Camphill Village Trust – a members story

Published in CHIC (Communities & Housing Investment Consortium) Newsletter ‘CHIC CHAT’ – February 2023

Camphill Village Trust, a recent new member, contacted CHIC with an urgent requirement for Stock Conditioning Surveys. The project requirements were reviewed and CHIC solutions were proposed to the member. Camphill Village Trust decided to utilise the Consultancy Services Lot 5 Housing and Asset Management Framework via a Direct Award. A contract was put in place swiftly, supported by a rigorous business case, and mobilisation commenced.

Camphill Village Trust supports adults with learning disabilities, providing supported living and day placement opportunities in 10 communities throughout England.  Most sites are in rural locations, but some are within busy town environments.

Rapley’s Housing Consultancy were commissioned in August 2022 to complete a 100% external and internal stock condition survey of Camphill Village Trust’s diverse portfolio of 343 residential properties, including Energy Performance Certificates. The surveys were to determine the current condition and future maintenance requirements of the properties, informing a proactive property investment strategy.

Following comprehensive analysis of the portfolio, Rapley’s commenced surveys in September 2022 and completed all site work in early November 2022. They worked in close partnership with Camphill Village Trust from the outset, engaging positively with staff and residents at each community, enabling efficient completion of all survey work with minimum disruption to staff and residents.

The portfolio comprises many unusual and challenging buildings, drawing upon Rapley’s extensive range of surveying and Energy Assessor skills.

All surveys were completed using Rapley’s bespoke stock condition survey application, issuing their reports, survey data, photographs and Energy Performance Certificates to Camphill Village Trust in December 2022.

Comments from Robin Asquith, Head of the Natural Environment, Camphill Village Trust

“Rapley’s was commissioned based on our expertise and displaying a comprehensive understanding of what the Trust wanted. The communication was on time and precise throughout the survey work. Our sites are complex with a wide range of property types, many of which aren’t standard. This didn’t phase Rapley’s, and they were professional and understanding when visiting all our sites. They delivered the project on time and on budget, providing us with the depth of knowledge we required to best manage our properties.”

Comments from Joanne Heyes, Head of Member Services, CHIC

“It was a pleasure to visit this amazing charity and learn about what they do as an organisation. The contract was implemented between both organisations swiftly so that the works could commence on time.  CHIC supported Camphill Village Trust to award an ideal contract for their project and we hope we can continue to support them in the future.” 

ABOUT CHIC:

CHIC is a not for profit, member owned consortium that secures efficiencies and savings for members asset management and development programmes, including all repairs, maintenance, new build and legal activities. CHIC provides procurement compliance contract and commercial support which all deliver efficiencies for members.

Our mission is to work collaboratively to deliver efficiencies through procurement and commercial support, to ensure that tenants have safe, decent homes to live in.