Shout it from the
EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
Magazine
Jackie’s Story Page 20-23
Broadway Community Fun Day Page 20-23
Millies Story Page 29
Garden Competition Winners Page 36-37
Emergency repairs and anti-social behaviour can be reported even when we are closed. Call us free on 0800 0421 800 or visit our website at www.rooftopgroup.org
New homes in the heart of Gloucester
BLACK DOG WAY
Bringing affordable housing to a regenerated city For over 12 long years, a former supermarket site in the centre of Gloucester stood derelict. Now Rooftop are redeveloping this site, turning it into a stunning collection of homes as a gateway to the heart of Gloucester. We want to build houses that you can build homes in. The development consisits of one and two bedroom apartments, set over 4 floors available for shared ownership and affordable rent. Contact us now for more information on how we can help you into your new home
Rooftop Housing Group, 70 High Street,Evesham, Worcestershire. WR11 4 YD www.rooftopgroup.org | sales@rooftopgroup.org
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READERSHIP SURVEY Shout it from
91 EDITION 0 1 8 SUMME
We are always for new ways to send you all our latest news and information as quickly as possible, and so we want to know how you would like to receive your copy of the Rooftop Magazine.
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The news section of the website will be improved so you can view new stories as they happen, with new story links included on our social media feeds. An online copy of the magazine will include extra content and the paper
Sorr y! e u s s I r e m Sum n o i t c a r t e R
copy will include zapper codes to view videos and extended copy. If you choose to receive a digital copy, you will receive a shiny new email twice a year with links to the magazine and to our top stories. With all this new content we would like to know how you want to receive your copy of the magazine... if at all! To register all we would like you to do is fill out the form on the back of the magazine or on our website... it’s as simple as that!
IN THIS
ISSUE Customer Engagement
page 4-6
Boiler Care
page 8-9
Mr & Mrs Whittaker of Meadoway, Bishop’s Cleeve has advised that Bishops Cleeve was not built by Smiths Industries as stated in our Newsletter, Summer 2018, it was in fact S. Smith & Sons. S. Smith & Sons then changed to Smith Industries in 1956.
Domestic Abuse
page 10-11
Parsons Gardens
page 12
Many thanks for the correction and we would like to hear more from other customers about the history of their communities.
Money Advice
page 25
Homelessness
page 26-27
Independent Living
page 14-15
Aaron and Kaila
page 16-17
Jackie and Owen
page 20-23
Millies Story
page 29
Rooftop Events Gallery
page 30-34
Garden Competition
page 36-37
Puzzle Pages
page 38-39
“Smiths Industries Factory” “The Bishops Cleeve Office”
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C U S TO M E R ENGAGEMENT It’s really important at Rooftop that we listen to our customers and involve them. We are here to provide a service and we want to do it well. The only way to do that is to engage with the people who live in Rooftop homes. We recently invited residents to meet the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Kit Malthouse. Four of our customers went along to the event in Birmingham that was held at the end of October. The Minister has been attending seminars over the last few months to allow tenants to have their say, specifically on the Social Housing Green Paper. Jeanne Wall and three other Rooftop residents spent the day discussing their experiences. They were put into groups with residents from other Housing Associations, plus civil servants and representatives of the Ombudsman to ensure all questions and answers were dealt with honestly and without coercion. The discussion was mostly about the quality of service landlords provide and how we could be rated. Having ratings for HA’s a bit like Trip Advisor would allow customers to start thinking about which landlords they want to be housed by, as currently tenants choose homes and inherit a landlord.There were also conversations around whether tenants could take responsibility for certain works to the property, giving them choice over their contractors. Jeanne said that after speaking to residents from other Housing Associations she had a new appreciation for Rooftop and she
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felt the Minister was genuine and really did want to know her opinion. They didn’t agree on everything, but she felt listened to.
We’ve got lots of plans at Rooftop to improve customer participation. Since April 2018 we’ve been reviewing how we engage with our customers to get meaningful feedback to improve the services we provide. In the past we’ve had several panels that met on a regular basis to discuss certain topics, for example to be consulted on various changes we were proposing or new services we were introducing. This worked well for a long time, but we want to introduce new ways of involving customers including digitally and out in the Community, to ensure we reach a wider audience. You may have noticed your Neighbourhood Officer out and about more, this is because we have reduced their patch sizes to allow them to spend less time in the office and more time on the ground talking to customers and addressing issues at source.
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C U S TO M E R ENGAGEMENT You may also have noticed or been involved with Community Events in your Neighbourhood. We plan to do more of these and want to hear your ideas about what you would like to see and what you and your neighbours would like support with. We still carry out a programme of Neighbourhood Inspections every year and you are welcome to join us for those.
Social Media
We’re looking for Neighbourhood Champions across all our areas to be a point of contact for the Neighbourhood Officer, but also to assist Neighbours if you have particular skills that you’re able to share. For example, if you’re a keen gardener but your neighbour struggles with this, you may offer to cut their grass. In return your neighbour may offer skills they have, such as painting and decorating or help with transport to the Doctors or to the shops if you don’t drive or find accessing public transport difficult.
If you’re on Social Media, you’ll see a lot more of our staff doing live Question and Answer sessions on Facebook.We welcome your input into these and would like to have a pool of ‘virtual voices’ that regularly feeds back to us digitally, through our website or via Facebook and Twitter. We’ll be holding ideas forums and focus groups to look at our Policies and Procedures and to consult on various topics and would welcome your participation in these. Finally, we are looking to introduce a customer training Academy to inform customers about social housing and the services that Rooftop provides. The aim of this is to give customers confidence to feedback, challenge and help shape our services. We’re currently exploring this and will be inviting customers to have an input into the subjects we cover and how we deliver the sessions. To get involved or if you would like more information on any of the things outlined here please do not hesitate to get in touch with Lisa.Sutton@rooftopgroup.org
Twitter Facebook
SnapChat Instagram
Whats App EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
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CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
WE WILL SUPPORT YOU!
To express an interest or give suggestions please email: CE@ROOFTOPGROUP.ORG
Would you like to set up a community group or activity? How would you like us to communicate with you?
Do you need help getting back into education?
Could you help your neighbours and build a better Do you community? have skills you could share with your neighbours?
Are you willing to work together to make things Is there enough for better? young people in your area?
What do we do well and what can we improve?
Would you like to help shape our services?
Could you help new residents feel welcome and settled in your community?
Are there community issues that you would like to tackle? 6
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
Ready for the next step in your care career? Want to be part We are looking for passionate, driven people to join our team supporting elderly residents in a new extra care scheme . Working with Radis you will be part of a service that plays a significant role within a scheme offering independent living with the benefit of care 24/7. We are looking for full or part time workers , days and nights .You could benefit from: • • • •
Competitive salary Being part of something special! Development & training opportunities Various shifts available
of the team in a new extra care scheme Parsons Gardens in Broadway. Come and join the Radis family run business?
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Rooftop
BOILER CARE
We all dread a boiler breakdown - especially at the beginning of winter. But if you look after your boiler, you’ll increase its efficiency and lifetime. Here are five simple tips to help you keep your boiler in tip-top condition.
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Keep the pressure up Boilers don’t run properly when the pressure is too low. The right pressure is between 1 and 1.5 bar. This is easy to check as there is a dial on the front of your boiler. Bleed the radiators If your radiators are colder at the bottom than the top, air is trapped in the system.You therefore need to release the air by ‘bleeding’ the radiators. If you don’t, the system is not working efficiently, putting an extra strain on your boiler and effectively wasting your money. Switch the heating off before you bleed the radiators and slot the key into the bleed valve. Turn the key anticlockwise for a quarter of a rotation and you should hear a hissing sound as the air escapes. When water starts to drip (have an old towel or some kitchen paper to hand!), lock the valve and the job is done, though you might need to top up the boiler pressure.
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Clear the clutter If your boiler is in a cupboard, is it surrounded by coats, shoes, bags and other clutter? Boilers need ventilation so the space around the appliance should be kept free from clutter.Your boiler should also be relatively easy to access, so make sure you keep the cupboard reasonably tidy. A plumber or engineer should be able to advise on whether your boiler has adequate ventilation.
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Switch the boiler off and the savings on Once the weather has warmed up, you can turn your boiler off. If you have a combi-boiler, you simply need to switch it to hot water only. But to prevent problems when winter returns, it’s a good idea to switch your boiler on once a month for 15 minutes during the summer. At your service Boilers, like people, like to be looked after. We want to give yours a regular service and in return it will last longer and work more efficiently, saving you money and worry. Our engineers will not only check the basic safety of your boiler but will also carry out performance tests and repair anything that needs fixing. SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
How to keep your Boiler working throughout the winter Condensing or ‘condensate’ boilers work in a similar way to conventional gas boilers, but use energy more efficiently by reusing heat from the flue gases to heat additional water. During this process the boiler produces left-over water vapour that cools to leave ‘condensate’. This condensate is disposed of through your home’s waste water system. The outlet pipe for the condensate may be outside your home if there’s no room for it inside. Freezing winter weather can bring problems for condensing boilers. They can sometimes shut down if the condensate pipe freezes, leaving your home without heating just when you need it most. Usually, there’ll be a fault code on the boiler’s display or an alarm will sound. (Your boiler’s operating manual will explain the fault code.) But the most obvious sign may be that you have no hot water or heating. To make sure that you don’t get affected this winter try leaving your heating on overnight at a lower temperature to keep the condensate warm. Although this uses energy, your boiler will take less time to heat up your home in the morning. If you do change any heating settings, remember to return them to normal once the cold spell is over. These steps may not prevent freezing in extreme weather conditions. If you want to take further action, detailed guidance will be available from your installer or service engineer.
EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
What can I do if it does freeze? If you feel confident and safe enough, try to thaw your pipe: • Locate the blockage – it’s likely to be at the most exposed external point, or at a bend or dip in the pipe. • Thaw the frozen pipe – use a hot water bottle close to the blockage (don’t pour boiling water directly on to the pipe). • Restart your boiler – follow the instructions in your boiler’s manual. If these tips do not work, please call us on 01386 420800 and speak to our repairs team.
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DOMESTIC
ABUSE Domestic abuse comes in many forms and it gets worse around the Christmas period due to families being at home together for longer periods, the financial stress that it can bring and increased alcohol consumption. Although these are not reasons for domestic abuse, they can contribute
Domestic Abuse is not always physical and doesn’t always leave a visible mark. Anyone can be affected. Women, men, children, the elderly; all can suffer as a result of neglect, physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual abuse. If you’re worried about the way you have behaved or are behaving towards your partner, ex-partner or family then there’s help available. Domestic abuse includes many actions and may occur frequently or infrequently. It’s not a single event and usually takes place over time. Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour. Coercive behaviour is a continuing act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. It’s not always easy to spot abusive behaviours. For example, vulnerable people, such as the elderly, can be victims of financial deception
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when individuals take advantage of trust or ignorance about their options. It’s especially important that we all look out for each other, our family, friends, neighbours and the wider community. There are three important steps to take if you are being abused or threatened by your partner, ex-partner or someone else close to you: 1. Recognise it is happening 2. Accept you are not to blame 3. Seek help and support The white ribbon campaign is 16 days of action - 25th November - 10th December, to engage people regardless of gender to stand against domestic abuse in all its form. At Rooftop we take abuse very seriously and can offer support to put you in touch with organisations who can help. Rooftop Housing Group work alongside West Mercia Women’s Aid to provide a range of services that support men and women who are experiencing the effects of domestic abuse.
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
If you are in Worcestershire and are worried or frightened by your partner or ex-partner, a family member or someone close to you, please ring the West Mercia Women’s Aid Helpline for support, advice and information about your options 0800 980 3331. If you are a male victim, you can contact the helpline above or the dedicated Male Victim helpline - Tuesday between 11-2pm - Contact 0800 014 9082
The Women’s Aid National Domestic Abuse helpline is 0808 2000 247 24 - it operates 24/7 More information can be found at: http://westmerciawomensaid.org/ http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/ info/20379/domestic_violence_and_ sexual_abuse
The West Mercia Women’s aid helpline number for Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is 0800 7831359 In Gloucestershire there’s the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse service. They have a helpline Monday to Friday 9-5pm 01452 726570
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Parsons Gardens, set in the picturesque Cotswold village of Broadway, is a stunning development of 50 spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and bungalows, providing homes and care & support for over 55s. For more information call 01386 420800 or email: sales@rooftopgroup.org
Abuse can come in many forms, don’t suffer in silence
Call the West Mercia Womens Aid helpline 24/7 open to men and women on 0800 980 3331 or Worcestershire Male Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 014 9082 – Tuesdays between 11am – 3pm.
INDEPENDENT LIVING AND A
NEW LEASE OF LIFE! Do you know that Rooftop has several housing schemes where we work in partnership to enable residents to live as independently and safely as possible. The cost of living in an extra care scheme is significantly cheaper than a residential or nursing home and provides choice, independence and dignity for everyone. Rooftop also have older persons schemes in Evesham, Pershore and Broadway. These schemes are designed for people over the age 55. They promote independent living and benefit from a communal lounge and organised activities. YATES COURT Yates Court is in the heart of Evesham and Rooftop works in partnership with Extra Care Charitable Trust to support residents with assessed care needs, including dementia. There is a social club onsite which non-residents are also welcomed to attend.
The scheme consists of 95 one or two bedroomed apartments with a lift and wheelchair access throughout. People who move into Yates Court will have their own tenancy agreement with Rooftop Housing Association and their planned care needs will be provided for by Extra Care Charitable Trust. PARSONS GARDENS At Parsons Gardens Rooftop Housing Group are creating 50 one and two bedroom apartments and bungalows designed to offer you comfort, peace of mind and security as part of a community of friends and neighbours.There are apartments and bungalows for sale and to rent. This brand-new community has been designed to enable people over the age of 55 to enjoy an independent lifestyle in the heart of Broadway, with easy access to everything this historic village has to offer. The facilities include a health and wellbeing suite, a cafĂŠ, lounge, gym and meeting room.
A new bungalow at Parsons Gardens in Broadway
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CHERRY ORCHARD HOUSE Cherry Orchard House in Pershore provides a mix of 52 affordable rent 1 and 2 bedroom apartments plus 1 bungalow with 24-hour care support available for people over the age of 55. The new development, designed with the assistance of the residents, provides stunning views over the Avon Meadows Community Wetlands and all properties surround many facilities including restaurant, bar, several lounges, salon and activities rooms. The development has already become popular amongst its residents with the family of one new resident commenting that it has “given their nan a new lease of life” and “has allowed her to live in dignity and how she wants to. She is still in control of her life.”
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Please contact Rooftop Housing Group if you have any questions, would like further information or would like to look at any of the schemes. Please call Lorraine Grant on 01386 420800 or email lorraine.grant@rooftopgroup.org. To register for housing in any of these schemes, please contact the housing department at Wychavon District Council on 01386 565000 or via their website at www.wychavon.gov.uk
Cherry Orchard House - Entrance
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A G AT E WAY F R O M
ONE LIFE
TO THE NEXT “Gateway” properties are exactly what they suggest, a gateway between one life and another. Rooftop Housing Group has many Gateway properties that house a small number of young people who are transitioning from a difficult start in life to being able to be independent. Based in each of these is a Rooftop Link Worker who’s there to support and guide our customers. Their role is to help make sure these young adults can cook, clean, run a household budget, access the right healthcare, support, benefits or work opportunities, but they can also end up being a mum and dad, a teacher, or a counsellor. Technically this isn’t their responsibility as Rooftop staff are specifically there to give housing support, but Link Workers are passionate, caring individuals and as they have a lot of contact with the young people who live in our properties, they give so much more. Lorna Jenkins is one those members of staff who are dedicated to doing the right thing and delivering the best support in our Young Persons Service. Lorna is based at Lydney Gateway in the Forest of Dean. She has some empathy with the young people who live in the ten-bedroom accommodation Rooftop has there, as she found herself homeless when she was a teenager. Two of the people who are living at Lydney Gateway are Aaron Rogers and Kaila Harris. Aaron is 20 and Kaila is 18 and since living there they’ve become a couple. Neither of them has had easy starts in life. Kaila has been in the Gateway for one year and 4 months. She had been living with a partner, but that didn’t turn out well and her family couldn’t take her back due to financial problems, relationship difficulties and lack of space. She found the process of being
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housed relatively straightforward. She had a few days where she didn’t have anywhere permanent to go to and she had to stay at Night Stop for one night, an organisation that arranges temporary accommodation, but she says she was quite fortunate to get a room quickly through the local council and Rooftop. Her allocated Social Worker asked her to have a look at Lydney Gateway and her initial impressions were favourable. SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
Kaila suffers from depression after experiencing a controlling relationship. When she became homeless she said “I hadn’t got a clue about what was going to happen I just felt like I was about to fall and I didn’t know what to try and do to stop it, but I received a lot of help from Lorna and then met Aaron and we started talking and I got a lot of support from him.” Aaron has been in Rooftop accommodation since the Autumn of 2016. Before he arrived at Lydney Gateway he lived with his Mum, sister and brother. In his own words, he was angry and didn’t really care, “I wasn’t very nice to be honest”. Aaron was bullied and had a traumatic experience in his childhood, so he turned to drinking too much and behaving aggressively. His behaviour was considered a risk and in the end his mum couldn’t cope anymore. The Family Support Worker classed it as a safeguarding issue and it was either the little brother be put into new accommodation or Aaron be rehoused. Aaron suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and social anxiety, so settling in wasn’t easy. In his first year he was given a Notice to Quit, but he appealed this and that was the start of him engaging with the support that is offered as he wanted to turn things around. Both Kaila and Aaron say that the best thing about living at Lydney Gateway has been meeting each other, but they are also very positive about the help they’ve had. If they have any advice for new people coming in it’s “Take everything that you’re offered…if you’re offered the help take it and use it as much as you can; there’s full time support” says Kaila
EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
“If you put the work in you get there” says Aaron. “Help is literally offered to you on a plate, it’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet, take as much as you can and go back for seconds.” “It’s sad when people don’t take it” adds Kaila. The good news is that hopefully the couple are about to move out of the Gateway into a one bed flat, a home to call their own. Lorna says that most of the young people who come in arrive with a lack of trust because of the experiences they’ve had and she’s very proud of how far both Aaron and Kaila have come. She’s obviously very fond and protective of the young people who pass through the Gateway and they are of her. “Lorna holds this place together” says Aaron, “she’s an amazing lady”. “It’s like watching cygnets turn into swans, not everybody makes it, but the majority do.” says Lorna, and Aaron and Kaila are a lovely example. They’re moving onto a joint tenancy and all being well they have a happy life ahead of them. Lorna will still be across what’s happening, as there’s a transition period of several weeks and she says she’ll always be there for moral support. Lydney Gateway has been the start of a new chapter, but they’re both happy to be moving on. “This isn’t really a space to call your own, there’s no real privacy”. So, what are they looking forward to about having their own home? It’s the simple things about your own place, leaving the small showers of the Gateway behind says Aaron, “I can’t wait to have a bath and sit there for an hour!”.
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BUILDING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES Welcome to our new Job Coaches Rooftop is a part of Building Better Opportunities (BBO), a Worcestershire wide programme, funded by the European Social Fund and match funded by the Big Lottery Fund, which focuses on employment and skills. With the increasing number of referrals, this summer we employed two new job coaches who are helping customers move closer to, or in to employment, education or training. From the day you and your Job Coach meet to the day you first get paid they will be on hand to support you to gain the skills you need to move into work. No matter where you are in your journey to work the Job Coaches offer the 1-2-1 support you need and by building on your own strengths to help you achieve what you want to achieve.
JOB COACHES REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Over 88 Rooftop Customers have had a Job Coach work with them and those who have found work, increased their job searching skills, increased in confidence and are now closer to starting work than they have ever been. To find out more about the support that Rooftop’s Job Coaches can give you visit www.rooftopgroup.org/support/workmatters or email: bbo@rooftopgroup.org.
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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
YOUR NEW JOB COACHES..... CHAD BEESLEY My name is Chad, and I am a Job Coach at Rooftop Housing Group based in Evesham. I support people in the Wychavon area with Employment and Training needs, I am very personable & friendly, and I feel this helps me build a great rapport with my customers. I have years of experience within the industry, over a number of different job roles. Working as a Job Coach and providing support to people from various different backgrounds with a number of different barriers. I thrive from seeing people make progress and positive changes in their lives to better themselves and enjoy providing the support & tools in order for them to do so.
DEBBIE MATTHEWS Hi, I am Debbie, a job coach with Rooftop Housing Group helping people across Wychavon Area into work, education or training. I like to tailor my approach to the needs of each individual. To me this is not just a job, I am passionate about supporting people realise their value and helping them to achieve their goals, big and small.
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JACKIES STORY When you come to work in the morning you don’t expect to end the day offering to write a children’s book, and you certainly don’t expect your boss to encourage you, but that’s been my first few weeks at Rooftop. If I explain it will all make sense…
Our Neighbourhood Officers work out and about, building relationships and keeping in touch with our customers across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. It’s because of this network that I’ve got to know Jackie Barnett and her son Owen. Jackie lives in one of our bungalows in Wychavon where she’s the sole parent and main carer for her profoundly disabled son Owen. Twenty-two years ago, he was born with severe disabilities and is unable to do anything without a lot of help. This summer, Jackie was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and she asked for Rooftop’s help via her Neighbourhood Officer, Barbara Taylor.
Jackie has accepted her prognosis and is carrying on as best she can, but she’s very concerned about Owen’s future. She’s asked if it’s possible for Owen to continue living in the bungalow with a carer when she’s gone. We needed to check all the legal issues, but on approval from solicitors we told Jackie we can support her in her wish. Unfortunately, it isn’t a decision we alone can make, as funding for Owen to have carers comes from the Clinical Commissioning Group for South Worcestershire. They have policies and formulae for working out how much money they can provide and in the background are general funding pressures, after years of austerity in the public sector. The CCG said it wouldn‘t be cost effective for Owen to stay at home, news that has left Jackie devastated and determined to fight to change the health authority’s decision.
Book Illustrations 20
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
Many colleagues at Rooftop have become involved to offer support. Her Neighbourhood Officer, Barbara, is regularly in touch and has brought in Beverley Hiden from our Income Team to make sure Jackie is getting the benefits she is entitled to. As this is such a distressing situation, our Mental Health Outreach worker, Christine Searl has been offering emotional support. Rooftop is liaising with other professional organisations who are working on Jackie and Owen’s case and multi-agency meetings are taking place to try and find a way for Owen to continue living at home for as long as possible.
I’m part of Rooftop’s Communications Team and I became involved to help with a dream that Jackie has. She has not yet told Owen that she’s ill and wants to be able to break the news in a way that will reassure him and be light-hearted. He loves colourful, funny picture books so she’d love to write a children’s story that contains familiar situations, that will give comfort to Owen when it’s read to him. At first we didn’t really know where to start, but the enthusiasm for the project from Jackie is infectious and we’re pulling out the stops to make this happen. In a previous life I was a journalist and producer in BBC radio and this has given me a good list of contacts and an understanding of the creative industries. I’m very fortunate to know a wonderful children’s book illustrator called Tim Budgen. He is so busy that he can’t personally get involved, but he knows lots of other illustrators, so he sent out a Tweet asking for people to respond.
Jackie & Owen EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
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JACKIES STORY
We are delighted by the number of people who have come forward. With Jackie’s insight into all the things Owen loves, we’re writing a story that will mean something to him but will also comfort other children who find themselves in the awful situation of losing parents when still dependent. None of this can happen without money. Jackie doesn’t have anything spare, so I’ve helped her set up an online crowdfunding page. We’ve started by asking to hit a target of £6,000 as illustrators can’t work for nothing and getting publishers to print books is unlikely to be free. To get Jackie’s story to a wider audience, to both help with fundraising and highlight the difficulties the health and care sector are facing, I contacted national news organisations. ITN came to Jackie’s house and visited the day centre, Spectrum Days in Droitwich, where Owen goes for several hours a week.
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After transmission the crowdfunding page started getting a number of donations. The generosity of people is incredible. At a time when households are feeling the pinch, complete strangers have donated to help fund the book and longerterm therapies. As the money comes in, getting a book published is becoming real and we’ve commissioned the very talented Vanessa Bizzell to illustrate it. All being well, the book will be available early in 2019. Jackie is proud to call her Rooftop bungalow home and she is fighting for it to remain home for Owen. She has found the peace that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe spoke of and she wants that to continue for her son…”He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.” By Sarah Tempest
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The book “Who’s Going To Pick My Nose” is coming together, but Jackie needs to raise funds for this and for future therapies and treatment for Owen. Her Crowdfunding page is available at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jackie-barnett
Illustrator Vanessa Bizzell
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Universal Credit can affect your Universalbenefits Credit can affect your or tax credits Universal Credit can affect your benefits or tax credits benefits or tax credits Universal Credit is a new benefit to support you if Universal Credit replaces:
you’re working and on a low income or you’re out • Universal Housing Benefit Universal Credit is a new benefit to support you if Credit replaces: of work. Universal Credit is a new toincome supportoryou if out Universal Credit replaces: • •Working Tax Credit you’re working andbenefit on a low you’re Housing Benefit replaces these benefits and tax credits that you’reItof working and on a low income or you’re out • Housing Benefit • •Income Support work. Working Tax Credit you might be getting now. If you receive any of • Working of work. Tax Credit • Child Tax Credit It replaces these benefits and tax credits that • Income Support these these benefits, or you have acredits changethat in your It replaces benefits taxIf you might be gettingand now. you receive any of • Income Support • •Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) Child Tax Credit circumstances you will be affected. you might bebenefits, getting now. If you anyinofyour these or you havereceive a change • Child Tax • •Employment Support Allowance (ESA) Job Credit Seekers and Allowance (JSA) these benefits, or youyou have change in your circumstances willa be affected. • Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) circumstances you will be affected. • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) If you are a Rooftop Resident and you think you may be affected by Universal credit you can contact the income team at Rooftop Housing Group on 01386 420800 or email: UC@rooftopgroup.org. If you are a Rooftop Resident and you think you may be affected by Universal credit you can contact If you the are income a Rooftop Resident and you think Group you may affected by Universal credit you can contact team at Rooftop Housing onbe 01386 420800 or email: UC@rooftopgroup.org. the income team at Rooftop Housing Group on 01386 420800 or email: UC@rooftopgroup.org. 24 SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
FROM 5pm to 7pm Our Work and Money Advisors will be at Wallace House every month for a drop in session to discuss any questions or queries that you may have regarding benefits, work and employment or your tenancy. At the first session we are available to answer all your questions on Universal Credit
Drop in to one of our monthly sessions on: Tuesday 11 December 2018 Tuesday 8 January 2019
EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
Tuesday 12 February 2019 Tuesday 12 March 2019 Tuesday 9 April 2019 Tuesday 14 May 2019
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HOMELESSNESS Homelessness is certainly one of the hardest situations anyone could possibly face. Without having a secure home your health and wellbeing will be affected, you won’t feel safe, it makes it extremely difficult to access and participate in education, it becomes harder to gain and sustain employment and puts huge pressure on your relationships. Everything we do in our normal life is not possible without a home. Homelessness is a National crisis that is getting worse. The numbers speak for themselves. Rough sleeping has risen by 169% since 2010 and overall statistics for homelessness paint a depressing picture. “The number of homeless families and individuals placed in temporary accommodation jumped to 78,000 last year, an 8% rise on the year and a massive 60% rise since 2012. The number of homeless households placed in B&Bs – which are often cramped, unsuitable, and sometimes even dangerous – rose particularly quickly, with a 10% rise on the year. If trends continue as they are, the research reveals that 100,000 households will be living in B&Bs, hostels and other temporary accommodation” - Annual Homelessness Monitor for England 2018, commissioned by Crisis and authored by the Institute for Social Policy Research There are many more ‘hidden’ homeless: staying with families, sofa-surfing, using night-shelters, occasionally sleeping rough, or a combination of these. Hidden homelessness is estimated to be as high as 3.34 million people
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At Rooftop we take this issue very seriously and welcome the fact that homelessness is on the political agenda and at the centre of housing discussions. One of our members of staff, Tommy Collins, has been working in this area at the National Housing Federation on their Greenhouse Programme, a sixteen-week innovation project. The programme brought together housing associations, experts and the public to develop new ideas that have real social impact and can be implemented across the country. The programme involved getting a deep understanding of homelessness by meeting experts and the homeless themselves, to gain insight into why homelessness is increasing and how it can be prevented. Tommy’s experience has, in his own words, been “exciting, scary, insightful and harrowing, all at the same time.” He’s now seconded to continue his work for three days a week, alongside his work as a Neighbourhood Officer at Rooftop.
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
As a member of the Halting Homelessness team, based in Birmingham, Tommy spoke with dozens of people. “The level of support we received and the passion and knowledge coming from these conversations was overwhelming. It shows that there is an abundance of people out there wanting to do the right thing and are continuously fighting to tackle homelessness.” Following these conversations, a few things came out that really stuck with him. - Solely building more homes won’t end street homelessness. Although building more affordable homes will help greatly towards solving the issue, there is a danger in thinking that we can solve such a complex problem with homes alone. People living on the streets are not just homeless. In many cases they are living with other problems, such as mental health issues, substance misuse and they are likely to have experienced some form of trauma, often in childhood. Support to sustain a tenancy and deal with the more complex issues is needed, just as much as new housing provision. - Public perception of homelessness needs to change. We need to broaden people’s understanding of who is homeless and the causes of homelessness. Experts need to build an understanding of the underlying causes of homelessness and bust the myth that it is due to individual decision-making. Making it easier to see how poverty wears away at people’s ability to find secure stable housing allows people to recognise the external factors that contribute to homelessness. - Collaboration is needed to tackle homelessness. We must design professional partnerships from the start and not just link up afterwards. Collaborative working needs to address the disconnect between housing, welfare and healthcare, but importantly it must engage with the people you are trying to help, not just audit what is happening already.
EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
- Housing Associations play a crucial role in tackling homelessness. It’s important to do all that we can to boost the supply of truly affordable homes and be responsible for creating new communities, as well as investing in our existing communities. We must also ensure that the relevant support is openly available for the people who need it the most and that we use our resources to support people who are homeless. Tommy says “Social innovation is hard, especially when you’re trying it in such a complex and multifaceted area. But, what’s so inspiring and refreshing is the continuous support we have received and the realisation that we as a sector are best placed to create practical solutions to the biggest social challenges in the country.”
Tommy is helping to run a pilot scheme called Hacking Homelessness https://www.hackinghomelessness.co.uk/
The aim is “to build a data platform to help social landlords to understanding their homelessness footprint and to make data driven decisions to reduce evictions from their homes. Our goal is to halve the number of evictions in the social housing sector.” It’s starting with East Midlands Housing Group and will run in December 2018 and January 2019. If the pilot is successful, it’s hoped it could be scaled out across the housing sector.
Rough Sleeping Team for the Midlands 07483 981 912 Gloucestershire Street Outreach Team 0808 168 2443
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This year why not join our staff and local communities at one of our festive events and help us celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!
November Cherry Orchard House,
Ferry View,
November
Cherry Orchard Road Pershore. WR10 1EZ
Merstow Green, Evesham WR11 4BT
10.00am Coffee morning including craft stalls
10 am decorations to go up, come along and help the fireman, and have a glass of sherry and a minced pie. Including craft stalls
C
M
3pm till 4pm Harvington Ukulele Band entrance fee £2.00 – come and try a Mocktail
Y
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Meade Court,
MY
Merstow Pl, Evesham WR11 4AZ
CY
CMY
December
K
December
St Aldates Church, 11 Reservoir Road, Gloucester GL4 6RW
December The Court,
Back Ln, Broadway WR12 7BF
December Martin Avenue, Hampton, Evesham. WR11 2NW
1.30pm Come and sing Christmas carols with the children of St Mary’s RC School
10.30am - 12.00pm Christmas Coffee Morning With Christmas Crafts Everyone’s welcome
December Cherry Orchard House,
Cherry Orchard Road Pershore. WR10 1EZ
3pm - 4.30pm Come celebrate Christmas at Cherry Orchard with Santa and his Reindeer!
Cherry Orchard House, Cherry Orchard Road Pershore. WR10 1EZ
December
12 midday till 4pm 4 course Christmas lunch at Cherry Orchard House £15 residents £25 non residents include entertainment. You shall need to book by Friday 30th November. Please call Jackie on 07801483063 to book your place
6pm - 7.30pm
Come celebrate Christmas with Santa and his Reindeer! With mince pies and refreshments
10.00 am
Christmas decorations to go up at Meade Court and Charles Close, come and join us to help with this event
December
Ferry View, Merstow Green, Evesham WR11 4BT 2.00pm Join St Mary’s school for carols at Ferry View, Evesham with sherry and mince pies
3.00pm
The Methodist Church Choir will be singing a selection of Christmas Carols to bring some festive cheer!
Ferry View, Merstow Green, Evesham WR11 4BT
Ferry View,
Merstow Green, Evesham WR11 4BT
December
December
3pm - 5pm
Put on your blue suede shoes and join Memphis Mike at Ferry View £6.00 per ticket to include tea and cakes
December
Charles Close,
Fairfield, Evesham. WR11 1HY 10.00am
Carols with the pupils of St Richards C Of E First School
For more information on any of the events above please contact comms.web@rooftopgroup.org
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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
Millies STORY
Rooftop have completed their own little “big build” DIY SOS style. One of our customers is Millie in Gloucester. She’s a wonderful little girl who lives with physical disabilities. The Rooftop Asset Management team have recently completed an extension that they designed and built with funding from a Gloucestershire Disabled Facilities Grant and made a reality with advice from Gloucestershire Children’s Occupational Therapist and our contractor Eachway Services.
EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
These projects don’t always happen as quickly as we’d like and it took three years for everything to fall into place, but it’s fantastic to be able to do the right thing in our communities. The extension provides a bedroom and wet room for Millie that will allow her to do more for herself as she gets older and her medical condition gets worse. She’s chosen the decorations in her favourite pink and she and her mum are delighted.
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Gallery Amy Barr - Gone to Uni Amy Barr was at Lydney Gateway but she started university in September. She’s studying at Trinity St David in Wales and is doing a BA in Outdoor Activity Education. She was in Lydney Gateway for just over a year, dad in army and away a lot, mum has mental health problems and can’t look after her. Amy went to college days 4 days a week, worked weekends and evenings to get where she is now. The Rooftop board helped to fund her accommodation deposit by donating personal funds.
Broadway Community Fun Day In August we held a community fun day in Broadway with the help from Broadway Football Club, the Fire Brigade, a Circus skills troupe and the Green Ape smoothie Bike to encourage community activities. With lots of activities and stalls there was something for everyone and it was a great way to show the local community all of our activities and services. There was a really great turn out for the first event and we look forward to the next fun day!
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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
Helping to clean up our communities Working with Wychavon and Tewkesbury Borough Councils, Evesham Town Plan Anti-Litter Group and with the help of the local residents and community groups we have been helping to clean up our communities, filling several skips and many bags with litter.
Cooking Sessions Healthy cooking sessions have been set up in several of our YPS schemes, using food donated from supermarkets including Tesco and Lidl. The donations consist the staples, bread and vegetables as well as lots of healthy dried fruit and nuts, but there is also the little extra with some of their end of line products. The sessions teach the residents how to make healthy meals for the week and the results look really tasty!
EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
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Gallery Intergenerational Play Once a week, residents of Cherry Orchard House get together with pre-schoolers from Cherry Orchard First School for a ‘play date’. These sessions are really popular with both the children and the adults and has brought a new lease of life to several of the residents.
Jenkinson Close It was a proud and emotional day for the Jenkinson family this summer as the official opening of Jenkinson Close was unveiled in a dedication to the late Jerry Jenkinson, a community spirited man who the local community of White City suggested that the new development should be named after. The family of the Mr Jenkinson, who sadly passed in 2014, were there and incredibly proud that the dedication he had to the ward of White City had been recognised in this way.
Women in Housing Awards We are really proud of our Chair, Nicola Inchbald who won the Board or Committee member award at the Women in Housing Awards in Manchester. Congratulations Nicola!
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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
Open LV trial in Bishops Cleeve Rooftop Housing is taking part in an exciting project all about electricity. The OpenLV project is making local electricity data openly available for the first time ever and Bishop’s Cleeve is one of seven neighbourhoods involved. A consultation event was held at the Swallow Inn to show off a piece of kit called an LV-CAP™ we will be able to learn more about electricity use in our neighbourhood and work together to change our energy use habits, maybe even saving on our bills as we go! It was also a great way to unveil our new electric pool car to the local community. If this project is successful it may even come to an area near you!
An on another site in Gloucester… Local MP Richard Graham came to see what is being created on the site of the old Norville factory in Tredworth. He was really impressed to see how the site has been transformed from what the neighbours described as an eyesore and how it has improved the community.
Pete Stock - Community Safety unsung hero! Our Neighbourhood Officer, Pete Stock was named Rural South Worcestershire’s Community Safety Unsung Hero of the year. His partnership work with the police and the EVESHAM Town Plan Anti-Litter Group. Congratulations Pete!
EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
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Gallery Will Pember The Onside Lesley McKay Stronger Communities Award has been set up to recognise someone who has made an outstanding contribution to sustainable change in their community. This year the award went to Will Pember, a volunteer with the Health and Wellbeing team. Will has been the driving force behind a walking football scheme for Rooftop residents and the local community. For those involved friendships have been forged, social isolation reduced, and fitness improved. It’s been a great success, and, with growing numbers of participants, the scheme has expanded to operate in both Evesham and Pershore. Congratulations Will, this was well deserved.
Opening the Parsons Gardens Show House Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid Worcestershire came for a tour of the new show house at Parsons Gardens, the new extra care development in Broadway. He was also on hand to help one of the new owners to launch it, as well as testing out the bed, which apparently is very comfy! The show home looks fantastic and it’s not long now until the whole development will be open. We can’t wait!
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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
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To report a loan shark call the 24/7 confidential hotline on 0300 555 2222 • Text a report to 078600 22116 • Visit the website www.stoploansharks.co.uk • E-mail reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk • Private message us on www.facebook.com/stoploansharksproject
EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
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GARDEN COMPETITION
2018
2018 has been a very interesting, and challenging year for gardening, with bitter, freezing weather giving way to a long hot summer so to see as many fantastic entries as we had, has been amazing. It is always a difficult decision when deciding on the winners of the competition and this year was no different especially when you consider all of the extra effort that the entrants had put into their gardens just to keep them looking lovely.
Fruit and Veg
To thank all of the entrants and to award the prizes, an afternoon tea was held at the Wood Norton Hotel with the prizes being awarded by the Chair of RHA, Rachel Lathan. We would like to say congratulations to the following winners and runners up in each of the categories.
Best Scheme
1st
Meade Court - Evesham Meade Court won this year as they have created gardens from areas of concrete and brick, removing some concrete slabs (with permission) to create a more cheerful environment. The enthusiasm has been infectious, and more residents have got involved creating their own parts to the garden.
1st
Barbara Wilkes - Mill Avenue, Broadway In a bad year for fruit and Veg Barbara had created a vegetable plot brimming with produce, with not just one but two scarecrows to fend off the competition!
Most Improved
1st 2nd The Court - Broadway 36
Sandy Harwood - 28 Orchard Close, Bredon Sandy’s garden amazed everyone who entered, with several different areas which let you sit in the sun, what ever the time of day! SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
Best Community
1st
Best Children’s Garden
The Court - Broadway The team which help create and maintain the gardens at the Court don’t just involve residents, other Broadway residents have got involved to provide skills and time to help create this attractive walled garden.
2nd Meade Court - Evesham 3rd Pebworth Community Garden - Pebworth Baskets and Containers
Delilah Williams Rail Ground, Pershore Delilah really is a keen gardener, every day she would go out to prune her baskets and tubs, learning the names of all the flowers she grows. She may be a contender for the Children’s category next year but watch out she might just provide competition for some of the adults too!
Best Overall
1st
Nigel Harris - Derby Court, Gloucester Nigel Harris has created his own little oasis in the centre of Gloucester and this year his hanging baskets were the centrepiece of his garden. His fingers are definitely getting greener every year.
2nd Mr & Mrs Holmes - Newlands, Pershore
1st
2nd 3rd
3rd Marilyn Parker – 26 Orchard Close, Bredon EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
Sandy Harwood - 28 Orchard Close, Bredon This was a really difficult decision to make for the judges with some fantastic gardens to choose from. Sandy Harwoods garden however was a firm favourite with all of the panel with so much creativity in such a small area. The hardest decision for the judges was over which spot in her garden was their favourite. Marilyn Parker - 26 Orchard Close, Bredon Barbara Wilkes – Mill Avenue, Broadway
We are already planning for the 2019 Garden competition, so get out in your garden, show us those green fingers and keep an eye out for more information in the new year.
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Puzzle Pages
Take a break, sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy our puzzle pages!
Some puzzles are just for fun, but our prize word search gives you the chance to win a £20 High Street voucher
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Can you find all the words in the Pantomime winter word search? The words can be forwards or backwards, vertical, horizontal or diagonal. Oh no you can’t? Then tell us what the missing word is and you could win a £20 High Street Voucher!
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ALADDIN BEANSTALK BEAST BEAUTY BUTTONS CINDERELLA DICK WHITTINGTON DWARF ELF FAIRY GODMOTHER GIANT
JACK MOTHER GOOSE PETER PAN PUMPKIN PUSS IN BOOTS RED RIDING HOOD SNOW WHITE THUMBELINA TINKERBELL UGLY SISTERS WIDOW TWANKEY
SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP
LOST SOCK
XMAS MAZE
Find the sock that has no pair.
Help the ginger bread man get out of the maze.
SUDOKU 9 7 2
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ANSWERS EDITION 92 WINTER 2018
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SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOP’S
CUSTOMER SURVEY How would you like to receive your copy of ‘Shout it from the Rooftop’? I want to sign up for a digital copy I would like to continue to receive a paper copy I don’t want to receive a copy of the Rooftop Magazine What other content would you like to see in the Rooftop Magazine
Name Address
www.rooftopgroup.org enquiries@rooftopgroup.org 0800 0421 800 Rooftop Housing Group 70 High Street Evesham WR11 4YD
@Rooftop_Housing
Telephone
Rooftop Housing Group
Email (For your digital copy)
Office opening hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday (except on Wednesday when we open at 9.30am to 12.30pm).
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If you no longer wish to receive a copy of the magazine please contact communications at Rooftop Housing Group on 01386 420800 or email comms.web@rooftopgroup.org
Competition entries Congratulations to: The winner of the Summer Word search was Marion McMillan of Sedgeberrow, who wins a £20 High Street voucher. The missing word was LOLLY. Use our back page to send in your entries for our competition. Just fill in the details below and send it to our address on the right of this page. You can also email your competition entries to comms.webb@rooftopgroup.org
Word search Answer Competition terms: Please note that winners will be picked at random from the correct entries by the Communications Panel, and their decision is final. Closing date for entries is Monday 4th March 2019. Keep up to date with all Rooftop news and information on our website at:
www.rooftopgroup.org
Emergency repairs and anti-social behaviour can be reported even when we are closed, on 0800 0421 800
CHRISTMAS CLOSING
The Office will be closed from 12.30pm Monday 24th December and will reopen 9.00am Wednesday 2nd January
We wish you all a very Happy New Year! If you would like the information in this magazine translated into another language, audio, or larger print please contact your Neighbourhood Officer. If you would like to make a complaint, please complete the on line form on www.rooftopgroup.org or phone your Neighbourhood Officer and ask for a complaints form.
