Press and media

Q. When did you start playing pool?

I have very strong memories of playing pool with my dad on a small table for hours every Friday and Saturday evening when I was a young kid. As I got older, I started going to the local pub during school lunchtimes to play pool or snooker. But it wasn’t until I went to university that my passion really started to take off. I worked at a snooker place, ‘Riley’s’ in my spare time and I used to play during my breaks. Unfortunately, I had to leave university halfway through, but I soon got a job working at another Riley’s, where I joined a blackball pool team. I’ve been playing ever since. 

 

Q. How did you get into playing competitively?

When it comes to playing sports, I’m extremely competitive. Once I’d bought my own pool cue and started playing for my team, I was invited to represent Berkshire in county matches. From there, I improved my game and rose through the ranks, until I got the opportunity to trial for the National team along with 81 other players. Ranking 3rd overall, I was delighted to earn my place in the national team. 

 

Q. How has international pool affected your day-to-day life? 

I have the same outlook in everything I do. If I put my mind to something, I’ll go for it and give 100% effort. If I don’t succeed the first time, I’ll keep fighting until I do.  

I’m currently reading a book called ‘The Inner Game of Tennis’, which is aimed at people who want to reach their peak performance. If your mind isn’t in the right place to succeed, then you won’t. I try to apply this mindset to my work too, as I believe having the right attitude is the key to success.

 

Q. What’s next for you? 

I’ll be representing England at The Nations Cup in Cyprus later this year, playing against teams from all over Europe including Norway, Scotland and Malta. I can't wait!

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A Silva Homes retirement scheme in Sandhurst has won a bronze award at the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) national awards 2019.

Broadway House is one of 27 to have won a top prize out of the almost 25,000 retirement housing schemes or developments nationwide. Other Silva Homes’ schemes Clement House and Liscombe House also won in the regional EAC awards.

Alan Ward, Chief Executive at Silva Homes, said: “We’re thrilled that our retirement schemes have been recognised by the EAC awards and especially that Broadway House won this national award as it means that our colleagues, our customers, their families and visitors are really happy and it reflects the quality of accommodation and service that our team provides."

The EAC awards, now in their 8^th year, celebrate the best specialist housing for older people, and aim to help shape the future of housing in later life through engaging over ten thousand residents, staff, visitors and volunteers who were all able to vote for their favourite scheme out of the 1,220 nominated between 15 November 2018 and 28 February 2019.

John Galvin, EAC’s Chief Executive, explained the importance of the awards: "Specialist housing for older people plays an enormously significant role in helping them stay independent for longer. The security, support and great communities have a positive impact on individuals and reduce the need for NHS services.”

Joy Palmer, a 96 year old resident of Broadway House, echoed the enthusiasm: “When I first moved into Broadway House I was made to feel welcome by all the staff who have been very kind and supportive. The food is excellent, my flat is very comfortable which makes me very happy."

The EAC awards were celebrated at The Sheridan Suite, Manchester on 21 May 2019 where the bronze, silver and gold awards winners were announced.

Three Silva Homes schemes won in different categories of the EAC awards:

• Broadway House were in the under 41 units with care
• Clement House were in the 56 units and over with care
• Liscombe House were in the 31-36 units which is classed as type standard
• Broadway House won its regional award so went through to the national awards.

About EAC

Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC) is a national charity that helps older people meet their current and anticipated housing and support needs. Its popular website HousingCare.org is visited each day by some 17,000 people, and profiles all retirement housing schemes and care homes in the UK.

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A quality new housing development in Hook, Hampshire, will provide 87 affordable new homes. Local housebuilder Barratt Homes and Silva Homes have partnered to deliver the stylish new homes at the popular Oakwood Grange development on Griffin Way North.  

The brand new affordable homes will include one and two-bedroom apartments, and one, two, three and four-bedroom houses. The properties will be available for rental and Shared Ownership, with the first customers expected to move in over summer.

 

 

Lynnette St-Quintin (photographed left), Sales Director for Barratt Southern Counties, commented: “Oakwood Grange is an exciting new development of quality homes in Hook, and it is fantastic that we are able to work with Silva Homes to help deliver affordable housing for local buyers. In addition to Help to Buy, Shared Ownership is another great way to help buyers onto the property ladder, while rental options are ideal for tenants seeking a brand new home. We encourage potential homebuyers or renters to come and find out more about the various routes to homeownership and tenancy available to them.”

Laura Johnson (photographed centre), Executive Director of Investment & Growth for Silva Homes, said: “We are delighted to be working with Barratt David Wilson on this scheme, providing 87 high quality and much-needed homes for affordable rent and shared ownership to local people in Hart District.”

To find out more about Shared Ownership with Silva Homes, please email sales@silvahomes.co.uk or call 01344 382838.

For rental properties, residents should first register on Hart District Council’s choice based lettings system at www.hart.gov.uk/housing, then once registered and eligible, bid for the properties available.

For more information on all other properties, including those available with Help to Buy, contact Barratt Homes on 0333 355 8498 or visit www.barratthomes.co.uk

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Kirsty, our Health and Safety Compliance Coordinator, is an avid rower and aspiring Paralympian. After an arm amputation in 2008, Kirsty struggled with body image-related anxiety, but since finding a passion in sports she has turned her life around.

Kirsty started rowing in April 2019 after participating in an advert for Parasports UK, sponsored by Toyota. This ad, which aired on Channel 4, promoted local activities for people with differences. Inspired, Kirsty joined Marlow Rowing Club’s (MRC) para-team and took to it like a duck to water. Kirsty has since won her first regatta at Marlow and is now hoping to try out for Team GB for the 2024 Paralympics.

When she isn’t on the river or in the gym, Kirsty can be found managing Silva’s Health & Safety schemes. She joined us in this role after experiencing supported living, where she learned to overcome the negative outlook of risk-assessments that were caused by her amputation.

Kirsty commented on her role at Silva: “It is so important that our customers feel safe in their homes. I enjoy using my own experience of self-risk assessment to support a diverse range of people every day and am so pleased to be able to pursue my passion for rowing around this work. I am excited to see what the future brings.”

Have you met an outstanding Silva colleague recently?

Working here

At Silva Homes we celebrate individuals and diversity. We are a vibrant, modern and friendly employer that attracts and retains dedicated and talented people who aspire to make a real difference to the provision of high-quality, affordable and safe housing. Click here to view our careers page.

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