Inspired Living making your area a great place to live
MARCH 2013
New housing benefit claims or a change in circumstances If you need to make a new claim for housing benefit, or report a change in circumstances, you will need to visit Great Places’ office at 119 Union Street, Oldham, or come to your local drop-in session (details below). The reason for this is to make sure your housing benefit claim is paid more efficiently and most importantly correctly. As a reminder, here’s the information for our drop-in events... Primrose Bank every Monday in the office above Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall 10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates) Crossley Every Tuesday at Wates’ office in the north compound 10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates)
Come along to make the most of your money! If you’re worried about the government’s welfare reforms, and you’d like to make the most of your money, join us at Chadderton Asda car park on Thursday 28 March from 2pm to 5pm, where you can get advice and guidance. From finding out how to keep your home warm for less, to Oldham Credit Union and help paying your rent, the team will be available to help you and keep those pennies in your pocket. If you would like more information, please take a look at Oldham Council’s website www.oldham.gov.uk/info/100001/ benefits_and_money
NEW HOMES FOR SALE AT THE FOXGLOVES
News in brief WHEELIE BIN STORAGE Many residents on Crossley have been provided with ‘pods’ which contain a storage area for bins. Please make sure that bins are stored here and not in your front garden. This will keep your street tidy, and stop thieves using them to gain access to properties in the area.
We now have a range of fantastic three, four and five-bedroom homes available at the Foxgloves. These contemporary homes are available through Plumlife from only £140,000. To book a viewing call the team on 0161 447 5050, visit www.plumlife.co.uk, or drop into the show home on Saturdays, 11am to 4pm.
Residents in Dew Way - could you please make sure you put your bins at the back of your home.
CASE STUDY ANDREW HIGGINS
PFI profiles - Andrew Higgins
Gateways to Oldham PFI
Apprentice bricklayer - Cara Brickwork
Background Andrew had been studying Bricklaying at Bury BACKGROUND College when Nicolette Aydin, Employment and Andrew had at been a bricklaying Training Coordinator Greaton Places Housing Group went to chat to the students about Great course at Bury College when employment. Andrew was thenand put forward for Places employment training a job with ELAN Homes and worked towards co-ordinator, Nicolette an NVQ which the employer kindly Aydin, funded. went to chat to the students about the Unfortunately, in December 2012, he was laid off and world had notof completed the NVQ. work. Andrew was then put
forward for a job with ELAN homes
Current Situation which employer kindly funded. Nicolette wasthe aware that he’d lose the funding if he But wasn’t able to complete the training and unfortunately his employment contacted Dave Mason, Wates Construction ended without completing the NVQ. Manager at the Rochdale Road Site to see if he could assist. This resulted in Andrew starting with ANDREW CaraWHAT’S Brickwork in January 2013. UP TO NOW?
Nicolette was aware that he’d lose the funding if he wasn’t able
Andrew Bennett, Cara Brickwork Site Manager comments, “Andrew is one of best Apprentices I’ve to complete the training. She then contacted Wates construction ever worked with. He is always punctual and reliable. If he’s given a job to do, you can trust that it manager, Dave Mason, to see if he couldforward help...toand he could! will be done and he’ll always ask, what’s next? I’m looking watching him progress into a skilled bricklayerstarted in the future.” Andrew working for Cara Brickwork in January 2013. Andrew Higgins says, “I really want to thank Nicolette for all her help. Without her input I wouldn’t be said: “I really to thank Nicolette allfrom herthe help. hereAndrew now. I’ve just completed mywant NVQ level 2 and I’m learning so for much Cara team.”
Without her input I wouldn’t be here now. I’ve just completed my
JoeyNVQ Allen, level Managing stated, “Cara Brickwork is really proud doing well and twoDirector and I’m learning so much from theAndrew Cara isteam.” we will continue to help & support him during his apprentice years and hopefully beyond as a fully qualied bricklayer and a valued member of our team. As a company over the last 12 years Caracontinued Brickwork siteinmanager, was already delighted with we have to invest apprentices,Andrew even moreBennett, so that we have committed to employing further 4 apprentice’s in 2013! I do believe that we do more than other his newaapprentice. He said: “Andrew is one of (CBL) the best apprentices Bricklaying Contractors in investing in local apprentices all over the North West and our record I’ve ever worked with. He is always punctual and reliable. If he’s demonstrates this. I along with Neil (Contracts Director) and all our Supervisors were apprentice givenatathe jobbeginning to do, you trust it willwe bermly done andinhe’ll always bricklayers of ourcan careers andthat collectively, believe ‘providing an opportunity so they every chance achieve aforward profession’to as watching this will only enhance ask what jobhave to do next. I’mtolooking him our company, and the Construction as a whole!” progress into a skilledIndustry bricklayer in the future.” CONTACT For more information, please contact Wates’ employability Angie Hough, Employability Coordinator Wates Living Space Angela Hough on 0161 484 3295 co-ordinator 0161 484 3295 angela.hough@wates.co.uk www.wates.co.uk Above all, it’s about people HOUSING GROUP
SCOOP THAT POOP! Crossley residents have been voicing their concerns about the amount of dog fouling on the estate. Can all dog owners please clean up after their animals, also, if you spot any dog owner being irresponsible, please report it to the customer access team on 0300 123 2003. AIR PELLETS Great Places and the police are stepping up the search for the person responsible for causing damage to properties with an air gun. This is being taken very seriously, and your help would be appreciated. If you know anyone in the Crossley area who owns, or has been seen with an air gun, please contact the customer access team on 0300 123 2003, or the police on 101. BIG THANKS! Great Places would like to thank
GEKAY
carpets & floors
66-68 Rochdale Road, Shaw, OL2 7SA ... for their kindly donated carpet.
What’s happening in your area CROSSLEY Wates Living Space 1. The number of operatives using the lifts in the tower blocks has reduced. Wates will continue to monitor this 2. Steetlighting issues are currently being chased up by Wates 3. Demolition of Stockfield Mount footbridge will start soon 4. A ten-week footpath programme has now started
Great Places 1. Local lettings policy has been signed off by the council. 40% of residents who either work (paid or voluntary), are registered carers, will be rehoused on the estate 2. Visit to Dew Way will be organised once landscaping work has been finished
along Lee Street and Hoyle Avenue to start refurbishment work 2. Updates will be highlighted on community boards 3. Gary Gratton is the new project manager for the site 4. Resident liaison team is now Liz Drury, Sharon Monaghan and John Langstaff
PRIMROSE BANK
Great Places 1. Neighbourhood surgeries are held every Monday morning, 10am – 2pm in the office above
Wates Living Space 1. Scaffolding is now going up
Melanie’s hair emporium Please note the salon at Kent Avenue shops is open during building work on the following days and times. 9am to 5pm Tuesday 9am to 2pm Wednesday 9am until late Thursday 9am to 5pm Friday 9am to 3pm Saturday
Walkabout How your concerns were dealt with Residents, staff and partner agencies walk around the area every month to point out concerns.
Crossley
• General litter and fly tipping around the estate - cleaned by caretakers • Bins at the front of properties looks untidy - explained in ‘wheelie bin storage’ article in the news in brief section (page 2) • Dog fouling on pavements - emailed environmental services about the issue
Primrose Bank
• Litter in the area has been cleared
What’s on! Women’s voices Monday 4 March, 1pm to 3pm at St Patrick’s Presbytery, 40 Union Street West. All women invited to share food and meet other women Primrose Bank estate forum Monday 18 March, 6pm at Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall Crossley estate forum Thursday 21 March, 6pm at St Saviour’s Church off Denton Lane Dew Way drop in Monday 25 March, 2pm to 3pm at Dew Way site office
Primrose Bank estate walkabout Thursday 28 March, 10am at Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall Primrose Bank neighbourhood surgery Every Monday in the office above Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall, 10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates) Crossley neighbourhood surgery Every Tuesday at 16 Landsdowne Court, 10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates)
Allocations update It’s a busy time in the PFI area at the moment with lots going of new developments. Here’s a brief update as to what’s been changing on Primrose Bank and Crossley. On the Primrose Bank estate we’ve had lots happening, including the first residents moving into their new homes. There is a mixture of three, four and five-bedroom homes which have been allocated to new families.
Table Tennis Every Tuesday and Friday, 6pm, and Sundays at 5pm at Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall
Crossley estate walkabout Tuesday 26 March, 10am at Kent Avenue shops Save those pennies with our money saving drop-in sessions You’re invited to join us for our money saving drop-in sessions, where you can get information on housing benefit and processing claims. You can come and see the team on the following dates: Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall Monday 25 March, 10am to 12pm Monday 29 April, 10am to 12pm Crossley - Wates office at the north compound Tuesday 26 March 10am to 12pm Monday 30 April 2013 10am to 12pm
It’s easy to get in touch... 8am to 6pm Mon-Fri
Bangla
Urdu
On Dew Way, families are settling in well in their new homes. The scheme is on target to be finished by the end of March, when new families should have been rehoused.
call 0300 123 2003 text 07797 870 731 oldhampfi@greatplaces.org.uk