WINTER 2023
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF ARDENGLEN HOUSING ASSOCIATION
Castle From to
g n i l r i t S
milk
Castle!
Our last outing of the summer sun and now it’s onto some Winter fun
THE BIG ARDENGLEN’S BULK CONVERSATION.................P3 CLEAR UP...........................P7
OUR GOOD NEIGHBOUR CHRISTMAS ROULETTE AWARD LAUNCH............. P23 FUN......................................P31
Ardenglen Housing Association, 355 Tormusk Road, Castlemilk, Glasgow G45 0HF • TEL: 0141 634 8016 • E-mail: info@ardenglen.org.uk A recognised charity no. SC032542 • Property Factor Registration No. PF000168
Ardenglen’s Big Coffee Morning MacMillan the real winner as our Star Baker’s homemade cake, turns out to be a fake
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n Friday 29 September we held our very own MacMillan Coffee morning in the Maureen Cope Hall with all proceeds going to support the charity. We had wonderful baking donations from our staff team and our volunteers at Ardenglen in a bid to raise as much money as we could for MacMillan. We had a few fun activities with prizes to be won including a guess the number of coffee beans in the jar contest and a coffee themed quiz. Winners received £20 Starbucks vouchers. We even held our own Bake Off Contest which led to some controversy with our “star baker winner” allegedly purchasing their winning entry from Marks and Sparks! Whilst the Star Baker refuses to confirm or deny the claims, what was clear is that the Lemon Drizzle cake was delicious and was the unanimous winner with our judging panel!!
All in all the fundraising was a success with just under £250 raised for the charity. Thank you to everyone who took part in the fun.
Value for Money Au Revoir Working Group Update for Quarter 2
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he VFM group have lots of great ideas for saving money and working more efficiently, to reach our £50,000 saving target for this year. What the group have identified to the end of Quarter 2; • Agreed to use less printed stationery • Cancelled a corporate equipment contract clean – do the work ourselves • Joined a framework to achieve reduced costs for Corporate utilities • Management of corporate procurement internally Implementation of the above changes will achieve just over £33,000 savings. Our next step is to focus on new and improved ways of working to achieve more savings!
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Ann Marie A nn Marie Docherty has been a member of Ardenglen’s Board of Management for over 20 years and at this year’s AGM, she decided that the time was right for her to retire from her role on the Board.
She also served on three of our sub committees during that time. Ann Marie is passionate about equality and service provision and her input to Ardenglen will be greatly missed. Everyone at Ardenglen would like to thank Ann Marie for her contribution over the years and wish her a very happy retirement.
E
ngaging with our customers is something that we are committed to and is part of our “Big Conversation” strategy that was launched in 2022. In 2023 so far we have engaged on a number of things with updates below:
• Cycling Survey June 2023 – We sent out a digital survey to all tenants on seeking funding to install secure bike storage. We received 137 responses with 108 being in favour of the project. I am pleased to report that following the results we applied & have been successful in obtaining funding to install two bike storage units which will be located in Ardencraig Quadrant & Ballantay Terrace. Date of installation and a process for applying for a space will be shared soon. As part of the survey responses we did receive some negative feedback around having flower beds or vegetable spaces within the storage units so we will explore this in more detail with our gardening group / community gardener about what might work best to achieve sustainability. • Annual Report Consultation July 2023 – we met in person with a small group of tenants to get feedback & ideas on how to improve the 22/23 version of the report. We were delighted with the end results and want to thank the members for their time.
What’s next? • Hate Crime, Neighbour Disputes & AntiSocial Behaviour Policy – A text will be sent to all customers with a link to the draft policy on the website please send any feedback or comments to info@ardenglen.org.uk by 27/11/23 or pop into the office on Thursday 23rd November 2023 between 3.30pm-5pm to give us feedback in person. • Meet the Senior Leadership Team – Come along to Ardenglen office on Monday 4th December 2023 between 3.15pm – 5pm and have a chat over a cuppa and cake to discuss anything in relation to our services
• Meet the team (Community Investment / Welfare Rights) August 2023 – As most of our tenants know we are about more than just housing so we wanted to provide an opportunity for tenants to come and meet the staff involved in the many other services that we deliver. Thank you to those who came along to this successful event. • Tenant priority Survey September 2023 – We asked attendees to complete this at our AGM & sent out a digital survey via text and email to all tenants to ask about the top 3 priorities to gauge what matters most to our customers ahead of budget and rent increase discussions for 24/25. We received 94 responses and the 3 top priorities were…. - Joint 1st – Day to day repair service & Planned Investment - 2nd – Estate Maintenance - 3rd – Welfare Rights Service
• Rent Consultation 24/25 – a consultation leaflet will be sent to all tenants early December with the opportunities to contribute your views in person, on telephone & by online survey. • Help form our tenant scrutiny panel – interested in becoming more involved to help shape & influence change in policies / services? Please get in touch with Jacqui Mills, Corporate Services Officer at Jacqui.mills@ardenglen.org.uk for more information. Full training will be provided. • Community Investment Survey - coming early 2024 to help us to develop our strategy. Page 3
WHAT’S ON IN OUR TENANT EVENTS PROGRAMME ITS PANTO TIME AGAIN… Oh NO it isn’t... Oh YES it is!!!
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fter a successful summer of events/ activities, our Community Committee have been busy organising events for winter! This year’s panto trip will see us returning back to the East Kilbride Village Theatre to see this years Greenhills Panto production of “Beauty & the Beast” on Thursday 7 December 2023 from 7.30pm – 10.00pm. Please note that the bus will depart from the offices of Ardenglen at 6.15pm prompt. Tickets cost £2 and are available for all ages.
SANTA & FRIENDS ARE N E L G N E COMING TO TOWN ARD
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n Wednesday 13 December 2023 we have organised for Santa and friends to visit us at the offices of Ardenglen between 4pm & 7pm. Why not bring your little ones along for a visit in his grotto for a photo opportunity and gift?
Tickets will be on sale for both the Panto & Santa’s Grotto on Tuesday 28 November from 5pm – 7pm and will cost £2 per child for a 5 min visit. on a first come first served basis. Tickets are available for children aged 0 – 11 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult and must be a tenant’s child or grandchild! Please note that as advertised in our Spring issue, we are carrying out a membership drive and that to qualify for our tenant trips/ activities, you must become a member of the association of which only costs £1. Page 4
Leavers We said goodbye to our Maintenance Officer, Colin Robertson in August. Colin has moved on to pastures new and we wish him all the best and thank him for his time at Ardenglen.
Goodbye!
New Starts We welcomed Temporary Housing Assistant, Hollie McGowan. Hollie will be with Ardenglen for a three month period.
Hello!
.com/
We have a new Ardenglen Facebook Account! Have you followed us yet?
Into the nitty gritty of winter
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inter gritting will be carried out by our new landscape contractor Caledonian Maintenance on any occasion where the temperature drops to – 4 degrees Celsius.
They are responsible for gritting all the common paths and backcourts but please be aware that the gritting of the pavements and roads is still the responsibility of Glasgow City Council. If you have any issues regarding the roads and pavements these need to be addressed via the Glasgow City Council website: www.glasgow.gov.uk/roads
Keep updated with everything Ardenglen by liking us on facebook - here is the link below: Ardenglen Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100081069357117 We use facebook to promote our services and to keep tenants up to date with important changes such as the implementation of Universal Credit. In addition to this we are collating tenant email addresses. Email is a fast, free method of communication and gives you the opportunity to contact us at any given time. If you have an email address please call us to let us know on 0141 634 8016, email us at info@ardenglen.org. uk or private message us on Facebook. Page 5
Ardenglen’s Big A
ll Ardenglen staff members took part in a full estate inspection during August. Staff split up into groups and each inspected a different area of the estate. We were looking at the condition of the area, noting repairs and issues such as bulk and vandalism.
From now on, you must utilise the service form Glasgow City Council for bulk collection. This includes residents in both flats and main door properties. Requests can be placed via the online form on the Council’s website. For residents who cannot get online you can call 0141 287 9700 on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 3pm
Place items within the grounds of your property (e.g. a backcourt or garden) and ensure it does not obstruct bins or common pathways.Just leaving items on the street or in a back lane will be regarded as fly tipping and the people responsible will be open to enforcement action.
From our findings, it was decided that Ardenglen would provide a one-off bulk pick up for all tenants in flats and houses. We hoped this would help tenants financially and help get rid of unsightly bulk in the area.
The charges are as following:
Photos from the day
This was a hugely popular initiative and was well utilised by tenants. Our contractor, Caledonian Maintenance, carried out this bulk collection. In total this cost Ardenglen £1890+VAT.
• Standard items: £5 per item
Ardencraig Road
• Large electrical items: £5 per item • Special items: £80.00 per uplift Please only present your bulky waste on the day before your collection date. A list of what can be collected and how to present them can be found on the council website.
Ardencraig Road
Ardencraig Road d Ardencraig Roa
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Bulk Clear Up ace Scarrel Terr
What we found in backcourts and gardens... • Sofas • Tvs • Beds • Bin bags • Tyres • Fridge freezers • Old toys • Other furniture rrace Scarrel Te
What we found in closes...
Ardencraig Gardens
• Close doors left open or being jammed open • Bikes in closes • Bin bags
Ardencraig Gardens
Ardencraig Gardens
Ardencraig Gardens
Ardencraig Gardens
Ardencraig Gardens
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Breach of Tenancy U nfortunately, the Association was awarded two eviction decrees at Glasgow Sheriff Court during August 2023 – October 2023 due to continuous non-payment of rent.
We must stress that an eviction action is an absolute last resort for Ardenglen & only considered when all other efforts to sustain the tenancy have been exhausted.
Of the two, one resulted in an eviction taking place with the other voluntarily ending the tenancy beforehand. It is vital that if you get into difficulty with any aspect of your tenancy that you work with staff at the earliest opportunity and we will support you in order that you sustain your tenancy.
Your rent this festive period...
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rdenglen are aware of the challenges our customers face as we continue to live through a cost of living crisis. Missing your rent at Christmas means starting the New Year with debt and the inevitable stress that this causes. We encourage all tenants to budget carefully to avoid missing your rent as this is a priority bill. If you are struggling to meet your rent payments you should never be afraid to talk to us about it – we are here to help. We spend many hours each week helping our customers find the best way to resolve rent arrears or financial difficulties – so please don’t think you are alone if you are struggling to make ends meet. It is far better you take the lead and contact us first and we will help to support you in any way we can.
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Pay by Direct Debit? Payment may be taken from your account up to 3 days later than normal over the festive period. Check the table to see if you may be affected and please ensure there are sufficient funds in your account on collection day to prevent any bank charges. Normal Collection Date
Actual Date Payment will be taken
3rd December 2023
27th December 2023
24th – 27th December 2023
27th December 2023
28th December 2023
As normal
30th December to 1st January 2024
2nd January 2024
2nd January 2024 onwards
No change
Winter SMELL Programme GAS?
Call 0800 111 999 • Open doors and windows to allow fresh air in. • Put out all cigarettes. • Do not use electrical light switches or sockets. • Turn off the gas at the mains tap, which is usually near the meter.
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e know that the appearance of the area during the summer has not been great due to the poor performance of the previous landscape contractor Idverde however it is hoped that the area is looking significantly better now that the new contractor Caledonian has managed to catch-up on the grass cutting schedule.
The winter cutting of shrubs and hedges is due to start in November and will continue until fully completed. Again, this should make a big impact on the appearance of the area. The main areas of the winter programme are: • • • •
Bin store cleaning Removal of bulk Weed & moss control Litter picking common areas • Shrub & hedge cutting
• Leave the property. • Follow the advice given by the emergency adviser.
Are you worried about how you will pay your bill.
T
he first thing to do is speak to your supplier. The sooner you talk to your energy supplier, the sooner they can help. We know it might seem daunting or even over whelming to make contact.
Or
You can’t afford to top up your meter.
home to help you find practical and affordable ways to save energy. The Advisor can offer advice on a range of energy issues, energy efficiency, help with advocacy with your supplier, all advice is completely free and impartial.
Please remember no phone call or visit is ever the same, every person and their home is different – we Or contact us and our Energy Advisor are here to help! Lynne can offer advice by telephone or if necessary visit you in your If you don’t like speaking on the phone, many suppliers now have an online chat service.
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Ways to stay warm this winter
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he cheapest way to stay warm in the winter is to wear more layers.
This will ensure your body is wellinsulated and that your body heat stays trapped for longer.
So try plenty of thin layers rather than one thick one and always have socks and slippers on your feet, more so if you have wooden floors or tiles.
Electric blankets
Throws
Heated blankets are a great way of keeping warm without having to put the heating on and are really cheap to run.
As the temperature lowers, curling up on the sofa after a long day pretty much becomes a ritual. Throws can provide the perfect solution to keeping snug.
Hot water bottles The humble hot water bottle provides a long-lasting boost of warmth. With many households looking for alternative ways to keep warm due to heating costs, a well-made water bottle, complete with a fluffy cover, is the best bedtime companion. As well as providing warmth and comfort, they are brilliant for soothing aches and pains.
Hoodies Perfect for chilly nights. Designed to keep you snug and warm. Some of our Pantry members were fortunate to receive one earlier in the year…… a BIG HIT!!!, they loved them!
Warm Home Discount Scheme You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme The Warm Home Discount is a programme of support aimed at households who may struggle to pay their energy bills. This payment is made between 1st December 2023 and the end of March 31st 2024.
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Only those in receipt of the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credits, do not need to apply. This group is known as the ‘Core Group’. For the ‘Broader Group’ check your supplier’s criteria and you must apply every year. Even if you were successful last year.
Worried about how to dry your clothes without spending lots on energy? Lets look at tumble drier versus electric airer
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here are three types of tumble dryers: heat pump, condenser and vented. Here’s how much each of them costs to run, based on a 9kg tumble dryer, in line with the current 0.27p kWh unit cost of electricity.
If using an electric airer, please locate in your kitchen/small room with the fan left on or a window open to assist the removal of moisture. Type of tumble dryer
Typical energy use (full load)
Typical cost per use (full load)
Cost per week (three uses)
Heat pump
2.16 kWh
£0.58
£1.75
Condenser
5.2kWh
£1.40
£4.21
Vented
5.34 kWh
£1.44
£4.33
Average cost for a week £3.43
Based on 4 weeks usage £13.72
Cost to run (per hour)
Cost per use (five hours)
Cost per week (three uses)
two-tier heated airer
7p
£0.35
£1.05
three-tier heated airer
11p
£0.55
£1.65
Average cost for a week £1.35
Based on 4 weeks usage £5.40 Page 11
Relational Mentoring – Ardenglen in partnership with the Wise Group
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rdenglen are working in partnership with the Wise Group on a new funded Relational Mentoring Service. This is a unique service which is the first of its kind in Scotland and offers a holistic approach to help Ardenglen support households who are either in or at risk of fuel poverty. The support is not just for the tenant but the whole household. Some of the assistance available includes but not limited to:
Financial Support • Access to digital tools • Energy Advice & assistance • Budgeting & accessing suitable financial support
Skills & learning • Social & digital skills for work • Personal development • Building & maintaining relationships • Aspirations & motivation
General Health & Wellbeing • Physical & Mental Health • Self-esteem & confidence building Page 12
• Addiction • Signposting to additional services Suzanne Casey Director of Customer Services said “Ardenglen are committed to the well-being of our community & we are delighted to have partnered with such an experienced, well established organisation to deliver a project so unique to fit the needs of individual households. The service aims to allocate the most suitable mentor who will work with the household for as long as they need, at a time and place that suits them”. Ann Nye, partnership executive of The Wisegroup, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Ardenglen Housing to offer this support to households in Castlemilk.
Since our launch on 3rd July our Relational Mentors have worked with over 200 families, providing tailored support to them. The feedback we have had from both partners and customers already has been fantastic and very humbling. We look forward to this partnership and making a real difference in people’s lives.” Who can the service help? • Any Ardenglen household in or at risk of fuel poverty • Tenant and or family must be willing to engage For more information or to be referred to the service please contact a member of either the housing or community investment team at Ardenglen who will refer on your behalf.
No excuse for Domestic Abuse A
rdenglen recently reviewed our Domestic Abuse policy which can be found on our website at www.ardenglen. co.uk & our staff also received up to date training from Women’s aid.
Domestic Abuse can happen to anyone regardless of gender & can include, but it is not limited to: • coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence) • psychological and/or emotional abuse • physical abuse • sexual abuse • financial abuse • harassment • abuse via phone or social media
important to talk to someone about it. We’re here to help you so you don’t have to face it alone.
If you’re experiencing domestic abuse, it’s really
To speak to someone confidentially please ask
• stalking
for “ANI” at our reception. Alternatively, you can also access help and advice via the Daisy Project, based at 121 Castlemilk Drive or call 0141 634 4053.
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Our Summe Ardenglen’s summer & autumn events & trips were a big hit with our families! A massive well done goes to our hard-working Community Committee for delivering yet another fabulous programme of fun packed activities and day trips over the summer and autumn months.
SUMMER FUTURE SEEDS PROJECT Our summer activities kicked off on Wednesday 5 July thanks to funding allocated from the Castlemilk Together’s funding from GCC Holiday Food Programme, which enabled us to deliver two fun packed sessions with delicious food on offer. This funding was complimented by some funding allocated from the Castlemilk Pantry’s “Cash for Castlemilk”, participatory budgeting programme, that enabled us to deliver the programme for a further four sessions. Activities included Bush Crafts; Balloon Twisting; Magic Shows; Parent/Child Sewing Workshops; Arts/Crafts; Mini Disco; Animal Man and much more!
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mer of Fun After a short break to mark the end of summer, our Community Committee began to plan and organise some Autumnal fun. On Thursday 19 October 2023, we welcomed families to the hall between 11am and 2pm, for a host of fun packed activities such as Magic Show; Mini Disco; Animal Man; Face Painting; Arts/Crafts and Decorate your own Halloween Cakes! Thanks go to our funders who made both our Summer Future Seeds and Fun Day a success:• Ardenglen Community Committee • Castlemilk Together: Community Food Action • GCC Food Programme • Castlemilk Pantry “Cash for Castlemilk”
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Our Summer of Fun Next up was our annual SUMMER FAMILY TRIP TO HEADS OF AYR on FRIDAY 21 JULY 2023. At 9.30am two packed coaches of excited families, left Castlemilk to travel down to “Heads of Ayr Farm” where all our families enjoyed what the park had to offer. The weather was even kind to us on what was a lovely sunny summers day.
Then it was time for our annual OVER 40s BUS RUN which took place on Friday 25 August 2023. A coachload head over to Stirling Castle, to learn all about our Scottish Heritage. Once the tour of this fabulous Castle was over, everyone met in Molly Malones for a delicious lunch, which was then followed by some free time in Stirling Town Centre.
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Lastly on Friday 27 October 2023, it was time to welcome a range of Ghouls and Witches to the Maureen Cope Community Hall for a SPOOKTACULAR night filled with spooky games and fun facilitated by “Unique Parties”. As usual, judging was very difficult! Here are some pictures of our guests along with the winners pictured with Elizabeth McKenzie (Chair – Ardenglen) & Karen McDonagh (Chair – Ardenglen Community Committee). Special thanks are given to Cammy Duncan, Adams & Duncan, Funeral Directors for sponsoring our event again this year! Despite all the spooky fun being had by all, the night was tinged with some sadness, as everyone enjoyed one last boogie on the dance floor of the Maureen Cope Community Hall.
The End of Chapter One & Beginning of Chapter Two
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e regret to inform that the hard decision to close the Maureen Cope Community Hall (former St Martin’s Hall) has been made. This decision was not reached lightly, but one that was made because of the excessive running costs, coupled with the level of investment work that is required on the premises, which the association does not own. Ardenglen have been extremely fortunate and thankful to have spent the last 12 years utilising the space to build and develop the role of our dedicated and hardworking Community Committee and their delivery of fabulous events/activities that have not only benefited our tenants but also the wider community. To celebrate their success and to share stories and memories, invited guests (made up of past/present participants; hall users; partners and friend of the hall) were asked to join them on Friday 3 November between 12noon & 2pm to the halls last ever event.
However, all agreed that it is just the end of Chapter One and that they are looking forward to seeing what Chapter Two holds for the delivery of Ardenglen’s tenants’ events! So, watch this space!!!!! Guests heard from Karen McDonagh (Chair) and Fiona McGovern (Community Investment Manager), that despite the hall’s closure, that this was not the end of era, but the beginning of a new chapter in their journey. Ardenglen are still very much committed to the fantastic work that our Community Committee and Community Investment Team deliver and have set up a new programme of activities over an interim period for the project’s delivery (featured in our Pantry update). We are pleased to advise that following a couple of funding applications (Commonweal & EBS Scotland Limited) that we are on track to making accessible alterations to 6 Ardencraig Street (former Relaxation Centre) in order to develop a new Community Hub. Watch this space for more information and our new name! Page 17
CASTLEMILK PANTRY MEMBERSHIP IS SOARING
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he Castlemilk Pantry project continues to be popular with membership growing each week demonstrating a need and demand. If you are not already a member, please contact us for a membership form either in person at the Pantry Store or by e-mailing us at community@ardenglen.org.uk. Membership is open to anyone residing in the G45 area and costs £1 (annual) to join. Members can then shop once per week for only £2.50 for approx. 10 items of fresh and ambient food to the value of approx. An example of a £2.50 shop £10-£15. Here is a snapshot of our performance for Q1 & Q2
TOTAL NO. OF MEMBERSHIPS PURCHASED
Q1 - 1,227 Q2 - 1,268
TOTAL WORTH OF FOOD
Q1 - £34,322 Q2 - £41,233
TOTAL TONNAGE OF FOOD REDISTRIBUTED
TOTAL NO. VISITS TO PANTRY STORE
Q1 - 9.61 Q2 - 11.77
Q1 -2,129 Q2 - 2,237 TOTAL CO2 SAVED
Q1 - 9.22 Q2 - 11.3 TONNES
Q1 - 22,881 Q2 - 28,023
TOTAL NO. OF VOLUNTEERS
Q1 - 38 Q2 - 38
PANTRY PLUS TOTAL NO OF PARTICIPANTS REGISTERED
Q1 - 1,283.5 Q2 - 1,247.5
Q1 - 69 Q2 - 101
& HOURS
As well as saving members money the project offers other opportunities……such as volunteering or participation in health and wellbeing related activities via our Pantry Plus project. Up until recently the majority of these activities have been delivered from the Maureen Cope Community Hall, however, as reported in this issue of the Ardenglen Vision, the hard decision has been made to close the hall. Page 18
TOTAL NO. OF MEAL PROPORTIONS RE-DISTRIBUTED
Despite this hurdle, Ardenglen are still 100% committed to delivering all aspects of the Pantry Plus project, which includes a variety of holistic programmes such as our Sew Fabulous (upcycling sewing); Wellness/Life-Long Learning and Gardening. Each week we always finish and celebrate the week’s success at our Grub’s Up Community Meal.
If you are interested in getting involved, please see timetable below for details on days/times and locations. DAY
PROJECT
Monday 11am – 12.30pm
Breakfast Bingo
Monday 1pm – 2pm
Health & Wellbeing Workshops
Tuesday 10am – 12noon
Sew Fabulous Up-cycling project
Tuesday 10.30am – 12.30pm
Happy Gardeners
Develop & cultivate a new community garden at & improve your overall health & wellbeing.
Tuesday 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Grub’s Up Cookery Classes
6-week basic cookery with certification. ** BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
Tuesday 10.30pm – 2.30pm
Connected Castlemilk Digital Classes
Develop your digital skills inc. Job Search
Tuesday 12noon – 2pm
Mending Castlemilk Up-cycling project
Learn how to transform old bits of wood/furniture ** BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
Castlemilk Community Church
Wednesday Inspirationals 10am – Over 40’s - Women’s Group 12noon
Wellness & Life-long Learning
Ardenglen’s Office
Wednesday Connected Castlemilk 10.30pm – Digital Classes 12noon
Developing your digital skills
Ardenglen’s Office
Wednesday Happy Gardeners 10am – Gardening Group 12noon
Develop & cultivate a new Ardenglen’s Office community garden & improve your Garden overall health & wellbeing.
Thursday 9.30am – 1.30pm Thursday 12noon – 2.30pm Thursday 10.30pm – 2.30pm
CONTENT Free breakfast & game of bingo (£5) with all takings paid out Activities that impact on participants health & wellbeing *Mindfulness; Reiki etc Learn how to transform your old rags into something brand new! ** BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL
LOCATION Castlemilk Youth Complex *except Public Holidays Ardenglen’s Office *except Public Holidays Ardenglen’s Office
Castlemilk Community Centre Garden Local Schools/Partners Projects Partners facilities Ardenglen’s Office
Personal Development Programme delivered by Scottish Attachment in Action *BOOKING ESSENTIAL Intergenerational programme The 3B’s in partnership with Castlmilk (Bite, Blether & Bingo) *last Thursday of the month High School Developing your digital skills Connected Castlemilk Digital Classes
Ardenglen’s Office
Personal Change *3rd Thursday of the month
Ardenglen’s Office
Ardenglen’s Office
Friday 10.00pm – 12noon
Connected Castlemilk Digital Classes
Developing your digital skills
Ardenglen’s Office
Friday 12.30pm – 2.30pm
Grub’s Up Community Lunch
End the week together & share ideas and aspirations for the Castlemilk Food Pantry!
Castlemilk Parish Church
If you would like to find out more or book a place on one of our sessions, please call Jackie our Community Development Worker on 07498 843556 Continues overleaf... Page 19
Continued from previous page
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rdenglen would like to thank our partners who have agreed to work collaboratively with us to ensure the smooth running of Pantry Plus!
Here is an example of the difference a donation will make:-
On another note, we constantly get asked how to donate cash to the Pantry Store. In a previous issue we reported that we had entered into a partnership with Bankuet, which provides the project with a platform that enables us to fundraise directly with the public.
• £20 donation is a weeks’ worth of meals for one person
As you can see from the project’s performance, we are continuing to deal with an increasing demand for our service, but at the same time continue to be affected in the supply of surplus food, due to the national food shortage.
• £10 donation will help people get their basic kitchen staples
• £50 donation puts a weeks’ worth of food on the table for a small family Please give what you can to support our community at this challenging time. Please follow the link https://www.bankuet.co.uk/ castlemilkpantry to donate today!
THANK YOU!
We do have a small budget to purchase “Top Up” food, so to assist us in getting as much value for money as possible, donations to Bankuet will enable the project to purchase ambient foods in bulk at wholesale costs, when we need it and when we need it most!
CASH FOR CASTLEMILK
How should £8,000 be spent in Castlemilk, as part of Castlemilk Pantry Pl us activities? YOU TELL US!
We have secured £8,000 to delive r another “Cash for Castlemilk” Participatory Budgeting exercise as part of our Pantry Plus activities that will address food and financi al insecurity! Participatory Budgeting (PB) what is it?.......Participatory Budgeting is a democratic way for people to have a direct say on how to spend public money.
What next? ……
On Tuesday 5 December between 1pm – 2pm some of our Pantry Members will be asked for their ideas on how to spend this budget for projects link ed to the topic of food and the Pantry. If you would like to get involved in this process give Jackie our Community Development Worke r a ring on 07498 843556. Page 20
Avoiding frozen pipes P lanning on visiting family or friends over the festive season? You may be tempted, due to the current energy crisis, to turn your heating off completely to save money. But this could lead to frozen pipes & possible flooding of you or your neighbour’s property if a cold snap was to arrive whilst you were away. By leaving your heating on & turning your thermostat down to between 10 & 13 degrees you can eliminate this risk as your heating would only come on in the event of the inside of your property dropping below this temperature, thus ensuring the inside of your property will not freeze, rupturing water pipes & causing flooding.
Remind yourself where your stopcock is It’s essential that you know how to stop the water flow to your home in case the worst happens. So familiarise yourself with the location of your stopcock, clear the area around it for easy access, and use it immediately if you spot a leaky pipe!
Get the cover you need this Winter! Did you know that the Thistle Tenant Risk Homes Contents Insurance Scheme offers cover for fire, theft, water damage, floods and much more. In fact, over the festive period or other religious festival, the Crystal Scheme automatically increases the contents sum insured by £1,500 or 15% of the sum insured (whichever is greater), for loss or damage to gifts bought, for one month before and one month after each special occasion. The holidays could see more accidents, such as risks of spillages, breakages and general mishaps. Optional extensions are available, subject to an additional premium, such as extended accidental damage. A £50 excess may apply, full details are available on request. Terms & conditions apply to all sections. A full policy wording or Insurance Product Information Document is available on request.
To find out more about the Thistle home contents insurance scheme contact:
» Crystal on 0345 450 7286 » Request an application pack from your local housing office » Visit www.thistletenants-scotland.co.uk, where you can also request someone to call you back!
T E N A N T
R I S K S
Thistle Tenant Risks is a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 310419. Registered in England under No. 00338645. Registered office: Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW. Thistle Insurance Services Ltd is part of the PIB Group. Our Data Protection Privacy Policy is online at https://www.thistleinsurance.co.uk/Privacy-Policy
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AGM 2023
O
ur AGM took place in the Maureen Cope Hall on Tuesday 15 September to a packed hall. Over 25 Shareholding members of Ardenglen participated in the election of our Board of Management for 2023-24 and appointment of our new Auditors. We also had Community Links in attendance to answer questions in relation to the Jennyburn and the recent consultation. However, the main event of the AGM night was the bingo and we had some fantastic prizes to be won on the night.
Congratulations to all our raffle and bingo winners: • • • • • •
Marie Lamont Elizabeth Crosbie Mary McQuilken Chinenye Anameje Robert Winterbottom Karen McDonagh
Festive Repairs Service
O
ver the festive period we will only be able to deal with emergency repairs as & when they come in due to our reactive contractors having a skeleton staff over the holidays. Any non-emergency repairs will still be logged & issued to our contractors but they may not be able to contact you to
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deal with these until they return to full staffing levels after the New Year holidays. Remember our new out of hours call-out service number for emergencies only was changed recently to 0141 336 7111. The out of hours call-out number for gas heating and hot water repairs has remained as 03332020708.
Good Neighbour Award 2023 A
rdenglen acknowledges that some of our tenants deserve to be recognised for their kindness and consideration to their neighbours. We would like to give you the chance to nominate a neighbour whose kindness has made a difference to your lives. There a number of things that you could recognise your neighbour for such as; A good neighbour could be someone who: • Looks after your pet and keeps an eye on your home when you are on holiday. • Takes out your bin for collection • Helps you with shopping • Has been there when you need someone to talk to • OR someone who is a good neighbour all the time If there is someone that you would like to nominate, simply drop us an email at community@ardenglen.org.uk and tell us the name of the person that you are nominating and the reason.
Our two most worthy Good Neighbour Awards will receive a £50 voucher whilst all participants will receive a certificate.
Alternatively, you can come into the office and fill out a nomination form the next time you are in. We will also have a nomination form available on our website at https://ardenglen.co.uk/ good-neighbour-award/
Universal Credit Manage Migration
I
f you are a claimant in receipt of ONLY child or working tax credit (no other benefits) you will receive a migration notice from DWP from August 2023 onwards to request you claim for Universal Credit. You will have 3 months to make a claim and the “claim by” date will be published on the letter.
Please do not make a claim before you receive this notice as this could affect your current entitlement. If you fail to apply before the deadline your benefits will stop. For advice and support on this matter please get in touch with Ardenglen Welfare Rights Officer (Ardenglen tenants only) or contact the Citizens Advice Scotland “Help to claim” Team on 0800 023 2581.
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Managing Condensation in your home O
n occasions we receive reports of dampness and mould in our properties and in the majority of cases it turns out to be caused by condensation. Condensation happens when moisture in the air comes into contact with cold surfaces such as windows and walls and water droplets form.
When this happens on your window, the glass mists up and drops of water run down the window. This can result in mould forming on the rubber seal along the bottom of the glass. When it happens on a wall, the wall absorbs the moisture, and the surface becomes damp. Black mould may then grow on the damp areas. WHERE DOES MOISTURE COME FROM? Moisture comes from normal everyday living and can be quite considerable. The table below illustrates the amount of water that can be generated in an average household during a 24-hour period
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Source of Moisture
Water generated (litres)
4/5 people asleep
1.5
2 people active
1.6
Cooking
2.6
Washing up
1.0
Washing clothes
4.0
Drying clothes
4.5
Bathing/washing
0.5
Approximate total
15.7 litres
HOW DO YOU MINIMISE CONDENSATION IN YOUR HOME? The association is keen to tackle dampness and mould on a proactive basis to hopefully minimise the effect it has on your home. We will be contacting all tenants over the next few months to find out your experiences of dampness and mould and whether there are any measures that we can introduce to prevent it occurring. There are also other measures that you can do which will help with preventing condensation in your home.
Put less moisture into the air • Dry clothes outdoors when you can • Don’t dry clothes over warm radiators • Keep the kitchen door closed when cooking • Keep lids on pots and pans when cooking
• The means of getting moisture out your home is to ventilate and often you will be sending warm air out with the moisture. This means it is important that you keep the kitchen and bathroom doors closed so that when you ventilate these areas you minimise the amount of heat that gets away from other areas
• When using a tumble dryer, make sure the hose is venting outdoors
• Don’t overfill cupboards and wardrobes or keep furniture and beds hard against walls – make sure warm air can circulate
• Keep wet coats, boots and shoes out of cupboards and main living areas
Cleaning Routine
Get the moisture out of your house • Don’t close or block trickle vents on your windows • Open windows for a few minutes in the morning. The damp air will go outside. • Open windows in every room where possible, even just a little will help improve air movement and prevent condensation in the room • Use your bathroom and kitchen extract fans and allow them to run-on for at least 20 minutes. They don’t cost much to run. • After a bath or shower, open the window and shut the door so that moisture escapes and doesn’t drift through the rest of the house • Wipe wet surfaces down after bathing or showering • Keep a window open when drying clothes indoors. The best place to dry clothes is in the bathroom with the door closed and an extract fan on or window slightly open Don’t let your home get too cold • Keep your heating on low throughout the day in cold weather • By keeping your home warm, you will warm the walls and surfaces of your home which will reduce the amount of condensation you will experience
• As part of your general household cleaning routine wipe down with a dry cloth all condensation on the glass and frame of your windows on a regular basis. • It is important to keep your extractor fans clean to allow it to work effectively. Through time you will notice a build-up of dust inside your extractor fan. This should be cleaned regularly using a duster or the hose from your vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment but please remember to turn your fan off during the cleaning process. If your fan is not working, please report this to us to repair • Where mould has occurred it can be easily removed with a dry cloth and applying one of the many proprietary mould removal sprays that are available in most supermarkets Occasionally a mould problem may not be caused by condensation and if you have tried all the measures above and you are still concerned, please contact us.
For further information please visit https:// energysavingtrust.org.uk/ advice/fixing-damp-andcondensation/
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Spotlight on Governance S
ince our last update in summer the Board have completed their Annual Appraisals and developed a training plan to take them into 2024.
Ardenglen Chair, Liz McKenzie
We also elected our Board of Management at our AGM on 15 September but sadly said goodbye to long serving Board Member, Ann Marie Docherty as she retired from the Ardenglen Board. Ann Marie served on the Board for over 20 years and has made an amazing contribution to the Association during that time and will be greatly missed. The Board last met on 31 October to discuss and approve the following: Ø Board Training Plan 2023-24 Ø Festive opening hours Ø Financial Conduct Authority Annual Return Ø Share members report To view the ongoing work of our Board through reading the Board minutes, they are available on our website. Should you require a paper or translated copy, please don’t be hesitant to ask. The Board also recently approved our Annual Assurance Statement for submission to the Scottish Housing Regulator. The Statement is published on our website and provides assurance that the Association is compliant with the Regulatory Standards of Governance and Financial Management.
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Policy Update
Our AGM 2023
The Board have approved a number of updates to our policies. This is part of our ongoing policy review, a review that seeks to update/add a number of policies this year. This is to ensure our policies continue to operate in the best interest of our Tenants/Owners and comply with any legislation/guidance that the Association must follow. The following policies have been updated between July - September 2023. Rent Setting Policy Domestic Abuse Policy Induction Policy Personal Relationships at Work Policy The Association’s Policies can be found on our website, under the “Useful Information” Section. Paper copies can also be made available.
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON REPAIRS W e have an important update to share with you in relation to repairs. Ardenglen has appointed a number of new contractors to handle repairs to your home when you need us. At the heart of all this is the desire to deliver a very high level of customer satisfaction on repairs (which we know matters greatly to you) AND to deliver value for money. In the past, housing providers like Ardenglen and others have tended to use one or two big companies to deliver the repairs service. Some of these firms have given up their work in housing prompting us to look afresh at which other businesses we can employ to carry out repairs. Your Board of Management is fully aware of the need to deliver high levels of satisfaction on repairs while ensuring the businesses engaged in repairs fully understand this endeavour.
they are who they say they are. All persons undertaking work on behalf of Ardenglen carry photo ID and you should always ask to see this.
performance for our tenants and we look forward to their contribution in making this happen.”
Our Chief Executive David Byfield said the Association had become convinced that spreading the repairs work The businesses you are likely to see depending on the nature among several contractors was the correct way forward of the repair are: to deliver top performance ALWURK ELECTRIC, levels to meet tenants’ MAGNUS ELECTRICAL, understandably high MJM JOINERY, HUNTER expectations. MANAGEMENT and BELL David added: “Through our GROUP various consultation channels, Announcing the new we have listened closely to appointments, Peter Kelly, our what matters most to our Director of Asset Management, tenants and predictably our said: “As is to be expected, repairs service ranks highly. the procurement exercise We are therefore pleased to was robust and transparent, establish new partnerships with and we are entirely satisfied a diverse range of contractors with the results. All our who will assist us by delivering contractors understand the an effective repairs service for need to achieve high levels of our tenants.” If you are still unsure you can call our office for verification.
So we are pleased to report that since September we have a number of new firms undertaking your repairs. You don’t need to do anything. The numbers you call during office hours and outwith office hours should you need a repair remain the same. And remember before you let anyone into your home be sure Page 27
Who can complain? How do I complain? Anyone can make a complaint to us, including the representative of someone who is dissatisfied with our service.
You can complain in person at our office, by phone 0141 634 8016, in writing, or email info@ardenglen.org.uk.
When complaining, tell us: • Your full name and address.
Getting help to make your complaint
• As much as you can about the complaint. • What has gone wrong? • How you want us to resolve the matter. COMPLAINTS RECEIVED
We can take complaints from a friend, relative, or an advocate, if you have given them your consent to complain for you. If you have trouble putting your complaint in writing, please tell us.
Between 1 July to 30 September 2023, we received 52 complaints.
COMPLAINTS RECEIVED
Timescales to Resolve
Timescales to Resolve Between 1 July to 30 September 2023, we received 52 is more complex and requires a more detailed investigation, we aim to respond Complaints Upheld & responded to within timescale: complaints. within 20 working days (Stage 2 Complaint).
When a complaint is received, we aim to resolve the matter within 5 working days When a complaint is received, we aim to (Stage 1 Complaint) however if the complaint is more complex and requires a more resolve the matter within 5 working days detailed investigation, we aim to respond within 201 working days (Stage 2 Complaint). (Stage Complaint) however if the complaint
Q2 Complaint Outcomes 30
27
25 20
16
15 10
5
5 0
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Upheld
Partially Upheld
4 Not Upheld
Resolved
90.30% Responded to within timescales
Complaints Upheld & responded to within timescale: The number of complaints in Q2 are lower than in the previous quarter. Missed Appointments, Delays and Contractor Performance were the most common cause for complaint. We are working with our Contractors to improve service for you and hopefully reduce the number of repeat incidences. We will continue working with our contractors to ensure performance is in line with the Association’s high standards. Many complaints received during Q2
were responded to well within timescale. We will continue to ensure all complaints are handled correctly, with respect and efficiently.
Tenant Feedback Your feedback means a lot to us whether it be a complaint or a compliment or just some general thoughts on our service. All of your feedback helps Ardenglen shape our services for the good of all our tenants. We are constantly reviewing our own performance and processes to ensure we deliver a high-quality service.
COMPLIMENTS The received a few compliments from customers who were delighted with the grass cutting programme up and running again and a few customers let us know they were happy with the support and advice offered by staff.
Performance Quarter 2 (1 July to 30 September 2023) Target
Performance to date (1 July to 30 September 2023)
Target achieved
% reactive repairs completed right first time
95% or over
94.8%
No
% properties with a gas safety check completed by anniversary date
100%
99%
No
Average days taken to relet empty houses
15 days
17.29 days
No
% rent due lost through properties being empty
Below 0.45-0.50%
0.45%
No
Current tenant rent arrears as a % of rent due
Below 3.8%
3.45%
Yes
Area of operation
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How your rent money is being spent A
HOW YOUR RENT MONEY IS BEING SPENT
Ardenglen aims to be as transparent as possible, so with this in mind, we intend to keep you informed by publishing our quarterly financial results. During the six months from April rdenglen aims to be as transparent 2023 to September 2023 - the receivable was £2.707 Million from this the “TOPand TEN” AREAS OF SPEND as possible, so income with this in mind, expenditure incurred to deliver our service was £2.336 Million. we intend to keep you informed by
our financial results. This is publishing how your rent hasquarterly been spent over these six months. During the six months from April 2023 to September 2023 - the income receivable was £2.707 Million and from this the expenditure incurred to deliver our service was £2.336 Million. This is how your rent has been spent over these six months.
Ardenglen would also like to publish our “Top 10” expenditure items, on a quarterly basis, which will hopefully give you an insight into our key areas of spend. If you have any further questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle Hart from our Finance & Corporate Services Team. Total Staffing Costs
£464,650
9%
Day to Day Repairs £268,133 Repairs to Empty Homes £89,877 Property Insurance £87,951 Landscape Maintenance £75,790 IT Equipment & Telecom
Salaries/ staffing costs Reactive Repairs Planned & Cyclical Maintenance Gas Repairs Management & Maintenance administration Depreciation Regeneration Close Lighting Interest paid on loans Major and fixed assets Model for investment in your homes Ardenglen has component developedreplacements a robust Business Planning Money set aside for future investment and community. Any surplus we report will be re-invested at a future date in line with our
business goals and objectives.
Ardenglen has developed a robust Business Planning Model for investment in your homes and community. Any surplus we report will be re-invested at a future date in line with our business goals and objectives.
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£56,615
£37,064
£34,987
Close Cleaning £33,106 Medical Adaptations £31,920
CHRISTMAS ROULETTE Try this fun Christmas Pass the Parcel game with your family this Christmas and send in some photos of you and your family playing along to Jacqui.mills@ardenglen.org.uk and we will print the best in our next Vision Magazine.
Pick your gift, throw the dice, complete 3 rounds to win.
Keep your gift
Congrats! You get to keep your gift this round
Steal anyone’s gift
Steal anyone’s gift and replace theirs with yours
Everyone pass left
Every player pass their gift to the player on the left
Swap 2 other gifts
Swap two other players gifts with each other
Everyone pass right
Every player pass their gift to the player on the right
Steal and change direction Steal anyone’s gift and replace with yours then change direction of play
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Useful Contacts Emergency phone numbers when our office is closed: • For all central heating and hot water emergencies please call City Technical Services on 0333 202 0708 • For any other emergency repairs that happen after hours, please call 0141 336 711 • When reporting a repair please advise the contractor you are a tenant of Ardenglen Housing Association. • Report a repair free phone line 0300 303 8000 – this number is not available during public holidays. The Office will be closed for the Festive Period on the following dates: CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS • Monday 25th December • Tuesday 26th December • Wednesday 27th December
Councillors
C
ouncillors for your local area are listed below. Full contact and surgery details can be found at 0141 287 2000 or visit the Council’s website: www.glasgow.gov.uk • Catherine Vallis 0141 287 7031 • Bailie Paul McCabe 0141 287 4663 • Margaret Morgan 0141 287 0224 • John Carson 0141 287 3937
If you need any assistance regarding councillors please facebook .com/ on 0141 634 call our office 8016 where a member of staff will be happy to assist.
NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS • Monday 1st January 2024 • Tuesday 2nd January 2024 • Wednesday 3rd January 2024 PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OFFICE WILL BE OPEN THE FULL DAY ON WEDNESDAY 20 DECEMBER AND WE WILL CLOSE AT LUNCHTIME ON FRIDAY 22 DECEMBER FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. THE OFFICE WILL BE OPEN ON THURSDAY 28 AND FRIDAY 29 DEC 9 TO 1PM.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Everyone.
Ardenglen would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones Peace, Love and Happiness this Festive Season.
Ardenglen use the Big Word translation service for translation via telephone. Please get in contact with us if you require translation services.