Anchor hosts online Environmental Fayre

To Anchor, going green means understanding that the way we live, the things we do and the products we use all have an impact on the planet – and that by making positive changes we can help to lessen that impact.

During the summer of 2023, we published our Environmental Sustainability and Net Zero Strategy (2023-26) which sets out our climate commitments and actions. As part of those commitments, we hosted our first virtual Environmental Fayre, inviting residents and colleagues to learn more about sustainability and Anchor’s efforts to make a positive impact on our environment.

Our Environmental Fayre was an opportunity to hear from:

• Sarah Jones, Chief Executive who introduced the fayre and talked about the importance of sustainability for our organisation 
• Liz Davenport, Property Sustainability Director and Sarah Young, Environment & Sustainability Manager talking about the key goals of the recently launched Sustainability Strategy
• The Chair of our new involved Residents Environmental Group, Heather Rowell, sharing details on how to get involved and have your voice 
• Robin Devonshire, Service Improvement Advisor sharing tips on food waste and how to make use of scraps 
• Kirsty Tweddell, Senior Sustainability Manager North and Maria Mumford, Resident Liaison Manager at Equans, about how they are working in partnership with Anchor to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions
• Opportunities to hear from residents passionate about sustainability, Terry Keen and Elizabeth Proud, who shared videos documenting the benefits of forest bathing and gardening.

Sarah Jones, Chief Executive said

We all have a role to play in tackling climate change, protecting the environment, and creating a sustainable future. ‘Sustainability’ for Anchor has a broad reach across many aspects of our business plan and values, from recruitment and retention of great colleagues to ensuring that our properties are fit for a net zero future. It is vital that we hear residents’ voices in our decision making, and the Environmental Fayre was a great way of bringing that to life.

It showed the vast range of activities and actions we can take as individuals or as an organisation to make a difference, from building net zero homes to using up our leftovers in ‘bottom of the fridge soup’ and everything in between. It was an interesting, stimulating, and hopeful day, and another step on the road to a sustainable future for Anchor.

Heather Rowell, Chair of our Residents Environmental Group said

Well done on a sterling event, thank you all for an enjoyable day.

We write guides and support on a range of topics found here, look out for videos we’ll be sharing from the day. We’ve also just released our third annual sustainability report which highlights many aspects of our environmental, social and governance performance, which you can read here.