The Regenda Housing Group has catapulted itself into the forefront of social landlords by using the very latest communication techniques to launch their 2007 annual report.
The report, which traditionally has been produced as a lengthy, printed document which is either posted or emailed out to recipients has, this year, been designed, developed and produced, completely in-house, by the Group’s small marketing and design team.
It uses short video films to capture all areas of the organisation and showcase the housing group’s achievements over 2007.
The team has invested in video equipment, software and training to enable them to film, edit, download the videos onto a specially designed website called Regenda Reasons.
The Regenda Reasons website offers the traditional audience for annual reports; stakeholders, partners and residents, a modern, interesting approach to viewing the Group’s activities for 2007 and will also appeal to a wider audience, reaching younger audiences and those outside the housing sector.
By using YouTube at www.youtube/regenda as well as the website www.regenda.org.uk/reasons, the Regenda Housing Group will become one of the first in the housing sector to use this communication method to launch their annual report.
Saving on printing and postage costs has also been an important influencing factor behind the project, with people being directed to the website by a link sent by email.
Stuart Haynes, Head of Marketing and Communications at the Regenda Group explained: “Our main aim with the Regenda Reasons annual report website project is to portray the many ‘Reasons’ to take a look at Regenda in a way that’s interesting, current and instant.
Regenda’s brand essence is being built around ‘people’ – helping people, growing people and supporting people. So, by capturing the stories of our residents and staff in their own words and unique style, via the video clips, we are very much reflecting this essence.
We will continue to grow and develop the site to become an ongoing diary of events and achievements, with staff and residents able to feedback their stories, views and comments via a video they may have recorded themselves, or through podcasts or blogs.”
This project is only one of many being introduced involving new technology, with the Group recently launching a text service to all it residents. It is also looking into providing all its Neighbourhood Officers and Income Generation Officers with laptops and handheld devices, which will link up to the central network, so they can access residents’ accounts and tenancy information whilst on home visits.
To view Regenda Reasons website and the latest videos click on the link below |