Good news stories in February 2026
Valentine’s Joy at Our Schemes
Our schemes were full of love and laughter this Valentine’s Day! Tenants enjoyed coffee mornings, homemade cakes, raffles, fun games, singers, and plenty of smiles—plus some brilliant wigs and heart‑shaped glasses.
A big thank you to the volunteers whose time and energy made these events special. Your efforts bring our communities together and brighten the lives of our tenants.
A lovely reminder of the joy that comes from shared moments.
Links Learning Centre
The Links Learning Centre has been making a real difference to people with learning disabilities by helping them build confidence, learn new skills, and get involved in their community. Working closely with Housing Services, Lifeline, and other local partners, the team provides positive, meaningful activities every week.
Service users learn practical skills such as cooking, gardening, and taking part in exercise. They also enjoy swimming sessions with support from partners like Move More and the Dolphin Centre.
A highlight is the weekly visit to Windsor Court, where tenants always give them a warm welcome. The service users, prep, cook and serve a meal to the tenants. This support has had a positive effect on the lives of the service users, helping them feel included, valued, and more confident.
The Links also runs an allotment in Darlington, giving people the chance to enjoy the outdoors and learn new skills in a calm, friendly environment.
Staff members Tracey and Mary play a big role in supporting everyone involved, making sure the service users feel safe, encouraged, and empowered.
Overall, this partnership shows how teamwork, kindness, and community support can make a real difference to tenants and the service users.
A Fresh Start That Changed Everything
After years of struggling to manage a private three‑bedroom house, one of our tenants made a life‑changing decision: she chose to downsize to a two‑bed ground‑floor flat with her son, who lives with ADHD, social anxiety, and other challenges.
She told us that the move has been “the best thing I’ve ever done.”
The difference has been remarkable. With a smaller, more manageable home, both she and her son have found a calmer, more settled way of living. Her flat is spotless, comfortable, and truly feels like theirs — a place where they can finally breathe, reset, and thrive.
In her words, she feels lucky, grateful, and proud to live in one of our properties. She wanted us to know how much she appreciates the support and the security of having a safe, well‑maintained home.
Her story is a reminder that the right home can hugely alter daily life — not just the physical space, but the emotional and mental wellbeing of the people who live there. Sometimes a smaller space brings the biggest relief, stability, and happiness.
It's a powerful testament to what a good home — and the right move at the right time — can achieve.
