Autumn 2013
Want to work? Former Pomona Gardens resident Liam Gray takes his opportunity
Community Stars Awards Do you know someone who’s played a starring role in your neighbourhood?
Sashaying her way to success
Springboard
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Cover stars:
Autumn 2013
Want to work? Former Pomona Gardens resident Liam Gray takes his opportunity
Community Stars Awards Do you know someone who’s played a starring role in your neighbourhood?
Sashaying her way to success
Springboard
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Former Pomona Gardens’ resident, Liam Gray on page 4.
WELCOME TO
Autumn 2013 Welcome to this autumn issue of Springboard. We’ve got another uplifting magazine for you with stories to warm your heart as the nights get colder. The stand-out theme is giving something back: whether that’s through volunteering, work or just being an integral part of your community. In this issue it’s your opportunity to highlight the work of someone you think has made a real difference in your project or neighbourhood. Turn to pages 12-13 and nominate that special person/project for a Great Places Community Stars Award! Jane Greenhalgh Assistant Director (Supported Housing)
What’s inside? Regulars
6 News: a round-up of Great Places stories 8-9 Your news: what you’ve been up to! 10-11 Your words: life stories written or spoken by you 16 Competitions: win cash vouchers with our wordsearch and spot the difference
Features
FSC AND WORLD LAND TRUST LOGOS
Opportunity knocks
Advice to benefit you:
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Community Stars Awards
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Surf’s up! Get on IT
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You could win £20 in high street vouchers in our two competitions,
you’ll find them on the back page.
Springboard
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Opportunity knocks The job market is really tough at the minute, and youth unemployment is at an all-time high. But did you know, Great Places can open doors to work, training and volunteering? Springboard went to meet Liam Gray who works in our repairs team.
Liam would be the first to admit he was in a bad place before going to live at Pomona Gardens, one of our supported housing projects for homeless people in Trafford. “It turned my life around. It was great – the staff, the people. It doesn’t get as much credit as it should,” he says. Now he’s moved into his own flat in Salford and, in his words, is “getting everything together now”. He was introduced by Great Places to a 10-week maintenance course at Salford City College campus which covered bricklaying, basic painting and decorating, and joinery. Liam then found out about Build, Learn, Grow, a partnership between Great Places Housing Group, Bolton at Home, Seddon and Southdale offering apprenticeship places. Now he’s doing unpaid voluntary work with our repairs team and is revelling in the opportunity. “I’m doing this for a bit of experience and thoroughly enjoying it. I’m allowed to do up to 30 hours a week voluntary as I’m also on Jobseekers. Everything’s looking up. Originally I wanted to get into plastering but now I’m more into the maintenance side, especially now I’ve got my own place. “I believe there’s a position coming up for an apprentice soon so I’m going to apply for that. I’ve also got an interview with Seddon this month. I’ve had about three job opportunities in one month.”
For more information on work, training and volunteering opportunities, email GoTeam@ greatplaces.org.uk or visit www.greatplaces.org. uk and look in the ‘What we do’ section under ‘Jobs and training in the community.’ Alternatively you can discuss opportunities with your support worker.
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News
Matt’s message I hope everyone has enjoyed the summer and made the most of the good weather. I’ve been in the job for nearly six months and one of the things I’ve been doing is getting out and about as often as possible to meet you and to find out what you think about the services we provide. Some of the feedback has been around the level of service you receive when you ring in for a repair. I’ve listened to what you’ve been telling us and have taken on more staff to handle the calls so hopefully this will improve the situation, but it’s something I will be keeping an eye on.
has been downgraded because of the way my predecessor’s retirement package was agreed. I would like to reassure you this has had no effect on the way we operate and we are recruiting new board members to strengthen the way we are governed. Finally, this is an optimistic time for most football fans as they cling to the hope their team will have a successful season. Sadly we are only in September and any hopes of promotion for my team Sheffield Wednesday are looking unlikely. So if you support a football team I hope your side is doing better than mine!
You may have also heard that our regulator’s rating of our governance arrangements, the way the board oversees Great Places,
Countdown to Kenya! Three of our staff are currently in Kenya volunteering at the Walk Centre in Nakuru, which provides free education, food and support to children of the Hilton slum. Steve, Ruth and David have endured several visits to the doctors and numerous large needles, but they’ve been fundraising like mad over the last year. Following on from the epic bike rides and swims across lakes, they’ve just completed a sponsored walk across the Yorkshire three peaks! We’ve been raising money and volunteering at the Walk Centre for the past eight years in memory of the late Reverend John Banks who sadly passed away in 2004. Reverend Banks was the founder and once president of Manchester Methodist Housing Association, which has since evolved into Great Places Housing Group. Good luck to our very own volunteers! Follow their progress at: www.volunteersforkenya.org.uk
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Advice to benefit you
Feature
Springboard gives you the lowdown on Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payments and Council Tax reductions
Universal Credit
will replace six different benefits: Housing benefit, Income based Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Income based Employment Support Allowance, Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits. Most claimants will get the same amount of money as they do now and all other benefits will be paid as normal. Some supported housing residents will continue to receive housing benefit even if they move onto Universal Credit, and may be able to have rent payments made direct to their landlord. The details are still being worked out, but if you are told you are moving onto Universal Credit please contact us for more information and help.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
has now been replaced by Personal Independence Payments (PIPS). There are differences in the way claimants will be assessed. If you claim DLP there are some key dates to note: 8th April 2013 – if you are 65 or over on this date you will not be affected and will stay on DLA. Under 16s will also continue to claim DLA. October 2013 – existing DLA claims will be reassessed for PIP if they are
When? Tameside, Oldham, Warrington and Wigan are the first areas to take new claims. Other areas will introduce Universal Credit between October 2013 and 2017.
Who? Only new claims will be invited to apply for Universal Credit. If you have a change of circumstance, eg you move, have a baby, death in the household then you may then be moved onto Universal Credit.
How? If you’re eligible, you’ll get one payment, every calendar month, into a single bank or Post Office account. This will be a big change if you are used to managing your money weekly or fortnightly. If your housing benefit is currently paid directly to Great Places, you’ll have to arrange to pay your rent out of your Universal Credit payment.
coming up for renewal, or a child turns 16 or if you have an indefinite award and you report a change in your condition.
moved over to PIP.
7th October 2015 – if you have an indefinite award and your condition stays the same you will not be affected until after this date.
If you qualify you’ll be sent an application form where you’ll have the opportunity to tell your story. If successful you’ll receive a letter, and if unsuccessful the assessor will try to ring to explain why.
If your claim is coming up for renewal the DWP will
write to you and tell you that your DLA claim has come to an end and invite you to apply for PIP. You must apply, you will not be automatically
To apply for PIP you must ring the helpline on 0800 917 2222.
We can help you fill in the application form. Just contact CAT@greatplaces. org.uk or call 0300 123 1966.
Council tax reduction scheme If you are the only person aged 18 or over living in your property, or the only other person is a full time student make sure you claim your 25% reduction in your council tax Springboard 7 bill. Contact your local council tax department for more information.
Your news Docherty gets dirty! The Docherty Project held an informal open day to coincide with the planting of their reinvigorated veg patch and new herb garden, attended by chief executive Matt Harrison. Ahead of the day residents helped bake some treats for the planting crew, with Louis Kirkwood and project support worker Scott Woods making a lovely lemon drizzle cake, and Angela Elliott making a batch of her famous cheese scones. Paul Baguley, project support worker, also slaved in the kitchen on his night shift. Louis and Tony Burns, our resident photography experts, had their cameras out capturing the hive of activity.
Sophie’s summer How does Pomona’s fair fun garden grow?
Sophie Harris, who lives at our young mum’s project in Ellen Court, Bury, found herself sandwiched between two community policemen at the project’s successful summer fair!
The greenhouse is up, the vegetable beds are ready, and the tomato and chilli plants are in! The Pomona Garden project has well and truly started. The ‘daddy’ of the project is resident Michael Jackson who’s been working very hard in the garden and is applying for more funding to buy plants and seeds. “I find the garden really calm and relaxing,” said Michael.
Bury College will welcome Sophie onto an A ‘level business course this month which after one year will guarantee her a place at university. “Eventually I want to run my own business and have people working for me,” said Sophie.
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Louis’ cycle session
Docherty Project resident Louis and project support worker, Scott, conducted their co-key working session in the park, on their bikes!
Off to Wales we go!
Off to Wales we go!
Llandudno was the perfect destination for Next Step residents as they enjoyed views of the Orme and travelled on the Great Orme tramway. Manchester Community Transport provided a mini bus and driver with residents enjoying the drive to North Wales and noticing the signs saying leaving England and now in Wales.
They also enjoyed seeing words in Welsh and discussing the Welsh language. Eddie, one of the residents, said: “I enjoyed seeing the people, walking along the pier, going on the tram up the hill and seeing the sea. I give the entire day 10 out of 10.”
On the right path Daniella Jackson, a resident of In Partnership, a project for young women in Blackburn, is celebrating after gaining a place on the Access to Pathways course. The two-year course at Blackburn College aims to provide mature students with the grades to get to university. Eventually Daniella would like to go on and study midwifery at university.
Boogying with buggies!
Residents at Sarah Lodge, our supported housing project for young mums in Bolton, have been getting involved in buggy zumba – a weekly workout for the women using the dance fitness moves that have made the Colombian exercise routines so famous…with the added bonus of being able to take the little ones along to enjoy it too!
Taking the next step Residents at Next Step, a mental health project in Manchester, got all goggle-eyed when they took part in an interactive session about the effect of alcohol on the body. A couple of brave volunteers had to don a pair of goggles and attempt to play ten pin bowling to demonstrate the intoxicating effect.
Howard is going for Gold! On most Sundays you’ll find former William Lyons House resident Howard Humphrey pounding the pavements of Stanley Park in Blackpool or out competing in local half marathons or 10k fun runs. During his time at William Lyons he completed four half marathons (his
time was two hours), four 10K fun runs in about 53 minutes each. Howard also completed the Longridge 7 and the Blackpool Christmas 5-mile.
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Your words
Youthful ambition Gemma Gillespie is grasping the opportunities shown to her and carving out a career in youth work.
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My name is Gemma Gillespie and I am a resident at Lorna Lodge, a teenage mother and baby unit in Wythenshawe. I have just finished studying for a diploma in Health & Social Care level 2 and youth and community at Stockport College which I hope will lead to employment. I would eventually like to be a youth worker and in order to gain experience I applied to Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, the local housing provider, as I wanted to do some volunteering work with the local youth centre. I had an interview with a great lady who told me about the opportunities that are available and they invited me to their volunteer meetings. I found Wendy Hall and Janet Brogan very helpful and have now been given a placement at the Lifestyle Centre working with young people ranging from 10 – 24 years of age.
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Pictured: Wendy Hall, Wythenshawe Community Housing, Gemma Gillespie, her son Dillan and Pam Moran.
I enjoy working with this age range and being involved organising the activities, and the fact that young people feel comfy knowing they can come and talk to me. I’m hoping that by doing this I will be taken on to complete my level 3 and maybe eventually employment. As a young mother I would just like to take the time to say it’s never too late to start a career – you can achieve anything that you want if you put your mind to it. Flo and Pam have really helped me with finding course information, applying for nursery fees and support needed to achieve my goals. The support I have received from Lorna Lodge is great, knowing there is always someone there for help.
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Speak to your support worker if you would like more training or help to get a job.
Your words
Sashaying her way to success
Sashay Medley has recently completed the NOCN qualification, a new course that will be delivered to all residents living in supported housing projects. It aims to give residents practical skills that will help them in their day-to-day lives when they move on. The course is all about how to look after yourself when “ you move on, how to manage your money, how to look after your home, how to save. I’ve learnt lots of new skills – saving money was the biggest help. I’ve saved £900 in a year. I had an emergency and had to go to Jamaica or I would’ve had more. I did it through no takeaways and more home cooking, and not going out! It was hard work. It was all about practical skills. My son Kai is two and I will have been here for two years in November. I’ve got another one on the way so I’m hoping to move nearer my mum who lives in Fallowfield. I’m doing my level 3 Childcare at the moment and working part-time in a nursery in Fallowfield. It’s really hard but I love it. You’ve got to have real patience to do the job. I do 16 hours placement and 10 hours paid a week. Kai goes to the nursery with me – he loves it. I’ve really changed since I’ve been here – my timekeeping has improved. Flo gave me the booklet and I sat down and did all that I could in one night. It took us about two days to do the little bits. I’ve done lots of research! Florence Yaluma, project support worker at Lorna Lodge, said: “She has been very dedicated raising a young child, studying and working, Sashay and Gemma (featured on the opposite page) were the first people to do this course. It’s about showing evidence. Most of the other girls have now registered and we’re going to deliver the course to everybody else.
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What is the NOCN Qualification? Jacqui McCann, operations manager, explains: “It stands for National Open College Network. This Tenancy Skills qualification was developed as part of an initiative to encourage residents to achieve qualifications and to help them demonstrate to potential landlords they have the relevant skills to manage a tenancy. We worked with the NOCN to develop an accredited qualification for the Great Places STEPs programme. We are currently in the process of rolling this out across supported housing for residents wishing to achieve a recognised qualification and aim to offer an employment skills qualification in the future.” If you want to know more about this please ask your project support worker.
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Great Places’ Who should we roll out the red carpet for in your neighbourhood? Who’s made a contribution in your area that puts them in the spotlight? Who are the unsung heroes in your community who deserve a mention?
You can help them get the recognition they deserve by nominating them for an award in our newly named Great Places’ Community Stars Awards! It’s easy – all you have to do is phone Maria Morris on 0161 925 7928 or email maria.morris@ greatplaces.org.uk and ask for a nomination form. All Great Places residents can nominate someone. The closing date is Friday 8 November 2013 so make sure you get your forms in before then!
We’ll be holding a special awards ceremony in January to celebrate the hard work that residents and their neighbours put in to make their neighbourhood a better place. Look out for information about the nominees and the winners on our website.
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Award categories Good Neighbour Award
A person who goes out of their way to care for others in their neighbourhood – maybe they help with an older person’s shopping, provide a shoulder to cry on, support neighbours in times of need, help to bring the street together for social events.
Young Resident Award A person aged 25 or under who has worked to improve their area, made a positive difference to someone else’s life or stood up to bullying, hate crime, racism or other forms of anti-social behaviour, or shown particular bravery. Community Project Award
Do you know of a standout project in your area that’s impressed you? Has it transformed the place where you live or brought people together?
Community/Residents Group Award A group of residents who’ve pulled together to make a significant difference to where they live. Maybe they’ve helped to bring improvements to your building, set up social events to bring the community together or raised money to transform green space near your home. Green Award
An individual or group who have suggested or worked towards a new scheme or idea which has made a difference environmentally to a community. This could include a wildlife garden, community recycling or any other ‘green’ scheme.
Older Resident Award
A person aged 70 or over who works tirelessly to improve their community. They may have been working in their neighbourhood for years and have never received recognition.
Supported Housing Resident Award
A person who lives in one of our supported housing schemes who has made a real difference to the lives of others: they may have gone the extra mile to help a fellow resident, started up a group, or got involved in a community initiative.
Supported Housing Scheme Award
Is there one of our projects which stands head and shoulders above the rest? Has it become an important part of the community? It could be a scheme for young people, young parents, homeless, alcohol dependents, people with learning disabilities or those with mental health issues.
Community Champion Award This person will already be an important part of the community. Maybe they run the local youth club or help in the local school as a volunteer. They might be a key person in the local church or the chief organiser of the community fair. Are you of a who residents’ doing Is there someone frompart Great Places has gone thegroup extra milethat’s for residents? Who do you think embodies our vision: Strong,amazing Bright and Real? things? Let us know by emailing Great Places’Staff Award
communications@greatplaces.org.uk
How to enter – it ’s easy • Nominees for the Young Resident Award should be under 25. • Great Places staff can nominate individuals and groups. You can nominate someone by emailing Maria Morris at maria.morris@greatplaces.org.uk or calling her on 0161 925 7928, or writing to her at the following address: 4th Floor, St James’ House, Pendleton Way, Salford, M6 5FW Springboard 13 :
closing date Friday 8 November:
How we’re doing We want to regularly keep you up to date on how well we’re serving you in a number of areas. See below for the latest facts & figures on our performance. Every month we’ll update these on our website. Just visit www.greatplaces.org.uk, click on the ‘What we do’ section and visit the ‘How we’re performing’ page.
Quality of service of you are satisfied with our overall service 86% across our supported housing of you are satisfied with the actual 88% support service Right first time of repairs are completed 74% at the first visit The personal touch of you are satisfied that your views are 78% taken into account At your convenience of repair appointments were made at 88% a time convenient for you 89% of these appointments were kept Keeping in contact
We’ve re-designed our complaints process so that you’re kept informed regularly with progress. We’ll start to monitor this through our complaints satisfaction surveys and you’ll be able to view the results monthly.
You can get more information and keep up to date on how we’re doing in the ‘What we do’ section on our new website: www.greatplaces.org.uk 14
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Feature
Surf’s up! Get on IT What you need…
Step 1 Use a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Safari, Google Chrome.
Step 2
You don’t have to have a computer and home broadband connection to access the internet. These days you can even access it on the beach. Other devices and places you can get connected on or at include: • Mobile phones • Tablets • At a library • Cyber or internet cafés
Use a trusted search engine like Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask.
Step 3 Want to search for benefits or bangles? Type it into your chosen search engine’s box and press the return key or ‘search’. Then start surfing!
Surf safe Look out for our ‘Surf Safe’ campaign which will be making residents aware of the dangers of using the web. Here are a few simple rules for you to follow: • Don’t give out personal information on public sites where everyone can see • Don’t arrange to meet anybody you’ve chatted with on the internet without telling someone where, and who, you’re going to meet • Tell your friends and family if you’re in contact with anyone who’s making you feel uncomfortable
• If anyone is harassing you or doing something online you find offensive, report it to the appropriate social media site and delete them from your friends/followers. If they are actually threatening you, report it to the police • Don’t open junk mail • Keep an eye on what your children are looking at and who they’re talking to on the internet Next issue we’ll look more closely at how to keep your children safe on the internet. Springboard 15
Competitions! You could win £20 in vouchers!
WORDSEARCH Congratulations to last issue’s winners:
David Pye, Heysham Jessica Itiokiet, Liverpool Gabby Crowther, Leyland
Have a go at this Community Stars Awards -themed wordsearch!
Words to find are: Nominate Resident Volunteer Community Initiative
Difference Winner Champion Star Helper
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.
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 15th November 2013.
Send your entries by post to: FREEPOST, RLSC-HLLJ-EZRZ, Springboard, Great Places Housing Group, Southern Gate, 729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT. 16
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Congratulations to last issue’s winners:
Eileen Pearson, Manchester Jamie Plumly, Blackpool Lynn Barlow, Northern Moor
All entries must be in by 15th November 2013
Remember you don’t need a stamp!