Residents Update - Safe and Supported - October 2023

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Safe and Supported

Year ahead

RESIDENTS UPDATE

GET READY FOR WINTER Winter is coming, and it’s important to do what you need to do to help keep your home warm and yourself safe for the freezing months ahead. Heating, boilers and radiators Test your heating, boilers, and radiators before you actually need it. We strongly advise you to test your heating for one hour per week to make sure that it’s functioning properly. If you find the heating isn’t working as it should, you can contact us so we can arrange any necessary repairs before the colder months arrive. If rooms aren't heating up or radiators feel cold at the top and hot at the bottom, it could be a sign that there’s trapped air inside. Your radiators need bleeding to let this air escape. After bleeding your radiators, check your boiler pressure. Your boiler pressure is usually indicated on the boiler by a dial. When the system is cool, the right boiler pressure is between 1 and 1.5. Make sure that your radiators aren’t covered by curtains or furniture.


Temperature at home Cold weather can be bad for your health, particularly if you are over 65 or already live with a condition. Ideally your home should be heated to at least 18°C. Pipes and plumbing Cold weather can freeze pipes, so it's a good idea to keep your home warm by putting the heating on, even at low temperatures, and regularly running water through your taps. Frozen pipes can cause lots of problems including burst pipes. If you think you have a burst pipe, turn the water off in your home and report a repair. Gas safety We need to carry out gas checks at your home to ensure your heating system works properly and to keep you safe. If you suspect you have a gas leak, you must phone the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999 and ensure you are safe before calling us.

Contact us if you need a repair so we can arrange it before the colder months arrive. Tel: 01386 420800.

We are here to support you. If you are struggling to make ends meet, advice and support are available. Check the websites offering advice or where you can apply for support listed below. You can also contact us on 01386 420800

Energy bills support and advice Act on Energy Tel: 0800 988 2881

Warm and Well Tel: 0800 500 3076

National Energy Action (NEA) Tel: 0800 304 7159

Energy Saving Trust Tel: 0800 098 7950

Cost of living support: Wychavon District Council Redditch Borough Council Gloucestershire County Council Worcestershire County Council


Reduce damp, mould and condensation Some homes suffer from damp, which can lead to mould. Mould is usually found in places where there is poor air flow and cold spots. There are lots of reasons why a home can be damp, with condensation being the most common. As a responsible landlord we take our responsibility seriously in ensuring that people living within our homes are safe and free from damp, mould and condensation. As a resident, there are easy ways to manage and help prevent condensation, damp and mould in your home.

You can find some guidance on our website on how to avoid excess moisture in your home and how to minimise the risk of mould appearing. Keep well and stay connected Stay as active as you can. Any exercise can bring health benefits. If you need help, speak to your GP, pharmacist, carer, or key worker for advice. Also, keep in touch with friends and your community. Look out for others and ask how they stay warm during cold weather.

Please scan this QR code or go to www.rooftopgroup.org for more guidance.


COST-OF-LIVING SUPPORT

We understand times are hard right now, and many of you worry about money, the cost-of-living, and not being able to pay bills which can impact your wellbeing. We have been working with local authorities and organisations with funding available, and prioritised customers most in need. For example, we received a £10,000 grant from Wychavon District Council. We prioritised customers who are under 25 and on Universal Credit in the area as their standard allowance is less than someone aged 25 and over. We also aided families in the area who struggled to buy school uniforms with e-vouchers. We work with a range of agencies, and our Money Advisors can refer you to get more specialist support. This includes advice on how to reduce energy bills, apply for grants, or how to receive a food hamper. You can also refer to Page 2 of this Residents Update and find out the updated cost-of living support information and where you can apply. Want to check what you could be entitled to? You can use the online calculator on our website and discuss the results with our Money Advisors.

We are here to support you Contact our Money Advisors if you are worried about your bills, and get in touch with our Income Team if you are concerned about your rent. Tel: 01386 420 800.


MULTILINGUAL SERVICES To reflect the cultural and language needs of the local community, we have added a chat box service with multilingual features on our website. If English is your second language and you want to discuss your rent with our Income Team, please go to our website and access the Multilingual Chat Box. It can translate your questions into English in real time. You can ask us questions in 20 languages. Don’t forget the accessibility toolbar on our website. It helps you get access to our online content in a way that suits you best, such as text-to-speech, reading, and translation support.

START A LIFE FREE FROM ABUSE (Colleagues from Rooftop) are extremely supportive and understanding, considerate and (the visits) have lifted me more than I could say! I’ve always tried to do things myself, but in a situation where it was really me and my children against the world, it was great to have someone there who would not judge or assume. A domestic abuse survivor moving from our safehouse into permanent accommodation with her children wrote to us. We work in partnership with West Mercia Women’s Aid (WMWA) to provide Domestic Abuse Services, and closely with the local housing districts. We also work with agencies including the police, victim support, and children's services when required.

If you or someone you know need advice Call the Domestic abuse helpline. Tel: 0800 980 3331 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Available for women and men) A dedicated Male helpline 0800 014 9082 (runs on a Tuesday every week 11am-3pm and will get back to any messages left) GALOP (LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline): 0800 999 5428


SUPPORTING THE ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY

We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant and receiving a Bronze Award from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). On 1 August, we joined thousands of organisations in the country by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or have served in the armed forces and their families are treated with fairness and respect, and give them the support they deserve. We will work with local authorities and partners to provide accommodation for veterans who are homeless. Our colleagues will also have understanding of possible support requirements and recognition by

external partners, where additional benefits or services may be granted to veterans. We are also proud to tell our community that we are an armed forces-friendly employer by receiving a Bronze Award from the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). We are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners. Within Rooftop, colleagues are able to take volunteer leave for those who wish to support the cadet unit. We also support colleagues in the Reserve Forces and Military Cadet Adult Instructors by accommodating their training and deployment where possible.


RETIREMENT LIVING AND HOUSING WITH CARE SCHEMES We provide a selection of retirement living and housing with care schemes for individuals and couples aged 55 or over and for those with a disability. We want to help people keep their independence, regain their selfconfidence and feel secure. Our properties cater for independent living and accommodation with care available on-site. Our homes with Extra Care services include self-contained flats allowing customers to stay independent. They can provide personalised care plans, help from a scheme manager, and 24-hour emergency help through an alarm system. Our Retirement Living and Housing with Care Officers work with customers to ensure a smooth transition into their new home. Meanwhile, customers will have the opportunity to meet others with similar interests within the schemes, and become part of the community. Our retirement living and housing with care properties are located in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire with schemes located in Evesham, Pershore, Bredon, Coleford, Gloucester, Redditch and most recently in Broadway.

Scan the QR code or call 01386 420800 to register your interest


UPDATE YOUR DATA FOR A CHANCE TO WIN £250 You have the opportunity to win £250 and influence how we work with you by updating your personal data. This month, all our customers will receive a short survey of 14 questions asking you about the people in your home. This will be sent by email or post and it should take no more than five minutes to complete. Everyone who completes the survey before 1 January 2024 will be entered into the draw to win £250. The draw will take place on 15 January, and if you win we will contact you within five working days.*

Don‘t miss a chance to win £250 If you want to know more about why we want your information and what we do with it, please refer to the survey or visit our website. *Terms and conditions apply.

ANNUAL REPORT Every year we publish an Annual Report to Residents to show you how we have been doing over the last year. The report from April 2022 to March 2023 is available to download on our website. If you want us to send you a hard copy, please contact us on 01386 420800 or email comms.web@rooftopgroup.org with your name and address.


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