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We’re pleased to welcome Lorraine Sawyer as our new Procurement Director. Lorraine joins Orbit with extensive leadership experience across the housing sector and will lead our procurement team in continuing to build effective, resilient supply chains, that have a strong focus on social value, customer impact, and long-term sustainability. Lorraine will also lead the delivery of our current tender to procure customer-centric repairs and maintenance services commencing in Spring 2027. This will play a key role in supporting our 2030 Strategy ambition to deliver amongst the best customer experiences of any housing association in the country.
A very special fundraiser inspired by one of our customers🐾 Residents at our Queensway Court Later Living scheme in Leamington Spa came together to fundraise for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association recently. Inspired by one of our scheme’s newest residents, guide dog Barrett, customers held a treat-filled coffee and cake morning that raised £360 for the sight loss charity. Barrett moved into Queensway Court to live with one of our customers, John, after John’s sight worsened. After seeing first-hand how guide dogs help those with sight loss and vision impairments our residents and scheme colleagues were keen to show their support for the charity with the fundraiser. It’s heartwarming for us to see how Barrett helps John live actively and independently, and he’s quickly become a firm favourite at the scheme! We’ve loved welcoming Barrett into Queensway Court and we were delighted to support our customers in raising money for such an incredible cause.
We’re thrilled to share that we've won the award for 'Best Retrofit Innovation or Project' at the Housing Innovation Awards 2026!🏆 Our retrofit pilot project introduced air-to-air heat pumps as a cost-effective alternative to storage heaters, improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and providing both heating and cooling to boost comfort for our customers and climate resilience. The pilot demonstrated strong return on investment, improved indoor air quality, and real progress in tackling fuel poverty. And we’re now actively sharing the outcomes to help influence policy, funding standards, and wider adoption across the housing sector. At this year’s awards we were also proud to be nominated for Best Repairs and Maintenance Innovation for our Repairs Responsibility Tool. Our intuitive online tool helps customers quickly and clearly understand responsibility for different types of repairs in their home, using interactive room layouts, self-help videos, and integration with our customer service systems. It’s designed to empower customers, reduce confusion, and create a more transparent and efficient repairs experience. Both of these nominations reflect our commitment to driving innovation that improves homes, services, and experiences for our customers.
New Homes Coming to Norfolk 🏡 We’re proud to share that Orbit Homes has started construction on 272 new homes at Victoria Gardens in Great Plumstead. Victoria Gardens will deliver high quality homes across a mix of tenures, including 138 homes for affordable rent and Shared Ownership, alongside 134 homes for market sale. The development will also embrace sustainability and support our wider commitment to The Wildlife Trusts’ 30by30 campaign, helping nature’s recovery by 2030, including large areas of public space and an orchard. 🌱 The affordable homes are supported by Homes England grant funding, and with works already underway, the first homes will be available this summer.
Creating greener spaces for our communities 🌱 As part of our commitment to ensure that 30% of our outdoor spaces enable nature’s recovery by 2030, our colleagues recently volunteered to plant 5,000m2 of wildflower meadow – helping to create a positive impact on local wildlife and more green spaces for our customers and communities to enjoy. With the support of our contractor partners, colleagues also planted 35 UK native trees, 19 fruit trees, 330m2 of hedge plants, 1,200 bulbs and even a permanent Christmas tree. These planting days were our latest in support of our biodiversity goals, developed in line with The Wildlife Trusts' ‘30by30’ campaign and the United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity. This biodiversity initiative is just one of many delivered through Orbit Earth – our sustainability programme focused on climate action, enhancing outdoor spaces, and sustainable resource use.
Orbit Homes 🤝 Aylesford FC At Orbit, we don’t just build homes – we’re committed to building stronger communities and creating a lasting positive impact. That’s why we’re proud to announce Orbit Homes’ latest sponsorship of Aylesford FC in Kent, located near Hermitage Park and Orchard Mill, where we’re delivering a total of over 150 new affordable homes. 🏡 With 50+ teams and over 400 players, the club embraces football as a way for those of all ages to meet new people and have fun whilst staying active. We’re absolutely delighted to support the positive difference they make on the physical and mental wellbeing of local people through this sponsorship.⚽
Our Winter Wellbeing campaign is back and this year we’re launching Cosy Corners.☕ As winter approaches, Cosy Corners based in some of our Community Hubs, will provide welcoming spaces for customers to warm up, have a hot drink, connect with neighbours and access wellbeing support as part of our Better Days programme. Better Days offers customers support with wellbeing, mental health, managing finances, employment and more. Through the programme, customers can also receive money management and energy advice from expert partners at Citizens Advice Mid Mercia (CAMM) and emergency fuel vouchers via Family Fund Business Services (FFBS). As part of our wider Winter Wellbeing campaign, we’re also working with social enterprise Ethstat Ethical CIC to provide support packs to customers containing essentials such as a blanket, hooded jumper and lantern. To learn more about our Winter Wellbeing campaign, click on the image below
We’re proud to share that we’ve achieved our £100m social value target ahead of schedule. Originally set for the end of the 2025/26 financial year, this milestone was confirmed following an independent audit by HACT, which reviewed our approach to measuring and reporting the social impact of our activities. The audit also recognised the quality of our data and our effective use of the UK Social Value Bank metrics. Looking ahead, we’re working with HACT to develop a new, expanded framework that captures an even broader range of social and economic impacts, including value from new affordable homes, repairs, and other key services. This will help us set more ambitious targets that reflect the positive impact we strive to make for our customers and wider society. Read more about this achievement and our approach to social value here by clicking the image below.
Bringing Zen Vibes to Our Later Living Scheme🧘♂️ Residents at one of our later living schemes, recently had a chance to enjoy relaxing yoga and sound bath sessions. In partnership with Thanet District Council and NHS ONE YOU, and funded by Active Kent & Medway, we brought these wellbeing sessions to Victoria Villas in Margate. Residents took part in gentle yoga to boost flexibility, balance, and breath awareness, followed by an immersive sound bath experience using singing bowls and gongs designed to calm the mind and soothe the nervous system. The aim was to help reduce stress for anyone who smokes, vapes, or has done so in the past, whilst also supporting overall wellbeing for those aged 55 and over. Residents said the sessions left them feeling relaxed and restored. They enjoyed not only the physical benefits, but also the chance to socialise and connect with others. Find out more by clicking on the image!
🏆 Orbit Homes are winners at the Housebuilder Awards 2025 🎉 We’re delighted to share that we’ve won ‘Best Customer Satisfaction Initiative’ at the Housebuilder Awards 2025, recognising our commitment to putting customers at the heart of everything that we do and providing them with homes that they are proud to live in. We’re incredibly proud of our Orbit Homes team, who support customers at every step from the very first enquiry to moving into their new home and beyond. 👏 Congratulations to all this year’s winners and finalists – it was a fantastic evening celebrating excellence in housebuilding!
