare" data-anchor="#:~:text=If%20your%20child%20is%20aged,38%20weeks%20of%20the%20year."&gt;You apply via the Government website&lt;/a&gt; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Check what help you could get with childcare costs&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you need extra support, you can:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Contact the our Customer Accounts team on 01225 366316 or email &lt;a rel="noopener" href="mailto:customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk" target="_blank" title="Email Customer Accounts for help and advice"&gt;customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Call PayPlan on 0800 072 1206. Lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 3pm on Saturdays.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Visit &lt;a rel="noopener" href="http://www.payplan.com/debtadvice" target="_blank" title="Visit PayPlan's website for advice on debt"&gt;www.payplan.com/debtadvice&lt;/a&gt; to speak to them through live chat or WhatsApp&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:08:02 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-06-15T10:08:02Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25191</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/aileen-evans-awarded-obe/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Aileen Evans awarded OBE</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Curo board member Aileen Evans has been awarded an OBE for services to social housing in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;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”.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;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.&lt;br&gt;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 &amp;amp; Remuneration Committee and remains committed to professionalising and elevating our sector.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;She also led #Shinealight, a mental health campaign that raised significant funds for Mind and opened up honest conversations about wellbeing in our sector.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;She has worked alongside government departments to influence housing policy and is an Associate at Disruptive Innovators Network.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;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.&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;Jane Tabor, Chair of Curo’s board, said “We are delighted that Aileen is receiving this recognition of her immense contribution to our sector. &amp;nbsp;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!”&amp;nbsp;&lt;br&gt;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!&lt;br&gt;“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.”&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:44:58 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-06-15T08:44:58Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25120</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/facebook-live-june-2026/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Facebook Live June 2026</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="exec_text"&gt;If you’ve got any issues, questions or thoughts you want to put to our senior team, live and direct, here’s your chance.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Julie Evans, Curo’s Chief Operating Officer, and Andrew Snee, Director of Housing and Support, will be in the hot-seat on Facebook LIVE.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3&gt;Get involved!&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Tune in to hear the latest updates, ask your questions and be part of the discussion.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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 &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="mailto:communications@curo-group.co.uk"&gt;communications@curo-group.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To find out more and to &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://fb.me/e/6O3eJYl2y" target="_blank" title="Facebook Live"&gt;put the date in your diary, click here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 28 May 2026 12:35:00 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-05-28T12:35:00Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25170</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/nominations-now-open/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Nominations now open</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/residents/get-involved/annual-events/curo-community-awards-2026/"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/ywbfi0jj/community-awards-26-voicebox-banner.png?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Colourful artwork of people holding hands - 2026 Curo Community Awards" width="750" height="188"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/residents/get-involved/annual-events/curo-community-awards-2026/"&gt;&amp;gt;&amp;gt;Curo Community Awards 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="/residents/get-involved/annual-events/curo-in-bloom-2026/"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/2ojjyqmg/cib-voicebox-banner_2026.png?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Curo in Bloom 2026 flowers - prizes to be won in each category - balcony and baskets, small garden, large garden, community garden - show off your glorious garden or dazzling displays to win one of our great prizes" width="750" height="188"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a href="/residents/get-involved/annual-events/curo-in-bloom-2026/"&gt;&amp;gt;&amp;gt;Curo in Bloom&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Do you remember&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="/news/news-stories/congratulations-to-all-our-community-winners/"&gt;our winners from last year&lt;/a&gt;? Here's a recap.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/Hjd_VHgHCGo?si=Y76aZzSMzlSQ-F8u" data-embed-height="500" data-embed-width="467" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;iframe width="467" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zdAQ23tCoKg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" title="Curo Community of the Year 2025"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/zdAQ23tCoKg?si=1uCr9ZCMft66GHPw" data-embed-height="500" data-embed-width="467" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/RCOjaN4NHc4?si=H-3xIqAfgkjZ2MSo" data-embed-height="500" data-embed-width="467" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;iframe width="467" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RCOjaN4NHc4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" title="Curo Community Hero of the Year Award"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/RCOjaN4NHc4?si=H-3xIqAfgkjZ2MSo" data-embed-height="500" data-embed-width="467" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/Hjd_VHgHCGo?si=wxgcb1YlD_-9NBtO" data-embed-height="500" data-embed-width="500" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;iframe width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hjd_VHgHCGo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" title="Curo in Bloom Winners 2025"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/Hjd_VHgHCGo?si=wxgcb1YlD_-9NBtO" data-embed-height="500" data-embed-width="1295" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/Hjd_VHgHCGo?si=wxgcb1YlD_-9NBtO" data-embed-height="500" data-embed-width="1295" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 10:17:16 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-05-21T10:17:16Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25124</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/deaf-awareness-week/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Deaf Awareness Week</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="MsoNormal exec_text"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/zpkpceym/gettyimages-1135080982.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=575&amp;amp;height=383" alt="a young black male uses BSL to communicate with another BSL user" width="575" height="383"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;The theme this year is&amp;nbsp;&lt;strong&gt;‘Right to understand – Together, we break barriers’&lt;/strong&gt;. It’s a theme that focuses on closing communication gaps and reducing the social isolation that many Deaf people experience.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h3 class="MsoNormal"&gt;You can contact us using British Sign Language (BSL)&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;If you use British Sign Language, you can contact us using &lt;a href="/contact-us/signvideo/" title="SignVideo"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SignVideo&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SignVideo is a free service.&lt;/strong&gt; 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;This means you can speak directly with us and get the help you need.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SignVideo means:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;"&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;You can contact us in BSL&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;You don’t have to rely on others to help&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;The service is private and easy to use&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p class="button"&gt;&lt;a href="/contact-us/signvideo/" title="SignVideo"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Use SignVideo to contact us today&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h3 class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Making our website easier to use&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;We also want our website to be accessible.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;That’s why we use &lt;strong&gt;ReachDeck&lt;/strong&gt;, an accessibility tool built into our site.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;ReachDeck lets you:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;"&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Listen to text&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Use screen reader tools&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Change text size and colours&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Translate pages into other languages&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/jk0acqrh/image.png?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=96&amp;amp;height=88" alt="" width="96" height="88"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr&gt;
&lt;h3 class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;We’re here to help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h3&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;If you are deaf or hard of hearing and need to get in touch, we’re here to support you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;We’re always looking for ways to improve our services and make them easier for everyone to use and welcome any feedback you have.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 08:00:00 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-05-04T08:00:00Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25134</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/putting-pounds-back-in-customers-pockets/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Putting pounds back in customers' pockets</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="MsoNormal exec_text"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;Sarah Rogers heads our Customer Accounts team, she explains, &lt;em&gt;“We’re a real lifeline for customers&amp;nbsp;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.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;em&gt;“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.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Speak to the team on 01225 366316 or email&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="mailto:customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk"&gt;customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;A look back over the last 12 months, shows just how effective the team has been at putting money back in customers’ pockets.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 class="MsoNormal"&gt;🏠 Passport to Housing – 162 customers supported, £370,859 better off&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;This free service helps people bidding for homes through Bath &amp;amp; North East Somerset's Homesearch. It helps them to prepare for a successful tenancy and plan for the expense of moving.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 class="MsoNormal"&gt;💷 Money and Benefits Advice – 66 customers supported, £268,408 better off&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 class="MsoNormal"&gt;🗝️ Zero evictions into homelessness – 153 customers support, £163,000 better off&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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. &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:59:08 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-04-28T16:59:08Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25121</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/new-electrical-safety-regulations/</link>
      <category>Safety</category>
      <category>electrical safety</category>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>New electrical safety regulations</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;There’s &lt;a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-and-social-rented-sectors-guidance/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-and-social-rented-sectors-guidance" target="_blank"&gt;new guidance&lt;/a&gt; from the UK Government about electrical safety in rented homes, including social housing.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;The most important thing is making sure we can get into your home when your appointment is due.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;You can find out more about the checks and what they involve on &lt;a href="/residents/safety-at-home/electrical-safety/eicr-checks/" title="EICR checks"&gt;this web page&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;If your appointment isn’t convenient, &lt;a href="/contact-us/" title="Contact us"&gt;let us know &lt;/a&gt;and we’ll rearrange it.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:05:42 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-04-22T16:05:42Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25119</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/watch-the-latest-facebook-live/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Watch the latest Facebook LIVE</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;In the hot seat this time was Chief Operating Officer, Julie Evans, and our Head of Customer Accounts, Sarah Rogers.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Catch up with the session below - topics covered include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Service changes and support for older or vulnerable residents&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Organisational change and staffing&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Estate and communal area issues&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Property repairs and maintenance&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;div&gt;Anti‑social behaviour and neighbour disputes&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://youtu.be/hDPQhuJll2g" data-embed-height="240" data-embed-width="360" data-embed-constrain="true"&gt;&lt;iframe width="360" height="203" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hDPQhuJll2g?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" title="Curo Facebook Live - April 2026"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:56:35 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-04-22T13:56:35Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25111</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/food-support/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Food Support</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;Below are links to services in your area, so you can quickly find help near you:&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Banes &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.banesfoodfinder.org.uk/"&gt;BANES Food Finder&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bristol &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.feedingbristol.org/support-in-bristol/community-food-support/"&gt;Community Food Support - Feeding Bristol&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;South Gloucester&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;a href="https://life.southglos.gov.uk/kb5/southglos/directory/service.page?id=PyFOFoc-d5o"&gt;South Glos LIFE&amp;nbsp;-&amp;nbsp;Food Provision&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Wiltshire &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;a href="https://adults.wiltshire.gov.uk/Search?Keywords=communityfoodproviders&amp;amp;UDG=False&amp;amp;OrderBy=Relevance&amp;amp;InfoPageIndex=1&amp;amp;SM=ServiceSearch&amp;amp;SME=False&amp;amp;ServicePageIndex=1"&gt;Your care, Your support Wiltshire&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Somerset &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.somerset.gov.uk/children-families-and-education/school-life/food-support-for-families-in-somerset/"&gt;Food support for families in Somerset&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;North Somerset&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;a href="https://n-somerset.gov.uk/my-services/benefits-support/other-benefits-support/food-support"&gt;Food support | North Somerset Council&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Mendip &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;a href="https://healthconnectionsmendip.org/free-food-options-in-mendip/"&gt;Free food options in Mendip - Health Connections&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Food Foundation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;a href="https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/endchildfoodpoverty-campaign"&gt;End Child Food Poverty Campaign&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/hjfbbwgi/gettyimages-1408430356.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Image of foodbank volunteers" width="750" height="500"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal;" class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:51:16 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-04-20T15:51:16Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25108</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/responsible-cleaning/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Responsible cleaning</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;This means:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;"&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;a cleaner, fresher feel in communal areas&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;lower levels of harsh fumes, improving indoor air quality&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;reduced risk of irritation for residents, visitors and pets&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;protection for floors, windows and finishes, helping them last longer&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;Our cleaners are also pH‑neutral, meaning they clean effectively without damaging delicate or high‑gloss surfaces.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/zpldrimg/p1004252.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Image of a member of the cleaning team, cleaning a doorway in a communal halway" width="750" height="513"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Better for the environment — and our communities&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;We also look beyond the product itself and focus on how it’s packaged and reused.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;"&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Reusable containers are collected, cleaned and refilled instead of thrown away&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;100% recycled plastic packaging helps reduce the need for new materials&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Paper sachet refills cut down on plastic and avoid transporting excess water&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;Cleaning cloths and mops are returned for recycling, giving materials a second life&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;All of this means much less waste going to landfill and a smaller overall carbon footprint.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/tilhugxf/loop-box.png?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=317&amp;amp;height=312" alt="Logo/image for Loop Box, the closed loop service for our cleaning products" width="317" height="312"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;For residents, the right choices make a real difference&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;Making sure we choose the right products means:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="margin-top: 0cm;"&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;cleaner, healthier shared spaces&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;fewer chemical smells in enclosed areas like hallways and stairwells&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;a home environment that reflects responsible, modern estate management&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"&gt;the reassurance sustainability is built into everyday services&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A cleaner today, a better tomorrow&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;By choosing environmentally friendly cleaning products and recycling systems, we’re helping to protect shared spaces now, and resources for the future.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;It’s just one of the ways we’re committed to looking after our estates, our communities and the environment around us.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;Find out more about our cleaning routines here &lt;a href="/residents/estate-management/cleaning/"&gt;Estate Cleaning Services for Curo Residents&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/3pffmjyi/p1004196.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750&amp;amp;height=500" alt="Image of a member of the cleaning team vacuuming a communal area" width="750" height="500"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:30:04 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-04-20T10:30:04Z</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">25094</guid>
      <link>https://www.curo-group.co.uk/news/news-stories/bishopsworth-bin-store-improvements/</link>
      <category>homepage</category>
      <category>news</category>
      <title>Bishopsworth bin store improvements</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;Recognising the impact this was having on the community, a comprehensive improvement project was launched to completely overhaul the site.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/tu4b44es/20250314_130316.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750&amp;amp;height=750" alt="Image of the old bin store looking very shabby" width="750" height="750"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/ue5jupzj/elizabeth-court-bin-store-2.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;height=750" alt="Internal image of the bin store at Elizabeth Court" width="562" height="750"&gt; &lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/zmhls3av/img-20260326-wa0002.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;height=750" alt="Image showing fly tipping outside the bin store" width="563" height="750"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A fresh start for the bin store&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/qftcazgb/20251008_125248.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Image of the new bins and recycling pods" width="750" height="563"&gt;&lt;img src="https://www.curo-group.co.uk/media/0jyjahw0/20251008_125325.jpg?rmode=max&amp;amp;width=750" alt="Image of the new recycling units" width="750" height="563"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Tackling pests and improving cleanliness&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Listening to and supporting residents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;A safer, cleaner place for the community&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p class="MsoNormal"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:55:11 Z</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2026-04-14T09:55:11Z</a10:updated>
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