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Thank you to all of our FirstPort Everyday Heroes
We want to say thank you to all of our retirement customers and colleagues for going above and beyond during these unusual times. This post is thanking our Everyday Heroes…
Using technology to connect with the people you love
We came together with Barclays in 2016 to launch the FirstPort Digital Eagles Initiative, and since then it has allowed us to create a ‘digital community’ across FirstPort. Digital Eagles’…
Getting to know… Liza Amies, Head of Insurance
Tell us about your role and how long you’ve worked for FirstPort I’m Liza Amies, and I am Head of Insurance for FirstPort Insurance Services Limited (FISL). I’ve been with…
Mental Health Awareness – Sharon’s story
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week our colleague, Sharon Guinnane, shares her personal experience of mental health and how she made changes to support her wellbeing. I started my…
Staying at Home Poems: Coronavirus by Evie, aged 8
We were delighted to receive a poem this week from Gillian, one of our Development Managers. This poem was written during the Coronavirus lockdown by Gillian’s granddaughter, Evie. We really…
Celebrating VE Day
This Friday, 8th May, is VE Day – Victory in Europe Day. It was on this day 75 years’ ago that the Second World War officially ended in Europe. Across…
Iqrar – Property Manager and Everyday Hero
Our Property and Development Managers are Everyday Heroes because they always go the extra mile for our residents. Making sure that they are comfortable and taken care of at all…
Rosemary’s nine steps: How to boost our immune systems
Rosemary Conley CBE, Editor-in-Chief of FirstPort’s Life & Style magazine, is working on a new initiative to help people stay fit and healthy during the coronavirus outbreak. In this blog…
Tips for managing stress (Pt 3)
By Von Corner, Development Manager, FirstPort How are you feeling today? Happy? Sad? Stressed? I want to talk to you about stress, how it makes us feel and how it…
Free activities for you and the kids
We know many of our residents are having to balance their job with being a teacher and entertainer too! Our Talent team have shared a variety of free educational resources…
Getting to know… Verity Wylde, Senior HR Business Partner
Tell us about your role and how long you’ve worked for FirstPort I joined FirstPort in August 2011 and work as a Senior HR Business Partner supporting the Operations teams…
Life & Style – Spring 2020 (Issue 24)
A few months ago we hadn’t even heard the term ‘social distancing’ or ‘self-isolating’ but these are extraordinary times in which we now find ourselves and all of us are…
Tips for managing stress (Pt 2)
By Beth Lancaster, Senior Property Manager, FirstPort Being a Property Manager can be stressful. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with being the eyes and ears of a site,…
Three tasty dessert recipes
Have you noticed everyone's baking banana bread while we're all at home?! Fancy making something different? Soothe your sweet tooth with these quick and delicious dessert recipes created by leading…
Activities to help keep your kids busy
Working at home with kids can be a real challenge, so we’ll be uploading a range of printable activities over the coming weeks to help you keep them entertained. We’ve…
Top tips on working from home with kids
Managing a young family, confined indoors, seven days a week and doing your day job with them all running around at home is a challenge even Superman and Wonder Woman…
Tips for managing stress (Pt 1)
By Suzanne Ashworth, Visiting Development Manager, FirstPort In a career before FirstPort, I spent many years teaching adults in community settings and one of the most popular courses I ran…
Thousands of young people face homelessness in London
According to Centrepoint, FirstPort’s charity partner, over 100,000 young people in the UK approached their local authority for help last year because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness.…
Time on our hands? Don’t let staying at home stop you from keeping fit!
Working with diet and fitness expert Rosemary Conley CBE, Editor-in-Chief of FirstPort’s Life & Style magazine, FirstPort is launching a series of filmed mini-workouts. In this blog Rosemary reminds us…
Four quick and simple meals to cook at home
We know lots of people are taking the opportunity to cook more while they're at home at the moment, so we hope these recipes will help you to get creative…
New entertainment pack for Retirement residents
Today we’re delighted to launch the first of our new weekly entertainment packs for our Retirement residents. These are challenging times for all of us, but for many of our…
Why property matters to our graduate, Alex
Alex Worsdale, one of FirstPort’s graduate intake of 2019, talks about his time on the scheme so far and how he transitioned from university to FirstPort. I’m often asked ‘why…
A day in the life of a Graduate Property Manager
When two of our Graduates recently visited FirstPort’s Marketing and Communications team to learn the ropes, we set them a task to write a blog about their experiences of being…
Transformation and Technology
Heather Payne joined FirstPort as its Chief Technology Officer in 2019. She is leading on the company’s new digital strategy, set to transform our technology, processes and culture. Heather explains…
Let’s celebrate International Women’s Day every day!
At OneSE8, a large and complex residential development that FirstPort manages in Greenwich, London there is Trisha, Frances and Monica. With 1,000 units and several communal facilities, such as a…
Ann – Development Manager and FirstPort Everyday Hero
Putting our residents’ safety at the heart of everything they do is just one of the many reasons our Property and Development Managers greatly deserve their Everyday Hero status. Ann…
Going up, or coming down? How long can your lift last?
FirstPort looks after over 3,000 lifts across the residential developments that it manages in the UK. More than Network Rail, the Department for Work and Pensions, or Tesco’s. In this…
Marion recalls her dad’s Titanic survivor story
Most people have heard of RMS Titanic and are familiar with its fate after it hit an iceberg during its maiden voyage on April 15, 1912. But for Marion Sorfleet,…
Resident, and author, Susan Wall explains what inspired her to write a book
I am a resident in Charles Dickens Court, Portsmouth one of the developments that FirstPort manages. We receive the residents' magazine, Life & Style and I am always interested in…
LGBT History Month – Our colleague’s view on how far we’ve come
To mark the start of ‘Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month’, our Development Manager, Guy Hunter, gives us a fascinating overview of the gay rights movement and explores…
Service charges explained
This article first appeared in Home Focus magazine in January 2020 Service charges can come as a shock but if you know your stuff you'll avoid additional stress, says Nigel…
Interview with Hayley Harvey, London Property Manager of the Year
Regional Manager, Hayley Harvey, has been working for FirstPort for nearly three and a half years. Last year she won the prestigious London Property Manager of the Year award at…
Resident, 87, appears on BAFTA’s ‘For the Love of Film’ shortlist
Our resident, Lorraine Lake Nepstad, has been shortlisted for a BAFTA for her part in running a film club at her assisted living development. Following hundreds of entries, BAFTA has…
Learning new things can be child’s play
By Lisa Potter, Communications Specialist, FirstPort As part of FirstPort’s first ever ‘Learning Week’ (20-24 January 2020), I attended a Coding Playground session at our New Milton Office. What’s a…
Jamie – Property Manager and FirstPort Everyday Hero
We love to hear how our Property and Development Managers go above and beyond to make sure our residents feel safe and comfortable. They are our Everyday Heroes as well…
Dorothy and Roger rekindle their romance after almost 60 years apart
Life can take all sorts of unexpected twists and turns, especially when it comes to the course of true love. One person who can vouch for this is Dorothy Brown,…
Understanding Your Reserve Fund
You may have seen a line in your development’s annual budget for contributions to the reserve fund - sometimes also referred to as the sinking fund - but what is…
How to Achieve a Healthy Weight by Rosemary Conley
Recently we’ve been very happy to announce that healthy living guru Rosemary Conley CBE has become the Editor-in-Chief of our Life & Style magazine. Best known for her multi-million selling…
Centrepoint graffiti art in London raises awareness of 22,000 young people facing homelessness this Christmas
FirstPort’s corporate charity partner Centrepoint has launched its new campaign ‘We Will Be Heard’ to raise awareness of the 22,000 young people facing homelessness this Christmas . They ask that…
Stay safe online with Digital Eagles
We came together with Barclays in 2016 to launch the FirstPort Digital Eagles Initiative, and since then it has allowed us to create a ‘digital community’ across FirstPort, allowing our…
Look who’s just popped in…
Sherleys Court is a retirement development in Boris Johnson’s Ruislip constituency. Last weekend the residents hosted the Prime Minister as he visited for tea and biscuits.
Mustakim – Concierge and FirstPort Everyday Hero
It’s not just our Property and Development Managers, but our Concierges are FirstPort Everyday Heroes too. Doing everything they can to make sure our residents feel safe and secure in…
Winter Safety – Get Yourself Prepared with These Tips
Love it or hate it, winter is here. This means darker nights, chilly mornings and icy weather. Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us still aren’t ready for…
Residents Celebrate 25 Years of Their Much-Loved Retirement Development
Residents from Weston Court in Whetstone celebrated their development’s 25th anniversary with a pizza party to mark the special occasion on Sunday 10 November. The pizza was followed by ice…
Retirees Helping to Develop Robots for our Future Homes
Future-gazing residents at FirstPort retirement development, Wesley Court in Plymouth have taken part in a research project to develop robot helpers and companions for our future homes. Ray Jones, Professor…
Seven saddle sore cyclists rode south for Centrepoint
Seven colleagues from FirstPort teamed up for a cycle ride that weaved its way between each of the residential developments that they manage in London and Surrey. Raising money for…
Favour – Development Manager and FirstPort Everyday Hero
Our Property and Development Managers are Everyday Heroes because, they always go the extra mile for our residents. Making sure that they are comfortable and taken care of at all…
Knit and Natter in Kent
Pauline Jeffree lives in a FirstPort managed development in Kent. We asked if she’d like to tells us what life’s like in Park Court… I have been living at Park…
Research for Centrepoint reveals the gig economy isn’t all good and groovy
Flaws in the benefits system leave homeless young people in the gig economy trapped in a ‘never ending cycle of debt’ writes Clive Booth, FirstPort’s PR Manager. New research from…
Life & Style – Autumn 2019 (Issue 23)
Welcome to this edition of Life & Style, which features a brand new look. Most of you will know me for helping people to lose weight and become fitter, which…
Dawn – Development Manager and FirstPort Everyday Hero
At FirstPort, we love to share the incredible stories of how our Development Managers really are FirstPort Everyday Heroes. Our Development Managers don't just make sure the buildings our residents…
A day in the life of a Development Manager
Von Corner, our Development Manager in Roby Court recently undertook a dementia awareness course with colleagues. Here she explains how they recently learned and how we might help those affected.…
Our Mental Health First Aiders – three months on
In May 2019, 45 colleagues from different roles and brands across FirstPort were trained by Mental Health First Aid England to become the company’s first mental health first aiders (MHFA).…
Recycling & waste reduction symbols explained
Elaine Bald our Business Development Manager in FirstPort Scotland takes a closer look at how Scottish homeowners recycle and reduce waste in their homes. I’ve just moved after 13 years…
Rebecca – Property Manager and FirstPort Everyday Hero
Our Property and Development Managers really do deserve their FirstPort Everyday Hero status because, more often than not, it’s their quick-thinking, composure and organisation that makes sure issues - big…
Violence and criminal exploitation are driving youth homelessness, according to Centrepoint
By Clive Booth, PR Manager, FirstPort A new report, by Centrepoint FirstPort’s corporate charity partner, has found that violence and criminal exploitation have become ‘significant drivers’ of youth homelessness. Centrepoint,…
US Build to Rent Living – Your Apartment Just Got Bigger
By Lisa Potter, Communications Specialist, FirstPort Build to Rent is a relatively new phenomenon in the UK, with Property Managers at the early stages of looking at how the concept…
What are the top tips to the perfect CV?
Job hunting is hard and daunting and writing your CV can be just as bad. No fear, we want to make this as easy as possible for you. Our recruiting…
The Butterfly Factor
By Elaine Bald, Business Development Manager, FirstPort Scotland FirstPort Scotland is encouraging all its staff and customers to take 15 minutes this month to join in the national Butterfly survey…
Retirement Development Manager straight out of University is a big hit with residents
Leaving University to find your first job as a Retirement Development Manager is perhaps not a typical career move for a young graduate, but for Connor Newton, aged 23, it’s…
Retirement Division Regional Managers complete the Tough Mudder Classic for Centrepoint
The hardy souls in FirstPort’s Retirement Division have taken raising money for Centrepoint, the charity which supports homeless young people, very seriously. Four of our Regional Manager took part in…
Fire Safety on Balconies
In spite of the hot weather please don’t be tempted to have a barbeque on your balcony. The fire risks are just not worth it. This is especially true on…
Flagship employment scheme failing vulnerable young people
New research by FirstPort’s charity partner Centrepoint and Warwick University has found that the government’s flagship employment scheme for 18 to 21 year olds is failing some of the most…
Diane – Development Manager and FirstPort Everyday Hero
Our Property and Development Managers really are everyday heroes or, as we like to call them, FirstPort Everyday Heroes. Whether it’s going above and beyond when something goes wrong, or…
Celebrating great customer service with the WOW! Awards
The WOW! Awards are the only national awards that recognise excellent customer service based purely on customer and colleague nominations. We’re really proud to work with WOW! because their awards…
They may be the world’s hardest workers but honey bees need our help
At FirstPort, we love to share with our colleagues what our get up to when we’re not looking after our customers, and we’re encouraged to share our experiences and hobbies…
Young, homeless and LGBTQ+
As the UK marks Pride month, Centrepoint, FirstPort’s charity partner recently issued this press release, says Clive Booth, PR Manager at FirstPort. The UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, has revealed…
Team England training kicks off ahead of the Homeless World Cup in Cardiff
Clive Booth, PR Manager at FirstPort, highlights how Team England and Centrepoint have joined forces prior to the Homeless World Cup in July. The new Street Football Team England squad…
Trip of a lifetime for our intrepid resident cyclist
72 year old Andy Wilson from Castle Court, Bothwell, near Glasgow is not your average Grandad. He has just completed the Land's End to John O' Groats cycle route, covering…
Claire – Property Manager and FirstPort Everyday Hero
Our Property Managers really are everyday heroes or, as we like to call them, FirstPort Everyday Heroes. Sometimes buildings can be complicated things, and if something goes wrong, like the…
Following in your Father’s Footsteps
Rob Callen has taken ‘following in your father’s footsteps’ quite literally after taking over his dad’s role as Development Manager of a FirstPort retirement development earlier this year. Dave Callen,…
How a survey revealed I needed… a survey
Clive Booth, PR Manager at FirstPort reveals some insights from a recent survey we ran with our social followers. Just before the May Bank Holiday, I ran a survey polling…
A young life – well-travelled (Life&Style – Spring 2019)
Blake Bromley, who is a resident at Farthings Court, Shropshire, certainly fitted more than most into the first ten years of his life. Travelling across three strikingly different countries and…
Digital confidence isn’t something you have, it is something you Do!
Grant Guhlke, FirstPort’s Digital Eagles Lead, talks about digital confidence and how he has gained confidence by finding the zone and taking the plunge... I’m sitting here writing my first…
‘Little bit of paradise’ unveiled at Isle of Wight retirement development
Retirement development, Briary Court in West Cowes, Isle of Wight, has opened its doors to showcase its newly refurbished swimming pool for residents. The pool is the ‘jewel in the…
Life&Style – Spring 2019 (Issue 22)
Click here to read your Spring 2019 edition of Life&Style In our Life & Style Spring 2019 issue, we share some fascinating resident stories. Read about Barbara’s claim to fame,…
Husband and Wife Duo Recognised for Supporting Digital Inclusion in Scotland Retirement Developments
A husband and wife team from Giffnock, Glasgow have been recognised for using their digital skills to help their customers and colleagues become more digital-savvy. Marie and Charlie Varley are…
Choosing the right retirement property with FirstPort
Whether you’re buying your first home or a retirement home, the process is still the same. With so many factors to take into consideration, the process can be quite stressful.…
Our Developments – Repton Park
Situated in Woodford Green in the London Borough of Redbridge and surrounded by tremendous buildings and wonderful parkland, Repton Park provides a buzzing hub for the local community. History Repton…
Does more pressure need to be put on the government to increase funding to reduce homelessness?
By Jameela Allen and Usman Zaman, FirstPort 2018/19 Property Management Graduates Sometimes it is easy to feel disconnected from the lives of the people around us, we are all consumed…
Retirees looking at equity release need all the facts to make an informed decision
By Nick Freeth, Managing Director, Retirement Homesearch. Britain’s number one retirement property specialist There’s been a growth in the equity release sector, suggesting that fewer older homeowners are downsizing and…
Our Developments – Atkinson Court
Despite being a relatively new build (built in 2006, it is located to many other similar developments in a desirable residential area in the north of the city), the origins…
Would you know how to help a young person sleeping rough? Centrepoint does
By Mandy Ferries, HR Director, FirstPort UK We’ve all seen a young person sleeping in a doorway but what’s the best way to help them? Our corporate charity partner Centrepoint…
‘Inspiring’ charity volunteer celebrates 100th birthday
Jean Turner has given so much to her local community as a volunteer for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, tirelessly collecting donations over the years. It is now time…
This Valentine’s Day: The secret to a happy marriage revealed by a couple celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary
96-year old John and Kathleen Milward are proof that you’re never too old to be love’s young dream. They have recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary at their retirement home…
Our Developments – Ingress Park
Ingress Park is a beautiful development on the banks of the Thames, in Greenhithe, Kent, consisting of; houses in village street scenes, apartments with views out over the water and…
Watch: ‘Why don’t you just go home?’ Stigma young homeless people face highlighted through social media comments
By Abigail Perrott, Marketing Manager and Charity Champion Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, is FirstPort’s charity partner for 2019. They recently issued this video highlighting the negative comments…
Our Developments – Highbury Stadium
Situated in the North London borough of Islington, Highbury Stadium Square still stands proud. Once the glorious ex-Arsenal football ground, Highbury now consists of 725 apartments and some marvellous gardens,…
Alleviating loneliness on our retirement developments
Loneliness is believed to affect nine million UK residents. While it is increasingly recognised amongst the young, it remains, as it long has been, a major issue in later life.…
Retirement living, considerations for the modern age
In our latest briefing paper we discuss the issues at the heart of ‘Third Age’ retirement and explore how a person-centred approach is vital if we are going to enhance…
Inspiring Leeds Development Manager wins national award
A much-loved FirstPort Development Manager from Leeds has been hailed ‘Most Inspirational Individual’ at the national WOW! Awards. Diane MacGregor received her accolade in recognition of the fantastic initiative she…
The value of the outside environment
What is a beautiful and accessible outside environment worth to retirees? While we’re all clear that location is key for home buyers of all hues, what actually is it that those…
Life&Style – Autumn 2018 (Issue 21)
Click here to read your Autumn 2018 edition of Life&Style In our Life&Style Autumn 2018 issue, we explain regularly used digital services and terms, and feature incredible stories from our…
The value of wellness. Perspectives on health and wellbeing from commercial and residential property
Wellness, a combination of physical, mental, and social wellbeing, is a concept that has come to the fore in various sectors. It affects all of us – as individuals, businesses,…
Life&Style – Spring 2018 (Issue 20)
Click here to read your Spring 2018 edition of Life&Style In our Life&Style Spring 2018 issue, we share health and nutrition advice on keeping up with your vitamin D intake.…
FirstPort Graduates climb Mount Snowdon for Emmaus
On Thursday 5th April, the class of 2018 FirstPort Graduates along with their manager, Learning and Development specialist Chloe Edwards, and Emmaus’ Sallie Winterbottom and Maria-Angela Wells, took on a…
Planning for care needs in old age
Far too few of us understand our likely needs in old age, or have considered how we might pay for them. To help increase understanding, we've produced a guide giving…
Retired residents get their groove on!
They say music brings people together, and that’s certainly the case at a number of our retirement developments where residents are using a newly launched ‘Movers and Groovers’ class to…
Life&Style – Autumn 2017 (Issue 19)
Click here to read your Autumn 2017 edition of Life&Style In our Life&Style Autumn 2017 issue, named Lighthouse for one issue only, we share our residents’ great stories. You can…
Cinemas, gyms and bee-keeping clubs: FirstPort reveal why it’s good business to ‘create communities’ on developments
There’s a change afoot in our cities say FirstPort, which is set to transform apartment living, with larger, more complex developments now far more common, developers and property managers need…
