Springboard Winter 2013

Enjoy the festive season from everyone at Great Places! Check out your usual Springboard inside.

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Are you craving the type of adventure that only the great outdoors has to offer?

We want to find out what you think of Great Places and how we operate in your scheme.

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In return we’re running a free trip for 16–24 year olds to the Outward Bound Trust centre in Ullswater in the Lake District.

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Visit www.greatplaces.org.uk and search for outward bound or email cathy.mccormick@greatplaces.org.uk for details of what’s involved and how to apply.

Winter 2013

Realising dreams How Great Places Residents’ Fund is changing lives

YOUR ANNUAL REPORT

Find out more inside

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NOW YOU CAN FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA LIKE US ON FACEBOOK WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GREATPLACESHOUSING

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @MYGREATPLACE

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Write to Springboard at: Communications Great Places Southern Gate 729 Princess Road Manchester, M20 2LT

Email: communications@greatplaces.org.uk Facebook us at facebook.com/GreatPlacesHousing Tweet us @MyGreatPlace

Access for all We’ve already sent a magnifying sheet to our visually impaired residents. Let us know if you need one. An audio version of Springboard is also available.

Cover stars: Andy Johnson

Winter 2013

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WELCOME TO

Winter 2013 Welcome to this special Christmas issue of Springboard. We’ve got a bumper issue for you in this festive season with early presents for ARC (Association of Residents of the Croft) and a Kurling Club in Salford thanks to Great Places Residents’ Fund.

We also meet a couple who’ve saved thousands with help from our financial inclusion team. There’s also your annual report which highlights how we’re doing in supported housing. As always we have our regular features Your news and Your words, which feature some inspiring people and schemes.

From everyone at Great Places, have a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Jane Greenhalgh Assistant Director (Supported Housing)

What’s inside?

Regulars

10-11 Your news: what you’ve been up to!

13 News: Matt’s Christmas message 17 Your words: life stories written or spoken by you 20 Competitions: win cash vouchers with our wordsearch and spot the difference

Features Realising dreams

Right royal savings

Your annual report

Tenant scrutiny

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FSC AND WORLD LAND TRUST LOGOS

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Christmas recipe

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You could win £20 in high street vouchers in our two competitions, you’ll find them on the back page.

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residents’ fund feature

Realising Dreams Great Places Residents’ Fund gives you the money for projects that make a difference to your lives or the areas you live. Many of you have already applied for funding.

Springboard went to meet two successful applicants...

Salford Kurling Club was struggling to find money to continue, until they heard about Great Places Residents’ Fund You could be forgiven for being a little confused. Kurling....in a hall, on a gym floor rather than ice!? But this is the Emmanuel Centre in Salford, and the new home of the Kurling Club, a group of people from all walks of life who come together every week for a laugh and a chat...and to play some serious sport!

Great Places’ Mel Barber, community warden, explains: “The club was forced to relocate but to a very small room.

“Unfortunately it didn’t work out and numbers dwindled. Funding was coming to an end anyway so I put in an application on behalf of the group to try and continue it for another year.

“Thankfully we were successful and with the money were able to pay for room hire and some new equipment.”

With attendance picking up every week, the group brings together people from a variety of backgrounds for one hour.

And according to carer Lynn Donoghue, who brings a group from St George’s Day Centre (a place for people with learning difficulties), it’s a vital part of someone’s day and gets them out and about in the community.

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residents’ fund feature

Great Places Residents’ Fund

“This is the perfect place for us,” she says. “There’s not much for disabled people to do in this area so it’s ideal. We weren’t aware of what Great Places did in the community until we came here.”

Personal assistant Andy Barker is also thrilled about the group continuing. “When we started we were a little worried it wouldn’t carry on. Andy loves it here. There really shouldn’t be anyone lonely in Salford. The area has been deprived for long enough but things are improving.”

Thanks to everyone who applied to our fund.

We’ve had 46 applications, funded 24 so far and given out £25,000.

Great Places Shared Spaces Fund Six applications, all funded, and we’ve given out £29,000.

Don’t worry if you missed out!

You canSpringboard start applying 7 next April.

residents’ fund feature

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Lindsay Warburton, senior project officer, reveals how ARC (Association of Residents of the Croft) put on an open day to rival all open days, using £255 given by the residents’ fund Those of us who live at the Croft in Bolton had a pleasant surprise when we received invitations to attend an open day being organised by the newly formed ARC (Association of Residents of the Croft) in conjunction with Great Places.

Part of the car park had been transformed and took on the air of a village fête with a barbeque, gazebo and various stalls. There was a buzz about the place as residents and visitors arrived to be greeted by members of ARC and staff, and any personal worries about attending dissipated as we relaxed in each others company, and got to know our neighbours. ‘A residents’ association is a great idea,’ someone said as we shared a coffee, ‘not only does it give us a voice, but it shows the wider community that we at The Croft care about one another and are one big extended family’.

Greater Manchester fire brigade had a stall giving away freebies and safety advice, B&Q were present offering DIY tips and giving residents the opportunity to sign up for in-store master classes. They also donated a large house plant for the raffle.

Staff set up various craft classes from planting seeds to painting canvasses, all proving to be extremely popular and with some surprising results, The Croft has talent!

Also available was a lucky dip with some nice prizes, however it was the end of day raffle that had the ‘wow factor’ as far as prizes go. One resident stated: ‘today has been great, everyone has been friendly and I’m so glad I came along as it far exceeded my expectations’.

An extremely successful day ended with the chairman of ARC saying a few words on why ARC was formed and inviting residents to become involved.

Chair and secretary of ARC, said: ‘We are in our infancy as a residents’ group but our inaugural event was very, very successful and our members and visitors said how much they enjoyed it and look forward to future events. We would like to express our gratitude to those who helped and without whom it could have been very different.

The open day was the largest participation that The Croft has ever had.

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Feature

Pictured: Alison Johnstone with Dom and Eve King

Right royal savings When Dom and Eve King turned up at one of our local area forums, they didn’t think the result would be a significant boost to their bank balance. But that’s exactly what happened thanks to our financial support co-ordinator Alison Johnstone, who has saved the delighted couple a fortune.

“I knew the couple but hadn’t seen them for years, so arranged a home visit to do a benefit check and see if they were getting everything they were entitled to,” says Alison. “I quickly discovered that Mrs King was in receipt of pension guarantee credit, which allows you to get full housing benefit and full council tax benefit, despite having savings in the bank.”

The Kings have always paid their full rent and council tax since moving and had never had a problem with arrears, so the fact that they could claim was never picked up. “I ran a benefit check and it was confirmed that they should have been claiming years ago, when pension credit was received.

“Claims were completed quickly at my request and the couple received full housing benefit and full council tax benefit backdated for three months (maximum that you can get backdated).

“And, while all this was going on, Mrs King informed me that she had a letter from her electric company stating that her direct debit was being increased to £176 per month.

I noticed that they had Economy 7 electric storage heating but theirs is the only bungalow on the street and I knew that everyone else had recently had gas central heating installed. I told them I’d get it sorted for them and

“We’d never claimed any benefits in our lives, and had absolutely no idea how to go about it. We didn’t even know we were entitled to anything, let alone more than £5,000 a year!

“We couldn’t believe how easy the whole process was. Alison honestly couldn’t have been more helpful and we are absolutely delighted with the end result! Thank you so much!”

The numbers Rent refund Council Tax refund Annual Rent Saving Annual Council Tax Saving Total Saving

took the issue to our repairs team, who were great – and they’ll install gas central heating before winter sets in, so more savings will be made there!”

“We’re extremely grateful to Alison, who not only saved us a fortune, but did all the hard work for us – she even took it upon herself to submit our forms!” exclaims Eve.

£1,282.74 £300.12 £4,438.20 £988.95 £5,427.15

This year’s You Can Glow campaign, which helps residents save cash and stay warm and well in winter, ran in the first fortnight of November.

Our staff managed to visit approx 500 homes!

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Your news How does your garden grow?

Lorna Lodge residents are getting green-fingered by looking after the growing section in the back garden which has potatoes, spring onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, herbs and strawberries. The residents pick and use these and their children work together to make hanging baskets, re-plant window boxes and tubs in the courtyard.

Drop-in at Peel Grove Lorna Lodge in Wythenshawe hosted a resident event for the Manchester Dispersed Team who support people in the community.

Its aim was to gather together the residents who use this service to discuss what they would like to get out of the Peel Grove drop-in, held every Wednesday afternoon.

Our environmental officer, Lisa Mcauley was able to give an overview of how the Green team at Great Places looked at recycling and environmental issues. She told residents the benefits of avoiding waste by buying fruit and veg loose so that they are not using lots of packaging, and how, lots of waste is generated by 2 for 1 deals.

Recycling and composting was also discussed and how simple things like ensuring that tops are removed from bottles and containers are so important. Next Nicolette Aydin from the GO team discussed doing more for local communities.

Sharon Summers, senior project officer, said: “Residents were informed that they are a priority and that we are looking at offering opportunities for them within Great

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Places. We talked about the mentoring program and how they can benefit from this to enhance their options around employment and training, and discussed volunteering opportunities. We listened closely to residents and hope to put in place some of their suggestions in the future.”

Cooking up a storm Next Step residents have been donning their oven gloves and channelling the skills of Jamie Oliver, getting involved in a 6-week cooking course led by Community Food, Manchester.

The cooking took place every Wednesday with residents learning how to make a variety of homemade soups, pizza, stir frys, healthy desserts. Resident, Chris English, said: “I enjoyed cooking with other people and getting a better idea of how to make healthy foods.”

Your news Taking the plunge

Thanks to funding acquired by Great Places, residents from Rodney Street supported housing scheme in Liverpool took the plunge and went canoeing at the Water Sports Centre in Liverpool’s famous Albert Dock!

After having an induction, the residents were let loose into the Albert Dock. They had a race around,

Getting healthy

The young women at three of our supported housing schemes Ellen Court, Sarah Lodge and Olivia Lodge, have all learned about how to live a healthy lifestyle at a series of workshops and courses.

‘Safe choices’ was a four-week course for 15-25 year olds designed to build confidence and better understand relationships, abuse, and support residents to have healthier relationships in the future.

Ellen Court also held a “Health Day” to increase awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and to strengthen links with local health services. Organisations like Early Break (Drugs and

followed by a game of catch and then had some free time to practice everything they had learnt. All of the residents thoroughly enjoyed themselves and managed to pick up the skills required quickly – in fact, the event was so successful that two of the residents have even requested to volunteer at the Water Sports Centre.

alcohol team), Stepping Stones Children’s Centre, The Oral Health team, Smoking Cessation team and the YPAS (Sexual Health team).

The event ran for two hours and everyone was treated to a lovely healthy lunch. Residents were also offered the opportunity to obtain lots and lots of freebies and get involved in activities.

The event was a huge success and a number of residents said that they enjoyed the atmosphere and gained lots of valuable information.

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Feature

Christmas pud ice cream Cooking time: 10 mins Plus freezing Skill level: Easy Servings: 4 Stir the remnants of your Christmas pudding into a tub of vanilla ice cream for a super simple dessert.

Ingredients: • 1 litre tub vanilla ice cream, slightly softened • 200g leftover Christmas pudding, crumbled • Toffee sauce to serve Method: Whizz the ice cream in a food processor until smooth, fold in the Christmas pudding and scrape into a freezerproof container. Freeze for at least 2 hrs then scoop into bowls and top with toffee sauce.

For more fantastic recipies visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com which aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce food waste!

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Do you have a budget recipe you can send to us?

You’ll get a £10 voucher if we feature yours! Just email communications@greatplaces.org.uk with a good quality head and shoulders shot of yourself.

Matt’s Christmas message Providing excellent customer service is one of our major aims and in this magazine you can find out how we are performing in our residents’ annual report. Please take some time to read it and let us know what you think.

With Christmas fast approaching this is also an expensive time and if any of you have got worries about money, please get in touch. We have a team of staff who can hopefully help you. We’ve also got a really interesting piece on the dangers of loan sharks which is an alarming read but really useful.

I’m sure that many of your schemes and projects have some fantastic festive events planned. I hope you can come along and enjoy one of them.

In the meantime all that is left for me to do is wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Don’t fall into the

JAWS of loan sharks

We all know that criminals take advantage of people at a time like this. You might find a loan shark knocking on your door. Don’t fall into the trap of lending money from these people. They are illegal and will talk you into a never-ending spiral of debt. Interest rates have rocketed as high as 131,000 per cent APR with most offering no paperwork, so victims are totally in the dark as to what they owe.

If you do need some extra money, why not try a credit union? Credit unions are a fast-growing alternative to banks, building societies and doorstep/payday lenders. We have links with Manchester Credit Union.

Even if you don’t live in the area you can use them. 124 of you are already members and 66 of you have applied for a loan.

We’re currently working with them to promote Great Places Essential Living Fund (ELF). You can borrow up to £300 for essential furniture or white goods, with Great Places providing one third of the loan as a grant – that’s money straight in your pocket! We’ve already given out over £15,000 through this scheme.

EXAMPLE A £300 ELF loan over one year means we’ll provide a grant of £100 and you borrow £200, costing you £4.34 per week.

You will need to provide ID and evidence you can afford the loan. All loan decisions will be made by Manchester Credit Union.

HOW TO APPLY: Contact your support worker or call our Customer Access Team on 0300 123 1966 Springboard

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SUPPORTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE

We opened Broom Lane in Levenshulme, Manchester, an innovative scheme to house adults with autism, and refurbished sheltered accommodation at St George’s Court and The Willows in Blackpool and Poulton-le-Fylde.

Elsewhere, the outlook was brighter, as we bid for and won contracts in Trafford to support homeless people.

With councils under pressure to make cuts, times have been hard for many of our supported housing services and we’ve worked hard to make sure our residents carry on getting the support they need.

SUPPORTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE

Not only do we aim to be fair, open and accountable in everything we do, we aim to both know and value you and your community. Our annual report lets you know how we’re doing this!

Your annual report 2013

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of supported housing residents who asked for help were assisted to maximise their incomes

97%

of residents maintained independent living

94%

of supported housing residents engaged in training or education

80%

of supported housing residents were satisfied with the overall service they received

92%

tenants now live in our three Extra Care schemes in Manchester and Blackpool

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of residents were able to move on from supported housing

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green this Christmas

There’s no doubt the festive period is all about excess. But it doesn’t have to be at the expense of the environment.

Here are some tips on how to really be ‘evergreen’ this Christmas.

Waste in winter facts

Advice, tips and ideas on staying green and saving money!

Recycle your cards in your paper and card recycling container – it’s that simple!

One billi Christma on s cards, wrapping paper and card board will end up in bin s across th e countr y

s nes of glas n to 0 5 ,3 3 1 K ut in the U is thrown o n. stive seaso fe e th g in dur ve it could sa Recycling 0 lent of 4,20 the equiva e, id arbon diox c f o s e n n to ame ld be the s which wou ound 1,300 r a g in k ta as e road cars off th r for one yea son Ever y per away will throw of 50 an average bbish kilos of r u alent – the equiv istmas of 111 Chr puddings!

Give your old Christmas cards to the Woodland trust via TK Maxx or Marks and Spencer’s where the money raised will go to planting more than 60,000 trees across the uk How about sending a Christmas e card instead?

Or use your Christmas cards to make tags, or more cards for next year!

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We’ve launched a new Facebook page – War on winter woes – which features lots of advice, information and tips on how to cope with what can be a demanding season!

Like us at facebook.com/WarOnWinterWoes

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Get crafty and use your wrapping paper to help make greetings cards or origami.

Your words

Maggie’s magic

Maggie arrived at Bluebell Court, our supported housing scheme for young women, 10 months ago.

Springboard finds out how she’s transformed her flat into a ‘show home’.

It’s hard to fit in anywhere but Maggie found it more difficult than most being a vulnerable adult and older than the majority of the residents.

But it soon became clear that there was more to her than meets the eye. One day a resident went into Maggie’s flat and was amazed to see how beautiful it was – like a show home. It wasn’t long before Maggie was giving the resident tips on how to make her own flat clean and tidy.

Word spread around the scheme very quickly and Maggie soon became the guru on everything to do with ‘housekeeping’.

Claire Mitchell, a project support officer, says: “Maggie has always been very house proud. This has been very empowering for her. She no longer feels lonely – has made friends, gained confidence and realised skills she didn’t know she had.

“Housekeeping is one of the hardest areas to support and achieve – but by residents helping each other, it’s a win-win outcome.”

Maggie says: “I love cleaning, I’ve always cleaned. I looked after my mum when I was younger and helped with it. I like to help other people that need support. It’s made me feel really happy and very proud of what I’ve achieved.”

Jordan’s story

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Jordan has gained new confidence thanks to Olivia Lodge, our supported scheme for young mums in Wythenshawe.

I’m 20 years old and currently live in Olivia Lodge as the relationship between me and my family had broken down, and I had to start a new.

Before moving into Olivia Lodge I was a shy girl who lacked confidence in all areas. Since living here my confidence and self-esteem has grown.

I now have friends and am a lot happier.

During my time here I was accepted on a midwifery access course which I found physically and emotionally challenging. The staff supported me through it and gave me encouragement and praise - the push I needed.

Without the staff I don’t think I would have passed my course and would have felt like a failure. Although I’m not ready to move out of supported housing I have every confidence that when I am, I will be the strong, independent, thriving young mother I want to be.

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Feature

scrutiny

ˈskruːtɪni noun ( pl. scrutinies ) [ mass noun ] critical observation or examination: every aspect of the service was placed under scrutiny.

Springboard gives you the lowdown on the new tenant group that will aim to help improve our services to you What is tenant scrutiny?

Tenant scrutiny aims to give tenants more power in holding Great Places to account for their decisions, performance and behaviour. The new group will look in detail at the different services we offer you.

How will it benefit you?

Tenant scrutiny will: • • •

help us give you the services you want and tailor them to reflect your needs help us target resources to the areas where they are needed most help us give you better value for money

How is the scrutiny group different from our other groups like the Customer Services Voice, formerly Tenant services Committee?

The Tenant Scrutiny group and the Customer Services Voice group work alongside each other. The main difference is that the Tenant Scrutiny group looks backwards to see how services have performed and if changes have worked. The Customer Services Voice group looks forward to see how services can be improved and how we can make the right changes.

If you’re part of the tenant scrutiny group it will be more like a job – you’ll be interviewing managers, devising questionnaires for residents, telephoning residents about the service they’ve had, helping to write reports and presenting your findings to senior managers and our board.

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Want to put Great Places under the microscope?

We need you!

Do you want to help improve services for our residents?

Improve your skills?

Enhance your CV? We’re looking for people for our new Tenant Scrutiny group.

Are you up for a new challenge?

Fancy getting under the skin of Great Places?

Give Mike Glennon a call on 0161 925 7931 or email: mike.glennon@greatplaces.org.uk

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Competitions!

Custom Word Search Puzzle

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You could win £25 inAvouchers!

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WORDSEARCH

Congratulations to last issue’s winners:

Danielle Peltier, Manchester Kimberley Grime, Bay 6 Project, Leyland R Hilton, Rochdale

Have a go at this Christmas themed wordsearch!

Words to find are: Christmas Snowman Star Tree Snowflake

Santa Rudolph Bauble Cracker Presents

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Bauble Christmas Cracker Presents Rudolph

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.

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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 14th February 2014.

Santa Snowflake Snowman Star Tree

Congratulations to last issue’s winners:

Tracey Sanderson, Baguley Joyce Noonan, Wythenshawe Maureen Kelly, Baguley

http://www.puzzle-maker.com/cgi-bin/wswo.cgi

Send your entries by post to: FREEPOST, RLSC-HLLJ-EZRZ, Springboard, Great Places Housing Group, Southern Gate, 729 Princess Road, Manchester M20 2LT. 20

www.greatplaces.org.uk

All entries must be in by 14th February 2014

Remember you don’t need a stamp!