Tai Tarian receives top award

Tai Tarian is celebrating after being awarded the Platinum Corporate Health Standard for the work it has done to improve the health and wellbeing of its staff and the local community.

The award, which is the highest accolade given by the Corporate Health Standard, is presented to exemplar organisations who demonstrate commitment to a number of key areas including partnership working, community engagement, transport, sustainable building and employment skills.

Tai Tarian, a housing association with responsibility for more than 9,000 properties across Neath Port Talbot, was only able to apply to be considered for the Platinum Corporate Health standard after already being awarded the Gold level.

Chairperson of the Corporate Health Standard assessment panel, Ava Fine said, “Tai Tarian’s submission for the Platinum Corporate Health Standard award was of the highest standard.

“The organisation really demonstrates a sustainable commitment to the community which goes beyond their normal everyday business. It was fantastic to see the lengths they have gone to engage with all areas of their community – tenants, volunteers, businesses, schools and more.”

Judges also praised the housing association for its innovative bee project, highlighting it as an example of best practice that has gone above and beyond to improve health and wellbeing as well as giving something back to its local community.

Kelly Mordecai, Tai Tarian Organisation Development Specialist, who led the project, said, “We are delighted that our commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of our staff and communities has been recognised by the award of the Platinum Corporate Health Standard.

“From procurement to transport, our buildings and community engagement, everything that we do is centred around people and making a positive difference in their lives and communities.

“We were particularly thrilled at the impact made by our educational Bee project which enabled us to work with and hopefully inspire local school children. This was a highlight of our work and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our local community in the future.”

The Bee project was initially the brainchild of Tai Tarian’s Health and Well-being group after they were tasked with providing therapeutic alternatives to the organisation’s physical activity classes.

The initiative involved building bee hives and creating a wildlife garden at the housing provider’s head office to allow staff to relax during their lunch breaks. After seeing the positive effect this had on staff, it was decided to extend the project to encompass the wider community.

This involved local school children entering a competition to design and build bug houses for Tai Tarian’s wildlife garden. The winners and their classmates were then invited back to head office for a unique bee experience, which involved meeting the resident bee keeper and taking a look inside the hives to find out how the bees produce their honey.

The winners of the competition, Crynall Primary School pupils Sam John and Lowan Hitchings said, "It was really fun designing and making the bug hotel and we have learnt lots about minibeasts and bees during our visits. We had a great time."