About Chs group
CHS Group: Empowering Communities through Charitable Housing and Social Enterprise
CHS Group is a charitable housing association and social enterprise that has been serving the people and communities in and around Cambridgeshire for over 90 years. The organization was founded in 1927 with the aim of providing affordable housing to those in need, but it has since expanded its services to include a wide range of community-based initiatives.
Today, CHS Group is one of the leading providers of affordable housing in Cambridgeshire, with over 5,000 homes under management. The organization's mission is to empower individuals and communities by providing them with safe, secure, and affordable homes that meet their needs.
In addition to its core housing services, CHS Group also operates several social enterprises that support local communities. These include:
- CHS Training: A training provider that offers courses in construction skills, health and safety, customer service, IT skills, and more.
- CHS Lettings: A lettings agency that helps people find affordable rental properties.
- CHS Energy: An energy efficiency consultancy that provides advice on how to reduce energy consumption and save money on bills.
Through these social enterprises, CHS Group is able to generate income that can be reinvested back into its charitable activities. This allows the organization to have a greater impact on the communities it serves.
One of the key strengths of CHS Group is its commitment to working closely with local partners. The organization collaborates with local authorities, other housing associations, charities, community groups, businesses and residents' associations to identify areas where it can make a positive difference.
For example:
- In partnership with Cambridge City Council and other organizations such as Cambridge Housing Society (CHS), they are developing new homes for rent at Hobson Avenue.
- They have worked alongside residents' associations across Cambridgeshire on projects such as improving communal gardens or creating new play areas for children.
- They have also partnered with local businesses to provide work experience opportunities for young people.
CHS Group's approach is based on the belief that by working together, communities can achieve more than they could alone. By bringing together different perspectives and resources, CHS Group is able to create innovative solutions that address the complex challenges facing modern society.
In addition to its housing and social enterprise activities, CHS Group also runs a number of community-based initiatives. These include:
- Community centres: CHS Group operates several community centres across Cambridgeshire that provide space for local groups and activities.
- Youth services: The organization runs a range of youth services, including after-school clubs, holiday programmes and mentoring schemes.
- Older people's services: CHS Group provides support for older people through initiatives such as befriending schemes and lunch clubs.
These initiatives are designed to bring people together, promote social cohesion and improve quality of life. By providing safe spaces where people can come together to learn new skills or simply socialize with others in their community, CHS Group is helping to build stronger communities across Cambridgeshire.
Overall, CHS Group is an organization that has made a significant contribution to the lives of thousands of individuals and families in Cambridgeshire over the past 90 years. Its commitment to providing affordable housing, supporting local communities through social enterprise activities and promoting social cohesion through its community-based initiatives make it a valuable asset for the region. With its focus on collaboration and innovation, it is well-positioned to continue making a positive impact on the lives of those it serves well into the future.