
Our Social Responsibility
We recognise the impact that working across Wales and England has on the environment and the communities that we are a part of. As such, FCHA is committed to going the extra mile and continues to explore how we can do more to be a positive influence through other avenues as well as delivering on homes and accomplishing our goals.
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Applying for a role at FCHA doesn't just mean delivering specialist accommodation for people with additional needs. You will have numerous opportunities to participate in activities that will benefit environmentally and socially to the communities we work within.
Community Benefits
Community Involvement Grant
Throughout the year FCHA spent up to £12000 supporting projects, ideas and events which promote new opportunities / connects people with disability in their communities. This has been a regular practice at FCHA for over the last 15 years and has been a resounding success at promoting health and wellbeing projects in local communities. These projects include:
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​Danceclusions' Equipment & hire costs for dance classes for people with a Learning Disability.
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Cartrefi Cymru Musical instruments for their choir.
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Drive's disco takeover which is run by one of our houses in NPT and brings the community together with local artists.
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Cardiff Chameleons transport for a bowls tournament in Scotland.
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Cycling4All's to run Pedal Power cycling and wellbeing sessions in North Wales
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​Contractor and Consultant Christmas Scheme
Each year, ahead of Christmas some of our contractors and consultants generously contribute donations to FCHA tenants. These are given to tenants in the form of Supermarket Gift Cards and have been spent on Christmas dinners and essentials over the Christmas period.
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Social Value Menu
Our Social Value work sees First Choice partner up with our contractors and suppliers in delivering wellbeing outcomes for tenants. This is integrated into our procurement process to make sure we are doing more to give back to the community. Our Social Value work provides additional opportunities for tenants to have more of what they need and to do more of what they love! Whether this is a garden project, providing furniture, spending time with others, or something completely new!
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Working Wardrobe
Staff at FCHA donate interview or work appropriate clothing to Working Wardrobe that supports jobseekers in Wales
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Regular Benefits
FCHA takes action into it's own hands by actively applying for external cost of living funding to support tenants where needed.
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As well as the Community Involvement Grant, FCHA invests in other non-profit organisations where appropriate. There is an annual investment into Gig Buddies which you can find more about here.
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Each year FCHA selects a Chosen Charity, this years is Velindre. Staff will undertake a number of activities throughout the year to support this cause including sponsored walks , cake sales and other ideas.
As well as a number of Tenant Events which you can read about here ,we also have access to the National Trust wellbeing pass and which allows tenants the opportunity to visit nature walks with family and friends across Wales.
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FCHA has a big push for Digital Inclusion amongst tenants. With more and more business relying heavily on technology, replacing the old pen and paper methods a lot of tenants are being left behind. With Digital Communities Wales, we have provided hundreds of iPads, Laptops and education to tenants so help them get up to speed with the modern world.
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Environmental Impact
FCHA offers Water Butts to anybody who is interested. Water Butts collect rainwater to use in gardens instead of running a tap, saving on both Water and the Environment.
There are a number of home improvements that FCHA implements on both new and refurbished properties that contribute to FCHA's goal of achieving net zero by 2030. Features like solar panels and batteries, upgraded insultation, new heating systems and low energy lighting.
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Each year to off-set out net zero targets, we donate money to plant trees across Wales.
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To increase biodiversity in tenants back gardens FCHA partners with Keep Wales Tidy to install raised beds and plant trees, plants and produce.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
For the Tenants
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FCHA have brought the tenants voice into the board room with the formation of the Tenant Advisory Group. This group meets regularly to talk about what is important to tenants when it comes to their community and their homes. These comments are then sent to board and are used to impact decisions. Most notably, the Tenant Advisory's opinions on FCHA's Mission, Vision and Values was at the core of the decision making process when creating the new ones.
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We release an Annual Tenant Satisfaction & Wellbeing Survey that gathers information from First Choice tenants to help create new projects in the future and get an idea of how tenants are feeling about their homes and communities.
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All documentation that goes out to tenants is available in an easy-read format to make it easier to understand complex information that may impact their home or wellbeing. These range from the decisions made at board to how to identify bullying and harassment.
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FCHA is part of the Wales REACH Project alongside the Open University. The REACH project encourages local residents to engage in Arts, Culture and Heritage. From events such as visiting St Fagans on a tour, to doing a walk and talk about the experience of LGBT people in Cardiff. We continue to be a part of this project and encourage staff to take part.
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For the Staff
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FCHA has created a staff forum. Similar to the Tenant Advisory Group, this is a group of staff members that can discuss improvements to the organisation. This ranges from communicating important issues to opinions on how FCHA as an organisation is doing on QED and Environmental issues.
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Annually, FCHA conducts Satisfaction and Stress surveys to get an idea on how staff are doing in the office and helps pinpoint future improvements to the organisation.
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Recently, one of the rooms in the office has been modified into a new, multifunctional wellbeing room. This room is used for yoga, massages and can be used as a prayer room.
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There are numerous training opportunities for staff at FCHA related to their current role. FCHA also provides funding towards qualifications that help you do your job.
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With feedback received from the Staff Forum that was mentioned above, FCHA has increased their paternity leave from 2 weeks to 3 weeks. ​​
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FCHA now has 2 menopause champions that are there to talk to anybody who would like to know more about menopause in order to assist staff or family members that are going through the process.
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All FCHA staff take part in EDI Training on E-Learning recognising the importance of treating everyone fairly and inclusively. We also have a number of staff talks either in-house or offered by Tai Pawb.
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Previous staff talks include:
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Johnny Cotsen - deaf awareness
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Ruth Birch - Fighting with Pride
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For additional information and to see the jobs we have available you can visit the rest of our website!