news ISSUE 37 : July 2011
INSIDE: MBE Tenants Godley couple make birthday honours list! Star Survey You said, we did Natterbox – your resident involvement news And more!
high street vouchers with new charter STAR Survey: You said, we did! Pg 2
Fix It: D uring cu tom by a res comple regardi N ew Simply teleph and yo our fre
win
of high
A brand new service from New Charter Pg 4
Bloomin’ Brilliant:
Residents prepare for this year’s North West in Bloom competition. Pg 7
teleph and yo our fre
high street vouchers win
with new
charter of high
You Said, We Did THANK YOU – your views make a difference. We think that your views should be acted on - nothing is more frustrating than taking the time to give feedback on a service only for what you say to be ignored. This is why we carry out customer surveys to find out what we do well and to find out what we can do better.
During July 2011 some of our customers will be contacted by a research company to complete a random survey regarding your views on New Charter.
We asked for your views on our services last year and these are just some of the ways we have changed our services as a result of what you told us.
Did you know?
Simply answer a short telephone questionnaire and you will be entered into our free prize draw to
we are spending £18m on investments in your homes?
Your home
win £150 worth of high street vouchers!
STAR Survey
You Said: “Can you look at introducing a handyperson service for those smaller jobs which we can’t do ourselves?”
We Did: Improve our telephone service so that we can make sure messages are returned. We are introducing Looking Local so that you can contact us via your television and we are making our website easier to You Said: “We would like local people use. to receive preference on the Choice Based Letting Scheme.” Team to complete a full review of the service, speaking to you, staff and independent experts for advice. We are now putting in place the suggested actions.”
Did you know?
We Did: Change our system so that you now get local connection points.
Dealing with Anti Social Behaviour
all our empty homes meet a customer approved standard before they are let?
Involving you
You Said: “We would like some more You Said: “Can we have more meetings support to help us challenge anti-social at convenient times and nearer to us?” behaviour.” We Did: Organise local surgeries, We Did: Introduce customer market stalls and road shows and champions to support you in making a changed the time of our service review report. groups so that they happen at lunch times. Repairs to your home
You Said: “Can you ring us to let us Your views really help to bring about know you are on your way?” these changes and this is why we will be carrying out another survey this We Did: Make sure that our Building year. Vouchers worth £150. All N ewWe C harter customers aged 18 and over are Did: Introduce a handyperson Company and contractors let you invited to enter. To be eligible to win you mustashave a clear rentknow account scheme in Ashton a trial with the when they are on their way. During July 2011 a research company intention of extending it at a later date. or be keeping a financial agreement with us and not have any action will be calling you on our behalf to find H O Uwhat S I Nyou G Tthink RUS T G services R O U P you out about against you for anti-social behaviour. T he “Can judge’s final. You Said: youdecision improve isthe T he winners to be published indecorating our newsletter. voucher system and give us we complete 99.9% of repairs receive from New Charter. more choice?” right first time? The phone call will last for about 15 minutes and the research company We Did: Change arrangements so will clearly introduce themselves to that you can spend your vouchers over Your rent you and explain that they are acting on a number of visits and put options in You Said: “Can you make it easier to behalf of New Charter but if you are in place so that you can choose to receive pay our rent?” any way worried then pleased contact either a voucher, full decoration of a us for information on 0161 331 2000. room or a whitewash throughout. We Did: Introduce a 24 hour automated telephone payment line. As an added bonus and to show you
Did you know?
Your neighbourhood
Vouchers worth £150. All New Charter customers aged 18 and over are invited to enter. To be eligible to win you must have a clear rent account or be keeping a financial agreement with us and not have any action against you for anti-social behaviour. The judge’s decision is final. The winners to be published in our newsletter.
2
how much we appreciate your help, all those who complete the survey You Said: “You could make it easier to will be entered into a prize draw with contact you and you don’t always return the chance to win £150 in High Street vouchers. our calls.”
You Said: “We are not happy with the How you contact us quality of our grounds maintenance.” HOUSING T RUST GROUP
We Did: Ask our Tenant Management
3
Welcome..
MBE Tenants
Thank you to those of you who have contributed in some way to this summer edition of New Charter News. It’s been a busy few months and as you will see from the newsletter – there’s a lot to catch up on. Included in this newsletter is a note to let you know that some of you will be contacted by a research company this month to complete a short questionnaire to find out your views on New Charter. We’d love to hear from you and you have the chance to win £150 worth of high street vouchers.
So for now – you’ve got a new Editor – Paula Thomas and if you’d like to get involved with the Customer Communications Group (CCG) – the group set up to look at the content of this newsletter – then we’d like to hear from you – Editor Paula Thomas either phone on 0161 331 2131, or by email at paula.thomas@newcharter.co.uk I look forward to hearing from you once again.
We’ve also got some safety articles and tips and much more.
Paula Thomas Editor
And we regret to inform you that our Editor Bob Clowrey has gone onto pastures new and is no longer working at New Charter. We wish him well for the future and he’ll be missed.
Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7AT
Tune in to Looking Local TENANTS will soon be able to stay in touch with New Charter from the comfort of their armchair.
show public transport times, job vacancies, health advice from the NHS and much more.
Looking Local is a brand new free service accessed through digital TV. From August, when the service is launched, everyone with a digital TV will be able to view available properties, catch up on the latest news and events, report repairs or anti social behaviour and request information and documents at the touch of a remote control.
New Charter’s Customer Experience Champion Said-ur Rahman is developing Looking Local. He said: “This is an exciting and easy way for New Charter tenants to access services. It will be especially useful for people without internet access or for people who want to report issues without picking up the phone and the best thing is it’s completely free!”
Information about New Charter isn’t the only thing you’ll be able to access. The channel will also
4
MBE for Dedicated Godley Couple A GODLEY couple has joined a top entertainer and a horse whisperer this year’s birthday honours list. Don and Margaret Dargavel both received MBEs for services to the community in recognition of their work with New Charter supported Walker Estate Residents Group (WERG.)
said Don: “We weren’t allowed to The identity of those who nominated talk about it to anyone except each Don and Margaret for the award other – and that was really hard remains a mystery. because we wanted to shout it from the rooftops.”
He added that he and Margaret would accept the honour on behalf of all who strive to improve communities everywhere: “There’s an army of volunteers out there who are working hard for their communities and for WERG Secretary Margaret and New Charter. Each and every one of Chairman Don are both dedicated them deserves recognition.” volunteers who attend Police and Community Together (PACT) Don and Margaret are in great meetings, arrange trips for company. Other honours recipients residents on Walker Estate and are this year include entertainer Bruce regular helpers at New Charter’s Forsyth, who received a knighthood, and horse trainer Monty Roberts, neighbourhood centre. who was made an Honoury Member Describing his shock on receiving the of the Royal Victorian Order. Monty honour, Don said: “I was absolutely famously brought the Queen Mother gob-smacked. Bruce Forsyth might to tears after managing to tame be used to this sort of thing, but her wildest horse and is said to be Margaret and me don’t get a letter the inspiration behind The Horse like that every day!” Whisperer film. The grandparents of three were They will soon receive an invitation sworn to secrecy in the weeks leading to visit Buckingham Palace to receive up to the announcement, the awards in person.
the advertisement campaign coming soon with more details on how to use the site. The service will initially be available through Sky, Virgin Media and mobiles phones. Even more ways of accessing it will be added after the launch.
There’s still time to share your ideas on what you’d like to see on the site. If you’d like to have your say contact Looking Local is set to launch at the Said on 0161 331 2554 or email beginning of August. Look out for Said-ur.rahman@newcharter.co.uk
Don and Margaret Dargavel
Family Learning @ New Charter ON 22nd October we will be holding our annual Family Learning event at our main offices in Ashton-u-Lyne.
There will be plenty of activities for you and your family to have a go at, and our main attraction this year will be a variety of creatures from ‘Jeepers Creepers’ critter All residents, employees and their parties and educational visits where families are welcome to join us at (www.critterparties.co.uk), you can learn all about creatures this event to celebrate the Campaign for Learning’s Family Learning such as hissing cockroaches, lizards Festival (15th-30th October). and snakes.
Hope you can come and join us for a fun filled day of learning. For more information please contact Hannah Grantham on 0161 331 2583.
5
Burglary Advice
In Bloom Competition Bloomin’ Brilliant!
Lock Up and Keep ‘em Out POLICE in Tameside have pledged to leave no stone unturned in their fight to bring burglars to justice.
As the weather gets warmer and the nights get lighter officers have issued advice on keeping your home safe from burglars.
Help catch those burglars by reporting suspicious activity to the Police on Officers will continue to use Approximately one in three burglaries 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers intelligence gathered to target are through insecure properties anonymously on 0800 555 111. burglars in their homes, in their so to reduce your chances of being So if you can! communities and on the roads in a targeted, lock up to keep ‘em out! hard-hitting series of raids.
Lock all doors and windows whether you are at home or not
Fit a burglar alarm and use it every time you go out or go to bed
NEW Charter‘s green-fingered residents groups have been busy preparing for this year’s North West in Bloom competition.
Laura adds: “This has a knock on effect, inspiring others to get to grips with gardening and get involved with some of the groups getting really competitive – but it’s all in good fun.”
Leave a light on or use plug-in timers to operate lights and radios when going out in the evening
New Charter’s Executive Director Tony Powell added: “Working towards awards like these creates an infectious sense of community spirit and a real sense of pride. It will be difficult to beat last year’s fantastic results, but I’m sure they’ll do themselves proud. I wish everyone who is taking part the best of luck in the competition.”
Tidy away tools from your garden - these can be used to break into your property
Discounts on Decorating NEW Charter tenants who need net you a discount of between 20-70 a helping hand with decorating per cent. can get huge discounts from an The shop stocks everything you Ashton shop. need to get started giving your home Showing your New Charter a makeover. From wallpaper and tenancy agreement at WH Morris’s paint, right down to paintbrushes Wallpaper and Paint Supplies could – there’s loads to choose from
and the friendly, experienced staff at Morris’s are happy to give you advice and help you work out how many rolls of paper or pots of paint you need. All you need to do is measure up and let them know the size of room you plan to decorate. The shop even provides a free home delivery service on weekdays from 9am until 5pm, so now there’s no excuse to give your home that new lease of life!
6
WH Morris is at 96 Old Street Ashton, near Central Library. Feel free to call in or telephone 0161 330 1101 for more information. Alternatively log on to www.whmorris.co.uk.
New Charter’s Regeneration Officer Laura Middleton said: “Getting their estates ready for the ‘in Bloom’ competition really helps improve the environment and brings communities together as people go all-out to make sure their area is looking the best it can be.”
Organisations and groups taking part include the Laurels, Muddy Buddies, Brushes Estate Management Board, Friends of Crowswood, Hindley Close Residents’ Association, Ashurst Gardens, Central Residents Action Group, Audenshaw Community Association, the Newton Group, Bradley Green Road Flats, Dixon Road/Forrest Road Communal Garden, Yew Tree and Pendle Road Residents’ Group and Waterton Wanderers.
A total of 11 residents groups from across Tameside hoping to take awards in the ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ category, have been fundraising to pay for planters, hanging baskets and plants to impress the judges later this month. Their efforts have been helped by New Charter who have provided funding and staff support. Groups have also been assisted by the grounds maintenance company Veolia to make sure each area is looking its best for the big day.
7
Invo t d i ement e s N e v l R
Complaints
HOMES LIMITED
Summer 2011
“I don’t want to make a fuss...but...” WHEN making complaints It is New Charter’s policy to respond Customer Experience Team, or email customers often say they don’t to customers within five working contact@newcharter.co.uk want to make a fuss. days and the care given to you should be excellent. Complaints are brought But letting us know when something to the attention of staff at weekly has gone wrong helps us to put meetings, and any training necessary things right for you. We also monitor is put in place. our complaints and the issues you raise, which also gives us an So as you can see, making a complaint opportunity to look at what went is not ‘making a fuss’ at all! Complaints wrong and improve our service for help us to improve our services to everyone. you, our customers. We understand that some residents In the last six months New Charter In the last six months we have also would prefer to speak to another has received 64 complaints. In all but received 72 compliments, and it resident to assist a complaint. For one of these cases we were able to is always nice to hear when our this reason we have introduced a reach agreement on how to resolve customers are happy with the service tenant advocate service, which is it and 17 of these complaints were we provide. maintained by two residents who upheld against New Charter. understand the workings of the We are currently reviewing our organisation well. In addition to Of these, 11 related to slow response complaints procedure and over the this we have introduced a staff and lack of customer care to our next year we will be improving our complaints advocate system, for customers and six complaints were telephone service to make it easier those who would like information in relation to repair issues. Extreme for you to contact us. but who would prefer not to go weather conditions affected the down the official complaints route. repairs service over the winter and If you have any concerns, please do The staff working on this system are the complaints we received about not hesitate to contact us by phoning Sarah Sinclair and Jenni Lever, both this will help improve services in the 0161 331 2000 and speaking to the can be contacted on 0161 331 2400. future.
Fun Day
Your Local offers – update The ten Local Offers, which we introduced to you in our last newsletter, have now been implemented and in order to record their effectiveness we are monitoring how each is progressing. The monitoring arrangements span a number of departments and look at improvement to services, increased satisfaction, complaints made, increased involvement and improved value for money. The monitoring will gather momentum as the Local Offers become more established.
Local Offers Performance
LOCAL OFFERS
The opportunit y to help with the Local Offers is still available. We still need volunteers to monitor our ser vices:
Grounds Maintenance Monitors Do you want to help us improve on the quality of our grounds maintenance service? If so, we are asking volunteers to tell us how well the contractors are performing on an estate basis. The environmental panel and Tenant Management Team have devised a short questionnaire to be completed after each visit. This opportunity will take up approx ½ hour on a bi-weekly basis.
Caretaking Monitors Do you have a caretaking service in your area and would like to help us improve on their performance? If so, we are again asking volunteers to complete a simple questionnaire after each caretaking visit. This opportunity will take up approx ½ hour on a weekly basis.
Resident Translators
We are planning a community event/fun day The date has now been set and will be Wednesday 3rd August 2011 at Richmond Park, Ashton-under-Lyne between 1pm and 4pm.
Do you have a language skill you could use to help others? Should you speak any other language we would love to hear from you, to help interpret on accompanied viewings and routine visits. This service will be used on as “as and when needed” basis and we aim to have a ‘pool’ of volunteers to spread the workload.
The day is in aid of Willow Wood Hospice and will consist of:
Anti-Social Behaviour Advocate
8
Crime Prevention A bike relay Climbing wall Fire Service
u
Multi Media Trailer u 5 a side football trailer u Police dog’s & mounted (if available)
u
Traffic Police (if available) u Activities and refreshments u All proceeds will go to Willow Wood Hospice
We will keep you updated with details when everything has been confirmed.
Attending court and being a witness in an ASB case can be very harrowing and frightening for a victim. We aim to develop an ASB resident advocacy service to help alleviate some of this stress by acting as a confidant and friend to the resident. We are seeking residents who have gone through the process themselves to assist with this initiative.
We have 15 grounds maintenance monitors, that are tenants working on your estates. They are telling us that there are still problems with the grounds maintenance service, in particular that cutting is uneven and there is mess left after cuts. Their reports have gone directly to our Operational Manager to raise at the contract monitoring meetings with Veolia to ensure an improvement in satisfaction. On 18th June we held a consultation event with resident groups about the support they want from the Resident Involvement team. The majority of residents told us they wanted continued support from the team, more local estate involvement and convenient meetings including evenings and weekends. We also went ‘local’ by holding two open days on Ashton market, drop-in surgeries in Ashton and Hyde and we have a number of roadshows planned to increase involvement in underrepresented areas for the summer. Since launching the ‘FixIt’ handyperson scheme Darren has had 33 requests to use the service, 22 completed jobs, 8 jobs rejected and 3 pending. The majority of jobs completed have been for minor repairs to gates and fencing.
If you would like to help please contact the Tenancy and Support Services department on 0161 331 2000.
9
Your Resident Involvement Team
Forthcoming Events July, August and September 2011 Mystery shopping/ Resident Inspection Overview
Budgeting Skills
Monday 4th July 10am - 11.30am Cavendish 249
Wednesday 13th July 10am - 12noon Lakelands Neighbourhood Office
An overview session in what is involved in becoming a mystery shopper or resident inspector for New Charter. An awareness session on prioritising spending & being more efficient with your money.
Meet your Resident Involvement Team
Wednesday 20th July 10am - 12noon
Customer Communications Group
Wednesday 27th July 11am - 1pm
Lunch with Repairs
Tuesday 9th August 1pm - 2.30pm
Grow Your Own vegetables
Wednesday 17th August 10am - 12noon Central Greenhouse, Dukinfield
An opportunity to learn from the tenant experts from Dukinfield some of the techniques in growing your own vegetables & herbs.
I.T Skills for Beginners
Tuesday 23rd August 10am - 12noon
Basic I.T. skills training session for residents.
Understanding Credit Cards
Monday 12th September 10am -12noon
Sheltered Forum Meeting
Stalybridge shop, 63 Grosvenor St, Stalybridge
Cavendish 249
Cavendish 249
Cavendish 249
Hazelhurst neighbourhood office
Thursday 15th September 1.30pm - 3.30pm Birchfield Sheltered Scheme, Ashton
Recruitment & Selection Training
Monday 19th September 10am - 12noon
Residents Showcase Event
Saturday 24th September 11am - 3pm
Leaseholder Forum
Wednesday 28th September 6pm
Cavendish 249
Cavendish 249
Cavendish 249
An informal drop in session to chat with members of your Resident Involvement Team. This group replaces the Editorial Panel, looking at communication sent out to tenants and in particular the tenants’ newsletter – New Charter News. Repairs Service Review Group – an informal session to meet with the Repairs team to discuss their service area
Karyn Kay Resident Involvement Officer
Working with resident groups in Ashton and Droyslden, the Resident Involvement Monitoring Panel and representing New Charter at the Resident Involvement benchmarking group.
Steve Fanshawe Resident Development Officer
Janice Latreche Resident Involvement Officer
Working with groups in Hyde, Denton, Audenshaw and co-ordinating the resident involvement calendar.
Linda Whyatt Resident Involvement Officer
Sarah Sinclair Support Worker
Working with resident groups in Stalybridge, Dukinfield, Longdendale and Mossley, the Sheltered forum and the Learning together partnership.
Supporting Black, Ethnic and Minority tenants
Latest News Tenant Management Team Co-regulatory Champions
An awareness session on credit card use
The Tenant Management Team are going from strength to strength and are being recognised for their hard work, not only by residents, staff and the Board at New Charter but also Nationally by external agencies.
A regular meeting for residents living in sheltered accommodation to discuss issues affecting them.
As part of their co-regulatory champion status in June members of the team spoke at the Linda Levin conference and at the Housing Quality Network conference, both in London, about scrutiny. The events were attended by both staff and residents from Housing Organisations across the Country who were keen to learn from our experience of setting up and maintaining a scrutiny panel. In addition to this the Tenant Management Team are running their own conference, jointly with Wirral Partnership Homes and Helena Housing on 20th July in Manchester.
A training session for residents in the recruitment & selection policy used by New Charter. Once trained, residents will have the opportunity to assist in recruitment of frontline staff, by reviewing applications for employment, undertaking shortlisting and interviewing candidates. An interactive event for residents, with entertainment, workshops and information stands. The forum meets annually for updates on issues affecting leaseholders.
Cavendish 249 is on Cavendish Street, Ashton Under Lyne, OL6 7AT Please call the Resident Involvement Team on 0161 331 2400 to advise us if you will be attending.
10
Sue Cox Resident Involvement Manager
Sue is the newly appointed Resident Involvement Manager, working with the team to ensure resident involvement is effective across the group.
Steve is the newest recruit to the team and is working predominantly with the Tenant Management Team, organising the Residents Showcase event and the Residents Awards evening.
Grounds Maintenance Scrutiny project The monitoring of implementation on the 77 recommendations from the Grounds maintenance scrutiny has now officially been handed to the Environmental Panel to proceed. The Environmental panel will work with the Resident Grounds maintenance monitors to ensure services are being improved. The Tenant Management Team will undertake a survey at the end of the summer with those who responded to their initial survey to see if the service has improved.
Responsive Repairs Scrutiny Project New Charter have now responded to the Tenant Management Team with an action plan to implement the 7 recommendations made in their report. The Tenant Management Team will monitor these with the aim of handing over to a repairs working group in the near future.
Current Scrutiny Topic – Rechargeable Repairs TMT final report for the latest scrutiny topic is currently being written and will be submitted to New Charter Group Management Team in July. We will share the findings on the TMT website. Tenantmanagementteam.org.uk
11
Involvement Opportunities
Recruitment to TMT If you are interested in joining TMT please contact them at: www.tenantmanagementteam.org.uk or via the Resident Involvement Team.
Resident Inspectors and Mystery Shoppers
The workload is variable dependent on the scrutiny projects ongoing, but the group meet monthly for approximately two hours with additional meetings for scrutiny projects usually on a weekly basis. The benefits of being involved are improving your skills, gaining experience and gaining a sense of achievement by helping to improve services for all residents.
As per the last edition of Natterbox we are still recruiting Resident Inspectors and Mystery Shoppers. If you wish to become either an Inspector or a Mystery shopper please contact the Resident Involvement Team.
Resident Showcase Event
The Runway Group The Runway group consists of tenants from 15 Social Housing Providers who meet to discuss current issues, to share experiences, knowledge and best practice. The group met on 20th May, representation from New Charter came from TMT members. The main topic of conversation was the forthcoming 2012 Benefit Reforms, which created a great deal of debate. For further information on the reforms and your opportunity to get involved please see the main newsletter.
Resident Involvement Impact Assessment
RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT
2010/11
The new 2010/2011 Resident Involvement Impact Assessment document will be available on the website from July, www.newcharter.co.uk. This illustrates all involvement over the passed year and it’s impact on services.
A leading role
Choose your role
Get involved
Behind the scenes
A small part in the performance
We constantly update our ‘You said, We did’ website article to show how we have listened to tenants. These will be published in our Tenants annual report in October 2011, but here are some examples:
Using the Advertiser wasn’t a good way to advertise properties for let, as it isn’t received by everyone and information is quickly out of date
You were unhappy with New Charter using the term “void” to describe vacant properties.
12
New Charter Housing Trust has joined forces with a number of local Housing organisations to provide joint training for residents and staff. The Learning Together Partnership is co-ordinated by the Priorities Estate Project and courses are run every two months in topic areas requested by residents. The forthcoming meeting is: Scrutiny, Tenant involvement and monitoring services -14th Sept 2011- Honeywell Centre, Oldham. At this event attendees will find out the various ways in which landlords are working with tenants to ensure that services are monitored and resourced properly.
Group News
You Said – We Did
You’d like a consistent service for telephone answering, ideally with enquiries being dealt with at first point of contact and without being passed around
Learning Together Partnership
If you would like to attend this session please contact the Resident Involvement Team on 0161 331 2400.
Resident Involvement Statement Following consultation with Residents, the Resident Involvement Statement has been updated, This is available on our website, www.newcharter.co.uk. This illustrates the different ways to get involved.
This year the resident Showcase event is on Saturday 24th September from 11am until 3pm. Everyone is welcome to attend, the day will be full of workshops, information stands and entertainment.
We Will be introducing a new telephone system to the group. This will be called ‘Connect’ and will be launched early next year.
We HaVe signed up to using “Looking Local”, accessed through the red button on your television, to advertise properties. We aim for this service to be live this summer.
We HaVe stopped using the term in our publications and at meetings and we now use ‘empty homes.’
Royal Wedding Celebrations Rufford Avenue Residents of Rufford Avenue and surrounding areas enjoyed the Royal Wedding by having a right ‘good old knees-up’.The event was organised by Rufford Avenue social committee and included an artist, refreshments and fabulous decoration. Residents would like to thank the social committee for all their hard work in arranging such a great party and for New Charter for funding support.
The Friends United Group, Forrest Road, Denton Residents arrived to the Friends United Group Royal Wedding party in their wedding hats and Sunday best. All local residents were invited to attend to watch the wedding together, with tea and biscuits, followed by a buffet, singing and dancing. Derek Smith would like to thank all the Friends United Group for their contributions to the day, Marcia, the scheme co-ordinator, Joyce and George for their cake donations, Emma Marsh from New Charter for providing the television and Janice Latreche for all her help in arranging the event. Derek said “A great day was had by all, it makes you proud to be British.”
Micklehurst Held at Micklehurst youth base on a glorious sunny day, Micklehurst Estate Residents Association hosted a party to celebrate the royal wedding. With a visit from the local Mayor Mrs Valerie Carter who was there to help announce the raffle prize winners. With music playing in the background the children had fun playing games and dancing together. Potato pie and hot dogs were served for a late lunch with lots of goodies thrown in. We even had our own little princess who won a prize for her effort! Other Royal Wedding events were held at Hindley Close - Ashton, Crowswood - Stalybridge and Higher Green – Ashton.
13
Audenshaw St. Georges Day Celebrations Audenshaw Community Association, supported by New Charter Housing Trust, held a series of arts and crafts workshops for the local youngsters in preparation for their St Georges Day community parade. Children from Stanhope, St Anne’s and Hobson Crescent Estates were invited to attend the workshops and put their design skills to the test. The girls spent their visits producing some amazing looking Easter bonnets while the boys competed with each other to produce the most realistic looking St Georges day outfit.
“
Jade Mullin Going for Gold!
A TALENTED young athlete is going for gold after being presented with a brand new lightweight wheelchair. Jade’s grandad Tony Hillier said: “Jade is an inspiration. To have achieved what she’s achieved has been absolutely brilliant, especially as she was competing in an NHS wheelchair. They’re so bulky I’m amazed that she managed even to compete – let alone win anything!
The idea behind the community association holding a parade was two-fold. The great success of their first lantern parade at Christmas, and to teach the children about the English patron saint.
“
Audenshaw Mayors Parlour Visit The work of Audenshaw Community Association in the volunteering hours they commit to their area has been formally recognised with an invite to attend the Mayors parlour on 9th May. The group had a tour of the Council Chambers, followed by a history of the Town Hall.
“The great thing about this new wheelchair is that it’s great for competing in, but it also makes a fantastic everyday chair. The minute she sat down in it Jade knew how easy it would be to use.”
YOU CHOOSE SUCCESS! Audenshaw Community Association and Dixon/Forest Road Communal Garden Group successfully obtained significant grants from the new ‘You Choose’ funding programme.
Emma MacQueen of New Charter first met Jade at East Cheshire Harriers where they both train. She said: “As soon as I met Jade I knew that she had enormous sporting potential. But it seemed unfair that she might be held back because of the lack of something as simple as a suitable wheelchair.”
Groups from Denton and Audenshaw were invited to apply to ‘You Choose’, which is Tameside MBC’s new funding programme for voluntary, community and faith groups.The funding has been raised from the recycling efforts of everyone in the borough and groups from each District Assembly area will be given the opportunity to apply in the next 12 months. With the assistance of Janice Latreche (Resident Involvement) and Laura Middleton (Regeneration) our groups submitted applications. They were then invited along to a ‘Participatory Budgeting’ Event where they had to present their bid to a room of local residents. This was a daunting experience for the volunteers but they rose to the challenge and presented passionate arguments about how their groups are improving people’s lives. Local residents then voted on the most worthy schemes in line with TMBC’s strategic priorities.
Audenshaw Community Association were awarded £4,000 which will be spent on a new community planting area on Stanhope Street. Their project named ‘Grow It Eat It’ will involve local families in growing their own fruit and vegetables and will teach the traditional skills such as making jams and pickling vegetables. Dixon/Forest Road Communal Garden Group were awarded £630.00 to fund a new Japanese Garden feature in their award winning, accessible garden. The groups are now awaiting their cheques and are eagerly planning their forthcoming projects. Watch this space! For further information on any articles in the ‘Resident Involvement Natterbox’ or if you want to volunteer please contact on team on: 0161 3312400 or email TPTeam@newcharter.co.uk For further information on the interpreter service please contact Sarah Sinclair on 0161 331 2316 or email Sarah.sinclair@newcharter.co.uk
HOMES LIMITED Part of the New Charter Housing Trust Group
14
Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AT Tel: 0161 331 2000 Fax: 0161 331 2001 Email: contact@newcharter.co.uk www.newcharter.co.uk
Jade competed in a brand new wheelchair paid for by fundraising pals at Alder High School and New Charter’s charitable foundation Great Neighbourhoods, which also agreed to sponsor her sporting endeavours over the coming year. Jade won gold medals in shot- Jade was presented with the chair put and javelin at the Paralympics at a surprise assembly at Alder High World Cup in Liverpool in May. She School, where she is in year nine. also won slalom and javelin gold medals in this year’s North The inspirational youngster was West Regional Disability Sports also invited to take her new Championship, as well as taking wheelchair for a test drive around home bronze in the 100 metre New Charter’s headquarters at Cavendish 249. wheelchair sprint. Jade Mullin, 13, from Dukinfield will have to make room on her mantelpiece for four gold awards and a bronze in some of the toughest competitions for disabled young athletes.
“I’m privileged to have been able to help Jade through New Charter’s Great Neighbourhoods fund – and seeing her face as she was presented with the chair at the surprise assembly was priceless.” But that’s not the end of fundraising. Jade still needs to raise money for a custom-built stool to help her throw javelin. If you’d like to donate, take a look at the Jade’s Wheels fundraising page on Facebook, or email billywhizhillier@sky.com
15
Charitable Status
Fix It Launch
New Charter Homes to become a charity
Brand New Service from New Charter
we are able to keep this money associations have done already, and use it for the benefit of our including two other organisations in the New Charter Group: Gedling residents and communities. Homes and Aksa. There are other benefits as well these include eligibility to receive We are now inviting comments gift aid payments, access to grants from tenants and residents in The Board of New Charter Homes that are currently restricted to regard to our plan to become a has agreed in principle, subject to charitable companies, and some VAT charitable company. If you wish consultation with yourselves, to look concessions. to comment upon our proposals at converting itself to a charitable you may do so by contacting If New Charter Homes becomes company. the email or phone number below. charitable then it has to make The closing date for comments is The reason for this is to enable us sure that its activities are linked Friday 26th August 2011. to retain more money to invest to its charitable objects. As most in your homes and services. If we of what we currently do is of If you would like to do not convert to charitable status a charitable nature then this is make a comment, please contact then potentially we would become just seen as an extension of its c o n t a c t @ n e w c h a r t e r. c o . u k liable to pay corporation tax at up current activities. In making this or telephone 0161 331 2000 and ask to 28% of any profits made. switch we are doing what the for Cath Owston. of other housing By changing to a charitable company majority New Charter Homes is currently a company limited by guarantee. We are registered as a provider of affordable housing and regulated by the Tenants Services Authority.
This change does not affect your rights. All current terms of your tenancy and other agreements remain the same. Rents and other charges would continue to be set in line with our rent setting policy and the requirements of our regulators, the Tenant Services Authority.
Fair Services For Everyone WE want to improve services for YOU.
our
We are looking for customer volunteers to help us improve and better tailor our services for all members of the community we need your views! We are keen to work with everyone from various backgrounds; especially those of
16
you who have a disability, are of a minority race, religion, or sexuality, or know someone who can help. You can really help us to make a difference. If you would like to be involved then please contact Helen McDermott on 0161 331 2261.
A FAMILIAR face ‘fixed it’ for families in Ashton at the launch of a brand new service from New Charter.
The team will tackle tasks like putting up shelves and hanging baskets, building flat pack furniture and even changing light bulbs.
Bob the Builder shook hands with shoppers on Thursday, June 9th, whilst promoting a new handyperson service set up for tenants that need help carrying out small DIY jobs inside and outside the home. This new service is a local offer designed in response to customer feedback and doesn’t replace the repairs service but designed to carry out tasks not covered by repairs.
New Charter’s Director of Communities, Emma Marsh said: “Anyone who has struggled putting up flat pack furniture will know that it isn’t always as easy as the instructions would have you believe. Often the small jobs like putting up shelving or moving furniture around will be put off for a long time and there’s nothing worse than living in a home where there’s a never-ending list of odd jobs to be done.”
The Fix It service means tenants can turn to a skilled team with the tools, knowledge and skills to carry out a range of small jobs.
“Our Fix It service aims to change all that and while the team can’t carry out major work like roofing or plumbing, they can get to grips with all those
jobs you’ve been meaning to do for ages but have never got around to.” The cost of the service is £17 per hour. The Fix It team come equipped with the right tools for the job but tenants must provide the materials. The service is being piloted in the Ashton area for six months and is available to all tenants who live there and have a clear rent account. If you are a New Charter tenant living in Ashton who would like to use the Fix It service, email fixit@newcharter.co.uk or contact the team on 0161 331 2277.
Clean Water TO maintain safe water of the highest quality at our Sheltered accommodation, New Charter carries out a rigorous programme of routine monitoring of its water storage facilities.
yourself and here they are: • If you have been away for a number of weeks or longer, it is good practice to flush all taps for several minutes before using the water for yourself.
• If your hot water is heated from a hot water storage vessel (immersion Water tanks are inspected every six heater), make sure the setting is set months in accordance with Health to at least but not much more than • Keep all taps and shower heads and Safety guidelines and chlorination 60 degrees C. clean carried out as necessary. • Take care of scalding especially with young children, handicapped In taking the above precautions, you However, in order to help keep or the elderly. Where a particular will ensure that the good quality the water quality wholesome and significant scalding risk exists, you water supplied to your home does of the highest quality for all tenants should contact New Charter to not deteriorate and will remain safe within your own homes, there are a discuss the setting of your water for drinking, washing and showering. few simple steps that you can take temperature.
17
Be Safe with Gas CARBON monoxide poisoning from gas appliances that have not been properly installed causes around 20 deaths in the home every year. In smaller amounts it can also be the cause of ill health, causing symptoms like tiredness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, chest pains and stomach pains. The symptoms can easily be mistaken for flu or tiredness, especially because you can’t see, smell or even taste the carbon monoxide that causes them.
Useful Numbers If you suspect your gas appliance is faulty, contact New Charter free on 0800 027 0828. To report a gas leak phone the National Grid’s free reporting line on 0800 111 999.
What about Electrical Appliances? It is your responsibility to use electrical appliances in your home like washers, dryers, hairdryers and electric blankets safely. Here are some handy hints from the Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents to help you stay safe:
Remember! These simple steps can make sure you stay safe in the home. l
l
l
If you suspect a gas leak, open windows, turn off gas at the meter and don’t use any electrical switches.
If you’re not sure, ask to see the card!
Landlords and tenants and gas suppliers and installers all have legal obligations to make sure gas appliances in the home are as safe as possible. Our Legal Responsibilities Make sure all gas appliances, flues & pipework installed by New Charter are in good order and in a safe condition. l Undertake annual servicing and safety checks l Provide tenants with a copy of the gas servicing record l Keep records of annual services for at least two years l Write to you to make a gas servicing appointment when it’s due. l Make sure all our gas engineers are registered with Gas Safe.
l l
l
Are you Aged 55 or Over? longercurrent homes, or if need be, move mean into alternative housing, more suited term efficiencies across housing, to their needs. health and care With the population of older people Good quality housing for older services. in Tameside set to rise 45% by 2031, people in accessible neighbourhoods New Charter is housing our ageing population is can bring considerable benefits – not looking for ways becoming a top priority. Furthermore, only to the lives of older people, to achieve this, and would like to as the UK society gets older, but in contributing to inclusive, hear from you if you are interested in housing needs change. Support will safer, sustainable communities and joining a forum that can help to shape soon be needed in order to enable supporting older people to live healthy how we deliver our services to older people to continue to live in their and active lives. This can potentially people in the future. THE ageing population is one of the greatest challenges facing the UK society.
All registered Gas safe engineers carry a card like this one with the Gas Safe logo and registration details.
18
l
Don’t use appliances with worn or damaged flexes and never wire flexes together Keep electrical appliances out of the bathroom Have electric blankets serviced and checked regularly If an appliance appears faulty stop using it and have it checked at once Look for the CE mark, the BEAB mark, BS safety mark or British Standard number when you buy electrical equipment Never overload electric sockets
Housing for the more mature customer
Gas Safe Register replaced Corgi in 2009 as the official body for Gas Safety in the UK.
l
l
When buying gas appliances look for the British Standards safety mark and beware of second hand bargains. Appliances should always be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This is a legal requirement and a registered engineer will always carry an identity card showing the Gas Safe logo. Yellow or orange flames instead of the usual blue flames could be a sign that your appliance isn’t working properly. These are often accompanied by sooty stains.
l
l
Appliances and air vents should always be left unblocked and unobstructed. Covering appliances, ventilation grilles, airbricks and flues could lead to a build up of carbon monoxide.
Your Legal Responsibilities Use a qualified Gas Safe engineer to install or remove gas cookers, fires and any other gas appliances l Allow prompt access to carry out maintenance safety checks and inspections. l If you own the appliance, you are responsible for its maintenance and safety checks. l
!
If you are interested in getting involved, there are a number of ways you can let us know: Please fill in the attached slip and return it to any of our shops or return it to Cavendish 249. Name:
Address:
Tel No:
Email address:
Please return this slip to New Charter Housing Trust Group, Cavendish 249, Cavendish St, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7AT – Fao. Care Services Manager – Lynn Sandelance, contact Lynn.sandelance@newcharter.co.uk or telephone 0161 331 2539.
19
Contact us Address for submissions: The Editor New Charter News New Charter Housing Trust Group Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7AT
English This newsletter is from New Charter and is sent to all tenants to keep them informed of our activities. You can ask a 0161 331 331 2131, 2000 or if you can tell us which language you speak, we will arrange for an friend or relative to phone us on 0161 interpreter.
Farsi
0161 331 2000
Our shops open at 9am on Monday to Friday and are located at: 2 Henrietta Street, Ashton 9 Albert Street, Denton 12 Clarendon Street, Hyde 63 Grosvenor Street, Stalybridge Main switchboard:
0161 331 2000
Reporting repairs:
0800 027 0828
Lettings enquiries:
0161 331 2345
General tenancy enquiries:
0161 331 2400
Out of hours emergency calls:
0800 027 0828
Bengali
0161 331 2000
Gujarati
0161 331 2000
Urdu
Social Media
0161 331 2000
For your safety
HERE at New Charter, we’re always striving to improve our communications with you. We have created social media facilities including Facebook and Twitter pages.
When we make major alterations to
The pages are intended to act as an additional communications channel between your Newhome’s Charter and customer, it electrical circuits, weand install a smoke detector. It’s connected to the is also a place for you to interact with each other.
mains supply, but also has a special long-
So far, we’ve launched MiNT – Money Information Network Tameside and Aksa Housing. will of soon be launching life batteryWe in case power cuts. New Charter Homes. Keep your eyes out in the coming months for the launch of the site, get involved and be in We now test these as part of our gas with a chance to win!
servicing and safety check. And in our first few months, incredibly we’ve come across homes where the smoke detector has been removed or the battery taken out! WE have consulted with customers and feedback tells us it’s time for a
New website for New Charter
brand new website.
Some of the things that you said you wanted was:
l
l l l l l l
A site which was easier to navigate around One that is clear and aesthetically pleasing Report a Repair Find a Home Pay Rent on Line Your own login area One that is up-to-date
So we’ve taken your comments on board and we are working on the project. We’re hoping to go live before the autumn and we know you’ll be pleased with some of the changes that we will be making. Watch this space...
Aside from the personal risk, it is unlawful for unqualified people to alter the electrical facilities. Removing a working smoke detector puts the whole household at risk. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service offers a free home safety risk assessment, including fitting free smoke alarms. Contact them on 0800 555815.
Please recycle after use