Minibus deal to benefit tenants

A community minibus which is used by several groups has been sponsored by a housing association, ensuring its future and offering another service in the community.

The minibus was bought by Babergh District Council as part of The Hub Youth Project centred on Belle Vue Park in Sudbury.

After the club folded the bus was gifted to Sudbury Town Council and has since been used by a variety of groups.

Now tenants from across the Sudbury district are to benefit from housing help, financial advice and a range of other services delivered direct to their doorsteps after Suffolk Housing agreed to sponsor the vehicle.

The Bury St Edmunds-based housing association will cover the costs of taxing and insuring the vehicle.

It will also continue to be used by community groups, such as Sudbury’s community wardens, town council staff, the police and Streetwatch, to help deliver local services closer to people’s homes.

Suffolk Housing will use the vehicle at sites across the county to help increase tenant involvement and promote engagement with its residents.

Martin Barnes-Smith, community development manager, said: “We are delighted that we’ve been able to continue our long tradition of supporting our local community by sponsoring the minibus.

“Our housing stock is spread across Norfolk and Suffolk, so it can be difficult to encourage our tenants to come to us.

“The minibus is allowing us to go to them, which is making it easier for us to engage with people in their own neighbourhoods.

“The minibus acts as a mobile office, while we also use it to run activities for our tenants and work in partnership with others, such as the Credit Union, so that we can take financial advice direct to people’s doorsteps.

“The fact the minibus is also getting good use from council staff, police and community groups is fantastic and shows the sponsorship was money well spent.”