My Great Place May 2012

xxxxxx

Beat the bedroom tax blues

Cooking up a storm... at school!

Page 31

Pages 16-19

The magazine for Great Places Housing Group residents

May 2012

Sheffield stars strike gold

Olympic dreams come true: xxxxx xxxpages xxxxxxxxx xxx fullxxxstory on 4-5

Standing together for an ASB triumph Meet our inspirational residents

Page 10

23 and 124 What’s going on in your area? Find out on pages 22,MyGreatPlace

Welcome to

p6 p16

NEWS & FEATURES

Are you ready for summer? There’s loads going on in all Great Places neighbourhoods, with picnics, tea parties and fun days galore to mark the jubilee celebrations. Why not get involved at an event near you? Check out your What’s On guide on pages 22-24 for more information.

4-5 6-9 10 14 15 21 25 29 31

Then there’s the Olympics... it’s billed as the greatest show on Earth, and two of our Sheffield residents are going to have a very important part to play as they carry the torch.

John has walked thousands of miles for Macmillan, and Ryan has hopes of being an Olympian himself one day.

Read the full inspirational story on pages 3 and 4.

Another motivational tale this issue concerns residents Jackie and Margaret, who stood up to their cannabisgrowing neighbour. They gave evidence against him in court, which resulted in him getting evicted and them feeling safe in their homes again. See page 10 for more.

You’ve been busier than ever in your communities recently, and this issue is packed with stories and photos of your activities. Check out our photo special on pages 6-9 and see if you can spot yourself - or your neighbours!

Speaking of neighbours, if yours are particularly good ones, why not nominate them for a Great Places Customer Award (see pages 12-13 for more)? Don’t let their good deeds go unrecognised - enter before June 15!

You can win big this issue, too - we’ve got £8,000 worth of laptops to give away, and that’s just for starters (p26)!

You could get your hands on £25 just for sending us your email address (p32), or £25 if you

complete our wordsearch (p34).

Don’t forget, My Great Place is your magazine. Call me on

0161 447 5032 or email

julia. graham@greatplaces.org.uk

if you have any comments

or suggestions about what

you’d like to see in the

magazine in future

editions. I always

love to hear

from you!

Meet our Olympic-torch-carrying sup erstars Pictures from your latest events Our brave residents who beat ASB £50k football pitches: winners in Knu tsford!

Standing up to those falling foul in Sheffield Thousands of reasons to love our cha rities Home impovements – our record spe nd Loan sharks bitten in ground-breaki ng play Growing greatness at The Byrons

HELP, INFORMATION & ADVICE 16-19 21 28 32

Bedroom tax – how you can make savings Finding a home on the Fylde Coast gets easier Top tips on how to save money Dangerous dogs: the lowdown

STEPHEN SAYS our chief executive, page 14 WHAT’S ON, WHERE pages 22-23 WIN WIN WIN! 12-13 Got great neighbours? Get them an award!

11 Win a £60 green goodie bag and ene rgy check 26 We’re giving away £8,000 of laptop s!

30 Green fingered? Get £30 in our garden ing comp!

32 Send us your email address and win £25 34 Prize wordsearch... get yourself £25

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED 20 24 27 32 33

Another grand day out in the makin g Local Area Forums TSC talk: what your committee has been up to Do you fancy being a resident inspec tor?

Have your say. Whatever it is, we wa nt to hear it!

GET IN TOUCH 36 Julia Graham, editor 2

MyGreatPlace

All the numbers you need to contac

t us

It’s app fab...

access our services Check out the new, smart, FREE way to

Fantastic news - the Great Places app has now been launched so, if you have a smartphone, you now have another quick and easy way to get in touch with us!

The growth in smartphones (particularly the iPhone and Android phones) – which offer internet access, email and a variety of internet-based applications – is

changing the way many of us live, and now one in three adults in Britain uses one.

Increasing use of smartphones has led to a big rise in mobile internet use and the use of ‘apps’ (applications).

An app is software that can run on the internet, on your computer, your phone or on another electronic device.

The Great Places app will improve the services we offer and is an easy way for you to communicate with us, in addition to post, phone, email and text.

Available to download for free, the app lets you report a repair, pay your rent, log an issue, apply for housing, find out what’s happening in your area and much, much more!

To download the Great Places app, simply open the app store on your phone, search for mygreatplace and look for our logo.

It’s that easy!

We’re playing the numbers game Performance matters at Great Places and we are proud of how we look after day-to-day issues for our customers.

My Great Place – they’re all in bright pink boxes like the one below... you can’t miss them!

Our priority is to provide high-quality services to tenants, wherever they live.

All the figures are based on information we collected up to the end of March 2012, based on 1,500 responses.

It’s important we monitor and measure how we’re doing. We set ourselves ambitious targets and work really hard to meet them.

Figure finder

87%

Of residents are satisfied with the overall service we provide

We set objectives for all areas of our business and check how well we are doing every month. You’ll find our latest key figures dotted throughout this issue of

We also present statistics at our local area forums. See page 24 to find out where and when the next meetings are taking place.

If you want to know more, contact Razwan Anwar on 0161 447 5062 or email him at razwan.anwar@greatplaces.org.uk

Want to speak to us?

Call us on

0300 123 1966 Got a problem? Need to get in touch with Great Places? It’s easy! Here’s how to do it: • Our 0300 123 1966 number is cheap to ring from a mobile and 0300 numbers are included in ‘bundled minutes’. We changed it because our old 0845 number could be expensive to call from some mobiles. The 0300 number is cheaper to call than the old one from mobiles and landlines.

• Our customer access team is here 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. If you call us you will be asked some “security” questions at the start of the call to make sure we are speaking to the right person.

• You can pay your rent over the phone, report a repair or tell us about property maintenance issues.

• If you call us during our busiest times, our call queuing system will prompt you to leave a message and we will call you back within one hour.

• We may check your contact details with you, including things like your e-mail and phone number.

You can also text us on 07797 870 734 or email cat@greatplaces. org.uk It’s good to talk: our new number is included in free ‘bundled minutes’

MyGreatPlace 3 MyGreatPlace 3

Olympic dreams... Olympic dreams... Olympic dream

Carrying a torch for The biggest show on earth is on the horizon and two of our residents in Sheffield will be taking centre stage when they carry the Olympic torch for the city

T

he 2012 Olympics might not start until July but for two special people from Sheffield, the journey begins long before when they proudly take to the streets to carry the Olympic torch. It’s going on a 70-day relay through 1,000 cities, towns and villages across the UK. John Birkhill, 73, and Ryan Wilkinson, 14, are two of 8,000 inspirational torchbearers chosen from millions of nominated people. John will carry the torch on June 25, and Ryan will do the honours the next day.

John, who has walked thousands of miles for Macmillan Cancer Support since the early

The Olympic flame Lit in Greece, the Olympic flame arrives in the UK on 18 May before setting out the next day on a 70-day Olympic torch relay. The flame stands for peace, unity and friendship.

1970s, says he was blown away by the opportunity. “When I found out I was carrying the Olympic torch I cried. The Sheffield public are out of this world.

Both Sheffield Wednesday and United supporters put forward a petition with 5,000 signatures. I feel humbled to be part of such an event in this great city.”

R

yan, born with no forearm, recently tried out for the Paralympics and the British Swimming Championships – and he is equally as excited. “I’m surprised and honoured that I got picked to carry the torch.

I’m so happy that I’m representing England in this country. I haven’t told my friends yet – it’ll be a surprise!”

‘I’m aiming for the 2016 Olympics’ Ryan’s story: the swimmer takes it all

‘I

started swimming from a young age but began competitively in 2009.

Front crawl is my stroke. I mainly do 50m sprints as I find it easy to get all my energy out at once. During training we sometimes swim the equivalent of the English Channel – 21 miles – which is quite good fun.

4

MyGreatPlace

“Great Places’ Opportunities For All fund also paid for me to do warm-weather training in Tenerife. The coaches are so helpful and speak to you as an adult.

“I trained hard for the Paralympics but didn’t get through this time. I’m happy with my progress and will aim for 2016. You’ve got to be committed to be a swimmer.“

The flame game: Ryan and John are thrilled to be representing Sheffield in the Olympic torch relay

ms... Olympic dreams... Olympic dreams... Olympic

our men in a million ‘No matter what, I’ll always keep walking!’

John’s story: the walking wonder

‘S

ince I retired in 2004 I’ve been walking fulltime in my green wig, pushing a pram all over the country. My aim is to complete 1,000 races. I’ve reached 871 so the dream is nearly a reality.

“The wonderful people of Sheffield have supported me throughout. I lost my daughter when she was 29 – she went to have a small operation and never recovered. My wife developed cancer from that day and died the following year on the same day.

“That in itself spurs me, on but my true inspiration was meeting a little girl with leukaemia. I was walking in Sheffield when a car stopped and a little voice said: ‘Can I put some money in your bucket, John?’ I walked on and her dad chased after me, sobbing, and told me how Macmillan was nursing her through the little time she had left. I cry now when I think about her and if I’m having a bad day in rain, snow or hail, her little face spurs me on. I’ll never stop walking. No matter what, I’ll keep going.”

At a glance: our two stars...

John

Ryan

871 races, including marathons and 10ks.

• Trains four times a week.

• Has completed

• Has walked thousands of miles for Macmillan.

• Lives in the Wybourn area of Sheffield.

• Is one of the faces for English Institute of Sport’s campaign to highlight disability sport.

• Has just taken part in the British Swimming Championships, London.

MyGreatPlace 5

Blooming brilliant Northmoor As an action-packed summer of celebratory events and festivals – including the Olympics and the Queen’s diamond jubilee – draws ever closer, the people of Northmoor in Manchester will be enjoying their own festival of fun over the coming months.

An Easter egg hunt marked the beginning of three months’ worth of community activities, including exercise classes, arts and crafts clubs, street-cleans, gardening and flower arranging sessions (Kath Dixon is pictured with her beautiful blooms, right), youth clubs and much more!

They’re coming together for Northmoor United 100, a packed 100-day programme of activities and events in the community, organised by Great Places Housing Group.

There’ll also be a jubilee picnic in Crowcroft Park on 3 June to celebrate the Queen’s big day (see pages 22-23). Call Sarah Riley on 0161 447 5120 if you want to find out more.

Hyde

Levenshulme

Hyde residents were joined at a planting event by Great Places colleagues Peter Knight and Felicity Kearney, who came armed with perennial alpine plants, compost and refreshments.

This year, to celebrate International Women’s Day, Great Places joined forces with Inspire Community Hub in Levenshulme and local resident Fiona Smith to get funding for a week-long programme on the themes of ‘recognise, represent and resolve’.

More than 20 residents, mostly youngsters on their Easter half-term break, came to the event on Holme Street and helped plant the alpines into pots. They took them away promising to give their plants lots of TLC, and, above all, to water them regularly!

Local design company Andrea Design created a flyer for free and volunteers from the community centre helped deliver them.

Hyndburn Acorn Park residents got together with Great Places staff to celebrate the first anniversary of moving into their new homes with a party at their local church hall.

Everyone enjoyed the party food, music, games, face painting and Easter egg hunt and activities.

6

MyGreatPlace

Donna McNeil, a community rep for the area, said: “It was great to see all the neighbours together having such a fantastic time.

We have also been able to ask everyone about what they would like us to do in future.”

Events included belly dancing, singing for well-being, mind-mapping, a film night, a workshop on resolving conflict, an open-mic poetry night and drama sessions. The programme highlight was the community lunch, which attracted more than 80 people.

Sarah Riley, community development co-ordinator, said: “More than 218 people got involved, which was great.

We were especially pleased to see women from such a great mix of cultures, ages and ethnicities taking part.”

fo forr aallll Rochdale

Snaps Snaps from from recent recent events events in in your your neighbourhoods neighbourhoods Delighted tenant Mr Uddin of Rochdale was so pleased with the service he received from Great Places contractor Cruden that he nominated them for a WOW award, which is a national customer service awards scheme backed by major high street names including British Gas. Mr Uddin was very impressed with the fact that they have multi-lingual call handlers including Waleed (pictured left with Mr Uddin and Great Places partnership manager Alex Shevchuk). Mr Uddin is now a tenant representative for our property services team... he’s one very happy customer!

Oldham Old Trafford, home of Manchester United FC, was the setting for 32 Great Places residents from Oldham who enjoyed a behindthe-scenes tour of the famous ground.

Youngsters on their Easter holidays made up the majority of the group, which went pitch-side, visited the changing rooms and museum and even sat in the seats where some team members sit during the match.

Blackpool

Last month, lots of residents from the Sawmills development in Blackpool came together with the residents from St George’s Court (a sheltered scheme nearby) to celebrate the Sawmills’ first birthday.

The entertainment went down really well, included balloon making (pictured) and quizzes. Over 35 people attended!

Rochdale Great Places joined forces with Rochdale Council’s Youth Services Team and Deeplish and Wardleworth Community Centres for two charity raising fun days over Easter. Over 400 people came along to show their support!

The events raised more than £1,500 towards an appeal for three-year-old Maha Asghar, from Clarksfield, Oldham.

Maha, pictured third from left, needs an urgent operation for a degenerative facial condition, Parry-Romberg syndrome, which is only available in America at a cost of £70,000.

MyGreatPlace 7

Blackburn

Manchester We recently asked you what the biggest issue is in your neighbourhoods, and the answer we heard most was “litter”.

Great Places has been working with communities across the city to tackle this.

This spring we joined forces with Al-Hilal Community Centre in Cheetham Hill to tackle two grot spots.

Neighbourhood co-ordinator Kassim Hanif also arranged for the members of Blue Sky, a local work programme, to fit wire mesh to garden railings (pictured). This was in response to a complaint made by a resident at the local area forum that litter was being blown into their front garden.

We also held a community clean-up day in Northmoor. After a few hours of intensive

litter picking, residents were treated to a free lunch and neck massage provided by Manchester City Council. The day ended with a football tournament in Crowcroft Park for over 50 young people.

We’ve now organised weekly clean-ups, targeting two streets each time to try and keep Northmoor looking clean and tidy.

A free rail trip to Boundary Mill, Colne (pictured), was enjoyed by 26 Blackburn residents recently.

Northern Rail provided free travel to the discount store as part of its community ambassador scheme.

It’s designed to give people the confidence to be able to use their local rail services, and many of the residents on this trip had never been on a train before.

Tenants were also able to pick up bargains at the store and enjoy lunch in the café.

If your area is in need of a spring clean, contact your community development co-ordinator who can help provide skips, bags, gloves and volunteers!

Picking your moments Fancy raiding your memory banks?

Great Places, along with artists Greenan and Sperado, has recently been given the green light for a very exciting project. We’re looking for residents who remember Stockport Road in Levenshulme in the 1960s – if you can help, call Sarah Riley on 0161 447 5120 or send your name and address to sarah.riley@greatplaces.org.uk.

Blackpool Tenants at Grange Park in Blackpool attended a

community event at Chepstow Community

Garden recently, where they got in the mood for summer by making pots for their gardens.

8 MyGreatPlace 8 MyGreatPlace

People made baskets with flowers, strawberries or herbs, and everyone there also took the opportunity to get to know each other better and find out how they can get involved in the future.

Blackburn Young residents from Romney Walk, Blackburn, enjoyed multi-sports sessions with Blackburn Rovers community trust coaching staff over the Easter holidays. Activities included dodge ball, football and cricket, and prizes (including free football tickets to Blackburn games) were also awarded by the coaches.

Blackburn

Levenshulme Following the success of the recent drop-in youth sessions organised by Great Places and Levenshulme Community Association we are delighted to announce that we have secured £30,000 of funding from Manchester City Council’s Youth Commissioning Fund, to provide youth activities in the area over the next 12 months.

We’re still planning what activities will take place, but will keep you updated!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or would like more information, contact Sarah Riley on 0161 447 5120 or email sarah.riley@ greatplaces. org.uk.

A new community group for women has recently been set up in the Brookhouse Bastwell area of Blackburn, with the help of Great Places, the local council and police at Bangor Street community centre.

The women have already enjoyed a keep-fit session, a talk on healthy

eating, mini manicures/hand massages from local students and a trip to Clitheroe. Future events being planned by the group include a fashion show. It runs every Tuesday from 1pm to 2.30pm and all women are welcome - contact Louise Ramsay on 07767 644352 if you would like more information.

to shine in the streets Staff from Great Places and Cruden took the neighbourhood bus to Dalton Close over the Easter holidays. Twenty children played on the giant Nintendo Wii, PlayStations and computers. They also took part in the colouring completion to win two giant eggs and were all smiles, as you can see!

Blackburn

Blackpool Residents in Blackpool enjoyed an arts and crafts event held at Great Places’ Fylde Coast office Blackpool over Easter.

All residents were invited and people of all ages turned up to make Easter cards (Crystal Brown is pictured with hers) and handstitched eggs, bunnies, hearts, flowers and chicks.

Younger children did colouring and puzzles and everyone received a goodie bag at the end of the day.

MyGreatPlace 9

ASB triumph... ASB triumph... ASB triumph...

g in k a -t g u r d a to p u d o We sto ! n o w d n a . .. r u o b h ig e n

behaviour ated by their neighbour’s anti-social mid inti be to sed refu t gare Mar and Sticking together: Jackie (left)

L

ast summer, Great Places tenants Jackie Hoyle and Margaret Plant were among a group of neighbours who grew suspicious when they kept smelling cannabis in their apartment block in Stretford, Manchester.

While many people would turn a blind eye, instead the women – both in their 60s – reported their concerns to us.

Great Places staff worked closely with police on the case, the flat was searched and the police recovered a large cannabis farm filling a whole bedroom.

Jackie and Margaret’s bravery didn’t stop there, though, as both women agreed to be witnesses in court.

10 MyGreatPlace

It took six months for the case to come to trial, and during that time, the man being accused tried to intimidate Jackie and stop her telling her side of the story.

“He used to follow me around places and stand looking up at my flat making horrible gestures at me,” she says.

“I was absolutely determined to stay strong and not let him get to me.

I thought, ‘It’s my home there’s no way I’m going to let him make me feel uncomfortable here.’”

W

hen the case went to trial, Jackie and Margaret gave evidence alongside Great Places’ anti-social behaviour co-ordinator Abi Williams and neighbourhood officer Sam Redworth.

Abi says: “They were given a hard time on the stand by the defence solicitor, but they did brilliantly under pressure.”

Thankfully, the judge found the accused guilty. Shortly afterwards, the person involved was evicted from his home and Jackie, Margaret

‘Jackie and Margaret are extremely brave and courageous women. It just goes to show that if you stand up to these people, they can be beaten!’

Abi Williams, ASB co-ordinator

and their neighbours felt comfortable in their apartments once again.

Abi is full of praise for our brave residents. “Both Jackie and Margaret are both extremely strong and courageous women, who really made a stand against anti-social behaviour.”

“I have nominated them for a Great Places Customer Award (see pages 12 and 13 for more) as they’re both inspirational. It goes to show that if you stand up to these people, they can be beaten!”

Jackie has no regrets, and advises others to do the same if they’re in a similar situation.

“We stood together and got the outcome we wanted... if we can do it, so can you!”

Great Places

. . . s l e v e l y g r e n e r u o y k c e h Let Lisa c !

0 6 £ h t r o w g odie ba ent matters at All the latest in environm

o g e e r f a n i w and Introducing our new environmental liaison officer, Lisa Mcauley

‘I

n a nutshell, my job involves helping tenants save money in their homes and giving them energy-saving advice and tips to make them warmer. I visit tenants in their home and carry out home energy checks.

“Great Places can update homes by putting in new boilers, heating controls and insulation, but we really need our residents to understand how they can keep energy use - and the cost of their bills - at a minimum.

“The Energy Saving Trust says as much as 25% of the energy used in people’s homes can be reduced by helping people understand how they use - and waste - energy. I want to help you heat your homes wisely and save some money on fuel bills.

“I have loads of simple energy-saving tips that can be used right through your home and can make a real difference to your costs.

“By carrying out an energy check on your home we can see if there are any areas that may need simple improvements, and help make your home cosier to live in while saving you pennies.

“Give me a call to book your appointment... the environment and your bank manager will thank you for it! “

If you want Lisa to do a home energy check in your house, give her a call on 0161 447 5093.

Try our quiz... and bag £60 of goodies!

1. What is more expensive per unit? a) Gas b) Electricity

6. Name three different energy-saving ideas for the home that would cost you nothing.

2. On average, how much is gas per unit? a) 2p b) 7p c) 13p d) 17p

7. How much does the average household waste each year by leaving appliances on standby? a) £30 b) £65 c) £100

3. What is the average UK home energy bill for a year? (average home = three-bed semi-detached house) a) £300 b) £500 c) £700 d) £900 e) £1200

8. What’s the cheapest payment method for your gas and electricity? a) Pre-payment card/ meter b) Gas and electric together by monthly direct debit c) Quarterly bill by post

4. In your home, what costs you the most energy use? a) Heating b) Lighting c) Appliances d) Cooking e) Hot water

9. If you are too hot in your home, you should... a) Open a window b) Wear fewer clothes c) Turn the thermostat down d) Switch off your boiler

5. Which of the following is the most effective way of saving energy? a) Double glazing b) Loft insulation c) Cavity wall insulation d) Low-energy light bulbs

10. What is the recommended setting for your hot water cylinders thermostat? a) 37°c b) 60°c c) 100°c

To enter the prize draw, email your answers to lisa.mcauley@greatplaces.org.uk, or post them to Lisa Mcauley, Great Places Housing Group, 729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT

by Friday 20 July.

MyGreatPlace

11

customer involvement ... customer involvement...

Got great neighbours?

T

ime is running out to enter the Great Places Customer Awards. If you’ve got a wonderful neighbour, tell us about them and get their hard work recognised! We’re looking for community heroes who do great, often unnoticed work for Great Places residents... we’ve extended the deadline but you’ve only got until June 15 to enter, so be quick!

Is there someone in your area who helps to make it a better place? Have you always wanted to thank them, but don’t know how? We’re looking for nominations for the unsung heroes in your life or your community, and you can nominate anyone who makes a difference where you live.

Do you know someone near you who makes life better?

Maybe they’re helping you and your neighbours to be more environmentally friendly or have taken a stand against anti-social behaviour. Perhaps they help the older residents or make a difference by being a community rep.

We have special categories for anyone who is under 25, and even have an award for people who don’t live in Great Places homes.

You can also nominate groups of people if you can’t pick out one person.

There’s a nomination form on the facing page, but if you prefer to fill in the form online then email us at goforit@greatplaces.org.uk.

The closing date for nominations is Friday 15 June, and all Great Places residents can make nominations. We’ll be holding a special awards ceremony later in the year to celebrate the hard work that tenants and their neighbours put in to make their neighbourhood a better place.

Look out for information about the nominees and the winners in future editions of My Great Place.

Thinking caps on: Who will you nominate?

Wanted: unsung heroes living in you

The award categories are:

Unsung hero/oes A person

or group who has made a positive difference to a neighbour or neighbours by offering support, shopping or other kind of helping hand.

Young tenant of the year

A person aged 25 or under who has worked to improve their area, made a positive difference to someone else’s life, stood up to bullying, hate 12 MyGreatPlace

crime, racism or other form of anti-social behaviour or shown particular bravery.

Neighbourhood champion of the year A person or group of people who have made a stand against anti-social behaviour, for example by being a witness.

Green Award An individual or group who have suggested or worked towards a new scheme

or idea which has made a difference to a community.

This could include a wildlife garden, community recycling or any other ‘green’ scheme.

Community rep of the year

Community reps are resident volunteers who have agreed to work with Great Places to make sure that the area where you live is safe and secure.

Staff Award Great Places staff will nominate individuals

or groups to recognise the difference they make.

Involved tenant of the year Individual who has

gone out of their way to help their comminityand/or worked with Great Places to improve services. This award recognises the time and commitment shown by very involved tenants.

New to involvement An individual who is new to

.customer involvement...customer involvement...cust

Then get nominating!

NOMINATION FORM Closing date: June 15

Name: Address:

er:

Telephone/mobile numb Signature: Date:

like to nominate. nominate and Tell us who you would to ident group you would like Name of the person or res uld choose, just give w what category you sho category. If you don’t kno as much detail as you can

Name: meone in your Love thy neighbour: If so ard, tell us aw an community deserves orts recognised! about it and get their eff

ur neighbourhood involvement this year either in their community, or who worked with Great Places to improve services and has demonstrated their commitment to personal development.

Rules of entry • Nominees for young person award should be 25 or under.

• Great Places staff can nominate individuals and groups.

You can nominate someone by completing the nomination form and sending it back to: FREEPOST, RSET-BJBG-YACS, Pauline Heron, customer involvement co-ordinator, Great Places Housing Group, 4th Floor, St. James’s House, Pendleton Way, Salford, M6 5FW – or you can ring her on 0161 925 7938.

If you want to fill this form in online, email goforit@ greatplaces.org.uk, with ‘award form’ in the subject box and we’ll send you a link.

Category: Their contact address:

:

Their telephone/mobile no Their email address

minate them?

Why do you want to no nomination: what makes them stand the for ase give your reasons ary.

(Ple

necess e on a separate sheet(s) if out above others? Continu

MyGreatPlace MyGreatPlace1313

A word from

our chief executive

Back of the net...

Perfect pitch

Fun and games for on-the-ball residents with a brilliant result Just at the time of going to press, it’s been announced that Great Places has won the award for the national social landlord of the year at this year’s Housing Excellence Awards for our work across all our activities. I’m absolutely delighted – awards don’t come much better than this, and it’s the third year running we have won it!

The young people of Longridge and Shaw Heath in Knutsford have hit the back of the net after securing funding towards a brand new full-size football pitch and multi-use games area.

You’ll be celebrating in your neighbourhoods this summer too, as parties and picnics will be taking place for the jubilee weekend, and that’s in addition to all of the usual events we’ve got lined up for you.

Why not give them a go, and let us know what you think of them – and anything else to do with Great Places – at your next local area forum? Turn to pages 22-24 to find out what’s happening near you.

The £50,000 grant has been awarded after youngsters in Longridge spent months campaigning for the opportunity to improve the town’s sports facilities.

The excitement will continue with the Olympics, and what a brilliant story on pages 4 and 5 about John and Ryan - our delighted tenants who are carrying the Olympic torch in Sheffield. Good luck to them!

They’re not the only winners in this issue. Residents Jackie and Margaret made a stand against their antisocial neighbour (page 10), and were brave enough to face him in court. We don’t want any of our tenants to feel uncomfortable in their own neighbourhoods, and their inspirational story shows that if we stand together, we can achieve positive results.

Finally, make sure you take the time to read our feature on bedroom tax (pages 16-19).

The government is changing the law from next April, and lots of tenants will have their housing benefits reduced as a result. It’s not what we want to see happen, but we can help you through it and have come up with lots of suggestions that might help you.

Figure finder

85%

Of residents are satisfied that their views are being taken into account

14 MyGreatPlace

Great Places helped them to create a DVD and submit a funding application.

Despite supervised play sessions organised by Great Places and Cheshire East Sports and Play Development, the community has had to make do with hired venues rather than a dedicated play facility that they could take ownership of.

Work is set to start on the new facilities in the summer. If you want to find out more, please contact Lucy Beesley on 0161 447 5117.

back of the net...

back of the net

for £50k Longridge win On the ball: Delighted Knutsford residents will soon have a new football pitch and games area

Forum beats foul play Following the views of our residents at Richmond Park’s local area forum, the neighbourhood team sprang into action to clamp down on dog fouling in that particular part of Sheffield.

Figure finder

89%

Of residents are satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live

The team has been busy with new signage in the area to discourage people from allowing their dogs to use the area as a private bathroom. They hope that their increased efforts will prompt the few irresponsible owners to clean up after their

animals.

Sheffield’s neighbourhood manager Ben Barraclough and community development co-ordinator Philip Walker are pictured left, holding some of the new neighbourhood signs. For more on local area forums, turn to page 24.

Figure finder

0.8%

Rent loss due to empty homes

MyGreatPlace 15

Bedroom tax ...

Bedroom tax ... Bedroom tax ...

Making moves to

The government’s new bedroom tax kicks in from April 2013 - but what could it mean for you?

What is the bedroom tax?

Who will it affect?

Everyone of working age on full or partial housing benefit. Disabled people and those who foster are not exempt. If you have reached pension credit age, you won’t be affected; this is going up every year, but in April 2013 it will be anyone over 61 years and six months. People with fair rent tenancies and those in shared ownership properties will not be affected.

The bedroom tax is a government initiative, and not something introduced

by Great Places. The change means that housing benefit will be cut if you’re seen to have more bedrooms than you need.

The changes: in a nutshell

For example, if you are a single tenant living in a four-bedroom house, you may currently be getting your full rent paid by housing benefit – but as of next April, this will no longer be the case.

• You’ll need to pay 14% of the total rent if you have one spare bedroom - for example, if your weekly rent is £85 you’d have to pay £11.90 extra a week.

Even if you use every bedroom in the house, you may still be classed as underoccupying; in many cases, brothers and sisters will be expected to share.

Who makes the decisions?

Your local authority’s housing benefit department will assess your circumstances and reduce your housing benefit if they assess you as having more bedrooms than you need.

• If you have two children under 10, you’ll be assessed as only needing one bedroom for them.

• The same assessment will be made if you have two children of the same sex under 16.

• You’ll need to pay 25% of the total rent if you have two spare bedrooms, so based on that same weekly figure of £85, you’d have to pay £21.25 extra a week.

‘Downsizing was a about 10 weeks Mr and Mrs Stuart moved from a fourbedroom house to a two-bedroom ground floor flat last November.

Although they won’t be hit by bedroom tax because of their age, they still decided that a smaller house made sense for them financially.

‘W

e’d been in our last home for 11 years – since it was first built - but our boys were talking about moving out and we’re pensioners, so we were looking at how we could keep our bills down.”

“We had a meeting with Great Places neighbourhood co-ordinator Amjad, who found us a two-bed place very quickly; but the area wasn’t quite right for us, so we said we didn’t want it and that wasn’t a problem. We weren’t rushed into it.”

• You’re allowed one spare room for an overnight carer, but they can’t be a family member.

• Students in temporary accommodation can still have a bedroom if your home is their permanent residence.

“Amjad put us in touch with Rochdale Council’s downsizing officer. We filled in a

• Only the parent who claims child benefit for the child can claim their bedroom entitlement.

The new rules: what are you entitled to?

Members of the family

Bedroom entitlement

Adult couple Single adult over the age of 16 Two children of same sex aged under 16 One boy and one girl aged under 10 Single child

One bedroom One bedroom One bedroom One bedroom One bedroom

If you have more than two children, the same rules apply depending on the age and sex of the children 16 MyGreatPlace

.

Bedroom tax ...

Bedroom tax ...

Bedroom tax ..

beat bedroom tax quick and painless process for us. It only took from start to finish... and it saved us a fortune!

Small mercies: The Stuart family have saved a lot of money on bills since they downsized

form and just five weeks later they’d found us a smaller place in a beautiful area; 37 people applied for it, but we got priority as we were downsizing. Only five weeks later, we were in our new home.“

“The whole process was so much quicker than we had imagined, and completely painless. As an extra incentive we were given £300, which paid for the removal van and a bit more. It was a huge help.”

“We’ve saved loads of money on bills since we moved to a smaller home, too.

They’ve all pretty much halved and even our car insurance has come down due to the change of area. It all adds up!”

Don’t want to downsize? Chat to us about alternative money-saving options If you do have to pay the bedroom tax, we have lots of ideas on how you can make savings elsewhere to cover the costs. Here are just a few of them...

• It may be possible to take in a lodger, but you must ask Great Places for permission first, and any income from a lodger may affect benefits.

• If you borrow money from weekly payment

stores or doorstep lenders, you are paying over the odds on the interest. If you borrowed from a credit union, you could save around £4-£5 per week on a £500 loan.

• You can switch your gas and electric supplier, which can save you on average £4 per week.

Cash savers: our financial inclusion team

• Budget properly – just thinking about what you spend your cash on and writing it down can save a lot.

• Check out pages 28 and 29 for more ideas on everyday savings.

• Great Places has a dedicated team of

people that can help you to make the most of your money – call 0300 123 1966 or email financialinclusionteam@greatplaces.org.uk

MyGreatPlace 17

Bedroom tax ... Bedroom tax ...

Will you pay? We’ve got all the answers...

My son only stays with me at weekends OUR TENANT SAYS: I’m 36 and get full housing benefit. I’m single, but I look after my young son at weekends. I live in a two-bedroom flat which costs £70 per week.

Case study one: xxxxxxx WE SAY: You’ll be affected by the bedroom tax. Because you’re not the main carer for your son, you’re only entitled to one bedroom. Your housing benefit will go down by £10.50 a week, so you’ll have to arrange to pay Great Places £10.50 a week or £45.50 a month to make up the shortfall.

Do my boys have to share a room?

OUR TENANT SAYS: My husband and I are both 43 and we have two boys aged 12 and 15. We get full housing benefit. Our oldest son has autism and is disruptive during the night, so he needs his own room. We live in a three-bedroom house which costs £85 per week.

WE SAY: You’ll be affected by the tax. You’re only entitled to two bedrooms, as your sons will be expected to share (even though you currently use all of your bedrooms). Your housing benefit will go down by £11.90 a week. You’ll need to pay Great Places £11.90 a week or £51.57 a month to make up the shortfall.

Can my three children have a room each?

OUR TENANT SAYS: I’m 35 and have three children a boy aged 5, and two girls aged 7 and 16. I live in a four-bedroom property which is £90 per week. I work part-time and get £50 a week housing benefit.

WE SAY: You’ll also be affected by the tax. You’re only entitled to housing benefit for a three-bedroom home, as your two younger children are expected to share a room. You’ll need to pay Great Places £12.60 a week, or £54.60 a month.

I live alone in a three-bed house.

OUR TENANT SAYS: I’m 67 and live alone in my three-bedroom house. I receive full housing benefit of £85 a week.

WE SAY: You’re not of working age, so you won’t pay.

Still unsure? Give us a call on 0300 123 1966!

18 MyGreatPlace MyGreatPlace

Bedroom tax ...

‘It really

Mrs Claridge moved from a four-bedroom house to a one-bedroom property in Blackpool last month, and she’s not looked back since!

‘I

lived in quite a big property before; I needed a lot of space as I had my daughter, Joanne, living with me, and she’s disabled. Great Places had been brilliant, making it accessible for us. They fitted a downstairs shower and hoists and made lots of adaptations, but it was still hard work as I’m 66 now.

‘When Joanne’s health started to deteriorate, I realised that I was struggling to cope, so looked at our other options. I contacted Great Places and the staff there were really helpful, talking me through what my options were and helping me at every stage.

‘We made arrangements for Joanne to move into a new place with round-the-clock care and support. Obviously, I really miss having her with me, but she comes and visits often, as my new flat is fully accessible, which is great.

‘It took a little while to sort everything out, but I didn’t want to rush things and the new property had to be right. I wasn’t afraid of turning places down that I wasn’t comfortable with.

‘I really like my new home. The neighbours are friendly and I’m settling in well. I sold quite a lot of my furniture so I’ve had a good sort out! I’ve not had any bills yet but I’ll save quite a bit by living here. Everything is included, which means that there are no hidden costs and it’s much easier to organise my finances.

‘I’d definitely recommend downsizing. It’s worked for me!’

What if I don’t pay?

If your housing benefit is reduced, you must pay the shortfall. Not paying it is simply not an option!

On 31 March this year, tenants still owed us £1.9million in rent arrears. This represents 4.1% of the total rent which should have been collected.

We took 293 tenants to court for non-payment of rent and ultimately evicted 38 tenants who failed to stick to their court order.

If you refuse to pay us what you owe, we will take you to court and you could get evicted. We really don’t want to see that happen so if you think you’re going to struggle to pay, contact us now for advice and we’ll try and help you.

.

Bedroom tax ...

Bedroom tax ...

Bedroom tax .

’ ! e m r o f d e k r wo She may have given up three bedrooms, but Mrs Claridge is still delighted with her new home, and the savings she’s made

at Places Getting into shape at The Triangle: Gre -bedroom and partners have recently built 14 two . ster che flats at Fallowfield Triangle in Man ing, nsiz Applicants got priority if they were dow g in threeand seven families – all previously livin – have and four-bedroom properties in the area es. hom just moved in to their fabulous new t currently They’ll save around £900 (for those tha and up ) use in have two or more bedrooms not (based on to £1,400 a year on gas and electricity to four-bed a comparison with a standard threetariff).

EON semi-detached house on dual fuel Place for Check out the next edition of My Great update on how they’re settling in! xxxanxxx

Want a move, or fancy a swap? Get the ball rolling...

If you fancy downsizing, you could move into a smaller property through a transfer or a mutual exchange.

could go on to increase your chances of getting the property you want.

Great Places can help you to move. We can’t guarantee that we can find you the property you want in the area you want, but we will do our best!

If you fancy a swap, you can log onto Homeswapper – a national website set up to help tenants to swap homes. To find out more, log on to www.homeswapper.co.uk.

The first thing to do is to contact our Customer Access Team on 0300 123 1966. They can put you on to our transfer list to try to match you up with another Great Places property. They can also tell you about other lists you

If you and another Great Places tenant want to swap homes, you could be able to – as long as you get our permission.

We are keen to make this as easy as possible for you, so get in touch if you want to have a chat about it!

Tell us about it!

To help you prepare for welfare reform, we need to know more about your household circumstances. This summer we will be carrying out a big data collection exercise, so be ready for us to email you, call you on the phone or knock on your door.

The next round of local area forums is in July, where we will be talking to tenants in more detail about these changes and you will be able to ask us questions.

For more details on these events where you live, turn to page 24.

MyGreatPlace 19 MyGreatPlace

Another grand day out!

Plans in progress for the resident event of the year

And we did some great work, too!

We spoke to loads of tenants at the zoo and found out what they thought about service standards, resident involvement and investment.

Fabulous feedback

We had lots of feedback from you about service standards and resident involvement. This is being reviewed and we’ll let you know how your views affect what we’re doing in the next edition of My Great Place.

Impressive investment

You were also asked to give us your feedback on our improvements to your homes. This information will help us decide how we go forward in the future. See p25 for more.

Signing up in your droves...

A day to remember: more than 1,000 residents applied to go on last year’s Chester Zoo trip

Last October Great Places ran a trip to Chester Zoo for residents, as an alternative to holding a formal ‘tenants’ conference’.

The trip gave us the chance to meet lots of new tenants and hear what they thought of us and the way we do things.

We’re already making plans for this year’s event. We’ll tell you all about where we’ll be going and how you can apply in the next edition of My Great Place magazine.

With over 1,000 people applying for places, sadly we weren’t able to take all the people 20 MyGreatPlace 20

who wanted to come to the zoo last year.

To make sure we allocate places as fairly as possible, anyone who was offered a place last year won’t be offered one this time.

Places cannot be given to residents causing anti-social behaviour. If you have rent arrears, so long as you’re keeping to an arrangement to pay, you will be eligible for places, though. If you want to make an arrangement to pay arrears, call 0300 123 1966 to speak to our Customer Access Team.

Watch this space for more!

We got lots of new people signing up to get more involved with us.

We’ve seen more tenants wanting to become community reps and more people attending local area forums. More of you are also talking to your community development co-ordinators, saying you’re willing to take part in community activities.

Steering success

In Sheffield, consultation on the coach led to the Wybourn Steering Group being set up – a group of tenants who work with our Sheffield team to deal with community issues.

Want to get involved?

Contact Pauline on 0161 925 7938 or email goforit@greatplaces.org.uk

Splashing the cash for top UK charities G

reat Places Housing Group has helped over 25 nationwide charities fill their coffers recently, thanks to the generosity of its 600 staff.

Macmillan in Longsight, where £150 went towards helping a lady who had been affected The fabulous fundraisers collected an by breast cancer impressive £4,000 after three months of purchase a new organising and taking part in numerous washing machine weird and wonderful events to raise so she didn’t have money for Great Places’ residents who bid to keep carrying for funding through Voice, its employee her washing to the committee. This amount was then laundrette; Manchester-based matched by Great Places.

The Christie Hospital; and Weston Park in Sheffield.

Organisations big and small have benefited including cancer charities like

Individuals also benefited, with £100 being donated to budding artist Lee Varley who lives at Great Places’ NEXT STEP project in Manchester. Early last year Lee attended an art course but because of ongoing injuries was unable to attend regularly.

The money has allowed him to purchase art equipment, pads, easel, coloured pencils and crayons so that he can create his masterpieces at home.

Neighbourhood co-ordinator Safeena Rather (right) with Helen Pearson and Jane Lewis from Northmoor community centre, left; and NEXT STEP's Lee with this art work, above.

Finding a home just got easier on the Fylde Coast A new partnership is streamlining the way people apply for social housing in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

Three councils and six housing organisations – including Great Places – have joined together

to create a simpler application system. At the moment separate applications have to be made to each organisation.

But now those seeking a new home in the area will have to fill in just one application form to register their interest.

Blackpool, Fylde Borough and Wyre Councils, Blackpool Coastal Housing, New Fylde Housing, Regenda Group, Great Places Housing Group, Places for People and the Muir Group have created the new MyHomeChoiceFyldeCoast

scheme. It will replace all the organisations’ existing housing application systems on the Fylde coast.

For more details, see www. myhomechoicefyldecoast. co.uk or call 01253 476111.

MyGreatPlace 21

what’s on ... what’s on ... what’s on ... what’s

Find out what’s happening near you and come and join in...

Blackburn and East Lancashire Jubilee party Sat 2 June, 3pm-5pm, Valley Close.

Outdoor party for Valley Close residents. Activities will include cake baking and royal fancy dress competitions, games and face painting.

Planting event Wed 6 June, 2pm-4pm, Bridgemill Road/Cicely Court/Town View area, Audley, Blackburn.

Hanging basket planting for adults and children.

Jubilee celebration and planting event Thu 7 Jun, 2pm-4pm, Apple Close and Court. Diamond Jubilee celebration with hanging basket planting and cream teas.

Space bus/community consultation Wed 15 Aug, 2pm-4pm, Goodall Close, Earby. School holiday activity for young residents, including Playstation, Xbox and TV. Plus residents’ consultation around lettings/local issues.

Garden training for new residents on Hurtley Street, Burnley. Dates TBC - watch out for the flyer.

To book call Louise Ramsay: 07767 644352 or email louise.ramsay@ greatplaces.org.uk

Cheshire Jubilee party Sun 3 Jun, 12pm-6pm, Longridge Precinct, Knutsford.

Come along and celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee with community spirit by joining your neighbours at a traditional street party and fun day for all the family.

To find out more about events in Cheshire, or book places, contact Lucy Beesley on 07917 527 280.

Fylde Meet and greet event Tue 19 Jun, 6pm-7.30pm, Dover Road, Blackpool.

Refreshments will be served while tenants have the chance to meet staff from Great Places and find out how they can become involved. Look out for your personal invitation.

Skip day Wed 13 Jun, 11am-12pm, Barham Street.

A skip day to tidy the scheme.

Claremont Gala Day Sat 16 Jun, 11am-3pm, stand on the park. Family fun day and parade on Claremont Park – open to everyone.

Morcambe Surgery Mon 25 Jun, 10am-12pm, Temple Of Light.

Lancaster Surgery Mon 25 Jun, 1pm-3pm, Boot And Shoe, Scotforth Road Lancaster.

22 MyGreatPlace

Winnipeg Surgery Thu 21 Jun, 10am-11am, Winnipeg community flat.

Party on: Loads of events are taking place to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee. Make sure you get in the spirit and join your neighbours for the celebrations!

Lancaster - Garden Party Thu 28 Jun, 2pm-4pm, Langdale Court, Garstang, Preston PR3 1WF. To include tenants from Windmill Court and Scotforth Court.

Garden party Wed 4 Jul. For all residents who live at the Hatfield Avenue Scheme – look out for your invitation.

Fleetwood Surgery Mon 9 Jul, 10.30am-11.30am, Fleetwood Library, North Albert Street, Fleetwood.

Skip and clean-up day Tue 24 Jul, 11am-1pm, Old Market Court, Morcambe.

Claremont Surgery Tue 14 Aug, 11am-12pm, William Lyons House, Exchange Street, Blackpool.

For more information, or to book events, please contact Gill Fernandez on 01253 750842.

Manchester Cream tea and fruit banquet Tue 29 May, 2pm-4pm, Lincoln Minshull Close, Northern Moor. Cream tea and fruit banquet to promote healthy eating.

Find out more about your community rep and resident inspector schemes.

Community action day Wed 30 May, 1pm-4pm, New Islington. Meeting on the corner of New Islington and Weybridge Road, New Islington.

General litter pick and replacing failed planting in the communal areas.

Jubilee picnic in the park Sun 3 Jun, 1pm-4pm, Crowcroft Park, Longsight. You bring food, drink, blankets, fun and ideas, and we’ll bring giant party games, music, treats for the kids, wet weather cover, face painting, flags, sweets,

what’s on ... what’s on ... what’s on ... what’s

on ... what’s on ... what’s on ... what’s on ... music and much more!

If you want to get involved please call Pauline on 0161 225 0117.

Information day Mon 11 Jun, 2.30pm-4.40pm, Northmoor Community Centre. Information and advice from the agencies and organisations working in your area. Refreshments provided.

Wellbeing session Thu 14 Jun, 1pm-4pm, Northmoor Community Centre. Head massages, smoothies, aromatherapy and relaxation.

Green View meet the neighbours Wed 27 Jun, 2pm-4pm, Green View. Meet your neighbours and enjoy some good food.

Summer barbecue Thu 26 Jul,1pm-4pm, New Islington. Summer barbecue and activity day.

Mondays and Thursdays, 5pm-9pm, Coppice Community Centre, 61-63 Werneth Hall Road, Oldham OL8 4BD. Pool, table tennis and boxing sessions. Contact Coppice Community Centre on 0161 626 4586.

Drop-in advice surgery Mon to Thu, 9.30am to 12pm, Coppice Community Centre, 61-63 Werneth Hall Road, Oldham OL8 4BD. Information on welfare, benefits and help with interpretation. Contact Coppice Community Centre on 0161 626 4586.

Youth activities Mondays and Thursdays, Deeplish Community Centre, Rochdale. A range of youth activities and sports organised by Rochdale Youth Services. Contact the centre on 01706 860 151.

clubs. Local residents are being asked for their ideas. For details contact Kiran on 0161 628 2235.

everything from rent, welfare and benefit advice to tenancy management issues. Meet Great Places staff, too.

Jubilee party Thu 31 May, 1pm-4.30pm, Werneth Cricket Club, Chamber Road Oldham. Contact Sheila Bishop for more information 0161 484 3250.

John Atkinson Court AGM Thur 24 May, 10.30am, John Atkinson Court lounge.

Everyone welcome.

Yasmin Gardens fun day Wed 6 Jun, 11am2pm, Yasmin Gardens. Fun activities including bouncy castle, face painting, and a tidy-up of the estate.

For more information, or to book places, contact Naseem Ahmad on 01706 863306 or 07815 311125.

Salford/Bury/Bolton Glee club Love the TV show and fancy joining a Glee club yourself?

Boys’ youth club

Bolton Wanderers Community Trust Coming soon... lots of events for children. More information to follow!

Sheffield

Oldham/Rochdale

Girls’ youth club Every Friday, 5pm-9pm, Coppice Community Centre, 61-63 Werneth Hall Road, Oldham OL8 4BD. Training, outbound trips and Zumba.

Contact Coppice Community Centre on 0161 626 4586.

Hawkshaw Court/ Stanyard Court AGM Thu 17 May, 10am, Hawkshaw Court Communal Lounge.

To learn more, or to book places, contact Nicola Shea on 0161 925 7990.

To learn more about events in Manchester, or to book places, contact Sarah Riley on 0161 447 5120.

Community allotment Kellett Street, Rochdale.

Come along on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and get involved in all aspects of organic fruit and vegetable growing. For more information, contact Naseem Ahmad on 01706 863306 or 07815 311125.

Bury over-55s day trip to the Lake District Fri 6 Jul. Includes return transport, short boat trip from Ambleside to Bowness, lunch and afternoon at leisure. Deadline for bookings 15 June. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Get Gleeful: Join the singing session s, be just like those TV stars and give your vocal cords a workout!

Youth drop-in centre Every Tue, 6pm-9pm,Gower Street Youth Base, Rochdale.

Advice sessions, plus help with CVs and job applications.

Coming this summer to Radcliffe Riverside School.

Age groups: 6-10 and 11-15. Look out for your poster!

Werneth and Freehold community development project. A women’s project is being set up and activities will include computer classes, sewing classes, cooking workshops and job-search

Radcliffe surgery Every Wednesday, 9.30am -12.30pm. Radcliffe Housing Benefit office, Whittaker Street, M26 2TD. For all sorts of enquiries relating to

Woodland wonder Wed 1 Aug, from 12pm.

Woodland School. Giving young people the chance to get involved with their local wood. Build confidence through activities including shelter building, tool use, fire lighting and cooking on open fires. For more information, or to book, call Philip Walker on 07917617330 or 01142 842061.

Figure finder

100%

Homes with gas servicing up to date

MyGreatPlace 23

s on ... what’s on ... what’s on ...what’s on ...

Local Area Forum update... Local Area Forum update...Local Area

Come along and talk to us!

What do you expect when you contact us? And what matters most to you... whether we do something quickly or we get it right first time?

These were just some of the questions asked at our local area forums in April. These events are your chance to meet the staff who work in your areas and discuss the issues that really matter to you, like anti-social behaviour, how your area looks and what’s new. It means we get a chance to hear what you really think, and fix any problems you might have!

Local Area Forums are also a chance for you to have your say about issues that affect all of our residents, like our service standards. These are the promises we make to residents – things like how quickly we

• Tenants in Bolton had their meeting at Boltonwise Learning and Training Centre, and most people signed up for training courses in English for speakers of other languages; numeracy; catering and introductory IT.

Getting the message: our community interpreters at work will contact you and how soon we’ll get things done. They’re also about the quality of work that we’ll do.

They also cover how we’ll deal with any particular needs you have – you might have a disability, specific family needs or maybe English isn’t your first language.

What went on at the last meetings?

We heard how some of our Preston tenants who speak other languages have signed up for a community interpreters’ course. They’ll complete 60 hours of study to be help remove language barriers in their communities.

• In Bury, our older residents were invited to a Healthy Hips and Hearts local area forum with Bury NHS Trust. They learned more about healthy living, and many asked for more details afterwards.

• On the Fylde Coast, there was a ‘green’ theme going on. Everyone received free bee-friendly seeds, and Blackpool tenants also had a talk from Groundworks about the environmentally-friendly work they do.

All the dates, times and places Blackburn

Thu 19 Jul, 12.30pm-2.30pm, The Ace Centre, Cross Street, Nelson BB9 7NH. Feedback on action plans from previous meeetings. Opportunity for all residents to discuss our local performance and issues. Information will be available on welfare reforms, saving money and local employment training and support. Pie and peas lunch and public transport costs will be paid/transport provided if necessary.

Figure finder

92%

Of residents are satisfied with our repairs service

24 MyGreatPlace

Call Louise Ramsay on 07767 644352 to book.

Blackpool

Wed 11 Jul, 12.30pm-2.30pm, Elk View Extra Care Scheme, Ashfield Road, Bispham, Blackpool FY2 0AF. Contact Gill Fernandez on 01253 750842 to book.

Bolton Date to be confirmed -

please look out for posters. Call Nick Shea on 0161 925 7990 to book.

Bury

Date to be confirmed - please look out for posters and flyers before the event. Call Nick Shea on 0161 925 7990 to book.

Oldham

Thu Jul 12, 1pm to 3pm, Link centre, Union street, Oldham.

Call Naseem Ahmad on 01706 863306 to book.

Salford

Date to be confirmed - please look out for posters and flyers before the event. Call Nick Shea on 0161 925 7990 to book.

Sheffield

Date to be confirmed - please look out for posters and flyers before the event.

Call Philip Walker on 07917617330 to book.

Manchester

Thursday Jul 19, 6pm-8pm, Northmoor Community Centre, 95-97 Northmoor Road, Longsight, Manchester. M12 5RT. Hot food will be provided.

Call Sarah Riley on 0161 447 5120 to book.

We’re spending record amounts to make your homes better!

163

Of you got new bathroom suites

641

565

New kitchens were fitted

A-rated fuel-efficient condensing boilers were installed

Every year Great Places spends heavily on your properties – carrying out a range of improvement work including replacing kitchens, bathrooms, windows, paintwork and more.

1,792

Properties were painted (over 300 more than in the previous year)

We work out how we’ll spend our money through a combination of tenants’ requests for works via our local area forums, our housing services department and our internal database.

Last year, the Great Places budget to spend on our investment works was our largest ever – £5million – here’s what we did with it!

55

109

Properties had new gas-supplied full heating systems installed

Homes got new external doors

289

Properties got new windows

And the best statistic of the lot... a massive of tenants we asked said they were happy with the work!

99%

This year’s investment budget will be even bigger!

If you want to find out more, call 0161 925 7950 or email investmentenquiries@greatplaces.org.uk.

MyGreatPlace 25 MyGreatPlace

WIN a laptop ... WIN a laptop ... WIN a laptop

Loads of laptops up for grabs... paid for by us!

Great Places gives £8,000 to help you online Do you need a laptop? Whether you would use it to apply for jobs, stay up to date with what’s going on, keep in touch with people or further your IT skills, one of these portable computers could change your life.

They don’t come cheap though, and that’s why Great Places is offering all residents the chance to win one - or get hold of one at a bargain price!

Great Places is going even further, and has agreed to spend a massive £8,000 on laptops and PCs for some residents who need them most. You could win one, paid for by us!

And, just to make things even easier for you, we’ll also give you a free dongle, so you can access the internet wherever you are.

WIN!

We’ve got on board with the government’s ‘Race Online 2012’ scheme, which offers good condition, refurbished PCs and laptops, which can be bought from just £99.

Contact 03719 100 100 to find out more.

To enter, just fill in the application form below and return it by July 1 to: VOICE Laptop Fund, Great Places, 729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT. Entries go into a prize draw; winners will be picked at random. If you don’t hear back from us by September 1, assume you’ve been unsuccessful.

APPLICATION FORM DEADLINE: JULY 1 Name

Address

Phone number

Email

Number of people in your house 26 MyGreatPlace

Do you receive any of these benefits? If so, please circle the relevant ones below.

• Housing Benefit • Income Support • Jobseeker’s allowance • Pension credit • Disability Living Allowance • Attendance Allowance /Constant Attendance Allowance • Incapacity Benefit /Employment and Support Allowance • Disability element of Working Tax Credit

What are you applying for? (please circle) Laptop PC Who is your neighbourhood officer?

On a separate piece of paper, tell us in between 100-250 words why you want a laptop, and how would it benefit you.

These laptops /PCs are not to be used for immoral/illegal purposes. Tick the box to confirm you agree to this.

TSC talk: your values, your views... your voice Christine Goulden, chair of the Tenant Services Committee, gives her regular update on what your reps have been up to

I

t’s been a busy few months for the Tenant Services Committee (TSC) – as usual, we’re still monitoring how well Great Places delivers services to you, and working hard to make sure there are improvements when needed.

Here’s an overview of what we’ve been up to...

Who we are, what we do The Tenant Services Committee is a tenant-led, decision-making body that operates at the highest level and means that Great Places is accountable to tenants. Members examine our services, monitor performance matters, approve changes and improvements and question how we do things. It also sends key messages from tenants to the Great Places Group Board.

• The TSC has also challenged Great Places to ensure that their new properties are affordable for tenants.

• We’ve approved the Great Places local lettings policy, to ensure that as many people as possible can access our homes.

Making key decisions

• We’ve agreed that

the 2012 annual tenant event can be delivered in a family-friendly way again, following the success of the zoo trip last year (see page 20 for more on this).

• We signed off a policy to help us deal

with tenants who are sub-letting their homes, or who have provided the wrong information in their application to get a home they don’t qualify for.

Keeping it in check

We’re constantly monitoring:

• How well we deliver repairs; •

How we deal with complaints, and what we learn from them;

• How quickly we re-let empty properties.

Want to find out more? Call Pauline Heron on 0161 925 7938 or email goforit@greatplaces.org.uk

Raising the royal standards... it’s a different world!

What’s going on in your area for the Queen’s diamond jubilee?

It’s making me think about how different things were when the coronation took place... there were plenty of street parties then! I lived in a rented terrace house with an outside loo.

Repairs were non-existent and the only tenant involvement was only when the rent man came round!

Now, things couldn’t be more different.

I have a bathroom and a modern kitchen, heating, hot water and double glazing. I know Great Places will fix problems, and offer financial advice, too. We’re also given lots of opportunities to get involved. It’s a different world! Enjoy your celebrations safe in the knowledge that we’re doing our best for you.

Dereck’s at your service!

Introducing our new TSC member, Dereck Waters – he’s raring to get started and help all of our tenants get a fair deal “I’m originally from Lytham in Lancashire. My wife and I have lived in a Great Places property since December 2009. They were new-build flats, and were finished off to a such a high standard that they deserved to be looked after. We wanted to be involved right from the word go, so when Great Places asked for volunteers, I said I’d be a community rep – and that’s where it all started!

“I went along to a local area forum meeting and was amazed that Great Places shared information so openly. I became a member of other tenant groups, and enjoyed the experiences and training on offer.

“I think I’m going to really like being on the TSC - it’s great that as tenants, we’re given so much authority to make key decisions on behalf of so many people.

“I can’t wait to contribute, and have a direct influence on the way the Great Places works.

I’ll try to make sure that our best interests are always being met.”

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27 days Average time to re-let empty homes

MyGreatPlace 27

Helping youyou stretch finances Helping get the mostfurther from your money

Call it quits to save Are you a smoker who wants to give up?

Quitting isn’t easy, but when you see the drastic improvements it can make to your life and health, you’ll realise the benefits of stopping are huge.

The damage that smoking causes to your body is horrible, and your second-hand smoke can also cause problems for everybody else, too.

Your adviser will tell you about nicotine replacement products and other stop-smoking medicines, and recommend which product or combination of products could work for you.

How it will work

We use a carbon monoxide monitor to measure your levels of carbon monoxide.

This is a great motivational tool because it helps you to see the benefits of giving up smoking.

It is estimated that smoking can cost the average person £2,000 a year. The Great Places Financial Inclusion Team has linked up with Blackpool NHS and can help you get on the Smokefree programme wherever you live. You could save a fortune... and your life!

What to expect

Why it will help you

A problem shared...

Many people find that sharing the experience with others is really helpful in itself. You’ve got lots to lose and everything to gain, so why not give it a go?

If you sign up, we’ll get you working with a trained adviser; either in a group or one-toone. The sessions usually start a couple of weeks before you quit.

Find out more

For more details contact the Financial Inclusion Team on 0300 123 1966, e-mail financial.inclusion@greatplaces.org.uk or call Smokefree on 0800 022 4 332.

Benefit changes: are you affected?

The government is making some key changes to a couple of benefits.

Contributory Employment and Support Allowance From May 1 2012, people who

have previously worked and are in the Work Related Activity Group of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) will have their claims limited to one a year.

Income support

From May 21 2012, if you are

a single parent claiming Income Support and your youngest child is aged five or over, you will move from Income Support to Jobseeker’s Allowance, or if you are unable to work you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

If you need help understanding these changes, call us on 0300 123 1966, or email us at financial inclusionteam@greatplaces.org.uk

Buy smarter: and avoid huge interest on your loans!

There’s always adverts on TV for ‘pay-day loan’ companies or weekly payment stores, such as Brighthouse and Perfect Home.

These lenders claim to offer ‘easy’ borrowing, 28 MyGreatPlace

but their interest rates are really high, so you can stack up huge debts if you decide to borrow from these firms!

Smarterbuys is a discount deal scheme designed to offer a

credible alternative to highinterest stores and loan sharks.

It is a website that will offer key household items, including furniture, electrical items and white goods, at a significant discount from the RRP. You can pay for items online and

if you need a loan, you’ll be directed to a reputable credit union in your area.

Find out more

For more information and to see the current deals available, log on to www.smarterbuys.org.uk.

Play takes bite out of loan sharks

W

e’ve been getting all theatrical at Great Places recently, as our financial support co-ordinator Karen Burns made her radio debut on Heather Stott’s BBC Radio Manchester show to talk about an exciting stage show.

Karen was joined by Jo Fisher, director of the Footlights Theatre, and 15-year-old actor Adam Chahbourne to talk about the exciting performance of “Just a few quid,” a play about the dangers of loan sharks. Our financial inclusion and Salford neighbourhood teams worked with Footlights on the project, and money recovered from convicted loan sharks was used to fund the performance, which was a big success.

Karen said: “Great Places was contacted by the Illegal Money Lending team to ask if we wanted to take part in the project.

We had already worked with that team in the past, and put on several community events together highlighting the dangers.

“The message we got across is the stark truth of what can really happen if you get involved with a loan shark, and we got some brilliant feedback. People seemed to really take the key messages on board, which is great news.”

You can report illegal money-lenders to Great Places on 0300 123 1966 or to the Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 2222. You can also call Great Places to ask about credit unions in your area.

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88%

Of residents are satisfied with rent representing value for money

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4.1% Percentage of rent not paid on time

MyGreatPlace 29

Digging our garden competition: green fingers could grab you £30 Are you a keen gardener, or do you know someone who is? Then nominate yourself or encourage green-fingered neighbours to enter the Great Places Gardening Competition... you could win up to £30 prize money! We want your nominations, wherever you live, however old you are. The competition is open to all residents.

It’s free to enter, and you could win prizes of up to £30. Send all your entries back to the Salford address below, no matter where you live, and judges from your area will come to see your gardens/green spaces.

Unfortunately over the last few years, we’ve received fewer nominations for the competition so this could be its last year unless there’s a big demand to keep it. If you want it to stay, make sure you enter!

Entry form 2012 Closing date: June 15 Best garden

This can be an individual garden or a communal effort - big or small, if you’re proud of it then let us know. It could be a winner!

Best pots or hanging baskets

Do you have perfect pots or beautiful baskets? Tell us about them and our judges will come out to see for themselves.

Most environmentally-friendly garden

For people with green fingers and a green attitude; perhaps you’re using recycled materials or organic compost. Get entering!

Name ............................................................................................................................................

Address ......................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................

Phone ....................................................... email ........................................................................

Post this form to FREEPOST, RSET-BJBG-YACS, Nick Shea, community development co-ordinator, Great Places Housing Group, 4th Floor, St. James’s House, Pendleton Way, Salford, M6 5FW, or email nicola.shea@greatplaces.org.uk 30 MyGreatPlace

A growing relationship Residents at The Byrons are sharing their skills with 85 local schoolchildren... in the garden as well as their new kitchen!

C

hildren at Camberwell School in Manchester have been cooking up a treat in their new kitchen - or “creation station,” as they’re calling it - thanks to a grant secured by Great Places.

The 85 pupils at the school, which caters for two to 11-year-olds with disabilities and learning difficulties, have planted a community garden in their ‘learn about food’ project to teach them about gardening, cooking and working with older people.

Residents from The Byrons, our neighbouring extra-care scheme for the over-55s, are also heavily involved in the project and have been sharing their skills in the garden and the kitchen.

The Byrons’ residents have been working with the children over the past few weeks to create their new ‘growing area’, which they will plant up with the support of staff and members of the community. They’re growing fruit, vegetables and herbs in raised beds, and have plans for a greenhouse and storage area too.

T

he brand new kitchen has been built in a portacabin and was officially opened earlier this month. It was donated

by The Casey Group, whose staff donated their time to help fit it for free. It’s a real community

Recipe for success - Pupil Joshua Tyler with Byrons resident Annie McCabe, top: Dave Dunn of Casey with Dylan McCabe, Joshua and Annie, left: Annie and Dylan are joined by and Cllr Harry Lyons, Lord Mayor of Manchester, to officially cut the red ribbon and open the new kitchen, above. effort, as local businesses have also kindly donated seeds, wood, equipment and tools.

Tenants at The Byrons will go along to weekly gardening sessions, and members of the wider community are getting involved too.

Great Places’ operations manager Carlie Ford says: “We are really proud to be working closely with our neighbours at the school. It’s great to see young and older people working together like this, and everyone involved is looking forward to tasting the treats cooked up in the kitchen!”

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96.1% Total repairs completed on time

MyGreatPlace 31

A bite much worse than their bark?

Tightening the leash on dangerous dogs Following a recent increase in dog attacks on staff members doing their job in the community, Great Places is launching a campaign to tackle responsible pet ownership.

Great Places has a duty of care for all staff. With that in mind, the organisation has written

a new pet policy to take a hard line against irresponsible owners, and make sure that employees are safe when they’re visiting residents.

• Japanese Tosa • Dogo Argentino • Fila Braziliero • Some Pit Bull Terriers

As stated in your tenancy agreement, written permission is needed from Great Places if you have, or would like to get, any pet. Over the coming months, Great Places will be contacting residents to find out what pets you have - so please be co-operative.

There’s also a list of dangerous dogs, which includes the Japanese Akita, Rottweiler and German Shepherd (Alsatian). For a full list please contact your local council.

The current list of dogs that are banned in the UK is as follows:

For more details or to tell us about any dangerous dogs in your area, contact the customer access team on 0300 123 1966.

Inspectors are calling... want to be one?

A huge thanks to Great Places’ team of resident inspectors who have been checking our services to ensure they meet service standards. Recent inspections covered: • Empty properties – ready for let • Local office reception areas

• Staff voicemail messages • Sign-up meeting observations We’ve had some positive and constructive feedback!

Inspectors confirmed that a high percentage of empty properties meet the re-let standard; our reception areas will now be checked on a weekly basis; and the staff telephone numbers list has been updated; and

teams have been reminded about keeping voicemail messages up- todate and accurate.

If you want to join the team or find out more, contact Tracy Gregory on 0161 925 7918 (or email tracy.gregory@ greatplaces.org.uk). Inspections take place year-round, so there’s always something going on - you could help us make key changes!

Send usyouryour emailandaddress and win Send us email address win Fancy winning £25 in gift vouchers?

It couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is send us your email address!

That’s what Maureen Copeland, Trevor Danson and Joyce Hitchon did - they won vouchers, and there are even more up for grabs, so email us today!

Everyone who sends their email address to our customer access team at cat@greatplaces.org.uk before Friday 20 July will be entered into a prize draw to win the gift vouchers.

32 MyGreatPlace

At the moment, Great Places sends most of its information to you by post but we want to change the way you find out about news and events.

£25

Sending information by email means you’ll get it much quicker; it saves paper, too, so it’s much greener.

Don’t worry if you haven’t got an email address. We’ll send you information in the post as normal, or contact you by phone.

Email cat@greatplaces.org.uk by 20 July – including your name, postal address and phone number – and your name will be put into the prize draw. Best of luck!

We’ve been inundated with messages from Great Places tenants since the last edition of My Great Place was published. So, keep filling in the form below and let us know what you think. Whatever you want to say about Great Places and our services, good or bad, we want to hear it! Your comments will be passed on to the relevant staff.

Name ............................................................................................................................................

Address ......................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................

Phone ....................................................... email ........................................................................

Is it ok for us to print your comments with your name and area where you live in this magazine?

yes

no

Post your comment to FREEPOST, RSET-BJBG-YACS, Maria Morris, Great Places Housing Group, 4th floor, St James’ House, Pendleton Way, Salford, M6 5FW Don’t forget to enter our prize wordsearch over the page!

MyGreatPlace 33

! s r e h c u o v n i 5 2 Win £ 3 chan

We’re approaching the end of spring, so thought we’d say goodbye to the season by making it the subject of this edition’s wordsearch. Find them all and three lucky readers could win £25 in vouchers. So, get cracking!

Send your entry by post to: FREEPOST, R L S C - H L L J - E Z R Z , Julia Graham, Great Places Housing Group, Southern Gate, 729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT.

ce to win s !

Closing date: August 20

You don’t need a stamp!

Fill in your name and address on the form over the page ... and please take the chance to have your say on our services A

Bank Holiday Bulbs Bunnies Blossom Chicks Daffodil Easter Eggs Flowers Hay Fever Hot Cross Buns Light Nights May Day Spring Snowdrops

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Walks

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Have you won?

9

Congratulations to the three lucky winners who successfully completed the 10 wordsearch in the last issue.

Each wins £25 of vouchers.

11 They are as follows:

Mrs D Fender, Blackburn Joyce Chirambo, Manchester

12

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Charlotte Rydeheard, Blackburn Remember: write your name and address clearly when you fill in your entry. If we can’t read it, you can’t win it!

34 MyGreatPlace

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U GB S WA L K S K C I HC Y S NU B S S O R C T OH F I N C I L A G P T U O S Y A DNH G T B N N R M A Y D A Y CCH F NS K I I S I I RUFR I N L I GH T N I GH T SEFPT OAA O A GO NRNDVEBD WPR L R C B U N N I E S L N E ED I O L W A R MNR TOH R NE D C E N F S ONG I SD S EN A E A S T E R AHVSN P R I Y D NW A L WOMA OO L A NW L I D O F F A D LM L N EG G S N O WD R OP S A E S PR I N GR R I B D I ACO Answer Key HTML

Answer Key PDF

List this puzzle for the public

Printable HTML

Printable PDF

SPRING DAFFO EGGS CHICKS BUNNIE FLOWE BLOSS BANKH MAYDA SNOWD HOTCR WARM LIGHTN EASTE PICNIC DAYSO FESTIV WALKS BULBS MOWLA GARDE SPRING DECOR PAINTI HAYFE

Other puzzles by a

‫اذا كنت تريد الحصول على ھذه المعلومة بلغة اخرى او بخط اكبر او بخط البريل او على قرص مضغوط الرجاء‬ ‫االتصال بنا‬

Arabic

Bangla

If you would like this information in another language, large print, Braille or on CD, then please contact us.

English

If you would like this information in another language, large print, Braille or on CD, then please contact us.

French

Si vous voulez ces informations dans une autre langue, en gros caractères, en Braille, ou en cassette, alors veuillez nous contacter.

Gujarati

W celu uzyskania tych informacji w innych jezykach, wiekszym wydruku, zapisanych alfabetem Braillea lub na kasecie, skontaktuj sie z nami.

Polish

Hadii aad u bahantahay warbixintan oo luqad kale ku turjuman , ama far aad u waa weyn ku qoran ama farta indhoolaha ama isagoo cajalad ku duuban oo maqal ah fadalan nalasoo xidhiidh.

Somali

Tigrinian

Urdu

0300 123 1966 8am to 6pm 07797 870734

Call our customer access team (CAT) on Calls are charged at local rate. You can also text us on

This magazine is printed on environmentally friendly paper. When you have finished with it please recycle it.

ARABIC

MyGreatPlace 35

Need to call us? It’s cheap and easy! Just ring this number:

0300 123 1966 Wherever you live!

or simply text us on

07797 870 734

8am to 6pm ay Monday to Frid It’s local rate

Calls may be recorded for training and

quality purposes

Blackburn office

Ground Floor, Park Bank House, 52a Preston New Road, Blackburn BB2 6AH Opening hours: Mondays 9.30am to 5pm, Thursdays 9.30am to 12.30pm

Cheshire office

106 Longridge, Knutsford, WA16 8PD Opening hours: Monday only 9.30am to 4.30pm

Fylde office

336 Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 3QU Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Great Places head office

Southern Gate, 729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm

Manchester office

Southern Gate, 729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm

Oldham office

119 Union Street, Oldham OL1 1TE Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Salford office

4th Floor, St James’s House, Pendleton Way, Salford M6 5FW Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Sheffield office

The Quadrant, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield SS9 4WG Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Your repairs numbers!

If you live in South Yorkshire, call Kier between 8am to 4.30pm on:

0114 205 3600

For out-of-hours emergencies, call:

0114 273 0101

36 MyGreatPlace

If you live in Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Salford, Stockport, Tameside or Trafford call Great Places between 8am and 6pm weekdays on:

0300 123 1966

Press 1 for repairs.

You can also use this number for out-of-hours emergencies.

You can also visit our website at www.greatplaces.org.uk If you live in Bolton, Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Chorley, Congleton, Fylde, High Peak, Hyndburn, Knutsford, Lancaster, Liverpool, Macclesfield, Morecambe, Pendle, Preston, Ribble, Rochdale, Rossendale, South Ribble, St Helens, Stoke-on-Trent, Warrington, Wigan or Wyre, call Cruden between 8am to 6pm weekdays on:

0300 1234 599

You can also use this number for out-of hours emergencies.