An energy efficient housing development in Normanton has been shortlisted for a regional industry award.

WDH has retained a sought after industry accreditation which recognises its continued commitment to resident involvement.

With summer just around the corner green fingered residents at WDH’s Whin View Court Independent Living Scheme are getting their communal garden ready for the warmer months.

Our service access points (SAPs) will be closed on Wednesday 8 June at 12 noon for employee training. They will reopen on Thursday 9 June as normal. OneCALL are available 24 hours a day on 0345 8 507 507 for urgent enquiries about estate management and repairs. You can pay your rent using our online payment site, or by calling OneCALL or at any newsagents, convenience store or petrol station displaying the PayPoint sign. You can also pay your rent by registering for an online account, where you can manage all aspects of your tenancy. For more information, visit the tenant area of WDH.co.uk here.

WDH’s Love Where You Live Awards are back again for a fifth year! Young achievers and community heroes in the Wakefield district who make a positive difference to their communities will be celebrated in our fifth annual awards.

People in Airedale braved the rain to watch a staged car and bike collision at The Square, Airedale.

WDH has been recognised as ‘working towards’ being a Dementia Friendly organisation by the Alzheimer’s Society – the highest recognition they offer.

The National Social Housing Rents Campaign is a national competition run by BACS UK that WDH is supporting. Housing organisations across the country will enter their Direct Debit payers into a prize draw, where five lucky people will win £1,000 Love2Shop vouchers.

A lucky Care Link customer has won £50 worth of Sainsbury’s vouchers after being randomly selected from 880 people who completed the service’s 2016 customer satisfaction survey.

Young people in the Wakefield district have the chance to get active this summer – thanks to a new community initiative with top coaches.

The Balne Lane Yoga Club in Wakefield has been awarded a community grant by WDH to help towards the cost of running the classes.

CoActive Arts has been awarded a WDH Community Grant for £1,000.

The WDH Community Grant Scheme is now open for local community groups and voluntary clubs to apply for up to £1,500. The cash boost can help towards existing services, buying equipment or paying for an event. The aim is to increase community spirit and enhance the quality of life for local people. Karen Deeley from Eastmoor Community Garden Association, whose art workshop project received funding from WDH, told us what the grant meant to her. "Five art workshops have taken place and the project has proved to be a wonderful experience.  Children aged between three and seven participated and created underwater scene art, willow wreathes and clay models.  As well as getting arty, people enjoyed exploring the community garden during their visits and learning about all the produce grown there.  On behalf of the Eastmoor Community Garden Association, I thank WDH for the support.  Without the grant received, none of this would have been possible." Applications are open from 7 August to 22 September 2017. For more information click here.

The Old Quarry Adventure Playground (The Addy) has received funding from WDH to provide free food for kids during the Summer holidays. The group applied for a WDH Community Grant to give free lunch to children who attend play sessions at the Addy over the Summer. As children don’t receive free school meals in the holidays, the Addy aims to reduce the financial burden on parents and make sure that children eat properly over the Summer break. The group at the Addy will teach kids how to make their own meals and introduce new healthy snacks. Michelle Bartram, from The Addy said: "We are piloting the holiday lunches this Summer. In cooperation with WDH, Morrisons and the Knottingley Food Bank we can provide 40 free dinners a day for a total of 21 days. The pilot seems successful, kids love making their own food and it helps parents out too!” Claire Secker, Tenant Involvement Officer at WDH said: “WDH work closely with The Addy throughout the year and I was happy to assist and support the application for a WDH Community Grant.  This project has given the children something to do during the school holidays and also ensured they have had a healthy lunch.  During my visit to a session it was great to see children enjoying preparing and trying new food.”

Members of the Chinwag Club are delighted to be able to carry on with their activities thanks to a grant of £1500 from WDH.   The Club, for people over 50, meets every Monday afternoon at Balne Lane  Community Centre. The Club provides an opportunity for older people to make friends and keep active. The group play bingo, cards and do chair based exercises. They often organise guest speakers and people to teach a variety of crafts and activities. Violet Chaltone, one member of the Club said: "It can feel really lonely when you live on your own. I enjoy coming to the Club for company. This is my regular activity to look forward every week." Chris Croxall, Tenant Involvement Officer at WDH said: "The area needs more organisations like Chinwag Club. Some of the members are disabled or on low income and the Club gives them a chance to socialise. By coming together regularly it improves the quality of life and avoids isolation. " The grant will help them to pay towards the annual rent and the cost of running the Club. The club always welcomes new members. If you would like to join or know someone who would be interested, please contact Balne Lane Community Centre on 01924 373558. Applications for WDH Community Grant Scheme will be open again on 7 August 2017. For more information please visit http://www.wdh.co.uk/OurCommunities.

Local groups can apply for up to £1500 to help fund community projects. WDH is inviting applications from local community groups or voluntary clubs to boost existing services, buy equipment or pay for an event. The aim is to increase community spirit and enhance the quality of life for local people. Last year one of the many groups that benefited from the scheme was the West End Terriers. They received funding for new training footballs and poles and new football nets to help improve their game. Dale Appleton, from The West End Terriers, said: “It is a superb opportunity for volunteer run organisations to ensure they can remain operational. Without this help and support we would not have been able to provide the much needed training equipment for our members to help them improve and up their game.” Applications open from 3 April to 19 May 2017.  WDH can provide help to complete the application form if needed. For further information visit http://www.wdh.co.uk/OurCommunities , call 01977 788807 or email neighbourhoodpanels@wdh.co.uk.  

A local football club has bought a new set of goal posts thanks to a £250 WDH community grant.

Ossett War Memorial Community Centre is benefitting from a newly installed hot cupboard in their kitchen thanks to a WDH Community Grant worth over £400.

WDH has awarded a Community Grant for over £400 to the Afemai Children’s Trust to help them run workshops on culture and diversity.

A WDH Community Grant worth over £450 has helped keep a local beauty spot clean and safe for local fisherman and residents to use.