CHS Group (CHS), the local charitable housing association, has launched its 90th anniversary celebrations alongside residents who also turn 90 this year. Staff from CHS, which has been serving people in Cambridgeshire since 1927, joined residents at its Langdon House residential care home on Wednesday (15 February) to kickstart a year-long celebration to mark its special anniversary.

Mr Potter and Mr Coggan, residents at Langdon House, Mrs Overall and Mrs Hobbs of Dunstan Court, and Mrs Lakin of Moorlands Court, also celebrate their 90th birthdays this year and were on hand to mark the organisation’s anniversary. With a selection of cakes and drinks on offer, the residents were in high spirits, telling stories of how they moved in to their respective homes. All residents were singing the praises of staff and accommodation; expressing how lucky they were to live in such a lovely environment.

Nigel Howlett, chief executive officer at CHS Group, said: “This is a landmark year for CHS and we’re extremely privileged and proud to be celebrating it alongside some of our residents. We have experienced many changes as a group over the last 90 years and still continue to evolve, adapt and innovate to support some of the most vulnerable people in our region. We are looking forward to involving all those with whom we interact in our celebrations and hope to set the tone for our next 90 years.”

CHS will be celebrating its anniversary across its many homes and projects by launching its ‘Project 90’ campaign. This will see every area of its business working towards a goal associated with the number 90 to ensure every member of staff can be involved in the celebration. Amongst others, the development team hope to plant 90 trees, the Community Investment team aim to get 90 people into work or training, and several staff will be cycling the 90 miles to visit each one of the 12 residents who also turn 90 this year.

CHS has experienced incredible growth since its initial inception. The Group was formed in 1927 when its first homes in Green End Road were completed. Over the following years, hundreds of homes were built, providing much needed affordable housing for local people. In 1942 CHS took over the management of the Corona Building Association and its 12 one bed flats and adopted charitable status in 1952. The opening of Langdon House, the Group’s first residential care home for older people, was completed by Princess Margaret in 1957. Several other sheltered housing and support schemes opened and in 1991, the Group’s first nursery was launched.

CHS was placed at 14th in the Sunday Times ‘Top 100 Best Not for Profit Organisations to Work for 2016’ . Over 7,000 people live in its affordable homes and more than 2,000 people choose to rely on its care, support and community investment services. The team consists of 400 people who make sure they deliver the highest quality services to every one of its service users.