A profit-sharing agreement between First Choice Homes Oldham and Wolseley Managed Services has channelled more than £200,000 back into improving local housing and community projects.

The deal, made three years ago, sees the builders' merchant share profits with the housing association. Wolseley operates a branch inside FCHO's Primrose Place Property Care centre off Ashton Road.

FCHO has so far received £192,000 from the arrangement, which is ring-fenced for upgrading existing properties. In addition, Wolseley donates 1% of FCHO's annual spending with them to social value projects.

Last year, FCHO spent £2 million with Wolseley. This triggered a further £20,000 donation, which will fund two digital literacy and inclusion programmes run by charities in Chadderton and Werneth later this year.

"FCHO spends a great deal on repairs and this profit share deal with Wolseley means we are receiving more money back each year to further improve our homes and customers' lives," said Mark Gifford, chief executive of FCHO.

He added: "Working in the same building is a big positive for both FCHO and Wolseley. We have all the materials we need on site so we can be more efficient and the company has a big dependable customer."

Andrew Harnick, business development and operations director at Wolseley Managed Services, said the partnership "demonstrates how a strong, collaborative supply chain relationship can deliver benefits far beyond the supply of materials."

He added: "By working alongside FCHO from our branch at Primrose Place, we have been able to support greater operational efficiency while creating a sustainable model that returns value directly back into local homes and communities."