Curo News

Share and Repair

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:39:26 Z

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Find out more Repairs - Share and Repair

The Pantry has permanently closed

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:47:58 Z

The Pantry, our food bank and support service in Midsomer Norton, has permanently closed.

Unfortunately, the building is no longer safe to use.

We know this will be disappointing for many customers, and we’re trying to find an alternative venue.

If you need any help with buying food or paying your bills, please get in touch with our Customer Accounts team on 01225 366000 or email customeraccountshelp@curo-group.co.uk

Bath Area Play Project gets back on the road thanks to donation

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:22:40 Z

Pictured from left, Bath Area Play Project family and community support workers Emily North, Chloe Dalton and Jess Exton, Director of Bath Area Play Project Caroline Haworth, Curo Supply Chain and Fleet Contract Business Partner Samantha Thomas, and Lee Palmer Store Manager at Travis Perkins store.

Bath Area Play Project (BAPP) now has a new van to thanks to Bath-based housing association Curo, and Travis Perkins Managed Services.

The Odd Down-based charity runs free play sessions for children around B&NES, and relies on its van to transport the equipment to and from the different venues. Sadly, their van was stolen, and the insurance payment didn’t cover the cost of a replacement used vehicle.

But a joint Curo and Travis Perkins funding pot, which is available for local community projects and ideas, was able to donate £5,000 to cover the shortfall and now the charity once again has a van, complete with brightly coloured branding.

Caroline Haworth, Director of BAPP, said: “We are very grateful for this donation. It’s meant we can get a van that we can rely on, and that we can get it branded which we hope might be a deterrent to thieves.

“Having a van is vital to our work as we use it to transport our equipment to our sessions so that we can provide different resources than the children might get in school or home – such as our very popular spin painting bike. The opportunities we can provide help children to develop some skills that they don’t necessarily get from formal education.”

Samantha Thomas, Supply Chain and Fleet Contract Business Partner at Curo, said: “We know that many of our customers and their children benefit from Bath Area Play Project’s important work, so we’re really pleased that we can support them with this donation.”

Curo Awards winners

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 16:51:08 Z

Keynsham resident Len Griffin won the Community Hero of the Year award at this year’s Curo Awards for the kindness and support he shows to his neighbours.

“Len is so helpful, his cheerfulness is brilliant,” said one nomination. “He really deserves to be recognised for all he does to help. He’s a special person and deserves this honour.”

Len accepts his award from Victor da Cunha and Jane Tabor

Victor da Cunha, Curo’s Chief Executive, and Jane Tabor, Chair of the Board, presented the awards at this year’s Big Get Together, Curo’s annual residents’ event, which took place at Mulberry Park, Bath, on Saturday 14 September. Curo’s annual Big Get Together is an opportunity for colleagues to have conversations with customers about the things that matter to them. More than 700 people attended the event, from young families to older residents in their eighties.

“I’m stuck for words, to be honest,” said Len after receiving his prize. “But I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me – it's really kind of them. I’m very happy.”

Ian Carter accepted the Community of the Year Award on behalf of Toynbee Road and Samuel Barnett Close, Bristol. He said: “In our community, we are people of different backgrounds and heritages, but we’ve all come together to look after each other. I have never felt this sense of belonging before, and I know it’s good for our health and wellbeing. We are social animals, and we need to live in community with each other.”

Ian said he was surprised yet honoured to accept the award. “I was flabbergasted to win this award for my community – it’s amazing, thank you!”

Ian accepts Community of the Year cheque from Victor da Cunha and Jane Tabor

Residents Dawn Neale, Fay Wright and Patricia Dennis also picked up Curo in Bloom awards – recognising the time and effort they put into their gardens and balconies – while Wellgarth Court, Bristol, won Community Garden of the Year.

Fay Wright, winner of Curo in Bloom Small Garden Award, with Victor

Victor said: “Curo’s annual awards are a chance to recognise the fantastic work of residents in the communities we serve. It was a real privilege to meet Len and Ian and hear how they make a difference in their communities. Congratulations as well to all the Curo in Bloom winners, who are making their communities brighter and more beautiful places to live.”

Fire training at Berkeley House

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 16:41:19 Z

There were dramatic scenes at Berkeley House in Bath on Friday, 6 September.

Fire officers from Avon Fire and Rescue Service descended on the Snow Hill block of flats, with two fire engines outside, a ladder reaching almost to the top of the building, and smoke filling a flat on the highest floor.

There was no need for alarm, however, as it was a planned training exercise to ensure that in the event of a real emergency the fire service will be able to respond swiftly and effectively to keep our customers safe.

The fire officers tested how high they could get the ladder, and then used the hose to see how much coverage of the building they could get with the water, and confirmed that they could reach all floors on that side of the building.

An empty flat on the eighth floor was filled with synthetic smoke and a dummy casualty was hidden in the bedroom so the fire officers could simulate a real life rescue. The smoke machine was left running for 30 minutes to check that the fire doors were effective at containing smoke.

Matt Bryant, Curo’s Fire Safety Team Leader Community Services, said: “The safety of our customers is our priority, and we are always very happy to work with Avon Fire and Rescue Service, to allow them to carry out training in our properties.

“Using the simulated smoke allowed us to test how the fire doors are working, and it was great to see how well the flat door prevented the smoke from reaching the communal areas.”

“Opening the door for just 90 seconds filled the area with smoke and the visibility was almost zero. In a real fire this smoke would be thick, black smoke and it would almost certainly be toxic. This really highlights the importance of keeping communal areas clear.

“In a situation like this, when you can’t see, the only way to get around is to use the wall as a guide. Any items left in the communal areas become a potential obstacle that could prevent a safe escape.

“It also highlights the importance of keeping communal areas clear. These areas are often escape routes, so if an item in a communal area caught fire, could mean the whole area filling with smoke, making it difficult and dangerous to get out.”

Bath Fire Station, Watch Manager - Rich Wheeler said, “Training in real buildings is essential within the work we carry out. It means that our crews are familiar with the environment and their surroundings in the case of a real fire. It also highlights any learnings we may need to have that can save us time in real life emergencies. Being able to work with organisations such as Curo is always a pleasure as it is clear they are committed to offering a high standard of safety for their residents.”

In the last year, we invested more than £8m in fire safety measures across its properties.

“We welcome all types of diversity”

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 15:09:59 Z

As we celebrate Pride Month, Julie Evans, Chief Property Officer, talks about the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility and recognition.

Julie Evans, pictured above

Why did you volunteer to be the Executive Sponsor of Curo’s LGBTQ+ Resident Engagement and Colleague Groups, and what does that mean in practice?

I’m a gay woman, and I think it’s important for a senior leader in the business who is out and proud to support our work in this area. It sends a visible signal to colleagues, customers, and to people who might be considering working with us that we welcome diversity of all types. It shows that sexuality is no barrier to career progress at Curo.

As part of this role, I participate in our LGBTQ+ Colleague Engagement Group, where we discuss issues such as how we can better capture the views of customers and the unheard voices in our sector. I don’t think we currently understand how many LGBTQ+ customers we have, or what they need. But if we don’t understand their requirements, we can’t shape our services to suit them. Our new vision is that ‘Everyone feels proud about the quality of our homes’, and it feels pertinent that LGBTQ+ pride is part of this.

Why has Curo taken the HouseProud pledge, a scheme that all social housing providers can sign up to, to demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ resident equality and support?

It’s a visible commitment to improve the experience of LGBTQ+ customers. We hope that having this overt badge will help customers who have felt reticent in the past to share their experiences of their neighbours and communities. We want it to give them confidence that we’re welcoming.

Recent research from HouseProud found that one in five gay men reported modifying their home in some way – for example, moving pictures or books – to hide their sexual orientation from a visiting repairs operative or housing officer. Have you ever witnessed anything like this?

When I was younger and less confident, I did similar things myself. I have moved photos and haven’t corrected people when they’ve assumed my partner was a man. I suppose I felt a sense of shame that I had absolutely no reason to feel. If you’re gay, there is nothing to be ashamed of.

Unfortunately, there will always be prejudice in the world. But you should expect your landlord to treat you with equity. An LGBTQ+ person should never feel afraid or embarrassed in one of our homes.

What are the aims of the LGBTQ+ Resident Engagement Group?

We want to give LGBTQ+ residents the opportunity to help shape our services and policies. This will help us to be a better landlord. We’d like customers to take ownership of the group and for it to be completely led by them. My colleagues and I can play our parts by sharing our experiences and advocating on behalf of customers. We don’t want people to suffer in silence if they are experiencing discrimination.

We’re conscious that we have Extra Care and Sheltered homes for older residents - and we don’t know if some of these are LGBTQ+ customers. The older generation may have faced more discrimination and may be more likely to hide their sexuality. We’re keen to work with them and address these issues. There has been too much ignorance. We need to know what their experiences are.

I have been personally very lucky because my family and friends accepted me for who I am. We now have gay marriage and equal rights. But you do hear horror stories. When I first met my partner, she said that we must never be complacent nor take for granted the rights that we now have. The political rhetoric that surrounds us can be challenging. For example, we have a responsibility towards transgender customers to understand their lived experiences so that they don’t have to hide who they are.

What would you say to a customer who was thinking about joining the group but felt a bit nervous and didn’t know what to expect?

We’d love you to come along. It’s a great chance to meet new people and make friends. But if the thought of joining a group is putting you off, you can have a chat with one of us first. And if you don’t want to join the group, you can still let us know your thoughts and experiences.

For more information on the LGBTQ+ Resident Engagement Group, email pride@curo-group.co.uk

Pride month

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:23:06 Z

Curo have signed up to the HouseProud Pledge, a scheme that all social housing providers can sign up to, to demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ resident equality and support.

The home is of huge importance to LGBTQ+ residents, it should be a place where people can freely express their sexual orientation and/or their gender identity without prejudice.

At Curo, we want our customers to feel welcome and heard. This is why we signed the HouseProud Pledge. You can find out everything you need to know about the pledge here.

If you have any questions, or would like to join to our LGBTQ+ Resident Engagement Group, please email pride@curo-group.co.uk.

Work for new play area for Whiteway Green is underway

Wed, 22 May 2024 12:00:00 Z

A community play area in Whiteway in Bath is being given a new lease of life.

We’ve been given £40,000 to buy and install new play equipment at Whiteway Green as part of a funding initiative to support local communities, and work is well underway and on course to be completed in time for the summer holidays.

The new play area will include swings and toddler equipment, and will be installed close to the existing play site for older children.

Curo’s Director of Estates Services, Carl McMurtry, said: “Whiteway Green is one of our largest parks, and we’re excited to be able to deliver this project for the community.

“When putting the plans together, we listened to the views of young people, community groups and councillors, and we hope that the new play equipment will be used and enjoyed by families from around the local area.”

The money has been awarded as part of the Bath Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - a planning charge introduced by the government to help local authorities support the development of their area to benefit communities, and Curo submitted the bid in partnership with B&NES councillors Tim Ball and Sarah Moore.

Councillor Sarah Moore said, "I'm delighted that the funding has been agreed and look forward to working with Curo on this project."

Introducing the Curo Grounds Team

Thu, 16 May 2024 10:01:35 Z

We now have a dedicated Grounds Team at Curo who will be carrying out repairs to paths, walls and fences.

The team will be fixing cracks and replacing damaged sections in paths, repairing fencing posts and panels, and sorting out damaged brickwork and pointing in existing walls.

Larger, more complex jobs, will continue to be managed by our contractors.

The team has been created to help ensure that these smaller repairs can be carried out more quickly and efficiently. They’ve already made great progress on reducing the number of outstanding jobs, completing around 65 tasks every month.

If you have a path, wall or fence that needs repairing, please get in touch through MyCuro, on the website, or by calling the Customer Contact Team.

Curo’s support services have social value of £39.8m

Mon, 13 May 2024 16:29:26 Z

The impact of Curo’s support services was worth more than £39.8m to communities across the South West in 2023/24. The services have averted homelessness, prevented mental health crises escalating, given people a suitable home after leaving hospital, helped people find jobs and more.

Curo measure their social impact using the Social Value Bank, a tool developed by Charitable Housing Trust. This quantifies the social, health and economic benefits and outcomes of an organisation’s services in monetary terms.

“We’re incredibly proud of these results, which powerfully illustrate the benefit of our support services,” says Jack Bailey, Head of Operations. “By providing interventions that help address the root causes of social issues and improve outcomes, we can help reduce costs to the public purse in the long term.”

Curo’s Stepdown and Wellbeing House services saved a total of 2,708 hospital bed stays, with a social value of £730,406. Stepdown frees up hospital beds by providing accommodation for patients who are medically fit to be discharged from hospital, but who can’t yet return to their homes.

Wellbeing House offers respite in beautiful surroundings to people who are struggling with their mental health. Anyone aged over 18 who lives in, or is registered with a GP in, B&NES can stay. It’s a place for pre-crisis support, offering breathing space and connecting residents with other organisations.

The Wellbeing House

Curo’s Independent Living Service and Livewell service together delivered almost £29m in social value. These services support older customers to live happy and healthy lives in their own homes or in sheltered accommodation.

Meanwhile, our homelessness services, including The Foyer and Pathways supported housing for young people, saved nearly £6m.

Curo’s Work Wise team offer support to gain employability skills, build confidence and enter into new work experience placements, helping people get into employment. In 2023/24 they generated £1,807,566, in social value, providing employability and training support on 1,064 occasions, enabling 177 people to access employment and a further 315 to access volunteering opportunities.

Catch up with us this spring

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:16:28 Z

Pictured above: Neil Rogers, Curo's Resident Engagement Co-ordinator, and Councillor Joanna Wright

Curo’s Community Catch-ups are a valuable way for our Resident Engagement team to meet customers face to face to hear about their concerns. Every week, our Resident Engagement Co-ordinators Hannah Gavin and Neil Rogers hit the road to visit the areas we serve. The team is on hand to speak to customers about anything to do with their home, neighbourhood or how to get more involved with Curo.

“The catch-ups mean that we can get out and about in the communities Curo works with and have a friendly chat with customers. I love getting to know residents and helping them out,” says Hannah. “Customers can raise issues with us which we can then follow up with Curo’s specialist teams.”

Customer John Green was at the catch-up at Curo’s community room in Larkhall on 25 April. “I’ve come along today to raise some issues on behalf of my neighbours who find it difficult to get out,” he said. “The Community Catch-ups are an excellent idea. Hannah has been brilliant. I feel she’s really listened to me.”

Lambridge councillor Joanna Wright also joined residents and colleagues at the Catch-up. “Community engagement is very important to me,” said Joanna. “It’s good to have a space where people can come along and have a positive experience. The human element is so important; it’s a chance to talk to real people about real issues.

“Climate and social justice and public health are intertwined. As people who serve communities, we all need to work together.”

Find out where our upcoming Community Catch-ups are taking place this spring and summer.

We’d love to see you there, so please do pop along for a chat and a cup of tea. Or, if you’d like to request a visit to your area, email Voicebox@curo-group.co.uk

Meet the team

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:29:30 Z

There are some new faces in Curo’s Resident Engagement Team. We find out a bit more about Neil Rogers and Hannah Gavin (pictured above).

Neil Rogers, Resident Engagement Coordinator:

Tell us a bit about what you do at Curo…
I recently joined as Resident Engagement Coordinator. I'm excited about the opportunity to meet our customers and establish trusting relationships with the communities we serve.

What did you do before?
My career journey began at Lloyds Bank, where I held various positions including Financial Consultant, Branch Manager and Area Community Engagement Consultant. Later, I took up a Senior Debt Advisor role at a company in Somerset, helping both individuals and businesses with financial matters. Following that, I went into the communications industry with roles at Avonline Satellite Broadband and Truespeed, where I focused on community relationship-building. In addition, I volunteer as a befriender for young children and frequently organise charity events.

Why Curo?
I wanted a role that would inspire me to jump out of bed each morning and use my community engagement skills to make a positive impact on people's lives. The position at Curo offered exactly that.

What's the best thing about your job?
I love the welcoming and supportive atmosphere from colleagues at Curo. And I’m enjoying getting out and meeting lots of our customers.

What's your favourite hobby or pastime?
Drumming has been a passion of mine for more than 35 years, and I play with two rock bands. One of them has released two original albums, a live album and a Christmas single, available on streaming platforms. I've had the privilege of performing at various venues, including Glastonbury Festival and the Bristol Beacon. We’ve even supported 70s band Hot Chocolate at a music festival. I also enjoy going to gigs – rock and metal are my favourite genres.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
While it might sound clichéd, I would choose the ability to prevent people from committing evil acts. Imagine a world free from invasions and wars – a safer and better place for everyone.

Hannah Gavin, Resident Engagement Coordinator:

Tell us a bit about what you do at Curo…
As part of the Resident Engagement Team, I’m a point of contact for our customers, someone to talk to face to face. I help to run different groups, giving voices to our customers and can act as the midpoint between customers and our specialist teams.

When did you join Curo and what did you do before?
I started at the end of February. I previously worked in membership engagement at sports organisation British Fencing in London for five years. I’d worked in sport since I graduated from uni. But I’d moved to Bath and I was ready to do something new. It was important that my next job would give back to the community.

Why Curo?
From my research, I saw that Curo is ahead of the curve when it comes to engaging residents, and I wanted to be part of that. For example, I was impressed by the Board Connect sessions, which are a chance for our Board to directly hear the concerns of residents.

What’s the best thing about your job?
Getting out and about to see people, especially at Community Catch-ups. We might not be able to fix people’s problems there and then, but we can make sure that people feel seen and heard. We’ll then follow up queries and get back to the customers with answers.

What’s your favourite hobby or pastime?
Tap dancing! I’m part of a local group – they’re a lovely bunch. We work on a different dance every six weeks.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
The ability to time travel. Living in Bath, I’d love to go back to Georgian or Roman times and see firsthand what life was like.

Why not join Hannah and Neil at a Community Catch-up? Find out if they'll be coming to you area here. To request a Community Catch-up visit to your area, please email Voicebox@curo-group.co.uk

Nothing for Nature

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:37:00 Z

Giving wildlife a helping hand

We’re doing nothing for nature again this year. Nothing for nature means giving nature a chance by leaving certain areas of grass to go wild for a while longer.

Here are some benefits:

More wildflowers, which are…
…a vital food source for bees, butterflies & other pollinators
Pollinators are vital for food production
More ecological activity
Lower carbon footprint from our vehicles and machinery

As part of Nothing for Nature, we'll leave a small number of areas uncut for as long as possible to maximise the benefits.

We're also encouraging residents with lawns to get involved by giving their mowers a break during May. And if you have the space, consider leaving an area uncut for even longer.

Changes for 2024

We’ve listened to feedback and made some changes to the initiative this year:

This year we are targeting our efforts on sites that have performed well. We've been working on nurturing and increasing the amount of key pollinator plants through seeding and timely management. We hope to have more of these sites in the future.
We’ve listened to customers and changed the design of some sites where concerns have been raised.
We’ve ensured that every Nothing for Nature area will be strimmed back by one metre on all edges that meet hard surfaces from the start of the initiative.
Informal footpaths will be cut and maintained where appropriate from the start of the initiative.

The sites included in this year's Nothing for Nature initiative are:

Chantry Mead Road, Moorlands, Bath
Coxley Drive, Larkhall, Bath
Freeview Road, Bath
Huish Court, Writhlington
Lympsham Green / Cranmore Place, Odd Down, Bath
Meg Thatchers Green, Bath
Midsummer Buildings, Larkhall, Bath
Mountain Wood, Bathford, Bath
Newbridge Court, Bath
Norman Road, Saltford
Pine Court, Radstock
Poolemead Road / Elenor Close, Bath
Poplar Close, Wild Flower Meadow, Bath
Redland Park, Bath
Southlands, Bath
St Johns Court, Keynsham
The Oval, Bath
Whiteway Green, Bath

What do you think?

We’d love your feedback. Do you support this idea? Can you suggest a Curo area where we could do this? Email us at estates@curo-group.co.uk or contact us any other way here.

Neurovision: sharing experiences and support

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:24:48 Z

Weston-super-Mare-based group Neurovision brings people who are neurodivergent together to share their experiences. Billed as an ‘anti-social social group’, the monthly sessions are often the first time participants have felt comfortable explaining how they experience the world in a different way.

Neurovision was set up as a collaboration between Community Connect and Bridging the Gap Together!, which provides workshops for people with complex needs or disabilities and has now taken over running the group.

Community Connect is one of Curo’s support services, bringing older people from North Somerset together to form peer support groups to combat loneliness and improve health outcomes.

Participants in the Neurovision group may be on the autism spectrum, have dyslexia or dyscalculia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other forms of neurodivergence.

“A key aspect is that people trust the team to talk about issues they have never spoken about before,” says Jack Bailey, Head of Operations for Curo’s support services. “This sort of discussion would not have happened a few years ago.”

Above: group participants Terri and Olivia

Here’s what some of the group members say:

Olivia: “It’s good that I can share my feelings in confidence, as I do have issues trusting people because of what’s happened to me in the past. It’s also nice to listen to other people’s experiences. I feel I can help others as I’ve lived through a lot and learnt to recognise how others are feeling. I feel heard when I leave the group.”

Terrii: “At first I was nervous, but I feel comfortable walking through the door now. This is a safe space where I can share my feelings and hear about other people’s lives. It’s a haven. Talking has made me realise things about myself that I never knew.”

Peter: “I’ve been coming to the group for six months. The group is helping me to understand why I do things the way I do them. One of the adventures I’ve been on is understanding myself better – it’s not always a nice journey as you can discover uncomfortable things. I know I’ve been helped by this group and I also want to help others. It’s been very nice to see that other members are happier than when they first joined.”

Funded by North Somerset Council in partnership with West of England Rural Network, anyone who’s eligible can self-refer to Community Connect to get information, advice or guidance to help them stay living independently at home. They can also be referred by their family, GP or support worker.

In 2022-23 Community Connect supported 1,504 people, with social return on investment – which measures value to the community – standing at £842,947.

Crafting a community

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:17:21 Z

We visited Curo’s Community Room at St Margaret's Close, Keynsham, BS31 2EW, where residents are joining together to share their skills.

Bag decorating, crochet and needle felting are just some of the crafts residents have sampled at a crafting club at Curo’s Community Room in Keynsham.

The club takes place each Friday at 12-4 pm and was started by Livewell Officer Clare Pollock as a way to bring the community together. The club helps to prevent older residents from feeling isolated, says Clare. “They’re making friends and trying something new,” she says.

At the club on 9 February, Margery Leever was sharing her bag-making skills with fellow Curo resident Faye Wright.

“We all have different abilities and everyone is friendly,” says Margery. “If someone is alone, I’d say give this a try. We’ll give them a cup of tea, a slice of cake and a warm welcome.”

Roz Stute, who was teaching Carol Allsop how to crochet at the club, says: “Crochet helps me unwind. This is a chance to share that.”

Janet Durk was having a go at needle felting, taught by Clare Hudson. Janet is partially sighted, but said she didn’t want it to be a barrier. “You have to keep on doing things,” she says. “Trying this has been extremely satisfying and has made me happy.”

Clare says that the group is planning to try new crafts in the future, including dry clay modelling and woodwork. “I got a £500 grant from the Travis Perkins community funding pot. We’re spending it on craft supplies, including magnifying lights and tabletop easels to make painting more accessible.”

If you have an idea for a club in your local Community Room, we can help you set one up. Get in touch with Livewell Officer Tasia Talbot on 07773 059244.

Curo recognised in West of England Bee Bold Awards

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 12:04:11 Z

Curo has been recognised in the 2023 Bee Bold Awards: a unique competition that showcases West of England groups taking positive steps to support pollinators.

We received the Bee Bold Space for Nature award for our work with local communities to provide more wildflowers and food for pollinators.

Curo Director of Estates Services, Carl McMurtry, said: “We’re very excited to receive this award. We first rolled out No Mow May across our estates in 2021 and last year we took this one step further by signing up to the Nothing for Nature scheme, leaving 30 Curo sites to rewild beyond May. We’ve since seen a big increase in the number of wildflowers bringing more food for pollinators.

“It's been important to work with local communities where we are leaving areas uncut so everyone understands why we’re doing this. We put signs up explaining what’s happening and many residents have got in touch to say how much they value this nature-first approach.”

Video: Carl McMurtry explains why we're making space for nature at Curo.

One resident told Curo:

"I was so delighted to see the areas of unmown grass on Mountain Wood in Bathford, plus your sign to explain what you are doing. It will make such a valuable contribution to wildlife. Just across the road from the sign I spotted this orchid. I'm sure there are many more. Well done!"

Carl continued: “We plan to continue this approach every year, cutting and collecting at these sites just once a year in September. Doing this early autumn cut-and-collect will encourage more wildflowers to grow the following year.”

West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris brought together local residents, companies and community groups to award the 2023 Bee Bold Awards at Hartcliffe's Heart of BS13 as part of its ‘Nature Family Fun Day'. The Space for Nature award was presented to groups that have created the best gardens or pollinator spaces within their workplaces, or local area.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “Pollinators matter – in terms of helping flowers grow, but also in ensuring we can have the delicious West of England produce we’re renowned for, not to mention keeping our precious countryside and other green spaces maintained and cared for.

“I hope these award winners inspire others to take steps to support our pollinators as well, no matter how small they seem. So, whether it be throwing away those bee-harming pesticides or taking part in things like No Mow May, I urge locals to help me make our amazing West of England region the best place in the whole country for the West of England’s bee and pollinator friends.”

The unique West of England competition celebrates the amazing bee buddy groups across the West who have gone above and beyond to look after the region’s busy bugs through actions like creating a blossoming community patch or nature-friendly allotments - and everything in between.

The Bee Bold Awards are part of the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority's wider work to make the West the Bee and Pollinator Capital of the UK.

Find out more about Curo’s wildlife-friendly approach to grounds maintenance here.

Pictured, left-right: Sophie Spencer, West of England Combined Authority Senior Manager Nature Recovery; Carl McMurtry, Curo Director of Estates Services; and Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Calling Redland Park allotment holders: Could you help grow more trees?

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:09:33 Z

A local tree-planting charity is looking for a new space to grow their tree seedlings and is asking Curo residents in Twerton if they can help.

More Trees for Bath and North East Somerset is a small charity based in Bath who have planted more than 11,000 trees in the area since 2008. The charity needs to find a new space from September 2023, having been based at the local council’s parks depot in Royal Victoria Park for the past 18 months.

We'd like to hear how Curo allotment holders at Redland Park would feel about sharing space with More Trees. If this arrangement is acceptable, we would help the charity set up a new central nursery at the allotments. They would use this to grow their tree seedlings from seeds collected from local woodlands.

To give your feedback about this, please email Curo at estates@curo-group.co.uk or call 01225 366000 and ask for our Estates Team. Please get in touch before the end of January 2023.

For more information about More Trees, or their tree growing project, get in touch with sandra@moretrees.earth.

Curo community comes together to celebrate Jubilee

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 11:13:19 Z

Residents living in Curo sheltered accommodation were treated to live music, a delicious buffet and raffle at an event to celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The celebration, at All Saints Centre, Bath, on 9 June, was one of three Jubilee parties which have brought Curo communities together, providing fun and company for older people.

Local DJ Infinity Alexander got residents in on their feet with classic tunes from the 1950s and 60s, while acoustic duo Sian and Rob started a singalong to feel-good songs, from Elvis to Cliff Richard.

Guests even raised a toast to HM The Queen as she watched over proceedings in the form of a life-sized cardboard cut-out.

Residents also took part in a raffle, with gifts such as fruit hampers generously donated by Stokes Greengrocers on Moorland Road up for grabs. And Radio Bath were there, gathering stories from residents for their community shows.

Holly Reed, Curo’s Livewell officer, helped organise the events. “More than 150 customers attended the three celebrations and it was fantastic to be able to reach out to so many people,” said Holly. “Isolation is a problem for many of our customers. They may have lost friends and family members over the years and not get out much anymore. The celebrations were a way for them to meet others.

“It was so heartwarming to see our residents on the dancefloor. One told me it was the first time he had danced in 40 years. The little things can mean so much.”

Curo resident Mehmet Fidahoglu said, “I very much enjoyed the celebration and was honoured to be invited. It has been wonderful meeting everyone and there was such a good atmosphere.”

After the event, the team created food boxes of leftover supplies and donated them to Curo’s Pathways service, which provides accommodation for vulnerable young people.

These Platinum Jubilee celebrations were for anyone living in Curo sheltered housing, or who receives Curo’s Independent Living Service which helps people to live life to the full in their own home.

Older people who aren’t Curo residents were also welcome, along with any carers or family members.

The events were supported by Travis Perkins Managed Services, who have contributed £3,000 through the joint Curo and Travis Perkins funding pot which is available for local community projects and ideas.

Metro Mayor sees No Mow May in action at transformed Bath park

Wed, 11 May 2022 15:42:56 Z

Pictured (L-R): Joe Robson (Curo Senior Arboriculturalist), Metro Mayor Dan Norris, Carl McMurtry (Curo Director of Estates Services), Ann Birtwistle (Your Park Bristol & Bath) and Claire Loder (Blooming Whiteway).

West of England Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, visited a stunning park in Whiteway, Bath to see how No Mow May is giving wildlife a chance by allowing wildflowers to bloom, attracting bees and other vital pollinators.

Whiteway Green is a Curo-owned park where we're leaving areas of grass uncut throughout May and beyond.

Carl McMurtry, Curo Director of Estate Services, said: “After the success of No Mow May last year, we’re going one step further with our new Nothing for Nature initiative. Nothing for Nature means giving nature a chance by leaving areas of grass to go wild for a little longer.

"We’re doing this working closely with local communities, like the fantastic Blooming Whiteway group, and we’ll be listening carefully to residents’ feedback as we grow this initiative."

During the visit, Metro Mayor Dan Norris met Claire Loder of Blooming Whiteway and Ann Birtwistle of Your Park Bristol & Bath to hear how the local community have worked with Curo to transform their cherished local park.

Claire said: "Whiteway Green is the green heart of our estate - the park is a crucial part of the mosaic connecting our gardens to the open countryside above us and the city of Bath below us. What happens here radiates out and impacts wildlife and well being and mitigates for flooding and pollution.

"We're really excited to see this important shift in the management of our green spaces and hope that we can work towards a beautiful and abundant space full of wildlife that just happens to be where humans live too!"

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: "Getting people to leave the mower for a few weeks really is so important. A wilder lawn can be a boon for plants, butterflies and other creatures, and they are just perfect for our pollinators. I’m really pleased Curo and people across the West of England are participating and I encourage everyone to do so."

Since No Mow May, a campaign from the charity Plantlife launched in 2019, thousands of lawns have been left to sprout. Plantlife says the campaign trebled the number of people leaving their lawns long, and expects a bigger success this year.

Find out more about No Mow May and Nothing for Nature here.

Housing association Curo and contractor Jehu inspire Bristol’s next generation of builders

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 06:45:04 Z

More than 60 children from Oasis Academy Bank Leaze in Lawrence Weston, Bristol, visited the nearby affordable housing development at The Willows to learn about construction in a fun-filled session organised by housing association and housebuilder Curo and contractor Jehu Group.

Children from Nursery and Reception had the opportunity to see how plant machinery works, including a crane raising timber frames and excavators digging foundations for the new homes. They also learnt about roofs, what they’re made of and how they are installed on new build homes.

But by far the children’s favourite activity was trying their hand at bricklaying, with help from contractor DTM Brick N Stone. Every pupil had the chance to help build a brick wall, with varying degrees of success.

Oasis Academy Bank Leaze teacher, Mrs Georgina Fitz-Gerald, says: “This has been such a fantastic activity for the children, and we’re grateful to Curo and Jehu for helping us to inspire future generations of professionals as part of the current term’s Early Years Foundation Stage topic, ‘when I grow up’.

“The trip was a great opportunity for children to learn about the different construction trades involved in building a house in a practical way, outside of the traditional classroom setting. Pupils and teachers alike, we’ve all had a brilliant day and I’m sure we’ll be talking about it for months to come!”

Curo is currently building 57 new affordable homes with contractor Jehu Group at The Willows development, at Corbet Close in Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

Curo Deputy Managing Director of Housebuilding, Sarah Maylor, says: “It was wonderful to welcome pupils from Oasis Academy to our development to show them the fun side of construction in a safe environment. We loved seeing them engage with all the hands-on activities and hope that we’ve been able to stir up their interest in these highly skilled and very rewarding trades that make up the housebuilding sector.”

Jehu Group Site Manager for The Willows, Tomasz Magiera, says: “We’re delighted to work with Curo at The Willows in Lawrence Weston – together we’re not just building new homes, but also investing in the local economy and skills and supporting communities.

“It was great to see so many young children getting excited about construction and we’re pleased that we were able to put a smile on their faces and make this experience possible for them.”

This is the third time Curo and Jehu Group have partnered with Oasis Academy Bank Leaze. Not long after the start of construction works at The Willows, the pupils took part in a drawing and painting competition, with their artwork now proudly displayed on the construction site’s hoardings. More recently, Curo and Jehu Group created a sensory garden for the school, to help promote the pupils’ wellbeing and mental health.

Curo to spread Christmas cheer with sweet treat donation

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 10:33:22 Z

170 chocolate oranges were donated by Curo to Bath Open Christmas, to help put a smile on their guests’ faces at this year’s event.

Bath Open Christmas usually takes place every year on 25 December and welcomes 160 guests for a hot festive meal, entertainment and good cheer in the Dining Hall at Kingswood School, in Lansdown.

Caroline Holcombe from Bath Open Christmas says: “Christmas can be a difficult time for many people who find themselves on their own over this festive period. Not everyone is lucky enough to have lots of family to spend Christmas with and some feel particularly lonely at this time of the year.

“At Bath Open Christmas we welcome anyone who would otherwise be alone at this time. There will be a delicious festive lunch, an opportunity to chat with other people and even gifts from Father Christmas – and we’d like to thank Curo for their donation which I’m sure will help us spread some much-needed joy this year!”

Alongside chocolate oranges, Curo also donated prizes for the raffle which will take place on the day, including a tea service set, a variety of sweets and more chocolate!

Curo Sales Manager, Jodie Winter, says: “We’re delighted to support Bath Open Christmas this year and help them bring a little happiness to so many people.

“Supporting the communities we work in and partnering with organisations whose work benefits local residents is really important for us at Curo. We hope everyone has a fantastic time at this year’s Christmas lunch!”

This year’s Bath Open Christmas will be a little different, with measures in place to protect the safety of all guests and volunteers. The venue will be regularly ventilated and everyone attending will need to wear a face covering and take a lateral flow test in the 24 hours prior to the event.

There are still some places available for this year’s event. Call Bath Open Christmas on 01225 312271 or 07392 974405 to book your free ticket.

Local school kids get books and festival tickets thanks to Curo and Travis Perkins funding pot

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:17:41 Z

Pupils at St. Michaels Junior Church School in Twerton, Bath received a reading boost with a donation of best-selling books from housing association Curo and Travis Perkins Managed Services.

The school is one of several in the local area to receive the books, along with free tickets for the recent Bath Children’s Literature Festival.

The donation was provided through a joint Curo and Travis Perkins funding pot which is available for local community projects and ideas.

Samantha Thomas, Business Support Lead at Curo said:

‘We’re more than happy to help schools in Bath to attend this fantastic festival.

‘As an added gift we purchased new books for their libraries, and we hope this experience may even inspire them to become writers themselves one day.’

Martyn Piper, Account Manager at Travis Perkins Managed Services added:

‘We are very pleased to be able to support the Bath Children’s Literature Festival. I’m sure this event has inspired children to enjoy reading more in the future.’

More than £1,700 was used to allow pupils in Bath to access the festival, as well as providing brand new books for their libraries.

Some schools could not go to the festival due to COVID, so plans are being made for authors to visit them in person.

The donated books, including ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ by Cressida Cowell, are all by authors who took part in the festival.

Hazel Plowman, Head of Creative Learning for Bath Festivals said:

‘We were delighted to receive a grant from the Curo/Travis Perkins Community Fund which enabled us to inspire even more children to read for pleasure as part of the Bath Children’s Literature Festival.

‘Bringing schools to see Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell live on stage for free, and providing selections of new books for school libraries means giving more children the opportunity to share in the magic of seeing an author, and to continue it afterwards in school.

‘Inspiring children and young people is a vital part of what we do at Bath Festivals and we are grateful to the community fund for supporting us to make it happen.’

Bristol school opens sensory garden with help from local housebuilders

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 09:26:36 Z

Image above: Curo Sales Advisor, Ruby Webber and Jehu Project Manager, Tomasz Magiera helping Year 1 and Year 2 pupils to plant their new sensory garden at Oasis Academy Bank Leaze.

A school in Lawrence Weston, Bristol has opened a new sensory garden to help promote the pupils’ wellbeing and mental health.

Oasis Academy Bank Leaze, also known locally as ‘the blue school on the hill’, was helped to set up the garden by housing association and housebuilder Curo and their contractor Jehu Group.

Curo is working with Jehu to deliver 57 new affordable homes for social and affordable rent and shared ownership at The Willows, a residential development near the school.

The materials and labour for the planters as well as all the plants were donated by Curo and Jehu as part of their joint commitment to support communities and make a positive contribution to the neighbourhoods they work in.

Students from Year 1 and Year 2 were helped by Curo and Jehu colleagues to plant the garden with low ferns, rose bushes, ornamental grasses, coloured heathers and some herbs.

L-R: Paula Beel, Curo Sales Manager, Ruby Webber, Curo Sales Advisor, Tomasz Magiera, Jehu Project Manager and Georgina Fitz-Gerald, Oasis Academy teacher with Year 1 and Year 2 pupils.

Curo Sales Manager, Paula Beel, says: “Supporting local communities where we build much-needed new homes is part of Curo’s purpose – Homes for Good.

“Over the past couple of years, we’ve all rediscovered how powerful nature can be in helping us to maintain and improve our well-being and mental health. We’re really pleased that, alongside our contractor Jehu, we were able to help the school create this lovely garden for their children to enjoy every day.”

Jehu Project Manager, Tomasz Magiera, says: “We’re proud to work with Curo at The Willows, delivering much-needed new affordable homes in Lawrence Weston, and supporting community initiatives that benefit local residents. It’s great to see how much the children are already enjoying the new garden and we’re proud we could come together and use our strength as a force for good in society.”

Oasis Academy Bank Leaze teacher, Georgina Fitz-Gerald, says: “The children loved planting and tending to the garden. They’re really excited about watering the plants to help them grow and look forward to seeing how they will change over the seasons.

“At our school, we try to use the outdoors as much as possible to teach our children about nature and the environment, and to promote their mental health. We’re over the moon with our new garden and I’m certain it will be enjoyed by the kids for many years to come.”

The Willows is a 100% affordable housing development, including 19 homes for sale through the part-rent/part-buy scheme, shared ownership. The development will be completed by the end of 2022.

For more information about The Willows click here. For shared ownership, visit our sales website.

Youth football teams sport new strip thanks to Curo sponsorship

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 08:00:00 Z

Clutton’s youth football teams are sporting brand new kits after receiving a £3,000 sponsorship donation from housing association and housebuilder Curo.

Curo last year completed the Highbury Fields development of 36 new homes in the village, which included 21 affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership. The development has enabled many local people to put down long-term roots in the community near to family, schools and jobs.

Curo Chief Executive, Victor da Cunha, says: “We’ve always believed that truly integrated, sustainable and happy neighbourhoods need more than just new homes. That’s because it’s the people, not the homes, that make it a great place to live.

“As a developer and housing association, we remain involved in local communities well after we build our homes, by providing a wide range of activities and services to support people and neighbourhoods - from tailored individual support for those needing a little extra practical help, to skills, training, employment advice and job opportunities. We also offer funding for community-led projects, such as the wonderful youth football club in Clutton.

"The club is very active, popular and successful locally, and doing a great job in helping families and kids to connect, socialise and keep healthy. We’re proud to be associated with them and to play a part in helping them to keep doing what they’ve been doing so well for a while. We hope that this donation helps them continue to go from strength to strength.”

Curo’s donation has enabled the club to purchase new Hummel kit including shirts, shorts and socks for all players from the under-7s, under-9s and under-11s teams, as well as 25 children from Reception and Year 1, also known as the ‘Mini Swans’. In addition, the club was able to purchase other much-needed equipment, including 40 new footballs and two goals for matches.

Clutton Football Club Chairman, Stuart Price, says: “We’re thrilled to have received this generous donation and really grateful to Curo for their support. Our young players are loving their new Curo-branded equipment and it’s great to see them looking the part on the pitch.

“Football is really important in our community, bringing together not only local children, but also their parents, grandparents and siblings. Our matches make for great fun days out for the whole family and Curo’s sponsorship will help us to continue this important work.”

Bath special school launches lunch delivery service with Curo grant

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 14:37:42 Z

Thanks to a grant from Curo, students at Bath's Three Ways Special School are improving their employability skills with a new café delivery service.

Curo has made a donation of £500 to Three Ways School to purchase a trolley and equipment to enable a lunch delivery service around school and, hopefully soon, to local businesses. Students at the special school have loved having the responsibility of working in 3 Café Kitchen to prepare the trolley to take the deliveries for staff in school. The meal deals, delicious cakes and drinks are taken for staff in school to purchase.

The trolley offers the opportunity for young people to develop employability and life skills, working to prepare food, handle money, talk to customers and take orders. Students take huge pride in taking turns to be on duty, they love the chance to be the trolley handler and to knock on each class and office door to offer lunch and snacks.

Michelle Sage, Resident Engagement Co-Ordinator at Curo, said, “It's been wonderful seeing how an investment from Curo can make such a difference to the students. You can see the pride they take in preparing the food and taking part in the deliveries. We are so pleased to have been able to support Three Ways in this way.”

Sixth Form Teacher Annalise Carrico said, “The addition of a fabulous trolley, which the students helped to research and stock, is great for developing skills and pride in the work that students do at 3 Cafe Kitchen. It gives new opportunities for young people to be involved; those who might struggle more in the kitchen or busy cafe environment enjoy taking on the job. For children with special needs every opportunity to put skills into practice, to take steps towards their independence and to develop new skills, is key to what is offered in school.”

The school is hoping to expand to local deliveries for its meal deals and lunches. The smiles and pride in the 3 Cafe Kitchen trolley is contagious and all the students shouted a huge thank-you to Curo.

For more information about 3 Café Kitchen or the trolley delivery, please contact cafe@threewaysschool.co.uk, call 01225 830377 or follow them on social @3cafekitchen.

To apply for a grant for your community idea, click here.