01 | Care
We care about providing you with good quality, affordable homes and services. We invest in your communities, take keeping you safe very seriously and have lots of additional free support if you need it.
"If something is wrong, I can always call Raven. They seem to care."
Mrs L from East Grinstead
Investing in communities
Supporting local events
In the last year we’ve enjoyed getting involved in community events and working with our partners locally, supporting many of the fantastic community days throughout the year. It’s been brilliant seeing events pick up again since the pandemic and we’ve really enjoyed being able to get our smoothie bikes out and about!
Working on community projects
Everyone at Raven has a chance to spend time volunteering in our local communities and each year we dedicate a day to this. Last year over 300 of our staff got involved in activities including organising stock for Stripey Stork, building planters for the LoveWorks allotment, helping to improve the outdoor learning space at Epsom Downs Primary School and afternoon tea and quizzes at some of our sheltered housing schemes.
Brighter Community Fund
Our Brighter Community Fund is a pot of money which, as one of our customers, you can apply to use to make things happen in your community. For example, it could be used to fund an event, service or activity that local people would enjoy. In the last year we’ve funded 13 projects, including:
- Supporting the Wellbeing Project with Friends of Merstham Parks and Greens with a donation for benches in the wildflower meadow in Merstham
- Installing bike storage sheds in Homefield Gardens in Tadworth to provide a storage solution to stop items being stored in communal areas
- Donating towards the Junior Citizens Project with Reigate and Banstead council
If you have a project in mind that you’d like to apply to the fund for, click here
Customer Support Fund
We know times are difficult and we’re here to help you. Our Customer Support Fund is here to support you if you’re struggling to pay for new appliances, essential furniture, school uniform, heating costs and other often unexpected costs. Last year we received 153 applications to the fund and 86% of those were successful. We paid out a total of £30,870 to help customers like Mrs C from Merstham who was struggling to sleep because she was so cold.
“I received my blanket yesterday. I had a good night sleep without my dressing gown and hot water bottle. Thank you very very much for your help.”
"Raven is a key partner for the Community Development Team and have provided practical and financial support for a range of projects, events and activities that form part of our engagement with our communities. We really value the contribution Raven makes to helping residents get their voice heard and to make the changes they want to see in their neighbourhoods."
Tracey Agnew, Community Development Team Leader at Reigate and Banstead Council
Keeping neighbourhoods clean and tidy
In 2022-23:
of residents satisfied with estate cleaning
of residents satisfied with window cleaning
residents satisfied with grounds maintenance service
"They are good I've got no problems it's a good area and safe place."
Mr H from Crawley
Whilst these are good scores, we’d like them to be higher so we’d appreciate it if you could report any issues to us so we can get them quickly resolved and to avoid them happening again.
We understand you want to live in a clean and presentable neighbourhood. Our Estate Cleaning Team works hard to keep communal areas looking tidy, they also work closely with our Neighbourhood Wardens who keep on top of issues such as nuisance vehicles, fly-tipping and littering.
In December 2022 we appointed a new grounds maintenance contractor, Groundscapes Limited. Our Estates Management team works in partnership with Groundscapes to make sure the work they’re doing meets the standards you expect, and to create and maintain welcoming and enjoyable neighbourhoods.
Moneywise
Our Moneywise team is here to help you with all things money- including benefits, accessing food bank vouchers, managing debts and applying for grants. In the last year, the team supported customers to apply for benefits and grants totalling £1.58 million.
Mr M from Reigate was in rent arrears. As a single Dad to four children and working part-time, he was facing the possibility of court action for not paying his rent. When he contacted Moneywise, the team was able to help. Moneywise got him food bank vouchers for his family so they were able to access food immediately. They then looked at his income and outgoings and were able to suggest realistic ways he could reduce some outgoings. He also worked with our employment support team to look at options for better paid work. Mr M was able to start reducing his rent arrears and now feels more confident with his budgeting and other bills.
Parashoot
Our Parashoot team works with people across East Surrey and Mid Sussex who have been referred by their local council as someone who is at risk of losing their home. You don’t have to be a Raven customer to access support from Parashoot. Last year Parashoot helped 117 people with support and advice allowing them to stay in their homes.
Employment support
In 2022-23:
121 people accessed our employment support services
32 people secured work following our support
65 of those have a long term health condition or disability
21 people were supported into education or training to improve their skills for work
We understand that it isn’t always easy to know where to start when it comes to getting paid work. That’s why our employment support team is on hand to help with:
- Considering and understanding what might be stopping you from finding work
- Identifying volunteering and work experience opportunities to develop your skills
- Advice for your CV, interviews and skills
We hold regular free drop-in employment support sessions in Redhill and Merstham. To find out when the next sessions are and to register your interest, call us on 0300 123 3399.