Harvest Housing Group, a leading edge group of housing associations and companies that owns and manages 18,000 quality, affordable homes across the North West welcomed over two hundred residents and employees to their Residents’ Away Day 2009 at the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool earlier this month.

Residents enjoyed an informative and entertaining day, the third such event organised by Harvest Housing Group, that is designed to enable residents to meet with representatives from their respective housing providers and discuss the various initiatives and activities implemented for their benefit.

The event provided an opportunity for residents to receive advice and assistance on a wide range of issues from financial matters to environmental awareness and was also an occasion for employees to share best practice.

Mr Ian Perry, Chief Executive of Harvest Housing Group officially welcomed residents to the event, expressing his delight at having the opportunity to provide an occasion for residents to meet with their neighbourhood providers, further strengthen relationships and to offer support and guidance.

The Hilton Hotel was arranged into separate areas on the day of the residents’ event, allowing attendees to visit several stands of their choice. The stands included a Finance Stall where staff gave advice on welfare, benefits and ways to save money, an Environment Stall with energy saving tips and an Alcohol Awareness Stall where advice on safe levels of alcohol was given out.

Resident Manager, Jackie Booth ran ‘armchair exercise classes’ at the event, showing how less mobile residents could still exercise and NHS nurses were on hand to check blood pressure and BMI.

The Winner of the Harvest Housing Group Montgomery Neighbourhood Awards was also announced at the Residents’ Away Day 2009. The 2009 Award voted by residents was presented to Birchwood Youth Club, a local club set up for Frontis Residents in Warrington.

Birchwood Youth Club, which is supported by Frontis, a member of Harvest Housing Group, is a vibrant part of the Birchwood community in Warrington and provides local youngsters with many constructive schemes and activities including: The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Youth Achievement Awards, advice on healthy living, cooking and cultural events such as Chinese New Year. The Youth Club also organises vocational activities such as a Mechanics course and plays host to many extra-curriculum activities organised by local schools.

A positive and successful day was experienced by all at the Harvest Housing Group Residents’ Away Day 2009, with some residents awarding it a 12 out of a possible 10 points on a questionnaire distributed on the day.