90+ Soha Housing staff give up their Friday to help

Published by Jon Land for Soha Housing Ltd in Housing and also in Communities

Nearly 100 workers from Soha Housing swapped their usual Friday at work for a day giving something back to their local community last week.

Instead of a staff conference, Soha Housing, based in Didcot, closed its office on Friday 6July and sent staff out to help at neighbourhood projects. The tasks ranged from reading in schools, through painting Guide and Scout huts, to litter-picking, to helping raise awareness of a charity event.

Staff members Kris Crowther (left) and Sadie Lovett were two of four Soha staff working with the Sue Ryder organisation.  Vicky Smith of Sue Ryder Care said “We got a number of people interested in our Starlight Hike so well done to the Soha volunteers for being such good sports - and putting on the fancy dress stuff as well!”

One of the Soha team said, “I felt so good to give something back to a charity that had helped my own family.”

Staff took part in 14 local projects aiming to make a real difference to the community where they work.

Chief Executive Richard Peacock said, “Soha is 15 this year and we wanted to celebrate that landmark by demonstrating our commitment to the community.  The very nature of working for a social housing landlord means we all make a difference in our day-to-day jobs but this volunteering day gave staff the opportunity to extend that support to the wider community.  More than four out of five of them have told me that our venture gave them the impetus to volunteer in their own time.  One was even back at the Stadhampton animal sanctuary within 48 hours having got so much out of being a volunteer dog-walker!”

Note to Ed.

Soha donated 221 hours (or 30 working days or 6 working weeks) to the community on 6 July.