Hometalk spring 2016

Discounts to refresh your home.

Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Whatever the project, big or small, start every job with great discounts at your local Dulux Decorator Centre.

Back to work training for Soha tenants

Making life easier at home

What makes a good neighbour?

Page 7

Page 10

Page 6

Get huge savings and more including: • Savings across the range • Top branded paints and accessories • Discounts available in-store and online • 1,000’s of paint colours and wallcoverings • Friendly, helpful staff • And don’t forget, delivery is FREE!† Remember to always show your staff card or proof of tenancy to receive your discount.

For your nearest store call 0845 850 2200 or visit http://www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/ housing/soha or to place your order call 0845 602 3128. @DuluxRefresh

duluxdecoratorcentre

uk.linkedin.com/dulux-refresh *Discount is off shelf edge price exc. VAT. Not available on account terms, cash sales only. Products must be paid for at time of purchase. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Exclusions apply. See in-store for details. †Terms and conditions apply. Order before 9.30am for same day delivery. For online ordering only – free delivery to account holders and to non account holders on orders over £50.

WIN AN AMAZON FIRE TABLET Page 5

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

How we’re doing Our performance for 1 April 2015 to 31 December 2015 Performance Key: Achieved

| Nearly Achieved

| Not Achieved

Satisfaction

Repairs

Overall tenant satisfaction with Soha’s services

Tenants satisfied that Soha listens to their views and acts upon them

Average time to complete repairs

Target: 93% Actual: 87% Target:

8 Days

Actual:

9.7 Days

Repairs fixed at the first visit

Actual:

Target:

95%

92% Target: 81% Actual: 85%

Arrears

Letting Homes

Arrears for current tenants*

Average re-let time for all homes

Rent lost due to empty properties

Actual:

1.9%

3.7%

Since I last wrote to you in Hometalk, there have been more changes in the world of housing. We don’t know all the details, as the Housing Bill is still being considered, but I wanted to keep you up to date.

0.66%

Target:

20 Days Target:

0.68% 24 Days

F

Pay to Stay and Flexible Tenancies* will now be voluntary for housing associations (but compulsory for councils). Our Board will consider Pay to Stay and Flexible Tenancies in due course. We will talk to tenants before coming to a decision on this.

You may have heard a bit more about Right to Buy, as one of the local housing associations is offering a registration pilot with some of their tenants. Soha will offer Right to Buy when the legislation has been passed and we will keep you informed in the next Hometalk and beyond. Please keep an eye on the website for more detail.

Richard Peacock, Chief Executive

Contact us

www.soha.co.uk

P8 What’s on

P10 Making life easier

Call 01235 515 900 or free on 0800 014 15 45 Email housing@soha.co.uk

P11 Help to move

P13 Dig It

ASB case resolution rate

2

P7 Back to work help

The Editor, Hometalk magazine, Soha Housing, Royal Scot House, 99 Station Road, Didcot OX11 7NN

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Tenants satisfied with the way Soha handled their ASB case

98% 96%

P6 What makes a good neighbour?

Finally, I’m very pleased to say that Soha has been given a G1 (the highest rating) for governance by the Homes and Communities Agency (our regulator).

Sub-editor: Lydia Wanstall at lwanstall.co.uk Designed by: Toast Design www.toastdesign.co.uk Print managed by:

* Current arrears change according to when Housing Benefit is received.

We are on track to meet our overall target.

Actual

P5 Win an Amazon Fire

Join the conversation on Twitter @SohaHousing or tweet direct to our Customer Services team at @AskSoha Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SohaHousing

Actual:

Target

In this issue...

or housing association tenants (including Soha tenants), it’s mainly good news! For various reasons, some of the policies coming in do not immediately apply to tenants of Soha and other housing associations.

*Pay to Stay is a government policy that means tenants earning more than £30,000 in household income (outside London) will pay higher rent. Flexible Tenancies tend to be around 5 years, rather than the lifetime tenancies traditionally offered.

Actual:

Target:

Welcome to Hometalk

Target Actual

82% 94%

No fuss, fast turnaround, print, 1!-£ { 639;!+' 93£<;-329

Audio services by Transcriptions Direct www.transcriptionsdirect.co.uk Hometalk is also available in large print, audio and electronic formats.

If you would like to receive a different version, or unsubscribe from receiving Hometalk altogether, please email lizroberts@soha.co.uk or call us on the telephone number above.

P14 What a difference a day makes

P15 Putting people first

www.soha.co.uk

3

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

How we’re doing Our performance for 1 April 2015 to 31 December 2015 Performance Key: Achieved

| Nearly Achieved

| Not Achieved

Satisfaction

Repairs

Overall tenant satisfaction with Soha’s services

Tenants satisfied that Soha listens to their views and acts upon them

Average time to complete repairs

Target: 93% Actual: 87% Target:

8 Days

Actual:

9.7 Days

Repairs fixed at the first visit

Actual:

Target:

95%

92% Target: 81% Actual: 85%

Arrears

Letting Homes

Arrears for current tenants*

Average re-let time for all homes

Rent lost due to empty properties

Actual:

1.9%

3.7%

Since I last wrote to you in Hometalk, there have been more changes in the world of housing. We don’t know all the details, as the Housing Bill is still being considered, but I wanted to keep you up to date.

0.66%

Target:

20 Days Target:

0.68% 24 Days

F

Pay to Stay and Flexible Tenancies* will now be voluntary for housing associations (but compulsory for councils). Our Board will consider Pay to Stay and Flexible Tenancies in due course. We will talk to tenants before coming to a decision on this.

You may have heard a bit more about Right to Buy, as one of the local housing associations is offering a registration pilot with some of their tenants. Soha will offer Right to Buy when the legislation has been passed and we will keep you informed in the next Hometalk and beyond. Please keep an eye on the website for more detail.

Richard Peacock, Chief Executive

Contact us

www.soha.co.uk

P8 What’s on

P10 Making life easier

Call 01235 515 900 or free on 0800 014 15 45 Email housing@soha.co.uk

P11 Help to move

P13 Dig It

ASB case resolution rate

2

P7 Back to work help

The Editor, Hometalk magazine, Soha Housing, Royal Scot House, 99 Station Road, Didcot OX11 7NN

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Tenants satisfied with the way Soha handled their ASB case

98% 96%

P6 What makes a good neighbour?

Finally, I’m very pleased to say that Soha has been given a G1 (the highest rating) for governance by the Homes and Communities Agency (our regulator).

Sub-editor: Lydia Wanstall at lwanstall.co.uk Designed by: Toast Design www.toastdesign.co.uk Print managed by:

* Current arrears change according to when Housing Benefit is received.

We are on track to meet our overall target.

Actual

P5 Win an Amazon Fire

Join the conversation on Twitter @SohaHousing or tweet direct to our Customer Services team at @AskSoha Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SohaHousing

Actual:

Target

In this issue...

or housing association tenants (including Soha tenants), it’s mainly good news! For various reasons, some of the policies coming in do not immediately apply to tenants of Soha and other housing associations.

*Pay to Stay is a government policy that means tenants earning more than £30,000 in household income (outside London) will pay higher rent. Flexible Tenancies tend to be around 5 years, rather than the lifetime tenancies traditionally offered.

Actual:

Target:

Welcome to Hometalk

Target Actual

82% 94%

No fuss, fast turnaround, print, 1!-£ { 639;!+' 93£<;-329

Audio services by Transcriptions Direct www.transcriptionsdirect.co.uk Hometalk is also available in large print, audio and electronic formats.

If you would like to receive a different version, or unsubscribe from receiving Hometalk altogether, please email lizroberts@soha.co.uk or call us on the telephone number above.

P14 What a difference a day makes

P15 Putting people first

www.soha.co.uk

3

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW WEBSITE!

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Our Communications and IT teams worked really hard last year to improve the service we offer online, and at the end of September 2015 we unveiled the first part of the new Soha website. Many of you attended focus groups, completed surveys and gave feedback on our old website, helping us put the emphasis firmly on producing a site that you’d find genuinely useful.

I

n November we launched the tenant portal and began to send out information on how you can register to use our online services.

By now you should have received a letter with the information you need to claim your account – nearly 400 of you have registered already. If you want to register but can’t find your letter, just get in touch and we’ll resend it.

The new website is responsive: this means you can use it on your mobile or tablet as well as on a PC, which helps the 40% of users who access the site this way. It’s been completely redesigned to help you find the information you need about your home.

We designed the new website based on what you said would help you most If you’re a little hesitant about using technology but would like to register to use the website, why not come along to one of our FREE Get Online sessions? They’re held all around Soha’s area and all abilities are welcome. We provide tablets and laptops, and Adela and her team of Digital Champions (see right hand page) are on hand to help you with your technical troubles. See pages 8 and 9 for when they’ll be in your area.

THE TOP TEN THINGS TENANTS DO ON THE NEW WEBSITE* Read our new blog – Soha Super Savers www.soha.co.uk/ soha-super-savers

Learn about Universal Credit and how to be prepared in case it affects you www.soha.co.uk/ universal-credit See what homes we have for resale www.soha.co.uk/resale-homes Find out more about Right to Buy www.soha.co.uk/right-to-buy Check your rent account or make a payment (registered users only) www.soha.co.uk/my-account Look up when our office is open www.soha.co.uk/ opening-hours

Report any repairs that need making to your home (registered users only) www.soha.co.uk/ report-a-repair Tell us about any problems in your neighbourhood www.soha.co.uk/ report-neighbourhood-issues

Find out about how and when to pay your rent www.soha.co.uk/how-to-pay

WIN

Orchard Gate – find out more about our new extra care scheme in Kingston Bagpuize www.soha.co.uk/ orchardgate

*most popular pages December 2015 – January 2016

AN AMAZON FIRE TABLET

Sign up to claim your website account by Friday 8 April 2016 to be entered into our free prize draw to win one of four Amazon Fire tablets.

Featuring a beautiful 7” screen, a fast 1.3GHz quad-core processor and rear- and frontfacing cameras, the Amazon Fire is the perfect tablet for checking out Soha’s new website.

Lost your registration letter?

No problem – email us at housing@soha.co.uk and we’ll resend the information you need to claim your account.

4

www.soha.co.uk

DIGITAL CHAMPIONS ARE TENANTS LIKE YOU! David Wilkins helps residents of Goring. His sessions are at Towse Court in the morning, every four weeks on a Thursday. “The thing I enjoy most about being a Digital Champion is that I get to develop a better relationship with fellow residents. I also get to see the excitement new technology brings to those who thought it was all beyond them!”

Geoff Roberts works on sessions at Lee Court, Thame, every other Monday. “The first time I turned up for this scheme I was very nervous and apprehensive, but I soon realised how wonderfully rewarding it can be.”

Digital Champion Bob Ayres’s base is The Acreage, Chalgrove, where he runs Get Online sessions on the second Wednesday of every month. “What I enjoy about being a Digital Champion is the variety of different challenges that come my way!”

Roger Moth is your go-to man if you can get to Old School Place, Watlington, every second Tuesday. “Showing people how to use a PC or a tablet and then connect to the Internet to find their favourite places, people or relatives is very fulfilling – and of course I still learn as well.”

Lynn Foley runs the courses in Didcot.

“I have a good basic knowledge of how a computer works and pass this on by helping other people into the digital age.”

You’ll often find John Smelt helping out at Didcot sessions, too. “I enjoy helping those who are in the same position as I was 30 years ago when there was very little help.” John and Lynn are at Barnes Close every fourth Thursday.

If you’re a dab hand with a computer and like helping other people, you’d make a great Digital Champion to join the team! Call Adela, the Digital Inclusion Officer, on 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free even from most mobile providers) or email her at digital@soha.co.uk to talk it through.

We thank our Champions with shopping vouchers and travel expenses.

www.soha.co.uk

5

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

WELCOME TO YOUR NEW WEBSITE!

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Our Communications and IT teams worked really hard last year to improve the service we offer online, and at the end of September 2015 we unveiled the first part of the new Soha website. Many of you attended focus groups, completed surveys and gave feedback on our old website, helping us put the emphasis firmly on producing a site that you’d find genuinely useful.

I

n November we launched the tenant portal and began to send out information on how you can register to use our online services.

By now you should have received a letter with the information you need to claim your account – nearly 400 of you have registered already. If you want to register but can’t find your letter, just get in touch and we’ll resend it.

The new website is responsive: this means you can use it on your mobile or tablet as well as on a PC, which helps the 40% of users who access the site this way. It’s been completely redesigned to help you find the information you need about your home.

We designed the new website based on what you said would help you most If you’re a little hesitant about using technology but would like to register to use the website, why not come along to one of our FREE Get Online sessions? They’re held all around Soha’s area and all abilities are welcome. We provide tablets and laptops, and Adela and her team of Digital Champions (see right hand page) are on hand to help you with your technical troubles. See pages 8 and 9 for when they’ll be in your area.

THE TOP TEN THINGS TENANTS DO ON THE NEW WEBSITE* Read our new blog – Soha Super Savers www.soha.co.uk/ soha-super-savers

Learn about Universal Credit and how to be prepared in case it affects you www.soha.co.uk/ universal-credit See what homes we have for resale www.soha.co.uk/resale-homes Find out more about Right to Buy www.soha.co.uk/right-to-buy Check your rent account or make a payment (registered users only) www.soha.co.uk/my-account Look up when our office is open www.soha.co.uk/ opening-hours

Report any repairs that need making to your home (registered users only) www.soha.co.uk/ report-a-repair Tell us about any problems in your neighbourhood www.soha.co.uk/ report-neighbourhood-issues

Find out about how and when to pay your rent www.soha.co.uk/how-to-pay

WIN

Orchard Gate – find out more about our new extra care scheme in Kingston Bagpuize www.soha.co.uk/ orchardgate

*most popular pages December 2015 – January 2016

AN AMAZON FIRE TABLET

Sign up to claim your website account by Friday 8 April 2016 to be entered into our free prize draw to win one of four Amazon Fire tablets.

Featuring a beautiful 7” screen, a fast 1.3GHz quad-core processor and rear- and frontfacing cameras, the Amazon Fire is the perfect tablet for checking out Soha’s new website.

Lost your registration letter?

No problem – email us at housing@soha.co.uk and we’ll resend the information you need to claim your account.

4

www.soha.co.uk

DIGITAL CHAMPIONS ARE TENANTS LIKE YOU! David Wilkins helps residents of Goring. His sessions are at Towse Court in the morning, every four weeks on a Thursday. “The thing I enjoy most about being a Digital Champion is that I get to develop a better relationship with fellow residents. I also get to see the excitement new technology brings to those who thought it was all beyond them!”

Geoff Roberts works on sessions at Lee Court, Thame, every other Monday. “The first time I turned up for this scheme I was very nervous and apprehensive, but I soon realised how wonderfully rewarding it can be.”

Digital Champion Bob Ayres’s base is The Acreage, Chalgrove, where he runs Get Online sessions on the second Wednesday of every month. “What I enjoy about being a Digital Champion is the variety of different challenges that come my way!”

Roger Moth is your go-to man if you can get to Old School Place, Watlington, every second Tuesday. “Showing people how to use a PC or a tablet and then connect to the Internet to find their favourite places, people or relatives is very fulfilling – and of course I still learn as well.”

Lynn Foley runs the courses in Didcot.

“I have a good basic knowledge of how a computer works and pass this on by helping other people into the digital age.”

You’ll often find John Smelt helping out at Didcot sessions, too. “I enjoy helping those who are in the same position as I was 30 years ago when there was very little help.” John and Lynn are at Barnes Close every fourth Thursday.

If you’re a dab hand with a computer and like helping other people, you’d make a great Digital Champion to join the team! Call Adela, the Digital Inclusion Officer, on 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free even from most mobile providers) or email her at digital@soha.co.uk to talk it through.

We thank our Champions with shopping vouchers and travel expenses.

www.soha.co.uk

5

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Launchpad!

One of our objectives as a landlord that provides more than bricks and mortar is “to help tenants thrive, not just survive”.

What makes a good neighbour?

Part of this involves supporting people into training and employment. There are plenty of opportunities for Soha tenants through the Launchpad project – free opportunities for you to take up! Let us know how we can help.

When Soha has run “Good Neighbour” competitions in past years, we’ve heard some lovely stories. There were people who gardened for their next-door neighbours and a young lad who routinely did the shopping for a disabled resident.

Quite often, though, the most important thing someone has done is simply kept a look out for a neighbour.

T

enancy Support Officer Toby Laver says he knows residents worry about checking on their neighbours for fear that people think they’re meddling. “But I can think of two recent instances where concerned neighbours have alerted Soha to extremely vulnerable tenants. If someone had not kept a ‘watchful eye’, we would not have been able to offer help where it was urgently needed.”

Toby’s message is simple: “Don’t think you’re being a nosy neighbour if you haven’t seen your elderly Soha neighbour around recently. The chances are you’d be doing them a 6

www.soha.co.uk

Qualifications

As part of the Launchpad project Soha is providing three communities with employment training, advice and support: Wallingford, Cholsey and Sonning Common.

Soha runs regular training for tenants – is there a course you would like to do?

The scheme started in January and is for residents of any age group looking for work now or for training to be work-ready at a later date. If this sounds like you, get in touch with Soha’s Jackie Logan – telephone numbers at the foot of the page.

Jackie will organise for the adviser to meet you for a coffee and talk through what sort of support would be most helpful for your situation.

really valuable service by telling us that all does not seem to be well.”

Jude McCaffrey, Head of Housing at Soha, says that one of the most well-attended discussion groups he has ever held with tenants was on this topic. “Some who worked in schools or with charities for vulnerable people had powerful experiences to add to the debate. There was a lot of lively conversation, but everyone in the room felt that we could be more proactive. One recommendation was for Soha to make sure that anyone who went into a customer’s home on Soha business would act on clues

Jobs, training and advice

that someone was in distress. We mustn’t assume someone else will pick up the issue!

The outcome of that meeting was that all Soha staff and contractors now carry with them this little reminder about looking out for tenants and their families. So you can be sure that, if you do share a concern with us, we will take you seriously.”

We’re also working in partnership with Berinsfield’s Employment Action Group, which provides training and support into employment. If you would like more information on how they can help you, please contact Linda Champion, Managing Director of Employment Action Group. Email managereag@outlook.com or ring 01865 341944.

We’ve recently run a successful six-week customer service course delivered by Abingdon & Witney College.

We have also funded places on a forklift training course based at SOFEA in Milton Park. Three tenants were on the first course in January.

This will help them get a job in a warehouse or increase their hourly wage. One of the tenants is also doing some volunteering at SOFEA – great for the CV!

Computer skills Adela is Soha’s Digital Inclusion Officer. She works in communities to support residents from computer beginners to those who want to improve their skills. She and the Digital Champions (see page 5) will give support on Excel, Word, emailing and Skype – it all depends what you need. Find out when Adela has a session in your area by calling her on one of the numbers below.

Get in touch and let us know how we can help.

Contact Soha on 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free from a landline and most mobile providers), or email us at housing@soha.co.uk.

www.soha.co.uk

7

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Launchpad!

One of our objectives as a landlord that provides more than bricks and mortar is “to help tenants thrive, not just survive”.

What makes a good neighbour?

Part of this involves supporting people into training and employment. There are plenty of opportunities for Soha tenants through the Launchpad project – free opportunities for you to take up! Let us know how we can help.

When Soha has run “Good Neighbour” competitions in past years, we’ve heard some lovely stories. There were people who gardened for their next-door neighbours and a young lad who routinely did the shopping for a disabled resident.

Quite often, though, the most important thing someone has done is simply kept a look out for a neighbour.

T

enancy Support Officer Toby Laver says he knows residents worry about checking on their neighbours for fear that people think they’re meddling. “But I can think of two recent instances where concerned neighbours have alerted Soha to extremely vulnerable tenants. If someone had not kept a ‘watchful eye’, we would not have been able to offer help where it was urgently needed.”

Toby’s message is simple: “Don’t think you’re being a nosy neighbour if you haven’t seen your elderly Soha neighbour around recently. The chances are you’d be doing them a 6

www.soha.co.uk

Qualifications

As part of the Launchpad project Soha is providing three communities with employment training, advice and support: Wallingford, Cholsey and Sonning Common.

Soha runs regular training for tenants – is there a course you would like to do?

The scheme started in January and is for residents of any age group looking for work now or for training to be work-ready at a later date. If this sounds like you, get in touch with Soha’s Jackie Logan – telephone numbers at the foot of the page.

Jackie will organise for the adviser to meet you for a coffee and talk through what sort of support would be most helpful for your situation.

really valuable service by telling us that all does not seem to be well.”

Jude McCaffrey, Head of Housing at Soha, says that one of the most well-attended discussion groups he has ever held with tenants was on this topic. “Some who worked in schools or with charities for vulnerable people had powerful experiences to add to the debate. There was a lot of lively conversation, but everyone in the room felt that we could be more proactive. One recommendation was for Soha to make sure that anyone who went into a customer’s home on Soha business would act on clues

Jobs, training and advice

that someone was in distress. We mustn’t assume someone else will pick up the issue!

The outcome of that meeting was that all Soha staff and contractors now carry with them this little reminder about looking out for tenants and their families. So you can be sure that, if you do share a concern with us, we will take you seriously.”

We’re also working in partnership with Berinsfield’s Employment Action Group, which provides training and support into employment. If you would like more information on how they can help you, please contact Linda Champion, Managing Director of Employment Action Group. Email managereag@outlook.com or ring 01865 341944.

We’ve recently run a successful six-week customer service course delivered by Abingdon & Witney College.

We have also funded places on a forklift training course based at SOFEA in Milton Park. Three tenants were on the first course in January.

This will help them get a job in a warehouse or increase their hourly wage. One of the tenants is also doing some volunteering at SOFEA – great for the CV!

Computer skills Adela is Soha’s Digital Inclusion Officer. She works in communities to support residents from computer beginners to those who want to improve their skills. She and the Digital Champions (see page 5) will give support on Excel, Word, emailing and Skype – it all depends what you need. Find out when Adela has a session in your area by calling her on one of the numbers below.

Get in touch and let us know how we can help.

Contact Soha on 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free from a landline and most mobile providers), or email us at housing@soha.co.uk.

www.soha.co.uk

7

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Diary dates

Training |

April 2016

May 2016

June 2016

Tuesday 5 April

Tuesday 10 May

Thursday 2 June

PM visit: Estate inspection, Medill Close, Woodcote

11am – 12pm: FREE get online session, Old School Place, Watlington

AM visit: Estate inspection, Fleet Meadow, Didcot

Thursday 7 April 10.30am – 12pm: FREE get online session, Towse Court, Goring Tuesday 12 April 11am – 1pm: Liaison Group meeting, Royal Scot House 11am: FREE get online session, Watlington, Old School Place AM visit: Estate inspection, Van Dieman’s Road & Broadwaters Avenue, Thame Wednesday 13 April

AM visit: Estate inspection, Swindon

Monday 6 June AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Drive, Didcot

PM visit: Estate inspection, Van Dieman’s Road & Broadwaters Avenue, Thame

Tuesday 7 June

Wednesday 11 May

AM visit: Estate inspection, Medill Close, Woodcote

AM visit: Estate inspection, Fleet Meadow, Didcot

Thursday 9 June

AM visit: Estate inspection, Medill Close, Woodcote

All day: Estate inspection, Swindon

Thursday 12 May

AM visit: Estate inspection, Gainsborough Estate, Henley

10am – 1pm: Scrutiny Group meeting, Royal Scot House

Monday 13 June

AM visit: Estate inspection, Fleet Meadow, Didcot

AM visit: Estate inspection, Gainsborough Estate, Henley

PM visit: Estate inspection, Sherwood Place, Barton

Thursday 14 April

AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Drive, Didcot

Tuesday 14 June

All day: Estate inspection, Swindon

Monday 16 May

AM visit: Estate inspection, Van Dieman’s Road & Broadwaters Avenue, Thame

AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Drive, Didcot

AM visit: Estate inspection, Sherwood Place, Barton

AM visit: Estate inspection, Gainsborough Estate, Henley

Thursday 19 May

Thursday 23 June AM visit: Estate inspection, Luker Avenue, Henley

Monday 18 April

6pm – 8.30pm: Tenants’ Forum meeting, Royal Scot House

PM visit: Estate inspection, Mount View, Henley

PM visit: Estate inspection, Sherwood Place, Barton

AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Park, Didcot

Thursday 30 June

Wednesday 25 May

AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Park, Didcot

Wednesday 20 April AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Park, Didcot

AM visit: Estate inspection, Ock Bridge Place, Drayton Road & Caldecott Chase, Abingdon

Thursday 28 April

Thursday 26 May

1pm – 3pm: FREE get online session, Barnes Close, Didcot

1am – 3pm: FREE get online session, Barnes Close, Didcot

AM visit: Estate inspection, Luker Avenue, Henley

AM visit: Estate inspection, Luker Avenue, Henley

PM visit: Estate inspection, Mount View, Henley

PM visit: Estate inspection, Mount View, Henley

8

www.soha.co.uk

If you’re interested in attending any of the events listed here, or joining one of our estate inspections, please call us on 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free from landlines and mobiles) for more information. Even if where you live isn’t on our calendar, you can still arrange to meet your Neighbourhood Officer to chat about any concerns in your area.

Estate inspections and surveys |

Resident Involvement

News in brief Award success Well done to Soha residents who were shortlisted in the southern region of TPAS awards. Soha Shorts, the 2015 report, was nominated for “Best Annual Report” and Gainsborough Residents’ Association for “Best Community Action”.

The winner of the competition in the last Hometalk to tell us which politician said “a week is a long time in politics” was David Murray of Wheatley. The politician was Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

Persistent Carole Burchett, Chair of Soha’s Tenant Scrutiny Group, is not someone to be fobbed off! Carole was involved with Scrutiny Live last year, a project culminating in a tenantled fringe meeting at the Chartered Institute of Housing conference in June. Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, had been invited but was unable to attend. Carole persisted in asking for a meeting which, when it finally happened at the end of 2015, stretched from the planned 30 minutes to 50. Carole reports that a good discussion took place, and that Mr Clark was genuinely interested in the views of “real-life” social housing tenants.

Universal Credit update There are now 34 households on Universal Credit (UC) among Soha customers. The Department for Work and Pensions will eventually contact everyone on benefits about making the switch, but it’s being rolled out in stages and single people will be the first to hear. When you do get told you’re going onto UC, just let us know and we’ll help you through the process.

Soha has been running Housing Benefit (HB) surgeries in Thame, Didcot and Henley for some years. From 1 April, these will no longer take place but advisors will be regularly available to South and Vale HB claimants through the Rental Income team at Soha. Call them to find out more about the service: 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45.

www.soha.co.uk

9

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Diary dates

Training |

April 2016

May 2016

June 2016

Tuesday 5 April

Tuesday 10 May

Thursday 2 June

PM visit: Estate inspection, Medill Close, Woodcote

11am – 12pm: FREE get online session, Old School Place, Watlington

AM visit: Estate inspection, Fleet Meadow, Didcot

Thursday 7 April 10.30am – 12pm: FREE get online session, Towse Court, Goring Tuesday 12 April 11am – 1pm: Liaison Group meeting, Royal Scot House 11am: FREE get online session, Watlington, Old School Place AM visit: Estate inspection, Van Dieman’s Road & Broadwaters Avenue, Thame Wednesday 13 April

AM visit: Estate inspection, Swindon

Monday 6 June AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Drive, Didcot

PM visit: Estate inspection, Van Dieman’s Road & Broadwaters Avenue, Thame

Tuesday 7 June

Wednesday 11 May

AM visit: Estate inspection, Medill Close, Woodcote

AM visit: Estate inspection, Fleet Meadow, Didcot

Thursday 9 June

AM visit: Estate inspection, Medill Close, Woodcote

All day: Estate inspection, Swindon

Thursday 12 May

AM visit: Estate inspection, Gainsborough Estate, Henley

10am – 1pm: Scrutiny Group meeting, Royal Scot House

Monday 13 June

AM visit: Estate inspection, Fleet Meadow, Didcot

AM visit: Estate inspection, Gainsborough Estate, Henley

PM visit: Estate inspection, Sherwood Place, Barton

Thursday 14 April

AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Drive, Didcot

Tuesday 14 June

All day: Estate inspection, Swindon

Monday 16 May

AM visit: Estate inspection, Van Dieman’s Road & Broadwaters Avenue, Thame

AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Drive, Didcot

AM visit: Estate inspection, Sherwood Place, Barton

AM visit: Estate inspection, Gainsborough Estate, Henley

Thursday 19 May

Thursday 23 June AM visit: Estate inspection, Luker Avenue, Henley

Monday 18 April

6pm – 8.30pm: Tenants’ Forum meeting, Royal Scot House

PM visit: Estate inspection, Mount View, Henley

PM visit: Estate inspection, Sherwood Place, Barton

AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Park, Didcot

Thursday 30 June

Wednesday 25 May

AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Park, Didcot

Wednesday 20 April AM visit: Estate inspection, Great Western Park, Didcot

AM visit: Estate inspection, Ock Bridge Place, Drayton Road & Caldecott Chase, Abingdon

Thursday 28 April

Thursday 26 May

1pm – 3pm: FREE get online session, Barnes Close, Didcot

1am – 3pm: FREE get online session, Barnes Close, Didcot

AM visit: Estate inspection, Luker Avenue, Henley

AM visit: Estate inspection, Luker Avenue, Henley

PM visit: Estate inspection, Mount View, Henley

PM visit: Estate inspection, Mount View, Henley

8

www.soha.co.uk

If you’re interested in attending any of the events listed here, or joining one of our estate inspections, please call us on 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free from landlines and mobiles) for more information. Even if where you live isn’t on our calendar, you can still arrange to meet your Neighbourhood Officer to chat about any concerns in your area.

Estate inspections and surveys |

Resident Involvement

News in brief Award success Well done to Soha residents who were shortlisted in the southern region of TPAS awards. Soha Shorts, the 2015 report, was nominated for “Best Annual Report” and Gainsborough Residents’ Association for “Best Community Action”.

The winner of the competition in the last Hometalk to tell us which politician said “a week is a long time in politics” was David Murray of Wheatley. The politician was Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

Persistent Carole Burchett, Chair of Soha’s Tenant Scrutiny Group, is not someone to be fobbed off! Carole was involved with Scrutiny Live last year, a project culminating in a tenantled fringe meeting at the Chartered Institute of Housing conference in June. Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, had been invited but was unable to attend. Carole persisted in asking for a meeting which, when it finally happened at the end of 2015, stretched from the planned 30 minutes to 50. Carole reports that a good discussion took place, and that Mr Clark was genuinely interested in the views of “real-life” social housing tenants.

Universal Credit update There are now 34 households on Universal Credit (UC) among Soha customers. The Department for Work and Pensions will eventually contact everyone on benefits about making the switch, but it’s being rolled out in stages and single people will be the first to hear. When you do get told you’re going onto UC, just let us know and we’ll help you through the process.

Soha has been running Housing Benefit (HB) surgeries in Thame, Didcot and Henley for some years. From 1 April, these will no longer take place but advisors will be regularly available to South and Vale HB claimants through the Rental Income team at Soha. Call them to find out more about the service: 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45.

www.soha.co.uk

9

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

IS YOUR HOME BECOMING TOO BIG FOR YOU?

Making life

more comfortable

Soha has a wide range of ways to make sure that life as an elderly or disabled Soha tenant is comfortable and safe.

W

hether you need help with personal care, a Lifeline pendant alarm or a handyperson service, we may be able to assist. However, the most important service we provide is our aids and adaptations service.

If you are disabled and require work to be carried out in your home to make day-to-day life more comfortable, we will visit and look at what we can adapt or improve to help you stay mobile – for instance, installing grab rails or a ramp. This type of minor work can be carried out within 4 weeks after you contact us.

For major work, such as improving access to your home or installing a walk-in shower or stair lift, you will first need to be assessed by an Oxfordshire County Council Occupational Therapist (OT).

Soha’s Tenant Scrutiny Group recently looked at how well Soha provides the aids and adaptations service and recommended that we could speed up the process by having our own OTs. Then, instead of applications going into the County Council “in tray” along with all the others from across the area, they would simply be passed across a desk at Soha’s offices.

Having costed the service, Assistant Director of Customer Services Lee Hayward explains, “It was clear that the assessment process for major adaptations would be greatly reduced if Soha tenants could be assessed by a Soha-based OT.” OTs Sarah Clark and Nadia Baker (Nadia is seen here with Soha’s Chris Kitchen) were seconded on a six-month trial project from Oxfordshire County Council in a joint funding arrangement between the County Council and Soha.

Lee says, “The trial project, which ends on 31 March, has helped us understand how much quicker we can provide the service to our tenants if we can ‘head off’ referrals, which would otherwise go to the main County Council Access Team.

The early signs are encouraging.

But it’s not just been a matter of cost and speed for Soha. Our in-house OTs have spoken with

10

www.soha.co.uk

If you’re getting older and your children have left home, you might want to think about downsizing to a smaller property.

“I made the move” - Josephine Hitchman of Didcot

T our tenants about more than aids and adaptations. They have also discussed other options such as re-housing to a more suitable and better-equipped home.

The OTs have also provided advice on the layout of some of our newbuild properties and helped us match new disabled tenants with the right homes.”

Chris Kitchen, Soha Technical Officer, confirmed: “The in-house OTs mean that a resident needing a major adaptation can typically be seen within a week, rather than months.”

To apply, please call us on 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free from most mobile providers) or email housing@soha.co.uk.

his can often help reduce heating bills and give you a more manageable home, perhaps nearer to your family.

Moving to a smaller home can also help you avoid the bedroom tax (or under-occupancy charge).

If you live in a family-sized home and want to move to smaller accommodation you’ll qualify for our transfer incentive scheme and can get help with your move. We provide: • help with removal costs, or • a cash payment* when you move in, and • help with organising your move.

Contact us to find out more: email housing@soha.co.uk or phone 01235 515 900 or (free even from most mobile providers) 0800 014 15 45. *If you have outstanding rent or service charges, any cash payment will be used to help you clear your arrears.

Mrs Hitchman, now of Didcot, had several reasons to want to downsize from her three-bedroomed house using Soha’s transfer incentive scheme. Her three adult daughters had long left home, she had a vast garden to keep up and she was living in a village which – though a great community – lacked facilities. She regularly had to drive five miles to Didcot to shop.

“The process of viewing possible new homes and moving was straightforward and the incentive cash came in time to decorate and put in new carpets. The next project is to redesign the garden.

The move has brought lots of advantages,” she says, showing us round her new home with a smile.

www.soha.co.uk

11

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

IS YOUR HOME BECOMING TOO BIG FOR YOU?

Making life

more comfortable

Soha has a wide range of ways to make sure that life as an elderly or disabled Soha tenant is comfortable and safe.

W

hether you need help with personal care, a Lifeline pendant alarm or a handyperson service, we may be able to assist. However, the most important service we provide is our aids and adaptations service.

If you are disabled and require work to be carried out in your home to make day-to-day life more comfortable, we will visit and look at what we can adapt or improve to help you stay mobile – for instance, installing grab rails or a ramp. This type of minor work can be carried out within 4 weeks after you contact us.

For major work, such as improving access to your home or installing a walk-in shower or stair lift, you will first need to be assessed by an Oxfordshire County Council Occupational Therapist (OT).

Soha’s Tenant Scrutiny Group recently looked at how well Soha provides the aids and adaptations service and recommended that we could speed up the process by having our own OTs. Then, instead of applications going into the County Council “in tray” along with all the others from across the area, they would simply be passed across a desk at Soha’s offices.

Having costed the service, Assistant Director of Customer Services Lee Hayward explains, “It was clear that the assessment process for major adaptations would be greatly reduced if Soha tenants could be assessed by a Soha-based OT.” OTs Sarah Clark and Nadia Baker (Nadia is seen here with Soha’s Chris Kitchen) were seconded on a six-month trial project from Oxfordshire County Council in a joint funding arrangement between the County Council and Soha.

Lee says, “The trial project, which ends on 31 March, has helped us understand how much quicker we can provide the service to our tenants if we can ‘head off’ referrals, which would otherwise go to the main County Council Access Team.

The early signs are encouraging.

But it’s not just been a matter of cost and speed for Soha. Our in-house OTs have spoken with

10

www.soha.co.uk

If you’re getting older and your children have left home, you might want to think about downsizing to a smaller property.

“I made the move” - Josephine Hitchman of Didcot

T our tenants about more than aids and adaptations. They have also discussed other options such as re-housing to a more suitable and better-equipped home.

The OTs have also provided advice on the layout of some of our newbuild properties and helped us match new disabled tenants with the right homes.”

Chris Kitchen, Soha Technical Officer, confirmed: “The in-house OTs mean that a resident needing a major adaptation can typically be seen within a week, rather than months.”

To apply, please call us on 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free from most mobile providers) or email housing@soha.co.uk.

his can often help reduce heating bills and give you a more manageable home, perhaps nearer to your family.

Moving to a smaller home can also help you avoid the bedroom tax (or under-occupancy charge).

If you live in a family-sized home and want to move to smaller accommodation you’ll qualify for our transfer incentive scheme and can get help with your move. We provide: • help with removal costs, or • a cash payment* when you move in, and • help with organising your move.

Contact us to find out more: email housing@soha.co.uk or phone 01235 515 900 or (free even from most mobile providers) 0800 014 15 45. *If you have outstanding rent or service charges, any cash payment will be used to help you clear your arrears.

Mrs Hitchman, now of Didcot, had several reasons to want to downsize from her three-bedroomed house using Soha’s transfer incentive scheme. Her three adult daughters had long left home, she had a vast garden to keep up and she was living in a village which – though a great community – lacked facilities. She regularly had to drive five miles to Didcot to shop.

“The process of viewing possible new homes and moving was straightforward and the incentive cash came in time to decorate and put in new carpets. The next project is to redesign the garden.

The move has brought lots of advantages,” she says, showing us round her new home with a smile.

www.soha.co.uk

11

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Maybe you’re a fruit or vegetable gardener or have only got into gardening in the last year?

Dig It!

Whatever your interest or experience, if you’re a Soha tenant the...

“Indoors or out, there’s always a job for a keen gardener,” says Damien, Soha’s award-winning gardener.

Plots & Pots 2016

Outdoors

Do your green fingers turn out a glorious garden or a well-groomed window box?

gardening competition is for you!

Get an entry pack for the categories (you can enter more than one) which interest you by contacting the Resident Involvement Team.

Categories: • Best Front/Back Garden

• Best Garden Container/Basket

• Best Allotment/Vegetable Plot

• Most Improved Garden

• Best Communal Garden

• Children’s Tallest Sunflower

• Best Sheltered Scheme Garden Phone: 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free even from most mobile providers) Email: ri@soha.co.uk Write free: FREEPOST SOHA HOUSING (that’s all the address you need) Drop in to Soha: Monday to Friday, 08.30am to 5.00pm Closing Date: 29 July 2016 Terms and conditions apply

Lawns: now’s the time to remove any thatch that has built up. It doesn’t just look nasty, it can also harbour disease. A brisk raking a couple of times – first lengthwise, then across the lawn to make sure you’ve covered the whole area – should do the trick. Re-seeding afterwards will help fill in the lawn and leave no space for moss or weeds. The volume to use is 1lb/500g of lawn seed for 300 ft2 of lawn. Water it, then shovel a little compost over the top of the seed to keep the moisture in and the seeds away from the clutches of birds. If you use a garden fork and punch holes over the surface of your lawn, when you water it more goodness will penetrate deeper.

When you do the first cut of the year, the mower blade needs to be sharp and set at around 3 ½”/ 7cm so you don’t tear at the grass.

Shrubs and roses: now’s the time for a good feed. You won’t need to buy expensive rosefeed if you use banana peels, smashed flat and buried about 6”/15cm down around the roots. Roses like the potassium bananas provide. They also like coffee grounds to make the soil a little acid, and fish tank water to give it a shot of nitrogen. Use these household items sparingly – maybe once every three weeks – as plants can have too much of a good thing!

If you have a dog who’s turned up his nose at some cheap dog “crunchies” you’ve bought, don’t throw them away. The nutrients in the dog food will also give your soil a boost! Get soil ready for planting by digging some in and watering well.

Sawdust: if you’ve done any DIY or the children’s guinea pig uses sawdust, keep some back to put round your outdoor plants.

(It’s important that you use fresh sawdust, not the stuff from the pet cage that you’d be ditching.)

Slugs and snails will avoid crossing it unless they are starving. Sand is just as unattractive to them.

Indoors

Banish slugs!

You can stop visiting wildlife from feasting by covering the patch with cardboard until the dog food has decomposed. If the cardboard is really soaking, it too will decompose in time and add goodness to the soil.

Whilst we’re on the subject of getting good gardening use out of things you might have to hand anyway, here are some ways to prevent slugs getting at your plants before you do.

Move houseplants around so that each side gets its share of spring sunshine. Your window panes won’t necessarily be that hot to the touch yet, but it only takes a bit of prolonged sun and leaves that are touching the glass can get scorched: move your plants if necessary.

If you gently rinse the dust off leaves with plain water, you’ll help them breathe. The plants could probably do with a bit more water to the roots now, too.

Pinch back the leaves of foliage houseplants so they grow bushy for the summer.

Egg and nut shells: slugs and snails hate crossing sharp shells, plus they eventually rot down and enrich the soil. It’s important that you don’t smash them up too finely. www.soha.co.uk 13

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Maybe you’re a fruit or vegetable gardener or have only got into gardening in the last year?

Dig It!

Whatever your interest or experience, if you’re a Soha tenant the...

“Indoors or out, there’s always a job for a keen gardener,” says Damien, Soha’s award-winning gardener.

Plots & Pots 2016

Outdoors

Do your green fingers turn out a glorious garden or a well-groomed window box?

gardening competition is for you!

Get an entry pack for the categories (you can enter more than one) which interest you by contacting the Resident Involvement Team.

Categories: • Best Front/Back Garden

• Best Garden Container/Basket

• Best Allotment/Vegetable Plot

• Most Improved Garden

• Best Communal Garden

• Children’s Tallest Sunflower

• Best Sheltered Scheme Garden Phone: 01235 515 900 or 0800 014 15 45 (free even from most mobile providers) Email: ri@soha.co.uk Write free: FREEPOST SOHA HOUSING (that’s all the address you need) Drop in to Soha: Monday to Friday, 08.30am to 5.00pm Closing Date: 29 July 2016 Terms and conditions apply

Lawns: now’s the time to remove any thatch that has built up. It doesn’t just look nasty, it can also harbour disease. A brisk raking a couple of times – first lengthwise, then across the lawn to make sure you’ve covered the whole area – should do the trick. Re-seeding afterwards will help fill in the lawn and leave no space for moss or weeds. The volume to use is 1lb/500g of lawn seed for 300 ft2 of lawn. Water it, then shovel a little compost over the top of the seed to keep the moisture in and the seeds away from the clutches of birds. If you use a garden fork and punch holes over the surface of your lawn, when you water it more goodness will penetrate deeper.

When you do the first cut of the year, the mower blade needs to be sharp and set at around 3 ½”/ 7cm so you don’t tear at the grass.

Shrubs and roses: now’s the time for a good feed. You won’t need to buy expensive rosefeed if you use banana peels, smashed flat and buried about 6”/15cm down around the roots. Roses like the potassium bananas provide. They also like coffee grounds to make the soil a little acid, and fish tank water to give it a shot of nitrogen. Use these household items sparingly – maybe once every three weeks – as plants can have too much of a good thing!

If you have a dog who’s turned up his nose at some cheap dog “crunchies” you’ve bought, don’t throw them away. The nutrients in the dog food will also give your soil a boost! Get soil ready for planting by digging some in and watering well.

Sawdust: if you’ve done any DIY or the children’s guinea pig uses sawdust, keep some back to put round your outdoor plants.

(It’s important that you use fresh sawdust, not the stuff from the pet cage that you’d be ditching.)

Slugs and snails will avoid crossing it unless they are starving. Sand is just as unattractive to them.

Indoors

Banish slugs!

You can stop visiting wildlife from feasting by covering the patch with cardboard until the dog food has decomposed. If the cardboard is really soaking, it too will decompose in time and add goodness to the soil.

Whilst we’re on the subject of getting good gardening use out of things you might have to hand anyway, here are some ways to prevent slugs getting at your plants before you do.

Move houseplants around so that each side gets its share of spring sunshine. Your window panes won’t necessarily be that hot to the touch yet, but it only takes a bit of prolonged sun and leaves that are touching the glass can get scorched: move your plants if necessary.

If you gently rinse the dust off leaves with plain water, you’ll help them breathe. The plants could probably do with a bit more water to the roots now, too.

Pinch back the leaves of foliage houseplants so they grow bushy for the summer.

Egg and nut shells: slugs and snails hate crossing sharp shells, plus they eventually rot down and enrich the soil. It’s important that you don’t smash them up too finely. www.soha.co.uk 13

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Clockwise from top left: Chelsea, Amba and Lauren; Lauren attends sheltered scheme ‘surgeries’ with Dawn Golding; Amba takes to the Customer Services phones; the apprentices will get a Housing Practice qualification; Didcot Best Apprenticeship Scheme award winners

What a difference a day makes This slot in Hometalk is normally the space in which we introduce residents to a frontline Soha staff member.

In this edition, you’re getting three for the price of one!

A

ugust 2015 saw the arrival of three new housing apprentices: Chelsea Sleep, Amba Powell and Lauren Aldridge (pictured). So far, they’ve all had a taster of the main housing functions – Customer Service, Responsive Repairs, Resident Involvement, Rental Income, Neighbourhoods, Lettings and Sheltered Housing – and will soon get the opportunity to specialise in a department they particularly enjoy. Six months into the job, Hometalk stopped them in the corridor to find out how they think they are already making a difference.

Lauren says, “Before working for Soha, I hadn’t experienced 14

www.soha.co.uk

social housing. Now I understand what it is and what we do as a landlord. From working in the Neighbourhoods team to resolve any anti-social behaviour issues to answering the phone calls in Customer Services, every day brings different responsibilities to our customers.”

Housing was also new to Chelsea: “I have learnt that social housing provides much more than just a place to live. One of my first jobs here was in Resident Involvement, where I was giving customers the opportunity to tell us what they think about the whole range of Soha services.”

Amba summarises her busy last few months: “Being here has given me a much better understanding of housing as a whole and how much organisations, especially Soha, can do for their residents. I really enjoy being able to help and be a part of people’s lives.”

HR Manager Katie Legg says that Soha is now firmly committed to “growing its own” housing talent – Amba, Chelsea and Lauren are just the latest recruits to a scheme that has been running since 2012.

“Apprentices get work experience and complete training for a qualification. Soha’s already reaping the benefits of new eyes looking at our business: Amba, Chelsea and Lauren are currently doing projects such as coming up with an action plan for any of our estates with less than ‘4 star’ ratings and getting our data ready for this year’s Older Persons’ Visiting Scheme.”

Putting people first our Customer Charter T

wo tenants, Carole Burchett and Valerie Edwards, meet regularly with Maureen Adams, our Director, on behalf of the Tenants’ Forum. They check how we’re doing, for example with the Saturday morning calls service. We also have a Customer Charter which says we will: • Treat you courteously and “go that extra mile”.

• Keep your information confidential and keep up-to-date records.

In return we ask that you: • Look after your home and garden, paying rent promptly.

• Try to be considerate to neighbours.

• Communicate politely with staff at all times.

Did you know that with Soha you can: • Rent a garage?

• Ask for a visit to discuss your housing options (downsizing, moving)?

• Engage with support to get (back) into work?

At the end of their apprenticeship in summer 2017, Amba, Chelsea and Lauren will be able to apply for any permanent jobs that come up at Soha.

In the meantime, Soha must be doing something right: our apprentices won the “Best Apprenticeship Scheme” category at the 2015 Didcot First Business and Community Awards (see picture above)!

• Deal with correspondence (emails as well as letters) and complaints as quickly as possible.

• Make sure we have access to translators, interpreters and sign language experts.

• Explain how we meet the regulatory standards for our homes and neighbourhoods.

• Involve residents in all aspects of our business, even joining our Board.

• Apply for a small grant to improve your neighbourhood?

• Have free training to get online (and make full use of our new website)?

Beks Kent, our Senior Extra Care Manager, with a prospective tenant

www.soha.co.uk 15

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Hometalk | Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Clockwise from top left: Chelsea, Amba and Lauren; Lauren attends sheltered scheme ‘surgeries’ with Dawn Golding; Amba takes to the Customer Services phones; the apprentices will get a Housing Practice qualification; Didcot Best Apprenticeship Scheme award winners

What a difference a day makes This slot in Hometalk is normally the space in which we introduce residents to a frontline Soha staff member.

In this edition, you’re getting three for the price of one!

A

ugust 2015 saw the arrival of three new housing apprentices: Chelsea Sleep, Amba Powell and Lauren Aldridge (pictured). So far, they’ve all had a taster of the main housing functions – Customer Service, Responsive Repairs, Resident Involvement, Rental Income, Neighbourhoods, Lettings and Sheltered Housing – and will soon get the opportunity to specialise in a department they particularly enjoy. Six months into the job, Hometalk stopped them in the corridor to find out how they think they are already making a difference.

Lauren says, “Before working for Soha, I hadn’t experienced 14

www.soha.co.uk

social housing. Now I understand what it is and what we do as a landlord. From working in the Neighbourhoods team to resolve any anti-social behaviour issues to answering the phone calls in Customer Services, every day brings different responsibilities to our customers.”

Housing was also new to Chelsea: “I have learnt that social housing provides much more than just a place to live. One of my first jobs here was in Resident Involvement, where I was giving customers the opportunity to tell us what they think about the whole range of Soha services.”

Amba summarises her busy last few months: “Being here has given me a much better understanding of housing as a whole and how much organisations, especially Soha, can do for their residents. I really enjoy being able to help and be a part of people’s lives.”

HR Manager Katie Legg says that Soha is now firmly committed to “growing its own” housing talent – Amba, Chelsea and Lauren are just the latest recruits to a scheme that has been running since 2012.

“Apprentices get work experience and complete training for a qualification. Soha’s already reaping the benefits of new eyes looking at our business: Amba, Chelsea and Lauren are currently doing projects such as coming up with an action plan for any of our estates with less than ‘4 star’ ratings and getting our data ready for this year’s Older Persons’ Visiting Scheme.”

Putting people first our Customer Charter T

wo tenants, Carole Burchett and Valerie Edwards, meet regularly with Maureen Adams, our Director, on behalf of the Tenants’ Forum. They check how we’re doing, for example with the Saturday morning calls service. We also have a Customer Charter which says we will: • Treat you courteously and “go that extra mile”.

• Keep your information confidential and keep up-to-date records.

In return we ask that you: • Look after your home and garden, paying rent promptly.

• Try to be considerate to neighbours.

• Communicate politely with staff at all times.

Did you know that with Soha you can: • Rent a garage?

• Ask for a visit to discuss your housing options (downsizing, moving)?

• Engage with support to get (back) into work?

At the end of their apprenticeship in summer 2017, Amba, Chelsea and Lauren will be able to apply for any permanent jobs that come up at Soha.

In the meantime, Soha must be doing something right: our apprentices won the “Best Apprenticeship Scheme” category at the 2015 Didcot First Business and Community Awards (see picture above)!

• Deal with correspondence (emails as well as letters) and complaints as quickly as possible.

• Make sure we have access to translators, interpreters and sign language experts.

• Explain how we meet the regulatory standards for our homes and neighbourhoods.

• Involve residents in all aspects of our business, even joining our Board.

• Apply for a small grant to improve your neighbourhood?

• Have free training to get online (and make full use of our new website)?

Beks Kent, our Senior Extra Care Manager, with a prospective tenant

www.soha.co.uk 15

Discounts to refresh your home.

Soha Housing’s residents’ magazine | Spring 2016

Whatever the project, big or small, start every job with great discounts at your local Dulux Decorator Centre.

Back to work training for Soha tenants

Making life easier at home

What makes a good neighbour?

Page 7

Page 10

Page 6

Get huge savings and more including: • Savings across the range • Top branded paints and accessories • Discounts available in-store and online • 1,000’s of paint colours and wallcoverings • Friendly, helpful staff • And don’t forget, delivery is FREE!† Remember to always show your staff card or proof of tenancy to receive your discount.

For your nearest store call 0845 850 2200 or visit http://www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/ housing/soha or to place your order call 0845 602 3128. @DuluxRefresh

duluxdecoratorcentre

uk.linkedin.com/dulux-refresh *Discount is off shelf edge price exc. VAT. Not available on account terms, cash sales only. Products must be paid for at time of purchase. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Exclusions apply. See in-store for details. †Terms and conditions apply. Order before 9.30am for same day delivery. For online ordering only – free delivery to account holders and to non account holders on orders over £50.

WIN AN AMAZON FIRE TABLET Page 5