Spring 2014 Housing News by Link Group Ltd.

SPRING

2014

housing news The newsletter for Link tenants

Inside: • Join Links ePanel • New Tenant Participation Strategy • Scotland’s future – tenants decide

www.linkhousing.org.uk

Hello from Maureen Middleton Director of Housing Services Welcome to the spring edition of Housing News. It has been a busy start to 2014: ● We featured in the Scottish Housing Regulator’s publication ‘Performance Matters’ highlighting our good practice and preparation for tenant scrutiny. ● We completed an audit of our allocations process which showed our procedure is working well. ● We have been improving our factoring service to ensure that owners pay their share of communal repairs. We continue to work hard to ensure you are satisfied with our service.

New mobile phone app Link has a brand new mobile web app – access it via your smartphone or tablet device to: ● report a repair ● report instances of anti-social behaviour ● provide feedback ● find a home ● keep up-to-date on the latest news ● contact Link ● get information on links to Benefits and the Benefits System, bank accounts, credit unions and switching energy supplier The new app works on iPhone/iPad v3.1.3+, Android v2.2+, BlackBerry v6.0+, BlackBerry Playbook, Windows phone 7.0.

The app can be accessed by visiting http://m.linkhousing.org.uk/ or you can preview the app on the Link website www.linkhousing.org.uk just click on the ‘try our mobile web app’ button in the top right hand corner of any page.

Tenant handbook request your copy now

Out-of-hours Gas Boiler and Heating Repairs • Less than a year old call Devine Energy on 0131 660 2299 • Over a year old call Saltire on 01698 743 641

Other Out of Hours Emergency Repairs • For the West and Central regions call 0800 783 7937 • For the East region call R3 on 03000 999247

The tenant handbook has been updated to include all the information you need to manage your tenancy. Thank you to the staff and tenants who contributed to the update. You will not automatically receive a copy unless you moved into a Link property after 1 January 2014. If you would like a copy please call 08451 400 100 or email csc@linkhaltd.co.uk with subject title ‘tenant handbook’. Don’t forget to give your name and address.

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk

CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS UPDATE Link has been using the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman’s Model Complaints Handling Procedure for nine months. This is our “report card” for that period, showing how we are doing in terms of meeting timescales, delivering satisfactory outcomes and, more importantly, implementing changes to improve our services as a result of these complaints.

Complaints by category

Complaints by service Reactive Repairs

222

Tenancy Management

Estate Management

Factoring

Failed action

166

Planned Maintenance

Standard of service

103

Gas Servicing

Communication

Cyclical Maintenance

Staff attitude

Development

Contractor attitude

Lettings

Policy

Arrears

Staff error

Advice

Failed promise

Customer Support

Missed appointment - contractors

Rents

Missed appointment - staff

House Sales

Total

437

From 1 April to 31 December 2013, we received 437 complaints. We responded in full to them all. 410 were first stage complaints of which we responded to 357 (87%) within the required timescale of 5 working days. This is short of our target of 90%. Of these complaints, 68% (279) were deemed to be justified. 27 were second stage complaints (those which required a detailed investigation) and we responded to 24 (89%) within the required timescale of 20 working days. Again, this did not meet our target (95%). Of these complaints, 63% (17) were assessed as justified.

Satisfaction We are pleased that the vast majority of people are satisfied with the outcome of their complaints. Of the 410 customers who submitted 1st stage complaints, 365 (89%) were satisfied with the outcome of their complaint.

Total

437

What we are doing to improve our customer service ● We have made changes to our computer system to create additional alerts when deadlines for responding to complaints are approaching. This should help us improve our performance on meeting timescales. ● Staff have been reminded that the key principle of first stage complaints is “front line resolution” and that whoever receives the complaint should take ownership of it wherever possible. This will minimise the number of occasions when complaints are passed between different parts of Link and reduces the risk of delays. ● Case studies continue to be shared across the organisation via team meetings. This helps everyone learn the same lessons on good and bad practice.

www.linkhousing.org.uk

APPRENTICESHIPS WITH LINK PROPERTY In the winter newsletter we told you about new apprenticeship opportunities within our in-house trades team Link Property. We have successfully secured funding to offer three trade apprenticeships – a plumber, an electrician and a painter. ‘Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for young people to learn a trade. Many of our staff started out this way. We want to grow and support our own apprentices to become part of the Link Property team’ Rab Stevenson, Link Property Manager.

We will be advertising the positions in April on the Link website, but if you would like to register your interest please email DevelopmentGroup@linkhaltd.co.uk with the subject title ‘trade apprenticeships’.

Helping tenants increase their employability skills The Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre (KNC) has been successful in securing funding for a new employability project. The Brighter Futures project begins in April 2014 and will provide employability support and work placements for people over 25 years old in the Coatbridge area.

The IT Suite at the Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre.

The project will allow up to 36 people to take part in a ten week programme throughout the year. Those who take part will undertake a variety of modules and will have the opportunity to move onto a 26-week paid work placement with a community organisation in the area. Employability support will be provided when the programme is completed. The funding for this project has been provided by the Scottish Government’s People and Communities Fund with a small contribution from Link. Link’s Community Regeneration team worked closely with the KNC in the development of this project and is pleased to see this much needed programme arrive in the area.

If you want more information about the project please contact Willie McBride on 01236 426200 Kirkshaws Neighbourhood Centre, 25 Haddington Way, Coatbridge, ML5 5BF

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk

NEED HELP AND ADVICE TO GET A JOB? ASK JOE!

Join Link’s ePanel Our ePanel is a brand new way for tenants and customers to give their views, feedback and suggestions on a range of topics or services. So far the panel has completed surveys on our website and Investors in Diversity.

Who can become an ePanel member? Anyone over 16 years of age can apply to become a panel member. This includes current Link tenants, or a member of their household for example partner or child of the main

tenant, sharing owner or any owner (who receives a factoring service).

What's involved? You will be sent a short survey by email to complete online once a month at most. The surveys will be on a range of areas and subjects to help us focus on areas for improvement. Every time you complete one of our short online surveys you will be entered into a prize draw to win a £25 voucher. Well done to tenant Lorna McIntyre who won the first ePanel draw. If you would like to join the ePanel call 08451 400 100 or email getinvolved@ linkhaltd.co.uk

www.linkhousing.org.uk

Young people from SmartLiving (run by LinkLiving Ltd) have helped create a new website called 'Ask Joe' to help young unemployed people get on to the employment ladder. With help from Fixers UK, a national charity which supports young people aged 16 - 25, 'Ask Joe' – which stands for Jobs, Opportunities and Employability – was created as a resource for young people. It contains hints and tips the young people from SmartLiving find useful when searching for a job including how to write a CV and interview etiquette. Check out the website www.askjoeonline.com Follow on twitter @askjoeonline SmartLiving operates in Falkirk and Fife with funding from the Scottish Government's People and Communities Fund, Fife Council and Young Start.

Stepping up to scrutiny Hello, my name is Linda Cornwall, I have been a Link tenant for four years and I am the new chair of the Tenant Scrutiny Panel. The Tenant Scrutiny Panel meets on a monthly basis and has 11 members from across Scotland. We work independently to look at Link’s services and performance against the Scottish Social Housing Charter. We have a direct link to the Board to ensure that the experiences of the services you receive are formally linked to how big decisions are made. We recently completed the Scottish Government’s national training programme on scrutiny. This was a positive experience and helped us work together as a group and understand our role on the panel.

We are now working with staff on the first Annual Return on the Charter (ARC). We will be helping to produce a performance report to issue to all tenants by October. We are also reviewing our Terms of Reference to strengthen the links to the Board and Senior Management Team to ensure scrutiny recommendations are part of the governance of the organisation. We aim to give you a regular updates on our work in the newsletter and on the Link website. If you would like more information on the panel please contact us on getinvolved@linkhaltd.co.uk

VOID SCRUTINY UPDATE The panel reported the findings of the scrutiny exercise on void (empty) properties to the Link Housing Board in January. They found: ● Void performance improved in autumn 2013 (compared with 2012/2013 benchmarking information) in Central and West areas since Link Property started carrying out void repairs. However, performance is still below the benchmark average. The panel recommended that the Board and staff remain focussed on improving targets. ● The new re-lets standard was not completed or issued to tenants. This has now been done to ensure all new tenants are informed of the standards they can expect from a Link property. ● Tenant satisfaction information on the standard of the property when they move in is being gathered and will be reported in the first Annual Report on the Charter (ARC) this year. ● New dedicated Voids Officers have been appointed within Link Property to focus on improving process and outcomes for new tenants. ● Challenges that staff face, such as delays to targets resulting from gas supply and pre-pay meters. ● The Scrutiny Panel is working with staff on new ways to speed up the process and ensure new tenants get a good deal from energy companies.

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk

New Tenant Participation Strategy We have a strong commitment and tradition of involving tenants in the organisation. Tenant participation is about sharing knowledge and decision making, working with staff, managers and the Board to ensure services meet your needs. Our new Tenant Participation Strategy sets out the aims and outcomes we want to achieve: 1 Tenants participate and influence discussions and decision-making processes on service delivery and service development. 2 Tenants scrutinise performance and governance to influence service improvement and strategic decision-making. 3 We provide a range of opportunities and methods developed for tenants to help them participate effectively. 4 Information and communication will be accurate, timely and accessible. 5 We have informed, supported and knowledgeable tenants who have the skills and confidence to influence and challenge decisions. 6 Tenants will review and evaluate how we support and develop tenant participation.

We will publish regular ‘You said, We did’ feedback on the impact of consultations via the tenant newsletter. If you would like a copy of the action plan with consultation details please contact Leah Webb, Tenant Liaison Officer on 08451 400 100 or email getinvolved@linkhaltd.co.uk

TIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE We have a limited number of FREE places at the TIS Annual Conference, 27 – 29 June, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow. The national conference brings together tenants from across Scotland to discuss key issues that face housing association tenants and good practice sharing on how to influence the landlord. If you would like to attend please contact Leah Webb, Tenant Liaison Officer on 08451 400 100 or email getinvolved@linkhaltd.co.uk

www.linkhousing.org.uk

Your Rent, Your Priority Management and maintenance admin 28p

Loan finance 15p

POUN

Depreciation 23p

We will take firm action if you choose to pay other debts before your rent and may take legal action for non-payment. Eviction is always a last resort but one that we are prepared to take against those who are persistently in arrears. Since 1 April 2013 we have evicted 28 tenants for nonpayment of rent. Please don’t let this happen to you. Missing a rent payment can seem like a quick fix but it can escalate and cause serious problems, not only for your current tenancy but any future tenancy. As soon as you know you might not be able to pay your rent you must let us know.

How every £1 in rent was spent 2012/2013

Don’t forget your rent takes priority over any other payments you have to make. If you don’t pay your rent your home will be at risk.

Bad debts 1p

Planned/cyclical major repairs 18p

Reactive maintenance costs 15p

Why do we need your rent? We need your rent to ensure we have money to provide services, repair, maintain and upgrade your home, manage neighbourhoods, provide housing management and advice services and repay loans. We appreciate that cuts in welfare benefits and the cost of living means that many of our tenants who are on low incomes are struggling.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP Rent Enquiry staff are based in area offices so they can work more closely with Housing Officers. If you need to speak to someone about your rent arrears please call the relevant number below. For all other enquires, or if you are not sure which number to call, please contact the Customer Service Centre on 08451 400 100. Glasgow and surrounding areas Sheena English 0141 813 7030, Suzanne Swan 0141 813 7032 Lanarkshire and surrounding areas Donald Beaton /Ann McMahon 01236 734718 Falkirk and surrounding areas Margaret Shepherd 01324 417138 Ann O’Donnell 01324 417130 Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Sheila McLeod 0131 624 7849 Angela Bisland 0131 624 7857 Sheltered Housing (all areas) Pamela Wright 01324 417142 Port Glasgow Larkfield Housing Association 01475 630930 If you feel you need extra help call our dedicated advice team on 08451 400 100 for welfare benefits or debt and money advice. This is a free, impartial and confidential service that will help you deal with any money problems. See the case studies on page 10 which show the positive impact the advice team is having on tenants’ lives.

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk

WAYS TO PAY If you are in receipt of housing benefit, it is still your responsibility to make sure that your rent is being paid, even if it is paid directly to Link by your local council. Your claim must be up-to-date and you must let the council know immediately of any changes that may affect your entitlement. Pay by Telephone ℡ Call allpay on 0870 243 6040, Link’s Customer Service Centre or the Rent Enquiry team based in your local office, to pay by credit or debit card. Make sure you have a note of your allpay reference number.

Pay by Direct Debit This is similar to a standing order but you don’t need to contact your bank every time there is a change to your rent – we do it for you. If you want to set up a Direct Debit or switch your Standing Order then call Link’s Customer Service Centre or the Rent Enquiry team based in your local office. Payments are made automatically either weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Direct Debit Competition Link has joined a national campaign run by Bacs, the not-for-profit organisation behind Direct Debit, called The Big Break initiative which encourages people to switch to the ease and convenience of Direct Debit. One lucky person will scoop £12,000 in a prize draw – enough to cover regular bills for an entire year. To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, switch to paying by Direct Debit between 1 April and 30 June 2014. Simply call the Customer Service Centre on 08451 400 100 and ask to pay your rent by Direct Debit.

Pay over the internet Pay over the internet using either a debit or credit card at www.allpayments.net. Make sure you have a note of your allpay reference number.

Pay by Cheque or Postal Order Cheques or postal orders should be made payable to Link Housing Association Ltd. If a cheque is dishonoured, we reserve the right to make a charge against your account to cover bank charges plus handling costs. Pay using the allpay app You can download the allpay app onto your mobile phone to make payments this way.

Pay by Cash You can pay your rent at no charge in any Post Office, shop or garage which displays the Paypoint, E-pay, Payzone or allpay logo using an allpay card. Any payments you make are applied to your rent account within 24 hours and you will be given a receipt to confirm payment.

www.linkhousing.org.uk

Link’s advice service helping our tenants Our new advice services, funded by the Big Lottery and the Scottish Legal Aid Board, have been achieving great success for tenants. Here are two examples of how they have been helping. Case Study 1 Money Advice Service

Case Study 2 Financial and Digital Inclusion Services

Miss A contacted the team because her debts had become out of control. She is a single parent with two young children and works 30 hours a week. She had many debts including credit cards, doorstep lenders and payday loans. She had been trying to make the minimum payments but the interest was crippling her. Each payday she would clear one payday loan and immediately have to take a bigger loan to get through the month. Her last straw was at Christmas when she turned to an illegal money lender. Miss A fell behind on her priority bills. Prepayment meters were installed for her gas and electricity and her arrears were being deducted giving her less money to use on fuel. The Council arrested her wages to recover Counil Tax at £102 per month and court action had started to evict her from her property. Her total debt was £6300. Our Money Advice Officer worked with Miss A to look at her options and reported the illegal money lender (so she no longer has to pay this back) and contacted her non-priority creditors and put a hold on her eviction. At this point Miss A chose to apply for the Debt Arrangement Scheme. Our Adviser helped her complete her application. The scheme meant that her debts were frozen and no further interest or charges would be added. Her wage arrestment was cancelled. She pays £120 per month which is split between her rent, council tax and other debts. Miss A is now much better off, she has had no more debt letters and calls and will be debt-free in four years if she continues to make payments to the debt scheme.

Miss B met our Financial and Digital inclusion Officer whilst she was visiting another tenant. Miss B mentioned that she wanted help getting online as she didn’t have access and didn’t think she could afford it. The Officer helped her look at her budget and called Virgin Media on her behalf to set up her Broadband connection. Miss B wanted to keep in contact with friends and family so the Officer gave her help to set up an email account. Before leaving Miss B produced an iPad that she had never used and wasn’t sure how to. The Officer agreed to come back and help her do this. Miss B was shown how to set her iPad and received training on it by the officer. She was given information about training on Microsoft packages and has since been accessing training on Word and Excel. Miss B was also given advice about Credit Unions telling her what they are and which she could join. She has now started saving a little money each week for her next holiday. Miss B has told us how these small differences have made a positive impact on her life.

If you feel you could benefit from some money, financial or benefits advice call the team on

08451 400 100.

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk

Introducing the new

West Housing team

Our team at The Bruach office in Clydebank provide housing management, rent arrears, administration and welfare rights to around 1500 homes from Luss to Prestwick and all points in between! At the end of last year there was a number of changes to the team. Helen Kealey, Housing Services Co-ordinator, retired and a number of new people joined the team. Leading the team is the new Housing Services Co-ordinator, Sue Shone. The team helps with managing your tenancy, allocations of properties, getting the benefits you are entitled to, moving to a more suitable property, dealing with neighbour problems, coping with debt or understanding your rent.

As the Housing Officers and the Welfare Rights Officer spend most of their time out and about visiting people you MUST make an appointment to visit them at the office. You can contact them via the Customer Service Centre on 08451 400 100. They will call you back or arrange to see you at a time convenient to you. Remember, repairs should be reported using the same number. The Housing Officers pictured above are (clockwise): ● Angela Nisbet Alexandria, Bearsden, Bonhill, Clydebank, Dalmuir and Luss ● Fiona Canavan (part-time Monday to Wednesday) Bishopbriggs and Springburn ● Karen Lawrie (part-time Wednesday to Friday) Central Glasgow ● Lea-Anne McCuish Kilmarnock, Prestwick, Mauchline and Catrine ● Rosie Usher Renfrew, Johnstone, Lochwinnoch, Linwood and part of Paisley ● Kim Quinn Paisley and Oatlands

www.linkhousing.org.uk

FOR RENT Link builds a number of new build homes for intermediate rent across central Scotland. The properties are available on short assured tenancies to working households with low to moderate incomes. These homes have fitted floor coverings, curtains or blinds to windows, and kitchen white goods. Applicants are assessed to ensure they have sufficient income to pay for their rent and that they are credit worthy. A security deposit is payable at entry which is lodged with Safe Deposits Scotland. We have three developments completing soon that will have properties available for intermediate rent:

Development

Number of Properties

Estimated Release Date

Oakwood Phase 2, Cumbernauld

8 x two-bedroom flats

July 2014

Colonsay Way Forthquarter, Edinburgh

32 x two-bedroom flats

August 2014

Shortbread House, Granton, Edinburgh

12 x two-bedroom flats 15 x one-bedroom flats

December 2014

FOR SALE Our new development at Carradale Crescent, Broadwood, Cumbernauld also has four properties available to buy as part of the New Supply Shared Equity Scheme (NSSE). This scheme aims to help people on low incomes who wish to own their own home but who cannot afford to pay the full price for a property. You can purchase between 60 – 80% of the property and get a government grant for the remaining share. The properties available in the scheme are three two-bedroom flats (£100,000-£105,000) and a three-bedroom mid-terraced property (£115,000).

If you want any further information on the intermediate rent properties or the NSSE scheme please call Link2Let on 01324 417 145.

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk

Helping you swap your home Link is registered with HomeSwapper and HouseExchange – websites which allow social renting tenants to swap their home. This is called a mutual exchange. Tenants Audrey and Alexander Furby, along with their two sons and dog Tia, recently swapped homes with another tenant with the help of the HomeSwapper website. The Furbys were living in a large three-bedroom garden flat in Stenhousemuir and although their flat was lovely they were keen to move to a house with a garden. Audrey came across the HomeSwapper website whilst browsing online and decided to add their property details. Over the next six months, they had two people contact them about possible exchanges but the properties they had to swap were not suitable. Then a third phone call late last year brought their attention to a semi-detached house in Airth. At this point they hadn’t thought of Airth as an option but

as they liked the look of the property they decided to go to view it. As soon as they saw the property they knew it was perfect for them. Once both parties had agreed to go ahead with the mutual exchange they both had to apply to their landlords (Falkirk Council and Link Housing) to request an exchange. Once a Mutual Exchange has been requested and approved, it usually has to be processed within 28 days from the application date (as per policy). In this case because it was so close to Christmas, every effort was made to process the exchange quickly to allow it to be carried out prior to the Christmas holidays. The exchange took place within 21 days of the application forms being submitted and both tenants exchanged properties on 23 December 2013.

Audrey said: “The Homeswapper website was a great service. It allowed us to look at properties available for a swap whilst still maintaining our privacy and our ability to make decisions without the pressure of face-to-face contact. It allowed us to view properties online before committing to viewing the property”. Link and Council staff went out of their way to accommodate the move prior to Christmas and we appreciate the effort made to enable this. The process was really smooth”.

If you are interested in swapping your home: Go to the HomeSwapper website www.homeswapper.co.uk for properties across Scotland Go to the HouseExchange website www.houseexchange.com for properties in Edinburgh

www.linkhousing.org.uk

The end of the Right to Buy in Scotland The Housing Bill 2013 is currently being scrutinised by the Scottish parliament and is likely to be passed this summer. The Bill will end the Right to Buy in Scotland, helping to ease the demand for social housing by preventing the sale of up to 15 000 social houses over the next 10 years. The Bill also increases flexibility for social landlords in the allocation and management of housing, and strengthens measures for tackling anti-social behaviour. If you would like more detail go to: www.scottishparliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/70102.aspx

Inverclyde Common Housing Register Link followed in Larkfield Housing Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps by joining Inverclydeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Common Housing Register (ICHR) last year. This means that if you are looking for a property in Inverclyde you can sign up to bid and apply for properties from Link, Larkfield and partners Cloch and Oak Tree Housing Associations. You only need to complete one registration form to join the common housing list. To register please visit www.inverclydechr.org or call 01475 630930 for a registration form. Available properties are advertised in ICHR partner offices, on the ICHR website and in the Greenock Telegraph each Tuesday.

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk

Don’t bin it – re-use it PROTECT YOUR HOME – TAKE OUT HOME CONTENTS INSURANCE

If you have any bulky, furniture or electrical items that you no longer want or need call the National re-use phone line on 0800 0665 820. The service will come and collect your unwanted items and pass them onto someone else who needs them. This also reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfill. Under no circumstances should you dump items, this is called flytipping and is illegal.

HAPPY TO TRANSLATE Don’t forget that we can provide this newsletter in alternative languages, Braille, large print or on audio tape. Just call the Customer Service Centre on 08451 400 100 and we can arrange this for you.

08451 559 559

If the worst happens and your house is damaged by flood or fire, could you afford to replace all your furniture or electrical goods, without having insurance in place? As a Link tenant you have access to a pay-as-you-go home contents insurance scheme (provided by THiSTLE Tenant Risks) which allows you to insure the contents of your home from as little as £1.33 a fortnight (under-60s) and £1.02 a fortnight (over-60s) and 82p a fortnight if you are a sheltered housing resident. These premiums are among some of the most affordable in Scotland.

Call THiSTLE on 0845 601 7007 or 01628 586187 (from a mobile) for an application form.

08451 559 559

W przypadku, ze tutejsza informacja bedzie potrzeba w innej wersji n.p. duzy druk, kaseta audio, lub w innym jezyku, prosze sie sontaktowac z nami pod numerem 08451 559 559.

www.linkhousing.org.uk

Scotland’s future: tenants decide

Link tenants are invited to the Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF) annual conference in June. Called Scotland’s Future: Tenants Decide, the Conference will focus on tenants’ issues in the run-up to the independence referendum. We’ll be using So Say Scotland’s Wee Play card game – a game designed to generate debate on the independence referendum and to be played anywhere by anyone. There will also be chance for debate with a Question Time panel featuring Sheila Gilmore MP along with other members from the YES Scotland and Better Together campaigns. Scotland’s Future: Tenants Decide will be followed by lunch, the launch of the Federation’s new website, the ETF Annual General Meeting and a networking social.

When Saturday 21 June 2014 from 9.30am to 5.00pm Where Norton Park Conference Centre, 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh. To book a place please contact ETF direct on 0131 475 2509 or email info@edinburghtenants.org.uk Assistance with transport and childcare may be available on request.

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk

REGIONAL ROUND-UP Pantomime trip for Larbert tenants Kinnaird Tenants’ Association organised the trip to the MacRobert Theatre, Stirling for a production of Beauty and the Beast. Everyone had a great time, and hope to go back next year. New tenants’ group update Staff are working with tenants in Bearsden, East Kilbride, Grangemouth, Edinburgh and Oatlands to set up new Link tenants’ groups. These groups will work with staff on issues such as estate management, community safety, and activities for the local area. The Grangemouth group is working with Falkirk Council’s Litter Strategy Team on an ‘orphaned land’ project where the community takes over uncared for open spaces and transforms them into something more attractive for local residents. Oatlands Development Trust The Oatlands Development Trust AGM is on Tuesday 29 April, 6.30pm at Hampden Primary

School, 18 Logan Gardens, Glasgow, G5 0LJ The AGM is open to the general public, however, only Oatlands Development Trust members are entitled to vote and stand for election. A formal opening of the play parks junior area will be in May 2014. Thinking about a Big Lunch? The Big Lunch aims to get as many people as possible throughout the UK to have lunch with their neighbours annually in an act of community, friendship and fun. Last year 3.65 million people took to their streets, gardens and community spaces for the fifth annual Big Lunch. This year's Big Lunch is on Sunday 1 June 2014. A Big Lunch can range in size from just a few neighbours getting together in the garden to a street party with food, music and decoration. If you would like help to hold a Big Lunch please contact Leah Webb, Tenant Liaison Officer, 08451 400 100 or getinvolved@linkhaltd.co.uk

Fancy a day out on the canal? Looking for an idea for a day out for your family, friends of community group? Try the ReUnion Canals project. You can hire the boat for the day at reduced rates for Link tenants. For more details contact Leah Webb, Tenant Liaison Officer on 08451 400 100. Port Glasgow Monthly Surgery If you are a Link tenant in Port Glasgow and have a query regarding your tenancy, repairs or need some advice, Larkfield Housing Association hosts a surgery in 7 ½ John Wood Street, Port Glasgow, PA14 5HU on the last Tuesday of every month from 9:30am to 11:30am.

www.thebiglunch.com

www.linkhousing.org.uk

Sheltered Housing news Link Games During the Commonwealth Games, Link’s Sheltered Housing complexes will be holding its own multi-game event called the ‘Link Games’ in Cambuslang. Rita Kirby has started working with a small group to plan what games should be included – dominoes and darts have already been confirmed. If you have suggestions on any other games to be included please speak to your Sheltered Housing Officer or get in touch with Rita. Peel Court and Claddens Place are already warming up their dominoes teams!

Partnership with Caledonian University During February and March, six social work students from Glasgow Caledonian University were working in Kilsyth Road, St Andrews Gardens, Glen Lyon Court, Claddens Place and Kenmuir Court. Their task was to identify the responses and involvement of social work as part of their practice learning module.

Thanks to residents and staff who took the time to speak with them. The students now have a greater understanding of the needs of older people and a better knowledge of how sheltered housing and Housing Support assist in helping older people live in their own homes.

Sheltered Housing Forum Around 20 residents attended the 2nd sheltered Housing Forum on 31 January in Claddens Place. A number of topics were discussed including the forthcoming Link Games and Older Peoples’ Day. Leah Webb, Tenant Liaison Officer spoke about the new Tenant Participation Strategy and Alzheimer’s Scotland gave a presentation on dementia awareness.

Sheltered Housing Officer meetings The Sheltered Housing Officer meeting takes place every four weeks and are a chance for staff to discuss topics including legislation, new policies and awareness training. The next meetings are on Wednesday 7 May at Albany Court and Wednesday 4 June at Kenmuir Court.

Care Inspection Feedback from the Care Inspectorate has awarded Very Good grades for the service that is provided by the Sheltered Housing Team. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the inspection and completed the questionnaires in June last year.

Training

Zara Ali and Liz Kerr at Kenmuir Court

To meet our registration with the Care Inspectorate, we have to ensure that our staff are fully qualified. The training programme for the coming year is currently being drawn up, but courses will include first aid, food hygiene, drug and alcohol abuse, dealing with difficult situations, Health and Safety and Fire Wardens training.

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk

Round the houses ST ANDREWS GARDENS Tenants continue to enjoy a full range of activities in and around the complex and are waiting to hear the result of their application for funding from North Lanarkshire Council. They will also be attending a daffodil tea and entertainment at Chapelside Primary.

ALBANY COURT Residents held their AGM and are working towards an Awards for All application to fund activities.

CASTINGS HOUSE Tenants in Castings House have a hardworking committee which helps Janet Harrower arrange outings and activities. Volunteers from SmartLiving have been visiting and helping residents use the Wii in the communal lounge. The Wiifit and games have proven to be a great success. A recent outing saw 18 people visit the Bannockburn exhibition and Dobbies garden centre in Stirling. The garden group will be meeting with Mark Beetham, Link’s Programme Management Officer, to look at ways to increase the seating area in the back garden.

PEEL COURT Tenants at Peel Court are making good use of their communal lounge in the afternoons with biscuit making, cake decoration and healthy food preparation.

During the past few months a number of complexes have celebrated Burns nights, Valentine’s Day and St Patrick’s Day.

www.linkhousing.org.uk

Egg-cellent artist? Enter our Easter egg competition! Decorate the picture below any way you like and send your entries to: Leah Webb, Tenant Liaison Officer, Watling House, Callendar Business Park, Falkirk, FK1 1XR by Friday 16 May. There are three age categories: 2 – 5 years, 6 – 10 years and 11 – 15 years. The winners will receive £25 WH Smith gift vouchers.

We are looking for the best Easter Egg designs!

Name.............................................................................................. Address .......................................................................................... ...................................................................................................... Age ................................................................................................

Link will produce this information on request in Braille, Audio Tape, Large Print and Community Languages. To find out more, please telephone the Customer Service Centre on 08451 400 100. Link Housing Association Limited is a company registered in Scotland. Company registration number SC216300. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Link House, 2C New Mart Road, Edinburgh EH14 1RL. Part of the Link group. © LinkGroup Ltd 2014.

08451 400 100 or 0330 303 0013 or csc@linkhaltd.co.uk