Social housing firm upgrades resident kitchens following new investment
Social housing firm Trent & Dove has invested more than £1.38 million in kitchen upgrades, and a resident is urging others to welcome the new changes.
During the current financial year, over 185 resident kitchens were replaced. They are subjected to checks after 20 years to ensure they still meet the latest standards.
Following the upgrades, a Trent & Dove resident said he cried tears of joy after undergoing a complete kitchen upgrade, reducing electricity bills and changing his family’s lives.
Craig Whitfield (pictured), 46, is encouraging residents to embrace high-quality investment in their homes after sharing his heartfelt letter praising the work carried out to revamp his Trent & Dove kitchen.
Mr Whitfield’s experience highlights the exceptional professionalism, workmanship, and care delivered during the process – a reassuring message to those who may feel uneasy about the upheaval they fear they might experience.
If a kitchen is due and needs an upgrade, the housing firm offer residents a choice of cabinets and handles, worktops, and more.
The work package also includes rewiring to the kitchen, new floor covering, wall, tiling, and decorating all completed within just seven days.
Mr Whitfield shared initial concerns about the size and complexity of the kitchen upgrade, as his home includes young children with neurodivergent health issues while he also faces medical disabilities.
However, from the moment the project was scheduled, the well-thought-out plan bolstered his confidence, ensuring minimal disruption to his family life.
The work was carried out by the firm’s longstanding contractor Novus Property Solutions, with Mr Whitfield praising the team for handling all queries and concerns efficiently and with care, ensuring no issue was too small to address.
He said: “We were able to decide on the design, the colours and the layout. They also suggested ideas we hadn’t thought of, such as moving the freezer, which gave us more room in the kitchen. We never felt pressured.
“The work took just seven days. There was barely any disruption. They were thoughtful of my children, who hate change as they are on the autistic spectrum and made them feel at ease.
“When they finished, I was in tears as I was so shocked with how fantastic the new kitchen was.”
Mr Whitfield’s experience illustrates that these projects are meticulously planned and executed to ensure residents feel supported and respected.
He said: “My advice to residents is to not think twice about welcoming investment into your home. Having a new kitchen after so long may be daunting, but it greatly improves your life.”
Kevin Donohoe, Trent & Dove’s head of asset strategy, planning and delivery, said: “Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for our residents through these refurbishment projects, and we hope this endorsement will encourage others to consider taking advantage of these opportunities.”
