A Bolton housing association is trialling a new housing hub to help respond to the things that matter most to residents.

Bolton at Home is trialling a new housing hub on the Great Holme Estate in Great Lever which is similar to existing UCAN centres.

From any other UCAN centre, residents would be able to access housing support, help with jobs and CVs, safeguarding, support from the Money Advice Team, health, and wellbeing advice, and help to reduce gas/electric bills.

But, as part of a trial of Bolton at Home’s new 'Housing Hub' model, it will also offer a place to report repairs, an on-site maintenance service for minor property repairs and check-ups, and support with waste/fly tipping and other environmental issues.

The new housing hub is based at 17 Marlbrook Walk, Great Lever, BL3 2SQ and will be open between 9.30am and 12.30pm every Thursday.

Chris Wood, Locality Manager for Great Lever and Rumworth, said: “We have got a one bed flat where we are going to be based for 12 months so we are hoping we will have all departments at Bolton at Home working together collectively on a Tuesday to address some of the issues on the estate and wider Great Lever and then on Thursday we have a centre similar to our main UCANs where people can come in - from money advice to living support.”

Wayne Thomasson, team member in the Neighbourhood Services team, said: “We are going to be looking at all the environmental issues on the estate including dealing with fly-tipping, and reducing rubbish.

“As well as engaging with customers and seeing how we can encourage more recycling on the estate.”

Darren Pearson, the maintenance man on the Great Holme Estate, said: “I will be here for the next 12 months doing general repairs, it will be like an MOT on a property.

“Anything from windows, your front door, leaks, sinks, baths, and more, just general repairs also including outside work.”

For more information about the new housing hub, go to: https://www.boltonathome.org.uk/ucan