news
Spring issue: April 2015
Your magazine from New Charter
Pay your bills with your mobile
4 Re-launch of Threshold Home Services
10 Tony learns to read
Robots show children what the future of jobs could look like See page 17
Also inside: Value for Money customer conference Page 20
11 Keeping your home safe
Plus
What’s been happening in your neighbourhood? Pages 6-7
15
Welcome to the spring edition of your magazine With summer just around the corner, we’ve had a busy few months out and about in the communities, which you can read about in this jam-packed issue. You can read about how to pay your rent through the new payment app (page 4) as well as how to keep your home safe as the summer nights get longer (page 15). As always, your neighbourhood news gives you loads of information about what’s been going on (page 67) and you can find out if you’re entitled to free childcare on page 18. For other events and classes in your area, take a look at page 23 to find out what’s going on.
We would also like to welcome Tony Rider to C The gr h the Customer oup he ave your sa ommunicat ions y lp o s to ge each t Communications t the n n your maga Group ime w ew zin e article Group.Tony joined us s and produce it a sletter ready e? n n for e d w idea after learning to read The gr s over comes up w you oup w it tea an ill be lo at New Charter year a d biscu h oking n d it s. a it t ’d be g through the Great If you’r reat to some new id e in e have y Readers project, Comm terested in ou inv as this joining olved. unicat You can read io us a m ns team on the group, c about his story on essage 0 on Fac 161 331 2470 tact the on page 11. ebo or
Residents shortlisted for two awards!
We’re delighted to announce that residents have been shortlisted for two TPAS (Tenant Participation advisory service) Northern awards this year! We’ve been shortlisted in the ‘Excellence in Annual Reports’ category for our new video style Tenants’ Annual Report, which many of you helped with. We’ve also been shortlisted in the ‘Excellence in Youth Involvement’ category which recognises the work of resident, Dave Pinnock and the Little Hedgehogs project in Audenshaw. Good luck to everyone involved for both categories. We’ll find out the results on 24 April. You can view the Tenants’ Annual report video on our website or contact the Resident Involvement team on 0161 331 2000 for a copy. 2
Want to g in the et involved maga Why n ot join zine? t h e Custom (CCG) and er
se ok or T witter. nd
Fancy working for r? New Charte In recognition of our 15th birthday, New Charter are delighte d to announce that we’re offer ing 15 highly rewarding apprentice oppo rtunities in various occupations.Take the opportunity to earn while you learn and visit our website for mo re details www.newcharter.co.uk. Applications will be open from 1st May - 1st June 2015.
Look for this icon: If you have a smartphone you can also find more information on our website by scanning this barcode with a QR code reader app.
The Communications team at New Charter writes your newsletter. You can contact them on 0161 331 2470.
Contents 6-7
10
16
Money Matters
4-5
What’s been happening in your neighbourhood?
6-7
Green Charter
8-9
Kia-Leigh is the cream of the crop
10
Re-launch of Threshold Home Services
10
Great Readers is proving a huge success for Tony
11
Resident Involvement Bus Tour
12
Tenants Take the Lead Conference Nottingham
12
TMT Update
13
Have you heard of Time Banking?
14
Keeping your home safe
15
Youngsters are a shining example in our communities
16
Dancing robots provide inspirational jobs to primary school children 17
20 Don’t forget, you can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter facebook.com/newcharterhomes
You could be entitled to free childcare
18
Restorative Justice goes from strength to strength in Tameside
19
Value for money customer conference
20
Homes for Britain
20
The Neonatal Knitters
21
Improving your customer experience 21 Just for fun!
22
Events and classes
23
@NewCharterGroup April 2015
3
Money Matters Pay your bills using your mobile Do you know we have a new payment app? You can now pay your rent straight from your mobile phone. Free for you to download from the Apple App store, Google Play and on Windows phones, the app is available now and you will need the following details to set up your account. l
Your New Charter plastic payment card (if you can't find your card call us on 0161 331 2050 and we can help).You will be asked for the long number across the middle of the
My Home Finance offers safe, affordable loans. It can help you if you’re struggling to get a loan.
Do you find it impossible to get a loan you can afford to pay back? If you are having to make costly repayments to doorstep or payday lenders, there is another choice open to you. It could help you access credit at a more affordable rate, open a bank account and save for the future. By building up a repayment history with My Home Finance, you’ll be able to use other financial services. Call My Home Finance on 01905 25805 or visit: www.myhomefinance.org.uk You can also call into any of our Hubs. 69.5% APR representative.
4
April 2015
card where it says ‘Payment reference number’. l
You will also need the bank card that you want to make payments from.
l
You will need to input a PIN number and a password so only you can access the app.
l
The payment should be in your account the next working day after you have made the payment via the app.
To start using the app straight away, simply scan the QR codes below:
Android
Apple
The Smarterbuys Store is supported by New Charter Homes If you're looking for new electrical or household goods, don’t be tempted by expensive furniture stores or high interest weekly payment stores as The Smarterbuys Store offers high quality goods at competitive prices. Simply select your items and place your order. The Smarterbuys Store gives you access to the goods that you need including televisions, cookers, fridge-freezers, bedroom and living room furniture, without having to worry about high cost borrowing options.
Payments for items are made weekly over 104 weeks and you can pay over the phone or online with your debit or credit card. Alternatively, you can apply for an affordable loan through a credit union, with at least 25p of each of your weekly payment being deposited into your Credit Union savings account so you can save up. 24.19% APR representative. For more information, please call into any of our Hubs or log on to www.gm.sbstore.org/home or call 0300 500 0975.
New Charter’s Money Care Team can help... What do we do? We offer free, confidential, impartial advice and support on dealing with your debts or on a wide range of benefits and tax credit entitlements. If you need help the MoneyCare team are holding surgeries weekly at the following venues so why not drop in...
Debt Advice Stalybridge Hub 63/65 Grosvenor Street, Stalybridge, SK15 2JN. Monday 9.30am to 12pm Hyde Hub 12/14 Clarendon Street, Hyde, SK14 2EL. Tuesday 2pm to 4.30pm Denton Hub 9 Albert Street, Denton, M34 6ZA. Wednesday 9.30am to 12pm Ashton Hub Henrietta Street, Ashton Under Lyne, OL6 6EF. Thursday 9.30am to 12pm
Broadoak Community Centre Broadoak Road, Ashton Under Lyne, OL6 8RS. Friday 9am to 12pm
Welfare Benefit Advice New Charter Community Hub Mansfield Road, Mossley, OL5 9EH. Monday 10am to 12pm Welfare Benefit referrals can also be made at the Debt Advice surgeries
Keeping your family safe in the digital world... Today, children and teenagers tend to know more about mobiles, the internet and social media than adults. Texting, social media and downloading are a part of their everyday life. To help them enjoy it safely, we all need to be as clued up as they are. O2 (Ashton) and New Charter Homes are excited to announce they will be working in partnership to deliver digital safeguarding. Over the coming 12 months and beyond we will deliver a program of events to help highlight areas of safety . The launch will commence in the coming months so keep a look out for the dates. For further information contact New Charter or visit the O2 shop in Ashton Town Centre where individual sessions can be booked. The digital family guide can be accessed at www.o2.co.uk/help/everything-else/digital-family April 2015
5
What’s been happening in your
neighbourhood? We’re now more than 18 months through our plans and we have GREAT news! We have completed 75% of the promises we made to you and we’re only half way through the life of the plans. We have asked for feedback from our partners, and the local Police and Tameside Council have given us some good feedback on all the improvements we’ve made in your neighbourhoods, as well as many of you commenting on the changes too. But, there’s still lots more work to do. Here’s what’s been happening over the last few months… backgrounds and cultures together, with lots of fun and activities for all the family.
Waterton/Fox Platt neighbourhood ●
Environmental work to tidy areas up, reduce damp and condensation and make properties lighter has been completed. Residents are delighted with the new astro-turf and tarmac which has got rid of muddy grass patches and is safer.
Hyde Central
money/ benefits surgeries and a youth club. Contact your Neighbourhood Co-Ordinator Justin Hirst for more details. ● We’re working with the residents’ association and the Police to create a play area on Smallshaw Road, including 5-a-side football, basketball and cricket and lighting for use all-year-round.
Droylsden West Community Cutz salon opened and is part-funded by the Lottery, helping disadvantaged people and those at risk of offending with opportunities. ● A wellbeing workshop was held by MIND at the Lara Hub giving advice to people who support/care for others. ● ●
●
We’ve started extending the neighbourhood garden. Residents have been growing vegetables to sell to raise funds for their residents’ group and learning more about recycling.
Hague and Springs ●
6
During Diversity Week in Tameside in January, we held a two-day event bringing people from different
April 2015
The neighbourhood now sponsors the community page in Hyde Community Matters online newsletter, run by Hyde volunteers. Why not check it out at: www.hydecommunitymatters.co.uk and pass on your good news stories to Kim Welsh, Neighbourhood Co-Ordinator.
Smallshaw and Broadoak ●
We’re running new services from Broadoak School and Broadoak Community Centre including a job club, neighbourhood surgeries,
Copley ●
A ‘Taste of Poland’ event with Polish food was held to help local residents learn about Polish culture as there have been concerns in the past about harassment and hate crime.
Newton
●
We’re working with Copley Residents’ Group to secure funding to improve a wooded area and provide a space for families to enjoy and explore.
●
Clarendon Fields
Held a Clean-Up event on Fir Tree Drive with residents. One resident said the clean-up had made a huge difference to the street, making it a nicer place to live.
● Newton Residents’ Group
DuringVulnerability Week, we highlighted 25 households that have been affected by crime and are being offered extra support from the Police. ● Helped run evening sports and healthy eating activities during evenings and school holidays for children.
celebrated Pancake Day together with local children.
●
Stalybridge Central Worked with Green Charter and residents to make plans for improving planting areas in gardens, fencing and outdoor lighting around Stamford Street. ● Installed new CCTV cameras to keep an eye on any issues and help make the community safer. ● Residents’ forum began in October and now meets regularly with New Charter and the Council to deal with any neighbourhood issues, including rubbish and recycling. ●
Residents on Hindley Close are pleased with new fencing which has helped make the public right of way clear and keeping their homes more private. ● We’ve been supporting the Neonatal Knitters who were recently interviewed for Comic Relief! Read more on page 21. ●
Waterloo and Lordsfield ●
Denton Central ●
Cavendish Central Introduced recycling at Cavendish Mill and since November, residents have recycled around 300kg of waste every week, saving the Council around £2,000 so far from sending waste to landfill! ● Held a disco/social event, supported by Audenshaw Community Association with lots of people coming along. Awards were presented to children who had helped with community events and adults enjoyed dancing and bingo.
●
St Peters & Guide Bridge neighbourhood ●
Working to install new bike shed at Assheton House so that residents don’t need to bring bikes into the building and can be secured safely and tidily.
After burglaries aimed at vulnerable residents, launched ‘Caring ForYour Community’ working with the Police and the Council to give residents advice and support on protecting themselves from crime. One of the service roads from Bentley Road to Denton Football club was resurfaced after flooding problems for many years preventing access to the club and fields. Residents are now much happier and it’s saving us money on maintenance.
Carrbrook & Millbrook Crowswood Residents’ Association received funding from Community First to deliver taster sessions for young people to learn about construction, inspiring them to set up businesses or go on to training and work. ● The weekly neighbourhood surgery is up and running at Peak Valley Hub and we’re working with the NHS to try and improve local services. ●
April 2015
7
Green Charter Gardening Competition This year’s Gardening Competition is again being launched but with some new categories and more opportunities to win.This year’s categories are:
Category
Awards
Neighbourhood Audenshaw Mossley Stalybridge Dukinfield Droylsden Ashton Hyde Longdendale, Mottram and Hattersley Denton
Best Individual or Communal Garden - Subject to the number of entries there will be a first, second and third prize awarded for the best individual garden and communal garden judged to our usual standards.
Best Young Gardener
Best Group or Individual young person up to the age of 16 who has made an impact on an individual garden or area
Best Independent Living Scheme
A chance for all our independent living schemes to shine with again a first, second and third prize being awarded
(previously known as Sheltered Schemes)
Best Value for Money Garden - this will be awarded to the garden in each neighbourhood where the resident has improved the garden over a period of time using the budget they have available
Best Overall Garden There will be a first, second and third prize winner subject to there being enough entries so get those green fingers out and complete the entry form opposite before the closing date of 3rd July. Entries will be judged by 17th July with the awards taking place early August.
8
April 2015
Name:...................................................................... Address:.................................................................. .................................................................................. .................................................................................. .................................................................................. .................................................................................. .................................................................................. .................................................................................. Telephone:............................................................. Category/categories you’re entering: .............................................................................. .............................................................................. .............................................................................. .............................................................................. ..............................................................................
CleanCare Cavendish Central neighbourhood
Our in house caretaking team CleanCare is working closely with colleagues across neighbourhoods to address fly tipping on Central, Dukinfield. As you can see from the images we continually have to move rubbish that is tipped within our bin areas by our residents or visitors to the neighbourhood, despite the best efforts of CleanCare colleagues, Dave Harrop (pictured below) and Jack Butterworth.This is currently costing anything between £500 and
£2000 extra a week in service provision that should be being spent on other services. But working with the local Neighbourhood Co-ordinators, Daniel Hawthorne and Lorraine Arrigone we intend to install extra cameras to take enforcement action against those breaching their tenancy conditions. It is not acceptable to dispose of rubbish this way and impacts on the appearance of your neighbourhood. We are continuing to monitor CCTV and there is currently one prosecution due to be heard for fly tipping where we have worked with colleagues from TMBC. More will follow when we catch more culprits using the CCTV. We are going to hold another neighbourhood clean-up day in the summer and skips will be available for New Charter residents to dump their bulky waste for free. During March all the communal stairways were jet washed and cleaned, showing what can be done when we all work together to help improve our neighbourhoods.
Low Cost Gardening Service Green Charter now provides a budget gardening service to residents who may struggle with basic gardening work, e.g grass and hedge cutting. Providing high quality gardening standards at £22.50 for up to 30 minutes and any further work will be charged at the same rate per 30 minute period.We also quote for one off basic gardening work. We are delighted to report that in a recent survey of our low cost gardening customers, they rated the service at 100% satisfactory. Great news and well done to the team! If you are interested please contact 0161-331-2000 and quote Low Cost Gardening Service.We will check affordability with you first and residents must have clear accounts.The closing date for summer work is 1st May 2015 but one off work can be taken all year subject to residents having a clear account and making an agreed up front payment.
Trees During the last few weeks New Charter has been using a contractor to survey our 3500 communal and highway trees. The survey is conducted by WeKnowServices and they will carry their own ID on site. The survey will take approximately 3 months to complete, allowing us to have a 3 year maintenance programme. We will share this with our residents and give details of the condition of each tree. We are preparing a new tree policy and procedure detailing what we can do to help with trees in individual gardens. They are your responsibility if healthy, but should they cause structural damage or unfortunately die, we can help.
Mowing Season March has seen our in house grounds maintenance contractor, Green Charter start the grass cutting season.We listened to our residents and have made improvements to the equipment used, improving the quality of the grass cutting after the first few cuts. Please remember we only collect on the first cuts during March. After that grass should be spread at a low level over our grassed areas.Take a look at our website to find out more about the mowing programme. April 2015
9
Kia-Leigh is the cream of the crop with her green fingers Kia-Leigh Marchant, aged 9 was recognised for her green fingered work after being awarded Young Gardener of the Year 2014 in the New Charter gardening competition. Kia was encouraged to get involved with gardening by her grandparents,Ann and Peter Marchant of Ashurst Gardens and her passion ‘grew’. Kia is now a regular face at Ashurst Gardens and has become a keen gardener, providing a lot of help to the garden group who have won outstanding awards for 5 years running, as well as best neighbourhood in the North West. Well done Kia for all your hard work! If you would like to get involved with gardening groups or other community projects, please contact the youth team on 0161 331 2000.
Re-launch of Threshold Home Services Recently,Tameside Home Services became Threshold Homes Services with a re-launch event held at Cavendish 249. The re-launch sees the introduction of a brand new logo for the business as well as a new look website giving you valuable information. The service has been running since 2006 and joined the New Charter Group as part of Threshold in 10
April 2015
2013. Providing practical, domestic and social support to hundreds of people within Tameside, the service is now building on its success, with plans to expand into other areas. The re-launch event was a huge success and was an opportunity to celebrate the work over the past 14 years. Pamela Counsell,Tameside Home Services Manager, headed up the event. A big thank you to everyone who took part in the day. To find out more about the work of Threshold Home Services, please visit the website: www.thresholdhomeservices.com.
Great Readers is proving a huge success for Tony
bridge 45-year-old Tony Rider, a New Charter tenant from Staly l has been learning to read with a volunteer since last Apri through a project called Great Readers.
T
he project, which is looking for more people to get involved, helps adults in the area to learn to read by ‘buddying up’ with other confident readers. Tony has been attending twice weekly lessons with a volunteer, not just to read but to help him understand what he is reading. Tony grew up not being able to read but can now enjoy his favourite football magazines and even choosing a meal from a restaurant menu after turning his life around. He said: “I struggled a lot with reading and it was embarrassing if I was out because I had to ask people or family and friends to help me.
“I’ve always been into football and Manchester United and used to buy magazines but I got disheartened trying to read them and shoved them to the back of my wardrobe. Now I can sit back and enjoy them and when I go to restaurants I can read the menu rather than a friend reading it to me.” Tony got in touch with New Charter Homes about his desire to learn to read and he was referred to the Great Readers project which is managed by LEAP (St Peter’s Partnerships) in partnership with the housing association. Tony’s reading ‘buddy’ Lez Barstow, who is also a New Charter tenant, has been helping Tony to improve his skills with a reading manual called Toe by Toe. Both LEAP and New Charter are keen for more mentors and people who need help with their reading to come forward to be part of the programme. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor or know someone who would like to learn how to read, please contact Angie Knowles, Great Readers Co-ordinator at The LEAP Centre on 0161 214 8300.
April 2015
11
Resident Involvement Resident Involvement Bus Tour The Resident Involvement team has been busy, taking to the road with recent events. Held in local communities, the events demonstrated ways residents can get involved and support other New Charter tenants. The Resident Involvement Bus Tour saw us team up with neighbourhood co-ordinators, health professionals, and other key agencies to run mini sessions in Ashton, Dukinfield, Droyslden, Denton, Stalybridge and Hyde. At these sessions we looked at increasing the number of ground maintenance monitors we have.
These are residents who carry out a very valuable service by monitoring standards when Green Charter is working in your neighbourhoods and report back to the Head of Service. In addition, members of existing groups attended and discussed why they got involved as well as giving advice on setting up an association.
More sessions have been planned for the summer holidays so have a look at the events page to see if we are coming to a venue near you soon. Alternatively if you would like to speak to a member of the Resident Involvement team about getting involved please ring 0161 331 2000.
Tenants Take the Lead Conference - Nottingham Two members from TMT gave valuable speeches at the recent co-regulartory champions conference held on 4th March, which is the third and final one. Navinder Leftwich and Vera Anderton explained why they had changed to a new process for delivering scrutinies. Aimed at organisations that are relatively new to scrutiny, the event gives them the opportunity to pick up good practices and hopefully help improve the lives of tenants.The feedback on the day was very positive and we have received a number of enquiries to the team which shows it definitely got people thinking about their own process. New Charter are founding members of the co-regulatory champions and it appears we are helping to shaping the way other organisations work. 12
April 2015
TMT
UPDATE
Joint Homes Board and TMT meeting These two groups met in March and high on the agenda was value for money. Both teams had a lively discussion about a number of areas of the business. TMT gave an update on the new ways they are now delivering scrutinies.Working closely with New Charter over the past few months, a new process has been introduced to make sure reviews were not already being carried out. This is to ensure we are providing a value for money service and using our resources effectively. When the team is looking at a topic they take into account the following: ● Number of tenants affected ● Impact on tenants ● New Charter’s performance (we also check to see how we are performing against other providers)
Complaints ● Customer satisfaction This new process has been in place for a couple of months now and already the team have produced two reports on call handling within Connect and satisfaction with investment works. ●
Scrutiny topic referrals Following on from the review TMT have looked at a new way for residents to submit concerns about an area of the business.This can be done by contacting Steve Fanshawe on 0161 331 2000. All possible scrutiny topics are reviewed to put them into a priority order.This is done periodically and whilst the team will potentially not be able to scrutinise all areas, the team will work with other resident led groups and monitor these concerns. April 2015
13
Support your community and make a difference Do you have an hour to spare now and again? Would you like to help others? Have you heard of Time Banking?
Local residents Jennie an d Jason sharing their sk ills through Time Banking
Time Banking is a way for people to share their skills with others in the community and be rewarded for their time.You can ‘earn’ time credits by helping someone with skills they may not have but you can provide. Members in Tameside help each other with gardening, baking, simple DIY, car washing, and teaching knitting and crafts. Everyone has something to offer and anyone can join a Time Bank.The youngest member is only 10 years old and our most senior is just 80 years young! Once you’ve collected time credits, you can ‘spend’ them when you need help from someone and it costs you nothing! Everyone’s time is valued equally. 1 hour given = 1 time credit By joining a Time Bank, you can meet new people and join in with social events, coffee mornings, workshops, or just getting together with other members for a chat. The Time Bank in Tameside is looking to grow and they’d love to hear from you; the more members we have, the more skills we can share.
14
April 2015
For more information and to get involved, visit www.cvat.org.uk or contact Julie and Elaine on the numbers below. Watch out for our events too.
Email: julie.cunliffe@cvat.org.uk elaine.kilburn@cvat.org.uk Telephone: 0161 339 2345 Mobiles: Julie 07825 157474; Elaine 07816 438289 The Volunteer Centre Tameside, 95-97 Penny Meadow, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6EP.
Key safe advice
Keeping your home safe With summer nights on the way, burglars will be looking to take advantage of the warm, light evenings and any opportunities they can spot. Here are some simple things you can do to help keep your home safer over the summer months. ● When you go out, make sure you close all your windows so people can’t get in easily. ● Keep your front door locked even when you’re at home, especially if you’re in the garden. ● Keep your keys out of view and away from doors, windows and letterboxes so that people can’t see or get them.
Don’t keep large amounts of money in your home. ● If you’re going away from home for a while, try to make your home look occupied, e.g leaving on some lights/using light timers. ●
Poor quality key safes can be used by criminals to gain access to homes. Police only recommend products which conforms to rigorous testing standards set by ‘Secured by Design’ and/or ‘Sold Secure.’ Check if your key safe meets these standards. If your key safe doesn’t meet these standards, we would strongly recommend that you look at upgrading to a better key safe to keep your home secure. Also think about putting your key safe in a hidden area where passers-by can’t easily see it. Any key safes that are no longer used should be removed. If you would like any more advice on securing your home, please contact your Neighbourhood Co-Ordinator or e-mail contact@newcharter.co.uk Check out simple security videos for information on doorstep crime and other security ideas which may help you.Visit www.gmp.police.uk/ 60secondsecurity
April 2015
15
Youngsters are a shining example in our communities
Hosted by Chief Executive of the Manchester United Foundation John Shiels and in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Tameside, over 70 young people, aged between 7- 21 years old were presented with certificates and shopping vouchers to recognise their contributions. The young people were recognised for projects such as the ‘In Bloom’ entries, CHOL community theatre, gardening, artwork, music, neighbourhood clean ups, community events, sports and fundraising.They also had the opportunity to attend various courses and programmes where they gained valuable skills that could be used in the projects they were involved in. The evening saw participants from New Charter Academy receive awards for their contribution to the Royal Exchange Theatre and Manchester United Foundation
16
April 2015
The youth in our communities were recognised for their outstanding contributions and work at an awards ceremony held on Wednesday 25th February at New Charter Academy.
projects that New Charter Homes fund within the school. The youth team worked in partnership with Tameside Council, Friends of Duke Street and Brighter Sounds on a youth music project. New Charter was successful in gaining almost £20,000 of funding from Youth Music to oversee the project. 17 young people received an ‘Arts Award Explore’ and three young people gained a ‘Bronze Arts Award’ from Trinity College London, for their contributions to the Youth
Music project. The project culminated in performances at ‘Band on the Wall’ in Manchester and Stalybridge craft market. On the night, a raffle was held to help raise money for the memorial of former New Charter Academy teacher,Tracy Williamson who sadly passed away last year. Prizes were donated from Manchester United Foundation and raised £153 which will go towards building a memorial classroom at Senteza Primary School, Kampala, Uganda.
Dancing robots provide inspirational jobs to primary school children Children from Silver Springs Academy and Broadoak Primary school took part in a Jobs for the Future event where they got a chance to learn about careers based around English, Maths, Science and Technology. At the event, the children were able to learn about different jobs such as writing scripts and coding a dancing robot with companies such as Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre. Other businesses that took part on the day were Manchester United, Tameside Reporter and Tameside Radio who offered insight into journalism as well as New Charter’s very own building company to
show different trades. On other stalls, children were shown design, manufacturing and engineering skills including testing out a virtual welding mask. The event hopes to inspire primary school leavers and encourage them to think about different careers before they reach high school and sit their GCSEs.
April 2015
17
You could be entitled to e r a c d l i h c e e r f Once your child reaches twoyears-old, you may be entitled to 15 hours of flexible early education for up to 38 weeks completely free of charge. To find out if you are eligible for this you can: • Visit www.tameside.gov.uk and go to the SureStart section where you will find the ‘Free Early Education for 2 year olds Application form’. Simply fill out the form and send it to the return address provided. • Contact Tameside Families information services (FIS) on 0161 342 4260 • Contact your local children’s centre • Talk to your health visitor for more information. 18
April 2015
You can cla im your fre e childcare you receive if one of the following: • Income sup port • Income-base d Jobseekers Allowance (J SA) • Income-rela ted Employ ment and Support Allo wance (ESA) • Child Tax C redit only a nd have an annual in come of no more than £16,190 • The Guaran teed elemen t of State Pension Cre dit • Universal C redit • Support und er Part VI o f the Immigratio n and Asylu m Act 1999 • The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment yo u get when you stop qu alifying for Working Tax Credit) • Working Tax Credits and you have an annual in come of no more than £16,190
Restorative justice goes from strength to strength in Tameside What is restorative justice?
Restorative justice gives victims the chance to meet or communicate with their offenders to explain the real impact of the crime. It gives victims ‘a voice.’ It also helps offenders better understand what they’ve done wrong, take responsibility and make amends. You may have seen a restorative justice story on Coronation Street last year with Gail and Michael (Les Dennis).
So, what does New Charter do?
New Charter helped introduce the process in Tameside - one of the first restorative justice programmes in the UK to resolve low-level crime and community issues. We have led the way in training staff, local residents and young people to help with restorative justice cases; an alternative to cases escalating to the courts and authorities.
The results
There have been more than 200 cases in these first few years and only 4% of the offenders involved have committed further crimes - a really good result for us all. 92% of offenders and 97% of victims said they were ‘fairly or very satisfied’ with the process so it’s clearly working. Restorative justice helps to resolve conflict and antisocial behaviour in our neighbourhoods, making our communities safer. Other housing associations in the area have now got involved too and taken part in training.We hope that more will start to see the benefits of restorative justice soon and start using the process too.
April 2015
19
Value for money customer conference On 18th March, we held our second Group-wide customer conference focusing on value for money and customer service. The event was a real team effort with resident from all four companies: New Charter Homes, Gedling Homes, Aksa Homes and Threshold attending. The event was held in a central location in Buxton and was chaired by Director of Communities, Emma Wilson. We were thrilled to have motivational speaker Richard Beevers, Managing Director of Customer Plus Ltd, sharing the principles of fantastic customer service and our Group Chief Executive, Ian Munro, held an open ‘question time’ session answering residents questions. The objectives of the conference were for residents to give their feedback on our services so that we can
continually improve. We had some brilliant feedback which will help shape our value for money self-assessment and our business plan for the year ahead. Thank you to all the tenants who attended and helped make the conference a success. We are collating the feedback and will be sharing this on our website.
Housing staff and tenants back Homes for Britain with Tameside to Manchester walk New Charter and Ashton Pioneer Homes set off on a seven mile walk to Manchester as part of a nationwide Homes for Britain campaign to urge politicians to end the housing crisis within a generation. Staff and tenants from the housing associations completed the seven mile walk from Ashton Town Hall to Manchester Piccadilly which was officially started by Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Dawson Lane on 11th March. The walk was part of the North West’s Homes for Britain Relay to the Rally and housing companies up down the country 20
April 2015
hit the road, taking the rally to Westminster for a national event which took place on 17 March.
The Neonatal Knitters Neonatal Knitters group in Ashton knits clothes and toys for premature babies and would love you to join them. They meet every Wednesday, (11am-2pm) at The Pavilion, Oxford Park, Stockport Road,Ashton. The group has been getting together for 12 months now and have knitted more than 5,000 blankets and clothes and loads of toys too! They donate their items to the neonatal units at St Mary’s and Tameside hospitals.
Staff at St. Mar y’s Hospita l receiving some of the hand-knitted gifts It’s not just about knitting, the group of ladies (and a man who’s joined now too) enjoy getting together and chatting over their knitting needles! Anyone can get involved. If you’re interested in joining, but can’t make the meetings, you can knit at home and they’ll collect items from you.The group would also be really grateful for any wool you can donate. Contact the group by emailing neonatalknitters@outlook.com You can find them on Facebook too. facebook.com/Neonatal-Knitters
The Neonatal Knitters
ce eN RI pe ex eR om ST cu uR Yo g IN ov pR Im New process for improving our services We recently introduced a new process to track all our customer contact across the business so we can learn and make improvements to the services you receive. By doing this we can act quickly to your enquiries, responding to you first time. It also enables us to identify areas where we can improve our services.
STAR update
The next STAR survey is due to take place later this year and we always value your feedback. Following on from last year’s feedback, we are reviewing some of
the questions to ensure we are better able to find out what matters to you most.We can then use this to make the much needed improvements and to help us use resources more efficiently in areas where it is needed most.
Your satisfaction counts
The satisfaction surveys we send out when you receive a service from us are also being reviewed and updated to make sure we are capturing all your feedback. These are the surveys you receive following repair work and are being updated to ensure we are collecting your views in the smartest way
possible to offer you the best value for money.
Better outcomes for complaints
Listening and learning from complaints is high on our agenda and we have recently developed a new system to support this. Once a complaint is resolved, it is reviewed and examined in depth to establish if we need to take any action to help us get it right first time going forward. We are also able to identify any trends or patterns which helps us to better resolve any issues.
April 2015
21
Just for fun! Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid. The words may be hidden in any direction.
coLouR me IN
Can you add some colour to Freddy the Frog to make his home a nicer place to live? Remember to stay within the lines!
22
April 2015
Find all these words AUNT BROTHER CHILDREN DAUGHTER FATHER GRANDFATHER GRANDMOTHER MOTHER
NEPHEW NIECE PARENT RELATIVE SISTER SON UNCLE
Events and classes
Free for all New Charter tenants
Contact the Resident Involvement team for more information or to book your place on 0161 331 2000
April 2015 Tuesday 12th, 28th April 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Basic IT Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Tenants’ resource room)
Can’t use a computer and want to learn? Week 1: Emails, Week 2: Surfing the web, Week 3: Social media, Week 4: Comparison sites
Thursday 30th April 9.15am - 4pm
Basic first aid training Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Sycamore meeting room)
Accredited first aid course. Learn the basics to help you in a crisis at home, work or in your community.
Tuesday 5th, 12th May 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Basic IT Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Tenants’ resource room)
Can’t use a computer and want to learn? Week 1: Emails, Week 2: Surfing the web, Week 3: Social media, Week 4: Comparison sites
Tuesday 5th May 2pm - 4pm
Planning your best life Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Silver Birch meeting room)
This workshop starts you on your journey of re-discovering who you are and your aspirations for your best ever life.
Monday 11th May 9.15am - 4pm
Food hygiene Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Sycamore meeting room)
Learn the basics in food hygiene and preparation. You’ll get a recognised certificate which can be useful to help you cook at home or help find a job in catering.
Wednesday 27th May 2pm - 4pm
Positive thinking Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Silver Birch meeting room) Basic first aid training Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Sycamore meeting room)
Increase your self-awareness, confidence and motivation.Take away tools for positive thinking in your own life.
Tuesday 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June 1.30pm - 3.30pm
Basic IT Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Tenants’ resource room)
Can’t use a computer and want to learn? Week 1: Emails, Week 2: Surfing the web, Week 3: Social media, Week 4: Comparison sites
Friday 12th June 9.15am - 4pm
Food hygiene Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Sycamore meeting room)
Learn the basics in food hygiene and preparation. You’ll get a recognised certificate which can be useful to help you cook at home or help find a job in catering.
Wednesday 17th June 6pm - 8.30pm
Residents’ quarterly quiz Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (downstairs area)
Come along to our quiz with your local residents groups and compete for the trophy.
Basic first aid training Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter’s head office (Sycamore meeting room)
Accredited first aid course. Learn the basics to help you in a crisis at home, work or in your community.
May 2015
Thursday 28th May 9.15am - 4pm
Accredited first aid course. Learn the basics to help you in a crisis at home, work or in your community.
June 2015
July 2015 Wednesday 8th July 9.15am - 4pm
April 2015
23
Contact us Our Hubs • • • •
2 Henrietta Street, Ashton 9 Albert Street, Denton 12 Clarendon Street, Hyde 63 Grosvenor Street, Stalybridge
Our Hubs open at 9am Monday to Friday (except Tuesdays, when they open at 10.30am). Please note, Denton and Stalybridge Hubs close daily between 12.30-1.30pm. All Hubs close at 5pm Monday to Wednesday; 4.30pm on Thursday; and 4pm on Friday. These opening times are for our Home and Community Hubs (our shops). We also have Neighbourhood Hubs across our areas that are only open when we need them for classes and meetings.
Main switchboard:
0161 331 2000 Remember, we now have just one number for you to call to access all services - 0161 331 2000. This single number will be the same 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and all calls are dealt with by New Charter staff at our offices. In the evenings, at weekends and on Bank Holidays our services operate for emergencies only - dealing with emergency housing issues and emergency repairs. Email: contact@newcharter.co.uk www.newcharter.co.uk facebook.com/newcharterhomes @NewCharterGroup English
If you need help understanding this document, please call us on 0161 331 2000 and we will arrange for somebody to help you. Polish
Jeśli potrzebuje Pan/Pani pomocy w zrozumieniu tego dokumentu, prosimy o kontakt pod numerem 0161 331 2000, a my zorganizujemy kogoś do pomocy. Portuguese
Se necessitar de ajuda no que respeia à compreensão deste documento, queira por favor contactar-nos no nº. 0161 331 2000 e iremos colocar alguém à sua disposição para o ajudar French
Si vous avez besoin d’aide pour comprendre ce document, s’il vous plaît appelez-nous au 0161 331 2000 et nous nous chargerons de quelqu'un pour vous aider Resource Housing Reg. No. 2111
Bengali
Urdu 0161 331 2000
Head Office: New Charter Housing Trust Group, Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AT