We are proud to launch our Value for Money (VFM) Annual Assurance Statement 2015/16. Providing VFM is an essential part of everything we do, whether it’s recruiting the right people, delivering better services, getting the best deals from suppliers or working jointly with partners and groups.

In April 2013, the government introduced a maximum limit on the total amount of benefit a household can get each week. This is called the Household Benefit Cap. It was initially set at £26,000 per year for families, couples and lone parents and £18,200 for single people.

The way that people access our services is changing. Over the last few years there has been a reduction in the number of people using our Service Access Points (SAPs) and an increase in people self-serving and completing transactions online. It is because of these changes that we will be closing Normanton SAP on Friday 30 September 2016.

You can now vote for your local community heroes to get the recognition they deserve, as part of WDH’s Love Where You Live Awards 2016.

Charles and Caroline Bramham, a couple from Wakefield, were presented with flowers and chocolates this month by staff from WDH to help them celebrate some impressive milestones!

Our service access points (SAPs) will be closed on Wednesday 7 September at 12 noon for employee training. They will reopen on Thursday 8 September as normal.

WDH is participating in the NFI, this is a national scheme run by the Government, which aims to reduce opportunities for fraud against organisations that take part.

Wakefield Council will be making changes to its CTS scheme next year and would like your views.

As part of WDH’s 2016 apprenticeship scheme, we are proud to welcome 10 new apprentices.

Sometimes you might notice your smoke alarms making unwanted noises. We’ve made a short video to help you fix the problem and get your smoke alarms working properly.

WDH residents in Pontefract and Knottingley have taken part in a 10 week course to achieve a qualification in arts and crafts.

A collection of advent calendars were handed out at foodbanks across the Wakefield District by MRM Solutions and the WDH Cash Wise Team ready for Christmas.

A new entrance to The Barracks estate in Pontefract was unveiled during a remembrance service on Monday 12 November, marking 100 years since the end of World War One.

Local children’s gymnastics group, Jesters Gymnastics Club, has been able to buy brand new gym equipment thanks to WDH and Horbury Financial Services. The not-for-profit organisation based in Pontefract and Featherstone received a £1500 Community Grant from WDH and £350 from Horbury Financial Services to buy a new air track to help gymnasts improve their tumbling skills and training. With over 20 years’ experience, Jesters Gymnastics Club works with over 200 children, aged five to 18, to learn and improve their gymnastics skills. Jess Garrett, Head Coach at Jesters Gymnastics Club said: “The children absolutely love the new air track. We bought it from Airtrack UK who have been brilliant. We rely solely on fundraising so this wouldn’t have been possible without the donations from WDH and Horbury Financial Services.”

Rob Stringer won the Best Garden award in WDH’s 2018 Love Where You Live Awards.

WDH will be attending the district’s biggest Careers Fair at Pontefract Park on Tuesday 25 September from 10 am to 6:30 pm. Young people from across Wakefield will be invited to help them consider their options.

WDH employees have taken time out of their day jobs to volunteer at The Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract to redesign the garden area under their heart shaped memorial arch with the help of donations from contractors.

WDH employees have taken time out of their day jobs to volunteer at The Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract to redesign the garden area under their heart shaped memorial arch with the help of donations from contractors.

Children from St Giles CE Academy in Pontefract helped WDH to clean up Monkhill Park.

Residents at Queens Avenue Independent Living Scheme got together to celebrate Easter and create festive cards and hats.