Clarion Futures Impact Report
We are investing £150 million over the next 10 years to deliver one of the biggest social investment programmes in the country. It focuses on three...
Clarion Futures Impact Report
Making a difference in 2019/20
We are sounding a
call for change
Clarion Futures is the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, opening up access nationwide to the support and skills our residents and communities need to succeed.
We are investing £150 million over the next 10 years to deliver one of the biggest social investment programmes in the country. It focuses on three main areas: jobs and training, financial and digital inclusion, and making Clarion neighbourhoods more attractive and vibrant places to live. We help people access the support, skills and opportunities they need to thrive and live well.
In 2019/20, Clarion Futures activity delivered £130 million in social value1 to our residents and communities - an increase of £5m compared to the previous year. This report details our work and other success stories in 2019/20.
More access to
Jobs and Training
Our dedicated Jobs and Training team offers a wide range of training and employment opportunities to all Clarion Housing residents, including work placements, apprenticeships, employability training and a job brokerage service.
The free, national programme enables us to provide tailored support to meet the needs of our residents and we work with many major employers, including the NHS, Primark and Royal Mail.
We are also the lead delivery partner for Love London Working, a major employment programme delivered by a consortium of housing associations which helps unemployed Londoners over the age of 16 into work or training. The programme has seen huge success in its first three years, supporting 18,000 people and helping 5,646 people into work. As a result, additional funding has been secured to enable it to run until 2023, supporting thousands more Londoners into work.
We helped Graham to access employment opportunities
The Clarion Futures Jobs & Training Team helped Graham to find a job and put a roof over his head.
Graham was referred to Clarion Futures when he was homeless and unemployed, having been released from prison. He had no phone, email address or fixed abode, which presented barriers to his job search, and he was lacking self-confidence making him unsure of how to move forward.
We worked with Graham to provide employment support. We created an action plan to help him find work and assist him with job applications. A local charity gave him a phone and new clothing, and a shelter provided Graham with temporary accommodation so that he had an address to include on job applications. We organised support to improve his mental health and wellbeing and, explored options to find him a more permanent home.
Graham is now a Clarion resident and has a job he loves as a recycling operative.
“When I was referred to Clarion Futures, I was homeless and unemployed. Thanks to the support I received, I have now got a career and a roof over my head. I’m proud to say I’m a Clarion resident – to think a housing association helped me with finding employment, as well as giving me confidence, is just amazing.” Graham
Access to our Clarion Jobs & Training team opened up Graham’s career opportunities.
Easier access to
Money and Digital support
Throughout 2019/20, our Money and Digital teams continued to enhance the support we provide to our residents, helping them move towards a more stable financial footing and to get online safely and confidently.
We worked with partners to open social supermarkets in Bradford, South Kensington, South Shields and Warrington. Residents pay a weekly membership fee, usually in the region of £2.50, which entitles them to discounted food and household essentials, as well as support to help tackle the underlying issues causing food insecurity, from access to free debt and money management advice, to help in securing paid employment.
We also established 48 digital hubs nationwide, enabling learners to receive support with basic digital skills, access to digital devices, and the know-how to use the internet safely. We set-up weekly timetabled group or individual sessions in accessible community locations to ensure those that needed support had access to it.
We helped Nicole to access more income and reduce her debts
The Clarion Futures Money & Digital Team helped Nicole find her feet.
Nicole lives on her own in a one-bedroom flat and works on a zero hours contract which means her hours and wages vary significantly. When we first spoke to Nicole, she reported that she was struggling to pay her bills, but after several conversations it became clear that there was more we could do to help.
We worked closely with Nicole to complete tasks on the action plan we created with her to maximise income and reduce expenditure. With our support, Nicole submitted a claim for Universal Credit, applied for council tax support, and secured a discretionary housing payment which cleared more than £1,200 of her rent arrears.
“I was struggling to keep my head above water and didn’t know where to turn for help. Luckily, I was referred to Clarion Futures, and they’ve been amazing, helping me get my head around budgeting and making my money go further.” - Nicole
Access to budgeting and money management support is just one of the ways we can help make a real, long-lasting difference to our residents’ lives, just like Nicole’s.
Improving our Communities
We have a long-term commitment to our residents because we care about people, place and how they come together. Every community is unique and all our work within Clarion Futures Communities is shaped by the needs and aspirations of local people.
Over the last year, since securing an additional £290,550 from The #iwill Fund, we have launched the second phase of our youth social action programme. The programme is delivered by the Housing Association Youth Network (HAYN) and led by Clarion Futures alongside Peabody. Through the programme, our young residents are given the chance to lead social action programmes, gain invaluable skills and qualifications, access mentoring services and participate in citizenship activities.
We have expanded our age-friendly communities work, developing and implementing a strategy that sets out how we’ll help people lead better lives as they grow older in our communities. It focuses on empowering residents to shape their neighbourhoods, and designing and building homes that meet their needs at every stage of life.
In June 2019, we also established Clarion55. They are a group of residents aged 55 and over, passionate about providing a national voice for their peers, whose focus is on tackling issues such as social isolation and loneliness, improving physical and mental wellbeing, and influencing change and service improvement across Clarion Housing Group.
How Aaliyah made a difference in her community.
The Clarion Futures Communities Team helped Aaliyah to develop leadership skills and make a difference.
Before joining our National Ambassador programme, Aaliyah had left school and was looking for a way to use her skills and attributes to make a difference in her local community, and achieve her dream of joining the police force.
Taking part in the programme has given Aaliyah the chance to voice her opinions, develop her skills and work with others to run events for local children and young people, including an upcoming series of drama classes which will enable her to share her passion and talent. She has now taken on a leadership role in her job at a local supermarket training others, and is keen to use her people skills and experience to do more for her community.
“Being a national ambassador has helped me to feel like I have a voice and to see that by working with others I can make a difference. I’ve always wanted to be a police officer and at the moment I’m waiting to hear whether my application has been successful. I’m excited to see what’s next for me!” - Aaliyah
Providing access to opportunities for younger residents to have a voice and deliver social action projects in their community is one of the priorities for Clarion Futures, as it opens up their potential for the future.
