InspiredLiving
Winter 2014
THE MAGAZINE FOR OLDHAM PFI RESIDENTS
WIN! f orth o £20 w reet t high s rs e vouch
WORKING FOR CHANGE
Three apprentices talk about the opportunities Oldham PFI has created for them
NURTURING NEIGHBOURHOODS
A-Z FOR A GREEN CHRISTMAS
Amjad and Nick on how they’re helping our communities
Tips for the festive season
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How to get in touch with us... CALL Great Places or Wates, dial 0300 123 2003 A full range of services are available between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, with an extra out-of-hours repairs service provided by Wates, which can be contacted on the same number.
PRESS 1 – for Wates Living Space who can help you with repairs, refurbishment and new-build enquiries
PRESS 2 – for Great Places Housing Group who can help you with housing management and information on sales units
EMAIL: the Great Places team at oldhampfi@greatplaces.org.uk and Wates at infooldhampfi@wates.co.uk
IN PERSON: you can also drop in to see us at the Great Places office – 119 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1TE. The office is staffed and is open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. The team are available to visit you in your home. Please don’t hesitate to ask for an appointment when it’s convenient for you.
Write to Inspired Living at:
We’re online!
Visit www.greatplaces.org.uk and search for Oldham PFI Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Oldham PFI
Communications Great Places Housing Group Southern Gate 729 Princess Road Manchester M20 2LT
Email:
communications@greatplaces.org.uk
Access for all
If you’re visually impaired let us know if you need a magnifying sheet. An audio version of Inspired Living is also available. If you need this magazine in a different language, please also let us know.
Editor: Rachel Machin (rachel.machin@greatplaces.org.uk) Designer: Simon Crossley (simon.crossley@greatplaces.org.uk)
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Welcome to
InspiredLiving!
Welcome to the winter issue of Inspired Living. I’ve talked in previous issues about how Oldham PFI is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about creating longlasting communities. That’s essentially the theme of this issue. Employment and training has been a large part of our work – giving local people opportunities. Our cover story charts the success of three apprentices who have been given a chance to work in housing through our programmes.
There’s also a fascinating look into the world of our neighbourhood co-ordinators and how they’re helping you shape your neighbourhoods.
InspiredLivin g
Winter 2014
THE MAGAZIN
E FOR OLDHAM
There’s a look at the environmental work we’re doing in Primrose Bank and some expert advice on how to have a green festive season! Whatever you’re doing, have a fantastic Christmas and a happy New Year.
WIN! of £20 worth high street vouchers
PFI RESIDENTS
WORKING FO R CHANGE talk about
Three apprent ices NURTURING NEIGHBOURH OODS
Amjad and Nick on how they’re helping our communitie s
the opportu Oldham PFI nities has created for them
A-Z FOR A GRE CHRISTMAS EN
Z
Tips for the festiv e season
Ryan Smith Oldham PFI manager
WHAT’S INSIDE? Features 5-7 Opportunity knocks: we find out about the work of three apprentices taken on especially for PFI 10-11 The online journey: how we’re helping you access the benefits of the internet 12 How to make a complaint: we give you the lowdown on our complaints process 13 The A to Z for a green Christmas: we help you be environmentally this festive season
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Nurturing neighbourhoods pages
18 Tidying up Primrose Bank: our work in cleaning up your area
The online journey pages
14-15 Nurturing neighbourhoods: how Amjad and Nick are helping to create harmony in your communities
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19 Kick-off for Coppice Rangers FC: how Great Places Residents’ Fund is changing lives
NEWS – from the borough
page
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Regulars 4 Have your say events: details of all our forums, walkabouts and residents’ panel meetings 8-9 News: from across the borough 16-17 Neighbourhood news: what’s been happening in your area? 20: Competitions: your chance to win high street vouchers!
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HAVE YOUR SAY EVENTS WALKABOUTS 2015 (10am to 11am) 22 Jan (Tower Gates) 19 Feb (Crossley Centre) 19 March (Tower Gates)
FORUMS 2015
RESIDENTS’ PANEL 2015
29 Jan (Stockfield Mount) 6-8pm 19 Feb (Crossley Centre)1am-1pm 26 March (Lansdowne Court) 6-8pm
21 Jan (Primrose Bank Community Centre) 12-2pm 15 April (Crossley Centre) 12-2pm Notes: All of these dates have lunch available from 12 – 12:30pm PFI Property’s welcome
Primrose Bank estate inspection then residents meeting – Meet at the Primrose Bank community centre:
Keswick Avenue area estate inspections meet at the green landscaped area on Thornby ave and residents meeting at Fitton Hill community centre:
Dew Way area estate inspection meet at Mallow Close and residents meeting at the OBA Millennium centre Featherstall Road:
Monday 5 Jan 2015 10am inspection and residents meeting at 5.30pm – 6.30pm Monday 2 Feb 2015 10am inspection and residents meeting at 5.30pm – 6.30pm Monday 2 March 2015 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Tuesday 12 Jan 2015 10am inspection and residents meeting at 5.30pm – 6.30pm Tuesday 9 Feb 2015 10am inspection and residents meeting at 5.30pm – 6.30pm Tuesday 9 March 2015 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday 21 Jan 2015 10am inspection and residents meeting at 5.30pm – 6.30pm Wednesday 18 Feb 2015 10.am inspection and residents meeting at 5.30pm – 6.30pm Wednesday 18 March 2015 5.30pm – 7.30pm
ales will be Nick Summersc ekly housing e w g n ti c u d n o c – 5pm every surgeries 2pm Primrose Bank e th t a y a d n o M ntre from 5th community ce January 2015.
call in or to e e fr l e fe e s Plea intment: make an appo 77 Tel: 0161 484 32 8 8961 Mobile: 0781 37 merscales@ E-mail: nick.sum .uk greatplaces.org
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
The work going on in Oldham is not all about building homes and communities – it’s also about creating jobs for local people. Inspired Living went to meet three young women who have taken on the role of apprentice – but there’s not an Alan Sugar in sight!
Anisa Akhtar, 29
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I’ve been at Great Places for two years – it’s slightly different for me as I was taken on as an apprentice by Great Places, not Oldham Council. I started in 2012 then went on maternity leave for a year. I was originally working on organising resident meetings and allocations but everything kicked in when I returned to work – I started doing sign-ups, helping residents with employment and training – it’s been a rollercoaster ride. My goal was always to become a neighbourhood officer because as an apprentice I was essentially doing that job. When I started there were no new buildings but in two years the change has been massive.
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Cover star! 55
Cover stars!
I’ve been working at Great Places since February but I’m doing a Level 3 Chartered Institute of Housing certificate so I’ve almost finished that and have been progressing well. I’ve been working mainly on the Oldham PFI team doing allocations and lettings, and sign-up interviews. I applied through Oldham Council and am also employed by them but on a placement here. I come from a customer service background so it was quite easy to interact with tenants.
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I’m here for 18 months and after that there are a variety of different avenues I could explore in housing. You get to meet people from different walks of life – I’ve enjoyed being part of the regeneration. Being from Oldham (I was born in Chadderton) it’s brilliant to see the work that’s been done at Primrose Bank, Fitton Hill and Crossley. I’m planning to do some work within the community centres in the future.
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Caroline Roach, 34
Jasmine Bertenshaw, 27 I’ve been on my apprenticeship since January and Oldham Council is my employer. I’ve been to two other housing associations/contractors in Oldham and this is my last placement here at Great Places. I was at First Choice Homes for three months and then Keepmoat Homes for six months. I’ve found it a strange but rewarding experience! My first placement was a contractor doing external wall insulation. Although I was doing admin, I was going out on site and at First Choice I was tenant liaison.
At Great Places I’m doing mainly admin on the PFI – doing tenant sign-ups, collecting rent etc. I’m currently studying for Admin Level 2 and then you can go on to your Housing Level 3. I’d like to work in housing in the future. I’m really enjoying it here – everyone is relaxed and calm.
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I’ve just found out that I’ve got a full time job with a local construction business. I’m over the moon!
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NEWS from the wider borough VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS WEEKEND 20 and 21 December, 10am–5pm both days High Street and Albion Street, Oldham Town Centre. Step back in time and visit Oldham Town Centre for the Victorian Christmas Weekend. A carousel and a range of amusements will be on site, as well as a Victorian Market full of classic food and gifts. There’s traditional entertainment on the high street, free face painting and balloon modelling in Tommyfield Market Hall.
NEW LEISURE CENTRE GOES LIVE Work on Oldham’s £15m leisure centre is being captured on film. A time-lapse camera has gone live at the site of the new building which is being built at the junction of Manchester Street and St Domingo Street in the town centre.
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The centre, which is set to open in autumn 2015 has a 25m, eight-lane swimming pool with a spectator gallery, eightcourt sports hall, 80-station fitness studio and four-rink indoor bowls hall. Keep an eye on what is going on at: https://timelapse.regenology.co.uk/api/embedded/aj6/
NEW SPECIAL SCHOOL WILL BE TOP OF THE CLASS Work is set to begin soon on our new £6.25m special school. The facility will see 140-pupils from across the borough with Autistic Spectrum Disorder being taught in state-of-the-art surroundings. Specialist design and resources will be used on the site to deliver the best possible level of education for four to 19-year-olds. Included within the design is a sports hall that will be shared with the community outside of school hours. To help students find employment once they have left school training shops will also be available. All this will be on one plot – the former Kaskenmoor site at Hollinwood – and next to the existing New Bridge School, which is also the sponsor.
Expected to open in September 2015, the facility will add to Oldham’s three existing special schools at Springbrook, Kingfisher and New Bridge – which are all rated ‘outstanding’ – and the four specialist units in operation at mainstream schools. Money for the new special school has been provided by the Department for Education after Oldham Council successfully applied for funding – beating off a host of other local councils.
HELP US TO KEEP THE BOROUGH MOVING With winter in full swing our plans to keep the borough moving are well underway. We’re also reminding residents that over the coming months you can do your bit and help out in any way you can. We are doing as much as we can with the resources available but everyone can help out in their own way, such as clearing snow from your neighbour’s path or simply knocking on their door to see if they are okay. Thankfully last winter we avoided any heavy snowfall. However, just in case grit stocks, systems and services are in place. We’ve stockpiled supplies of road-gritting salt and we will be adding to these.
Our fleet of gritters are again ready for use to keep our roads clear. As far as reasonably possible, we will keep the primary highway network free of ice and snow at all times, to help ensure a safe journey for commuters and residents. We’ll also be filling the 596 grit bins which are dotted around the borough so residents can make sure pavements are free from ice and snow.
www.oldham.gov.uk/winter
The Oldham Council website will be updated continually and features the latest news on school closures, gritting routes, locations of grit bins and grit sales. The council’s First Response service will use its Twitter account @oldhamalert to inform followers of school and road closures or incidents. These will also be retweeted for residents using the council’s account @oldhamcouncil and updates will appear via the local media. If you require further information about gritting ring 0161 770 4421 or email gritting@oldham.gov.uk
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THE ONLINE JOURNEY!
After a very busy and energetic week touring round your neighbourhoods, the online bus is now parked up, and so is Digital Len! Inspired Living dobbed the back seat to get the low down. You may have spotted our blue double-decker in your street last month. Manned by our very own Digital Len and his online entourage, Great Places went out into your communities to support ‘Get Online Week’ and spread the message about the benefits of the internet and also provide money advice and environmental tips to you, our residents. Although we would have liked more of you to climb aboard the bus, those of you who got on had a very positive experience and learnt useful skills, gathered relevant information about the services Great Places offers, and felt much more confident using the internet.
Many of you were also able to ask other queries and chat through issues around your tenancies, employment and training and repairs. Anne Cairns, a resident who got on board our bus in Oldham, said: “We’ve got a computer at home but we never use it really. I want to be able to enter free online competitions as its too expensive to phone or text. I’d also like to do online banking but at the moment it seems too complicated.” Great Places’ staff were able to help a variety of residents. Aimee Spencer, who works in our Environmental team, said:
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‘’I’ve really enjoyed being on the bus and helping our residents face their fears of the internet. I spoke to one resident who wanted to try out online shopping but was worried about giving her bank details to websites. Being an online shopper addict I was able to show her all the great websites and the best way to pay for items safely which for me is Pay pal. She left the bus happy and in the draw for a Samsung tablet.’’ The bus is only the start of our mission to help you take advantage of all the internet can offer. Sheffield residents enjoyed two days of training and people in our elderly schemes were also given opportunities to get involved. Watch this space for more!
Need help getting online?
There are regular IT drop-in sessions at locations all across our regions. If you need help with anything digital please email leonard.rice@greatplaces.org.uk
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How to make a complaint It’s now 12 months since we revised our complaints process and most residents agree that this has been successful in helping us resolve complaints more quickly. This involved a new informal step called Nip it in the Bud (NIP) and a formal step called Right First Time (RFT). NIP enables complaints to be resolved quickly by frontline staff, ideally within 5 working days. Right First Time (RFT) is when a complaint has not been resolved as a NIP and is dealt with by a manager of the appropriate service. We aim to offer a full and fair resolution within 20 working days. The majority of complaints are dealt with as a NIP it in the Bud (informal complaint) by frontline staff during the initial contact. Only 7.6% of complaints progressed to Right First Time (formal complaint). NIPs have proved to be an efficient way of resolving complaints to residents’ satisfaction quickly and without the need for lots of correspondence. Complaints and compliments can be made in a variety of ways: telephone, email, in writing, or in person to any member of staff.
cat@greatplaces.org.uk
0300 123 1966
Write to us: Customer Access Team 119 Union Street Oldham OL1 1TE
QUALITY OF SERVICE
If you feel that we have not followed our procedures correctly or have failed to take into account the full details of your complaint, you should contact Elaine Morley, complaints co-ordinator, the following ways: • Calling 0161 925 7986 • Customerfeedback@greatplaces.org.uk • Great Places, 4th Floor, St James House, Pendleton Way, Salford M6 5FW If evidence is found that we have failed to follow our procedures correctly, or take into account the full details of your complaint, we will appoint an independent manager and trained tenant representative to review your complaint and provide a full response within 15 working days.
The A – Z for a green Christmas! Advice, tips and ideas on staying green and saving money!
A B C D E F G H
Artificial trees are not necessarily greener – although they last for longer. Real trees help to remove carbon from the atmosphere while they are growing. Christmas brings yet more batterydevouring appliances and toys. So use mains or go for rechargeable appliances where possible, and treat your household to a battery charger. One billion Christmas cards are dumped each year in the UK (Friends of the Earth). Use recycled cards or make your own from last year’s. Use last year’s decorations or decorate your tree with products that are fairly traded and ethically sourced. Or get creative and make your own. Use an eco-friendly cotton shopper bag instead of all that plastic. Don’t have a cotton shopper bag? Contact Great Places’ Environmental team and they’ll put one in the post for you. By the time the food that make up the average British Christmas dinner arrive on our plates, it has travelled a combined distance of 49,000 miles. Buy local or buy less. Green eyed frog– Check it out for a selection of ethical and eco decorations and Christmas stocking fillers. www.greeneyedfrog.co.uk Hark the winter birds sing. It may be cold outside but some birds love to stay in the UK over winter. When you are out for a walk see how many you can spot. Our winter favourites are: Robin, Dunnock and Chaffinch
I J K L M N O P Q
Bring in some holly and ivy from the garden – fallen branches are obviously okay, but take only what you need.
After Christmas take those unwanted gifts to a jumble sale and payback Christmas early.
Keep the curtains closed, it keeps heat in and saves energy and money.
Christmas tree lights left on for 10 hours a day over the 12 days of Christmas produce enough CO2 to inflate 12 balloons, so turn them off when they are not needed. Use LEDs instead of traditional bulbs. Over the Christmas period we use an extra 750 million bottles and glass containers, and 500 million drinks cans. Make sure you recycle yours! When decorating the tree, consider using natural or homemade edible treats rather than plastic baubles to save on creating rubbish. Ten million turkeys are eaten every Christmas. If you can, try to make sure yours has been reared in humane conditions by choosing a free-range organic one. Remember that good food makes a great present, especially if you’ve made it yourself – also pictures, knitted hats, bedsocks!
Have a quick search on the internet for more ideas to minimise the impact of Christmas on your wallet and the planet.
R S T U V W X Y Z
According to Recyclenow.com, households will throw out five sacks of rubbish per family over the festive period. Much of this could have been recycled. Buy stockings and advent calendars that you can use year after year or for a more personal touch, make your own.
Aim for a few car-free days this Christmas. Travelling on a cheap flight for Christmas seems like an irresistible bargain, but we’re starting to realise that it’s killing the planet. Use the right-sized pan for the vegetables you cook, and only boil the kettle with the amount of water you need.
Is that mountain of Brussel sprouts too much for the family? Compost all your food peelings or get a wormery to help break down the vegetable food waste into rich soil nutrition. It was estimated the UK used enough paper to wrap up the entire island of Guernsey last year. Try wrapping your presents in brown or recycled paper. Buy your fruit and vegetables loose and ditch all that excessive plastic packaging.
It’s your world, your choice.
Have a post-Christmas doze, content that your Christmas carbon footprint is minimal! zzzz!
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NURTURING NEIGHBOURHOODS
Great Places’ neighbourhood co-ordinators Amjad Khan and Nick Summerscales are the dynamic duo tasked with helping to bring people together and create communities that will last across the Oldham PFI areas. Inspired Living went to find out how they’re doing it.
A £113m project, 800 homes, 25 years of investment – these are big numbers and Amjad and Nick have the big responsibility of not only running the day-to-day management of rent accounts, supporting allocations, looking after the caretaking services and resolving anti-social behavior issues, they have the difficult job of bringing harmony to the new communities that are being created.
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Amjad understands the frustrations many feel when they can’t park in front of their drives because of ongoing work or the walkways they’ve used for 30 years are no longer in use.
“It’s not just about managing properties,” explains Amjad. “It’s regenerating in every sense of the word. The area I manage in Crossley is attracting new families of all backgrounds.
“It is a bit of a challenge at the residents’ forums but you have to keep an eye on the bigger picture. I was stood at a bus stop and heard two elderly residents talking about how well the area looked. They were really positive and they didn’t actually live on the estate. Then I just told them exactly what we were doing. So it’s not just about the areas we’re regenerating – it’s having a knock-on effect in the wider areas.”
“It’s an area that’s not seen any investment in 40 years – you can imagine with work on that kind of scale there’s going to be some disruption. Managing residents’ expectations is also important.”
While all this is positive news there is still work to be done on changing people’s minds and behaviours. Nick is currently working on a project looking at environmental issues. It’s particularly apt for a place like Oldham where
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in many areas people have historically lived in overcrowded housing where vermin and pest problems have been major problems. “We’re doing a piece of work with the local authority at Primrose Bank making sure that people have all the right information and the right equipment to recycle properly. We did a report highlighting a number of blighted areas with historic issues of flytipping. Part of that project is about giving the responsibility back to residents. We’ve helped by planting out areas and putting benches in the areas we manage. Whenever you speak to residents litter is the major bugbear – not anti-social behavior,” he adds. So what do Nick and Amjad think residents need to do to make these communities really work? “ We want residents to work with us,” explains Amjad. “There’s
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It’s not a sprint, it’s an endurance race
only so much that we can do – this is your area, your community, your home. If you really want to it to be a genuine success where you’re leaving a strong legacy you need to get involved and come forward with ideas. If you see someone with a dog who’s fouling, challenge that person, or if someone drops litter, say something to them. That’s the only way this is going to work,” he says passionately. Nick agrees: “It’s a shared responsibility. We provide the blank canvas, we provide investment and professional services but the residents have to get involved with that. It’s not a sprint, it’s an endurance race. We know that we have to set a level and maintain that where necessary. But we’re determined to make it work.”
Please contact Amjad and Nick by emailing OldhamPFI@greatplaces.org.uk
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Neighbourhood NEWS STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO ENTRY DOOR SYSTEM AT CROSSLEY TOWERS Residents in the towers are able to view who is at the front communal door when their flat number is buzzed. Below is a step to step guide on how the system works and also how to set it up on residents TVs.
SET UP
USE (RESIDENT)
Firstly the resident needs to ensure their TV is connected to the domestic system (ie Freeview) and not the satellite system ie Virgin or Sky
The system will become active when the button on the intercom for your property has been pressed (this is either at the gate or at the block entrance keypad)
Once connected the resident needs to run a re-tune on the TV, this will ensure any new channels are programmed into the TV. To undertake this the menu/settings of the TV will need to be accessed
Once the button is pressed and your intercom starts buzzing, change the channel on your TV to the Vision Channel (using the channel number from earlier)
Click on the section for set up, then re-tune/new channels. Allow this to run – this may take a few minutes to complete. Once completed a new channel will be added “VisionTV”, this is the channel that will be used for the door entry view (please take a note of this channel number)
CROSSLEY GETS GREENER Children in the Crossley area can now play safely in a brand new secure play area equipped with balance beam, stepping stones, leap frog posts and a wobble board. The new green space in Crossley also has a wildflower section and herb planters. Great Places worked in partnership with Oldham Growing project and will soon be organising an event to encourage local residents to get involved with looking after the plants.
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This will allow you to view who is either at the gate or at the block entrance This will time out and won’t become active until the intercom is pressed again
PLEASE DON’T DAMAGE DRIVEWAYS Following a recent inspection of Keswick Avenue we’ve found some of the landscaped areas adjacent to a number of driveways have become damaged by vehicles driving over them. We appreciate the area where you live is very busy with traffic at the moment, but we expect this will settle down in the coming weeks and months. Once the Wates construction team have left your area, we’ll meet with you to discuss the options for repairing and improving these areas so they become more accessible for vehicles in future. In the meantime, we would ask all of our residents and their visitors to not drive above 20mph around the neighbourhood or drive over the landscaped areas.
COPPICE SPORTING ALLIANCE A Sporting Alliance has recently been set up for the Coppice area, focusing on health and wellbeing, with sport and recreation for all ages as the key theme. Partners signed up to the alliance include Oldham Council, Great Places and others. A longer term funding strategy will be developed to bring Tudor Street football pitch up to an acceptable standard and Hoyle Avenue kick pitch will be available for younger children. The project will be co-ordinated from the new Primrose Community Centre, which will also be used to run indoor activities from.Local residents will be consulted over the coming months to ensure the right types of activities are included in the programme.
DON’T DELAY, PLEASE PAY
is important to ensure During the festive period it to date. Please make that your rent account is up r the best way by sure you start the New Yea ing payment methods: choosing one of the follow your neighbourhood • Pay by Direct Debit. Speak to Housing Group co-ordinator or call Great Places tion 2 to set a up on 0300 123 2003 and select Op direct debit Allpay website • Pay online by logging onto the yourself. This will also www.allpay.net and registering text message – you allow you to set up payments by debit card to register will need your payment card and ich you can search for in • Pay using the Allpay app wh the app store automated telephone • Pay using the 24-hour Allpay service Tel: 0844 557 8321 ay rent card at any Post • You can also pay with an Allp Office or Paypoint outlet card by calling the • Pay with your debit or credit 123 2003 Option 2 – Customer Access Team on 0300 Team opening times Please check the Customer Access for this service.
CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS During the festive season you can contact us by calling 0300 123 2003 or email oldhampfi@greatplaces.org.uk
We’re open on: Christmas Eve between 8am – 4pm 27 December between 9am – 4pm 28 December between 9am – 4pm New Year’s Eve between 9am – 1pm We’re closed on: Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year’s Day Our Great Places office will be closed between Christmas and New Year.
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TIDYING UP PRIMROSE BANK We’ve been working hard with Oldham Council to improve the area where you live by supporting a new initiative’ Changing Behaviours’. Primrose Bank and Coppice, like other areas of Oldham, have historic problems with litter-strewn streets, fly tipping, dumping of household rubbish in gardens, and poor waste management.
We’ll help you to: • understand how to recycle and where to go to get rid of large household items • take responsibility for keep your gardens and environment clean without relying on the local authority • make sure more gardens are clean and tidy and communal areas are improved Please note: Oldham Council will be issuing fixed penalty notices to any residents who leave their empty wheelie bins outside their gardens for more than 24 hours after they have been emptied. To ensure that you do not receive a £60 fine it's important that you put your empty
What goes the in grey bin? • • • • • • • • •
General rubbish Plastic food trays Yoghurt pots Margarine tubs Plastic food packaging Plastic bags Polystyrene Domestic waste that can't be recycled
wheelie bins back no later than 8pm on the day of collection. You can find out more information about refuse collection and reporting problems with bins by logging onto the Council’s website www.oldham.gov.uk and select B from the A-Z of Council services.
What goes in the brown/purple bins? • • • • •
Cans, glass and plastic bottles Aluminium cans & aerosols Food and drink cans Glass bottles and jars (any colour) Plastic bottles only (please do not put any other plastic items in) • Steel food tins (eg baked beans, biscuit tins) • Tin foil and metal food trays Extra recycling will be collected if put in clearly labelled black bags, left untied if possible.
What goes in the blue bin? • All paper • Brochures and catalogues • Cardboard packaging (eg shoe boxes, egg boxes, appliance packaging) • Directories (eg Yellow Pages) • Envelopes (any colour, and windowed) • Greeting cards & junk mail • Newspapers and magazines • Office paper • Tetra Paks (eg milk containers) Extra recycling will be collected if put in clearly labelled black bags, left untied if possible. Unlabelled bags will not be taken.
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What goes in the green bin? • • • • • • • • •
All kinds of leftover food Bread and pastries Dairy eg egg shells, cheese Fish Flower and plant cuttings Fruit and vegetables Grass cuttings Hedge clippings & leaves Meat and bones (cooked and uncooked) • Tea bags and coffee grounds • Twigs and small branches Waste food should be placed in compostable liners, wrapped in newspaper or put loose into containers. Plastic bags should never be used (including bags marked as recyclable or biodegradable).
KICK OFF FOR COPPICE RANGERS FC!
The second year into our Great Places Residents’ Fund and we’ve given out nearly £20,000 to projects that make a difference to your lives or the areas you live. Inspired Living went to meet an exciting community football team in Oldham, which is one of the recipients.
Forget Oldham Athletic, Manchester City and Manchester United, there’s a new team in town, Coppice Rangers FC! Set up 18 months ago by lead coach Mohammed Miah, the sessions started rather informally before Mohsub Yousaf, who’d lived in the area for 29 years, got involved in March this year to set up policies and procedures and formalise the structure of the club. “I noticed that although there were plenty of adult teams in the area, no-one seemed to be giving the children any time to learn. We wanted to change that,” he enthuses. The football club trains at Tudor Street Kick pitch and needed money to hire out this venue as well as funding for kits, equipment (nets, balls, cones), paying for CRB checks and FA training badges for the coaches. They received £1,100, which has made a world of difference according to Mohsub. “I heard about the Residents’ Fund through Facebook, looked at the criteria and thought we were eligible. What we’re doing is helping the kids in the area. As well as football we’re promoting life skills – teaching them how to conduct themselves. “I’m in the process of writing a three-year development plan. We want to become self-sustained so we don’t have to keep applying for funding to turn into a proper academy.” You could be looking at some future Premier League stars. Watch this space!
Great Places
RESIDENTS’ FUND £19,342 £25,000 total fund £5,658 21 total applications 14 approved applications
4
total committed what’s left
Since we re-launched the fund last year, the quality of applications has improved massively. Thanks to everyone who’s bid for funding. You’ve got until 30th December to apply for what’s left!
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Competition time You could win £20 in vouchers!
Wordsearch Words to find are: CRACKER
BAUBLE
BELLS
CHRISTMAS
STAR
WREATH
TURKEY
SANTA
HOLLY
SNOWMAN
REINDEER
COLD
GIFT
CONGRATULATIONS TO LAST ISSUE’S WINNERS: Wordsearch - Fazana Safeer, Ashton Road, Keith Dennis, Stockfield Mount, Zeenat Shahid, Foxglove Ave. Spot the difference - Paula Jamieson, Landsdowne Court, Moulana Nazmul Islam, Lee Street, Pauline Horton, Rochester Way.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE Just circle the FIVE differences on picture number two, cut it out, pop in an envelope and send it in! You could be one of three lucky people to win £10 worth of vouchers.
Send your entries by post to: FREEPOST, RLSC-HLLJ-EZRZ, Inspired Living, Great Places Housing Group, Southern Gate, 729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT.
Don’t forget to include your name, telephone number and address. The three winners will be drawn out of a hat so get your entries in by Monday 2 Feb 2015.
All entries must be in by Monday 2 Feb 2015
Remember you don’t need a stamp!