How our garages helped boost our Welfare Fund by £70,000

By teaming up with Secure Parking and Storage (SPS), we’ve given our old garage sites a fresh start – and the results have been really positive for our residents.

What were once overgrown, poorly maintained and underused garages have now become well‑managed, practical spaces with far fewer empty units and a much better overall condition. Since the partnership began in 2017, this improved approach has helped us reduce losses by around £500,000, with even more gains expected in the coming years.

But the real impact is what this has meant for our residents.

In 2024, we made the decision to put all the extra income from a small garage rent increase directly into our Welfare Fund. By increasing rent by just £1.50, we were able to add £70,000 to a fund that supports residents facing financial hardship.

The Welfare Fund is a vital lifeline. In 2024/25, it helped 158 residents with urgent living expenses when they needed it most. This decision was strongly supported by our Gateway Membership Team, who wanted to make sure the additional income went straight back to those most in need.

Our CEO, Tina, explains:

“By improving how our garages are managed, we’ve been able to generate extra income that residents themselves have chosen to direct into our Welfare Fund. This support is making a real difference to families and individuals during difficult times.

“This partnership shows how better garage management can reduce anti-social behaviour, increase income and, most importantly, allow us to reinvest directly into our communities and deliver lasting social impact.”

Looking ahead, we plan to appoint even more garages to SPS, helping us continue to reinvest in resident welfare and strengthen our communities for years to come.