Glasses raised to celebrate Arches’ 50th Birthday

50 years is a long time in anyone’s book, especially for a Housing Association. But this year sees Arches Housing, based in Sheffield, turn 50 years old. Formed back in 1975 to provide affordable housing for people across Sheffield, Arches continues to go from strength to strength with currently over 1,300 properties to their name across Sheffield, Rotherham and Derbyshire.

Now situated on Burngreave Road in Sheffield, the housing association grew from humble beginnings originally called the North Sheffield Housing Association and purchasing its first property at 50 Wincobank Lane in 1977.

Arches’ residents have been the primary focus for the organisation over their 50 year history and through a series of neighbourhood days, community events and partnership collaborations, Arches will bring everyone together to mark their milestone 50^th year in style.

Paul Common, CEO of Arches comments:

“This year we really want to celebrate Arches and us turning 50. There aren’t many organisations that can boast to hitting that milestone. It’s important to us that we share our celebrations with our residents, colleagues and partners as without those people, Arches just wouldn’t exist. I’m very fortunate to work with a wonderful group of people who haven’t forgotten their focus – our residents and their communities. Whilst we look back over the 50 years we’re also looking ahead and making plans to still be here in another 50 years’ time!”

Their 50th Birthday isn’t all that Arches is celebrating this year, as they will also be marking the retirement of their longest serving member of staff – Sally Steade, who started work with the organisation way back in 1988. 

Alan Long, Chair of the Board at Arches Housing commented:

“Sally has been with Arches for a remarkable 37 years and although I’m sure she’s going to relish her retirement, we will be sad to see her leave, it’s like the ravens leaving the Tower of London – they’ve always been there! That said, Sally has been an amazing advocate for Arches in all those years and has been instrumental in our success – Happy Retirement Sally!”