news Issue 39 January 2012
Your gardens help build stronger communities Read more on pgs 8-9
Your new grounds maintenance service More on pg 5
Money advice Pgs 6-7
Your chance to win ÂŁ50 B&Q vouchers! Find out how on pg 22
A New Year, a new you The start of a new year is a great opportunity to make that resolution to improve your health and wellbeing. The NHS campaign, Change 4 Life, gives you some great advice on how to improve your health - you may have seen their adverts on the TV. They promote the idea to ‘eat well, move more and live longer’ and here are 8 top tips to help you to make those changes.
To find out more, visit www.nhs.uk/Change4Life 2
Welcome to
news Happy New Year and welcome to this year’s first edition of New Charter News!
Contents News round-up 4 Green Charter 5 Changes to Housing Benefit 6 Tips to save you money 7
For those of you who celebrated Christmas, we hope you enjoyed your celebrations.
Your great gardening stories & top tips 8-9
We’ve got lots of news to tell you about in this issue. We’ve got lots of ‘green stories’ including your great gardening successes, helpful information on saving money and how to be more energy efficient at home.
Natterbox 10-13 Royal Exchange Partnership 14 Leaseholder News 14
You’ll also find information about new projects we’re running to support our communities. This year, we’ll be working to improve this newsletter for you. There’s some information about how you can help us with this on pg 18 and the chance to win £50 B & Q vouchers! In future editions, we want you to be more involved in the newsletter- after all it’s your magazine. We have a Customer Communications Group who help us to look at stories and articles for the newsletter and will be focusing on how we can improve it for you. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 31st January 2012 at 2pm, at our head office in Ashton. We’d love to see you there. Contact Emma Tempan on 0161 331 2470 for more information.
New Year, new opportunities 15 Saving energy to cut your bills 18 Recipes
19
Saving energy & money at home 20-21
GETTING IN TOUCH Looking Local 16 New website 16 Social media 17 Tell us what you think of your newsletter 22 Contact us 24
All the best for 2012 from everyone at New Charter. 3
News round-up £7m for new affordable homes New Charter has received £7m from the Government to build 252 new homes for affordable rent.
Sean Stafford said: “This grant allows us to build much needed family homes with rents that local people will be able to afford.
The homes will be built across Tameside and will provide a mix of family accommodation with between two, three and four bedrooms.
“The new properties will offer a range of quality accommodation and will be energy efficient to help ease the cost of rising energy and fuel bills.”
All of the homes will be available at affordable rents and will be built by March 2015. Work on the first development is due to start early this year and be completed by 2013. New Charter’s Director of Development and Investment,
Chip pan amnesty
Dealing with nuisance behaviour Three people have been hauled before the courts for continuing to cause a nuisance to other residents. In action taken by New Charter, two men have been jailed for six months and a woman has been served with a suspended prison sentence. In the three separate cases, the individuals caused nuisance and annoyance to neighbours with late night parties, loud music and verbal abuse. In one incident a tenant was threatened with a machete and in another, a female neighbour was punched to the ground by one of the men now serving a jail sentence. The sentences were made after all three individuals ignored several warnings to improve their behaviour.
Tenants turned out on mass at New Charter’s head office to swap their old chip pans for a new deep fat fryer. Residents were given the chance to ditch their old pans for a new safer temperature-controlled fryer to help drive down the number of house fires and keep tenants safe in their homes. House fires cost New Charter around £122,000 a year in repairs and insurance expenses, with one house fire caused by a chip pan costing over £30,000.
cting Droylsden colle m o fr n so rd icha r of Miss Carol R rter’s Directo ha C ew N m r fro her new frye Emma Marsh. s, Communitie
4
The collection of old chip pans han ded in by tenants.
Green Charter Your new Grounds Maintenance Service coming soon! You told us that the green areas on your estates are important to you, so we’ve taken action! In March, we will be taking over the management of the grounds maintenance service. This new service will be called Green Charter and will look after the green areas on your estate including cutting grass, hedges and shrubs, and weeding. From March this year, you will no longer see the teams from Veolia, instead you’ll see our ‘Green Charter’ teams in their new green vans.
How will Green Charter benefit you? l The changes to this service will save money so we can spend more on planting shrubs and trees in your neighbourhoods.
l We’ll
visit your estates more often.
l Our new machinery will improve the quality of grass cutting, and we won’t mow individual gardens when it’s raining to prevent any damage to the grass. l You told us that weeds are a nightmare! So, we’ll try to keep on top of this and spray more areas with weed killer, including drying areas and hard surfaces. l We’ll be able to respond more quickly to your concerns and be more flexible to your individual neighbourhoods. We’ve allocated each team an area so that you’ll get to know your team and be able to work with them on what’s important to you. If you’d like more information on Green Charter, please contact Les Crowther, our Green Charter Manager on 0161 331 2627.
Please remem
ber:
You will stil l be responsible f or keeping your own ga rdens looking nice and tidy.
Getting involved
always delivering a To help us make sure we’re the Green Charter first class service we’ve set up which you can be a Contract Monitoring Panel, to have a say on the part of. You have the chance u. service we’re providing for yo do walkabouts with This group of tenants will how we’re doing Neighbourhood staff to check Tenant Inspectors. If and review reports from our or want to join us, you’d like more information een Charter Manager contact Les Crowther, our Gr on 0161 331 2627. 5
Money M Changes to Housing Benefit – what it means for you The Government is planning to make changes to Housing Benefit which could affect how much money you receive. New Charter Homes is concerned about these plans and has written to Parliament with the support of tenants to ask the Government to rethink its plans. If you are of working age living in a home with a spare bedroom you could have your Housing Benefit cut from 2013. This includes disabled people, foster carers, working families on low income and those with young children. If this affects you, it means you will have to start making payments towards your rent or increase the amount you already pay.
Norman Lee backing the campaign at the Ashton shop with New Charter’s Tiffany Malpas
The way you get your benefits is set to change too. Payments would no longer be made to us as your landlord. These would come directly to you and you would be responsible for making sure your rent is paid on time. This makes it harder for some people to manage their money and easier for some to get into debt. We will write to you with more details soon. If you would like to say ‘no’ to the Government’s plans you can do this online at www.housing.org.uk. You need to click on ‘Campaigns’, then ‘Welfare Action Week’ and ‘Take Action’. If you do not have access to a computer but want to sign the petition, contact the team at New Charter on 0161 331 2200. You can also visit our Shops.
As part of our campaigning against the changes to Housing Benefit, we’ve been out and about in your areas to chat to tenants. We met Kathryn Schofield at Ashton market and Norman Lee at the Ashton shop. They would both be affected by the Government’s plans and supported our campaign by signing up to the petition. Kathryn is disabled and often relies on her brother to help at home with cooking, cleaning and day-to-day duties. When he visits he stays in Kathryn’s spare bedroom. Kathryn signing the petition, with New Charter’s Andy Morgan
6
We’d like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who’s already supported the campaign.
y Matters Top Tips to save you money Assess your shopping basket – consider opting for a different brand to save money on basic items. Supermarkets’ own brand goods can cost a lot less. Paying bills by monthly direct debit rather than quarterly usually saves you money. Some energy suppliers offer money off future bills for switching to paperless bills. Waste not want not - avoid over buying food which might go to waste. Avoid tempting offers in stores - set your budget and stick to it. Avoid spending spare money on luxuries you don’t really need, it’s good to save. Always remember your main priorities for your household - rent, bills and food.
Free Advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau The Citizens Advice Bureau offers a drop-in advice surgery at the Water Adventure Centre in Droylsden. It provides free, confidential, impartial advice on any subject, based on your needs. The surgery is every fortnight on a Tuesday afternoon from 1.30 pm - 5.00 pm. No appointment is necessary.
For advice over the telephone, contact the main bureau in Ashton on 0161 330 2156. Dates for the next surgeries: Tuesday 17th January, Tuesday 31st January, Tuesday 14th February Water Adventure Centre, The Old Boathouse, Fairfield Locks, off Maddison Road, Droylsden, M43 6ES. Call 0161 301 2673 for more information (advice is not given on this number). 7
Your Great Gard With your hard work and dedication, we’ve achieved some fantastic green awards this year! A huge well done and thank you to everyone. A total of 15 projects involving New Charter residents entered this year’s North West In Bloom awards, with five picking up outstanding achievements.
Brushes Estate Residents who run the Brushes Estate Management Board in Stalybridge picked up the Best Large Neighbourhood trophy at this year’s North West In Bloom awards. The award praises the work residents have done to carry on improving the area and get the community, young and old, involved. Residents have also worked tirelessly to transform ‘Bailey’s Back’- a piece of land into a fantastic green park and play area for their community.
Muddy Buddies ‘Muddy Buddies’ is a scheme run by residents in Mossley which encourages families to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Food grown has been used by a local bingo club to make soup and by young residents who are learning to cook.
The group has created a water storage system which allows rain water to be collected and reused for wat created a composting unit.
Along with other residents’ gr national In Bloom event and rec given an ‘Outstanding’ award.
Bailey’s Back
Jones Joan Green (front), Martin and Andrea (back) (Middle) and John and Cherlyn Gaskill
Dixon/Forrest Road
Youngsters showcase their work at Tatton Youngsters from our Dreamscheme worked hard to create a fantastic ‘Bug Hotel’ to encourage insects and wildlife into gardens, using items that would otherwise be landfill rubbish. Our young people showcased their work at the RHS Show at Tatton and shared their knowledge with other children who were keen to create their own ‘Bug Hotels’. The youngsters achieved a well deserved Merit for their efforts.
8
Residents of Dixon/Forrest R acheivement’ for their beautiful awards. The residents have been planting, improving their wildlife garden and running regular community open days.
The residents have now gained funding from the District Assembly to create a Japanese garden. In Blo with lo
ardening Stories
Your gardening tips
Tips from ‘Central Bloomers’
s
scheme Mossley families uit and
n used make idents ok.
Muddy Buddies – Jack Philips an d four year old Danielle M cHale with RH S judge, Bill Blackledge
ated tem ter to d for watering plants. They have also unit.
dents’ groups, the team took part in this year’s nt and received great praise from judges and were award.
orrest Road also achieved ‘Oustanding beautiful garden at this year’s In Bloom
ve ng en ar
w he o n. In Bloom judge Bill Blackledge (top left) with local residents
Large flowering summer Clematis need pruning now. If they flower early summer and again later in the year, they only need a tidy up and removal of any dead stems. Clematis which flower in late summer can be cut down to knee height; spring flowering Clematis Montana should be left alone. Divide snowdrops and winter Aconites now while the leaves are green or even if they’re in flower. Split them into groups of 1 to 20 bulbs for a natural effect and remember they are as happy in grass as bare soil. No need to water them in, they will pick up again in a few days.
Tips from Derek & Dixon/Forrest Road residents Now is the perfect time to prepare your beds for the Spring- do a general clean up, dig the soil over and add manure. In late January/early February, prune your roses. They’ll grow better and you’ll get more flowers if you cut them right back. ‘Bare-rooted’ fruit trees are cheaper to buy and can be planted at any time, and they survive cold weather. Put compost and bonemeal in the planting hole. You can buy these trees from any garden centre and some supermarkets. Residents grow their own plants from seed which keeps costs down. Visit www.allotment.org.uk/garden_month for a great month-by-month guide on growing your own vegetables.
9
LOCAL OFFERS Local Offers are a set of promises we’ve made to you, based upon what you’ve told us you want us to improve on. We’ve used a traffic light system to update you on how we’re doing. We still have some way to go before we are meeting your needs, but we’re working hard to achieve this.
– not started yet – work in progress – going great!
Your heating - 2 hour uncap & commission We’re keeping up a 100% success rate in offering 2 hour appointment slots to uncap and commission your boilers when you move in.
An uncap & commission is where we turn your gas on and safety check all appliances, to make your gas is safe and ready to use.
100% of properties to be in satisfactory condition at point of letting We visit every new tenancy 6 weeks after you’ve moved in to check the condition of your property and make sure you’re settling into your new home. Resident Inspectors are checking with new residents that our properties meet the right standards. Taking Resident Involvement into communities- ‘getting out and about more’ You are taking up training opportunities we offer to residents such as Food Hygiene, mystery shopping and committee skills. This year, we’ll be using venues on estates for events more often, so that we can make activities more local for you. Language Skills We’re looking at the costs of translation to make sure we get the best value for money. We have a list of volunteers to help with translation. Complaints Champions & Anti-Social Behaviour Resident Advocates – (residents helping support your case for a complaint/your report of anti-social behaviour) Resident Complaints Champions are now in place and available to help tenants resolve their complaints. We now have 11 ASB Resident Advocates available to support tenants through antisocial behaviour issues. Your Caretaking & Grounds Maintenance services The new Green Charter service will be launched in March (see pg 5 for more information). We’re developing a 6 monthly survey to check how satisfied you are with the Green Charter service. To help us check that these services are kept at the highest level, we’re looking for more of you to become Caretaking Monitors, or to join our Green Charter Contract Monitoring Panel – see more information on the next page.
10
We have started to talk to you again about your Local Offers. If you would like to give us your views or suggestions, we would love to hear from you. Please call us on 0161 331 2400 or email Xtrafactorteam@newcharter.co.uk. You told us we need to look at our Caretaking service...we need your help! Green Charter Contract Monitoring Panel If you live in an area with a caretaking service, We have 25 Grounds Maintenance monitors who you can help us by giving honest opinions are giving us valuable feedback on how well on how the service is for you and your the ‘green’ areas are being looked after on neighbours.This could be as easy as looking your estates. at the area outside your front door. If you’d like to join us in helping to check your All you’d need to do is fill in a simple tick box form. Your estate is in tip top condition, contact the Resident feedback can help improve the service for you. Involvement Team on 0161 331 2400. Contact the Resident Involvement Team on 0161 331 2400.
Looking at Rechargeable Repairs Your Tenant Management Team (TMT) looks in detail at our services to see how they could be improved for you. This could involve trying out a service undercover and talking to residents and reporting their findings to New Charter. TMT’s latest project saw them scrutinise our Rechargeable Repairs service. The team spoke to residents, challenged some rechargeable repairs, inspected properties with staff and mystery shopped services.
What is a rechargeable repair? A Rechargeable Repair is work we are required to do to your property, its fixtures or fittings, that have been accidentally or deliberately damaged, and cannot be classed as ordinary ‘wear and tear’. (e.g wear and tear could be replacing the felt on a flat roof which is needed every so often)
They found that a lot of residents did not understand what a rechargeable repair is and that we need to make this clearer; including where you can get this information and how much these repairs could cost you.
TMT also compared our costs for rechargeable repairs with other housing associations and they were found to be fair.
How can you avoid these unwanted costs?.... l
l
Always
ask consent from your Neighbourhood Management Officer for any changes/improvements you want to make to your home, before you do them. (You will be charged for any changes/improvements you’ve carried out without our permissionsometimes this can be hundreds of pounds).
Let
us inspect your home if you’re thinking of leaving. We can give you help and advice on ways you can save money when clearing out your property. Fact: The cost to you for clearing out furniture left in your home could be up to £525.
What are we doing in response to TMT’s findings? l
We
are producing a picture guide to clearly explain what rechargeable repairs are and the costs to you for each repair- this will be available as a leaflet in our shops and buildings, and on our website.
l
TMT
l
Fix
l
recommended that we promote the following services better to help reduce costs to you....
It - this is our ‘handyperson’ service for you which can help you with small jobs around the home at a low cost.
2nd
Generation Furnishings - tenants have teamed up with us to offer a Furniture Recycling scheme. Read more about these services on the next page.
11
Contact the team at 2ndgenerationfurnishings@gmail.com or call Christine on 07837 107417.
All jobs are charged at a very reasonable rate and you have the security of a New Charter employee in your home, rather than an unknown tradesman. For more information or to book our handyperson, contact 0161 331 2277 or email fixit@newcharter.co.uk.
Neighbourhood Events Take control of your money
Thursday 19th January 6pm - 8pm at Micklehurst Neighbourhood Centre
Help on how to manage your money.
Thursday 8th March 6pm - 8pm at Stanhope Neighbourhood Centre
New Charter Public Meetings
12
Thursday 23rd February, 6pm – 8pm at Stanhope Neighbourhood Centre
Question and answer sessions - your chance to speak to staff from various services with any queries you have.
February 2012
If you have any unwanted furniture which is in good condition, the team can arrange to collect this for you. When moving home, if you leave any furniture behind you will be charged for us to remove it.
The Fix It service can help you with small jobs such as new locks, fixing fences, putting up shelves and small decorating jobs.
March 2012
This service could save you any unwanted costs when you move home and you could be helping other residents at the same time. This charity has been set up by local residents with New Charter in Stalybridge. The team provide second hand furniture to tenants in need, at a very low cost. Many residents who have previously been homeless or can’t afford new furniture can really benefit from this service.
January 2012
2nd Generation Furniture
Forthcoming Events
January 2012
Unless otherwise stated, all events are held at New Charter’s head office, Cavendish 249 in Ashton. All events are free to you as tenants / leaseholders. Contact Resident Involvement for more information or to sign up on 0161 331 2400. Mystery Shopping/ Resident Inspectors
Wednesday 18th 10am – 11.30am
How to become a mystery shopper/resident inspector for New Charter.
Impact assessments
Monday 30th 6pm - 8pm
If you’re a member of a residents’ group and you’ve been involved in a recent New Charter event in your community, we’d like your feedback. Come and join us and we’ll show you how to complete an impact assessment which looks at how successful the event was, if it was value for money and how it could be improved in the future.
Customer Communications Group (CCG)
Tuesday 31st 2pm - 3.30pm
This group want to work with you to make this newsletter better for you. The Group will also be looking at new communications methods for tenants and how we can improve our communications with you. Contact Emma or Katy in the Communications Team for more information on 0161 331 2470.
Wednesday 15th 12.30pm - 2.pm
Chat with our Revenues Team about money matters and any forthcoming changes to benefits which could affect you.
Friday 17th 9am - 4.30pm
Get a certificate in basic first aid – could be useful if you do work in the community or help you with employment.
Food Hygiene Training
Wednesday 29th 9am - 4.30pm
Get a certificate in Basic Food Hygiene – really helpful to you if you help out with cooking sessions in our communities, or to help you gain employment in catering.
Leaseholder Forum
Wednesday 28th 6pm
For Leaseholders - meet for updates on news affecting you and your chance to raise any concerns.
March 2012
February 2012
Lunch with Revenues
First aid Training
IT Skills – full course throughout March & April; each session 2:00pm till 4:00pm IT skills for beginners, e.g using the internet, writing letters, emails. Dates: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th March, 4th, 11th April You’ll need to sign up for the full course, before it starts in March. Contact Resident Involvement for more information or to sign up on 0161 331 2400.
If you’d like more information or want to come along to any of these events, please contact Resident Involvement on 0161 331 2400.
13
Leaseholder News Your chance to have your say The Leaseholder Forum gives you the chance to meet staff who provide your service. It’s a place where you can raise any issues and chat to other leaseholders. It also gives us the chance to tell you about any news relevant to you. The forum meets twice a year, usually in March and September. All Leaseholders of New Charter Homes are welcome to join our Forum. We’d love to meet you and welcome you to join us at our next meeting. For more information, contact Jen Bolan on 0161 331 2051. You can view details of previous meetings online by looking at the minutes– just log on at www.newcharter.co.uk and go to the ‘leasehold’ section.
Next Meeting:
Wednesday 28th March at 6pm at New Charter’s head office in Ashton. We’ll be discussing grounds maintenance, property improvements and management of your neighbourhoods.
Your views are important to us We’ll soon be sending you a survey to ask for your views on the service you receive as a leaseholder. Please take a few minutes to fill this in. You are the best people to tell us how we’re doing and your feedback helps us to improve the service for you. We’d like to say a big thank you to the Forum for their help in developing the survey, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Pupils meet famous poet in new arts partnership New Charter has signed a partnership with Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre to create more opportunities for young people and residents to experience the arts. Over the next three years pupils at New Charter’s Academy and its neighbouring communities will work closely with the theatre on special art projects. It is hoped the partnership will help to raise people’s aspirations, improve literacy levels and give students and residents a chance to build their confidence. To mark the start of the new relationship, pupils from the Academy got an exclusive opportunity to meet the UK’s famous Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy on a visit to the Manchester theatre.
Rachel Williamson (Yr7) Louis Usher (Yr8) and Isaac Howell (6th Form) with Carol Ann Duffy.
Teenagers at the new Broadoak Road Academy are studying Carol Ann’s poems as part of their GCSE English Studies. Carol Ann Duffy said: “I always wanted to be a writer and at school my English teachers encouraged me to pursue my dream. “It’s important that children have aspirations and this project will help to inspire young people by opening the door to the wonderful and magical world of the arts.”
14 2
New Year, new opportunities This year sees the launch of GREAT Opportunities at New Charter – a programme to help local people back into work, training and further education. We’ve developed the three-year project to help reduce local unemployment and increase job opportunities for residents. Between now and 2015 we will be running activities across our neighbourhoods which will be focused on improving the lives of local people. This may involve helping residents to get ‘job ready’, support with further training or education, apprenticeships and even volunteering. Will we also be looking at where we can work with other organisations in Tameside to maximise opportunities for local people. There will be more details about how you can get involved in our next newsletter, and further information will be available soon on our website and Looking Local. We’ve already helped to improve the lives of many of our residents by supporting them back into work, further training or education. Here’s just a couple of stories...
y
Kelly’s stor
Kelly, 27, a mum of two from Denton was out of work for seven months before being given the chance of a paid work Kelly Derbyshire placement with New Charter. After the placement ended Kelly applied for a new role within the company and has been making good progress. She said: “I was out of work for a long time and was constantly applying for jobs but getting nowhere. It completely diminished my confidence because of the constant rejection. “New Charter helped me tremendously and since starting with the company my confidence has raised through the roof. I have gained lots of experience and have passed a Diploma in Customer Service and an NVQ3 in Business Administration while being here.”
Residents’ story
With St Peter’s Partnerships, New Charter offered some Supported Housing residents a 12 week course which included training on nutrition, budgeting, writing CV’s, first aid and volunteering.
St Peter’s Partnerships also provided a crèche service during the course so that those who are parents could easily take part. Residents shared their experiences and built friendships whilst developing skills and confidence together. As a result of the course, residents are now involved in volunteering, setting up a coffee morning and job searching. The course was funded by SHOUT, New Charter’s Supported Housing Residents’ Association, following a successful application to Tameside Council’s Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities (NLDC) fund.
Tony Powell, New Charter’s Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, presented the residents with certificates to recognise their achievement.
15 3
Getting in touch Contact us through your TV! Looking Local is a new FREE service which you can access through digital TV.
During the cold winter weather, this is a great way to contact us when the telephone Report repairs service may be busy View available propertiesand you don’t want to Tell us your views go out and about.
This is another way you can communicate with New Charter in the comfort of your own home, using your TV and your remote control. On New Charter TV you can: l View latest news and information about events l l Report antisocial behaviour l l Request information and documents from us l ....and more
Information from New Charter isn’t the only thing you’ll be able to access. The channel will also show Bus & Train times, job vacancies, health advice from the NHS, council services and more. ck Qui r u re ro Ente 246 he e Cod
This is the Looking Local home screen- if accessing the service on your TV or online, this is the home page you will see.
New website launching soon The launch of our new website is just around the corner. We’ve developed the site with residents in mind and have listened to the feedback you’ve been giving us. The new site will be much more user friendly with a brand new design. At the click of a mouse you’ll be able to:
l
l
l
request a repair more easily find a home pay rent on line
There’ll also be more on-line forms to make the service we provide more accessible. We will be consulting with a random selection of people, including tenants, before the website goes live to check how easy it is to use. Watch out for more information and keep your eye out for the revamped site coming soon on www.newcharter.co.uk 14 16
Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes
Virgin Media Press the Home button Sky TV Choose Interactive
If you’d like us to show you how to use New Charter TV, we can visit Go to the Community Channel (539) Select News & Info Press the Red button Select Looking Local your estate or residents’ Enter our Quick code 246 group and show you how! Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes Click on New Charter Homes Contact Roisin on or 0161 331 2597. Go to the Community Channel (233)
Virgin Press theMedia Red button
Press Enter the ourHome Quick button code 246 Choose Interactive Click on New Charter Homes Select News & Info Select Looking Local Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes Mobile or PC Open the Internet browser and go to or www.lookinglocal.gov.uk Go to the Community Channel (233) Press the button Enter our Red Quick code 246 Enter ourNew Quick code 246 Click on Charter Homes Click on New Charter Homes
Mobile or PC Smartphone Virgin Media Open the Internet browser and go to
Android Market
Smartphone Mobile PC Go to the or iTunes App Store or NW
N
NE
W
E SE
SW
Open the Internet Android Market and browser search and go to www.lookinglocal.gov.uk lookinglocal Enter our our Quick Quick code code 246 246 Enter Click on New Charter Homes Click on New Charter Homes
Android Market
Android Market
If you have a QR reader on your Smartphone, you can use the codes below to take you dir to the Looking Local app:
For Android
For Android
For iPhone
For iPhone
Nintendo Wii Smartphone Download the ‘Internet’ function from the
NW
NW
NE
W SW
W
N
SE
lookinglocal Wii Home Page Enter Quick code 246 Go toour www.lookinglocal.gov.uk Click on New Charter Homes Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes
NE
E SE
Android Market
S
SW
Nintendo Wii
You can now get in following sites:
NW
N
NE
W SW
on social media
SE
Download the ‘Internet’ function from the Wii Store Click on the ‘Internet’ button on the Wii Home Page touch us through the Gowith to www.lookinglocal.gov.uk Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes
S
Android Market Contact us
E
Nintendo Wii
N
E
the iTunes App Store or If you have a QR reader on your Smartphone, Go Wii to Store Android and search the ‘Internet’ button on the to take you direct to theClick onMarket
Enter our Quick code 246 Wii Store you can usebutton the codes New Charter Homes Click on the ‘Internet’ on the Looking Local app: Wii Home Page Go to www.lookinglocal.gov.uk Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes Smartphone Go to the iTunes App Store or Android Market and search lookinglocal Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes
S
Go tothe theHome iTunes button App Store or Press www.lookinglocal.gov.uk Android Market and Choose Interactivesearch lookinglocal Enter our Quick code 246 Select News & Info Enter Quick code 246 Click our on New Charter Homes Select Looking Local Click on New Charter Homes Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes or Nintendo Wii Channel (233) Smartphone Go to the Community Download the ‘Internet’ function Go to the iTunes App Store or from the Press the Red button Wii Store Android Market and search Enter our Quick code 246 Click on the ‘Internet’ lookinglocal New Charterbutton Homeson the Wii Home Page code 246 Enter our Quick Go toon www.lookinglocal.gov.uk Click New Charter Homes Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Mobile or Charter PC Homes Open the Internet Nintendo Wiibrowser and go to www.lookinglocal.gov.uk Download the ‘Internet’ function from the
S
Download the ‘Internet’ function from the Log on and ‘Like’ the New Charter Homes Wii Store Facebook page. We’ll keep you updated with all Click on the ‘Internet’ button on the the latest news, information and events. Wii Home Page Go to www.lookinglocal.gov.uk You can also get in touch with us and talk to Enter our Quick code 246 other tenants. Click on New Charter Homes NW
N
NE
W
E SE
S
SW
s is act one sy to .
Press the Red&button Select News Info Enter our Quick code 246 Select Looking Local Click on Charter Homes Enter ourNew Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes or Go to the Community Channel (233) Virgin Media Press the Red button Press the Home button Enter our Quick code 246 Choose Interactive Click on New&Charter Homes Select News Info Select Looking Local Enter our Quick code 246 Click on New Charter Homes Mobile or PC or Open the Internet browser and go to Sky TV Go to the Community Channel (233) www.lookinglocal.gov.uk Go to the the Red Community Press button Channel (539) Press the Red button Enter our Quick code 246 246 Enter our Quick code Enter ourNew Quick code 246 Click on on New Charter Homes Click Charter Homes Click on New Charter Homes
Or, follow us onTwitter @NewCharterGroup.
17
opments.
rgy efficient so that savin g
e already s can be pass ed on to
Saving ene rg
y to cut yo ur bills lo money in en rd, we’re alw ays looking at ergy We’re please d to say that we’re makin installed stat g e-of-the-art technology o go n som This is alread y helping us of Chartist H to tenants. It’s ouse to help also better fo become more e bills r you cut to rgy r ene pSav the environm 20 panels to roing v id e hot water ent generate ene Here’s a few reduce your utility bills. to help can we ways at ex ing look am r ys m and coWe’re g alwa e pl y we’r , es w pleased to say that we’re making good progress with this commitment and have already installed state-of-thelord land o h your f ic As th h is bills. e schemes th nverted into at a have already ot some waterreoffo progress with this commitment and good ing art technologyhon our developments. mak e we’r that r say to r sed We’ plea esidents. . C ents h artist House on some of our developm - Hyde installed state-of-the-art technology to on ed pass be can This is already helping us to become more energy efficient so that savings can be passed on to tenants. It’s also better gs savin that so So ient effic gy la ener r e mor thermal pane This is already helping us to become ls ha ve be for the build for the environment. tenants. It’s also better for the environment. ing. The awar en fixed to the ro d-winni tr energy ansferred back dy helping to save tenants money in into the build ng project us that alreato mestenants the sche ples ofwill a few examthat Here’s a few examplesHere of’sschemes help save money on their bills. ing’s heating sys bills.
ady helping to
save tenants
Saving energy to cut your bills
As your land
As your landlord, we’re always looking at ways we can help you to reduce your utility bills.
Chartist House - Hyde
House to help provide hot water H se u haveebeen fixed to the roof of Chartist lsyd o pane H mal ther st r h is Sola ti gy whic ar enerus h C e to t Ho ect uses 20 panels to generate the building. The award-winning proj e roof of Char tis residents. for fixed to th erted into hot water for been ve into ls edhaback nesferr the building’s heating system and conv tran ing project uses nn Solar thermal pa wi dar aw e Th . ing ild bu e th r fo help provide hot water energy which is te 20 panels to genera e building’s heating transferred back into th into hot water for system and conver ted residents.
Cavendish
e r which and
Mill – Ashto n-under-Ly ne At Cavendis h Mill solar th ermal panels building gene on the roof rate energy o to he power a wo at s 16 0 We’re in the process of fitting sol flats. This us od-burning bo es le ar thermmalorepan ss fu enviels ronmto tathe f elofso emissions are low yneich Caven lly frieroo dis tonh und Miler-L – Ash l, wh ndly. will generate energy to power a en Cavendish Mill New Charter wood-burning the boiler which panel lshea roof of ’s Building C on the t 160 flat s. ompany is no At Cavendish Mill solar thermal wil re cognised as h whic r boile rning w al d-bu woo a an installer o er pow building generate energy to f solar therm so nationall and r lowe are s sion emis so al panels. fuel less uses This New Charter’s Buildin heats 160 flats.
Cavendish Mill - Ashton-under-L yne
g Company is now also nationally rec ognised as taller of solar thermal panels. nally
friendly. more environm an enta inslly
now also natio New Charter’s Building Company is mal panels. ther solar recognised as an installer of
Future of PVs in the home els
num eber of energy saving pan hoa m e ed thfitt Chart s erinhas FutureNeofw PV e aics or PVs to people’s homes. PVs captur
oltaics ed photovolt be or photov called has ing panels callicit fitted energy sav y which can ctr New Chartersun ele it into t tur ver andl. con rgy ’sesene sun’s energy and conver t the the e cap PVs tria a as hom ting. PVs to three d to run household appliances and lighseh use to run hou old appliances and d use be can ich wh y icit ctr ele it into the lighting. The Government is now rethinking its plans around fittsed elsefit pan e thethe ilable havund avaon whnso aro ntspla ben ide res to le ilab ava s its efit g kin ben hin ret now is The Government es.e the panels fitted on their homes. ir hom thewh o hav to residents e,gLoo al gand in bsit Lockin kin our Loo onbsi nwe te,we rmatio info our re on n mo atio for rm out info tch re Wa mo for out Watch and . our next newsletter. terin Localslet our next new
18 2
ble/box using the highlighted in a different text bub be to s tip ing sav rgy ene ing low Fol wn icons. ticks and crosses or thumbs up/do s: me by following these simple tip ho r you in y ne mo d an y erg en Save
the
rt out now st Group Annual Repoer Housing Tru
rt ort for The New Cha s Annual Rep it d se a le re has now ve 2010/11. s you how we’ ow sh t or ep R The Annual the past year. performed over se the report, plea of y p co a e k li ew If you would ons Team at N ti a ic n u m om C contact the 427 / 2470. 2 1 3 3 1 6 1 0 Charter on
Recipes Leek and potato soup
Ingredients 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, sliced d 225g/8oz potatoes, cube 2 medium leeks,sliced le stock 1.2 litres/2 pints vegetab m or crème fraîche 150ml/5fl oz double crea ck pepper salt and freshly ground bla
‘Get online at
www.getonlin
Home’
eathome.org
If you receive benefits, you can get a second-hand refurbished co mputer for just £95 (or £165 if you don’t receive benefits). Visit this website for information more and to apply. you need h If elp with th is , the co ntact Financial Inclusion on 0161 331 2 team 666.
Minced beef pie
Ingredients 2 tbsp vegetable oil 500g/1lb 2oz beef mince 1 onion, chopped 1 tbsp tomato purée 1½ tbsp plai n flour, plus extra for dusting 75g/2½oz mushrooms, chopped 250ml/9fl oz stout or beef stock dash Worcestershire sauce 400g/14oz ready-made shortcrus t pastry 1 free-range egg, yolk only, lightly beaten
Preparation method
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F /Gas 6. 2. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and fry the beef mince for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up wit Preparation method h a wooden spoon as it browns. e th pan and add 3. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 1. Heat the oil in a large minutes, then stir in the leeks. Cook for 3-4 tomato purée and cook for 2-3 onions, potatoes and mo flour and cook for a further min re minutes. Stir in the to soften. ute, then add the chopped minutes until starting mushrooms, the stout or bee e th f sto to ck and a couple of dashes ing br d an ck of Worcestershire sauce. Bring 2. Add the vegetable sto to the boil, then reduce e th mer until the heat, cover the pan with a lid and leave to simmer for boil. Season well and sim 20 minutes. Set aside and leav e to cool, then turn the meat vegetables are tender. mixture into a one litre pie dish . er nd ble a in nder or 4. Roll out the pastry on a floured 3. Whizz with a hand ble in r work surface until it is in a clean pan, sti slightly larger than the pie dish until smooth. Reheat . Ge îche, heat through the dish, pressing firmly onto the ntly drape the pastry over edges. Trim, then shape the the cream or crème fra edges into a fluted shape. and serve. 5. Cut some leaf shapes out of the pastry trimmings and decorate the top of the pie, stic king them to the pastry with the beaten egg yolk. great 6. e es th g in k a Make thr joy m four slits in the pastry to allow the de escape,theeen or ste lu c We hope you en in to e v bru sh the pie with the rest of the bea am to lo e’d W . s er ten egg rm a w yolk and bake in the oven for 20winter sletters. 25 minutes, or until goldenew n re tu u f b rown. your recipes in to s ea id e ip c 7. To re serve, slice into wedges. se send your
Plea ll er.co.uk or ca rt a h c ew n t@ c 70. conta 0161 331 24 n o n a p em T Emma
/food
Recipes from www.bbc.co.uk
19 3
Save energy and money at home me by following ho ur yo in ey on m d an gy er en Save
these simple tips:
by 10%. me by 1°C can cut your heating bill ho r you of re atu per tem the g cin du Re h a full load and use lower temperature wit ers ash hw dis and ers dri , nes chi Only run washing ma l help cut bills. settings. Drying washing on a line wil boiler and switch to low energy nt cie effi rgy ene an tall Ins lls. wa ity Insulate your loft and cav appliances. w curtains to reduce draughts. dra and ers lud exc ft dra s, flap x bo Fit letter than ordinary bulbs and using ger lon es tim 10 to up t las ey Th . lbs Use energy saving light bu lifetime of the bulb. one can save you around £45 over the ld be paying for more than cou you rsplie sup rgy ene r you m Don’t rely on estimated bills fro gs. ctricity meters and report your readin /ele gas r you ad Re d. use ’ve you
Don’t over-fill a kettle. xes and DVD Don’t leave TV’s, cable or satellite bo
rs. players on standby; and unplug charge
Grants and schemes to help you These grants and schemes could help you cover the cost of fuel bills and make your home energy efficient. Unless otherwise stated, contact us on 0161 331 2456 for more information and advice.
Switch Energy Suppliers to save money Make sure you’re getting the best deal on your gas and electricity. Check out
www.myhomeenergyswitch.org.uk or call free on 0800 051 5346. 20
n it Unio d e r C ox d Cash B to save safely an u allows yo l year round. y al regularl eeks you w 3 1 r ing fo ice the w t After sav o t ow up ompetit c a t a can borr d e ou’ve sav as eas m t is r h amount y C t make nex ou can affo y t You can n u o m g any a www. it is v start savin r o 3 7621 0161 34 rmation. fo in e r o for m
me
ps:
rature
energy
Cold Weat
her Payme
nts If you’re o n a low income an d the weather in your area falls to 0° C or b elow, for seven d ays in a r ow, you may qualify fo r these.
d using
re than
hargers.
The Warm Front
Scheme
Provides grants to some people to help m ake your home more energy efficient, e.g by updating heating systems or insulating.
on nd
you . the erest rate t in e iv it t ompe anage – m o t r ie s mas ea ontact C . w o n d r k u can affo ox.org.u b h s a c . www
The Warm Home Discount If you qualify, could provide £120 discount off your heating bill. If you are in receipt of the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit you will automatically receive this discount but if you are in receipt of other qualifying benefits you may need to apply. For more information, contact them directly on 0845 603 9439.
What happens if I can’t pay my energy bills? Some energy companies have charitable trusts to help customers pay for fuel arrears. For more information, contact 0161 331 2456.
Winter Fuel Payment A payment made to people over 60 to help with fuel costs. This should be paid to you directly if you’re entitled to it, but check this if you’re not receiving it.
Savings y g r e n The E help you n a c t s Tru grants r o f h c r sea make o t s r e f f and o fficient e y g r e n e ents improvem at home.
21
Read the newsletter? Give us your feedback We write this newsletter for you so we’d love to know what you think of it. We’d be grateful if you could take a few minutes of your time to complete this quick survey.You can hand it in at one of our shops or offices, or post it back to us, addressed to the Communications team. 1.
How old are you?
2.
Which town do you live in?
3.
Which magazines/ newspapers do you read and how often?
4.
What do you like most about the magazines or newspapers that you read?
Tell us what you think for a chance to win £50 B&Q vouchers
News Features – e.g real life stories/interviews with people Letters page Competition/puzzles Photos Local Events / What’s on Other (Please explain) 5.
Do you read the New Charter tenants’ newsletter ‘New Charter News’?
Yes No 6. What do you like/dislike about the tenants’ newsletter? 7.
How would you change the newsletter to make you want to read it more?
8.
Which of these do you watch/listen/read for news? (tick all that apply)
9.
Regional News programme (BBC North West Tonight/Granada Reports) Local Radio (Tameside Radio/Key 103/BBC Radio Manchester) Local newspaper (Tameside Advertiser/Reporter/MEN) National newspapers/programmes (please specify)
What other communication tools do you use? (tick all that apply)
Facebook Twitter Looking Local iPhone/Smart phone Text message Internet 9.
Any other comments?
Name Address Contact no. You can also give us your feedback by: l calling Emma Tempan on 0161 331 2470 l email at contact@newcharter.co.uk. l via Looking Local – go to ‘Contact Us’ and complete the ‘Contact Form’ Thank you for your time.Your views will help us to improve your newsletter for you. If you would like to be entered into our draw to win £50 B&Q vouchers, please make sure you fill in your details.
22
Everyone who gives us their views on the newsletter by 10th February will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 B&Q vouchers!
BEWARE BOGUS CALLERS PLEASE BE AWARE We’re still getting lots of reports of Bogus Callers around Tameside. Recent incidents include individuals posing as staff from the Water Board asking to read meters, and others claiming to be staff from New Charter, visiting to discuss benefits. In some cases, people have claimed to have had a genuine New Charter ID badge and they have found to be false identification. Fortunately, most of us are always very cautious, but please be aware that these callers are always thinking of new ways to try and convince you they are genuine- they can be very creative and manipulative. If you are concerned in any way about a caller claiming to be from New Charter you can call 0161 331 2100 for an identity check. If you are unsure of any other callers – please make checks with the company they say they are calling from.
Please be safe in your home. If you want further information or are concerned in any way – please call
0161 331 2100 for an identity check.
Don’t get caught up with loan sh
arks
Loan sharks are illegal money lenders who give people the chance to borrow mo ney at very high interest rates. They often tar get people who are already in financial difficult y. They can be doorstep lenders and sometim es use threats and violence to frighten people who can ’t pay back their loans. People who get involved with loan sharks may never be able to repay the m, falling further into debt. Watch out for the following wa
rning signs.
• • • • •
New Charter is helping to build awareness of loan sharks with these sti ckers on our vans.
A lender who gives you little or no paperwork. A lender who won’t tell you how much you still owe or what the interest rates are. A lender who adds random cha rges to the loan or continues to increase the amount. A lender who takes items as ‘sec urity’ (These could include passports, bank cards/details an d benefits cards). A lender who is intimidating, threatening or violent. The best advice is to avoid loan sharks and if you think you hav e been in touch with one – report them. Contact 0300
555 2222 Calls will be anonymous -
New Charter can also offer you
you don’t have to give your name
help with your finances. Call
0161 331 2456
.
23
Contact us Main switchboard: Reporting repairs: Lettings enquiries: General tenancy enquiries: Out of hours emergency calls: Anti-social behaviour helpline:
0161 331 2000 0800 027 0828 0161 331 2345 0161 331 2400 0800 027 0828 0800 027 0522
The Communications team at New Charter write your newsletter. You can contact them on 0161 331 2470 or via email at contact@newcharter.co.uk
Emergency Repairs 0800 027 0828 if you need an emergency repair during the following times: l Before 8.00am and after 6pm Monday to Friday l During weekends and Bank Holidays New telephone number for local Police
Our Shops 2 Henrietta Street, Ashton 9 Albert Street, Denton
999 is still the number to contact the Police in a real emergency. 12 Clarendon Street, Hyde But.... English 63 Grosvenor Street, Stalybridge If it’s not an emergency, you should This newsletter is from New Charter and is sent to all tenants to keep them informed of our You can ask a friend or relative us on 0161 331 2131, or ifLocal you can tell us now call 101 toto phone contact your Our shops open at 9am Monday to Friday activities. which language you speak, we will arrange for an interpreter. (except Tuesdays, when they open at PolishPolice Force.
10.30am).
Autorem tego biuletynu jest New Charter. Został on wysłany do wszystkich lokatorów, aby poinformować ich o naszych działaniach. Możesz poprosić znajomego lub kogoś z rodziny, aby zadzwonił do nas pod numer 0161 331 2131, lub jeśli powiesz nam w jakim języku mówisz, zaaranżujemy tłumacza.
This is a new number to make it easier for people to reach the Police when it’s not Please note, Denton and Stalybridge shops Portuguese an emergency. It will also help reduce the close daily between 12.30-1.30pm. Este informativo foi produzido pela New Charter e enviado a todos os arrendatários para number of calls made to 999 which are not mantê-los informados sobre nossas atividades. Você pode ligar no telefone 0161 331 2131, ou se informar-nos qual sua língua, podemos providenciar um intérprete. English emergencies and help the police respond Farsi This newsletter is from New Charter and is sent to all tenants to keep them informed of our to real emergencies faster. activities. You can ask a friend or relative to phone us on 0161 331 2131, or if you can tell us which language you speak, we will arrange for an interpreter.
Please note, calls to 101 will be charged at the local rate; calls from mobile phones may cost more.
Polish Autorem tego biuletynu jest New Charter. Został on wysłany do wszystkich lokatorów, aby poinformować ich o naszych działaniach. Możesz poprosić znajomego lub kogoś z rodziny, aby zadzwonił do nas pod numer 0161 331 2131, lub jeśli powiesz nam w jakim języku mówisz, zaaranżujemy tłumacza.
Bengali
Portuguese Este informativo foi produzido pela New Charter e enviado a todos os arrendatários para mantê-los informados sobre nossas atividades. Você pode ligar no telefone 0161 331 2131, ou se informar-nos qual sua língua, podemos providenciar um intérprete.
Gujarati
Farsi
Urdu Bengali
Gujarati