edition 2
Melinnews
Summer 2009 www.melinhomes.co.uk
Inside
Financial inclusion, Youth forum, Development update, Residents’ Panel news, Money advice and More! Competition – Win a family bowling trip!
Melin news
Welcome to your summer edition of Melin News. Inside you will find the latest news about what’s been happening at Melin and some great stories featuring your fellow Melin residents. We recently launched some exciting new initiatives: Our youth forum, which will see our younger residents getting involved and making decisions about a range of improvement activities within our communities, and our financial inclusion strategy which aims to help you manage your finances better by providing advice on accessing savings accounts, affordable credit, maximising your benefits and information about training and work opportunities. Other news includes an update on our home building programme, our latest customer satisfaction results,
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advice on making improvements to your home and a great competition. We were delighted to hear that one of our residents, who received an education bursary from us recently, found full-time work in her chosen career. Her story is on page 13. Elections will be taking place soon to vote residents onto both Melin’s Residents’ Panel and our Board, so please apply if you would like to help make decisions about how Melin is run. See page 5 and 16 for details. I hope you have a great summer. Mark Gardner
Contents 03.
Money saving tips
04.
Launch of financial inclusion
05.
Residents’ Panel news
06.
Melin’s youth forum & family information services
07.
Maintaining your home & customer satisfaction
08.
Gas servicing reminder & tree planting campaign
09.
Development news
10.
Development news
11.
Sheltered Scheme round up
12.
Lavender Gardens nears completion & memorial garden
13.
Education bursary success
14.
Maindee fire station trip & competition
15.
Cleaner communities
16.
Low-cost homes & Board elections
17.
Rent statements and transfer
18.
Jump fund
If you need the information in this newsletter in large print, Braille, on CD, or explained in your own language, please contact Laura on 01495 745929. If you have any suggestions about how we can improve Melin News please let us know. You can write to us at the address on the back page, call 01495 745929 or email editor@melinhomes.co.uk
Cover story Work has started on our new £1 million development of new homes in Torfaen.
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Melin news
Credit – the true cost Buying things on credit can seem like a good option sometimes, but have you ever thought about how much it really costs? For example, a new television which would cost £500 to buy in cash can cost a huge amount more depending on the type of credit you choose, as shown below. • Loan Shark – Total payable £5,198.93 • Buy As You View - Total payable £1221.48 • Provident – Total payable £1060.00 • Argos Card – Total payable £714.36 • Credit Union – Total payable £630.21 As you can see, Credit Unions offer more affordable loans, you can also save with them. Gateway Credit Union can provide residents who live and/or work in Torfaen and Monmouthshire with straightforward, affordable financial services. How it works: You can save as much or as little as you want. When you need a loan, you apply to the Credit Union and, if the loan is granted, you get a cheque you can cash at the Post Office. It’s that simple!
For more information about Gateway Credit Union, please call 01495 750 020 or visit www.gatewaycu.co.uk These additional Credit Unions operate in the following areas: Brecon and District Credit Union Limited T: 01874 620104 Smart Money Credit Union Ltd operates in Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent T: 029 2088 3751 Newport Credit Union Limited Tel: 01633 822224
Need benefit advice? All Melin residents can access independent One resident in Newport had fallen into rent benefit advice from Mike Bailey, a case worker arrears due to problems with their housing who works for Shelter Cymru. benefit application but, with Mike’s help, they were able to claim £1,400 in backdated Mike works at our Pontypool office every payments and clear their arrears. Thursday and Friday from 9.30am – 5pm and you can come in and see him, speak to him Mike can offer advice on a whole range of over the telephone or book an appointment benefits so please get in touch if you think he for him to visit you at home. can help you by calling 08453 101102. In the past two months Mike has helped many residents ensure they are claiming all the benefit they are entitled to.
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Melin aims to help residents improve
their finances
Money matters We launched our new financial inclusion strategy at the start of June. The launch took place at Garnteg Primary School in Garndiffaith. Dr Brian Gibbons, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, presented the school with a cheque from Melin that will allow each year 6 pupil to invest £20 in a savings account with the local credit union, Gateway. Pupils from other years received a Melin piggybank so they can start saving immediately too. Dr Brian Gibbons said: “I welcome the fact that Melin Homes is leading the way by developing its own financial inclusion strategy that reflects local needs. The current economic climate means that it is more important than ever that everyone is aware of services that can help them financially. I am certain that the action Melin is taking is going to make a real difference.”
Our Chief Executive, Mark Gardner, said: “I’m so proud of Melin’s new strategy as it demonstrates our commitment to addressing the financial issues affecting all our communities.” Our new strategy can help you: • Maximise your income • Obtain affordable credit • Access banks accounts and mainstream financial services • Gain information about training and work opportunities • Receive money and debt advice, access benefits, grants and subsidies where necessary For more information, please contact our Community Investment team on 08453 101102.
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Melin news
How does your garden grow?
Residents’ Panel Elections Melin’s Residents’ Panel is looking for new members. The Panel consists of 10 elected members who play an active role in the day-to-day running of Melin Homes and provide a vital link between the organisation and all residents. They meet twice a month at our office in Pontypool and their views and feedback help us shape Melin’s policies and procedures. The Panel also help residents resolve issues and it has its own budget to carry out small improvement works.
Angela and Jack are happy with their new, colourful garden
Our Residents’ Panel recently donated £150 worth of plants to Howell Griffiths Court, Abertillery. The donation has made a great different to the scheme, with the front and back garden looking much more colourful now. Residents Ray Preston and Jack Morgan lent a helping hand to plant the new flowers and shrubs. The pair can also now grow their own tomatoes, kidney beans and potatoes thanks to the Panel’s contribution. Scheme Manager Angela Jessop said: “I’m really grateful to the Panel for their kind donation. The colourful flowers and plants have really livened up the appearance of Howell Griffiths. Some of the residents have really enjoyed working on their own projects for the benefit of the whole scheme.” 5
Chair of the Panel, Val Phipps, said: “Being on the Residents’ Panel is very rewarding. I hope lots of residents will put their names forward to join and that all residents will participate in the election.” If you are interested in becoming a Panel member, please contact Rose Matthews before 24 July 2009 for a nomination form. A ballot of those who submit nominations will be held in August.
Our youth forum will address community issues
Youth matters At the end of May we launched our new youth forum. Fourteen young people from Abergavenny, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen were invited to take part in the forum by our Community Development Officers. The Officers have worked with these young people on numerous occasions during their community activity sessions and are confident that they will make a valuable contribution.
The young people, aged between ten and eighteen, will now meet on a regular basis to discuss issues affecting their communities and organise activities to improve the areas where they live. Issues they plan to discuss include afterschool activities, recycling and clean-up projects and anti-social behaviour. Courtney Connor, one of the members of the youth forum, said: “I was really happy to be asked to take part. I’m looking forward to helping my community become a more exciting place for young people to live, and also helping to make improvements for the benefit of everyone.” Alan Hughes, Melin’s Community Development Officer, said: “The aim of Melin’s youth forum is for our younger residents to take ownership for where they live. It’s a really exciting time for all involved as this is the first real opportunity for our younger residents, from a range of our communities, to actively address the issues that are important to them.” The long-term objective of the youth forum is for the young people to develop a network of external partners who can help them address the issues affecting their community, and also work with our Residents’ Panel to learn from their experiences and address relevant issues together.
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Melin news
Maintaining your home
Improvements to your home If you’re looking to make improvements to your home, please let us know. We don’t need to know if you are planning to paint a wall, put up shelves or carry out works of a similar nature. However, we do need to know if you want to: lay a patio, or new flooring, carry out any electrical or gas works, install a shower, kitchen or bathroom, or take on similar substantial works.
Last year we spent more than £2 million to ensure that your homes are well maintained and fitted with modern appliances. In 2008/09 we: • Completed 2,000 annual gas safety services • Completed more than 10,000 reactive repairs • Provided residents with 85 new kitchens, 160 new bathrooms and/or showers, and more than 100 new, energy efficient boilers In addition to the above, this year we will: • Invest more than £2.5 million in the maintenance of your homes • Work in partnership with the Heads of the Valleys Improvement Programme to install a range of energy efficient measures that will lower your household running costs.
Customer Satisfaction
97%
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to return a quality satisfaction survey for our repairs and gas servicing work. We are pleased to report that our current customer satisfaction rate is 97%. Every form returned is entered into a £25 monthly prize draw and our latest winners are Mr Llewellyn of Aneurin Bevan Court, Pontypool, and Mrs Mills of Cornwallis Way, Monmouth.
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All requests to carry out improvements to your home must be made in writing to us. We will not normally turn down reasonable requests, but please be aware that we may not be able to accommodate all requests. If this is the case, we will let you know why. Please do not start work on your property without our prior written consent. Works performed without our permission may have to be removed at your cost. Therefore please ask us first. For further advice, please contact your Maintenance Officer on 08453 101102.
Gas safety checks We are legally obliged to carry out annual safety checks on the gas appliances in your home to ensure they are working correctly. Therefore it is vital that you keep the appointments we arrange with you. Since April we have made 176 appointments but 43 of these were missed as residents were
not at home when our engineer called. Why are checks necessary? Around 600 people are admitted to hospital each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning. This can be deadly and typical sources include blocked flues or chimneys, inadequate ventillation, leaks from faulty gas appliances and
central heating systems. You can protect yourself by keeping your annual gas safety appointment. If you need to check when your service is due or rearrange an appointment, please call 01495 745947 and speak to David Pettit.
Tell us what you think
Tree time! We’re supporting a campaign which will plant more than 100 trees this year. The campaign, run by The Woodland Trust and Worcester Bosch Group, will see one tree planted for every new energy-efficient Worcester Bosch boiler that we install in your homes. We will fit the new boilers as part of our annual planned maintenance programme.
Please tell us your opinion of Melin Homes. We welcome both complaints and compliments. Your feedback helps ensure that we are providing you with the services you need and to the standard you expect. You can find details about our service standards at our Pontypool office, by visitng our website or we can email or post a copy to you. Our contact details are printed on the back cover.
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Melin news
New homes update Our housing development programme has far exceeded our expectations and in 2008/09 Melin, together with our local authority partners and the Welsh Assembly Government, invested £20 million in building a much-needed supply of affordable homes for rent and low-cost sale. 158 new homes have been completed to date with Melin self-funding £4 million of this work. We anticipate building another 168 new homes in 2009/10. Read on to find out about a selection of our new schemes.
Green homes for Newport Work is well underway on our development of affordable homes at Broadmead in Newport. The 3 three-bedroom timber framed homes are being built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes which sets minimum standards for sustainability and energy efficiency of new build homes.
The homes will be highly insulated and contain a range of energy saving features including solar panels, 100% efficient lighting, ecoflushing toilets and water butts. In addition to providing environmental benefits, all of these features will help to reduce running costs for our residents.
£1 million development in Torfaen We’ve started work on a new housing development in Trevethin. The £1 million development at Cobner Close will provide 8 high-quality modern homes for affordable rent including 2 two-bedroom houses, 2 three-bedroom houses and 4 two-bedroom bungalows. Work is due to be completed in January 2010. Cllr Lewis Jones, Deputy Leader of Torfaen Council and ward member for Trevethin, visited the site recently to help with a ground breaking ceremony. He said: “I am extremely grateful to
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Melin Homes for the investment they are putting into the Trevethin area. These new properties are the first affordable rented stock to be built in Trevethin for about 30 years and will be more than welcomed by the many people on the waiting list for a new home.” In the past few months we have also welcomed residents to the following developments: Portskewett near Caldicot; Clos Ysgol Garnteg Abersychan; Croesonen Abergavenny; New Road Farm Blaenavon; Hanbury Grove Pontypool.
Supporting rural communities
Local school girl Leanne names new development in Goytre
We celebrated the opening of our new homes in Goytre on 3 June when Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing, met with residents to find out how they were settling in. Leanne Wood, aged 5 from Goytre Fawr Primary school, picked the winning name for our £1.6 million scheme Folly View Close after taking part in a competition at her school. Leanne received a £20 book voucher for her help in naming the site. Folly View Close is classed as a rural exception site. As such, the 14 new homes were reserved exclusively for people in housing need and who had a strong local connection with the Goytre area. The new homes, available for rent, have given families and individuals the opportunity to start a brand new life. Kelly, 24, recently moved into a one-bedroom flat at Folly View Close. Prior to this she lived with her parents locally in Goytre. Kelly has suffered with long-term illness since the age of 16 which has prevented her from working. For that reason, Kelly thought it would take her years to afford her own house. Now however she has a home of her own thanks to Melin.
Kelly said: “Having my own home has changed my life. It’s amazing! It was a big step, but it’s given me independence and it’s lovely to be able to invite friends to my home. Also, due to the local connection criteria, I already know the majority of my neighbours which is reassuring and makes me feel secure. I would definitely recommend Melin – the application process was really easy and everyone seemed to genuinely want to help me.” Jocelyn Davies AM said: “The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to creating 6,500 more affordable homes so it is fantastic to see the work that’s going on here that will help us meet this target. More affordable housing is desperately needed in the area and Melin is providing excellent quality housing in a fantastic location.” Melin’s Chief Executive Mark Gardner said: “I’m delighted that Melin is able to provide highquality, affordable homes to individuals like Kelly and other local families. It’s great to know that we can help people, especially families and younger people, remain in their local area and continue to contribute to the community where they grew up.”
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Melin news
Sheltered Scheme round up... One of our sheltered scheme residents has a rather unusual claim to fame… Mr John Huckle, aged 84, from Hammett Court, Monmouth, has a mountain named after him in Antarctica! Called Mount Huckle, it is a peak reaching 8,365 feet in total. Back in 1947, Mr Huckle was employed by the Colonial Office to survey the British Antarctic Territory. To get around the ice covered continent, he used a sledge hauled by huskies. It was during this time that he sighted Mount Huckle – a previously unnamed mountain. However, Mr Huckle only found out that the mountain was named after him years later
when he was asked to proof a leaflet about the area. Friends recently informed him that he could be found on the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia. Mr Huckle has lived at Hammett Court with his wife, Eileen, for 12 years. He said: “I hadn’t appreciated that the mountain would be named after me when I surveyed it – it was just part of the job for me.” Have you got an interesting story to tell? If so, let us know! Email the details to editor@melinhomes.co.uk or telephone Laura on 01495 745929. Please note that we cannot always publish all the stories we receive.
Looking for a new home? We currently have vacancies at the following schemes for residents aged 55 and over* • Llys Ebwy in Ebbw Vale • Ty Penry Thomas in Ebbw Vale • Howell Griffiths in Abertillery • Tredegar Court in Newport Our sheltered schemes can provide you with: • A self-contained, easy to manage home • Independence • A supportive and friendly environment • On hand support to give you peace of mind • Opportunities to take part in social activities In you would like to apply, please call us on 0800 975 3148. *Correct at time of print.
Lavender Gardens set to open its doors Our development of Abergavenny’s first Extra Care scheme is nearing completion with the first residents set to move in from the end of June. The £1 million transformation of the former sheltered housing scheme will create 21 modern homes at the scheme called Lavender Gardens. We’ve invested £750,000 in the remodelling of the scheme with the Welsh Assembly Government providing the remaining funding. We are working in partnership with Monmouthshire Council on the development. We will provide the homes, tenancies and management of Lavender Gardens with the Council managing and delivering care packages to residents.
Extra Care provides accommodation for people 55 and over who need care and support to help them continue to live independently. The new scheme will offer a mix of one and two bedroom apartments, all equipped with the latest emergency alarm support technology, a communal lounge, hairdressers, visitor accommodation, new lift, scooter store and offices for on-site support staff. For further information, and to register your interest in applying for a home at Lavender Gardens, please contact Andrew Burford, Abergavenny Community Care Team, on 01873 735900.
Memorial garden for resident
We’ve worked in partnership with our Residents’ Panel to build a garden area at Glengariff Court, Griffithstown, in memory of resident Tom Gullick. Tom was a landscape resident for Melin before he passed away last year. After his death, his neighbours organised a collection which raised more than £150. His widow Glenys then used this money to pay for a memorial stone at their request, and the decision to create an appropriate area to display the plaque followed from this. Glenys, said: “Before there were just overgrown shrubs and now there is lots of beautiful greenery. It seems such a fitting way to remember Tom and all the work he did around the estate.” Glenys has now taken over Tom’s role as landscape resident for Melin in her neighbourhood and is looking forward to maintaining the appearance of the new communal area.
An artist’s impression of Lavender Gardens 12
Melin news
Melin helps resident find a career
Suz has worked on numerous community projects
With a lot of self-determination and a little help from our education bursary fund, Melin resident Suz Crawford has landed her dream job. Suz is now a Youth and Community Coordinator for Phillipstown Residents’ Association in New Tredegar. However, only a few years ago Suz thought this would never be possible. Back in 2001, Suz started helping out with the Community Development activities that we organised on her Hillside estate in Abergavenny. She helped arrange sports and arts and crafts activities for the young people, aged between 2 and 20, and found that she really enjoyed taking part. Suz also received lots of positive comments from the youngsters and Melin’s Officers about how good she was. The turning point for Suz came in 2002 when she helped the young people win the best float award at the Abergavenny Carnival, all dressed as the 101 Dalmatians. Suz said: “I remember thinking to myself how great it would be to get paid for the work that I was doing with the young people and their 13
communities. I found out that you could study for a Youth and Community work degree but, as I left school with no qualifications and I knew how expensive degrees were, I didn’t think I’d be able to do it. “However, when I found out that Melin’s education bursary programme could help fund residents’ training courses, I decided to apply. I couldn’t believe it when I found out I was successful and I was awarded £1,000 to go toward my degree fees. Now, four years later, here I am with a brand new job! I’ve only just started it, but I know that it’s going to be such a rewarding career. I’m so grateful to Melin for helping me get to where I am today.” Our bursary provides up to £3,000 per year to help residents pursue further education goals and improve their career prospects. Applications for this year have now closed, but if you would like to apply next year please contact us on 08453 101102 and we can send you an application form.
Stay safe this summer
Newport youngsters find out about fire safety
Some of our younger residents visited their local fire station recently to find out about the importance of fire safety. The youngsters, aged between 6 and 16, from Lime Crescent, Newport, visited Maindee fire station with our Community Development Officer Alan Hughes. During their visit they learnt about the dangers and consequences of lighting fires and had fun dressing up in the full fire-fighting equipment and sitting in the fire engines.
Match day mascot winner
They also enjoyed playing a 5-a-side-football match against the station officers. Community Development Officer, Alan Hughes, said: “I must say a big thank you to everyone at the fire station – they all made the young people feel very welcome and provided them with a fun, engaging way to understand the dangers of starting fires. The young people now know the dangers and effects of lighting fires and we hope this will minimise any incidents over the summer holidays.”
Competition Win a family trip to Bowlplex in Cwmbran Do you fancy some free fun for all your family? If so, this competition’s for you! We have two sets of family tickets for Bowlplex, Cwmbran, to give away and the lucky winners will enjoy a game of bowling and a meal.
Curtis Card, age 10 from Cwmbran, won the chance to be a match day mascot for the Newport Gwent Dragons rugby thanks to our Spring competition. Curtis met the team and ran out with them before the game started. He also placed the ball on the ground for kick off and was given a Dragons rugby jersey by manager Rob Beale. Curtis was really excited that he had won. He said: “I had a great day! I was really happy to be the Dragons’ mascot and see them win their match.”
The centre, which opened last year, boasts 20 bowling lanes, a licensed bar and grill, American pool tables and arcade games area to keep the whole family entertained. To enter, simply answer this question: What is the name of our newly opened housing development in Goytre? (Clue – the answer can be found somewhere in this newsletter…) Send your answer, name and address to Freepost, Melin Homes, RRJZ KYKH YLAE, NP4 0XJ by 31 July 2009.
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Melin news
Spick and span
Melin staff helped residents clean up their community
Residents from Lime Crescent, Newport, helped to clean up their community at the end of June.
Somerton area of the city.
Their clean up was part of a larger initiative called ‘Clear the grime, prevent the Crime’ organised by the Safer Newport partnership.
Residents threw away their unwanted items into some of the 40 skips that had been ordered and carried out litter-picks to clean up the areas outside their homes.
It involved representatives from Melin, Newport Council, Newport City Homes, Gwent Police and the probation service coming together with residents to make improvements in the
It is hoped that initiatives like these will encourage residents in the city to take greater pride in the area where they live for the benefit of the whole community.
Cleaner Communities We can all do our bit to keep our communities clean. You can ring your local council to find out about your refuse and recycling days and arrange to have larger items, such as furniture and fridges, collected. They can also help if you need to report an abandoned vehicle or report dumped rubbish. Here are the numbers you need: Torfaen: 01495 762200 Monmouthshire: 01633 644644 Newport: 01633 656656 Blaenau Gwent: 01495 311556 Powys: 0845 602 7035
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Your local council can collect unwanted items
Low-cost homes for sale
Interested in making some big decisions? There is a vacancy for a tenant representative on the Board of Melin Homes.
Melin can help people buy their own home
In addition to providing homes for rent, Melin can also help people to buy their own home.
The Board is the highest decision making body at Melin and it sets out the strategies and policies to which we operate. All Board members are volunteers, but travelling and training expenses are paid. The commitment:
We currently* have a number of affordable homes for sale in Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent under our lowcost home ownership scheme. Under the scheme buyers pay for just a percentage of the total house price with Melin providing an interest-free loan for the remaining percentage. Buyers do not have to pay any rent, they just need to meet their monthly mortgage payments. The level of help available varies depending on where the homes are and how much the buyer can afford.
• attending six Board meetings per year • attending up to four committee meetings per year • giving your views and opinions to help Melin provide the best possible service to residents and the wider community
For example a brand new two-bedroom home in Torfaen priced at £94,000 will require a mortgage of £71,440.
The reward:
In Chepstow we have three-bedroom homes available on a 50/50 share so a mortgage of £80,000 is needed.
• making a real difference to people and communities
To be considered for the scheme, applicants must:
If you are interested in becoming a Board member, please contact Karen Jones on 08453 101102 or email karen.jones@melinhomes. co.uk by 31 July 2009.
• live within the relevant local authority area or have a local connection • be able to access a mortgage • be unable to buy their own home without financial assistance If you are interested in finding out more please contact our Home Ownership team on 01495 745928 or 01495 745925. *correct at time of print.
Elections will be held before our Annual General Meeting at the end of September when the successful candidate will be announced.
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Melin news
Rent statement Here are some frequently asked questions that we receive about rent statements. What is a rent statement? It is a summary of the rent that we charge you and the money that you pay for your rent or that we receive on your behalf in the form of housing benefit. This then gives an overall credit or arrears balance.
What if I can’t pay my rent? Please contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss your situation with you. We would rather help you than take legal action to recover the money.
How often should I receive a statement? Every two months. Why do you send me a rent statement? To help you keep track of your rent account. When you sign up to rent a property from us, it is your responsibility to ensure that your rent is paid. Our staff will explain to you the importance of paying your rent on time so you know what happens if you do not pay and the actions we will take to recover debt. What if I receive housing benefit? Even if you receive Housing benefit, it is your responsibility to make sure that your rent is paid correctly. If you are not receiving your full benefits, contact your local authority immediately.
House swap Do you want to move house? If so, you may be interested in our home transfer system which allows you to request a move to another Melin home.
If you are eligible you will be added to our transfer list which works on a date order basis.
To apply for a transfer you must:
For more information about our transfer system, please contact our Housing team on 01495 745910.
• Have no outstanding debts with us • Be a member of our resident incentive scheme Reward Me
There are other transfer services available. Log on to www.homeswapper.co.uk to find out more about this free service.
If you meet this criteria and want to move home, please speak to your Housing Officer.
Alternatively, visit www.houseexchange.org.uk There is a small fee for using this service.
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On your (new) bike!
Jump fund helps Abergavenny Road Club
We recently named a new recipient of our Jump fund. Youngsters from Abergavenny Road Club (RC) have a brand new racing bike thanks to our community grant scheme. The club has been running weekly bike sessions on the Red Gra at King Henry VIII School for the past six months and a number of young residents from our Hillside estate have taken part. Some of them have shown real talent, and have even competed in prestigious biking competitions, but unfortunately their bikes aren’t really suitable for proper racing use. Abergavenny RC decided to apply to our Jump fund to buy a new racing bike that our Hillside youngsters could practice on and use at competitions. Their application was successful and the club now has an Islabikes Beinn 26 – one of the best bikes around for youngsters into racing. The bike is also adjustable meaning that it can accommodate riders of different heights and ages.
Rider Llewellyn Price, age 8, said: “The bike’s great. I love taking part in all the competitions with the club, and I can’t wait to use this bike at my next one! It looks really good too.” John Ford, Abergavenny RC’s Youth Coach, said: “This bike will make such a difference to the club. I know it will increase the confidence of the youngsters who take part in competitions regularly because it’s such a high-quality bike and it’s also highly regarded in the industry. The whole club is incredibly grateful to Melin’s for its fantastic gift. On behalf of everyone, I would like to say thank you.” Melin’s Jump fund provides grants of up to £250 for groups and organisations that benefit our residents and the communities in which we operate. It can sponsor a wide range of projects including sport and youth clubs, environmental improvement schemes and those for social gain. If you would like more information, please telephone 08453 101102.
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Ty’r Efail Lower Mill Field Pontypool Torfaen NP4 0XJ T: General enquiries 08453 101102 T: Repairs 0800 9753149 E: enquiries@melinhomes.co.uk W: www.melinhomes.co.uk
Residents’ Panel
T: 08453 101102 E: residentspanel@melinhomes.co.uk