Local not-for-profit housing provider Orbit, has been Highly Commended in the Kent Mental Wellbeing Awards for the free advice and support services that it offers to residents in Thanet.
Through its Better Days programme, Orbit partners with organisations such as Mind, Citizens Advice, Togetherall and Aspire4U, to provide free support on a range of issues including mental and physical wellbeing, financial, employment, digital and skills which is available to all customers who live in around 6,000 Orbit homes across Kent.
Last year, Better Days handled over 1,600 requests for support across Ashford, Bexley, Canterbury Dartford, Dover, Folkestone, Maidstone, Medway, Thanet, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells including:
- Helping more than 120 customers to access mental health support
- Offering energy and welfare benefits advice to more than 500 customers which unlocked over £770k of extra income and energy savings for them and their families
- Providing over £47.6k in support grants for Kent customers who needed financial help with essential items such as food, clothing, and white goods for their homes
- Financial support to help remove barriers to employment such as funding for digital equipment, and travel expenses to work
Gary Storer, Place Area Lead for Orbit said: “We’re committed to improving the long-term prospects of society and bringing our customers security and stability by investing in a range of projects to support the wellbeing of communities, families and individuals. Our Better Days service not only helps customers manage their immediate needs during times of crisis or hardship, but also empowers them with the tools and advice that they need to make lasting positive changes that support their long-term wellbeing and ability to maintain their tenancies. We’re thrilled about the positive outcomes that these services are achieving for customers and that this has been recognised in these awards. A huge thank you too to all our local partners whose support and expertise makes it all possible.”
For more information about Orbit’s Better Days programme visit: www.orbitcustomerhub.org.uk/help-support/