Haywards achieves two prestigious Charter Mark awards
October 2004
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Haywards public sector housing division has achieved the rare distinction of being awarded two prestigious Charter Marks by the Cabinet Office.
The awards are in recognition of the homelessness work undertaken by Haywards, on behalf of Westminster City Council, and its management of 1,500 council homes in the Grove Park area for LB Lewisham.
Charter Mark has evolved to meet the changing needs of the UK public services and their customers and is in the forefront of the Government's programme of public services reform. The key aspects of the scheme are its focus on the needs of the customer and ensuring that communities have a say in the design and delivery of local services. Haywards, had to satisfy six rigorous criteria on front-line performance, customer service and standards that contributed to improving the quality of life and opportunities of the two communities.
Frances Mapstone, Chief Housing Officer for Westminster City Council, said: “We value our partnership with Haywards and are delighted that their longstanding commitment to staff investment has been recognised through the Charter Mark award. Staff at the A and A centre work in a highly pressurised environment with people who are often at a point of crisis in their lives. The commitment to staff training and support from managers is a major contributor to the quality of customer service and staff stability."
David Lewis, Head of Housing LB Lewisham , said: "We have been impressed by the excellent level of service Haywards have been providing to residents in Grove Park over the last 20 months. This award serves as testament to the customer orientated way Haywards deliver services - very well done to them."
Hugh McGeever, Director of Haywards Public Sector Housing Division, said: “We are delighted to have received these awards in recognition of the excellent service we provide in both Westminster and Lewisham. “Our teams have worked exceptionally hard to deliver a wide range of service improvements that have been designed in partnership with our customers."
