Choice Annual Report 2025 flipbook - Flipbook - Page 3
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for 2023/24. We have the most active
community development programme of
any local Housing Association with a very
busy programme of events taking place
across the country throughout 2024/25. In
turn, we have an engaged and proactive
tenant network spanning 6 regions with a
focus on service improvement. Choice now
leads on a number of ‘Housing for All’ or
shared community projects, reflecting our
commitment to equality, diversity and
mutual respect.
Our community investment programme
continues to focus on the core themes
of economic resilience and well-being.
Mirroring our approach to supported
housing, we work with like-minded partners
on community empowerment initiatives,
believing that effective collaboration
delivers enhanced benefits for all. We would
commend the Rio Ferdinand Foundation,
Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast,
USPCA, Street Soccer NI, Women’s’ Aid,
Trussell Trust and Homeless Connect for
their continued support and their shared
determination to enrich lives.
Whilst the merger did not complete within
the 2024/25 financial year, we were
delighted to welcome new colleagues who
joined Choice from the former Connswater
Housing Association on 1st May 2025.
This collaboration was driven by a desire
to enhance the service offering to our
respective tenants and we look forward to
getting to know our new communities over
the coming weeks and months. Choice
Group has always benefited from a hugely
talented and committed team of staff and
trustees. We would like to thank you all for
your dedication and preoccupation with
serving our customers. It is truly humbling
that Board and Committee members offer
their experience and expertise voluntarily.
We will continue to empower our people
through investment in their skills and in the
enabling technology that seeks to simplify
the ‘customer journey’. We retain a laser
focus on ensuring that our rents remain
affordable. Each year we identify a number
of transformation projects designed to
improve our effectiveness and efficiency as
an organisation. We completed a number
of workstreams in 2024/25 delivering
enhancements to repairs and maintenance.
A priority for the next 12 months is to ensure
that our service charges reflect evolving
tenant needs and represent best value
for money. Plans to centralise our office
provision at Leslie Morrell House on May
Street, Belfast are well advanced and will
offer enhanced tenant, partner and staff
facilities.
In concluding, we would like to thank Joe
Higgins who retired as a trustee and Group
Chair in September 2024. We are indebted
to Joe and to long-serving former members
Paul Leonard and Ciaran McAreavey for their
wise counsel, sound judgement and great
work over many years across the Choice
Group. Tenants and staff were always at the
centre of your decision-making and you have
left a rich legacy of financial strength and
service improvement that will bring benefits
to our stakeholders for many years to come.
Thank you for your interest in our work and
for your continued support in the year ahead.
Caroline Young, Group Chair
Michael McDonnell, Group Chief Executive
