About whg

Walsall Housing Group recently sponsored one of their colleagues who works as a technical specialist in income collection to undertake a master’s degree in housing. The colleague won a student award from the Chartered Institute of Hosuing for his dissertation on welfare reforms. Recognising his specialist knowledge and success, WHG provided him with a six month secondment opportunity in their business improvement team to produce a strategy to help them prepare for the reforms. He was given the opportunity to lead the organisation's thinking on the subject and to work with senior colleagues on defining and analysing the company’s approach to them. Following the secondment the colleague returned to his substantive post but the organisation have also worked to position him as an expert in the field encouraging him to produce articles for national media and to speak at conferences. His substantive role has continued to evolve such that he now continues to advise on welfare reforms across the organisation and to outside partners.

Colleagues took a break from their day jobs to help create a community garden just minutes from Walsall town centre. WHG leased a plot of land to Caldmore Village Festival Group to create an outdoor space for use by the whole community. In time, it will be used by local residents for growing fruit, vegetables and plants, outdoor education and recreation. Work to transform the site received a boost when WHG announced it would hold a community benefit day to support the venture on the ground. Colleagues from across the organisation turned out in force to do their bit, despite the wet and windy conditions. They rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in by digging, weeding, laying paths, clearing and tidying, trimming and pruning. Mohammed Arif, Vice-Chairman of Caldmore Village Festival Group, stopped off at the community garden during the event and said: “The WHG volunteers had turned up on a rain soaked day and impressed me with their dedication and commitment. On behalf of the group, I wish to thank WHG colleagues and sub-contractors who assisted them once again to make their community garden a reality. All the partners in this project have stood tall and really contributed; I have nothing but admiration for everyone. “

Walsall Housing Group have a recognition scheme called Going the Extra Mile (GEM). “Going the Extra Mile” is defined as activities that have a positive impact on WHG’s customers, colleagues or both. The recognition is not for ‘doing the day job’ but for activities that are seen to be above and beyond what would normally be expected. GEM in the Community is a colleague recognition scheme that promotes community benefits and rewards positive, community-minded behaviour. The scheme is based on colleagues’ voluntary involvement in groups or activities outside working hours. The Emerald GEM recognises teams who go the extra mile to protect and improve the environment by minimising the impact of the company’s activities, promoting sustainability initiatives, or suggesting innovative ways for them to become a greener organisation. Colleagues can be nominated by anyone within the business and, if approved by the individual's line manager, their achievements are shared their ‘outstanding colleagues’ wall in the main office. They also receive a prize, tailored to the team or the individual and have included restaurant meals, gift vouchers, flowers and days out.