NEWS Summer issue: August 2018
New Charter Homes
I
Aksa Homes
I
Gedling Homes
New homes in development (p.18) In this Issue: Money Matters
I
Gedling MaSTARplans
Creating homes. Building lives.
I
Jigsaw Rewards
Contents
4
3
Welcome
4
Money Matters
5
Money Matters continued
6
#MoveOnline with our Customer Hub
7
Customer surveys – your feedback is important
8
Greggs Foundation Improving skills and employment opportunities
9
Gedling Homes launches neighbourhood MaSTARplans
10
Activities and training for Gedling Homes tenants
11
Sheila Hibbert wins tenant of the year/Greenfingers
12
Motiv8 helps to ‘Bridge the Gap’ for Garry
13
Motiv8 are Housing Heroes!
14
Jigsaw Rewards reaches 900 sign ups
15
Jigsaw Rewards reaches 900 sign ups continued
16
Community activities with Active Tameside
17
SUSSED IT
18
New homes in development
19
New homes in development continued
20
Trees – our policy and why they are important Perfect Plants social enterprise 2018
21
Healthy Minds workshops / Community Navigators project
22
Housing First
23
Teaching Theatre Pathways / Hub opening times
24
Contact us
Summer 2018
2
9 12 18
Welcome from Group Chief Executive, Hilary Roberts Welcome to the latest edition of your newsletter, featuring stories about New Charter Homes, Aksa Homes, Gedling Homes and Threshold. Firstly, a lot has changed since the last newsletter. In April, New Charter Group merged with Adactus Housing Group to become Jigsaw Homes Group and I’d like to introduce myself as your new Chief Executive. Jigsaw is now one of the largest housing associations in the country with over 34,000 homes across the North West and East Midlands. You may remember reading about the changes in previous newsletters. For you though, much will remain the same. While our Jigsaw parent company has a new name and new branding, New Charter Homes, Gedling Homes, Aksa Homes and Threshold continue to provide your housing and support services. This edition provides you with information about benefit changes, money saving tips and advice on avoiding loan sharks (p. 5). Our Community Development team continues to help you to find employment and training through work clubs and the Aim 4 Work programme (p.8). There’s also health and wellbeing projects to read about like the Greggs Foundation (p.8) We’re always looking at ways in which we can
improve the service for our tenants and we’ve just launched Jigsaw Rewards, a new way for you to have your say on services in exchange for points towards gift vouchers and rent credits. See page 14 for info. In Nottingham, Gedling Homes has launched its new MaSTARplans, to improve your neighbourhoods over the next few years (p.9). Over at Threshold, our homelessness charity, they’ve expanded upon their innovative Housing First project to launch a new service aimed at helping victims of domestic abuse (p.22). Finally, we’re always looking at ways to improve how we communicate with you, so keep an eye out over the coming months for a survey asking for your thoughts on how you’d like to receive future updates from us. Your feedback will help us to ensure we’re using the most effective channels to communicate important news with you and existing methods, like this newsletter, may change in the future. The survey will be available through Jigsaw Rewards so make sure you register soon so you can start earning points! Hilary Roberts Chief Executive, Jigsaw Homes Group
3
Summer 2018
Money Matters Water supply bill reduction In your April 2018 rent statement we included a leaflet to let you know that if you live in the North West, you can ask United Utilities to look at your water bill and see if anything can be done to reduce your bills. For tenants living in Nottingham, Severn Trent offers a similar bill reduction scheme.
Our tenants have already collectively saved £69,000 a year by taking advantage of one of the schemes available. Find out if you can save money too – you’ve got nothing to lose! • United Utilities call 0800 072 6765 • Severn Trent call 03457 500 500
Rent arrears recovery We have recently been making changes to the way we handle rent arrears cases and have automated much of our process. This has made the recovery of rent more efficient and has reduced the amount of rent arrears outstanding. We are now introducing a change in the way we will contact people who are in rent arrears. We are working with a company called ‘The Housing Contact Company’ who will call you on our behalf via an automated call process. This could also include contact by automated text message.
Summer 2018
4
We are aware that people are cautious about answering calls from unknown numbers - and for good reason! Due to increasing numbers of telephone scams and telemarketing calls, it can be difficult to know what is and isn’t a “real” automated message. It’s important to remember that if you have any concerns at all regarding an automated call from us, please contact us on 0161 331 2050. We will never ask you to give any information directly to the automated caller and you will
always deal directly with one of our staff when discussing your rent account. We will never ask you to give bank or card details to the automated call service. Please contact us soon as you can if you receive one of these calls or text message then we can agree a way forward with you. We are here to help.
Stop Loan Sharks If you are aware of any Loan Sharks operating in our neighbourhoods, please remember you can report them safely and in total confidence on 0300 555 2222.
Not sure what a Loan Shark is? 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 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. Want to know more? Log on at www.gm.sbstore.org or call 0300 500 0975.
Making payment of rent easier AB C
Setting up a Direct Debit
The number of tenants paying their rent by Direct Debit is on the up. The reason it is becoming more popular is the fact that it takes the hassle out of paying. If you would like to start to pay your rent by Direct Debit, please contact us on 0161 331 2000 and we can set it up for you whilst you are on the phone. It only takes a few minutes.
Don’t delay… DD today
5
Summer 2018
#MoveOnline with our Customer Hub Join over 3,000 tenants and register for our online Customer Hub! Just visit:
Customerhub.newcharter.co.uk Registering is really easy. 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’ll then check the information you supply against the information held on our systems and you’ll be registered in minutes. There are lots of things you can do once logged in, so if you haven’t logged in recently, why not give it a try? • View your rent payments and charges • Make a payment • Request a repair and find out what we class as an emergency • Find out more about our repairs service • Watch useful videos on how to use your boiler controls efficiently • Read tips on how to reduce condensation and mould • Check the status of other accounts (e.g. recharges) • Check and amend your contact details • Report antisocial behaviour • Start a webchat with us • Find out about local services in your area
Summer 2018
6
Coming soon:
Book a repair appointment
Customer surveys – your feedback is important We told you on page 4 about how we’re using Housing Contact Company to automatically contact tenants who fall into rent arrears. We’ve also begun using the same technology to help us collect feedback from our tenants about some of our services. As such, you may receive an automated call or text message asking you about our services generally or about a particular service you have recently used. This customer feedback is used to continually improve the services we
provide to you and also to replicate success when we get it right. We have successfully completed a trial over the last five months for our repairs and gas servicing. Not only have we had an increase in the number of surveys returned to us but the results were really positive as they provided us with real-time insight into your experiences when accessing our services. We’ve used this feedback to look at a number of improvements.
For example, for our external repairs, such as roofing and guttering, we have introduced a calling card which is posted through the door in your absence so you know we have been and completed the work. If you receive a call or text message about our services it would be great to hear about your experience. However, if you don’t want to receive these calls or text messages please let us know. Equally, if you want to give your feedback, please get in touch.
7
Summer 2018
Local primary school gets free healthy breakfast with Greggs Foundation Earlier this year, Aksa Homes teamed up with Greggs Foundation to run a new healthy breakfast club at Lyndhurst Primary School in Oldham. Aksa Homes funded the club alongside Greggs Foundation to give disadvantaged children as young as four the best start to their day. The children are given a healthy and varied breakfast, then the opportunity for interactive play to set them up for their day ahead. The morning sessions, which run every day for two years at the school, are proving a great success with around 130 children attending
aksa homes each morning. This project has not only helped improve concentration levels in class but has also helped to reduce the absence rate seeing a reduction of unauthorised absences from 1,328 in the autumn term to 544 in the spring term. The Greggs Foundation has over 450 breakfast clubs in disadvantaged areas across the country.
Improving skills and employment opportunities Aim 4 Work In May, Tameside residents completed a five-week ‘Aim 4 Work’ employability skills training programme. The course is designed to improve people’s confidence, self-esteem and enhance their ability to secure paid employment. The Community Development team worked in partnership with Healthy Minds to design and deliver the weekly workshops covering a variety of topics including positive mind-set, recognising people's skills, CV writing, and job interview techniques.This fun and interactive learning experience used group activities and quizzes to test the learners' knowledge and reinforce their understanding of the topics covered.
July 2018 2017 Summer
88
Residents learn new skills with Aim 4 Work
Learners were recruited by referral from New Charter Homes’ Skills for Employment work placements, Threshold, Tameside Adult and Community Education, Job Centre Plus and our own work clubs.
Another said: “I found the course useful to look at my skills even in my daily life as a mum. I feel the skills I have learned will help improve my job seeking prospects.”
If you think you or someone you know could benefit from Aim 4 One attendee commented: “The trainers were very friendly Work training please contact John McGlynn or and welcoming, this helped me overcome my anxiety concerning Asmina Choudhury attending the course. Now I (Community Development team Employment and Skills) on know what to expect, I can approach job seeking with more asmina.chouhury@jigsawhomes. org.uk or 0161 331 2254. motivation and confidence”.
Mark Vasey, Neighbourhoods Manager and Jemma Davey, Neighbourhoods Apprentice launch the new MaSTARplans.
Gedling Homes launches MaSTARplans Gedling Homes launched its newly improved Neighbourhood ‘MaSTARplans’ in May at a sun-soaked event with partners and residents at Café 1899 in Gedling Country Park. The star-rated MaSTARplans will help Gedling Homes improve local issues like anti-social behaviour, unemployment and health & wellbeing, to make their neighbourhoods better places to live. The ‘MaSTARplans’ have been developed in consultation with residents, partner agencies and employees. Their feedback has allowed Gedling to measure
performance and satisfaction in each neighbourhood against a set of actions. Using this information, neighbourhoods are given a star-rating system of 3, 4 and 5 stars (5 being the best), as well as a plan to improve the ratings. All ten of the Gedling areas will have its own plan with bespoke interventions to help improve the area. To view your Gedling MaSTARplan visit
Neighbourhood
MAST
RPLANS
www.gedlinghomes.co.uk/your-neighbourhood-mastarplans.
9
Summer 2018
Local residents at Bailey Court enjoyed learning to make jewellery.
Activities and training for Gedling Homes tenants Gedling Homes offers a range of activities, free training and support to help you realise your potential. To find out more about the courses available, or register your interest in being on our training mailing list, please contact Sarah Quinn, Community Engagement Officer 0115 905 1515. Shaping Gedling Homes services We want our tenants to be at the heart of all decision making and therefore we offer volunteering opportunities for
Summer 2018
10
you to work with us to improve our services.
Archer, Project Officer, on 0115 905 1519.
Are you feeling isolated or lonely?
Work Clubs
We’ve teamed up with Gedling Borough Council to help you get more out of life, in a calm, friendly and enjoyable way. The new SPRIING project can help to find you activities or groups in the borough of Gedling and supportive people who will make you feel welcome and help you to attend. For example, residents at Bailey Court recently took part in jewellery making lessons. To find out more, please call Karen
We run two weekly work clubs in Arnold and Netherfield where we can update or develop your CV, undertake practice interviews and help you find the job that’s right for you. We also team up with local employers to offer people work experience. Please contact Martin Curtis, Community Development Officer on 0115 905 1515 for more information.
Sheila Hibbert is crowned ‘Tenant of the Year’ We already knew that Gedling Homes tenant Sheila Hibbert was special but now, thanks to her Tenant of the Year award, so do hundreds of other housing people from across the region. Sheila has volunteered at our first memory café at St. Andrew’s House, Mapperley, since the initial planning stages over a year ago and her positivity, enthusiasm and quiet dignity have been a hallmark of our cafés ever since. Her wonderful attitude and inclusive nature have now landed her the TPAS (Central Region) Tenant of the Year award. The Community Engagement team members have each had the pleasure of working with Sheila in a range of roles: the memory cafés, theatre trips and at various classes and training sessions. She always puts others first and demonstrates patience and positivity in everything she does. Sheila contributes with great ideas and feedback after cafés
Gedling Homes hires Greenfingers for grounds maintenance works Gedling Homes has recently re-tendered its grounds maintenance contract, resulting in Greenfingers being awarded the contract for all our grounds maintenance works. and other events, and she has a keen eye for seeing things from the perspective of people with dementia, their carers and the organisers too. Her feedback has been invaluable in shaping the way our events are run. She has helped recruit others to the volunteer team and is a shining example of how to support people and help them to enjoy themselves with a sense of fun and commitment thrown in for good measure. Gedling Homes was also shortlisted in the Excellence in Employment Skills and Training – Landlord Nominees category for their Talent Match Programme and Work Clubs.
Greenfingers has a proven track record of providing high quality grounds maintenance services and we look forward to working together with them to ensure that all our communal spaces and locations are maintained to the highest standard for all our customers. Customers have already had their say with many positive comments received. You can also arrange to have your garden and hedges maintained by Greenfingers for a small fee which will be added onto your rent account. If you’re interested in joining this scheme, please call 0115 905 1515 and ask for the Neighbourhoods team.
Summer 2018 11 People Great
Motiv8 helps to ‘Bridge the Gap’ for Garry Motiv8 is a Greater Manchester programme to help people aged 25 and over that are experiencing multiple issues to improve their lives and chances of getting back into work or training. It has been set up thanks to £9.7m of funding from the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund and European Union through the European Social Fund (2014-2020) as part of the Building Better Opportunities Programme. It was a proud moment for Motiv8 client Garry and his key worker, Dionne, when he attended his graduation ceremony for the ‘Bridging the Gap’ course in March. The course is run by ADS (Addiction Dependency Solutions), an organisation that helps people who have experienced substance misuse and related problems to gain the skills needed to become work ready. Garry, who was referred to the course as part of his personalised Motiv8 Action Plan to get back on track, thrived during the Bridging the Gap course.
Summer 2018
12
Garry receiving his Bridging the Gap certificates
In addition to graduating, he was thrilled and honoured to have been selected by the other students as the ‘Most Outstanding Student’ on the course. Garry said: “Motiv8 referring me to this course is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. We all bonded as a team and I can’t believe how good it has been for me. I hope to go on to do some volunteering. This has given me a great confidence boost - I feel that I am getting back on track now.”
New Charter Homes is leading the Motiv8 programme, with support from other Manchester Athena housing providers at Stockport Homes, ForViva, Wythenshawe Community Housing Group and Bolton at Home. To find out more about Motiv8 and the eligibility criteria for the programme, please visit their website www.motiv8mcr.org or call 0161 331 2048 or email info@manchesterbbo.co.uk. You can also follow them on Twitter @Motiv8GM
Motiv8 are Housing Heroes!
Congratulations to the Motiv8 team for winning the Support and Care Team of the Year award at the Housing Heroes Awards 2018. The judges commented on the team’s collaborative approach across Greater Manchester. Well done to everyone involved!
Summer 2018 13 People Great
Jigsaw Rewards reaches 900 sign ups
Jigsaw Rewards is an exciting opportunity for New Charter Homes, Aksa Homes and Gedling Homes tenants to give us feedback on our services and plans for the future. Once signed up, residents receive points whenever they take part, which can be exchanged for gift vouchers to be or rent credits on their account. Vouchers include: Amazon ● Tesco ● Sainsbury’s ● Love 2 shop ● Vue Cinema ● Charity Donation In a matter of weeks, membership has already reached more than 900, Over 340 of these new members have already been taking part and collecting points – we’ve received over 900 submissions already! Activities include surveys, mystery shopping exercises, and other fun challenges. There has been plenty for tenants to get involved with much more to come. It is simple and quick to register. Visit rewards.jigsawhomes.org.uk and enter your surname along with your tenancy number or payment reference number. With Jigsaw Rewards you are in control and you can do as much or as little as you like.
rewards.jigsawhomes.org.uk @JigsawRewards
Take part. Collect points. Be rewarded. July 2018
14
Keep an eye out for the Marketing and Communications survey is now live!
15
July 2018
Community activities with Active Tameside New Charter Homes has an ongoing partnership with Active Tameside, which allows us to put on a range of sports activities for young people. The sessions below take place each week. ACTIVITY
VENUE
DAY/TIME
Little Kickers (4-8 years)
Active Copley, Huddersfield Road Stalybridge, SK15 3ET
(5.30pm-6.30pm)
Multi Skills (8-16 years)
Broadoak Community Centre, Broadoak Road, A-U-L, OL6 8RS
(5pm-6.30pm)
Multi Skills (7+ years)
Silver Springs Academy, School Cresent, Stalybridge, SK16 1ED
(5pm-7pm)
Cycling (All welcome)
Cycle track, 159 Richmond Street, A-U-L OL7 9HG
(5pm-7pm)
Athletics (8-16 years)
Oxford Park, Pottinger Street, A-U-L, OL7 0PW
(6.30pm-7.30pm)
Football Mash-up (11+ years)
Copley 3G, Active Copley, Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, SK15 3ET
(5pm-6pm)
Cricket (All welcome)
Dukinfield Park, Bruswick Street, Dukinfield, SK16 4DR
(6pm-7pm)
Multi Skills (8-16 years)
Denton Community College, 80-90 Taylor Lane, Denton, M34 3NG
(5pm-7pm)
Cheerleading (Young Careers)
Bennett Street, Bennett Street, Hyde, SK14 4SS
(4.30pm-5.30pm)
Everybody Can inclusive session (8-16 years)
Thomas Ashton School, Bennett Street, Hyde, SK14 4SS
Football Mash-up (8-16 years)
Oxford Park, Pottinger Street, A-U-L, OL7 0PW
(5.30pm-6.30pm)
Little Stars (4-8 years)
Copley, Active Copley Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, SK15 3ET
(5.30pm-6.30pm)
Multi Skills (8-16 years)
Silver Springs Academy, School Cresent, Stalybridge, SK16 1ED
(5.30pm-7.30pm)
Cycling (All welcome)
Cycle track, 159 Richmond Street, A-U-L, OL7 9HG
(5pm-7pm)
Youth provision (8-16 years)
Greater Academy, Broadoak Road, A-U-L, OL6 8RF
(5.30pm-7pm)
Football Mash up (8-16 years)
Kenward, Active Kenward, Hattersley Road, West, SK14 5NL
(5pm-6pm)
Badminton Mash up (8-16 years)
Copley, Active Copley Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, SK15 3ET
(5.30pm-6.30pm)
Cricket (4-8 years)
Holy Trinity School, Kenyon Street, A-U-L, OL6 7DU
(3.15pm-4.15pm)
Titans Dance(Adults with additional needs)
Copley, Active Copley Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, SK15 3ET
(6.30pm-8.30pm)
Youth provision (8-16 years)
Medlock, Gardenfold Way, Droylsden, M43 7XU
(5.30pm-7.30pm)
Little Kickers (4-8 years)
Copley, Active Copley Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, SK15 3ET
(10am-12noon)
Cycling (All welcome)
Cycle track, 159 Richmond Street, A-U-L, OL7 9HG
(1pm-3pm)
*Term time only
Summer 2018
16
Monday Monday
Monday* Monday Monday
PRICE £3 FREE FREE Adult £4 Child £3 FREE
Tuesday
FREE
Tuesday
FREE
Tuesday
Wednesday
Wednesday* (6pm-8pm)
Wednesday
Wednesday Thursday* Thursday Friday
Friday Friday
Friday* Friday
Friday
Saturday
Saturday
FREE FREE FREE FREE £3 FREE Adult £4 Child £3 FREE FREE £3 FREE £4 FREE £3 Adult £4 Child £3
SUSSED
Start Up Support and Social E nterprise Development In Tameside
Got a business idea? We can help you SUSS IT! Start Up Support and Social Enterprise Development in Tameside (SUSSED IT) aims to support new and existing business start-ups from idea stage upwards, that will benefit the local economy and people of Tameside and Oldham. SUSSED IT is a partnership with Inspire Consultant (Dukinfield) Ltd, to offer practical advice and support to New Charter Homes and Aksa Homes tenants and other residents in Tameside and Oldham about setting up and running their own businesses. The partnership delivers one-to-one support and advice to take people from the initial business idea through to advice and guidance about sources of funding, marketing, and business development. Since January 2017, we have given advice and support to 65 individuals who had decided they wanted to set up their own business. Andy, a retired firefighter and local resident, started Fire Regulation Services Limited based in Ashton under Lyne in February 2017 and met with the SUSSED IT team at the idea stage of his business. The business has gone from strength to strength providing fire risk assessment support services to businesses within our local communities including local primary schools. Andy said: “The support given to me by the SUSSED IT team at New Charter was professional and extremely informative when I was considering starting my own business, it helped me shape the company in the early stage of development, I cannot recommend them highly enough.� If you have an idea about setting up your own business or a service to help your improve your community or have recently started your own business and would like our help. Please contact John McGlynn (see contact details below) and we can help you SUSS IT!
Telephone: 07718 783248 July 2018 11 orPeople Great Email:CDTeam@newcharter.co.uk to book an appointment make an enquiry.
New homes in development New Charter Homes Summers Quay, Stalybridge 67, 1 and 2-bed apartments for private rent plus retail due for completion in August 2018. Visit www.summersquay.co.uk
Summer 2018
18
due for completion in summer 2018. Marie Close, Denton 5 bungalows for affordable rent due for completion in winter 2018/early 2019.
Warth Rd, Bury 65 units for affordable rent and shared ownership due for completion in November 2018.
Spring Gardens, Hyde 30 units for affordable rent due for completion in this summer.
King Edward Court, Hyde 27 properties for outright sale
Contact 0161 331 2000 for more information.
Summers Quay
Gedling Homes Gedling Homes has completed 71 new properties across Nottinghamshire in the first half of 2018. These include 67 homes which are to be let at affordable rents including: • 25 family homes across eight sites in the Bestwood Lodge Drive area of Daybrook • 18 new homes on York Mews in Arnold with a further 21 one and two-bed flats in Daybrook Gedling has also developed its first shared ownership
Byron Street, Daybrook
scheme in West Bridgford. The first phase of four three-bed houses were completed in January with a further 20 homes for rent
and shared ownership due to complete in the coming months. Contact 0115 905 1515 for more information.
19
Summer 2018
Trees – Our policy and why they are important Our policy at Jigsaw Group is not to undertake any works to trees unless they are dead, diseased or causing structural damage to your or our property. Between April 2018 and November 2018 all of our trees are being surveyed. This will allow us to prioritise any essential works for immediate attention, which will then be completed by March 2019.
trees unless it is classed as an emergency. Trees form a vital part of our green infrastructure and our policy supports national objectives for them to be part of our approach to sustainability. Dog fouling
Dog fouling is one of the regular hazards our estate services All other work will be scheduled teams face, which impacts on to be completed over the their ability to mow or clean following four years dependent all of our sites to the standard required. Most of our tenants on the results of the survey. are responsible dog owners but While the survey is being unfortunately a minority are completed we will not be not. We ask all residents to be carrying out any works to
considerate when controlling their pets and if you see anyone not doing this, please let us know - we will take action where the dog and owner can be located. Environmental Maintenance Strategy The Environmental Maintenance Strategy has now been completed and represents a real opportunity to improve the appearance of many of our open spaces for the next few years. We are currently drawing up budget plans to deliver some quick wins across all our areas. For more information contact Connect on 0161 331 2000.
Perfect Plants social enterprise 2018 It’s been a busy second second year for the social enterprise project, Perfect Plants, which was created in 2017 to grow plants for Green Charter to then plant in our neighbourhoods. Annually, Green Charter spends a substantial amount of money on plants from nurseries to plant across our neighbourhoods and the first year of the social enterprise they managed to make a saving of 18% thanks to a group of green-fingered residents. Existing gardening groups were approached in 2017 to get involved in the project and five members put their names forward and so Perfect Plants was established. In the first year, they
Summer 2018
20
successfully bid for £1,000 of funding to get the social enterprise off the ground and this amount was matched by New Charter Homes. The Perfect Plant members are: • Joseph Cocks – The Newton Group • Raymond Harney – Reece Court Garden Group • Frank Gittens – Micklehurst Estate Residents’ Association • Jill Travis –
Central Residents’ Action Group • David Pinnock – Audenshaw Community Association. If you have an idea for a social enterprise and would like to bid for funding to make your idea a reality, contact the Community Development team for further information on 0161 331 2000 or CDTeam@newcharter.co.uk.
Healthy Minds workshops New Charter Homes has been working with Tameside and Glossop Healthy Minds to hold free workshop sessions for residents. A sleep workshop was held at the Pantry in Dukinfield Central Neighbourhood and was aimed at helping people to identify their own problems with sleep and ways to make changes.
Another workshop was held as part of our Aim 4 Work Employability Training and focused on motivation. Both sessions helped people to improve their wellbeing using techniques based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles, which are proven to be helpful in overcoming common psychological difficulties.
Further support is available from Healthy Minds (visit: penninecare.nhs.uk/ healthyminds) or by contacting The Community Development team on 0161 331 2000 or email CDTeam@newcharter.co.uk.
Ambition for Ageing Community Navigators project New Charter Homes has joined forces with Southway Homes to work on a Greater Manchester Community Navigators project. The project is funded for two years by Ambition for Ageing and aims to engage men over the age of 75 in order to help them remain independent, and reduce isolation and loneliness. They will do this by creating a range of information, assistance and access options to community based activities. A number of specially assigned Community Navigators will then assist by signposting and befriending older people to encourage involvement. If you’re interested in becoming involved or know someone who would benefit from the project please contact Cathy Ayrton at Southway Homes on 0161 448 4365 or c.ayrton@southwayhousing.co.uk
21
Summer 2018
New Housing First project for victims of domestic abuse in Greater Manchester A new Housing First project has been launched by Threshold, aimed specifically at preventing homelessness for families in Tameside, Oldham and Stockport fleeing domestic violence. The UK has seen a dramatic increase in the number of families becoming homeless in recent years. Domestic abuse is in the top four reasons for homelessness in Tameside. The majority of the hidden homeless are women, in many cases fleeing domestic abuse. Many families fleeing domestic abuse do not access refuge accommodation and therefore remain at risk. Experts in Housing First Threshold has already enjoyed success with its original Housing First service, which was one of the country’s first gender-specific projects focusing on female ex-offenders. Nearly all the women Threshold worked with had also suffered some kind of domestic abuse and after receiving support, re-offending rates were cut to zero. Threshold is now able to take its learnings from the initial pilot, as well as the expertise gained from running a number of refuges for women fleeing domestic violence to implement this new programme. The project is already supporting 27 families and Threshold saw massive demand with more than 69 referrals in the first few weeks. All families will be helped into permanent accommodation whilst providing them with intensive, wrap-around support. The funding has allowed Threshold to employ five additional front line support workers and a manager to run the Housing First service. Housing First recently made headlines when it was announced in the Autumn budget that the Government would provide £28m to fund three
Summer 2018
22
major pilots in Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and Liverpool. Anyone who works with victims of domestic abuse who are at risk of becoming homeless can make a referal by contacting the service on 0779 295 7224 or HousingFirst@thp.org.uk. Visit www.thp.org.uk/services/HousingFirst for more information.
LAST FEW REMAINING ! KING EDWARD’S COURT
FOR SALE
12
15
1&2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS
3&4 BEDROOM HOUSES
For all enquiries
0161 366 1415 104-106 Market Street, Hyde, SK 14 1ES
Teaching Theatre Pathways If you’re aged between 16 – 25, not in education or employment, and you’re interested in learning new skills in a creative and dynamic environment, Teaching Theatre Pathways could be for you. This 10-week project runs on a Monday from 11am – 3pm. Over two terms you will work alongside the Coliseum’s friendly, professional teams. Term One – participate in five workshops focused around key backstage roles in theatre exploring costume, lighting, sound, stage management, and set design before responding to a personalized brief mentored by the relevant Head of Department. Term Two – form a company and distribute relevant roles. With your assigned budget, apply your learning to a main stage theatre production at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre. The next programme begins on Monday 24 September 2018 and runs to Thursday 7 February 2019. The course is free to attend. For more information contact ben Hallworth on 0161 785 7000 or email benhallworth@coliseum.org.uk.
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 2.30pm
23
Summer 2018
Contact us
www.
0161 331 2000
0161 331 2525
contact@newcharter.co.uk
info@aksahomes.co.uk
www.newcharterhomes.co.uk
www.aksahomes.co.uk facebook.com/aksahomes
@NewCharterHomes
@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 Homes
contact@thp.org.uk
www.
www.thp.org.uk
www.gedlinghomes.co.uk facebook.com/gedlinghomes
facebook.com/thresholdcustomers
@Gedling_Homes
@threshold76
Head Office: Jigsaw Homes Group, Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AT.