Social value | Contractors spread festive cheer

Thank you to our contractors who have helped to spread festive cheer to our independent living schemes.

• Guild Scaffolding Ltd has organised for a choir group called Lost and Found to perform Christmas carols at Tuson House in Penwortham on Tuesday 9 December, from 7pm – 9pm.There will be little elves distributing small gifts, as well as mulled wine, mice pies, hot chocolate and biscuits. Gemma Whiteside, Officer Manager at Guild Scaffolding Ltd, said: “With it being Christmas, Guild Scaffolding saw a good opportunity to give back to the local community with a festive event to spread the Christmas spirit.”

• Tenants at Lostock Court in Lostock Hall have organised a Christmas party with the support of Independent Living Coordinator Mel. Our contractor Broad Oak Group has funded the buffet and singer. Mel said: “We are delighted that our contractors have demonstrated such a strong commitment to social value. When they step in to support events and activities, it truly makes a difference—helping everyone feel valued and part of something special.” Chris Bardell, Commercial Services Director at Broad Oak Group, said: “We are proud to support Progress Housing Group and the independent living communities. Contributing to events like these is our way of giving something back and helping create moments that bring people together. It’s important to us that our work extends beyond the projects we deliver and supports the wellbeing of the tenants who are at the heart of these schemes.”

• Howards Decorators is continuing to support us through various ways, from providing training, to delivering bingo and supporting our women’s refuges:
  •    Owner Baz will continue to deliver his monthly bingo sessions at some of our independent living schemes in South Ribble during 2026, which have been very popular.
  •    Howards will also donate gifts to families staying at the women’s refuges in Chorley and Leyland, which is run by our charity Key Unlocking Futures, with a special delivery by Father Christmas. The contractor has also provided donation-based decoration services to the communal areas in the women’s refuge in Leyland. 
  •    Howards has donated unused paint to tenants via our community centres in Broadfield and Wade Hall. Howards has also donated paint to Preston Vocational Centre (PVC), which provides vocational construction training to learners from Preston and South Ribble.
  •    Howards has provided training, work placements, work experience, apprenticeships and employment in the painting and decorating industry to our tenants through our Progress Futures service.
  Chriss Whittle, from Howards Decorators, said: "We are active supporters of the social value activities that Progress Housing Group supports and delivers. By offering training and job opportunities, organising events that help people feel included and less isolated, and supporting activities that build self-esteem, our social value work is central to what Progress aims to deliver."

• Our grounds maintenance contractor Nurture Group has donated decorated Christmas trees to some of our independent living schemes for their communal areas.