An apprentice plumber was chosen to play a starring role as a housing association celebrated a major milestone.
Cartrefi Conwy has now completed internal works at the 1,000th property as part of its £30 million housing improvement programme.
To mark the occasion, contractors G Purchase Ltd donated a new washing machine to the tenant of the property, Wendy Owen, 45, of Ffordd Mynach, Mochdre.
The washing machine was plumbed in by apprentice Rebecca Jones, 20, who is serving her time with G Purchase and studying one day a week at Coleg Llandrillo.
Rebecca, from Bodelwyddan, said: “I just like to do practical things rather than working in an office. I really love it and the people I work with are fantastic. I’m really grateful to have this opportunity.”
Cartrefi Conwy came into being just over two years ago when it took over all Conwy County Borough Council’s houses and flats in a stock transfer voted for by council tenants.
It is working towards achieving the target, set by the Welsh Assembly Government, of bringing all the properties up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard by December 2012.
In all, the improvement programme is on course to create a total of 200 job and training opportunities.
Meanwhile, Wendy is delighted with her refurbished home which now has a new kitchen and bathroom – and she was thrilled to receive the washing machine.
Wendy, who lives there with her daughter, Louise, and grandson, Theo, who’s nearly two, said: “Cartrefi Conwy have certainly spent money on the house since the changeover and they are quick with repairs.
“Things have certainly improved since they took over. I am very happy with them.
“The new washing machine is grand – I need one with the little one in the house.”
Fellow tenant Brian Horton is Vice Chair of the Cartrefi Conwy Board of Management and represented the housing association at the presentation.
He said: “I am extremely proud that we have reached this important milestone in the improvement programme.
“I was part of the transfer team when the tenants voted for Cartrefi Conwy to take over responsibility for the council housing stock.
“The fact that we have reached this milestone is proof positive that we are delivering on the promises we made to the tenants.
“The improvement programme is on schedule and we are on course to finish in 2012.
“The majority in favour of the transfer was relatively small at the time but I am sure that if the vote was conducted again now there would be many more tenants voting in favour.
“It has made a huge difference and the tenants feel a great deal more secure – the benefits to the tenants are tangible and it’s improved the quality of life for them. It’s absolutely brilliant.
“Speaking as a tenant, I think Cartrefi Conwy have exceeded expectations.”
Steve Walker, Project Manager for G Purchase, said: “We are extremely pleased with the way the contract is progressing and we are currently ahead of schedule in achieving our targets with regards to the internals programme.
“It’s gone very smoothly which is something that’s been borne out by the customer satisfaction surveys we do with the tenants.
“Anecdotally, we felt that everything was going really well but the statistics prove that as well because we have a satisfaction rate of over 90 per cent.
“We discussed with Wendy Owen what she wanted as a gift to mark the milestone and it’s entirely appropriate that we’re giving her a washing machine.”
