Name:

Karen Oates

Organisation:

Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH)

Position:

New Business Coordinator

Number of properties and location:

23,400 in Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

Why did you join PfH?

To take advantage of the procurement deals PfH offers.

How much have you saved this year via the Decorating Vouchers agreement?

So far, we have generated over £21,000 from using the PfH Decorating Vouchers agreement through B&Q which we have invested into a Handy Man Service.  Plus, we will have saved money through not having to raise cheques for decoration allowances.  Each cheque costs around £25 to process.

What other benefits has PfH created for your organisation?

Lots of benefits - it provides a more efficient way of making the payments, and it's more likely that people will use the vouchers for the purpose intended i.e. decorating their new home. It's paved the way for a mutually beneficial relationship between KNH and B&Q. For example, B&Q have sponsored a number of community events, donated supplies of materials for our tenants' and residents' premises, and provided prizes for gardening competitions. For B&Q it's an opportunity to maximise their corporate social responsibility and to "give something back" to their local communities.

B&Q have also provided demonstrations and training events in store, for example how to make a hanging basket, which our tenants really enjoyed, especially as they could enjoy a free cuppa and a natter afterwards!

How has central billing helped to streamline your purchasing?

Just one invoice is received for all PfH purchases - as this is received by email directly to our finance section, it has reduced the administration costs of making payments. In the case of our handyman scheme, we previously paid decoration grants by individual cheques - this created a lot of work in the Finance section as well as in the Housing Offices as each one had to be ordered, raised and delivered. Now we just need to order the vouchers and keep track of how they are used.

Why did you decide to invest your cost savings in a Handy Man Service?

We developed the HandyPerson Service because that's what our customers told us they wanted - and we listen to what they say! Also, we see this as a marketable service to other housing providers and other Kirklees residents. This will attract additional income for KNH that we will plough back into services for our tenants.

What does this service offer? How do your residents benefit?

The service offers an "odd job" type service - help with doing those things that are so crucial when people first move into a new home for example, putting up hooks, curtain rails, plumbing in washers, assembling furniture, putting down carpets, even taking away packing cases! It helps people settle in more quickly and easily, at a time that can be hugely stressful - and so goes some way to help us achieve our mission of "successful communities". The service is aimed at new tenants, particularly those who are vulnerable in some way, and maybe don't have a network of support they can call on. Often, they just want a trusted, reliable, friendly face that can help out with those odd jobs that come as part of moving into a new home.

One new tenant described the handyperson service as "a godsend - I don't know what I would have done without it". It's a great way for KNH and its new customers to start a really positive, supportive relationship, and for us to say "thank you" to people for making us the landlord of their choice.

What do you expect PfH to achieve for the sector in the longer term? 

As the consortium grows, we expect the combined purchasing power to yield even better savings to the sector's Members. Having so many payments going through one central billing system could provide opportunities for even better e-procurement facilities.

What would you say to other housing organisations that are considering becoming a PfH Member?

Give it a go, and start saving!