Not even the wet weather could dampen spirits as more than 300 customers, colleagues and local organisations came together to celebrate 20 years of Alliance Homes at the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare on Saturday 24 October.
Our 20 Years Together community celebration brought people together for a day of entertainment, activities, food and community spirit, marking two decades of supporting customers and neighbourhoods. It also offered customers the chance to meet colleagues from across our teams, learn more about the services available to them and share their feedback and suggestions for the future.
Visitors enjoyed a packed programme of activities and entertainment throughout the day, including performances from local musicians and community groups, circus theatre acts, Indian dance performances, fairground games, face painting, henna art, circus skills workshops, sound bath taster sessions, a silent disco and much more.
Alliance Homes teams were at the heart of the event, running interactive activities, speaking with customers and providing information and advice. Popular attractions included bulb planting and an apple press led by our Community Investment team, and other games, demonstrations and engagement opportunities led by other colleagues, including from Repairs, Lettings and Support Services.
Louise Swain, Chief Executive of Alliance Homes, said: "Our 20th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate the people who have made Alliance Homes the organisation it is today, especially our customers and the communities we serve.
"Everything we have achieved over the last 20 years has been made possible by the trust our customers place in us. This event was an opportunity to say thank you and to look forward to the next chapter together.
"Seeing so many customers, colleagues, partners and community organisations come together, despite the weather, was very special. The day was a wonderful reminder that our work is about far more than providing homes, it's about people and strong communities."
Customers attending the event praised both the atmosphere and the opportunity to connect with colleagues and neighbours.
Alliance Homes customer Nigel said: "This is absolutely beautiful, this is community. It's been lovely to bump into so many people, other tenants and people that have helped me on my journey."
Mary Adams, Alliance Homes customer and Chair of the organisation's Customer Scrutiny Panel, said: "To see colleagues and tenants celebrating together is a really great idea, it builds community cohesion, and it is a really nice thing to do.
"It helps customers of Alliance Homes see the people who are looking after their homes and being visible to your customers is excellent."
The event formed part our year-long programme of 20th anniversary initiatives and was the housing association's largest customer and community event to date.
Photographs from the event
A young boy tries plate spinning as part of the circus activities.
Customers enjoy a performance during our 20 Years Together celebration.
A young girl showing off her face paint and balloons.
Customers enjoy the celebrations at the Winter Gardens.
Alliance Homes Chief Executive Louise Swain joins the fun at the silent disco.
Children enjoy a live theatre performance.
Attendees decorating plant pots.
A family enjoying their time at our 20 Years Together event.
Children taking part in a silent disco.
Children try their hand at apple pressing.
TrashCat Productions entertains the crowd with its circus theatre performance.
Attendees hit the dancefloor during the silent disco.
A young visitor tries out the tightrope walk led by Circomedia.
Attendees watching an Indian dance performance.