Salix Homes has won an award from the National Federation of ALMOs (NFA) in recognition of its 2014 ‘connecting customers’ project, which teaches tenants essential IT skills and money management to help prepare them for the introduction of universal credit. The project is now being introduced across Salford.
Tenants identified by Salix Homes as unemployed and claiming benefits took part in free computer classes where they learnt essential IT skills as well as tips and training on job searches, CV writing and interview techniques. The NFA judges were also impressed by how the project taught tenants to save; one of the requirements of the course is that all participants must open a savings account with Salford Credit Union, which they can then use to buy a low-cost laptop through the ‘connecting customers’ scheme.
Sue Sutton, chief executive, Salix Homes, said, “With the onset of universal credit, we are increasingly dependent on our tenants having internet access and the skills to manage their finances online, and this project has really helped to address those areas.”
