New Charter Group Newsletter - July 2016 by Jigsaw Group

NEWS Summer issue: July 2016

Neighbourhood Network

Great Homes, Great Neighbourhoods, Great People In this Issue: Money Matters

I Customer Hub I Gardening Competition

Contents

Front page

Contents

Welcome

Money Matters

Business Transformation

Neighbourhood Network

New Charter Skills and Workclubs

Gedling - Greater Training

Care4me - Useful Information

Congratulations to newlyweds, Do You Love to Sing?

New Charter - Gardening Competition

New Development Schemes

New Development Schemes Continued

Get Fit with Tameside Active Discount, New Gas Infrastructure

Tenant Scrutiny, Gedling EYE

Threshold 40 Year Celebrations

Events, Hub Opening Times

Continued

14 18

Welcome from Group Chief Executive, Ian Munro Welcome to our new look newsletter. We are experimenting with producing a single newsletter for all our tenants across the Group as a way of helping everyone to see all the great things that are happening. Many of you will know that we are living through a difficult period and at the time of writing this we are just beginning to digest the result of the Referendum to leave the European Union. Nobody really knows what the effect of this will be in the long term or how it might affect our job as your landlord. What we do know, and have dealt with, has been the decisions the Government made last summer about how much rent we charge our tenants. In the Budget, just after the election last year, the Chancellor decided that we should reduce our rent by 1% every year until 2020. Whilst this doesn’t sound like a lot, it means that we will lose over £54 Million over that time. This is a huge amount to take out of our plans and means we will have £18 Million less every year. We have protected our investment in looking after our properties but it has meant we have had to say goodbye to nearly 10% of our employees. This will have an inevitable effect on some of our services but we are committed to making sure that all the things that really matter are looked after.

We have had to close some of our customer service hubs including those at Gedling Civic Centre and in Stalybridge. Other services have had to change too. We are working hard to make it easier for you to connect with us digitally and are still working through the implementation of some of these ideas. The Group is committed to continuing to be a great landlord and all our people remain keen to provide the very best service to you. While we have had to make cut-backs, we’ve remained committed to pushing New Charter Group forward. We’re excited to announce the launch of the new online customer hub which will give you as a tenant much more control over payments, repairs and other services (p. 6&7). Aksa’s Neighbourhood Networks have gone from strength-to-strength (p. 8) and there have been a number of new development schemes that are coming along nicely in both Greater Manchester and Nottingham, which we are excited to tell you about (p. 14&15). We hope you enjoy this summer’s newsletter and we’ll be back again when the winter newsletter is released.

July 2016

Money Matters Welfare Reform √

If you can ANSWER ‘YES’ to both the FOLLOWING questions, PLEASE READ ON - IT COULD AFFECT YOU • •

Are you of working age? Do you claim benefits?

Universal Credit

Freeze on Benefits April 2016

Benefit Cap (families) Autumn 2016

This is a benefit that brings together 6 existing benefits into one. It’s paid monthly to you in arrears and includes money that is intended for your rent. When you are moved on to Universal Credit you need to arrange the best way for you to pay your rent. It’s important that you keep your rent account clear of arrears so think about how you can get ahead now. Paying small amounts to your rent account now will help.

This will affect most working age benefits and they will be frozen for 4 years. This means that there will be no increase until 2020. This could impact on your household budget.Why not try our online budget calculator at:

The total amount a family can claim in benefits is reducing - for most people this will be £20,000 a year, a reduction of £6,000. If this applies to you, this could affect the amount of Housing Benefit you receive. The DWP will be in touch if you will be affected.

Tax Credits From April 2016 The income you can earn before losing tax credits will reduce from £5,000 a year to £2,500.

July 2016

www.budget.entitledto.co.uk/newcharter

- you have nothing to lose.

£ Benefit Cap (single people) Autumn 2016 The total amount a single person can claim in benefits is reducing - for most people this will be £13,400 a year, a reduction of £4,600. If this applies to you, this could affect the amount of Housing Benefit you receive. The DWP will be in touch if you will be affected.

Housing Benefit If you need to make a claim for Housing Benefit, you need to do it as soon as you can. Don’t delay you could miss out on benefit you are entitled to.

0 7

We have a number of benefit calculators available as well as a household budget tool – why not try them out; you’ve got nothing to lose.

Please visit

www.newcharter.entitledto.co.uk If you are concerned about debts or would like advice on benefits, contact us on:

0161 331 2000 or contact@newcharter.co.uk Payment Facilities

Did you know that paying your rent through your bank by standing order or direct debit is now more popular than ever? - 34% of tenants (who are not receiving full housing benefit) are now paying this way. Interested in joining them? Just give us a call to find out more.

Have you thought about saving money on your fuel bills? We have teamed up with Community Switch who can help you switch your supply. You can do this on line at www.community-switch.co.uk

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. The Smarterbuys Store offers high-quality goods at competitive prices. Simply select your items and place your order. You will also get 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. For more information, please call into any of our Hubs or log on to: http://bit.ly/smarterbuys_store or call 0300 500 0975.

Loan Sharks If you are affected by a loan shark, don’t suffer in silence. The Illegal Money Lending Team can help. You can contact the team anonymously on 0300 555 2222.

July 2016

Business Transformation Register/Log I n

Customer HUB

WOW!

We’re excited to announce

the launch of our new online Customer Hub! The new online hub means you can access our services wherever and whenever is convenient to you! Our first phase launch lets you access the following services: • Make payments by registering (if you haven’t already registered) for our online Billpay service through Santander • Download Direct Debit and standing order forms • View your account(s) balance and transactions • Report your repairs • View/amend your personal details such as phone number and email address • Report Anti-Social-Behaviour (ASB) • View information about where local Community Hubs and Work Clubs are in your area through the Community Map • Access useful information and links through the ‘My Documents’ area We are continuing to develop our online hub using customer feedback including, the look and feel, so you may notice some changes over the coming months. We’re also bringing more services to you and soon you will be able to: • Book your own repair appointment slots • View and bid for properties for re-housing (if you’ve been accepted for re-housing) • Automatically set up Direct Debits through a paperless system • Live web chat

July 2016

Why not give it a try? A New Way of Doing Things! Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also introducing new technology and equipment for our colleagues to allow us to deliver more services to you in your own home. Our colleagues will be using handheld devices to be able to update our systems right there and then, this will help us spend less time in the office and more time where you need us in your neighbourhoods. We have made sure that all the devices will have high levels of security protection to keep your data safe and secure.

Registering for the new online Customer Hub Registering for the online hub is quick and simple. You can register HERE if you are viewing the newsletter electronically or alternatively, visit our website at www.newcharter.co.uk and click on the Register/Log In link (pictured below).

Customer HUB

All you need to register is some personal verification details and your 8 digit rent payment reference which begins with a 3 or a 4. If you need help with registering, logging on or using the new online hub, you can view our support videos HERE

July 2016

Could you be a Neighbourhood Network Champion?

What do they do?

Aksa’s Neighbourhood Network Champions are going from strength to strength, examples of some of the projects they have been involved in this year are: • Helping to improve communal areas • Promoting our services such as the Stepping into Work programme • Carrying out estate inspections with Neighbourhood Co-ordinators and making suggestions for environmental improvements.

Keep up-to-date on their progress in your area by following our Facebook and Twitter Facebook.com/aksahomes @AksaHomes Interested in joining our Neighbourhood Network & you are an Aksa tenant? Please contact your Neighbourhood Co-ordinator on 0161 331 2525 for more information on how to join.

July 2016

New Charter Skills and Work Clubs These drop-in sessions are a great opportunity for you to improve your employment prospects and gain the knowledge, skills and qualifications needed to secure sustainable employment and support health and wellbeing.

You can expect: Help and support with job searching using My Work Search Signposting to organisations for training and learning opportunities

Health and Wellbeing courses

Help with completing application forms and creating a CV Different times and venues across Tameside and Oldham

Preparing and practicing for interviews One-to-one support where appropriate to meet individual needs

For further information please contact John McGlynn (New Charter Homes) Martin Curtis (Gedling Homes) Shabana Kosar (Aksa Homes) on: 0161 331 2000.

July 2016

Part of the New Charter Group

Gedling Homes Work Club

@St George’s Centre, Netherfield, Nottingham, NG4 2NN Every Monday afternoon

between 2-4pm (upstairs in the IT room) Come along to the club to: • Get advice about CV writing • Learn interview techniques and practice your interview skills • Learn how to job search using the UK’s most powerful online jobseeker’s toolkit, known as MyWorkSearch

Job Search

We look forward to seeing you there.

For more information please contact a member of the Community Engagement Team on 0115 905 1515 or email: communityengagement@gedlinghomes.co.uk

Gedling Homes has launched an exciting new scheme called Care4me, that provides a range of services to our residents who are caring for someone or who are being cared for. The scheme aims to provide a range of options to make the role of being a carer a little easier.

Perhaps you would like to become We also have access to transport more IT literate so you can order services and respite care (we can shopping or do banking online? arrange to have a qualified care provider look after the person you If you or the person you care for care for) to enable you to access has a long term health condition our services. such as stroke, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or We can provide manual handling heart problems, there are classes training to help prevent injury. The Care4Me services fall into one that can help. We can also help with of five categories: home exercise and fall prevention. You may be looking for some • Health & wellbeing support financial help or advice. We can also • Home modifications The Young Person’s Positive Moves help you with this. • Social inclusion programme is also available for • Practical support 8-15 year olds who are inactive and If you are interested in any of the • Access support have conditions such as autism or services on offer, please contact If you are feeling isolated why not ADHD (attention deficit hyper us to find out more. join a local health walk in the area to activity disorder). become more active? Or you could attend our Men in Sheds drop-in Did you know that if you believe sessions to work on your carpentry your home needs adapting to meet skills over a cuppa. your needs, we can arrange this?

Useful information Please Keep Communal Corridors Clear We would like to remind tenants and leaseholders who live in flats not to store any items in communal corridors as it presents a serious health and safety risk. Our Neighbourhood Management Team carries out regular inspections of these areas and if we find such items we will give the owners a short period of time to remove them. If they don’t - we will. We then store the items for a short time before we dispose of them. The safety of our tenants and leaseholders is of the upmost importance to us and it is essential that in the event of a fire or other emergency, all access routes are clear.

Garden Maintenance Service Did you know that if you are a Gedling Homes tenant or leaseholder, for a small weekly fee you can join our garden maintenance scheme? We have a dedicated team of staff from Gedling Borough Council’s Grounds Maintenance department to do this work for us and satisfaction with this service for 2015/16 was at 94%! You can apply to join at any time of the year so please call us on 0115 905 1515 and ask to speak to Neighbourhoods to arrange a quote for your grass or hedges to be maintained. Gedling Homes Work Club If you’re out of work and are interested in improving your employability then why not come along to our work club at the St Georges

Centre Netherfield? Every Monday afternoon tenants are provided with an opportunity to improve their interview techniques, enhance their CV or learn how to search for jobs more successfully. This is a great opportunity and we have had some real successes in helping tenants to secure long term permanent employment. Community Chest and Gedling’s Blooming Gardens Competition We’re sorry to announce that we are no longer running the Community Chest Small Grants Programme as a result of the budget cuts in the Chancellor’s summer 2015 budget. Please note that the Gedling Blooming Gardens Competition will not be running this year due to unforeseen operational reasons.

July 2016

Congratulations to newlyweds Barry & Dorean There was cause for celebration in May this year as two of Gedling Homes’ Moreland tenants tied the knot whilst on a Mediterranean cruise! Barry & Dorean were both tenants at the Moreland Court Independent Living Scheme in Carlton and they met each other when they began attending the scheme’s regular coffee afternoons. Sparks began to fly whilst on a bus trip with other tenants and Barry assisted Dorean in her wheelchair. When they arrived home Dorean asked Barry for a kiss and being a gentleman, he obliged with a kiss on the cheek. Unfortunately, Dorean took ill whilst the pair were on a trip to Southport shortly after, but by then the pair were inseparable and Barry stayed by her side for the 3 weeks she was in hospital.

Over the next 2 years their romance blossomed and although they often talked of marriage, it seemed like a distant dream. That is until Barry booked the pair on a Mediterranean cruise on the Arcadia. After confirming with the cruise line that they did weddings on board the ship, he went home and surprised Dorean with a diamond ring… and she said yes! Shortly afterwards, she moved in with him at Moreland Court. The pair set sail on 14th May and two days later they were married by the Ship’s captain, Captain Cook (which they both found amusing) in front of Barry’s daughter and sonin-law as witnesses. They spent the rest of the cruise enjoying their honeymoon, taking in the sights of the Med.

either, as upon their return they were greeted by a surprise party thrown by Moreland Court residents. When asked how married life is treating them since they came home, Dorean said she can recommend it! “Barry is the most wonderful man I’ve ever met!” Barry said “Dorean The celebrations didn’t stop there is beautiful and I love her to bits!”

Do you love to sing? If so, come and join The Gedling Homes’ Singers!

Our friendly and lively group formed to sing at the August 2014 Gedling Poppy Proms, and received a great reception! So, we carried on and would be thrilled if you would like to join us! There’s no cost and

July 2016

NO AUDITIONS: all you need is to enjoy music, and be a Gedling Homes tenant who wants to meet new people and do something fun.

mornings from 9:30am -11:00am at Westmoore Court in Mapperley. If you would like more information or would like help with transport, please call Martin Curtis on We meet fortnightly on Wednesday 0115 905 1512

New Charter Gardening Competition 2016

Part of the New Charter Group

This year’s Gardening Competition is again being launched and there are more opportunities to win. This year’s categories are:

Category

Awards

Neighbourhood

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.

Audenshaw Mossley Stalybridge Dukinfield Droylsden Ashton Hyde Longdendale, Mottram and Hattersley Denton Best Young Gardener Best Independent Living Scheme (previously known as Sheltered schemes) Best Overall Garden

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 Group or individual young person up to the age of 16 who has made an impact on an individual garden or area. A chance for all our independent living schemes to shine with again a first, second and third prize being awarded. Return your entry to any New Charter office before 29th July 2016

My Garden

Entry Form Name:

...........................................................

Address: .....................................................................

.......................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................... Telephone: .................................................................. Category/categories you’re entering: ....................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................................

New Development Schemes In 2015/16 we combined the Development functions from Gedling Homes, New Charter Homes and Aksa Homes to improve planning co-ordination. We completed 105 new build properties and we currently have 122 units on site with a further 320 homes in the planning stages. This includes the Casablanca private rented scheme of 67 units recently agreed by the Board. The following is a brief summary made upon the laying of the first of the schemes we are currently brick on the second course above working on: damp proof level. This site is made up of 5 x 2 bedroom houses and 7 x 3 bedroom houses.

Developments for New Charter Homes Buttermere Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester This site is made of 20 x 1 bedroom apartments, 27 x 2 bedroom houses and 8 x 3 bedroom houses. Although off to a slow start to begin with, the site has now picked up speed and the new road has been laid. We hope to get completion on the properties sooner than we expected. March Hare, Crow Hill Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester

currently have a number of unused garages. The sites will be used to build 26 homes and we are hoping for a decision on the planning in the next few weeks.

Ryecroft St, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester

Ernhale Court, Gedling, Nottingham

This site has needed some significant work doing before the build phase could commence. This scheme is made up of 12 x 1 bedroom apartments, 30 x 2 bedroom houses, 7 x 3 bed houses and 2 x 4 bedroom houses. All houses at this site will be for Affordable Rent.

This sheltered scheme is due to be replaced with 12 x 1 bedroom flats for people with learning difficulties and 6 x 2 bedroom homes for Affordable Rents. The scheme will enhance the local environment as well as providing much needed new homes for rent. The scheme should receive planning consent in September 2016 and a start on site in January 2017.

Waverley Road, Hyde, Greater Manchester This site consists of 4 semidetached houses which will be available for shared ownership and are being built by New Charter Building Company.

Developments for Aksa Homes Stanley Road, Chadderton, Oldham

Developments in Gedling

We are looking to build 20 homes on this site for Affordable Rent.

Bestwood Garages, Gedling, Nottingham

Warth Road, Bury, Greater Manchester

This is a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Golden Brickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; development of 12 homes for Afforda- One scheme in Gedling is now This is a mixed scheme made up of ble Rent, meaning that the land being considered by the planning 62 homes for Affordable Rent and purchase and first payment are authority at a number of sites that 10 homes for Shared Ownership. For more information on any of our schemes please contact: 0161 331 2000

July 2016

Get Fit With An

Discount!

As part of our partnership with Active Tameside we are delighted to be able to offer some fantastic discounts and opportunities for all New Charter Homes and Aksa Homes tenants. All inclusive gym passes £99 for 6 months (usually £177). Includes: • Unlimited access to 6 fitness suites, 6 swimming pools, over 250 weekly group exercise classes and 3 thermal spa’s. • 1 free child place in one of Active Tameside’s crèche facilities (Available at Active Medlock and Active Copley Only) • FREE entry into their Ducklings classes (charge for child still applicable). Take advantage of this offer at the following centres: • Active Ashton – Water Street, Ashton, OL6 7AN • Active Copley – Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, SK15 3ET • Active Denton – Victoria Street, Denton, M34 3GU • Active Dukinfield – Birch Lane, Dukinfield, SK16 5AP

• Active Etherow – Mottram Road, Broadbottom, SK14 6AX • Active Hyde – Walker Lane, Hyde, SK14 5PL • Active Kenward – Hattersley Road East, Hattersley, SK14 3NL • Active Medlock – Garden Fold Way, Droyslden, M34 7XY • Active Oxford Park – Pottinger Street, Ashton, OL7 0PW For any of these benefits contact Chris Moorehouse (chris.moorehouse@activetameside.com). If you are already a member, you will need to cancel your current membership and sign up for a new, discounted membership.

FREE-to-join community outreach sessions Active Tameside will also be running regular free-tojoin community activity sessions such as runs and walks, which you are welcome to take part in. For more information, visit your local hub or keep an eye on their social media pages.

New Gas Infrastructure for Central Estate We are currently working with National Grid to provide a new gas infrastructure to the properties on the Central Estate, Dukinfield. The work is being carried out by National Grid and will provide the estate with the provision of gas installation for all of the electrically heated properties. The new infrastructure is being financed through the Affordable Warmth programme with grant funding, provided by National Grid. Once the work is complete our New Charter Building Company gas

July 2016

technicians will follow up by installing the new gas, wet central heating systems. The infrastructure will save the tenants a significant amount of money on their fuel bills and is part of New Charter Groups’ Affordable Warmth agenda.

Tenant Scrutiny New Charter and Aksa Homes The Tenant Management Team (T.M.T) The scrutiny team for New Charter Homes and Aksa Homes consists of 6 tenants, who are: • Judith Quinn • Navinder Leftwich • Vera Anderton • Jill Kupczak, • Michael Richmond • Ann Daly If you would like us to consider completing a scrutiny/service review on any area of the business we would love to hear from you. Please contact Minaz Aslam in the Community Development Team on: 0161 331 2000.

Gedling EYE The scrutiny team at Gedling Homes is called the “Gedling Eye” and currently consists of 2 members Michelle Wardle and Trevor Leaper. The team would welcome applications from other tenants of Gedling Homes to join the Gedling Eye. If you are interested or would like further information about this, please contact The Community Development Team on 0161 331 2000.

Both teams are committed to review each organisations service delivery and processes.They measure, test and monitor services, to make sure that we are as effective, efficient and economical as possible.They make recommendations for service improvements directly to our Group Board and are likened to internal auditors.

July 2016

Threshold 40 Year Celebrations Threshold runs a diverse range of services for homeless and vulnerable people across Greater Manchester. We formally joined the New Charter Group in 2012 after working together for several months as preferred partners.This year we celebrated turning 40 and created a number of videos to show the work we do, which you can watch by visiting: http://www.thp.org.uk/news/threshold-40th-year-celebrations

Inside Out Sleep Out The Inside Out Sleep Out for 2016 took place on the 10th of March 2016 and has raised £4877.45 so far. Threshold staff and volunteers sleep out to experience homelessness for a night and to raise awareness around sleeping rough. We have undertaken six sponsored sleep-outs and a range of fundraising activities including bag packing at Tesco’s since 2011 and have raised over £30,000 for much needed tenancy starter packs.These

Great Moves Women’s Services Great Moves, Threshold’s Women’s services held a Black Minority Ethnic consultation event on 19th May. The event welcomed customers past and present to tell their stories of barriers they faced when leaving abusive relationships and their reflections on their stay in Threshold’s refuge.

are a vital lifeline for those who have experienced homelessness and are taking up their first tenancy. 389 packs have been provided to those setting up their first home to help with transition to independent living. The packs include crockery, cutlery, mugs, pots/pans, cleaning materials, a kettle, light bulbs, bedding and towels. Threshold is looking to grow the Inside Out Project to support as many customers as possible to maintain

experience of domestic violence. The script was written in three different languages - English, Urdu and Bengali - by Oldham Coliseum who were commissioned by Haydn Roberts, Head of the Oldham Metropoliton Borough Council Community Safety Team. Once completed, the film will be available on Threshold’s website The feedback was used to develop and YouTube as a training tool and a script for a film about a woman’s free resource to raise awareness.

July 2016

independence. If you would like to get involved, share ideas, make a donation or support our work please get in touch at Contact@thp.org.uk

Events New Charter Homes and Aksa Homes

Basic Food Hygiene Training • 22nd July 2016, 9.30am - 4.00pm • 19th September 2016, 9.30am - 4.00pm • 18th November 2016, 9.30am - 3.30pm

Basic First Aid Training • 15th August 2016, 9.30am - 3.30pm • 11th October 2016, 9.30am - 3.30pm • 13th December 2016, 9.30am - 3.30pm To book your free place contact the Community Development Team on: 0161 331 2000

HURRY………. Places are limited!

Home and Community Hub Opening Times Ashton and Hyde Hub Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 9.00am to 5.00pm Thursday 9.00am to 4.30pm Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm Denton Hub Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm

July 2016

Our Hubs 0161 331 2000

0161 331 2525

contact@newcharter.co.uk

NNE

www.

info@aksahomes.co.uk

www.

www.aksahomes.co.uk

www.newcharter.co.uk facebook.com/newcharterhomes

facebook.com/aksahomes

@NewCharterGroup

@AksaHomes

NNE

Gedling Homes

www.

Aksa Homes

Threshold

0115 905 1515

0161 331 2000

enquires@gedlinghomes.co.uk

contact@thp.org.uk

www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

NNE

New Charter

www.

www.thp.org.uk

facebook.com/gedlinghomes

facebook.com/thresholdcustomers

@GedlingHomes

@threshold76

Head Office: New Charter Group, Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AT.