Community Champions

Since forming back in 2018, the team has been working hard to help improve our communities through a variety of donations and special projects.

The team is led by Rebecca, who told us more about what they do:
“One of our biggest jobs is the managing of our Community Benefits programme. This is a scheme, where any contractor doing work on our behalf commits to giving something back to the community.

“This could be a donation to a junior sports team, a delivery to a local food bank or helping out a community group with some new equipment. It could even be a promise of employment opportunities or apprenticeships for young people. Whatever it is, we want to make sure our communities benefit from the work we and our partners do.

“Any club, team or organisation can receive a donation, they only have to show us that what they do brings benefit to the people in their community.”

In the past year, the team have arranged for £44,000 worth of donations to be made to local groups,  including food banks.

Samara, who has been part of the team for just over year said:
“Sadly, food bank use is on the rise with more and more popping up around Neath Port Talbot. As part of our Community Benefits programme, we try and make deliveries to as many of them as we can, through donations from our staff and contractors.

“On top of that we deliver packed lunches to school holiday sports camps and youth groups.

“It’s really heartening to see how generous everyone is in making these donations and so many people sharing the same outlook as us in supporting our communities.”

As well as the Community Benefits donations, the team are also responsible for several other projects including running our annual summer garden and Christmas tree competitions.

They also organise our annual Community Challenge programme – a series of DIY SOS-style projects, aimed at giving a makeover to community facilities.

The team have a school engagement programme, with Roxanne visiting local schools to talk about biodiversity:
“We are in a climate emergency so it is important that we are all aware of what we can do to help nature. I love going into schools and talking all things biodiversity with the children. They are so knowledgeable and passionate about the environment, it is a joy to work with them.

“Again, working with our contractors, we also donate gifts to the schools, whether that is some bee-friendly flowers and plants for their outside areas, a bug hotel or gardening equipment. They can then put into practice what they have learned.

“Our aim is to visit every primary school in Neath Port Talbot, so if we haven’t visited your child’s school yet then ask them to get in touch with us.”

All three of the team were previously part of our Tenant Liaison team, a role that involved them helping and guiding tenants through major works being carried out at their homes. And according to Rebecca the skills they all have from that job are easily transferable into their current roles:
“You have to be a people person to do this role. You have to be outgoing and happy to talk to the people in our communities and build relationships.

“We’ve done extensive research on our communities and developed community plans for each area, so have a good handle on what each one needs, but no-one knows these areas better than the people who live there, and that’s why we’re constantly out there talking to residents, councillors and Local Area Co-ordinators to see what more we can do.”

For Roxanne, the job gives her a great deal of satisfaction:
“I love the role, getting out and about, talking to people and helping the community. We have great contractors working with us, always ready to support our projects. We couldn’t do this without them.”

Get involved
If you know of a community group who could benefit from a Community Benefits donation, then get in touch with the team.

Just send an e-mail with the details of your group and what you need help with to community@taitarian.co.uk and one of the team will contact you to discuss your request.