PCH In Touch Newsletter Autumn 2016

make it happen

InTouch Issue 28 Autumn 2016

Work starts at Porsham Heights Page 9

Win a meal at a city centre restaurant Page 14

Inside this issue Getting ready to move Page 16

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Development update Page 9

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Page 4

Makeover for shops Page 7

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You’re satisfied

Hello In Touch

Call us on 0808 230 6500

llow e P e n i Ela f the Board

Hello!

Hello and welcome to the autumn issue of In Touch.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s not that long until Christmas and with that in mind we’ve got some top tips to help you save money over the festive season.

We asked our resident editorial panel, which advises us on content for In Touch, to give us their top tips for making your pennies go that little bit further.

They’ve come up with some great ideas and the best thing is, you can use them all year round, not just in the run up to the festive season. Read their suggestions on page 10.

We’ve also got important information about how to avoid getting bitten by loan sharks, who charge extortionate rates of interest. If you need to know where to get cheap white goods without paying sky-high interest charges, turn to page 6 and read all about a new online shop which could help you save cash and reduce your outgoings.

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Chair o

A number of our blocks are or will be undergoing refurbishments soon so turn to page 5 to see if yours is in line for a refresh.

Would you like a free night out at a Plymouth restaurant? Then read about our competition on page 14 which is part of the Plymouth City Centre Company’s food trail, an exciting event taking place in the West End later this month.

Have you ever thought you’d like to get more involved with PCH and how we run services for you? Board member Debbie Roche gives us an insight into her experience and says why she’d recommend others get involved.

As always, please let us know if you have any comments about anything you read in In Touch or ideas for future news stories. Email us on news@plymouthcommunityhomes. co.uk or call Communications on 0808 230 6500.

Don’t forget to look out for your rent statement

You may remember in the last issue we included your rent statement for the first time.

This issue includes your next quarterly statement inside the carrier sheet (the folded sheet with your name and address).

It tells you what payments you’ve made recently and whether you’re in credit or arrears.

This quarter’s statement will also include your balance on your home insurance account, if you have taken out contents insurance with us.

If you’ve recently told us you have sight problems and we’ve said you can have a magnifier to help you read your statement, this mailout will also include that.

If you have any questions about anything in your statement, please call us using the contact details on the statement.

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Inside 3 Fire safety and cream tea

6 Illegal money lending

10 Money saving tips

4 You’re satisfied

8 We’re buying another estate

18 Resident history

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plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

Fire safety and a cream tea

Our Housing with Support residents have been keeping up to date with fire safety, with the help of a quiz and a cream tea.

went to the events to give his firsthand knowledge of common problems and help residents with any individual queries.

Every front door in our Housing with Support schemes is a half hour fire door supplied and fitted by PCH Manufacturing.

We’ve visited every one of our Housing with Support schemes to make sure the residents know about things like common household hazards, the specialist fire doors in the block and what to do if a fire breaks out.

The talks were followed by a short quiz and a cream tea while the scores were added up and prize winners chosen.

It means that if a fire does break out somewhere in the scheme, every resident would be safe in their flat with the door closed for half an hour – plenty of time for help to arrive.

Mark Heveran, a Community Safety Advocate from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service,

Leypark Court was one of the first Housing with Support schemes to receive the talk and resident Heather Howlett said: “It was very good. We need more things like this.”

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Fire doors – are you safe in your home?

As part of our commitment as a responsible landlord, we have installed new fire retardant front doors to all our rented homes where required.

These doors delay fires from getting into blocks and flats and spreading.

Fire doors are fitted with closers which means they automatically shut.

doors won’t work as they’re supposed to – this could mean you’re putting others at risk if a fire were to break out in your home.

who find they have a problem with their door – for example if they have a physical disability and the door is too heavy for them.

If we find that the closers have been removed, we will charge you for them to be replaced – this could run into hundreds of pounds.

“We may be able to come up with a solution depending on an individual’s needs.

If a fire does occur, it may also mean that our insurance is invalidated.

“But we would ask that people don’t remove the closers or ask friends or family members to remove them.”

We carry out inspections of our blocks Steve Ford, Head of Neighbourhoods, If you would like to speak to someone from time to time and have recently said: “The door closers are there for about door closers, ring 0808 230 noticed that many tenants have people’s safety.

6500. removed the closers from the doors.

If a door closer has been removed the “We’re happy to speak to people

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plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

You’re satisfied!

We’ve been finding out what you think about the work we do – and the majority of you are pleased with us.

We carry out a STAR survey every year, asking a cross-section of PCH residents from across the city about the things we do, from repairs and maintenance to how easy it is to get in touch.

This year’s results have been released and you’ve told us we’ve improved in every area since last year’s survey.

More than 90 per cent of you are satisfied overall with the services we provide and 92 per cent are satisfied with the quality of your home – this is a massive improvement from the first surveys when PCH had just come into existence. Then, the satisfaction with services and home quality was 73 per cent.

Another area you’ve told us you’re

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happy with is the value for money you receive from both your rent (91 per cent) and service charges (80 per cent). Again, both of these figures have increased, and it put us in the top quarter of housing associations in the country.

you can visit our headquarters, Plumer House in Crownhill, and read it online there, or our city centre shop in Frankfort Gate.

We know we have the lowest social rents in Plymouth and the 7th lowest in the country but it’s still great to hear that you think we are value for money.

Over the next few months we’ll be telling you more about what we’ve done to improve things so far and what we’re planning to do in the future based on what you’ve told us.

You can read more about the STAR survey in our annual report, which is published online now. Read it here: plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk/ annualreport If you don’t have computer access,

92% of you are satisfied with the quality of your home

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

Is your block getting a refurbishment?

Lots of blocks around the city are already having or will be having works to improve them.

High Street and Waterloo Close will benefit from replacement windows, overcladding, new communal doors, renewed boundary railings and revamped balconies. Their internal staircases will also be plastered and decorated.

Work has already begun and is due to finish in February. The artist’s impression above gives an idea of what it will look like when finished.

The block of flats and shops at Ham Green will also be getting new windows and we will be cavity filling

the walls and giving them a complete colour render. (See feature on Ham Green shops on page 7).

windows.

At the Granby Street flats, we’re externally decorating and painting the internal staircases. This work is scheduled to be complete in February or March of next year.

Senior Surveyor Karl Donegan said: “We’re really pleased to be giving these blocks a new look. Some of them haven’t been renewed for a long time. We consulted with the residents in each block about the works and we hope they like the end results.”

Flora Court and 10-30 King Street are in line for external decoration and The nearby garage blocks will also be decoration of internal staircases. painted.

Future projects include improvements This work has started and is due to to the Honicknowle Green and finish by the end of the year.

Torridge Way flats.

We are currently tendering for works to be carried out at Charlotte Street.

Work here will include a new roof, external wall insulation and new

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Furniture Lighting Mirrors Soft furnishings Craft workshops Bespoke work

10 Green, PL2 2NH 4 Ham

Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm

facebook.com/sushabbychic

5 01752 225613 or 07727028236

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In Touch

Benefit Cap latest

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Illegal money lending

The Benefit Cap is being reduced nationally in November, including in Plymouth.

With Christmas not too far away, if you’re struggling for cash, you could be tempted to take out a loan.

While many loan firms are legitimate, it’s important to beware of loan sharks, who charge huge rates of interest.

A loan shark is someone who lends money without the correct permissions – permissions are granted by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Loan sharks rarely, if ever, give any paperwork and if payments are missed they often use intimidation and violence to get their money back.

• Have you been offered a cash loan?

• Have you been threatened when you couldn’t pay?

• Has your bank card been taken from you as security?

• Does what you owe keep growing even though you are making payments?

If you have any information, however small, on loan shark activities, the Illegal Money Lending team can help.

Contact them in the following ways: Email: reportaloanshark@ stoploansharks.gov.uk Phone: 0300 555 2222 Text: Text LOAN SHARK and the lender’s details to 60003

You may have been bitten by a loan shark if you can answer yes to the following questions:

This is the total amount that most people aged 16 to 64 can receive in benefits. It has been set at £384 per week for lone parents and couples with or without children and £257 per week for single people – both of these amounts include any housing benefit you receive.

We know that some of our tenants will be affected by this and we’re already speaking to those people.

The DWP is writing to everyone who will be affected and if you think this could be you and we haven’t spoken to you yet, please get in touch.

There are some exemptions. If you get certain benefits (Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment for example) you won’t be affected by the Cap. To find out about the full list of benefits not included, please call us on 0808 230 6500.

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Fair For You If you need to buy an appliance or piece of furniture but are worried about how to pay for it, a new charity may be able to help.

offers free delivery and removes your old item free of charge as well as including a manufacturer’s one-year warranty at no extra cost.

They began out of the Credit Union and are funded by a number of charities.

Fair For You (fairforyou.co.uk) is an online shop where people on lower incomes can buy household goods on affordable credit terms.

They were set up to provide competition to similar shops you may have seen on the high street which charge much higher rates of interest.

Another benefit is that Fair For You

Plymouth City Council’s Trading

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Standards team have awarded them the Buy with Confidence award and have also provided them with some social enterprise funding.

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

Parade of shops in line for makeover

Tenants who run businesses in Ham Green, North Prospect, will benefit from new windows and rendering in the coming months.

We’re upgrading the siix businesses – a convenience store, pharmacy, takeaway, homeware shop, tattoo parlour and hair salon.

Local traders love their little community and think its location is great.

Su Clark, who owns Eden on the Green home furnishing shop, has run her business for two years, having previously been an art teacher.

She said: “I had done painting and upholstery work and friends and family liked what I’d done. It was something I was passionate about.

I was looking for a workshop more than a shop but someone mentioned this shop when it came up.

“My grandparents used to live around here. When I was younger I can remember coming up through the woods. There used to be a sweet shop here and I used to buy sweet necklaces. I have some good

memories of the area.

“I love it here. I’ve got huge great windows which look over the green.

It’s very tranquil here too. People go to the chemist and pop in and see us.

We’ve got regulars but we also get random people coming in.

“I even had someone on their way to a funeral at the crematorium who came back because she’d seen the shop on the journey to Weston Mill the day before.”

Su sources products from all over. She upcycles them through reupholstering and repainting before selling them.

She provides chairs, paints and material and participants work on the chair before taking it home with them.

She added: “People interact with each other and get ideas. They build their confidence up. They’re so proud of what they’ve done. That’s really rewarding for me to see.”

She’s looking forward to the new look after we finish the external works, as are her neighbours, Helen and Wolfy Lake, who have run the Full Moon Tattoo parlour for the past six years.

Helen said she has seen a rise in business since the regeneration of the area.

As well as selling chairs, soft furnishings, lighting and mirrors, she is the Plymouth stockist for Colourman chalk paint. “A lot of people like to have a go at transforming things themselves,” she said.

“The redevelopment has helped business,” she said, “When they first moved people out it went quiet but now it’s got busier. I think it’s probably to do with more people coming in. We also get a lot of custom from word of mouth.

Su also offers workshops so customers can learn more about the craft before undertaking it themselves.

“I think the shops will look good when the work is done.”

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In Touch

We’re buying another estate We’re getting bigger thanks to the transfer of almost 100 social rented properties.

property portfolio and focus their efforts in areas where they own the largest number of homes.

We’re in negotiations with Stonewater Housing Association about the sale of 92 homes in Little America.

Mr Clark continues: “We were approached by Stonewater because we are the largest Plymouthbased landlord with around 15,000 properties so we were the logical choice. We’re in an excellent position to provide quality services to tenants and homeowners in Little America because it will be a straightforward extension of our existing estates.”

The transfer would also include the land and servicing responsibilities for a further 100 privately-owned properties in the area, plus another three properties in other parts of the city.

John Clark, Chief Executive for PCH, explains: “Buying homes in Little America helps us towards achieving our ambition to grow the number of social housing properties we have available for residents of the city.”

The transfer by Stonewater is part of their plans to rationalise their national

Elaine Pellow, Chair of PCH’s Board, said: “Tenants set to join us will be able to enjoy all the other benefits being part of the PCH community brings – free training and job clubs, resident involvement opportunities and community events, not to mention an excellent repairs service and housing staff close at hand if

needed.”

Stonewater is speaking to tenants about the proposed transfer, which is planned to complete in late autumn following approval by the Homes and Communities Agency.

John added: “Owning these homes in Little America fulfils our social purpose and makes good business sense for PCH because we’ll get a return on our investment and it will mean people living on the estate will benefit from having a city-based housing provider with staff on hand.

I strongly believe this is a move that benefits all.”

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Residents are celebrating after Plymouth in Bloom Awards Morley Court residents have scooped a bronze certificate in the Best Communal Garden category as well as gold for Brenda Burns’ windowsill display and a bronze for her hanging baskets.

Graham Smith and his wife Carole were present at the awards to collect the certificate. Graham said: “It’s a great communal area for all the residents and is used by a lot of families. There are a group of us who have taken it upon ourselves to look after the garden and take it in turns watering it.”

Carole has been growing different varieties of vegetables in the greenhouse on the roof garden, after tomatoes, onions and sweetcorn. being inspired by one of the Grow, Share, Cook events at Plumer House.

“When they are ready we divide them up amongst ourselves so that we all Carole said: “We’ve been growing have a chance to enjoy what we have quite a lot of different vegetables. created here at Morley Court.”

This year we have potatoes,

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Morley Court Roof Garden opened in 2014 as a vibrant area for the residents of the local community and their families to enjoy. Last year they won a silver award.

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In Touch

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Development update Hate crime If you’ve experienced or witnessed a hate incident or crime you can now report it to us without contacting the police.

This is called third party reporting which means you can report at lots of places around the city.

These include the Racial Equality Council, Pride in Plymouth and Central Library, among others.

A hate crime could include someone calling you names due to your disability, threatening you because you are black or gay or damaging your property because you are from another country.

Our plans to build homes on the site of the old Southway Campus are a step closer to reality. We’re working with Galliford Try to build 67 new homes on the site at Skerries Road.

For the open market, Barratt is building a range of one, two, three and four bedroom homes. Two and three bed homes are also available for shared ownership through PCH, as well as homes for rent. We’re working with Kier on Phase 3, which will be know as Southern Gate.

Work began over the summer on the development, which will include 25 homes for shared ownership sale and be marketed as Porsham Heights.

We’ve also received planning permission for 72 Passivhaus homes The scheme will include 55 houses at Bodmin Road, Whitleigh. We’ll be and 12 flats, with 42 homes for rent. working with Mi-Space to deliver this At least 13 will meet the Lifetime scheme, which will feature 23 shared Homes Standard which means ownership properties. they can be easily adapted to meet residents’ changing needs as they get The homes will be built to the older.

Passivhaus design standards which means they’re extremely energy This summer has seen a major efficient. milestone in the North Prospect regeneration.

Allenby Road, Goodwin Crescent and Wren Gardens are a series of 14 Developer Barratt Homes, which has homes across the three sites. delivered new homes in Phases 1 and 2, has celebrated the completion Eliot Design and Build are on track of its 500th home at the PL2 with the schemes, which are all due development. to finish in time for Christmas.

When complete in six years’ time, the development will have 1,200 new homes and 300 homes will have been refurbished to meet a higher standard, with 57 per cent being affordable.

They will be a mix of general needs and wheelchair accessible and all will be let at an affordable rent.

The hate crime will be investigated by police but you can remain anonymous if you wish.

A hate incident or discrimination may involve someone refusing to serve you because of your race or writing something online about you or your neighbour because they are transgender, for example.

You can report it if you think it has happened due to your (or someone else’s) race, disability, faith, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender.

Call 0808 230 6500 or tell your housing officer. You can also report in person at our Plumer House headquarters, or at our city centre shop.

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Money saving tips When we put In Touch together, we ask a residents’ panel to suggest stories or topics they think residents would like to read. For this issue, we asked them for their advice on money saving. Here, four of the panel let us in to their top tips.

Susan Tar occ o

Keep records of all spending. Keep a monthly expense report so that it’s simple to see at a glance which months are the most costly and adjust expenditure. Try to arrange with your electricity/gas supplier to pay a fixed amount each month – thus avoiding huge bills in winter.

Recycle as much as possible – shoe

Susan Clark

Economise as much as possible but make a rule that once a month you buy something extravagant for yourself – this does not mean it has to be expensive. It could be a silly pen from Poundland – what is important is that you have spoilt yourself and you feel happy about Recycle clothes too – old t-shirts it. By following this simple rule you make ideal pyjama tops. Go through avoid buying expensive things for a every cupboard and drawer in the thrill as you’ve already experienced it. house every six months and eliminate everything you have not used or thought about in the past year.

boxes make ideal DVD / CD boxes but they can be used to store anything and everything. Cover them with old newspapers and seal them with transparent plastic and they look good anywhere.

Don’t be too tempted by sales – only purchase something that you wanted anyway but couldn’t afford until the sales.

don’t you do the shopping together I use a simple sheet for my income ? and outgoings. I also write down what and split the delivery charge I spend and keep receipts. You’d be benefits surprised how much it all adds up in a Check you’re getting the turn2us The to. month. It will give you an idea of what you’re entitled website and the CAB website are you spend and where you can cut both good as is Carers UK if you’re back if need be. caring for someone. The Money Saving Expert website is also written It’s also a good idea to write a in plain English and gives you shopping list and even a meal templates to write letters. (All contact planner so you know what to buy.

Also, how many of us understand the details opposite) best before date or sell by date? A lot entitled to of people throw away food that could Those on low incomes not HC2 the use can ptions free prescri be frozen or used up in a meal. provide can which e schem certificate the minor If you do online shopping and have a help. Another scheme is ts chemis by run e aliment schem neighbour who does the same, why

(Boots are all trained; other chemists may not be). If you are entitled to free prescriptions and are ill at the weekend you can get things such as Calpol free over the counter.

This could be a help when your GP is closed.

Also, don’t think you always need to buy brand-name medicines. Shops often produce their own version which is produced in the same way for a lot less money.

Susan Drur y Most of my furniture has been broccoli at 29p. Do you really like chucked out by someone else. Some or will eat the food that’s on offer?

I bought from second hand shops and My husband once came back from some I have literally picked out of a a shop with bargain priced bags of rubbish heap. Start with sugar soap, sauerkraut pirogi. He forgot we can’t sandpaper, then varnish or paint stand sauerkraut, so had just paid and fabric. Make some cushions...I for stuff to put in the bin. Stoc king up buy clothes at charity shops for the is good if you’re buying tins, but not fabric...which can transform a dreary lettuce (or sauerkraut). sofa.

I once bought a pricey LL Bean jacket for a pittance at a charity shop. It had one problem, a missing button. Except it wasn’t missing, it was in the pocket.

Someone gave away an almost new jacket because a button came off. We should all know some basic sewing; sewing on a button, fixing a hem and repairing a seam. Throwing stuff away has become a habit because we don’t know how to fix it.

Learn to cook. You don’t have to be a Masterchef or Bakeoff contestant, but you do need the basics. Surveys have shown that we’re all riveted to these shows – then we go and open a packet or order takeout.

We do waste, a lot. This usually starts in the supermarket. We overbuy.

I’m guilty of this and I’m trying to retrain myself to avoid those bags of green slime in the salad drawer. Ask yourself questions as you look at the

Contacts

Shirley Knibb

www.turn2us.org.uk

0808 802 2000 ...................................

www.citizensadvice.org.uk 0344 411 1444 ...................................

My tip would be to try to buy saving stamps at your favourite supermarket, even a pound a week is £52, and a great help. A couple of pounds saved weekly will help for those expensive must-have presents.

www.carersuk.org

020 7378 4999

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www.moneysavingexpert.com

Autumn Family

Food Fayre & Trail

Saturday 22 October | 10am to 4pm | Frankfort Gate Featuring Michelin Star Chef,

Peter Gorton Sponsored by Situ

Peter will be cooking up a storm at our Autumn Food Fayre showing that people can cook easy, affordable meals that the whole family will love.

Using seasonal produce supplied

by Tamar Fresh Ltd, Peter will be hosting a series of demonstrations throughout the day.

Turn over for more tasty delights, offers and competitions 14

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The winner will receive a meal up to the value of £100 at Italian eaterie Il Capriccio in Frankfort Gate, where the aim is to bring diners a little bit of Italy in a relaxed atmosphere at an affordable price.

To enter, just answer this question: What is the name of the Michelin-starred chef who will be cooking at the Food Fayre on Saturday 22 October?

Is it:

If you’re the winner, you must use your voucher by Wednesday 30 November.

up to the value of £100 at one of our participating restaurants

A: Peter Horton B: Peter Gorton C: Peter Norton

(Hint: you’ll find the answer in the pages of this newsletter!)

Send your answers to: Food Trail Restaurant Competition, Communications Department, Plymouth Community Homes, Plumer House, Tailyour Road, PL6 5DH or by emailing news@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk by midnight on Monday 31 October. Please ensure you include your contact details.

For full terms and conditions, please see our website: plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

L A E M L A A E N I M W A WIN Even if you’re not the lucky winner, In Touch readers can still take advantage of a number of exciting offers at West End cafes and restaurants during the food fayre.

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These run from 22 October until 29 October unless otherwise stated: .........................................................................................................

Rumpus Cosy - 12 Derrys Cross, Plymouth PL1 2TE

A free tea or coffee with every piece of cake bought

Café Bistro 23 - 104 Cornwall Street, Plymouth PL1 1NF 10% on all meals or food purchases

Zeus - 150-152 Cornwall St, Plymouth PL1 1NJ 10% discount on all meals (not drinks) for 22 October only if the food fayre is mentioned

D and Ms Café - 20 Frankfort Gate, Plymouth PL1 1QD For every one paying adult breakfast to the value of £4.50 they can have a child’s breakfast for free (this offer doesn’t include drinks)

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Eva’s World - 68-70 Cornwall St, Plymouth PL1 1LR A freshly-made coffee and homemade cake for £4.50

@ Kitchen - Mezzanine Floor Plymouth Market 15% discount for all those mentioning the food fayre

The Ladybird Bakery – Frankfort Gate, Plymouth A slice of cake and a cuppa (instant coffee or tea) for £3.50

Il Capriccio - 4 Frankfort Gate, Plymouth PL1 1QD One small margherita pizza or a small tagliatelle bolognese + soft drink + small crunchy sweet potatoes + 1 scoop ice cream £7.50

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In Touch

Fire in belly keeps Debbie going Debbie, a mum-of-three, would recommend that tenants get involved with PCH if they feel they have an interest.

She said: “We’ve all got something we can contribute. PCH recognises the importance and value of residents. There’s always some way that residents can be involved.

“You can get involved with the Resident Scrutiny Team and we’re looking for tenants to sit on the Customer Focus Committee. Once your mind has been opened up, the fear disappears and it might ignite a passion in you to go further.

Debbie Roche admits she’s got fire in activist. When she moved to Mount her belly – and it’s a fire that she’s put Wise nearly five years ago, she to good use over the years. said it was ‘in her nature’ to become involved with the estate management Debbie has just become a full committee there. member of the PCH Board after being co-opted on to it last year. She Home is important to Debbie, who is also sits on our Customer Focus originally from Sheffield but moved to Committee (CFC).

Plymouth 25 years ago.

But her interest in community work and helping others goes back to her 20s.

She said: “My mum was diagnosed with cancer in her 40s and died of it soon after. The idea of illness really hit me and made me more conscious of what’s going on around me.”

Sadly, she experienced illness again some years later when her 15-yearold son was diagnosed with anorexia.

She needed to give up her job as a health and social care lecturer to be his round-the-clock carer.

She said: “I had to fight lots of battles during that time; for example, around access to services. It hurt me to think other families were going through the same battles. My son’s condition enlightened me to mental health more profoundly.”

Debbie, a former St Budeaux councillor, has always been a social

“I love where I live. I feel comfortable in my home and I want to ensure others feel safe and comfortable in theirs too.

“As a community, Mount Wise is brilliant. We look after each other.

If there are concerns – either minor or major, people can come in to the office and there’s always someone there to help them.”

It was only a matter of time then before Debbie decided to become involved with PCH, which owns the Pembroke Street Estate.

“The Customer Focus Committee is the heart of the Board,” added Debbie, “It’s really important we monitor the services that make people’s lives better. Our business is residents. We mustn’t forget who our customers are. I was fortunate there was an opportunity to sit on the committee.”

“It really builds your confidence.

You won’t be alone. We have a good governance team at PCH who support us.”

In the coming year, Debbie will also sit on the Development Committee, something she describes as a ‘new horizon’ that she is excited about.

Then next September she will begin studying for a Masters.

There really is no stopping Debbie – but someone’s got to keep that fire burning.

• We’re looking for tenants who would be interested in joining our customer Focus Committee in 2017. The committee meets four times a year to ensure that PCH provides excellent services to all of it customers and represents good value for money.

• As well as monitoring PCH’s service performance, the committee is responsible for agreeing all customer service policies and ensuring our tenants are regularly consulted on major issues that affect them.

• If you’re interested in this opportunity or would just like more information, then please contact Leanne Eastwood, Governance Officer, on 0808 230 6500.

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• If you’re thinking of moving and staying in social housing, many landlords require up to four weeks rent in advance. This applies even if you are claiming Housing Benefit.

Are you looking to move soon?

Whether you’re leaving a PCH home for pastures new or transferring to another of our properties, there are certain things you need to know before you move.

This applies to mutal exchanges too and PCH staff will be making sure homes are up to a good standard before any move can be agreed.

• Is your home in a good state of repair? When you return your keys to us, your house or flat must be left in the same state as when you moved in. If you received permission to carry out any alterations, please make sure you return it to its original condition.

• Do you have any anti-social behaviour complaints outstanding against you? You will need to liaise with your housing officer to ensure any problems are resolved.

The sooner any issues can get sorted, the quicker you will be able to move.

• Is your rent account up to date? You need to make sure your rent account is in credit. This applies even if you If you’d like any advice about making are claiming Housing Benefit. You sure you’re ready to move, contact us must also have paid in full any repairs on 0808 230 6500. charges.

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Getting ready to move

Cold weather doesn’t have to go hand in hand with illness. Here are some simple things you can do to stay well this winter: • Get a flu jab – the NHS offers free flu vaccinations to people who are most at-risk, including: pregnant women, carers, children aged 2-7 years, people aged over 65 and those with long-term health conditions.

• Keep warm – heat your home to at least 18°C. This may help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia.

• Feeling unwell? – even if it’s just a cough or cold, get advice from your local pharmacy team because it may be the start of something serious.

More information can be found at nhs.uk/staywell.

Learn for Free Training Courses We’ve run courses in first aid, computers and hairdressing to name a few If you are interested in finding out more, please call 0808 230 6500 and ask to speak to the Communities Team or visit plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk/how-to-get-involved

plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

In Touch

Designing the perfect home

Should the sofa be near the window or not?

That was the question residents had to mull over when they attended the annual Homes for the Future conference in Dorchester over the summer.

The conference, which we visit each year with a handful of our tenants, looks at future housing design.

Organised by the Source Development Partnership, it brings together housing associations who

work out how to design better homes.

The conference included a workshop led by Trewin Design Architects where delegates had to design the internal layouts of a new home. This included choosing where to place furniture.

They also had to look at a recently-completed scheme and comment on landscaping, value and design.

Being a Source member means we can use the latest Design Tool Kit,

which provides a set of standards that help us build well designed homes that are aspirational and distinctive.

Resident Patrick Gillespie, also a member of our Resident Scrutiny Panel, attended. He said: “It was very interesting to understand the thought that goes into the design and layout of new homes.�

If you would like to get involved with how we design and build our homes, call 0808 230 6500 and ask to speak to Jo Maddick.

Visit the new SO Living website to see shared ownership properties for sale!

so-living.co.uk so-living@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk 0800 0778 748 so-living.co.uk facebook.com/solivingplym twitter.com/SOLivingPlym

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In Touch

Fascinating stories of our residents If you’ve been on our website recently, you’ll have seen our Resident History stories. Each month, we’ve been featuring a monthly case study of one of our tenants. We want to hear the stories of people who live in our homes and how social housing has improved their lives. To read these stories in full, go to: plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk/news/resident-history/.

Roger Mann was born in Plymouth in 1932 and tells us the story of how the Cherry Tree Pub got its name and how the US armed forces created a baseball team in Plymouth while they were stationed here during the war.

Roger met his sweetheart in 1955 and worked for the Air Force during the Cold War intercepting Russian spy planes. Roger tells us of his work on Boeing E-3 sentry aircraft for NATO while he lived in Germany and how the PCH Housing with Support Team supported him and his wife during her illness.

Roger Mann

Jean Preece was born in Lancashire and lived in the family-run hotel in Blackpool. Jean travelled the world with the Wrens before moving to Plymouth with family.

She met her second husband Ian before settling down in Stoke where Jean has seen huge changes over the years. Jean tells how her son Aaron went from a dislike of school to gaining a First Class Master’s Degree at Imperial College London, and how she is looking forward to welcoming her new granddaughter.

Jean Preece

If you have an interesting story to tell then call Jay Vickers in the Communications Team on 0800 230 6500 or email news@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

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Fascinating stories of residents

News in brief up and moan but e are quick enough to ring opl Pe e. erv des all you t nks tha t your team do PCH does not have the tha t they have and the work tha tha es hom the ng iati rec into app they should put the energy for us all. n with polite and have done has always bee to ded nee e hav I rk wo ver rubbish can’t be I am a tenant of PCH. Whate elves and if for any reason ms the r afte up d ane cle always hin a day or two. helpful staff and they have make sure it is removed wit ays alw uld wo y the n the taken away, very polite and helpful. ch of men who are always bun at gre a e hav you d, Kevin Obbar Tina, Whitleigh resident

Mike Dukes @StLukes _Retail Great first meeting loo king at collaboration with @PlymCommHom es to reduce landfill and support @StLukes Plymouth. Watch this space...

Plymouth Sports @sportplymouth Great @StreetGames session tonight at the beacon #northprospect @ #plymouth @NorthYardTrust @PlymCommHomes

mouth y at Ply m ll a u yo tay in nks to ling me to s possibly a h t l ab atefu can for en t as I ost gr My m nity Homes dependen u in Comm nd to be as other a e m p and ho m a r d ery an be. tairlift means so v s e h t . It all lso for you a e given me k n a Th av you h things me. to nt much reside x u a e ud , St B Pearl

If you have any sugges tions or story ideas for In To uch, please email news@plymouthcomm unityhomes.co.uk

Resident involvement at the heart of everything we do PCH Chair Elaine Pellow accepted an award on our behalf for the way we involve our tenants in delivering our services.

Elaine received the accolade from TPAS (the Tenant Participation Advisory Service) in front of residents and staff.

The award recognises our work to make sure our residents have lots of opportunity to get involved with us – whether that’s by attending meetings, acting as armchair advisors or being mystery shoppers.

We had to pass strict guidelines that ensured we met national standards, demonstrated value for money, and confirmed the impact, outcomes and more importantly, the value of our approach to resident involvement.

Elaine said: “The Board remains determined that despite the challenges we face as an organisation PCH retains that strong focus on our customers, and this accreditation speaks volumes of the value we put on having residents at the core of everything we do here.”

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Contact numbers

Plymouth City Council contacts

Repairs: 0808 230 6500 / 01752 237990

Enquiries (including waste and out of hours) 01752 668000

Out of hours repairs: 0800 917 9459 (5pm to 7am) Debit/Credit Card Payment Line: 0844 557 8321 Head Office: 0808 230 6500 / 01752 237990 City Centre Shop: 01752 389778 Anti-social behaviour out of hours hotline: 0800 028 7377

Report fly tipping 01752 204147 Housing options 01752 305496

Newsletter Translations English This information is available in other languages and formats - Please contact: 0808 230 6500 Arabic :‍هذه Ř§Ů„Ů…ŘšŮ„ŮˆŮ…Ř§ŘŞ Ů…ŘŞŮˆŮ ŘąŘŠ بلغات ŮˆŘľŮŠŘş أ؎عى – يع؏ى Ř§Ů„ŘŞŮˆŘ§ŘľŮ„ مؚ‏

0808 230 5600 Chinese Mandarin čŻĽäżĄć Żĺ?ŻäťĽäťĽĺ…śäť–čŻ­č¨€ĺ’Œć źĺź?ć??äž›â€”â€”čŻˇč ”çłťďźš

Czech Tyto informace jsou k dispozici v jinĂ˝ch jazycĂ­ch i formĂĄtech. Kontaktujte, prosĂ­m: 0808 230 6500 Farsi ‍ ﯽ اﺪﺡﺎﺑ ŘŞďşŽďť‹ďťźďťƒŘ§ ﺑ ﺎﺎﺑز Ůˆ لﺎﺡا ﺎد ﺰ ﺑﺎ ďŻ˝ďşłďşŽďş˜ďşłŘŻâ€Ź. ‍سﺎﺗﺪﺋﺎ  ﺎďť&#x;Ř§ďťŚďť”ďť ďş— ﺎﺑ‏ ‍ﺝﺎﺣ‏: 0808 230 6500 French Ces renseignements sont disponibles dans d’autres langues et formats – Veuillez contacter: 0808 230 6500 Hindi य༇ ŕ¤œŕ¤žŕ¤¨ŕ¤•ŕ¤žŕ¤°ŕĽ€ ऌस ༠रༀ भञजञऔं और परएंऌ་ं ऎ༇ं भༀ उपलएऌ ŕ¤šŕĽˆ ༤ ककरपञ इस नंऎएर पर ऍ་न करༀŕ¤?: 0808 230 6500 Hungarian Ez az informĂĄciĂł mĂĄs nyelven ĂŠs formĂĄtumban is elĂŠrhetĹ‘ – kĂŠrjĂźk, vegye fel a kapcsolatot: 0808 230 5600 Kurdish ‍ه Ů… ﺎعﺎاز ه ن ﺑ ﺎز ﯽﺎآ ﺜﺎﺗ ďşˇŮˆó˛ €ďŻźŘ˛Ř§ďťŽ ŘŚďťŞďťœďťłŘŻâ€Ź-‍ ďťŞďťłďşŽďťœďş— ďťŞď­˜ ه ﯟﺪ ďťŞďťœďş‘ ﺑ‏: 0808 230 6500 Kurdish Badini

:â€Ťâ€ŒŘŞŰŽÚŠŮ„ŰŒŰŽâ€ŒŘ¨ÚŠŮ‡â€ŒŮ†â€ŹŘŒâ€Ťâ€ŒŘ¨ŰŽâ€ŒŘ˛Ů‡â€ŒŮ‡Ů…Ů‡â€ŒŘŞâ€Ź.â€ŤŘŚŮ‡â€ŒÚ¤â€ŒŘ˛Ř§Ů†ŰŒŘ§ŘąŰŒŮ‡â€Œâ€ŒŘ¨â€ŒŘ˛Ů…Ř§Ů†â€ŒŮˆâ€ŒŮ Ű†ŘąŮ…Ř§ŘŞŰŽŘŞâ€ŒŘŻŰŒâ€ŒÚ˜ŰŒâ€ŒŰŒŰŽŘŞâ€ŒŮ‡Ů‡â€ŒŰŒŮ†â€Ź

0808 230 5600 Lithuanian Ĺ i informacija prieinama ir kitomis kalbomis bei formatais – praĹĄome kreiptis: 0808 230 5600 Nepalese य་ ŕ¤œŕ¤žŕ¤¨ŕ¤•ŕ¤žŕ¤°ŕĽ€ अनŕĽ?य भञडञ र ढञञठचञचर༂ऎञ पनन उपलएŕĽ?ध रच༇ क་ छ - ŕ¤•ŕĽƒŕ¤Şŕ¤Żŕ¤ž सऎŕĽ?पकक गनच नक ་स ŕĽ?: 0808 230 5600 Polish Ta informacja moĹźe być dostÄ™pna w innych jÄ™zykach i formatach. ProszÄ™ kontaktować numer telefonu: 0808 230 6500 Portuguese A informaçao aqui apresentada esta disponivel noutras linguas e formatos, por favor contacte: 0808 230 6500 Russian Đ­Ń‚Đ° инфОрПациŃ? Đ´ĐžŃ Ń‚ŃƒĐżĐ˝Đ° на Đ´Ń€ŃƒĐłĐ¸Ń… Ń?Сыках и фОрПатах – Đ&#x;ĐžĐśĐ°ĐťŃƒĐšŃ Ń‚Đ° Ń Đ˛Ń?ĐśĐ¸Ń‚ĐľŃ ŃŒ Ń : 0808 230 6500 Spanish Esta informaciĂłn estĂĄ disponible en otros idiomas y formatos; por favor, pĂłngase en contacto en el 0808 230 6500 Turkish Bu bilgi baĹ&#x;ka yabancÄą dil ve formlarda mevcuttur - Bu numarayÄą arayÄąn: 0808 230 6500

Plymouth Community Homes Plumer House Tailyour Road PL6 5DH T

0808 230 6500/01752 237990

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info@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk

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plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk twitter.com/PlymCommHomes facebook.com/PlymouthCommunityHomes

Plymouth Community Homes is a registered provider under the Co-operative and Community Benefits Societies Act 2014.

Registration no: 30637R.