- We'll establish a staffed local presence on the Thornbank estate covering Blackshaw House, Rogerstead and Fernstead high rises in summer 2026, creating a hub where residents can speak directly with staff and access face-to-face support as part of a year-long community engagement project.
The ‘Deane Focus Team’ initiative will start in August and will focus on tackling key issues raised by residents, including repairs and maintenance, debt and money advice, and antisocial behaviour.
We’ve previously run similar intensive projects in communities in Farnworth and Great Holme, which have led to improved outcomes for customers and safer neighbourhoods.
The support will be delivered by our colleagues based on the estate, working together to provide visible, face-to-face help for residents.
Residents will be able to speak directly with our colleagues from different services and report issues in person through an on-site UCAN provision. They’ll have access to free Wi-Fi, practical help with things like money advice, employment and training, and tenancy support – and a drop-in service as part of the same local approach.
Shauna Morton, our Head of Community Engagement, said:
“We know there have been a range of ongoing and complex issues affecting residents in Thornbank and all high-rise buildings, including antisocial behaviour. By establishing a visible presence across these locations, we’re closer to our customers and can respond to their concerns more quickly and effectively.
“We’ll have a dedicated repairs colleague working in the area, carrying out property checks and working proactively to identify repairs and respond quickly to issues raised by residents. Alongside this, other specialist colleagues will be available to support customers directly or signpost them to relevant services.
“Working with Bolton CVS, we’re also creating a new Peer Navigator role, which will see someone who knows the area well working with us to support customers. We also want to connect with local groups to offer activities that customers can get involved with. This is not just about responding to issues but working proactively to prevent them and make the community safer and stronger.”
Our Community Engagement Team will start the project by speaking with residents of Thornbank area during the summer holidays in July and August.
This will include free community events and a survey to understand areas of concern and gather data on current customer satisfaction levels, which will inform planning and delivery for the project.
More information will be shared in the coming weeks. You can stay up to date by following our Be One Homes Communities & UCAN page on Facebook.