news Your magazine from New Charter
Summer issue: July 2013 Created by New Charter tenants like you
Universal Tour bus coming to your neighbourhood soon!
6 More changes to benefits Universal Credit
7 Annual customer satisfaction survey
Local residents give furniture a new lease of life Page 11
Also inside: Universal Tour bus coming to your neighbourhood soon! Page 6
Tell us what you think of your magazine and win £50 vouchers!
Win £150 shopping vouchers
101
Different generations make great theatre
15
Welcome to your summer magazine! We've got lots of great articles for you in this issue, and it's really good to see stories about lots of different residents in here. We're really pleased that the Youth Forum has launched its new logo we think it looks great! We're looking forward to the forum starting to write
Great new logo!
Youth Zone
some content for this magazine too. If you've got any furniture you don't need or want to donate take a look at the article on 2nd Generation Furnishings on page 11. There's also an exciting new Universal Tour bus coming to neighbourhoods soon - read more on page 6.
Blueberry
Over the last few months, New Charter’s Youth Forum has been working with the Communications team to design a logo for the ‘Youth Zone’ on our website. The Youth Zone promotes events and activities for young people and their achievements.The group is now preparing some more content aimed at young people to go on the site. The Youth Zone can be reached by going to the ‘Customer Zone’ on www.newcharterhomes.co.uk and then clicking on the ‘Youth Zone’ icon. Members of the Forum have also been using our Twitter and Facebook pages to promote the group and its work, so watch out for updates. The forum meets every other Wednesday evening. Interested in joining? Contact the group via Facebook, Twitter or ring Chris Odell on 0161 331 2000.
Your Customer Communications Group (One of the members of the group, Moira, was not present for the photo)
Congratulations to the winners of our colouring competition from the spring magazine! Lois Jordan (aged 6) won the ‘7 and under’ category with her multi-coloured sparkly entry and Megan Felstead (aged 8) won the ‘8-11’s’ category with her stripey rabbit. Both Lois and Megan received £10 book tokens.Well done!
Look for this icon: If you have a smartphone you can also find more information on our website by scanning this barcode with a QR code reader app.
2 The Communications team at New Charter writes your newsletter. You can contact them on 0161 331 2470.
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21
Contents Changes to benefits
8
4-5
Young residents ‘lead’ the way in dog training
6
Universal Credit - help us to help you
7
Manchester United players help pupils celebrate
8
John’s story
9
Our annual customer satisfaction survey
10
Residents give furniture a new lease of life
11
Community Contribution giving something back
12
Paving the way for tenants’ learning 13
6
Tenant Management Team news
14
Soldiers’ lives inspire different generations to create show-stopping theatre 15
Don’t forget, you can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter facebook.com/newcharterhomes @NewCharterGroup
Supporting apprenticeships
16
New homes in your communities
17
Working with your complaints
18
Don’t suffer in silence - report all hate crime
19
How we’re doing
20
Your recipes
21
Tell us what you think of your magazine
22
Events and classes
23 3
Changes to ‘Bedroom Tax’ reminder The Government's 'Bedroom Tax' has been in place since 1st April and as a result, many of you have found it more difficult to manage your money. If you have one or more 'spare' bedrooms, your Housing Benefit may have been reduced. Here are a few pointers to remind you what the changes mean for you and how we can help you manage them.
You MAY see changes if: ● You are 16 to 62 years old ● You get Housing Benefit, even if you only get a small amount e.g if you’re working ● You are sick or disabled
You WON’T be affected if: ● You live in a one bedroom flat or bedsit ● You or your partner is old enough to receive Pension Credit (this is currently around 61 years) ● You don’t have a spare bedroom (please see below for the Government’s classifications on spare bedrooms) For more details of what the Government says is a ‘spare bedroom’, take a look at the ‘changes to your benefits’ leaflet on 4
the welfare reform section of www.newcharterhomes.co.uk If you’re affected, you’ll have noticed a reduction in the amount of Housing Benefit you get. Remember, it’s now up to you to pay this extra money every week.
If you’re worried about being able to pay your rent, ask for advice now. If you miss rent payments, you could lose your home so don’t hesitate.Talk to us today about different ways to pay on 0161 331 2215. We’re here to help.
benefits Benefit changes know-how: Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) You may be entitled to a DHP from the council if you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support, but are struggling to pay the rest of your rent yourself.Tameside Council decides who should be given the payments. The council will usually take into account any special circumstances that are causing you financial difficulty, e.g if: ● You have to pay child maintenance or legal costs ● Your heating costs are high as you spend a lot of time at home due to sickness or disability ● You pay a lot of travel costs to get to a doctor or hospital or you care for a relative or friend ● You’re likely to become homeless if a payment is not made
Please note, a DHP can’t be paid if your Housing Benefit has reduced to recover an overpayment or because other benefits have been reduced. To apply, you’ll need to fill in a DHP application form.You can get this by phoning or visiting the council or downloading it from the council’s website, here www.tameside.gov.uk As well as filling in the form you will need to supply details of all your income and outgoings.
Rent Increase If you receive your benefits through Universal Credit (i.e all your benefits come together as one payment), you must tell the Department of Work and Pensions about your rent increase as soon as you receive your increase notice. They will not backdate this information and it’s your responsibility to inform them.
My Home Finance Last year, 1200 of you helped us to understand how you manage your money by completing a survey. This has been really useful and is helping us to offer the services you need. One of the things you told us is that many of you take out loans and some of you are using very expensive options. There is another option. My Home Finance offers a loan scheme to New Charter tenants and leaseholders as an alternative to doorstep and payday lenders. To find out more, all you need to do is call ‘My Home Finance’ on 0845 519 7237 where staff will talk you through the process and see if this is the right option for you. For more information please call into any of our Hubs or you can log on at www.myhomefinance.org.uk
Help with benefits Tameside ‘Help with benefits’ scheme and New Charter have created a website where you can find information on the benefit changes and Universal Credit. Visit www.helpwithbenefits.org.uk
5
Young residents 'lead' the way in dog training This year’s annual fun day and plant sale in Crowswood was a little furrier than usual! Crowswood Residents’ Action Group brings the whole community together by holding this event every year and the day is usually aimed at encouraging residents to improve their gardens. This year there was a special treat in store when when our very own Emma Armitage from Newton Heath Dog Training Club came down to run a dog show and teach people a thing or two about dog training. There’ve been lots of stories about dangerous dogs in the press
Young resid en
t Adrian Sid
ebottom, 9,
recently, so Emma wanted to make sure that everyone had basic knowledge on how to keep their pets under control. She was also keen to show people a thing or two about keeping neighbourhoods clean while taking
teaches Be
lla to jump
hoops
their furry friends for a walk – there are 30,000 dogs in Tameside so everyone needs to do their bit in keeping neighbourhoods clean and safe!
The Universal Tour of fun is coming to your neighbourhood soon! The new Universal Tour bus will be travelling around your neighbourhoods. We're travelling to all of our areas to give people advice and support on changes to benefits. We're also bringing some fun - there'll be competitions, games and the chance to win an iPad mini so come aboard the fun bus! We'll be in our neighbourhoods this summer so keep an eye out for updates. 6
Universal Credit ‘Help us to help you’
A
You will need to manage your claim online, do you know how?
B
Are you happy with the way you manage your bank account or do you need help getting a bank account?
pply online - no more paper claims!
ank Account - you will need one!
C
hange to receiving your benefits on a monthly basis this includes your rent!
How will you manage your income on a monthly basis?
Let us help you make it as easy as ABC
Universal Credit
A single monthly payment into a bank account... It will replace: ● Job Seeker’s Allowance ● Income related Employment and Support Allowance ● Housing Benefit ● Income Support ● Working Tax Credit ● Child Tax Credit If you claim any of these benefits and you are of working age, this WILL affect you!
Are you ready? Talk to us now, we can help!
HOUSING TRUST GROUP
7
Manchester United players help pupils celebrate A group of talented students from New Charter Academy were given a real treat when they met a group of first team Manchester United players! The lucky teenagers were rewarded for their hard work and dedication at school with a trip to the premiership club’s training ground in Carrington. There they met Red favourites Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, Rafael da Silva, Jonny Evans and Anders Lindegaard. The players shared their stories with the students of pre-training rituals, where they might be if they weren’t playing for one of the biggest teams in the world, and how it felt to win this season’s Premier League. They even learnt a couple of interesting facts… did you know that Anders Lindegaard loved science in school, so could have ended up as a scientist if he hadn’t 8
United players Jonny Evans a nd Anders Lin Academy stud degaard prese ents with their nt New Chart certificates er
followed his dream to become a footballer?! New Charter Academy is working with the club as part of the Manchester United Foundation. “It was really exciting! It’s ‘Hub of the I found it nerve-wracking to Community’ project begin with, but I was really helps local people happy to see them.” by providing a fulltime community Molly Boardman - Student development officer to work with students at New Charter Academy and local primary schools.
John Ward has turned his life around after taking part in two New Charter courses.
John’s story
John Ward and his family moved into New Charter’s temporary accommodation at Gibson Terrace four months ago. His confidence was low and he was having difficulty adjusting to his new surroundings. As a result, when John was asked whether he had ever thought about living in his own home, he didn’t think that it could ever happen. Then he was introduced to two of New Charter’s support programmes:‘Keys to your Door’ and ‘Great Lives Skillshare’. Both of these programmes give participants the skills and confidence to make it on their own and live independently. They invite tenants to attend classes and workshops on budgeting, decorating and other essential life skills and give
individuals important support at a time when it’s needed most. Staff from each programme supported John to attend these classes and, with his positive attitude and commitment to his own personal development, John came on leaps and bounds. He recently completed ‘Keys to Your Door’ and, after bidding for a New Charter home, has been offered a flat to make his own. He was then awarded home care vouchers to spend on essential furniture and other household items, ensuring that it will be a place to call home in no time. And that’s not all. Having turned his hand to outdoor skills and
decorating (he is reportedly a natural when it comes to planting shrubs!), John is also now a volunteer gardener with Greenscape - the garden and landscaping social enterprise run by St Peter’s Partnership. By volunteering regularly, John is making a positive contribution to his community. He also gets out and about every day doing something he really enjoys. John tells us he has had a great time on both programmes and he is happy that he now has his own place to live. He’s also made some good friends along the way.
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Our annual customer satisfaction survey It’s time once again for our annual STAR customer satisfaction survey. Your views really help to bring changes and improvements to our services, which is why we will be carrying out another survey this year. From what you told us in last year’s survey we have been able to make improvements. Here is how we have responded to some of your comments:-
“You said... we did!”
You said: “You need to improve the environment and look of our estates”. We did: After some issues with grass cutting, Green Charter, our grounds maintenance service, is starting to improve green areas in your neighbourhoods and 68% of you are now satisfied with grass cutting. We’ve also introduced a low cost gardening service for older and vulnerable tenants.
You said: “Neighbourhood services need improving”. We did: Introduced neighbourhood plans individual action plans which look at tackling crime and unemployment and improving health and education in your area.This could include You said: “Car parking is a working with the NHS to bring you better problem in our neighbourhood”. health services or working more closely We did: We’ve created new ‘ with the police to reduce green’ parking bays (making better use of anti-social behaviour. unused spaces in your community to make grassy, green car parking spaces that brighten up the area too) to help with this problem.
This year’s survey
This August a research company called Explain will be calling you on our behalf to find out what you think about services. The phone call will last for about 15 minutes and the research company will clearly introduce themselves to you and explain that they are acting on behalf of New Charter. If however, you have any concerns at all, please contact us on 0161 331 2198. As an added bonus and to show how much we appreciate your help, everyone who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win £150 in supermarket vouchers.
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You said: “We have a problem with our bin collections and rubbish on our estates is an eyesore”. We did: We’ve worked with Tameside Council’s waste management team and councillors to increase the number of recycling areas and bins in our neighbourhoods.
Residents give furniture a new lease of life
Set up by three New Charter tenants, 2nd Generation Furnishings provides local people with second-hand furniture for their homes. Their mission is to improve people’s lives, but by generating a small amount of income, they can also put more into the business and help more residents. By reusing old furniture, 2nd Generation is helping people in real hardship but also reducing landfill and fly-tipping in our communities too.
Tom, one of the founder members said: “We love what we do and believe people come first. We’d seen van loads of quality furniture and white goods
n Tom & An
Daley
Some of the great volunte ers at 2nd Genera tion
going to landfill which we knew people could have benefited from instead. So we decided to take action. “With support from New Charter, we’ve developed a strong partnership and help them by recycling furniture from properties that become empty. We also learnt business planning, health and safety and communications skills to help us get set up.” Since March last year,Tom and Ann’s team has helped over 700 families furnish their homes and saved over 19,000kg of good quality furniture going to landfill. They’ve had many thank you cards from people.Tom explains: “One customer was receiving hospital treatment at the time she came to us for help. She had a flat but no furniture so we helped her furnish her home and she is now a good friend of ours.”
www.2ndgenerationfurnishing.co.uk Astral House, Stamford Drive, Stalybridge, SK15 1QU
2nd Generation Furnishings is a registered charity and has a great team of dedicated volunteers. This year, the team has provided ten local unemployed people with voluntary work experience, some of whom have now gone onto paid employment.They’ve also taken on one paid member of staff (a van driver), and they hope to grow the business further. 2nd Generation is open to the public six days a week (closed Sundays) for browsing and buying.
Looking to get rid of any furniture or white goods? The team relies on donations from the public and would be grateful for any suitable items. They can even collect items from you, free of charge. Call the team on 0161 303 0083 or email 2ndgenerationfurnishings @gmail.com Thank you
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Community Contribution giving something back The way we let our homes has a big impact on our neighbourhoods. Over time, we have listened to many customers who have felt frustrated that they are doing great work in their communities and feel they should get more recognition in return. Doing positive work in your community not only benefits you, helps to build your confidence and skills, but it can also help your whole neighbourhood.We think it’s important to recognise this. As you’ll know, we’ve recently changed the way we let our homes and recognising the great work you do in your communities is a key part of this - we’ve introduced ‘Community Contribution.’
So, what is Community Contribution? It's simply recognition for the positive work people do in their community. Community Contribution can include: ● Work ● Volunteering ● Work based training ● Recognised carer ● Being a carer/foster carer ● Armed service’s personnel To qualify, the main person named on a housing application or a member of the household looking to move must be involved in the Community Contribution activity.
Anyone who’s registered with us for a move and would like to be recognised for their Community Contribution can find more information and a simple registration form at www.newcharter.co.uk
Doing our best for you We've recently been awarded an accreditation and maintained another for the work that we do for you. This accreditation supports the work that our Building Company does in gas safety, repairs and home improvements. We are one of just 13 UK housing associations whose repair teams hold this award and we were particularly recognised for our commitment to listening to your feedback on how to improve - a definite must!
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The network reviewed our work in your neighbourhoods and our estate management services.They came to check an accreditation that we were given for this last year, and they gave us some great feedback! We've kept up the good work in our resident involvement and looking after indoor and outdoor spaces, and even improved in some areas!
Paving the way for tenants’ learning New Charter is committed to giving you the best possible opportunities. As part of our Great Opportunities programme tenants are offered the chance to work towards a range of qualifications, in many cases in partnership with other organisations.
A great example of this is Sarah Gibbons from Stalybridge who worked hard to get a Level 2 qualification in Community Action in Housing. Sarah was supported by our Regeneration team throughout
the process as part of our Great Opportunities programme. The qualification was created as part of our work with other housing associations, the Airport Group.
Sarah Gibbo
ns gets her
qualification
How do I get involved? If you’d like to learn more about this programme, please visit our website or ring John McGlynn on 0161 331 2000.
Fun for all the family! Saturday 21st September
11am-3pm, New Charter’s head office, Ashton This year’s residents’ showcase event is themed around the past and the future. Join us for a journey back in time to bygone eras and enjoy some good old fashioned entertainment! Then, move into the 21st Century for an update on your neighbourhood plans. There’ll be FREE entertainment, refreshments and food.
As well as all the fun of the fair, staff will be on hand offering advice and support on benefit changes, managing your money and also exciting updates on our services. Please let the Resident Involvement team know if you’ll be coming along - call us on 0161 331 2000 or email RIteam@newcharter.co.uk. All tenants and families are welcome.
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Tenant Management Team news What have we been working on? Scrutiny - Reviewing window cleaning
Tenants and Board working together
Around 2,000 Over the last year, TMT has been working with tenants currently the Tenants’ Panel, sharing information on Hopefully some of you have receive a services and how they could be improved noticed an improved cleaning service communal for customers. in your neighbourhoods with CleanCare, window cleaning our caretaking team now looking after the TMT has met with the New Charter service which cleaning on a number of properties and Homes Board twice this year and started they pay for. the residents.As a result, some of to build a positive working relationship. you have also had your service TMT has been The Board has helped TMT to change the charge reduced. looking into this way they write their reports and have service to see shared their ideas and expertise to develop whether residents are action plans for the next year. getting value for money. Are you interested in getting involved? If so, please The TMT work has contact a member of the Resident Involvement team highlighted a on 0161 331 2000. number of Getting online problems and they Over the past few months, IT sessions have been held found that tenants in different neighbourhoods for residents to learn how weren’t happy with to use a computer. Recently, more services and the the service. best deals can be found on the internet so getting Consequently TMT online is really useful. has made 15 recommendations We’re looking at running more sessions in more areas such as clarifying soon. Check out the events and classes on page 23 or the wording on your contact Steve Fanshawe in your Resident Involvement Service Charge statement and bringing services back in team for more information on 0161 331 2000. house.All of these are now on target to being put in place which is great news.We have written to all those customers who are affected with more information. If you want to look at the report or any other work from TMT, visit www.tenantmanagementteam.org.uk. Please feel free to leave us a comment here on the teams’ work. If you’re concerned about any New Charter services, you can let the team know directly via the website too. Remember,TMT members are all customers like you and are there to champion you. Alternatively, you can complete a form in any of our Home and Community hubs. 14
Soldiers’ lives inspire different generations to create show-stopping theatre New Charter tenants joined forces with pupils from New Charter Academy and Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre to write and produce a play about their communities.
The performances were held over two days and were inspired by the real-life stories that feature in the play The Accrington Pals, which was shown at the theatre earlier this year. The Accrington Pals portrays tales of the young men of Accrington who formed a volunteer army during the First World War, looking at their lives in the trenches in
dents perform
France and the loved ones they left behind. After watching the play, residents from Ashton worked with pupils to create their own story. The talented group then got to see professional actors performing their play; once at the Hurst Community Centre on 1st May and again at New Charter Academy the day after.
A New Cha rter residen t with one of the students talking abou t what community means to th em
An outstanding 300 people came to watch the performance over the two days, seeing the long lasting effect that community events can have and how important it is for neighbourhoods to work together. Pupils who took part also involved other residents by
using their life stories and experiences to compliment photographs in an exhibition. This was the second project which the theatre has run with local residents and students, so keep an eye out for the next one.Well done to everyone involved.
Academy stu
15
Supporting apprenticeships Each year, we take on new apprentices across the company to give local people the opportunity to get into work and training. This year, we’re going to be offering twice the number of apprenticeship places as usual to help improve employment issues in our communities. We’re also heavily involved in a programme called Foundations in Housing, working with other
Manchester-based housing companies to offer more apprenticeship opportunities across the region. Watch out for news on our new apprentices in the next magazine and on our social media pages.
Apprenticeship open day 2012
Social return on investment - measuring the impact our work has on your communities. We’re keen to support you and your communities as well as provide housing. We carry out lots of different activities including gardening projects, work clubs and run educational opportunities for young people. We want to make sure that we’re providing the right things for residents and that our work will have long lasting effects in your neighbourhoods.We'd like to help you to help us look at how we spend money from your rent in communities. Your feedback will really help us make sure we’re running the right projects for you in your communities. 16
Join us at our head office on Thursday 25th July at 5pm. We'll be showing you different projects we've done to transform neighbourhoods and will be looking for your views.
Keep an eye out for developments on this and a great new VIP logo soon
VIP VA L
UE
AN IM PA CT PER FOR M
CE
New homes in your communities Over the last 12 months, we’ve been busy developing your neighbourhoods, with new affordable homes for families.
We’ve had funding from the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) - a Government body, to help us do this and in 2013, we’ve opened 29 new homes so far.
Wakefield Road, Stalybridge Close to Stalybridge town centre, this neighbourhood has 11 family homes (two and three bedroom), new tenants are now living in them.
Residents celebrating their new
homes with Easter eggs!
Birch Lane, Dukinfield
opening of Birch Lane Residents and staff mark the planting of a birch tree
with with the
This site has 18 family homes and was officially opened with the planting of a birch tree earlier this year. Families have now moved in too. We’re currently building more homes on several other sites in Ashton, Mossley, Stalybridge and Droylsden, some of which we hope will be ready very soon. Keep a look out on our website and social media pages for more news. There’s still so many people who need housing in our region and by building more homes, we’re doing our best to create homes for families. 17
Working with your complaints We welcome complaints - if we’ve not delivered the right service for you, we want to put things right and make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again. Each year, we’re committed to reporting on complaints so that you know how we’re doing. Here’s this year’s report:
April 2012 - March 2013 130 complaints received Resolved at the first stage
126 4
Needed more investigation
Of the 4 needing more investigation
2
went to our panel
We looked into all 130 complaints and found that we’d not delivered our best possible service in 50 cases. Over this last year, most complaints have been about customer service, including poor communication and not getting back to you when we said we would. We’ve improved our telephone services and systems so that we can resolve your enquiries and issues more quickly and easily the first time you contact us. We’re committed to getting back to you within 48 hours and we hope you’ve noticed an improvement.
Tenants helping to resolve complaints New Charter tenants have joined forces with tenants from other local landlords to form a new independent complaints panel called IndependentTenant Solutions. Changes to the Ombudsman service mean you have to wait eight weeks to go to the Ombudsman with a complaint if you’re not happy with the outcome at the end of our complaints process. However, you can go to a ‘Designated person’ straight away and our new panel is registered for you to do this. 18
The panel gives people the chance for their complaints to be heard impartially by other residents. The panel will make recommendations to us, say whether they agree and suggest a way forward to resolve the issue. The panel also offer a support service where tenant volunteers will guide other residents throughout the process.This is one of the first in the country and although most of our complaints don’t reach this stage, we hope that other tenants locally will be able to use the service too. If you need to contact Independent Tenant Solutions, please call us on 0161 331 2000 and ask for the Customer Experience team who will help you.
Compliments As well as learning from complaints, we’re always delighted when customers compliment us on our service. Thank you for all your compliments this year. We share compliments with staff, making sure people get the recognition they deserve.
Can you find the following words hidden in the grid? SUNSHINE FLOWERS LEMONADE
SHADES PICNIC BARBEQUE
B A R B E Q U E F S
Word Search
M P H S T P R C L G
O I U L E A S B O L
Q C X O F D E Z W Y
L N E Q H U A X E N
A E Z I C F S R E W C D Z I A H B N QWO H NM R S E Z A L
P D Q M S D H L J C
S U N S H I N E T K
Don’t suffer in silence - report all hate crime If you or someone you know is ever a victim of hate crime, it is very important that you report what has happened. Hate crimes come in many different ways; it can be a physical or verbal attack or someone making threats. All of these are serious and all of them need to be reported so that you and other residents can feel safe in their neighbourhoods. A Hate Crime is any behaviour that someone thinks was caused by hostility, prejudice or hatred of; Disability, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation or culture/lifestyle.
If you are ever a victim of hate crime and want to report it to the police call:
999 in an EMERGENCY 101 in a NON EMERGENCY Or, if you don’t want to report it to the police but still want support call:
Stop Hate Helpline 0800 138 1625.
Don’T SuffeR In SILenCe 19
How we’re doing Performance Our performance matters to us. We are proud of the service we provide our customers and we regularly check that we’re on target. We set goals for each area of the company and here we tell you how we’re doing in the areas which matter most to you. Performance areas
20
Our traffic light system tells you how we’re doing:
On target, going well OK, work in progress
Below target, looking to improve
Our target
Percentage of tenants satisfied with the service
Satisfaction with our repairs service
95%
92.8%
Repairs completed within set timescales
98%
99.77%
Satisfaction with improvements to your homes
96%
94%
Satisfaction with handling of antisocial behaviour cases
87%
87%
Satisfaction with outcome of antisocial behaviour cases
85%
92%
Telephone calls answered the first time you call
95%
96.6%
Are we on target?
Your R
ecipes
A member of our Customers Communications Group shared this with us
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21
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Tell us what you think of your magazine
Complete t survey for he chance to a £50 high s win tre vouchers! et
3.What do you like about this magazine (nC news) - tick all that apply News Real life stories Pictures The design Events Puzzles/recipes 4.What would you change to make you want to read it more? Tick all that apply Less words More pictures More real life stories More on local events/services Letters page More puzzles/competitions 5.Any other suggestions to improve the magazine? ...................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................
7.Which of these do you watch/listen/read for news? (tick all that apply) Regional news programme (BBC North West Tonight/Granada Reports) Local radio (Tameside Radio/Key 103/ BBC Radio Manchester) Local newspaper (Tameside Advertiser/ Tameside Reporter/MEN) Other (please state below)
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2.Which area do you live in? Ashton Stalybridge Hyde Mossley Denton Droylsden
6.Which magazines/newspapers do you read? The Sun, Mirror, Daily Mail The Times, Guardian,The Telegraph Gossip magazines (e.g Chat,Take a Break) Celebrity magazines (e.g OK, Closer) Personal interest/hobby magazines
...................................................................................................... 8.What other methods of communication do you use? (tick all that apply) Internet/email iPhone/Smart phone Facebook Twitter Looking Local Text message
Thank you, your views will help us to improve your magazine for you. If you’d like to be entered into our prize draw, please provide your details.You can hand it in at one of our offices or post it back to us addressed to the communications team.
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1. How old are you? 18-25 26-35 36-50 51-64 65+
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Residents and staff have worked hard to improve your magazine. A year on, they’d like to know what you think of it now...
Name..........................................................................................Address............................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ...........................................................................................................Contact no.................................................................................
Everyone who completes the survey by 10th August will be entered into a prize draw to win £50 shopping vouchers! 22
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You can also give us your feedback by calling the communications team on 0161 331 2000 or emailing contact@newcharter.co.uk.
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Events and classes Free for all New Charter tenants
Why not tear this out and stick it on your fridge?
July 2013 Tuesday 23rd July 10am - Noon
Mystery shopping/ Resident inspector training Venue: Cavendish 249 New Charter's head office (Boardroom)
Want to help us keep an eye on our services by becoming a mystery shopper or resident inspector? Come along and learn what it takes.
Tuesday 30th July 12pm - 2pm
Tenant ManagementTeam (TMT) Lunch Venue: Cavendish 249 (Boardroom)
Drop in and learn about volunteering opportunities at New Charter and grab some lunch.Volunteering can help you build your confidence and get you into work.
Wednesday 31st July 10am - Noon
Recruitment and selection training Venue: Cavendish 249 (Silver Birch room)
Learn how we recruit staff at New Charter. Once trained, you’ll be able to help us recruit new front line staff.
Monday 5th August 9.15am - 4.30pm
Basic first Aid Venue: Cavendish 249 (Boardroom)
Learn basic first aid to help you in a crisis at home, work or in your community.
Wednesday 7th August 6pm - 8pm
Anti-social behaviour review Venue: Cavendish 249 (The Street)
Come and hear about the developments within this service over the last twelve months.
Monday 19th August 9.15am - 4.30pm
food Hygiene Venue: Cavendish 249 (Boardroom)
Learn the basics in food hygiene and preparation.You’ll get a recognised certificate which can be useful for cooking at home and could help you get a job in catering.
Wednesday 21st August 6pm - 8pm
Annual review - neighbourhoods Venue: Cavendish 249 (The Street)
Find out what’s been happening with the team over the past year, including what’s changed since neighbourhood plans were introduced.
Monday 26th August 9.15am - 4.30pm
Managing Stress Venue: Cavendish 249 (Boardroom)
Taking on too much or trying to balance too many things? Come and learn some positive ways to beat stress, and meet others.
Wednesday 4th and 11th, Tuesday 17th and 24th September 1pm - 3pm
Basic IT New Charter Building Company office, Globe Lane industrial estate, Dukinfield SK16 4XP (IT Suite)
Can’t use a computer and want to learn? This four week programme will help you get started.
Wednesday 11th September 6.30pm - 9pm
Residents’ Quarterly Quiz Venue: Cavendish 249 (The Street)
Come along to our quiz with your local residents’ group and go for the trophy!
friday 13th September 11.30am - 1.30pm
Sheltered forum Meeting Venue: LARA Community Hub, 42 Somerset Road, Droylsden, M43 7PX
Residents from sheltered housing get together for a brew and to chat about any issues. Lunch is provided for everyone.
Saturday 21st September 11am - 3pm
Resident Involvement Showcase event Venue: Cavendish 249
A fun day out for all the family! See page 13 for more details.
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August 2013
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September 2013
If you need transport for any of the events, we can arrange this for you. Contact the resident involvement team for more information or to book your place on 0161 331 2000.
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Contact us
HOMES LIMITED
Our Hubs • • • •
2 Henrietta Street, Ashton 9 Albert Street, Denton 12 Clarendon Street, Hyde 63 Grosvenor Street, Stalybridge
Our Hubs open at 9am Monday to Friday (except Tuesdays, when they open at 10.30am). Please note, Denton and Stalybridge Hubs close daily between 12.30-1.30pm. All Hubs close at 5pm Monday to Wednesday; 4.30pm on Thursday; and 4pm on Friday. These opening times are for our Home and Community Hubs (our shops). We also have Neighbourhood Hubs across our areas that are only open when we need them for classes and meetings.
Main switchboard:
0161 331 2000 Remember, we now have just one number for you to call to access all services - 0161 331 2000. This single number will be the same 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and all calls are dealt with by New Charter staff at our offices. In the evenings, at weekends and on Bank Holidays our services operate for emergencies only - dealing with emergency housing issues and emergency repairs. Email: contact@newcharter.co.uk www.newcharter.co.uk facebook.com/newcharterhomes @NewCharterGroup English
If you need help understanding this document, please call us on 0161 331 2000 and we will arrange for somebody to help you. Polish
Jeśli potrzebuje Pan/Pani pomocy w zrozumieniu tego dokumentu, prosimy o kontakt pod numerem 0161 331 2000, a my zorganizujemy kogoś do pomocy. Portuguese
Se necessitar de ajuda no que respeia à compreensão deste documento, queira por favor contactar-nos no nº. 0161 331 2000 e iremos colocar alguém à sua disposição para o ajudar French
Si vous avez besoin d’aide pour comprendre ce document, s’il vous plaît appelez-nous au 0161 331 2000 et nous nous chargerons de quelqu'un pour vous aider Resource Housing Reg. No. 2111
Bengali
Urdu 0161 331 2000
Head Office: New Charter Housing Trust Group, Cavendish 249, Cavendish Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AT