Spring 2022
The way you rent homes in Wales is changing… On the 15 July 2022, the rules about renting a home in Wales will change as the Welsh Government introduces the Renting Homes (Wales) Act (2016). The Act has many changes to tenancy laws that will make it simpler and easier to rent a home in Wales. These changes will affect you, read more about this on page 2
Also, in this edition Be kind to yourself and others 3 Customers love our Independent Me service 7 New - Information Hub 6 Planning a Jubilee Celebration? – we can help 11 enquiries@cartreficonwy.org / Customer Service: 0300 124 0040 All calls with Customer Services are recorded. Audio and print copies of this newsletter are available.
The Renting Homes Act is the biggest change to housing law in Wales for decades. The new law will make renting easier and offer greater security. Occupation contracts will replace tenancy agreements and you will be called the contract holder instead of tenant on the occupation contract. You can expect
• to get a written contract setting out your
Look out for more information from us over the coming months. And, you can get information right now at www.gov.wales/housing-law-changing-rentinghomes
rights and responsibilities
• greater protection from eviction • more flexible arrangements for joint
contract-holders, making it easier to add or remove others to an occupation contract
and more…
Rent Setting Update In the past we increased rents across all our homes every year linked to the consumer price index. Last year we did something different so that our tenants would not pay more than 29% of their income on rent. We worked this out using an affordability assessment model that looked at some of the lowest incomes in your local area.
If you have any questions on your rent or need help with paying your rent our Money Support and Benefits team are on hand to help. Give us a call or send us an email.
This year we have used this same affordability assessment model and means some rents might go up, some might stay the same or some might go down. Take a look at this video from our Managing Director, Katie Clubb who talks more about this – type in or click on this link to view. https://cartreficonwy.org/tenants/rentsetting-update/
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Please keep shared spaces clear at all times - don’t put you and your neighbours at risk! We know it’s not always easy to do this and we thank you for understanding why this is so important. If there was a fire or other emergency situation areas that are kept clear saves lives and injury. This is why our Notice of TORT is so important. It is in place to help keep you you safe.
Please be kind… to yourself, family and friends and our staff! We still face challenges from the pandemic, a rise in living costs, healthcare, and community care, and this is impacting how many of us feel and act. We ask you to please pause, stop and think about your actions to others. Remember to be kind
• we are here to listen and help but
will not accept you using rude, offensive, or threatening language and behaviour to our staff.
• you can talk to us about how you are feeling or the challenges you have, and we will do all we can to help and support you.
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In a recent staff survey 74% of colleagues told us that they’d experienced verbal abuse / been sworn at by a customer in the past 6 months. The majority of respondents said that it happens occasionally and 32% told is it happens more than monthly, even daily for some colleagues. 3
Be mighty and recycle Here’s some tips to help you
• use different bins or bags for your waste and recycling items.
• remember your batteries, textiles and small electrical items get collected by your council too.
• remove leftover food from any plastic
or paper before putting them in the bin.
• use your food caddy and bags for
leftover or out of date food. Before you run out of bags remember to order more.
Did you know that supermarkets including Tesco and Coop have bins for the bits of plastic that we can’t recycle – for example crisp bags, cellophane wrap and plastic bags, we no longer use. Find out more eco-friendly tips, visit www. walesrecycles.org.uk- we love their facts and trivia section. Don’t forgot about your household waste and recycling centres. They also offer a collection service to take away your bulky items for a small charge.
• know what waste goes where and
your collection timetable. Download your local authority app or visit their website for more information.
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Staying Safe - Partnership with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Fire Action Plans what to do if there is a fire where you live. Remember to look at the Fire Action Plans displayed in the building you live in – this could save your live and avoid injury too. Do you live in a house? Have you made a fire evacuation plan – escape plan? If not, we and our partner, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service can help you with this. We work together to keep you safe. We are the only Housing Association with this unique partnership in North and West Wales. Deri who is a Home Safety Support Worker works with our housing team to carry out Home safe and Well checks. He helps make sure more at risk and vulnerable tenants understand the need for making life saving changes to stay safe and live independently in their home. When was the last time you had a Home Safe and Well check? If it’s been a while or you have concerns about someone’s safety please get in touch. Remember we have tips and advice on staying safe in your home in your tenant handbook or go to www.northwalesfire.gov.wales and click on their keeping you safe at home section. 0300 124 0040
What to do if there’s a fire If a fire breaks out in your flat
• GET OUT and close the door • DON'T try and put the fire out yourself • Use the stairs. DO NOT use the lift • Call 999 and wait outside away from the building
If you see or hear of a fire and you are in a communal area:
• GET OUT • Use the stairs. DO NOT use the lift • Call 999 and wait outside away from the building
If you see or hear of a fire and you are in your flat:
• STAY PUT • Close all doors • Call 999 • If you feel unsafe or in doubt, GET OUT (use the stairs, DO NOT use the lift)
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COVID Working Update For the moment our main office stays closed to visitors, but our community hubs are open with safe use in place – read more about what’s going on in our community hubs in this newsletter and online. It’s great news that COVID restrictions are relaxing. But the impact these restrictions have had on our supply chain and the fallout from BREXIT means that some of our planned works, developments and repairs won’t get back to normal for a while yet, but things are improving every week.
New Information Hub Our Customer Service team are working hard on a new tool for tenants and colleagues to help you get instant answers to questions. Try it yourself on our website – simply type in a question in the search bar and get an answer straight away. It’s available 24 hours a day, and if your answer isn’t there leave us some feedback to help us continue to grow the information hub for you.
We thank you for your patience and help over the last couple of years for the way the pandemic has changed the way we work.
Wednesday Walkabouts
When we are in your area please come over and chat to us about issues and good things happening where you live. In the next few months, we will be: 6th April Lon Cymru, Block 23-37, Llandudno 4th May Glas Coed and Maenan, Peulwys 1st June Llangernyw, Groes estate 6
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Have you heard about Independent Me? Our Independent Me service can help you with your shopping, support you to get on-line, attend GP and hospital appointments, be someone to talk to and much more! To find out more visit our website www.independentme. org.uk or call 0300 124 0040
Sponsorship and Community Chest Funding We have funding that supports tenants and groups in our communities. Get in touch with us to chat, find out more information and how to apply.
Are you planning a Platinum Jubilee Street celebration? We can’t believe its 10 years since the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations – yes that was in 2012. So, all the more reason to celebrate once again for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration in your community. We can help you to put on a street party to remember and will be offering jubilee party packs and some funding to help you along the way. Phone and have a chat with us…
0300 124 0040
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There’s lots going on in our communities Relaxation Through Art Relaxation Through Art, was relaunched thanks to funding from Adult Learning Wales. This intergenerational art course brings together older tenants and young mothers living in Llanrwst. The aim of the session is to improve wellbeing through meditation and creativity. The art is run by the very talented tutor Kate Philbin who begins each class with a short mindful meditation to help release any stress before her guided art activity. The group have painted some truly amazing pieces plus made new friendships.
Coffee and Chat
Self-Care
We hold our coffee and chat club twice a month on Thursday’s at 2 pm. We enjoy good company, quizzes, guest speakers and bingo.
Self Care activities are also happening on Zoom with our Community Wellbeing Team. We meet every month on a Wednesday and have wellbeing taster sessions to improve physical and mental wellbeing.
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Parkway Brunch Club reopens and feeds the soul for residents Sue Mottram runs the Parkway Brunch Club with two friends, and they told us they are heartened by the positive feedback they have had since reopening. This kind-hearted trio do all the shopping, cooking and organise the tasks needed to run the weekly Wednesday morning brunch club. Some members had not been out socialising for nearly two years and are back loving the chance to catch up with friends and neighbours again while enjoying a hot drink and plentiful meal at Parkway Community Centre, Rhos-on-Sea.
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It has been such a success and we plan to help get similar clubs up and running in other communities.
To find out more on what’s going on for older tenants’ phone Nerys on:
07733 916255.
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What’s On at Our Community Hubs? If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that the communities Cartrefi Conwy and Creating Enterprise serve are strong, resilient, and full of heart. By basing ourselves in purposebuilt Hubs and established community centres throughout Conwy, our aim is to deliver a broad range of services that meet the needs of every individual who comes through the door. From help to find a job to support to manage your finances to opportunities to socialise and stay connected, we truly believe we have something for everyone.
Y contractwr cymdeithasol delfrydol The social contractor of choice www.creatingenterprise.org.uk 01492 588 980
You can view our full timetable of regular sessions and one-off events on the Community Hubs section of our website or call and ask us what’s going on. www.creatingenterprise. org.uk/en/creating-futures/ community-hubs/
Money Support and Benefits Team
Our team are out and about in our hubs every week. But you can also get in touch with them by email or phone to get confidential help and support with money, benefits, and budgeting. 10
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Real People, Real Stories: Holly
Mrs Davies ‘Could Not Be Happier’ With Her New Kitchen
Cartrefi Conwy tenant, Holly, is studying Level 2 Electrical Installation at Coleg Llandrillo and volunteering alongside Electrician, Justin, to gain handson experience.
A big thank you to Mrs Davies from Rhos-on-Sea for her amazing feedback about our Property Maintenance team and Tenant Liaison Officers.
Are you looking to build your skills, experience, and confidence? Have you thought about volunteering? We’d love to hear from you! Give us a call on 01492 588 980 or send an email to employmentacademy@ creatingenterprise.org.uk
It’s wonderful to see the positive impact the team is having on Cartrefi Conwy tenants’ homes and lives on a daily basis, and to know that this high quality, professional service generates income that enables us to create employment and training opportunities for local people. A huge well done to the team!
New Social Impact Strategy – Launching in April We are super excited and busy getting ready to launch our brand-new Social Impact Strategy in April. Thanks to the 552 tenats and 71 colleagues who took part in the largest consultation we have ever done. Because of you we now have a threeyear plan to maximise positive change in our communities. We will focus on:
Tackling Poverty 0300 124 0040
The hardest part is over, and the best part is to come – how we put the plan into action. That’s the reason why we are asking for your help and support once again. We would love to hear from you and for you to be part of the positive change this plan brings to where you live. Please send an email to information@creatingenterprise.org.uk
Building Engaged and Active Communities
Health and Wellbeing
Employability and Digital Inclusion 11
Home is where the heart is We’re fininishing these developments in Llanrwst
Rhodfa Phil Evans 14 family homes – 10 three bedrooms and 4 four bedrooms.
Property Features
• great location close to Llanrwst town centre • superb living standards
Remember, we offer different types of affordable housing. There is still a huge demand for social housing but not enough social housing homes to offer everyone’s need on the register. Many people on the register often think they have been forgotten about because it can be a long time before they get an offer to move home. Depending on your circumstances you may be eligible for other affordable housing options. Do you know about or thought about?
Parc Afon Bach 8 family homes – mix of two and three bedrooms.
• up to 80% less energy costs • have gardens and off-street parking Intermediate Rents Intermediate rentals are a more affordable way to rent a home (usually around 20% less than private sector rentals). This scheme gives you the opportunity to save for a deposit if you are thinking of buying your own home in the future. You must be over 18 years of age, in part-time or fulltime employment with an annual gross household income between £16,000 to £45,000 Income – tax credit is the only benefit accepted as income.
Rent to own – Wales Rent to own (Wales) could be for you if you can afford monthly payments but don’t have the deposit for a new home. For more information visit the find a home page on our website.
Even if you are not eligible today take a look at our life changing opportunities and possibilities at Creating Futures. Before you know it and with the right support, help and luck you could soon apply for these other housing options. www.https://cartreficonwy.org/find-a-home/
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