E-BULLETIN February 2011 Are you on board?
In the run up the Welsh Assembly Elections in May, Melin along with other local housing organisations, Care and Repair agencies and regeneration organisations are collaborating to give a voice to local communities around housing, care and regeneration issues. A series of events called ‘Are you on board?’ will be taking place in each local authority area. Residents, service users and other interested individuals will have the opportunity to hear about the innovative work being done around housing, care, and regeneration in your area, discuss the challenges ahead and have your chance to ask questions to prospective candidates around these topics.
The events are as follows: • Newport - 28th February 9.30 to 12.00 at the Riverside Suite, Newport Leisure Centre • Monmouthshire – 28th February 1.30 to 4.00 at the Priory Centre, Abergavenny • Torfaen – 1st March 9.30 to 12.00 at the Greenmeadow Community Farm • Blaenau Gwent – 1st March 1.30 to 4.00 at the VITEC Centre, Tredegar • Powys – 3rd March 9.30 to 12.00 at the Plas Dolerw, Newtown. For more information or to book a place call Paula Skyrme on 01495 745907 or email her at paula.skyrme@melinhomes.co.uk
Melin’s “Getting connected” project scoops top award Melin’s ground-breaking work helping residents get connected to digital technology won acclaim recently at a National Housing Award ceremony in London. Judges at the Chartered Institute of Housing praised Melin with ‘Outstanding Achievement in Housing in Wales’ for their ‘Getting connected’ project. Judges at the UK Housing awards also gave Melin’s project another accolade - the highly commended award under the supporting social and economic inclusion category. Mark Gardner said: “It is a real honour to have our work recognised by our peers and it confirms what we believe, which is that time and time again, we are at the forefront with innovative projects which make a real difference to residents lives.” For more information call Stuart Baldwin on 01495 745908 or email him at stuart.baldwin@melinhomes.co.uk 1
Melin Homes recognised for their ASB work Melin’s dispute resolution team has been awarded the Wales Assembly Government standard on dealing with Anti-social behaviour by meeting seven key commitments. The team has a firm but fair approach to dealing with any incidents of anti-social behaviour and has employed a number of innovative techniques to help them tackle antisocial behaviour, support witnesses and help people make long-lasting changes.
Their use of legal remedies to punish perpetrators of anti-social behaviour and evict serious offenders’ works alongside creative tools such as using mediation and cognitive behavioural therapy to help victims and perpetrators make long-term changes in their lives. For more information call Rachel Mason on 01495 745919 or email her Rachel.mason@melinhomes.co.uk
Residents benefit from an exceptional partnership Jocelyn Davies, AM, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration came to Blaenavon recently to see first hand the ground-breaking work around digital inclusion taking place in Torfaen. The Digital Hub, based in Melin owned Church View has been transformed into a state-of-the-art IT training facility, bringing the world heritage site town firmly into the 21st century. This project is a partnership between Torfaen County Borough Council and Melin Homes and was supported by the Heads of the Valleys regeneration fund. The Deputy Minister was given a tour of the building meeting both students and Melin residents who have received free computers from our “Getting connected” project, part of the Church View project. Mark Gardner explained: “Church View is the feather in Melin’s cap. Not only are we helping to make a real difference to the people of North Torfaen, but the project clearly demonstrates the excellent ‘can do’ relationship we have with Torfaen Council.”
Solar panels in Powys save residents cash Melin is one of the first housing associations in Wales to fund a programme of installing solar panels with our £450,000 installation programme. 24 homes from Gerdd i’r Mynydd, Crickhowell have received solar panels saving the residents a minimum of £120 a year per household on their electricity bills. The first instalment at Crickhowell has been completed and each solar panel creates 1.5 kilowatts an hour when the sun is at its peak. The programme of installing solar panels is set to continue to a number of our streets in Newport and Cwmbran. 2
Monmouthshire’s Older people making changes Care and Repair Monmouthshire has just completed its first Life Café series in Abergavenny. It was such a success that more sessions have been arranged for Chepstow in February. Life Cafés, funded by Health Challenge Monmouthshire, help older people make small changes to their lifestyle that will improve their independence and quality of life. Pamela Blackwell, from Llanfoist, attended the Abergavenny Life Café and told us: “I have
really enjoyed it. I met new people and learnt new things. I have never tried a Wii before, it was great fun. It is important to me to keep active and learn new things.” Shona Martin, Monmouthshire’s Care and Repair Manager said: “By making a number of small changes, it is possible to make a real difference to quality of life.” To find out more, or book a place, call Sue on 01873 854195.
Members bowled over by Melin’s generosity Members of Garndiffaith Bowls Club got together recently to say a big thank you to Melin. The team applied to our Jump Fund for all-weather bowling jackets to allow them to play more games throughout the year. Mark Gardner said: “Melin was more than happy to fund such a worthwhile cause. This club has been in existence since 1926 so is at the heart of the community.” The Jump fund provides grants of up to £250 for groups and organisations who demonstrate a benefit to our residents and the communities. You can apply to Melin’s Jump Fund online at www.melinhomes.co.uk/jumpfund or call 08453 101102 for an application form.
Newport’s Hope centre dancers off to Paris Melin will have their fingers crossed in a few months time, hoping that the Hope Centre Dance group come away with a medal at the European Dance Championships, which will be taking place in Paris in April. Melin has given the team a helping hand by sponsoring their track suits so that they will look the part when they take to the dance floor. The group of 10 girls, aged from 10 to 14 have already won several medals for their street dancing at local and national level. 3
Care and repair week in Torfaen The 17th to 24th January was national Care and Repair week. To celebrate this, Care and Repair Torfaen held a series of information roadshows. Mrs Butcher of Abersychan went to the first roadshow at Millenium Hall, Garndiffaith and was happy to discover that she was entitled to a free security light outside of their property. She told us: “This is wonderful news. It’s nice to get something for free.” The finale of the week saw Assembly Member for Torfaen Lynne Neagle spending the day with Care and Repair and some of their clients to find out exactly what they do. Following the visit Lynne Neagle commented - “I had no idea of the wide range of services that Care and Repair provide. I am impressed not only with the quality of work carried out but also the way the Agency constantly looks for ways to improve their client’s quality of life.” For more information call Nicola Maule on 01495 768870 or email her at nicola.maule@melinhomes.co.uk
Commissioner impressed by Care and Repair Ruth Marks, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales recently took a tour of Melin services to find out about the excellent work we provide to older people. The visit involved a visit to Mrs Davies, one of our residents living in a Melin bungalow, a cup of tea at Care and Repair Torfaen and the last stop, Ty George Lansbury, our extra care scheme in Cwmbran.
Meet Gerrard Gerrard Williams recently joined our Development Team as Principal Development Officer (New Business). Gerrard is a chartered surveyor who lives locally. He has worked on land and property projects within South Wales for over 20 years and has been brought into the team to work with and alongside local authority partners, development agencies, private housing developers and land owners in identifying and bringing forward future development sites. You can contact him on 01495 745941 or via email on gerrard.williams@melinhomes.co.uk
“First click” fame for our getting connected residents Two of our residents were recently interviewed for the BBC Radio Wales Roy Noble show as part of the BBC campaign “First Click”. The campaign helps people get online and is particularly targeted at older people who have not used computers before.
Anne Davies, who received a free computer through our “Getting connected” project spoke to the BBC and described her computer as her “magic carpet” helping her to get in touch with old friends from all over the world. 4
Melin’s Taliesin building on TV A camera crew from Fflic TV recently visited our Taliesin building in Cwmbran to film it for a forthcoming tv series. The building will appear in an S4C series called ‘100 Lle’, which is based on the book ‘Wales: 100 places to see before you die’ by noted historian Dr John Davies. The building, which Dr Davies described as a ‘fine example of sheltered housing’, has previously won awards and been recognised for its innovative use of steel cladding. Taliesin will appear in an episode that focuses on Cwmbran, which will air at the end of February. ‘100 Lle’ is currently transmitted every Tuesday on S4C at 8:25pm.
Groundforce team tackles the snow We are well into winter and our Groundforce team in Trevethin has changed the way it works to help older and vulnerable people in severe weather conditions. The team will be in Trevethin lending a hand with winter jobs such as: • Clearing snow • Gritting • Clearing leaves • Repairing fences • Any other garden maintenance problems you may have Mark Gardner, Chief Executive of Melin Homes said: “The teams worked really hard during the summer, carrying out nearly 300 jobs. During the winter they will be able to equal, if not improve on the hard work they have already done.” If you live in the Trevethin area and would like help with winter maintenance call Dan on 01495 745927 or email him on daniel.prosser@melinhomes.co.uk to book an appointment.
Local children benefit from an unusual partnership Melin is again supporting the Second Half project for the fourth year running. The project, managed by the Newport Gwent Dragons at their home ground, Rodney Parade, Newport. Gives a unique opportunity for thousands of 9 to 11 year olds to build self-esteem and confidence by participating in an out–of-school learning experience. Mark Gardner said: “You would not think that a rugby team and a housing association would have much in common, but the opposite is in fact true. We are both working hard to help the youngsters in our community become better citizens. The fact that this partnership is in its fourth year clearly demonstrates that it is working.” If you know of a school in the Gwent area that would like to take part in the Second Half Project, contact Phil James on 01633 674956 or phil.james@rodneyparadeltd.com. 5
Melin share their skills Melin recently completed two new housing schemes in Monmouthshire where we acted as Development Agents for Monmouthshire Housing Association. Melin Staff were invited to the official opening of six new homes in Llanarth in recognition of the part they played. An official openning of the four new homes in Llandogo will take place in early March. The homes were built thanks to the help and skills of Melin’s Development team who oversaw their construction from start to finish.
New Melin homes coming your way soon This spring will see the completion of 158 new Melin homes; 109 in Torfaen and 49 in Blaenau Gwent. In the next few months Blaenau Gwent will see the completion of • 20 homes in Swffrydd by the end of March • 6 in Oakfield Terrace, Ebbw Vale by June • 23 at Mountain Road, Ebbw Vale by April Similarly, in Torfaen; • 35 homes in Pentwyn will be complete by March, • 12 homes in Conway Road will be finished in February, • 12 homes in Woodland Street, Cwmbran will be finished in April, • 34 new homes in Garndiffaith completed by June • 16 new homes at St Francis Talywain will recommence very soon.
Melin staff dig deep for charity Children suffering from cancer are the latest beneficiaries of generous Melin staff. The 160 staff all came up trumps and collected a whopping £450 for the Latch appeal which gives help and support to children with cancer in Wales.
If you would like further information about any of the above, or have any comments about how we can make our e-bulletin more useful, please let us know. If you have received this message in error, or if one of your colleagues would also like to receive a copy, please contact Paula Skyrme at paula.skyrme@melinhomes. co.uk or telephone 01495 745907. If you would like to find out more about Melin Homes you can view our business plan, or Melin News, our residents newsletter which are all available on our website.
Looks like it will be another hectic year for our Development team.
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