MARCH 2012 - ISSUE 27

Luminus is again celebrating outstanding national recognition among The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2012 on the new Not-for-Profit list.

With a focus on helping to change the world where we live as part of their 2020 Vision, Luminus, eastern England’s leading community housing provider, has established a record of excellence since being established in March 2000 by Group Chief Executive, Chan Abraham.

Since achieving 16th place on The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2008, Luminus rose quickly to 12th in 2009, 2nd in 2010 and retained 2nd place in 2011. The Luminus success story inspired many other non-profit organisations, particularly housing associations, who all began to challenge the private sector firms. So, a new “Not-for-Profit” list was created, with no fewer than 45 social landlords being included among this new list of 100 Best Companies. Of these, Luminus was ranked as No.3.

Mr Abraham, who holds The Sunday Times Best Leader Award, said:

“I am delighted that our success over the past few years has had such a motivating effect on other businesses that they have improved the way they lead and manage their employees. We have been repeatedly asked to help other firms to understand how they can be better employers and we have been very happy to open our Conferences to external business guests, as well as to give seminars and advice.

It is clear that many have taken our suggestions and ideas seriously and have implemented them in their own organisations. This has resulted in much higher standards in these places and we are very pleased, since this is a practical outworking of our commitment to ‘demonstrate a more excellent way of doing business’ and to get others to follow.”

Mr Abraham added, “It’s a good start for Luminus to achieve 6th place on this new Best Companies list out of over 1000 companies who entered, with some 250,000 surveys being completed. These are anonymous and independently assessed, and The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list has grown to become a key indicator of a company’s employee engagement, culture and best practice.

Inspired people give inspirational service – and seek to put things right where necessary. I am grateful to all our staff, non-executives, residents and business partners for their wonderful work, support and cooperation. We want to continue to learn, develop and improve and to build on our success for the future.

Mr Abraham concluded, “We believe that it is possible to find solutions to many of our problems in modern Britain. That is why we have set our 2020 vision as “The Road to Renewal”. We hope many others will join us and help create a brighter and more sustainable future.”

Luminus celebrates continued successTHE SUNDAY TIMES 100 BEST NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS TO WORK FOR 2012 Encouraging

others towards excellence

We were delighted to achieve success once again and to be recognised among the UK’s top 10 places to work in 2012. However, even more than this, we are really pleased that our own success over recent years has had such a dramatic impact in encouraging others also to work towards excellence. The results are clear, as 45 businessess in the housing sector joined the 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For. This is remarkable and shows the power of providing role models in the business world.

Hopefully, as they celebrate their great achievements, others will also rise to the challenge. Britain’s difficulties cannot be resolved overnight, but they can be faced up and their negative influence diminished as inspiration takes hold of workers and workplaces.

So, Luminus congratulates all these worthy winners - and enthusiastically anticpates encouraging others towards excellence.

“Inspired people give inspirational service!”

Luminus Group • Brook House • Ouse Walk • Huntingdon • PE29 3QW • www.luminus.org.uk

Luminus’s Fenland-based homelessness charity, Ferry Project, has been awarded £250,000 from the Homelessness Transition Fund, allowing it to expand its Night Shelter in Wisbech and continue its mission to assist homeless people on the road to independence by providing shelter and equipping them with basic life skills.

The Night Shelter was opened last year in Norfolk Street, Wisbech, and has since provided 2,462 nights of emergency accommodation for the migrant community who have no access to benefits. With this grant award, one of the highest in the country, Ferry Project will not only continue to help migrant workers restore and rebuild their lives, but also expand the Night Shelter services to support other homeless people in the local community.

In addition to the Night Shelter, Ferry Project has helped over 150 local people in the last nine months at its hostel and ‘move on’ accommodation. Eighty percent of these people are now living independently, a testimony to the success of Ferry Project.

Luminus Group Chief Executive, Chan Abraham said, “Luminus has been providing practical help through Ferry Project for some of the most deeply disadvantaged people in the Fenland area, helping them recover their dignity, get off the streets into a home and back to work. We really welcome the grant and the support of Fenland District and Cambridgeshire County Councils, demonstrating an excellent example of local government working with local business to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment in the community.”

Ferry Project has been heralded as a ‘national beacon’ by homeless charities for the excellent services it provides, and was commended by Cambridgeshire Police for reducing anti-social behaviour in Wisbech.

Ferry Project awarded £250,000 of grant funding for Wisbech Night Shelter

Luminus was successful in the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) Awards, being recognised for the ‘Best Brownfield or Recycled Building Project’.

The Award crowned Luminus’ visionary outlook with Joseph Rank House, which the company has successfully converted into 132 homes to provide an exciting mix of homes for all needs and aspirations.

Built in the 1960’s, Joseph Rank House is a 12-storey building in the centre of Harlow. It had fallen into disrepair until Luminus announced proposals to convert it to 132

residential apartments, of which 52 are affordable housing. Outdated facilities within the building were removed, recycled and refitted with modern efficient systems to improve energy efficiency and reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

The judges said, “Taking on the redevelopment of a 1960’s building was no easy task! Originally built as an office block that dominated the Harlow skyline had it been left to decay, it could have become a monstrosity.”

The redevelopment has retained the strong lines and architectural character of the building and improved its visual quality and its valuable contribution to the surrounding environment.

In successfully restoring the building, Luminus has created a powerful symbol for Harlow’s own 2020 vision and aspirations for the town.

Harlow Development gets "Top Rank" in National Awards

Supported by

C O M M U N I T Y I N S P I R A T I O N A W A R D S 2 0 1 2

“Helping the homeless recover their dignity, get off the streets into a home and back to work.”

Residents of Wisbech are in for a treat as Octavia’s Café on South Brink is now open from Wednesday through to Saturday from 10am until 4pm.

Octavia’s Café set in the beautiful grade two Georgian setting of Octavia View boasts an original ornate ceiling dating back to 1722. As well as being set in a stunning location, Octavia’s Café serves delicious freshly ground coffee, a selection of traditional homemade cakes, scones and pastries as well as winter warming

soups made from locally grown ingredients. To top it all off they are served with the best customer service you will find locally!

Ample parking is provided at Somers Road car park and the café boasts excellent access for all, including those with disabilities, and parents with children, even providing toys for visiting children to play with.

Octavia View is run by Luminus Ferry Project, a charity which works to help the homeless with love and support towards independence. Keith Smith, Director of Ferry Project said:

“We are delighted to provide this much needed town café in the beautiful setting of Octavia View. The reviews from customers who have already visited the café have been full of praise for the staff and the food and drinks served as well as the Octavia’s shop and art gallery also hosted within Octavia View. We look forward to welcoming visitors both new and old to this superb historic building, Octavia View.”

Octavia’s Café brings tasty treats to Wisbech

www.communityinspirationawards.org.uk

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