NEWS Summer issue: July 2017
New Charter Homes
I
Aksa Homes
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Gedling Homes
Aksa Homes Women’s Group stars at Oldham Coliseum Theatre (P.21)
Great Homes, Great Neighbourhoods, Great People In this Issue: Money Matters
I Fire safety in your home I New homes
Contents
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3
Welcome
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Money Matters
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Money Matters continued
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#MoveOnline Online Customer Hub
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#MoveOnline continued / For Hire - The New Charter minibus
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Fire safety in your home
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Threshold lead the way with Housing First
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Apply to Become a Gedling Homes board member
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Updates from Gedling Homes
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Happy Days at Gedling’s flagship Memory Café
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Work clubs
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Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle springs into one of our academies / Wanted – Green Charter Garden Monitors
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Great Sports
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Modern Slavery / Growing from Seed
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Summers Quay
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New homes
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New homes continued
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Smoke free events / Audenshaw Walking Group leads on GM Walking Festival Walk
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Aksa Homes Women’s Group stars at Oldham Coliseum Theatre
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Somerset House takes its dinner table to Oldham Coliseum
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Awards / Hub opening times
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Contact us
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Welcome from Group Chief Executive, Ian Munro A lot has happened since the last edition, both internally and externally. As a nation we had a snap election, which resulted in a hung parliament propped up by the DUP and a new housing minister Alok Sharma. Time will tell what changes this may mean to the housing sector but rest assured we’ll push to ensure more houses are built and rents stay affordable. There was an election closer to home in Greater Manchester which resulted in Andy Burnham becoming the first Metropolitan Mayor for the region and we’ve already begun working with him to help reduce homelessness. As a Group, the biggest thing to happen for us is a merger with Adactus Housing Group. We’ve been working for months making sure that the plans are viable while consulting with you to ensure it is the right thing to do. We’re now very happy to announce that it looks like it’s going ahead and we’ll be merging later in the year. Thanks very much to everyone who gave us their feedback. Why are we merging? It’s long been our vision to build more homes and by 2020, we expect to have around 30,000 properties.
Joining forces will create one of the largest providers of homes in the region, with more than 33,000 properties. We will be a stronger organisation to build affordable homes to help solve the housing crisis and better equipped to support our tenants during tough financial times. What will change for you? Although the merger will create a new parent company called Jigsaw Homes Group Ltd, your landlord will stay the same. There will be no change in your legal rights as a tenant or leaseholder and no impact on your tenancy, rent payable or service delivery. We will keep you updated on our progress and don’t forget to visit our website and Facebook or Twitter pages for all the latest news. What else? Elsewhere across the business, we’ve been busy as usual improving our Online Customer hub (p.6), working on new Community Development projects with Oldham Coliseum (p.21) and helping our tenants cope with the ongoing welfare reforms (p.4).
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Money Matters Welfare reform Cuts to benefits are now starting to impact on people and there is more to come. These are just some of the cuts that have been made so far: • The benefit cap introduced – reducing the maximum amount a family can claim in benefits • 18 - 21 year olds no longer have an automatic right to get help with their rent payments • No allowance in Housing Benefit and Universal Credit for any child born after 6th April 2017 where there are already two children in the household • No allowance in Tax Credits for any child born after 6th April 2017 where there are already two children in the household
Six steps to coping with the cuts
1 Look at the money you have 5 Do you manage your money coming in. If your benefits were well? Support is available. Call to be cut, ask yourself ‘can I afford to make up the rent payment?’
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Make a list of your outgoings and income. If the money you pay out is greater than the money coming in, then it’s time to think about some changes. If you can’t afford the rent payment, think about your options. Can you increase your income or cut expenditure? Maybe you could switch fuel supplier? Are you claiming all the benefits you are entitled to? A Welfare Reform calculator is available at: www.newcharter.co.uk. www.aksahomes.co.uk. www.gedlinghomes.co.uk.
us on 0161 331 2000 for money management advice.
6 Start now
thinking about this so that you don’t get into rent arrears or build up other debts. Could you help other people? If you’ve been able to make savings, share your saving tips to our Facebook page. See the back page for contact details.
AB C
Support on tap to help with your water bills clear your debts. If you’re struggling with your household bills, the best advice is to call your supplier as most will have schemes available to help. We’re working with United Utilities to make you aware of the support they have available. Here are some schemes United Utilities offer: • Back on track – if you owe money on your water bills and receive benefits, they can
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provide an affordable bill based on your current income. • Payment matching – if you’ve built up a lot of debt, for every £1 you pay off your debt they will match this with another £1, helping you to clear your debt twice as quickly. • Restart grant – if you’re in real financial difficulty, you may qualify for a one-off payment from their Trust Fund to help
Please call United Utilities even if you think these schemes aren’t suitable, as they may have other ways to help depending on your personal circumstances. The number to call is 0800 072 6765. If you are a Gedling tenant, Severn Trent Water also offers a wide range of schemes suited for all our customers. Feel free to contact them on 03457 500 500 for more information.
Stop Loan Shark Charter We joined with partners to launch the ‘Stop Loan Shark Charter’. The charter was signed by representatives of nine partner agencies across Tameside including the police, various councils, charities and other housing associations. We’re working together to clamp down on illegal money lenders, or as they are more commonly know,“loan sharks”. There are alternatives – DON’T GET INVOLVED WITH A LOAN SHARK, THEY CAN RUIN YOUR LIFE
Do you pay your rent at the Post Office or a PayPoint outlet? If the answer is YES, you should by now have received a new plastic payment card. Please make sure you destroy your old card as payments will not reach your account if you continue to use it. Why not think about paying your rent via Direct Debit or Standing Order? It’s simple and convenient – give us a call on 0161 331 2000.
Telephone Payments Why not make your payment from the comfort of your own home by using your phone at any time of the day.
Not sure what a Loan Shark is?
Telephone payments by debit or credit card can be made over the telephone 24hrs a day, 7 days a week - please call: 0161 331 2224 you will need your 8 digit payment reference to use this service
If you can answer YES to one or more of these questions you might be borrowing from a loan shark: • Did they offer you a cash loan? • Did they NOT give you paperwork? • Did they add huge amounts of interest or APR to your loan? • Have they threatened you? • Are you scared of people finding out? • Have they taken your bank card, passport,watch or other valuables from you?
Save cash with The Smarterbuys Store
0300 555 2222 To safely report a loan shark
Want to know more? Log on at www.gm.sbstore.org or call 0300 500 0975.
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.
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July 2017
#MoveOnline Online Customer Hub Since it was launched, more than 3,000 tenants have registered to use the Online Customer Hub. If you haven’t already registered you can register at https://customerhub. newcharter.co.uk. Registering is easy and all you need is your email address, your payment reference number (8 digit payment number starting with a 3 or 4 which you can find on your rent statement) and some personal verification details. We’re constantly developing and improving the Hub so you may notice some changes and more services becoming available throughout the year. We’ve recently introduced a new repairs area with lots of useful information including; some ‘how to’ self-help videos for minor faults such as resetting your boiler and boiler pressure issues, and information about damp and condensation. Our new online repair appointment facility will also be coming later this year, which will enable you to book your own repair appointments online. Remember you can already report your repairs online either through our websites and Online Customer Hub.
Here’s what you have said so far: “I find it extremely informative and saves me a lot of telephone calling to New Charter.” Mr Hesden aged 69
“We are new tenants and have only recently moved into our home however, we do use the Online Customer Hub a lot. We like the feature where we can look at our rent account. It helps us keep up-to-date and we are looking forward to the repairs feature that’s coming soon.” Miss Hill aged 23
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“It’s great, I think the idea is really good. It helps me keep on track of rent payments and I know where I’m up to.” Mr Harrison aged 59
New ways of contacting you We have also recently implemented a new Customer Contact Centre platform which has introduced some new ways of contacting us.
Web chat You can now contact us online by clicking on the web chat icon either on our website or through our new Online Customer Hub.
Call back (Queue buster) We now have a new call back service during busy periods. If you call and there is a queue, your place in the queue will be saved and you will automatically be called back once an advisor becomes available.
For hire – The New Charter minibus Our Community Development Team manages the New Charter minibus and provides cheap minibus hire generally in Oldham and Tameside with an experienced driver. Recent hire of the minibus has helped to support vulnerable people in our local community with transport to day trips out and the minibus
For hire
is available to local groups. The minibus can be hired by tenants on a regular basis, or for one-off journeys.The price of hire is very competitive and operates on a first come first served basis. Please contact Minaz Aslam on 0161 331 2000 for a quotation for any transport needs of up to 14 people.
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July 2017
Fire safety in your home The safety and welfare of our customers is always a priority, however it goes without saying that due to recent events, issues around fire safety have been moved to the top of the agenda for many housing associations up and down the country.
TEST YOUR SMOKE ALARMS REGULAR LY
With this in mind, we thought we would take this opportunity to remind you of some basic fire safety principles in order to reduce the risk of fire within your home and remind you what to do in the unfortunate event of a fire breaking out in your home or building. Be prepared • Learn and know the safest escape route should a fire break out with- More detailed fire safety information in your home. is available on our website. • Make sure you have a fire alarm and if battery operated, check the batteries regularly. DO NOT remove the batteries unless you are replacing them for fresh ones.
Safe and Well visits Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is also offer free Safe and Well checks where they will assess the potential fire risks in your home ,and provide you with person• In flats, please ensure corridors, alised advice for fire safety, health and fire exits and communal areas are wellbeing and home security. free from clutter and obstructions. To book your free Safe and Well visit Reduce the risks call 08000 555 815. • When cooking, never leave pans unattended and ensure they are kept out of reach of children. • Never leave lighters of matches within the reach of children. • Don’t leave lit cigarettes or candles unattended. • Ensure all electrical appliances have had safety tests and are in good working order. • Don’t overload plug sockets.
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PLAN YOUR
EXIT
Gedling Customers Further fire safety advice is available on the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue website www.notts-fire.gov.uk under the ‘Your Safety’ link. However, if you feel you are unable to assess the fire risks in your own home, you may be eligible for a home visit. If you would like more advice on this call 0800 022 3235 or visit: www.nottsfire.gov.uk/home-safety-check
EXIT
Threshold leads the way with Housing First For the last two years Threshold has been piloting a ground-breaking way to reduce homelessness in Greater Manchester called Housing First. Housing First has already proved successful in drastically reducing homelessness figures in the USA, Canada and Finland and New Charter Group, via Threshold, is one of the first organisations in the UK to implement this innovative model.
before they are housed.
other social factors.
Housing First turns this on its head. It is based on the idea that people are much more likely to respond to support and turn their lives around if they are in safe, secure and permanent housing. Once housed, the clients are then given persistent, consistent and unconditional support until they feel that they no longer need and can cope on their own.
Threshold has been working with a very particular demographic for their pilot – female ex-offenders – as they are some of the most difficult to engage people for a variety of reasons. In the short time they’ve been working with this group, Housing First has proven successful, with nearly an 80% reduction in re-offending rates, zero rent arrears and massively reduced rates of drug and alcohol use.
This may seem expensive but initial findings that Threshold have provided to York University in an independent study have shown that for every £1 spent on Housing First, the taxpayer saves £2.51 thanks to the reduced need for police intervention, ambulance call outs, hospital beds and a whole range of
With most homelessness programmes, social workers and the like will provide support to someone, possibly placing them in temporary housing such as a hostel.The person might then have to meet certain criteria, such as being sober for a number of weeks for example,
The team is now working with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and other agencies to advocate the use of this revolutionary programme to help eliminate homelessness and rough sleeping in the region.
New Charter Group and Tameside Cultural Services
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@NewCharterGroup www.newcharter.co.uk www.facebook.com/newcharterhomes
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Apply now Do you want to be part of a GREAT organisation? Apply to become a Gedling Homes Board Member.
As a Board Member you will be part of a team responsible for overseeing the future direction of the company. This is a great opportunity to use your experience and perspective as a tenant to benefit the company as a whole. The time commitment is around 1 to 2 days per month (preparing for and attending meetings and training events and involvement in agreed projects). Board Members are paid ÂŁ4,000pa and can claim out of pocket expenses. A full induction and buddy system is in place to support new Board Members, along with an ongoing training programme. For more information and an application pack, go to the Gedling Homes website: http://www.gedlinghomes.co.uk/greater-together/what-tenant-involvement If you need any additional information or an application pack posting out. Please contact a member of the Governance Team on 0161 331 2171.
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Gedling Homes properties available for letting If you know a friend or family member that needs re-housing then Gedling Homes has a selection of homes available now, including: • One bedroom flats • One bedroom properties within our independent living schemes • Three bedroom family houses
• Well maintained and managed properties We have properties throughout the Gedling borough and offer: Please contact our Relets team on 0115 905 1515 to discuss how we • Secure tenancies may be able to assist. • Affordable rents
Garden maintenance service Did you know that if you are a Gedling Homes tenant or leaseholder then for a small weekly fee you can apply to join our garden maintenance scheme and have your grass and/or hedge cut? 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 is extremely high! 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.
Keep corridors clear We would like to remind tenants and leaseholders who live in flats not to store any items or personal possessions 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’ll 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 passages and access routes are clear. We ask you to work with us and ensure that you keep these areas clear of all items.
A chance to thank our volunteers When National Volunteering Week appeared in the calendar, the Community Development Team at Gedling Homes decided it was a great opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to the people who help to make their work more meaningful. A cream tea afternoon was arranged and volunteers, who sit on scrutiny panels, tenant involvement groups and the newly -launched memory café, came to enjoy a well-deserved thanks and a rare chance to meet each other. Over scones, clotted cream and jam, the volunteers explained their roles and what they enjoyed most about what they do. Community Engagement Officer, Sarah Quinn, said: “Learning why people step forward to contribute to their community is very valuable. We were genuinely touched by people’s generosity of spirit and kind words. “We hope we can make this an annual event.”
Thank You
July 2017 11 People Great
Happy days at Gedling’s flagship Memory Café In April, Gedling Homes opened its ticipate in a range of gentle activities. doors to the local neighbourhood The café sessions support people as it launched its first Memory Café. with dementia and equally importantly, provide an opportunity for St Andrew’s House, an extra care carers to meet each other, share independent living scheme, has tak- experiences and knowledge and to en the initiative in creating a specif- relax in a safe environment. ic monthly session for people living with dementia and their carers. Feedback has been nothing but posiAlready proving very popular, with tive from participants and volunteers around 30 people attending each alike. Plans are now underway to session the café has given people launch a second café at Netherfield’s the chance to meet others and par- St. George’s Centre in September.
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The Memory Café is open once a month at St Andrew’s House, Digby Avenue, Mapperley, Nottingham, NG3 6DS on the following Mondays: ● 24th July ● 21st August ● 25th September ● 23rd October ● 20th November ● 18th December
Work clubs New Charter and Gedling Homes work clubs continue to be popular and have already helped many tenants find work, training and volunteering opportunities. Aksa Homes has set up a new work club at the European Institute of Islam-
ic Science in partnership with Jigsaw Advance. They offer courses including creative English, customer service and other soft skills such as communication team work and problem solving, which will benefit our tenants by providing volunteering and employment opportunities.
Work clubs are free to attend and there’s no need to book. Simply turn up to the one which is most convenient for you. They’re not just for our tenants either – feel free to recommend them to friends or family that you think could benefit from them. Venues and times are listed below:
Work clubs are held at the following venues: New Charter Homes Day: Time: Address:
Every Tuesday 9.30am – 12noon Tameside Adult and Community learning, Stamford Chambers, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6RX
Every Friday 1.30pm – 3.30pm Tameside Adult and Community learning, Stamford Chambers, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6RX
Aksa Homes Day: Time: Address:
Every Monday 12.30pm – 3.30pm European Centre of Islamic Science 79 Manchester Road, Oldham, OL8 4LN
Gedling Homes
Every Wednesday 12.00pm – 2.00pm OBA Millennium Centre, Featherstall Road, North, Oldham, OL9 6QB
Every Tuesday 1.00pm – 3.00pm The Ark Advice Centre and Community Cafe,Wollaton Avenue, Gedling, Nottingham, NG4 4HX
Support and advice is provided in the following areas:
Universal Jobmatch and My Work search facilities
Online job searches
Every Wednesday 2pm – 4pm 1 Wellington Parade, SK16 4LE (Facing Dukinfield Church, Dukinfield, Cheshire)
Advice about back-to-work benefits
CV writing Online job applications
Accessing training courses to boost employment prospects
Interview training
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Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle springs into one of our academies Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle MBE met schoolchildren at Silver Springs Academy in June to raise the profile of gymnastics and inspire more young people to take up sport. Beth, who won bronze at London 2012 Summer Olympics, visited the school to champion the sport as part of her Total Gymnastics Academy which provides national curriculum classes during PE lessons. Beth Tweddle MBE said: “I’m passionate about giving every child In 2010, Beth was awarded a Queen’s the opportunity to have a go at gymHonour for her success, commit- nastics and through curriculum this ment and dedication to her sport is achievable. We have worked with which has been the driving force over 100 schools with the school behind her new academy and schools programme and have supported a programme to give every child the number of the schools games comopportunity to try gymnastics. petitions. It is great to see children
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really enjoying and engaging with gymnastics at a young age in school.” “Sport can benefit children in many aspects of their lives and we’re interested to find out more about Beth’s academy and how we can create more opportunities at the school for our young people.”
Ladies Only Exercise Class
………………………………………… EVERY MONDAY 10.30AM—11.30AM
…………………………………………
Wanted
– Green Charter
Garden Monitors
We need your views. We are currently looking for a number of volunteers to help improve our grounds maintenance by attending monthly meetings alongside Green Charter and providing feedback on grass cutting and grounds maintenance on a regular basis. If you’re interested in being a Green Charter Garden Monitor, please contact the Community Development Team on 0161 331 2000 or email RITeam@newcharter. co.uk.
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At
European Islamic Centre. 79 Manchester Road, Oldham, 0L8 4LN Contact Aksa Homes on 0161 331 2525 Facebook.com/aksahomes @AksaHomes
Great Sports Active Tameside in partnership with New Charter Homes is offering and activity sessions for kids across the Tameside area throughout the year. There’s no need to book, just turn up and take part!
FREE weekly sport
ACTIVITY
VENUE
DAY/TIME
AGE
Football mash up
Rose Hill Methodist Community Primary School
Mondays (5pm)
6-13 yrs
Multi sports session
Active Copley
Mondays (5pm)
6-13 yrs
Multi sports session
Denton Community College
Tuesdays (5pm)
6-13 yrs
Football mash up
Active Copley
Tuesdays (5pm)
6-13 yrs
Football mash up
Active Oxford Park Centre, Ashton-under-Lyne
Wednesdays (5pm)
6-13 yrs
Multi sports session
Bradley Green School, Hyde
Wednesdays (4.30pm)
6-13 yrs
Inclusive disability
Thomas Ashton School, Hyde
Wednesdays (6pm)
5-15 yrs
Multi sports session
Silver Springs Academy
Thursdays (5.30pm)
6-13 yrs
Football mash up
New Charter Academy
Fridays (5pm)
6-13 yrs
Trampolining
New Charter Academy
Fridays
6-13 yrs
(5.30pm/ 6.30pm/ 7.30pm)
ALL SESSIONS ARE FREE
Events New Charter Homes and Aksa Homes Resident Training at New Charter. The following training courses are available for tenants and residents of New Charter Group throughout the year. • Basic First Aid • Cook and Eat • Food Safety • Healthy minds • Paediatric First Aid • Pet First Aid Results salt 1 sach et 10 sachet
s
bes
56 cu
grams 18 7 grams
Find out by downloading the FREE Be Food Smart app
If you would like to learn new skills, please contact Minaz Aslam or the Community Development Team on 0161 331 2000 to book your FREE place.
Search Change4Life
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July 2017
Growing from seed An enterprising partnership between New Charter Homes Community Development Team, Tameside College and Inspire Consultant Dukinfield was launched in January. The partnership offers FREE 1-2-1 support, advice, guidance and resources to residents considering starting their own social enterprise. So far we’ve helped three local start-ups to secure vital funding from UnLtd, a leading provider of support to social entrepreneurs in the UK. One of the successful ventures is a group of greenfingered tenants from various garden groups and residents associations who have created a new social enterprise called ‘Perfect Plants’. They have secured a deal with Green Charter to grow plants for our neighbourhood planting schemes for the next five years. They hope to make a small profit, which they will reinvest to help sustain the future of their venture. If you have an idea that will create a positive social impact or would like the opportunity to get some advice about starting your own business please get in touch with John McGlynn from the Community Development Team by calling 0161 331 2000.
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67 LUXURY APARTMENTS UNLOCK LUXURY LIVING
AN EXCITING NEW WATERSIDE DEVELOPMENT OF 67 STYLISH NEW HOMES CONSISTING OF 22 ONE BEDROOM AND 45 TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS FOR RENT. Located at Armentieres Square in the centre of Stalybridge. Offering the convenience and benefits of canal-side urban living, within a sub-urban setting. Close to green spaces, swathes of countryside and excellent transport links to Manchester, Leeds and beyond.
WHAT’S INCLUDED? • Rent from £570pcm† • High speed Wi-Fi • On-site car parking and cycle storage* • 24 hour maintenance service • Fitted carpets • White goods † Rent subject to change * Car parking available at an additional cost. Car parking and cycle storage will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.
Paula Adams and Claire Healey 0161 367 1045
83 Mottram Road, Stalybridge, SK15 2LW
FOR MORE INFORMATION WWW.SUMMERSQUAY.CO.UK
@SUMMERSQUAY
New homes Our new homes across Nottingham and Greater Manchester are now well underway, with some either completed or nearing completion. We are on site with around 380 new homes across the Group with more in the pipeline to provide some much needed affordable housing across our boroughs. The following is a brief summary of the schemes we are working on:
Developments for New Charter Homes Coleridge Close, Ashton – Under – Lyne, Greater Manchester
end of July, if not sooner. Rycroft Street,Ashton-underLyne, Greater Manchester We are pleased to announce that this site is progressing well, with 50% of the homes already handed over. This site has 51 affordable homes which are due to be finished by the end of August. Waverley Road, Hyde, Greater Manchester Our first 4 properties for shared ownership are now complete. This is our first site of this type of housing and it was built by New Charter Building Company.
This scheme of 55 homes for afJohnsonbrook Road, Hyde, fordable rent is now nearing comGreater Manchester pletion, with many residents already moved in and enjoying their homes. Work started on this site in March We hope the final handover of the to provide 24 homes for affordable remaining properties will be by the rent. We have partnered with
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Seddon to deliver this scheme and hoping completion will be summer 2018. Pickford Lane, Dukinfield, Greater Manchester This site was also started in March and will provide 12 homes for affordable rent and is due to be completed in winter 2017. Hazel Hurst Estate, Ashton – under – Lyne, Greater Manchester This scheme is made up of 3 sites providing 11 homes in total. This scheme is being built by New Charter Building Company and will be finished in February 2018. Spring Gardens, Hyde, Greater Manchester We are making excellent progress on this site which started just
after Christmas, and will provide 30 homes for affordable rent. We are hoping this site will be finished in winter 2017. Summers Quay, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester Our first bespoke market rent scheme in Armentieres Square, Stalybridge will be ready for occupation from Spring 2018. The development of 67 apartments, consisting of 45 2 bedroom and 22 1 bedroom apartments is being built by Rowlinson construction. It has secure parking for 53 vehicles and secure cycle storage is also available within the scheme.
Developments for Aksa Homes Warth Road, Bury, Greater Manchester This is our first site in the Bury area and will provide 65 homes in total,
with a mixture of affordable rent and shared ownership. Worked has commenced on site already and is expected to be completed in spring 2018.
Developments in Gedling, Nottingham Byron Street, Daybrook, Nottingham This site is being developed into 21 flats with either 1 or 2 bedrooms, and will be called Hawsley Court. Work started in this area in February and completion is expected in May 2018.
due to be completed in April 2018. Ernehale Court,Arnold, Nottingham Work has now started on the former sheltered scheme owned be Gedling Homes and will now provide 18 flats and houses for affordable rent. The site will enhance the local environment and is due to be completed in March 2018.
Bestwood Lodge, Arnold, Nottingham We have now commenced building work on the former garage site to provide 25 new homes. Following consultation with local residents, we are also refurbishing a number of the garages on the site. The homes are
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July 2017
You may be aware that Tameside MBC piloted Smokefree Summer Events over the last two years. We’ve made the decision to make all our outdoor family events smoke free in order to provide healthy spaces whilst considering the health and wellbeing of children and their families. We aim to: • Increase the number of smoke free, healthy spaces and events across Tameside • Increase acceptance and support
of smoke free events amongst the public
Calendar
• Educate smokers and non-smokers about the benefits of healthy smoke free community spaces • Denormalise smoking around children If you see the logo at an event or on a flyer we’d appreciate your support by stepping away from the main event should you wish to smoke. We appreciate your support in helping us create smoke free spaces for children.
Audenshaw Walking Group leads on Greater Manchester Walking Festival Walk Our AudenshawWalking Group recently led a community walk as part of the Greater Manchester Walking Festival. More than 300 Walks took place across all ten regional districts throughout the festival in May. The Audenshaw Group walk was featured in this year’s guide and was facilitated by walk leader Brian Horsfall. The gentle two hour stroll took in the Peak Forest Canal and Jet Amber Field before finishing at our Audenshaw Hub for refreshments. Walking is considered one of the most effective exercises for improving your physical and mental health, as well as a great way to meet new people. For further information, contact Janet Hall on 0161 331 2625
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aksa homes Part of the New Charter Group
Aksa Homes Women's Group stars at Oldham Coliseum Theatre “Here’s to strong women, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.” Our Aksa Homes Women’s Group was invited to participate in the creation of Mother Tongues from Farther Lands with Oldham Coliseum Theatre. The show is produced by the Southbank Centre as part of Alchemy, a touring partnership project, showcasing the dynamic creativity and cultural connections between South Asia and the UK.
fascinating, fearless and funny stories from those whose voices can often be absent despite being the backbone of South Asian culture women. Our Aksa Homes Women’s Group provided inspiration and stories from their lives to help celebrate the stories and lives of unsung inspirational South Asian women.
tributed towards some fascinating monolgues of life showcased by the voices of Sajeela Kershi (Director), Shobu Kapoor (Eastenders), Shyama Perera (Broadcaster) and Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street).
The Aksa Homes ladies were treated like VIPs on the night and received huge amounts of welldeserved recognition and praise Mother Tongues from Farther Lands is from the production company, cast a spoken word theatre show full of Their hard work and creativity con- and audience alike.
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July 2017
Somerset House takes its dinner table to Oldham Coliseum Residents from Somerset House have spent the last few months working as part of the Community Partnership at Oldham Coliseum Theatre. Somerset House is one of our schemes providing people of all ages with varying degrees of learning difficulties with 24 hour support. The Community Partnership scheme gives community and youth groups from across Tameside and Oldham the opportunity to create and perform on the Coliseum’s main stage. Our Somerset House residents worked incredibly hard on a creative performance, responding to a theme in the play Spring and Port Wine.Their piece, Can’t cook, won’t cook, ready steady was a spoof of a cooking show, developed in response to two items from their box, a green and a red pepper.
All their hard work paid off with an outstanding performance and they absolutely stole the show. Well done everyone.
AWARDS
TPAS Awards Community Development Team - Nominated for Excellence in Employment Skills in Training Gedling Homes – Nominated for Excellence in Engagement in Supported Housing
Since the last edition of the newsletter we’ve been up for various sector awards for our performance in different areas across the organisation. These include: EAC (Elderly Accomodation Council) Awards St. Andrew’s House (Gedling Homes) & Ryefield House (New Charter Homes) Highly commended in Best Independent Living Scheme
Computing Digital Technology Leaders Awards New Charter Group – Winners of ‘Digital Team of the Year’ Housing Heroes Awards Gedling Community Development Team - Highly Commended for Support and Care team of the year RoSPA Awards New Charter Building Company – 9th Gold Medal for health and safety performance Gedling Homes – 8th Gold Medal for Health and safety performance
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
23
July 2017
Contact us
Our Hubs www.
0161 331 2000
0161 331 2525
contact@newcharter.co.uk
info@aksahomes.co.uk
www.newcharter.co.uk
www.aksahomes.co.uk facebook.com/aksahomes
@NewCharterGroup
@AksaHomes
Threshold
0115 905 1515
0161 331 2000
enquires@gedlinghomes.co.uk
NNE
NNE
www.
facebook.com/newcharterhomes
Gedling Homes
www.
Aksa Homes
NNE
NNE
New Charter
contact@thp.org.uk
www.
www.thp.org.uk
www.gedlinghomes.co.uk facebook.com/gedlinghomes
facebook.com/thresholdcustomers
@Gedling_Homes
@threshold76
Head Office: New Charter Group, Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AT.