Tenants Newsletter Nov 2013_Layout 1 25/11/2013 08:48 Page 1
Autumn/Winter 2013
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Launch of ‘We don’t want to come dine with you!’ Campaign in North Wales North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has launched the 'We don't want to come dine with you –Think Safe, Cook Safe!' campaign to help drive down the number of cooking related fires by promoting simple guidance on cooking safely.
•If you leave the room take the cooking off the heat
Cooking is the cause of over half of all accidental fires in the home in North Wales, with a startling twenty cooking related fires occurring in the County of Conwy alone during the month of September. This new campaign highlights the dangers of getting distracted whilst you are preparing food and the risks involved with leaving your cooking unattended.
•Keep the oven, hob and grill clean - a build-up of fat and grease can easily catch fire
Forgetting to turn off the hob, leaving food in the microwave for too long, overheating a chip pan, burning the toast, or an accumulation of fat or grease on cooking utensils, all of these can spell disaster in the kitchen and can lead to serious injury or, even more worryingly, the loss of life. Gwyn Jones County Safety Manager for Conwy and Denbighshire said: "It is our responsibility to do everything we can to highlight that cooking causes a high number of house fires and to try to drive our messages home - but when it comes to changing behaviour to keep safe, we can only advise but it’s up to you the residents of Cartrefi Conwy to make sure you heed our advice.
Contacts
•Don't use matches or lighters to light gas cookers. Spark devices are safer •Always make sure that any handles are turned away from the edge of the cooker
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TAKE A LOOK INSIDE
Work starts on £1.1m green estate project
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•Never hang anything to dry above the cooker •Take care if you are wearing loose clothing as it can easily catch fire •When you've finished cooking make sure everything is turned off •Turn off electrical appliances when they are not being used •Never use a chip pan - use a thermostatically controlled deep fat fryer
Leaseholder Forum Launched page 4
•Get fitted with smoke alarms - they are free of charge and could save your life "Time and time again we attend house fires which have started in the kitchen - it is so easy to forget your cooking, especially if you are tired, distracted or have been drinking. But the consequences can be devastating. We don’t want to come dine with you and tackle your kitchen fire!” “An example of the devastating effect of cooking left unattended occurred when the Service were called to a Cartrefi Conwy property after a blaze was caused by an unattended chip pan”.
Keeping Promises
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It is believed the man fell asleep after leaving his chip-pan unattended, and was awoken by a smoke alarm. He tried to extinguish the fire himself, and sustained burns to his arms and head in the process which required lengthy hospital admittance. "So please take notice of our campaign and don't forget - smoke alarms save lives. For a free home fire safety check call our 24 hour Freephone number on 0800 169 1234.
Customer Service 0300 124 0040
enquiries@cartreficonwy.org
Be a Christmas Budget Champion
page 8 Audio copies of this newsletter are available Call 01745 335345 to request a copy.
Tenants Newsletter Nov 2013_Layout 1 25/11/2013 08:48 Page 2
Building Maintenance Unit complete Fencing program on Pendalar estate.
Number of properties updated – 28 Time on location – 6 months
By Simon Wright
We worked in partnership with the Community Payback team and their supervisor Martin Trigg, the fencing work has really made the whole estate look good bringing to life our vision of creating communities to be proud of. It has given security for children to play in their own garden in a safe environment. The weather has played a big factor during the programme, I have never been to a place where the wind, rain & frost has been so bad coming in from the Irish sea however this was outweighed by the lovely area with fantastic far reaching views. Every time I go to Pendalar I think what a difference the work has made and I am proud that I was involved in the first external contract carried out by the Building Maintenance in house team.
Your Neighbourhood Services Team
Llandudno
Deganwy Colwyn Bay Conwy
Old Colwyn Llanddulas
Tan y Lan Highlands Estate Parc Peulwys
Llandudno Junction Penmaenmawr
Pensarn
St. George
Abergele Llysfaen
Mochdre Glan Conwy
Llanfairfechan Tyn-y-Groes
Betws-yn-Rhos Llanfairtalhaiarn
Henryd
You can contact your neighbourhood coordinator by calling 01745 335359
Kinmel Bay Towyn
Rhos-on-Sea
Eglwysbach
Tal-y-Bont
Llanefydd
Llanelian
Dolgarrog
Llangernyw Llansannan Bylchau
Trefriw Rowen
Groes
Capel Garmon
Llanddoged Llanrwst
Capel Curig
Melin Nebo Betws-y-Coed Glasfryn
Dolwyddelan Pentrefoelas Penmachno Cwm Penmachno
Ysbyty Ifan Cerrigydrudion Llangwm Cefn Brith
Maerdy Areas
Llanfihangel GM
Lynda Johnson
Emyr Hughes
Stephen Bowling
Christine Mockridge
Alexa Boase
New Customer Services telephone number The telephone number for our Customer Service team is now:
0300 124 0040 Calls cost no more than calls to geographic (01 and 02) numbers and must be included in inclusive minutes and discount schemes in the same way. Calls from landlines are typically charged between 2p and 10p per minute; calls from mobiles typically cost between 10p and 40p per minute. Calls from landlines and mobiles are included in free call packages.
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Our Customer Service team will be able to help you with the following: • General enquiries relating to the services Cartrefi Conwy offers • Diagnosing repairs and making convenient appointments to suit • Making a rent payment, ordering All Pay cards or an enquiry on your balance • Community Centre Bookings • Tenant Profiling • Out of hours emergency work that needs following up
Tenants Newsletter Nov 2013_Layout 1 25/11/2013 08:48 Page 3
Completion of the Sensory Garden In the spotlight with Jason Webster What does your job involve? My job primarily involves the set-up of IT systems and providing support to colleagues at Cartrefi Conwy. How would you describe yourself in 3 words? • Hardworking • Conscientious • Easy-going What did you want to be when you were younger? I wanted to be a Ninja Turtle, but the green paint was costing a fortune. It wasn’t long after that I realised I wanted to do “something” with computers. What is your favourite quote? “Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens” - Jimi Hendrix What would be your dream car? If money was no object, it would be the new McLaren P1. It’s a work of art! Do you have any hobbies, if so what are they? I love music and I try to get to as many gigs as possible. I’m also currently learning guitar. I also love all things techy/geeky of course, as well as being a massive motor sport fan. What’s your favourite food? I’m a big fan of Italian food. One of my favourites is Spaghetti al Nero de Seppia! (Google it!) What was the last movie you watched? Silence of the Lambs. (After watching the new Hannibal TV series). Who is your favourite celebrity and why? I don’t have one. I’m not a fan of the whole “celebrity culture” thing. What is the most memorable moment of your career to date or your greatest accomplishment? I think it’s probably still loving what I do. I've worked in IT for social housing now for over 15 years, and every day is different and challenging. Who is your greatest inspiration or role model and why? Jackie Stewart (3 time Formula 1 World Champion and former Stewart F1 Team Boss). The guy is simply amazing! Not only is he regarded as one of the top F1 drivers of all time, but this guy managed to run a Formula 1 team whilst having severe Dyslexia! A genuine inspiration, and shows you can do anything when you put your mind to it. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be & why? Japan. I’ve always been fascinated by, not only the landscape, but the whole Japanese culture. For someone who works in IT, I find it amazing that parts of the country are the most technologically advanced on earth, and yet they still practice traditions that are hundreds of years old! Name one thing not many people know about you I used to be a vocalist in a Metal band.
By Eluned Hughes. Tenants at Bryn Difyr, Penmaenmawr had a party on Sunday 14th July to celebrate the completion of their sensory garden area that was built using the Environmental SOS fund. “Originally we as tenants wanted to have some paving slabs removed from the area by the bungalows at Bryn Difyr, when the estate was built we had 15 bungalows and 12 one storey flats. The flats where surrounded by a brick wall, which everyone felt was a barrier between the buildings. We decided to apply for monies from the Enviro SOS funding and after many meetings we were awarded £3360. The work started in the middle of the cold weather in 2013 we then had 3 round tubs delivered for planting. Mrs Tina Turner then got all the planting materials together and organised everyone to help. Finally on Sunday the 14th of July we had our first tea party which was enjoyed by all tenants.”
On your marks at Bryn Castell Llanfairfechan On July 10th the tenants of Bryn Castell invited the children of the local Cylch Meithrin (Welsh playschool) to hold their sports day at Bryn Castell, it was a successful morning and enjoyed by the children parents and tenants. Some of the tenants joined in with the scoop and ball game (egg and spoon) all children and 2 of the parents received a certificate which was presented to them by Mrs Shirley McCarthy who was also given a certificate by one of the children for winning her race. The tenants hope that the children will join them again in the near future and look forward to seeing them again.
Affordable homes will help safeguard village Work is continuing on a new development of affordable homes in a largely Welsh-speaking village in the Conwy Valley. Local residents and Aberconwy MP say the scheme will help safeguard the future of Penmachno - and the village school. Six houses are being built on the site near Ysgol Penmachno - four three-bedroom properties and two two-bedroom properties. The land at Maes-y-Waen was earmarked for housing by Snowdonia National Park Authority in their Local Development Plan. A second phase would see a further six houses being built when a local need is demonstrated. Villagers were updated on progress at a special drop-in session at the Ty'n y Porth Community Hall. Among those who attended was father-of-one Mic Roberts who was brought up in Penmachno - and doesn't want to live anywhere else. Mr Roberts said: "I have one son and we have another child on the way. Personally, I think there's a big need for a development like this to keep young families in the village so they don't have to move away because they can't afford to buy a house. Buying a house is so expensive and we live in an area where the wages are generally low. This will help keep the school open and ensure the future of the village. The house where we live at the moment has two bedrooms but the second bedroom is just a box room and there's no room to swing a cat downstairs. The scheme also met with the approval of Aberconwy MP Guto Bebb. He said: "I am pleased the development is taking shape, especially as the consultation clearly listened to local opinion and that the development is meeting local need. The fact that affordable homes suitable for young families are being built is to be welcomed by local people and will generate more pupils for the village school." The level of support came as no surprise to Gwynne Jones, Cartrefi Conwy's Operations Director. “Penmachno is a large village, and it is important that people can stay in the communities that they were born and bred in. Mr Jones also revealed that the new homes will be built to sustainable code level 4 meaning that energy costs would be kept to a minimum thanks to the use of air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels.
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Enviro SOS winning project at Marl Crescent
Work starts on ÂŁ1.1m green estate project
The Marl Crescent bungalows have received a complete environmental makeover thanks to the drive of 2 tenants who entered their project into Environmental SOS. As a result of receiving the initial funding, further money was found which enabled the overgrown wasteland to be turned into a meeting space and gardening haven. As you will see the pictures speak louder than words.
BEFORE
AFTER
Leaseholder forum launched I am very pleased and proud to announce that Cartrefi Conwy now has a Leaseholder Forum. At the meeting held on 25th June 2013 we asked the leaseholders attending how they would like to see the group working for them.
Work has started on ÂŁ1.1 million programme of green space improvements to transform a housing estate in Conwy. The massive scheme on Parc Peulwys in Llysfaen will involve traffic management, building new paths, enhancing play areas and the creation of park like landscaping along with a dramatic new entrance to the estate.
Jackie Jackson, Chair of the Friends of Parc Peulwys and a tenant on the estate for more than 20 years, says the planned environmental improvement Leaseholders approved the nomination that a forum be set up and agreed the programme is ‘fantastic’. She said: “All the tenants I have spoken to are format going forward to be flexible with meetings to be held several times delighted with the plans and with the refurbishment programme that has each year . We hope to have a constructive, meaningful forum which allows already been completed. In the past Parc Peulwys may have been unfairly leaseholders to be involved in our processes moving forward. burdened with a poor reputation, although I have always been proud We will send an invitation letter to all leaseholders together of where I live. Now I think everyone thinks the same way and Do with an agenda before each meeting. Leaseholders can then are equally proud to call Parc Peulwys their home. People take you sublet? see the hot topics to be discussed prior to the event. We a real pride in the estate and are proud to live here. Cartrefi ask to like would We Conwy have certainly helped they have been wonderful and would also welcome requests from leaseholders for any sublet who leaseholders tenants have responded positively.� specific agenda items they would like to see covered at a forum event. Please ensure you submit your requests in to attend the next Clwyd West Conservative AM, Darren Miller, was also plenty of time before the forum to ensure it is included impressed with the plans for the scheme. He said: “It really meeting to discuss their on the agenda before they are distributed. is a very exciting day. Cartrefi Conwy has already invested experiences and ask millions of pounds in their Parc Peulwys housing stock We will also be arranging presentations from a number do who leaseholders which has seen tenants able to bring their heating costs of departments within Cartrefi Conwy and occasionally sublet, to let us down thanks to improved insulation. And now we are seeing, outside agencies to give an overview on the services we what is a huge programme of environmental improvements offer and how we work. know. which will further enhance the Parc Peulwys estate. There is a It was great to have leaseholders suggest and prioritise items real sense of community among tenants and Cartrefi Conwy, as a which are of interest to them. This will be very much your forum and at registered social landlord, certainly plays their part in enhancing and each meeting any items discussed and voted on will be the mandate we take improving the environment for all residents.� forward. So if you want your voice to be heard please join us. Landscape architect, Julie Barr, of Conwy-based Tirlun Barr Associates We will also be holding a leaseholder surgery for an hour or so before future helped to design the environmental improvements along with Cartrefi meetings where you will be able to speak in private on a one to one basis Conwy’s in house expert. She said: “It has taken a long time and a great deal about things you may not wish to discuss in an open meeting. of hard work on all our parts to plan the environmental improvements we are now embarking on. The scheme will see the environment improved with We would really appreciate any suggestions from our leaseholders about better pedestrian access and the main squares around the estate refuture meetings and venues. It is important to hold meetings at a convenient designed. There will be a massive programme of trees and shrub planting time and venue for the majority. and several new communal features such as a human sundial. For more information or to put forward any suggestions please contact Julie Brotherton on 01745 335524 OR CARD MEMBERS FOR TORE | MOBILE | IN-S ATIONAL | LOCAL | ONLINE NA
Independent Living Co-ordinator‌..is the new name for the Wardens!
Local discounts savings on your p doorstep
After discussions with tenants on schemes and at the event ’We’ll meet again’ held in March we are changing the job title of your Warden. The new job title is now Independent Living Co-ordinator, which is the overwhelming choice chosen by tenants living in our sheltered housing schemes. The important role they play will not change in any way and as always we hope that you will be able to refer to your Independent Living Coordinator by their first name. However we feel strongly that the name change fully reflects the roles which they undertake. Independent Living Coordinators are professionals, who co-ordinate support services for the tenants they work with.
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Intergenerational project shortlisted for award.
Short courses and work experience placements available now!
The intergenerational project involved the Chester Avenue Community House Craft Group Volunteers and 12 Ysgol Maes Owen Year 5+6 pupils. It was a 10 week project where volunteers taught children, Community House Manager (Vicky Welsman) and head teacher Miss Foulkes how to knit after school at the Chester Avenue Community House. Together they knitted a blanket displaying the school name which has now been presented and is currently displayed in Ysgol Maes Owen. The project has also been shortlisted for a Welsh intergenerational award, so watch this space…
We are working with partner agencies to offer a range of courses and experience placements. Some of the opportunities we are pleased to offer are:
Kinmel Bay Community House Craft Group Volunteers: Elaine Fox Lara Fox Sharon Sadler Jo O’Keefe Mo O’Keefe Jen Nolan Moyra Othen Sue Roberts Norma Roberts
Soft Skills with CREST Co-operative, Llandudno Junction A six week course to give individuals the skills and confidence to look for, and gain employment. The 1 day a week course covers topics such as: • Team Building & Working with Others • Communication • Confidence and Self Esteem • How to apply for a job • Interview skills The course is open to all Cartrefi Conwy tenants and is free of charge, we can even help you with your travel arrangements. CREST Co-operative can also offer a range of volunteering and work experience opportunities.
Come along to Chester Avenue Community House Job Club every Friday 10am – 12noon. Community House Manager Vicky Welsman and Community Involvement Coordinator Victoria Kelly are available to assist with job searches, universal job match, CV’s and accessing any employment learning and training you may need.
North Wales Training – Mochdre 1 Day Courses: CIEH Level 2 Award in Principles of Manual Handling CIEH Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering CIEH Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace
Young Savers presentation at Ysgol Maes Owen. Volunteers Elaine Fox (Tenant), Zoe Fox (Resident) and Norma Roberts (Tenant) run a Credit Union collection point from the Chester Avenue Community House between 10 – 11am every Thursday. They also collect from pupils at Ysgol Maes Owen primary school every week encouraging them to start saving. Norma Roberts and Vicky Welsman (Community House Manager) presented certificates and prizes to 4 regular young savers at the school.
BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders CIEH Level 2 Award in Principles of COSHH Practical Fire Safety Training Emergency First Aid at Work Jobs Growth Wales – Aged 18 – 24 and Unemployed? Jobs Growth Wales could be for you! Jobs Growth Wales is a six month opportunity in a job that is paid at least the National Minimum Wage. It is all really well organised and you will have a contract in place written by the employer. The job market at the moment is really tough. This programme is to help you if you are job-ready and just need a chance to gain the work experience you may be missing. This could be the vital work experience that might be holding you back from getting your first job. For more information on how to access Jobs Growth Wales contact Vicky on 07990507550 or check out the Careers Wales Website www.careerswales.com and click on ‘jobs growth Wales’ If you would like to find out more about any of the above courses and other opportunities please contact Vicky Kelly, Community Involvement Coordinator on 07990507550
Do you want help getting back to work but don’t know where to start? Are you interested in doing a Is it you we're looking for? short course to help you back Credit TAPE Community Music and Film are looking to extend opportunities Union collection into training or work? for artists, filmmakers, editors, photographers, musicians and arts point for all tenants every practitioners in North Wales. Do you need help Thursday between 10-11am at Due to their expanding workshop and project base, TAPE is the Chester Avenue Community accessing training? looking to add to the list of creative people who volunteer and House. Come along and see how work for the charity. Want to work but don’t joining the Credit Union can help They welcome CV’s or details of previous experience from have any experience? you save for the future and access anyone looking to get involved in a growing community arts affordable loans for one off charity, Cartrefi Conwy can help you get the skills items/occasions. All you need supporting and experience you need to get back into is £5 to open an account people of all ages work or education. We have a dedicated member from across the and proof of ID. of staff to focus on maximising opportunities for community, to explore our tenants to access work or training, if you have any and develop creative ideas questions or want more information please contact Vicky Kelly, and opportunities Community Involvement Coordinator on 07990507550 Please email info@tapemusicandfilm.co.uk or call 08432 163 909
Come along to Armchair aerobics sessions with Tina at Chester Avenue Community House. Enjoy taking part in some gentle exercise whilst meeting new people in a warm, friendly environment. Every Monday 12noon – 1pm, £2 per session.
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Horticulture course is blooming marvellous 8 dedicated students from Parc Peulwys have been working through their Level 1 Horticulture qualification that they undertook in partnership with Cartrefi Conwy and Llandrillo College. The pilot course had 12 places available to tenants on Parc Peulwys and surrounding areas and has been running every Thursday for 8 weeks. Students have been learning the basics about garden maintenance, to choose the best plants for certain areas and seasons and also technical skills like soil testing. At the end of the 12 week course the students will have achieved Level 1 in Horticulture and will then have two ‘round up’ sessions to decide what they would like to progress onto next. Vicky Kelly has been overwhelmed by the commitment they have all shown from the start and she hopes that some will take the opportunity to advance to Level 2 course at the college. “It’s been a fantastic success that we hope to mirror in other areas.” Tenant Danny Green, 39, has enjoyed the course so much he too is considering tackling the Level Two NOCN before seeking employment as a gardener or grounds man. He said: “I’m currently out of work. I was a full-time carer for my mum but she has passed away now. I haven’t got a garden of my own but do have use of a communal area. I haven’t done gardening before but have really enjoyed it. I’m getting a real sense of achievement and I’d love to progress and perhaps look for a job in the gardening sector if I can. But one of the biggest benefits is that I have made a load of new friends. I didn’t know any of the others on the course before we started. However, they are all really nice people and it’s been a pleasure working alongside them. I also think it’s been brilliant that Cartrefi Conwy put the horticulture show together to help us, as tenants, develop and improve the area in which we live.”
Keeping Promises Many tenants are aware that Cartrefi Conwy was established in September 2008 as a not-for-profit Housing Association, following a vote by tenants that resulted in the transfer of Conwy County Borough Council’s social housing to Cartrefi Conwy (3,774 properties). The main purpose of the transfer was to ensure that the housing stock would be improved to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard by the Welsh Government’s target date of March 2013. We achieved this by December 2012. The offer document “Your Home Your Choice” also included other promises and aspirations around service provision and investment in communities that would ensure tenants and the wider community benefit from improvements in these areas over time. Cartrefi Conwy recently asked the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS Cymru) to meet with Cartrefi Conwy’s tenants over the period April – June 2013 to gather their views as to how the Association was progressing against the offer promises. We can now share the key points of that project with you. The project was publicised in a variety of ways to attract tenants to get involved, including an article in the Cartrefi Conwy Tenant Newsletter, presentation to Tenants Forum, publicity flyers to tenant groups and associations, presentation on local radio and ‘word of mouth’ by front line staff. An information session was held to provide interested tenants with more detail. Tenant’s views and perceptions were gathered through: • Community based focus groups with a range of tenants from across the geographic areas where Cartrefi Conwy operates. • Telephone sample survey of tenants The project grouped the promises into 4 key themes; 1. Improving and repairing homes 2. Improving communities 3. Delivering better local services 4. Rents & service charges
If you would like to find out about other courses or what’s going on in your area please contact Vicky Kelly on 01745 335342 or Victoria.kelly@cartreficonwy.org
A total of 67 tenants were involved through the focus groups and face to face sessions and a total of 46 tenants were consulted through the telephone survey exercises. To provide an additional external perspective a telephone sample survey of key contacts from organisations that work in partnership (stakeholders) with Cartrefi Conwy was also conducted.
Tenant Board Member Perspective
Since then we’ve reviewed those original promises and using the key themes of the TPAS project, in consultation with the Tenant’s Forum Management Committee and Board members, we’re developing a fresh set of commitments that will be used to demonstrate our ongoing progress in respect of improving the quality of housing and services for tenants and other opportunities for tenants and our communities.
By Bob Hawkes After moving to Llanrwst in 2010 I was invited to join the Glanrafon tenants group. I helped to get CCTV installed on our estate and helped to arrange various parties for the children in the local area. I found that I was able to get to know the residents better and find out what needed doing on the estate. I enjoyed these meetings and decided that I VACANCY would like to join one of the groups within We currently have a Cartrefi Conwy. At first I joined the vacancy on the Board of scrutiny panel and later joined the Management. communications group as I hoped If you are interested in finding out my IT skills would be an advantage more about this, please look for the to the group. During my time with advert on our website or contact Sandra Lee, Company Secretary the group we designed a new enquiries@cartreficonwy.org or phone: Tenant Forum logo which I feel 01745 335347 proud to have been involved in. This year I read that Cartrefi Conwy were looking for new tenant representatives for the Board of Management. I applied and after an interview I was accepted. I have attended an induction meeting, which gave me a real insight as to what the board was responsible for and what was expected of me. This has given me a real boost, knowing that I represent, not only the estate where I live, but the whole of the Cartrefi Conwy area. I have attended board meetings and I have been with other board members around various estates to see the improvements and also what is needed in different areas. Everyone on the board is very friendly and helpful and I hope that, in future, I will be able to use my experience and training within the board to represent the tenants further.
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The overall feedback demonstrates that tenants and stakeholders who took part in the project believe Cartrefi Conwy has delivered on the main themes of its offer promises.
If you would like more information about how you could be involved in reviewing or influencing the services Cartrefi Conwy provides, please contact Sandra Lee, Company Secretary Email: enquiries@cartreficonwy.org or phone: 01745 335347
! Cut along the dotted line
Can you spot where Wally is hiding? If you think you know where he is, please circle the area on the picture and complete your details below to be in with a chance of winning a £20 Love to Shop voucher. Name: Address: Contact telephone number: Email: Completed slips can be taken to your nearest Cartrefi Conwy area office or posted to: Cartrefi Conwy Head Office, Morfa Gele, North Wales Business Park, Cae Eithin, Abergele LL22 8LJ
Tenants Newsletter Nov 2013_Layout 1 25/11/2013 08:49 Page 7
Deafblind Cymru – Can “Pen in Bloom” competition they help someone you may know? Deafblind Cymru provides a number of services directly benefiting people with deafblindness or combined sight and hearing loss in Wales. Services such as home befriending, social groups, telephone and email befriending, digital inclusion and advocacy. Please find below details of the nearest Deafblind social group meetings in North Wales. Conwy The Ambassador Hotel, Llandudno - Every last Friday in the month 11am – 1pm Rhyl group Hafan deg, Grange Road, Rhyl - Every 3rd Tuesday 2pm – 4pm Wrexham Avow, 21 Egerton Street - Every 2nd Thursday 10:30am – 12:30pm Coffee and chat groups Old Colwyn Interchange, 317 Abergele Road, Old Colwyn - Every 2nd Monday in the month 10:30am – 12noon St Asaph The Plough, St Asaph - Every 1st Thursday in the month 10:30am – 12noon Mrs Brewer won the best small garden in the "Pen in Bloom" competition this summer.
Residents on the Chester Avenue estate get digitally active Residents living on the Chester Avenue Estate have been attending our ‘get digitally included’ sessions at the Chester Avenue Community House to help them become more confident on the computer and online. One of the attendees Norma Roberts 73, has been attending the sessions since they began and had previously never been on to the internet. Four weeks into the sessions she has her own email and Facebook account thanks to the help of one of the volunteers. Norma has explained how she is able to keep in touch with her friends and family on Facebook and was also very excited to read her birthday messages that friends had posted onto her wall. When asked what she wanted to do next she explained how she would like to buy her own laptop so she could go on the computer and internet more often as she was enjoying it so much.
Christmas Lights Yes it’s time to look for them – we threw them in that box under the stairs with the Christmas tree and shoes on top. Can we inspect them before we put them on the Christmas tree or around our room - the answer is yes but do we then check them for safety (correct fuse in plug and all wires in a good condition) - the answer is not always. Could we have or could you have a potential problem??? Don’t forget to check them for safety this year too!
Tea Lights
The Conwy Digital Inclusion project is one of six projects in North Wales set up Yes they look nice and make our rooms by Communities 2.0 with local Partners in order to promote digital inclusion and look homely, but they can be more dangerous then we realise. provide basic training for digitally excluded individuals living in Conwy. The Conwy Digital Inclusion Officer Kerry Quirk who works for CVSC and Cartrefi Imagine this situation: Conwy’s Community House Development Manager Vicky Welsman have been You have lit a tea light in your living room but after a while there’s a knock at working together to launch the front door you leave the room to answer the door. While you are gone the “Get digitally included” your pet knocks over the lit tea light which lands on your carpet and catches sessions at the Chester fire which can spread very quickly. Avenue Community House. Why have a naked flame when you can purchase battery safe flame effect tea They have been working on lights. this project to build up volunteer’s confidence to deliver the sessions WALK independently and help them ABOUT become digital champions. The sessions are WEDNESDAYS every Wednesday afternoon for 10 weeks and each attendee has been allocated their 29th January 2014 Llandudno own volunteer who will be helping them Christine Mockridge achieve what they would like to do on the computer and internet. The key 26th February 2014 Abergele for these sessions is to engage the residents with technology in ways that Alexa Boase are meaningful and relevant to them. For more information please contact the Conwy Digital Inclusion Officer Kerry Quirk on 01492 534091 or alternatively by email kerryquirk@cvsc.org.uk
26th March 2014 Old Colwyn Stephen Bowling
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Asbestos re-inspection surveys As part of Cartrefi Conwy’s on-going responsibility to protect your health and well-being while living in a Cartrefi Conwy home, we are undertaking a series of annual asbestos re-inspection surveys to check the materials in your home are still
BE A CHRISTMAS BUDGETING CHAMPION! By Jon Highcock I used to get laughed at for having all my Christmas shopping done by the end of September. I didn’t mind as it was usually me who had the last laugh when everyone was complaining about being skint in January! I’d learnt that the first trick with Christmas is to start planning and spending as early as possible. I see the festive season as a financial battle, and I implore you to make sure you win the war. The idea is to have a great, enjoyable relaxing Christmas without being skint in January. The real challenge at Christmas, especially if you’re in debt, is to make sure you don’t get yourself into trouble after the festivities are over. The true champion of Christmas budgeting, Martin Lewis, asked his followers a couple of years ago if true money savers should “cancel Christmas”! We don’t think there’s any need to go that far, even if you’re struggling with problem debt. The true goal of any great budgeter is to not have to spend a penny more in December than they normally do, and this all comes down to having a Christmas budgeting plan in place. Good budgeting is a bit of an art form. But with a little bit of planning now you could still be a Christmas budgeting champ! Why not try swapping a cinema trip or meal out for a free activity and save the money that you would have spent from the socialising part of your budget to put towards Christmas. You’ve also got your food, toiletries and cleaning budget and with a bit of careful planning you can help to make sure you win the financial battle this Christmas and still have a great time. What to buy for Christmas right NOW! Tip No.1 Spread the cost of Christmas food – start buying things you’ll need closer to Christmas now, such as cranberry sauce, crackers, sherry for Grandma, stuffing, small gifts and anything with a long best before date.
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safe and in a good condition. It is really important that Cartrefi Conwy carry out these inspections for the safety of you and any other people living or coming to your home as well as any workmen who may come to do repairs on your properties, and therefore ask that you allow this inspection to take place.
Tip No.2 Hit the charity shops for second hand bargains before everyone else does. You can pick up some great gifts in the charity shops. Tip No.3 Start looking for eBay bargains ASAP, before the competition gets too fierce. Use eBay watch lists and remember to not bid more than you budgeted for. Tip No 4 Amazon has some great second hand books that look almost new. These alone can save you a packet! Tip No 5 Save up your Club card points, rewards and any other promotions for the last Christmas shop. Nectar points and Tesco club cards can all help with Christmas shopping. Don’t be tempted to use them beforehand. Tip No 6 Look for offers in your email inbox – October and November are a good time to keep an eye on online bargains and offers. Make sure you can afford them though! Bit late for this year but is it something you can consider for next year??? Tip No 7 Can you save money by buying in bulk? Check out special offers for all the products you’ll need over the Christmas period. Tip No 8 Get crafty! Can you make a gift for someone or cook someone a special cake for a Christmas present? Now is time to get the stuff you need! Tip No 9 Can you re-gift anything from last year? There’s no shame in ‘recycling’ un-used presents! Tip No 10 If you haven’t done it already start a ‘sealed pot challenge’ (more of this below). Let’s go potty this Christmas. The ‘sealed pot challenge’ is an idea taken from MoneySavingExpert.com. Between now and Christmas save as much loose change as you can. If you’ve got children you can make a fun game out of this. Involve the kids and have a competition to guess how much you’ll eventually end up with. Don’t cash this money in until the last Christmas shop and use it for gifts, food and Christmas treats. You’ll be surprised by how quickly those pennies add up.
FOOD BANKS AND CARTREFI CONWY Cartrefi Conwy has worked closely with Conwy Food Bank for the last two years and since mid-September we have also been able to make referrals to the Abergele Food Bank. It is a sad sign of the times that there has been a dramatic increase across the county in the number of people accessing food banks because they are in crisis and unable to afford food. There can be many reasons for people finding themselves in financial difficulty such as sanction of benefits, relationship breakdown, debt, illness and family problems. Against this background the recent and on-going Welfare Benefit Reforms have resulted in increased hardship and crisis for our tenants and we have witnessed a surge in our tenants being left without income due to delays in benefit applications being processed and claims being sanctioned. CHRISTMAS In the first month of the OPENING HOURS & Abergele food bank OFFICE CLOSURE becoming operational NOTICE we have been Cartrefi Conwy will be closing its privileged to deliver offices during the week between five food parcels to Christmas and New Year. Offices will our tenants. In each close to the public at 3pm on Tuesday instance, before we approached the 24th December 2013 and will food bank, the reopen again at 8:45am on tenants were visited Thursday 2nd January 2013. and it was confirmed that they were without food and in short term crisis. Prior to the establishment of the Abergele Food Bank we were reliant on Conwy Food Bank to provide food parcels for our tenants in crisis throughout the county. They have witnessed a 60% year on year increase in demand in 2013. One of our tenants in the area now covered by Abergele Food Bank contacted me two months ago when her partner’s Employment Support Allowance had been stopped after a work capability assessment. An appeal was lodged but in the interim they were without benefits and the tenant had not eaten solid food for two weeks so that what little they had could be given to her husband and son. When we delivered a food parcel to her all that she had in the fridge where her prescribed medical supplements and all that she had in her kitchen cupboard was a box of tea bags and half a loaf of bread. Neither of the Food Banks in the county allows direct approaches and only accepts referrals from professional organisations such as Social Services, DWP and ourselves. For more information on how you can support the Food Banks or if you find yourself in genuine short term crisis and are genuinely unable to feed yourself or your family please contact us on 01745 335341
GAS SERVICING CONTRACT Cartrefi Conwy is pleased to announce that Sure Group have been awarded the contract for a further 2 years. It is important that you work with us to ensure engineers obtain access to carry out these important gas safety checks. It is really important that Sure Group carry out these checks for the safety of you and any other people living or coming to your home and therefore ask that you allow this check to take place.
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Change to paying by Direct Debit For a more convenient, easy and hassle free way to pay your rent, service charges and garage rent, why don’t you set up a direct debit today. Payments can be made by either weekly or monthly instalments on any of the following dates:
FIRE, FLOOD, WATER DAMAGE …… Could you afford to replace your possessions this winter? With the especially cold winters and increased flooding, tenants are being urged now to take preventative measures to avoid burst pipes this winter and make sure if we receive unexpected flooding again they have adequate insurance. In recent years Christmas and New Year has seen insurers receiving up to 50% more claims than expected for the time of year as a result of the freezing weather. More of these claims are for damage caused by escape of water than for fire or theft. Insurers companies paid out over £900m for claims that arose due to burst pipes, yet tenants may still underestimate the risk. Many worry about burglaries while they are away, but only a small percentage are concerned about burst pipes. Now Cartrefi Conwy's tenants and residents, can arrange for insurance cover for the contents of their home at a special affordable rate where premiums can be paid fortnightly or monthly by cash, monthly by direct debit or annually. The cover has been designed to help tenants and residents insure most of their belongings as easily as possible and also covers them against theft, vandalism and fire. The minimum values of possessions that can be insured are £9,000, if aged under 60, or £6,000 if aged over 60. The premiums start from just £1.53 or £1.16 every fortnight respectively. Tenants and residents can also increase cover for an additional premium to include extended accidental damage, cover for hearing aids, wheelchairs/scooters and personal possessions (cover away from the home). Buildings cover for sheds, garages and greenhouses is also available. So if you have no insurance cover for this winter call My Home on 0845 337 2463.
Monthly - on 1st, 7th, 16th, 20th or 23rd Weekly - every Monday, Tuesday or Friday Advantages of paying by Direct Debit • Helps you manage and budget your finances more effectively. • Payments are taken from your account automatically on the dates confirmed with you so you don’t have to remember when to pay or worry about missing a payment. • Payments are recalculated automatically every year in line with the rent increases. Notification in writing regarding any increase is sent before the first payment date. • Unlike Standing Order payments, Direct Debit payments are not controlled by your bank and therefore there is less risk of payments not being collected or payments being duplicated in error. • Once you have completed the direct debit form, no further forms need to be completed and the direct debit will continue until you cancel it with your bank and/or Cartrefi Conwy, or a payment is returned unpaid to us by your bank. • Payments are guaranteed under the direct debit guarantee For more information on paying by Direct Debit or to set up a Direct Debit, please contact Customer Services on 0300 124 0040. The Direct Debit Guarantee • This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits • If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit Cartrefi Conwy will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Cartrefi Conwy to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request • If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit, by Cartrefi Conwy or your bank or building society, you are entitled to a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society • If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when Cartrefi Conwy asks you to • You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us. SMOKED MACKEREL PATE ON CROSTINI WITH RED ONION CONFIT By Jon Highcock This delicious smoked mackerel Paté recipe would make the perfect starter for a Christmas meal for just £1.22 per person. (Serves 6 – Total cost £7.34 - £1.22 per person). INGREDIENTS. • 600g of smoked mackerel (£4.50) • 5 large red onions (90p) • 1 lemon (30p) • 300ml of crème fraiche (89p) • 1 fresh granary baguette (75p) • Cupboard staples (salt, black pepper, sugar, olive oil, horseradish sauce and red wine vinegar). INSTRUCTIONS. •The Paté can be prepared on Christmas Eve. Start by flaking the mackerel into a large bowl (discarding the skin and watch out for the bones!). Now mix in the crème fraiche, the juice of half a lemon, two teaspoons of horseradish sauce and season with salt and pepper. Cover and place in the fridge overnight. •You can also make the red onion confit the night before as well. Slice the onions and place in a thick bottomed pan with a little olive oil. Cook over a gentle heat until the onions are translucent, about 6 to 7 minutes. Now add salt, pepper, a big pinch of sugar, three tablespoons of red wine vinegar and one tablespoon of water. Reduce the heat to a very low simmer for about 1 hour until all the liquid has evaporated and you are left with a sticky red marmalade. Cool down and this can also be placed in the fridge overnight. •On Christmas morning you can make the crostini. These are really simple. Slice the baguette on an angle about half an inch thick – you’ll get plenty of crostini – 1 would serve 2 or 3 per person. Drizzle with a little olive oil and place in the oven at 200c for 5 minutes. Let them cool before serving. •When ready to serve just place a little Paté on each crostini and serve with a wedge of lemon and a good dollop of red onion confit on the side. •HAPPY EATING! ADAPTED FROM A RECIPE FROM ‘FRUGAL FOOD’ ON THE LOVEMONEY.COM WEBSITE.
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Cartrefi Conwy’s Family Day 2013! Cartrefi Conwy’s 4th Family Day was once again a roaring success! The fun packed day for Cartrefi Conwy tenants and families was held in the new Eirias Events Centre, in Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. The fun day, attended by hundreds of tenants from across the county, was hailed as one of the best ever! With the massive centre packed full of fun activities including animation workshops, science busking, football competitions, armchair aerobics, funky photographs and a lot more, a great time was had by all. With four action packed themed zones based around health and wellbeing; digital inclusion; life skills, training and employment and how to make every pound count, we gave you the opportunity to learn more about these key life skills and have your say on the things that matter most.
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