Garden party launches golden celebrations for York Housing Association

Golden sunshine on the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in York was a welcome start to the 50thanniversary celebrations of York Housing Association (YHA), which hosted a garden party for supporters, staff and residents at the historic building.

Around 200 people attended the event, which saw the grounds decked in bunting and afternoon tea served in marquees on the lawns.  The event was open to all of the tenants in YHA properties across York, Scarborough, Beverley and Leeds, with many coming along to join in free crafting activities and gardening workshops to create their own hanging baskets.

“This was a wonderful event when everyone, from board directors to the maintenance teams, could mingle in a relaxed environment with the people for whom we work to provide safe, high quality housing and expert support,” comments chief executive, Julia Histon.  “We pride ourselves on being an organisation that makes a positive contribution to the community, and when you talk to some of our tenants to hear how members of the YHA help them to enjoy the best quality of life, it is clear that after 50 years, YHA is in its strongest ever position to continue to support and help a diverse range of people across the region.”

Indeed, one resident who attended the event was effusive in his praise of YHA.  “This time last year, I had no money, and they have been fantastic – giving me support when I needed it and getting me back on my feet,” comments Lee Maynard, who lives in a property in Bell Farm in York.  “They understand where you are coming from and go out of their way to help you.  It is great to see so many of them here today, and so many other tenants who they have helped out.”

During the afternoon, attendees were invited into the Merchant Taylors’ Hall itself, where YHA chair Jolyon Harrison briefly spoke about what prompted the foundation of YHA 50 years ago, and how it has grown over the last five decades.  He was followed by special guest, David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation.  Mr Orr praised YHA for the work it has done in the last 50 years, before outlining the challenges faced by the social housing sector now and in the future if Britain is to continue to ensure that the most vulnerable people in the country do not have to live in poor quality homes.  With housing associations around the country being challenged to increase their new housing stock by 3% each year, he pointed to the success of YHA in achieving 5% year-on-year growth.

The garden party is the first golden anniversary celebratory event this year, to be followed in the next couple of weeks by the judging of tenants’ gardens in the annual YHA In Bloom competition. 

For more information on YHA, please visit www.yorkha.org.uk.  You can also follow YHA on Twitter @York_HA

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Jay Commins or Samantha Orange

Pyper York Limited

Tel:         01904 500698

Email:    jay@pyperyork.co.uk