Yarlington Housing Group scoop social media award!

WINNING an award for being pioneers in social media may not be something that immediately brings a housing provider to mind - but that is exactly what has been achieved by Yeovil-based Yarlington Housing Group.

Being on the move, or away from the home or workplace, no longer means that people have to be out of touch, and Yarlington saw using social media as a way to engage with residents at a time that suited them and in a way that they felt relaxed and comfortable.

Project leader Amy Stanley said: "We wanted to find a way to hear what our residents say without making it formal or onerous, and after listening to one resident who is very knowledgeable about the power of social media, we decided to go ahead and set up a Facebook group for them.

“It’s been so successful, and already we have over 2,000 members. It’s like we are chatting with them in their own home. We are breaking down barriers, and engaging with people that we have never been able to before.”

PHOTO - TOP: Amy Stanley and Ben Azariah of Yarlington with the award.

The group, Yarlington Chat, is run by residents and for residents, and if they have a question or query then staff from across the company are ready to respond with advice or information to them.

“Although we don’t offer 24/7 responses, we are so keen to make it a success that often we find staff logging on in the evenings or at weekends and joining in the conversation” added Amy. “We would never have won this award if it hadn’t been for our residents using the group, and being so enthusiastic about it.”

The project was awarded the winner’s trophy by 24 Housing, in their first ever awards, designed to reward outstanding organisations and individuals who have demonstrated their ability to thrive in the new housing landscape.

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