CARTREFI CONWY
R E H T E G O T SUMMER EDITION
. .. K C A B S ’ T I T U O Y A D THE BIG SDAY ON THUR UST 18TH AUG AT ND JOIN US A Y A D O T Y IAR TE IN YOUR D PUT THE DA
ALSO INSIDE...
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HOME REWARDS IS HERE... WIN £100’S EVER MONTH Pg 2 Y
enquiries@cartreficonwy.org Customer Service: 0300 124 0040 All calls with Customer Services are recorded Audio copies of this newsletter are available
HOMES REWARDS IS HERE - WIN £100’S EVERY MONTH Tenants now have the chance to win £100’s every month with our new Home Rewards scheme… We have launched Home Rewards giving you the chance to win £100’s every month. Home Rewards replaces the Countdown rewards scheme that the majority of tenants told us didn’t work for them. We’re now rewarding our loyal tenants every month through a range of new exciting draws, with hundreds of pounds up for grabs. Home rewards will give you the chance to win £100’s every month through: IPAY – rewarding you for paying your rent on time. I’M PROUD – rewarding you for looking after your home and being proud of where you live and the community you live in.
I’M INVOLVED – rewarding you for being involved, having your say and helping us to shape our services. I’M CONNECTED – rewarding you for using our online services.
To find out how you can win £100’s visit cartreficonwy.org/homerewards and find out about our entry details* or call Customer Services on 0300 124 0040. *Terms and conditions apply
GAS SERVICING Since last September Gas Safety Servicing is carried out by our social enterprise subsidiary, Creating Enterprise. Bringing this service in house has not only created 6 new posts but is enabling Cartrefi Conwy to offer a more responsive and cost effective service to you our customers. You have told us that the customer experience has improved and service satisfaction is at 99.64%. Plus we have extended the appointment time to allow the trades to carry out minor repairs (up to 20 minutes) and their vans are equipped to allow them to fix it there and then. The team are also allocated uncapping of new tenanted properties – previously this was handled by the responsive repairs team and means it’s freeing these operatives time, to give tenants quicker repair appointments. 2
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Remember as your landlord we need to carry out gas servicing and safety checks once a year, every year. We’d like to say a big thank you for helping us improve the first time access rate to your home to carry out these checks. This is making significant money costs savings and at the same time improves safety for you, your family and neighbours.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKETS EVERY MONTH? Many tenants don’t realise they are entitled to a number of benefits that they are eligible to claim for. This could mean extra money for you each month, your household and in your pocket.
They also provide tips and advice on:
Are you missing out?… Imagine having that extra bit of cash every month, maybe for a meal out, a family trip to the zoo or a just bit extra towards the weekly shopping bill.
• Borrowing money
At Cartrefi Conwy we have a dedicated support team offering help to all our tenants and households across the region to check you are claiming all of the benefits you are entitled to. So far this year they have helped tenants claim over £70,000 and increasing...
HAVE YOU MET OUR HOME PARTNER TEAM? The home partner team work alongside the gas servicing trades and visit your home to help us improve and maintain your satisfaction of this service. We have been able to create these new roles from the money savings made by bringing the gas servicing in house.
• Bank accounts • Budgeting • Managing your money • Avoiding debt - especially with doorstop and other high street lenders with extortionate interest rate charges • Dealing with debt • Getting access to the best discounts It’s all about helping you take control and being in control and getting the most out of your money, now and in the future. Why not give us a call today and talk to one of our dedicated Financial Inclusion Team Members. All discussions are confidential and the team can visit you in your home or can meet you in one of our offices, whatever suits you best. Call us on 0300 124 0040 and ask to speak Amanda or Katie or leave a message for them to call you back.
It also means the home partners are meeting tenants throughout the year in your homes to ask you a range of questions that is helping us to better understand you our customer tenancy needs and priorities. The information they gather means we are better prepared to plan and adapt our services to meet your needs.
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G IN T A R B E L E C E WE’R SUCCESS... COLLEAGUES ARE
ALSO CELEBRATING‌
Its been a great year so far this year with a range of award successes; not only for Cartrefi Conwy but also for our colleagues and tenants too. Our organisation is very proud to be celebrating a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Medal Award. This prestigious award recognises Cartrefi Conwy achieving the highest standards of health and safety in the workplace for the fifth year running and is given to only the most committed proponents of workplace health and safety measures in the UK. We also clinched another prestigious accolade and are as proud as punch to be a Sunday Times Top 100 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR 2016.
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Hannah Owens was given a special recognition Rising Star award for her commitment and leadership in gas safety at the Association of Gas Safety Management Awards. We also received a highly commended recognition at the same awards for our initiative of extending gas servicing appointments to allow the trades to carry out quick repairs.
TENANTS ARE CELEBRATING TOO… Another young Colleague Emily Jones 20, scored a double triumph after scooping two Apprentice of the Year awards. She beat off competition from nearly 2,000 apprentices to win the main Grwyp Coleg Llandrillo Menai Apprentice of the Year 2016 title. Then she went on to secure the Chartered Institute of Housing Wales Apprentice of the Year Award. Emily’s now employed in the role of Technical Administrator in the property services team and her long term ambition is to one day run her own property company. Our most recent accolade has been at the Arts & Business Cymru Awards where we clinched double awards. First we scooped the prize in the Arts, Business and Health category for our Focus on Photography project and then capped the night off by being named Business of the Year.
We are long-term supporters of Arts & Business Cymru and recognise that the arts has a big role to play in improving the quality of people’s lives and this is certainly the case for our tenants who have been involved in a variety of arts-related projects in recent years. The Focus on Photography project was a digital inclusion course led by Paul Sampson, curator of the Oriel Colwyn photographic Gallery at Theatr Colwyn and was run to encourage participants to use computers not only for photography but other uses including online shopping and staying connected with loved ones and friends.
WATCH https://vimeo.com/173766260
The courses have resulted in exhibitions at Venue Cymru and Theatr Colwyn and some of the group’s amazing images were transformed into art work at Cysgod y Gogarth in Llandudno and Parkway in Rhos on Sea.
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN... IT’S TIME FOR THE BIG DAY OUT 2016!! We have been working hard over the last 6 months to make this year’s family fun day even more fun! And we will have some big surprises on the day so don’t miss out!! WHEN? 18TH AUGUST WHERE? EIRIAS PARK, COLWYN BAY Book your free transport by 5th August contact 01745 335345 or email big-day-out@cartreficonwy.org 0300 124 0040
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LAUGHTER’S THE BEST MEDICINE AT CYSGOD Y GOGARTH up with a of laugther as we catch les ck ca e th to d te ee gr e We ar new homes to hs after moving into their nt mo 6 ts en sid re of p grou Gogarth. Living is like at Cysgod y nt de en ep Ind t ha w t ou find The tenants are enjoying living life mainly because of the new friendships and social activities but also for many the renewed freedom from living in accommodation that meets their needs to live independently. Tenants told us they are always looking forward to the future and enjoying living, laughing, sharing fun times and learning new things together. Ernest Seabright 58 said: You’ve got your independence but at the same time support when you need It. The activities and design of Cysgod y Gogarth provides great interaction with other tenants. We help each other; I’ve helped move a TV and other things around for some tenants less able. Gladys Tipton (nearly 84) previously lived in Bangor but thinks its lovely living at Cysgod y Gogarth and has no complaints. Plus her son and daughter live in Llandudno and they now worry less with her living close by. “It’s the people and company the fun we have together that makes it, it’s marvellous” said Gladys. Joyce Herbert a previous long time resident of Llandundo says it’s great to be back 6
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after living in Rhos on Sea for 8 years. Coincidentally her new neighbour Anita Ellison was her neighbour In Manchester as a little girl. Joyce’s mum moved to Llandudno on the advice of the family doctor to live by the seaside to help Joyce’s childhood asthma. Another reason that Joyce is loving her new home is the view from her second floor flat brings back cherished and comforting memories as she looks over to her late mum’s cottage on the Great Orme. Joyce neighbour Anita lives with her husband Eddie and have always enjoyed getting out and socialising. But that changed when Eddies health deteriorated and the home they lived quickly became not at all suitable leaving them trapped at home. That’s all changed living at Cysgod y Gogarth and they are once more able to get out easily enjoying socialising and living more independently. It’s a similar story for Janette Smith who was left housebound in her previous home as she couldn’t manage to climb the outside stairs at her previous home. Janette became depressed through loneliness and lack of
Voices@cartreficonwy is about making every tenants voice matter!
• Do you ever feel like your voice is not heard? • Do you think you can help improve our services? • Do you want to share your skills? • Do you want to meet new people? • Do you want to improve your Health and Well Being? interaction. “Moving to Cysogd y Gogarth has been marvellous for me. I’ve gained back my confidence and also made many new friends” said Janette. Olwyn Rowlands who turns 80 on June 6th quite simply feels her new home is heaven, wonderful, marvellous... Olwyn is an Older Persons Champion and along with her fellow neighbour and ‘partner in crime’ Rose, they are at the heart of a hive of activities taking place at Cysogd y Gogarth. This includes organising the running of the Sunday afternoon club, Monday morning Coffee Club, twice a week bingo sessions and the Friday night karaoke. Plus they get residents to pull together especially over holiday times to meet up in their shared lounge to get together for meals and celebrations.
WATCH https://vimeo.com/170449388
• Can you be a ‘critical friend’ to Cartrefi Conwy? • Do you feel you have something to offer? • Do you want to improve your skills? If any of this interests you get in touch with Lydia Watson – Community Involvement Co-ordinator – 0300 124 0040 or email Lydia.watson@cartreficonwy.org.
Residents from the focus group having their say
WATCH https://vimeo.com/173766260
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CARTREFI LISTENING TO YOU In November we ran a resident consultation service at Bryn Castell, Llanfairfechan to see what the tenants thought of their housing and the services Cartrefi Conwy provided. The consultation aims to stimulate discussion amongst tenants and capture satisfaction rates on a number of topics within independent living schemes. The consultation is delivered through a game and played using twenty eight cards based upon four categories; services, lifestyle, my home and where we live. The cards are used to prompt discussion on a particular area of the category and agree a final score.
The results of the event recognised Bryn Castell, Llanfairfechan as the highest ranking scheme both regionally and nationally in a total of ten statements. Areas of improvement were identified and actions were immediately implemented. The consultation game will be coming to independent living schemes near you over the coming months.
The scores are then collated and feedback in a ‘star-rated’ picture format was provided along with comparisons of national and regional performance.
IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE? Do you feel you need assistance with any of the things below?
• Using the equipment in your home, for example the Care Connect equipment
• Emotional support and guidance
If the answer is yes, the Independent Living Service could help.
• Reporting repairs and housing related problems • Managing your paperwork and correspondence • Accessing other services and professional help • Support and promote an active social life • Identifying local services and organisations that may help you
Please contact us on 0300 124 0040 and ask to speak to Ceri Twist or leave a message for Ceri to contact you.
WATC H https://vimeo.com/170165349
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R O F H C N U FANFARE LA ERPRISE T N E G N I T A CRE
launch at Car trefi Conwy’s Creating Enterprise had its fanfare official ve Andrew Bowden revealed Abergele headquarters when chief executi total of 27 job opportunities. that the new venture had so far created a
Cartrefi Conwy launched the new venture which became the first of its kind in Wales when it began operating last April. The organisation, takes on a range of maintenance work for Cartrefi Conwy’s properties across the county of Conwy, from exterior painting and gas services to fixing dripping taps and broken garden gates.
In 2011 he joined Crest Co-operative on a back-to-work scheme and benefitted from a 16-week training course at the end of which he was offered a full-time position with Crest.
It also runs a ground-breaking employment academy which has already seen four jobless tenants being given a 12-month contract to gain work experience.
He rose through the ranks from a kerbside collection driver to a supervisory role and was amongst the first to join Creating Enterprise last April.
Former Wales’s Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths, who was a special guest at the event, gave her congratulations and said this achievement was “something to be celebrated.”
He’s now the company’s operations supervisor in charge of 14 staff.
A unique feature of the company is its employment academy which is only available to Cartrefi Conwy tenants without jobs. During their 12-month contract period the unemployed benefit from work experience, training and qualifications in some cases. They are mentored throughout and in the ninth month of their contract they are offered full support to find a permanent job, which might be with a local employer or Cartrefi Conwy itself.
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Ian Goss, 38, is one of the company’s success stories. He was left without a job when his own business supplying uniforms and work wear was hit by the recession.
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WATCH Creating Enterprise: https://vimeo.com/170162559 Meet Jordan Davies Trainee Painter & Decorator: https://vimeo.com/170171834 Meet David Gathern Trainee Painter & Decorator: https://vimeo.com/170170834
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where
YOU
LO E LIVE
C R A P PEULWYS
OD AWARD O H R U O B H IG E N R U O Y IT’S Congratulations to the Peulwys Go Green Association for achieving the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood Award’ for the second year running! The Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) It’s Your Neighbourhood (IYN) is a scheme for volunteer-led community gardening groups. The campaign supports community groups in cleaning up and greening up their immediate local environment - whether that’s the street they live in, or a small patch of communal land needing a revamp. The group worked together with Cartrefi Conwy to meet one of the IYN criteria’s of maintaining the green spaces up on Parc Peulwys. Several litter picks were organised along with bulb planting and replacing of naturally failed plants. This has contributed to Parc Puelwys retaining its Green Flag Status.
RHS stated that those who took part reported cleaner, greener and safer surroundings; a growing sense of community pride; increased rates of local recycling and environmental awareness, and a reduction in anti-social behaviour with the regeneration of run-down areas. The group managed to improve from last year where they achieved a level 2; improving. This year the group were awarded a level 3; developing! Hopefully next year they will achieve a level 4; thriving, fingers crossed. If you are part of a gardening group or would like to set one up and would like to know more information about this award please contact Clare Phipps on 01745 335656 or email clare.phipps@cartreficonwy.org
GARAGE RENOVATION SCHEME Cartrefi Conwy have launched a programme of re-development on our stock of garages around the county over the next 12 months. We would like to refurbish all the garages and make them available but this is not always economically viable so some of the stock may be removed. Some garages will need more work than others and after the 12 month cycle, we intend to maintain the garages on a cyclical, ongoing basis. All garage renters will be contacted prior to any decision on a specific block being made 12
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and if work is required on any block, both renters and local residents will be consulted before and during the process. We apologise in advance for any disruption but we don’t anticipate any individual refurbishments works taking longer than 2 weeks. Please contact Customer Services on 0300 124 0040 and ask to speak with Joseph Palmer or Claire Twamley if you have any concerns or questions regarding these refurbishment works.
3-WEEKLY BIN COLLECTIONS COMING TO CONWY In a move to tackle waste and increase recycling, Conwy will begin collecting refuse bins every three weeks, following a decision by Cabinet on 23rd February. The decision was made following a year-long review of households’ recycling and waste practices, which found that over half of the items thrown into wheelie bins could have been recycled, wasting £1.6m every year. The review included a survey of every household in Conwy, with the majority agreeing that the Council should take steps to reduce waste and confirming that they could manage if refuse was collected less frequently and recycling collected weekly. Changes to refuse collection will take place over the summer with recycling collections remaining weekly and garden waste, textiles and small electrical items being picked up fortnightly. Only the refuse collection – your wheelie bin – will change. A trial of 4-weekly refuse collections will also be undertaken in part of the County, and a nappy collection service will be introduced. The environment is everyone’s responsibility and we all have a part to play in looking after it. Conwy County Borough Council co-ordinates regular community Environment Days, that we help support, in different locations across Conwy to make communities, cleaner, greener and safer.
GET READY FOR THIS CHANGE, YOU CAN: • Download the Conwy App – Conwy’s recycling app filled with helpful tools, information and even a collection day reminder; available for iOS and Android devices at www.conwy.gov.uk/conwyapp • Request extra recycling containers if you produce large amounts of recyclables • Make sure you recycle all your food waste. Leftovers, peelings, teabags and kitchen roll can all be recycled in your food waste caddy. If you have questions or need more support, contact the Environment Advice Team by email erf@conwy.gov.uk or calling 01492 575337.
These events are a great opportunity for residents to collect free compost and get rid of bulky waste free of charge. Click/Visit to see when Environment Days are scheduled for 2016/2017 http://www.conwy.gov.uk/section. asp?cat=7971&Language=1
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AVOID LEAVING YOUR WASHING MACHINE, TUMBLE DRIERS & DISHWASHERS ON UNATTENDED! Please be aware of the potentials dangers and risks involved in leaving a washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running when out or in bed. Appliances such as tumble dryers, washing machines and dishwashers cannot be trusted to be left completely unattended and people do die, or have their houses burnt down leaving them running whilst asleep. Many thousands of houses fires are caused each year, the following statistics stand out: • Increasing the risk of serious fire spreading by leaving the tumble dryer running unattended or overnight (9%) • Leaving an electrical appliance on while unattended, only to be alerted by a burning smell (9%) • Blocking air vents by failing to clean behind their fridge/freezer (44%) The Electrical Safety Council’s website also says that washing machines and tumble dryers are the second most common causes of electrical fires in the UK. Dishwashers and fridges also can and do catch fire.
REDUCE THE RISKS REMEMBER TO CLEAN BEHIND YOUR FRIDGE FREEZERS Switch off and pull these appliances out occasionally to quickly clean behind them and remove fluff from the back of the appliance. Remember to switch them back on afterwards DON’T RUN YOUR WASHING MACHINES, TUMBLE DRYERS AND DISHWASHERS AT NIGHT OR WHEN YOU ARE OUT It might be a lot more convenient to do so but you should accept you are taking a relatively low risk but with very high potential consequences if you do. AVOID USING THE DELAY START FEATURE AND USING CHEAPER OFF-PEAKELECTRICITY THROUGH ECONOMY 7 TARIFFS - cases of washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers catching fire seem to be occurring at alarming rates these days – so clearly using the above feature is potentially very dangerous. Continued overleaf... 0300 124 0040 15
REDUCE THE RISKS You need to decide if risking a house fire or flooding is a risk you need to take!!! Government fire safety advice is to not to leave white goods running unattended. This doesn’t mean you have to pull up a chair and watch, but just make sure someone is in the house to hear any smoke alarms go off or smell any burning. Also the Electrical Safety First website provides lots of advice and tips on using electricity safely and update to date information on product safety recalls.
Electrical Safety First is the UK charity dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries caused by electrical accidents. They campaign on behalf of consumers and electrical trade professionals to improve safety regulation and ensure safety messages are appropriate, up to date and well communicated. Visit: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk The Trading Standards site also has an excellent list of safety related product recalls which covers virtually all appliances in the home. It’s well worth book-marking and checking regularly as it covers all safety issues on all consumer goods – even food…
DESIGN A POSTER
CALLING ALL YOUNG TENANTS AGED 5-16 YEARS Please help us raise awareness of Gas Safety in your Home Visit https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/ help-and-advice/gas-safety-in-the-home/ gas-safety-tips/
AFTERWARDS PRODUCE AN INFORMATIVE AND EYE-CATCHING POSTER THAT SHOWS THE DANGERS AND TIPS TO STAY GAS SAFE IN YOUR HOME. There will be one winner for each age group 5 -7, 7-11, 11- 14, 14-16 each winning £50 of HIGH STREET shopping vouchers and a goody bag. Competition closes 11th August 2016. Winners will be announced at THE BIG DAY OUT 18TH AUGUST 2016. Send your poster to Cartrefi Conwy, Morfa Gele, North Wales Business Park. Abergele LL22 8LJ. Remember to write your name, age, address and parents/guardian telephone number on the back of it. Visit this useful site www.co-gassafety.co.uk 16
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