intouch Issue 70 – Winter 2011/2012
Free
www.wwha.net
The magazine for residents of Wales & West Housing Association
Plug the Debt How to save money on your fuel bills Also in this edition... You Said, We Did ‌ Supporting people back into employment Who does what? Key roles and responsibilities of staff New Resident Participation Strategy Helping you to get involved
r WiPn otte
ry Har dies Goo
CAB 4 Cardiff
Citizens Advice Services in Cardiff If you need advice in person: From 28 November 11, CAB advice is available at: Ely & Caerau Communities First, 4 Grand Avenue, CF5 4BL Thursday 10 am – 1 pm Friday 1 pm – 3 pm Llanedeyrn – Powerhouse Neighbourhood Learning Centre,
Roundwood, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff CF23 9PN
Tuesday
10 am – 1 pm
Llanrumney, The Library, Learning & Community Centre, Countisbury Avenue, CF3 5NQ
Wednesday
10 am – 1 pm
Trowbridge & St Mellons Library, 30 Crickhowell Road, CF3 0EF Friday 10 am – 1 pm
If you need advice over the telephone: From 21 November 2011, telephone: Adviceline Cymru 08444 77 20 20 Monday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm We will shortly have an Information Kiosk in Cardiff Library where you can get free access to our advice website: www.adviceguide.org.uk Free Independent Confidential Impartial
Contents
EDITOR’S LETTER
Drake’s Den
4
WWHA News & General Information
5
Digital Inclusion
10
WWHA News & General Info 12 You Said, We Did
14
Resident Participation 19 MAD Awards Report
22
Healthy Living
25
Money Matters
27
Anti Social Behaviour
30
Your News
33
Birthdays and Anniversaries
37
Letters
38
Equality Act 2010
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Dear Readers First and foremost Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to what 2012 may bring us all. We know that times are hard and that paying for our energy bills this time of year can be particularly difficult for many of us. So in this edition we’ve brought you a three page Money Matters special (pages 27 – 29) which includes all sort of hints and tips on how to save on your fuel bills, and, where to get help if you are having trouble paying what you owe. You have also asked us to tell you about how we’re helping people to get back into education and training (pages 14 & 15). We also take a look at some of the key roles and responsibilities of our staff – again, something you’ve asked us to do. Finally, we’ve a full report of the 2011 Making A Difference Awards, plus you can read a summary of our brand new Resident Participation Strategy (pages 19 to 21). Warm regards
Did you know you can now get more news and updates online? Follow us on
Sarah Manners, PR & Marketing Manager
Contact Us
@wwha In Touch in other languages and formats If you would like a copy of this edition of In Touch in Welsh or in another language or format, for example in large print, please let us know.
Wales & West Housing Association Ltd, 3 Alexandra Gate, Ffordd Pengam, Tremorfa, Cardiff CF24 2UD. Telephone: 0800 052 2526 Email: info@wwha.co.uk Website: www.wwha.net Minicom: 0800 052 5205 Alternatively you can contact most members of staff direct by email. All our staff emails end with @wwha.co.uk. If you know the name of the staff member, simply place a dot between their name e.g. joe.bloggs@wwha.co.uk
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n e D s ’ e k Dra Harry Potter Objects Word Search Puzzle D E S I R E F O R O R R I M F S X S T H BertieBottsBeans ChocolateFrog
S N O E L L A G O R F E T A L O C O H C FatLadyPortrait X R W Y E S E L K C I S T U N K X R E T Galleons M T L K E E W J W Q X Z F I B G N C S I GoldenSnitch Y X Y B N PWR Q I M P U G B D N E ON I N V I S I B I L I T Y C L O A K R R S N I M B U S T WO T H O U S A N D E T N L F A T L A D Y P O R T R A I T P R I E T E H P O R P Y L I A D E H T R N S ND D N AW L I A T X I N E O H P S B S G L Q U I D D I T C H C U P X K N K N T HO S N A E B S T T O B E I T R E B Q O A G T W I Z A R D C A R D S I L C B Q N T B H O U S E C U P E L L A R B M E M E R P
HouseCup InvisibilityCloak Knuts MirrorOfErised NimbusTwoThousand PhoenixTailWand QuidditchCup Remembrall Sickles SorcerersStone TheDailyProphet TheSortingHat WizardCards
WIN, WIN, WIN, Harry Potter prizes
Can you find the 18 words hidden in this grid? If you can please circle or put a line through them on the puzzle and send it in to me, together with your name, age, address and phone number. Keri Jones, WWHA, 3 Alexandra Gate, Ffordd Pengam, Tremorfa, Cardiff CF24 2UD. The competition is open to all ages. The closing date is Friday, 16th March, 2012.
And the WINNERS are: •T ravis Randall from Cardiff won the 2012 Beano Annual • Jean Morgan from Cardiff won the 2012 Barbie Annual • J Halewood from Kinmel Bay won the 2012 Jacqueline Wilson Annual 4
•D ylan Jones from Wrexham won the 2012 Dandy Annual • V Wood from Pontcanna won Jungle Snaps and Pairs on Wheels card games • John Mellor from Rhondda won the Happy Families and Farmyard Donkeys card games
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
WWHA News & General Information
Two new schemes officially opened This autumn has seen not one, but two, new WWHA developments officially opened.
idents’ Mor res Nant y ntertain the Choir e at the inister M t s ir F g in openin official ber Novem
The First Minister’s tour of the scheme included a visit to Pam Barrow’s apartment, which boasts wonderful views of Snowdonia. Huw Lewis, AM for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney and Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage opened Brewery Court and Brewery Mews in Merthyr Tydfil in October. And just a month later First Minister Carwyn Jones opened our very first extra care scheme, Nant y Mor, in Prestatyn, Denbighshire. Brewery Court and Brewery Mews provides 20 affordable new homes in the heart of Merthyr Tydfil, while Nant y Mor offers 59 state-of-the-art apartments for people aged 60 and over with care needs, all backed up by on-site 24 hour care and support. Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of WWHA, said: “It has been a very exciting time for us and we were thrilled to have the First Minister and Minister for Housing as our guests of honour at these milestone events for the Association. “But more than that, it’s all about providing what people need and you only have to look at our £101m three year development programme (see page 6) to see what else we have in the pipeline. “We are a very capable, experienced developer and it is great for us to be
working and delivering in partnership with many local authorities across Wales, including Merthyr Tydfil and Denbighshire County Council with respect to Brewery Court and Mews and Nant y Mor.” To find out more see the Latest News section on our website as well as http://tinyurl.com/nantymoropening (Nant y Mor) and http://tinyurl.com/ brewerycourt (Brewery Mews).
Brewery Court and Brewery Mews, Merthyr Tydfil.
Huw Lewis AM, Minister for Housing, Regeneration & Heritage, unveils the plaque. www.wwha.net
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WWHA News & General Information
Development Update Developing more high quality, affordable, sustainable homes for people in Wales is a major priority for WWHA. For a full round up of our three-year £101m development projects please go to our website at www.wwha.net/ OurServices/Development. Alternatively, call freephone 0800 052 2526 and we will be pleased to send you a copy. In Wrexham we’ve just finished 15 family homes plus 5 for people with autistic spectrum disorders at our Ponciau School redevelopment, while in Kingsmills Road / Rivulet Road we’re building 147 new homes and apartments plus a community centre/medical facility. Flintshire: Our new £1m learning autism scheme at Llys Binwyddyn, Mold, is now fully occupied, while also in Mold Anwyl Construction have started work on our £8.5m Llys Jasmine extra care and dementia complex. Denbighshire: We’ve started on site at our £1.05m new-build for people with autism in Henllan. Phase two will provide affordable housing for local families. We’re busy in Powys having just completed 26 new homes in Brecon town centre, pictured above, while a further 16 are currently being built at Llanfaes, and 8 more in the pipeline at Llanbedr. Merthyr Tydfil: Merthyr Tydfil: Subject to the findings of a judicial review, in 2012 work is planned to start to redevelop the Grade 2 listed Vulcan House, next to Brewery Court and Brewery Mews (see page 5). We’ve got planning permission.
New residents Emily Penpraze and Robert Ogrodnik holding the keys to their new homes with Anne Hinchey, WWHA Chief Executive (right) and Terry Flynn, Affordable Housing Officer, Powys County Council Other up-coming projects: 20 houses at Pencoedtre Farm Barry; Coed Castell phase 2 comprising 23 houses and flats in Bridgend; West Shore, Conwy, 12 new houses; Severnside Yard, Newtown, Powys, up to 50 apartments including retirement accommodation;two new schemes in Denbighshire including accommodation for people with learning disabilities; 30 units in Cogan, the Vale of Glamorgan; 18 houses in West Cardiff; and, 60 houses and flats at Glan Y Don, Flintshire. Grant funding to assist the development of new social housing is limited however WWHA has been successful in securing funding to help develop a range of housing opportunities across Wales.
New ‘Try Before You Buy’ WWHA are buying 16 brand new properties from Barratt Homes at Parc Tyn Y Coed, Bridgend, as part of the Association’s TRY BEFORE YOU BUY scheme. The first 6 two bedroom apartments were completed in October and a further 6 two bed apartments, 2 one bed apartments and 2 four bed houses will be available in the New 6
Year. This scheme aims to help people onto the property ladder by offering properties at below private market rent. This gives residents an opportunity to save towards a deposit to purchase the property. For details and eligibility criteria see our website or call our Housing Options Team on 0800 052 2526.
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
WWHA News & General Information
Leading the way with good practise WWHA partnerships win at Promoting Independence Awards We’re celebrating our involvement in two winning entries at this year’s Promoting Independence Awards. WWHA’s Money Advice Officer Les Cooper chairs the North Wales Financial Inclusion Forum (seven housing associations operating in North Wales supported by the Wales Co-Op Centre’s Financial Inclusion Champion) which was behind the production of an awardwinning DVD designed to promote financial literacy to residents. For this the Forum has won the PIA 2011 Service User Involvement Award.
WWHA also enjoyed a second success at the Cymorth Cymru Promoting Independence Awards, this time in partnership with Powys County Council Supporting People Team, Powys Homelessness and Housing Options Team and Cefni Lettings (part of Agorfa) – pictured above. This partnership won the 2011 Good Commissioning Award for its Stoneleigh Manor Project in Brecon, which provides state-of-the-art, affordable accommodation for people facing homelessness in the area. Anne Hinchey, Chief Executive of WWHA, said: “I am delighted that these two very successful projects have been recognised at the 2011 Promoting Independence Awards. I am very proud of them all.”
Super Pet-Friendly Sydney Hall Court honoured Robert Holmes, Scheme Manager at Sydney Hall Court, Connah’s Quay, attended the Cinnamon Trust Pet Friendly Care Home/Retirement Homes of the Year event in Central London, on Wednesday 12th October with Housing Manager Anne Caloe. Sydney Hall Court was one of five retirement schemes shortlisted as the most pet friendly in the UK.
In recognition of his achievements at Sydney Hall Court Rob was presented with a certificate by TV presenter Pam Rhodes and Averil Jarvis MBE, founder of the Cinnamon Trust, together with a cheque for £250 to be spent on pet related projects for the scheme. For more information go to: www.cinnamon.org.uk We’re so family-friendly! WWHA has also been named one of the UK’s top family-friendly firms. Working Families, the group that campaigns for a better work-life balance, has placed WWHA in the top 30 employers in the UK, alongside blue-chip firms including Dell Corporation, Deutsche Bank, McDonalds and Sainsbury’s. See www.wwha.net/NewsandPublicity/ LatestNews for more info. www.wwha.net
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WWHA News & General Information
Solar panels update As you will have read in previous editions of In Touch, we had started upon a major project to install solar PV panels on suitable south-facing roofs. Unfortunately due to factors beyond our control we have now had to put this project on hold. It was intended that the funder of this project would be reimbursed over time from monies guaranteed by the government, known as a feed in tariff for each unit of electricity generated. Our plans were based on the rate of feed in tariff that was expected to be fixed for installations completed before 31 March 2012. However, at the end of October 2011 the Government started a consultation process which included a proposal to dramatically cut the feed in tariff payable by more than 50% for any solar panel installations completed after 11 December 2011. You may have seen and heard reports in the media about this.
The timing of this announcement, just six weeks before the new deadline, was such that it was not possible to complete any installations before that date. This proposed decrease in the rate of feed in tariff is so big that the funder can no longer proceed with this project in the intended manner. We are one of dozens, if not hundreds, of social housing providers UK-wide who have been adversely affected by this consultation and its implications. Whilst protests and legal challenges are on-going, we do not yet know whether they will have any impact. Once we know the outcomes, we will review our options with regard to this or similar projects.
Finance Minister visits schemes WWHA resident Anne Dixon of St Mellons, Cardiff, proudly shows Finance Minister Jane Hutt her newly adapted bathroom. The Minister for Finance recently visited Anne and her husband Brian to learn more about our good practice in making the best use of physical adaptation grants. The Minister also recently visited our retirement scheme at Ty Pontrhun, Merthyr Tydfil, on a second fact-finding mission about WWHA’s pioneering work with partners including Connect Merthyr and Communities 2.0 to make digital technology accessible to all. For more information on digial inclusion visit the Welsh Government website.
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Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
WWHA News & General Information
Help us to help you Resident participation is about using your views to improve our services and your community and we’ve just updated our strategy to do this (see pages 19 – 21). Our new Resident Participation Strategy sets out how we listen to you to make sure that our services fit your needs and establishes how we can work together to improve where you live, says Claire Hammond, Resident Participation Strategy Officer. We’ve updated the ways that you can get involved based on what you have told us. We spoke to many of you who are already involved and asked you how we could improve the ways you can get involved. We haven’t created new options but we have improved them, based on what you’ve said. All residents had the opportunity to tell us what you thought of Resident Participation in a survey published in a previous edition of this magazine. We also heard the views of almost 1,000 residents through our Resident Satisfaction Survey. Over 71% (593) of people who responded felt that we take your views into account and 55% (526) said you don’t get involved because you are happy with the service you receive. But we want to hear even more of your views – good or bad – so we are going to make it easier for you to get in touch and we are improving how we handle your complaints. We also want to get better at telling you how we’ve used your views to make improvements. We’re also making changes to how we develop Area Improvement Plans, which bring decisions down to a local level, so you can see how we’ve improved your estate or scheme, based on what you’ve said. Over 81% (759) felt that we are good at keeping you informed of things
Claire Hammond Resident Participation Strategy Officer that affect you as a resident. That is a good result but we want to get even better by asking you what information you want from us and how you want to receive it – both about local and Association-wide issues. The summary of our strategy (see pages 19 to 21) shows you how we are working to put you at the heart of our work and how we can support, encourage and help you get involved in ways that suit you. If this has whetted your appetite please get in touch and we’ll happily discuss it with you.
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Digital Inclusion
Helping you to get connected in North Wales Would you like to save money? Or keep in touch with friends and family? Or how about just learn more about computers? Well then Take Ctrl is for you! I’m Jen Bailey and I am the co-ordinator of an exciting new project called Take Ctrl. Take Ctrl is about bringing services and opportunities to you and your local community in North Wales that you might not have had the chance to use or experience before. Reading between the lines it’s about bringing digital technology, including computers and smart phones, into your life and helping you to use these to access services that can benefit you. You might even save money along the way! You might want to learn how to use technology to help you take great pictures, keep in touch with friends and family around the world, trace your family history, set up and use on-line banking services or shop around to find the best deal (i.e. finding and getting cheaper utilities). Computers can even help if you are looking for work – through helping you create a great CV, search for jobs, and lots, lots more! So if you have ANY ideas for courses you would find useful please contact me as I would love to hear from you! You can contact me on 07972 225358 Or, if you want to know more about Take Ctrl you can check out the official facebook page facebook. com/TakeCtrlNorthWales; follow us on Twitter @take_ctrl, check out the website takectrl.org or contact your housing officer who will be able to tell you more. I look forward to hearing from you soon! 10
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
Digital Inclusion
Getting a taste of technology during ITea & biscuits week In September an ITea & biscuits event was held at Llys Faen retirement scheme in Bridgend during their weekly slimmers’ class. Alongside slimmer trainer Marie, John from Communities 2.0 showed the group a new website designed to help slimmers track progress against weight loss, measure calories, find healthy recipes and stay inspired. With the majority of slimmers new to IT, the session highlighted the relevance of the internet and how learning to use it can help you keep up-to-date, find information, connect with others and stay on track to achieve your goals. Llys Faen resident Janet was keen to learn to use her digital camera without asking her husband or family for help. An IT volunteer gave her a stepby-step guide through the camera’s functions. Content that she’d mastered the basics she commented “Now I need to know how to cut and paste in Microsoft Word and save my contacts on my mobile!” So what’s next for Janet? “Facebook” she said, “because
Janet James with laptop, mobile phone and digital camera talks to Jackie Wenham form Age UK about how she got started on her digital journey. everyone’s talking about it!” Around half of those who attended wanted to learn more – and with WWHA running pilot programmes to trial high speed internet access for residents, this really is just the beginning! The planning and cooperation put in to make this event a success highlights our commitment and enthusiasm for making digital inclusion for older people a reality in Wales.
More ITea & biscuits at Ty Gwaunfarren The Connect Project also held an ITea & biscuits event at Ty Gwaunfarren, our retirement scheme in the Gurnos, on 29th September. “The session was well attended and the theme was How to use your Sky remote control,” said Alison Chaplin, WWHA’s Community Development Project Officer in Merthyr Tydfil. “We also took the opportunity to ask those there what other sessions they would like to take part in”, commented Laura Howe, the Project Co-ordinator. The Connect Project had previously
run sessions based on BBC’s First Click programme at Ty Gwaunfarren. This aims to introduce older residents to the benefits of internet access and has been championed by Roy Noble on BBC Radio 2. For more information about our digital inclusion projects go to our website www.wwha.net or call us on 0800 052 2526.
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WWHA News & General Information
Keep your home free from damp and mould this winter With the onset of winter and cold weather comes an increase in the number of residents asking for advice about what to do with condensation and mould growth in their homes, writes Robin Alldred, Commercial Manager. It is no coincidence that this happens at this time of year and it can affect us all. So what causes it and what can we do about it? There is always some moisture in the air, even if you cannot see it. If the air gets colder it cannot hold all the moisture and tiny drops of water appear. This is condensation. You may notice it when you see your breath on a cold day, or when the mirror mists over when you have a bath. Condensation occurs mainly during cold weather, whether it’s raining or dry. It appears on cold surfaces and in places where there is little air movement. It occurs in corners or near windows, in or behind wardrobes and cupboards. It often forms on north–facing walls. The average family produces 112 pints of water vapour every week and all that water has to go somewhere! Mould spores are always in the air; they are microscopic and start to grow when they come into contact with damp surfaces and dust – which is a source of food to the spores. Mould growth shows as black spots in places where condensation is found – even inside chests of drawers and
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wardrobes and particularly around the edges of shower trays. What can I do about the problem? • Wipe down windows and sills in the morning. Wring out the cloth rather than drying it on a radiator. • Cover pans and don’t leave kettles boiling. • Dry washing outdoors on a line, or in the bathroom with a window open and door closed. • Make sure tumble dryers are vented outside. • Ventilate. Keep a window ajar or trickle vent open when people are at home. • Close kitchen and bathroom doors to prevent moisture spreading. • Sleep with a window ajar. • Treat any mould spots that you have in your home. Mould and mildew remover can be bought in most supermarkets. • After treatment redecorate using fungicidal paint. • Dry-clean mildewed clothes and shampoo carpets. Mould won’t go away by itself so it is really important to be aware of the steps to prevent and control it.
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
WWHA News & General Information
Planned Maintenance 2012
These are the schemes we plan to upgrade during January to March 2012 as part of our ongoing programme to comply with the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. We will write to let you know when the consultation meetings are taking place so that you can choose your preferred colour choices, where appropriate, and also clarify any information and ask any questions you might have regarding the upgrade. Kitchens • Maes Hyfryd, Wrexham • Station Court, Wrexham • Carling Court, Cardiff • Greyfriars Court, Bridgend • Bryn Bragl, Bridgend • Heol Y Ffynnon, Brecon Bathrooms • Marsh Road, Rhyl • Chatsworth Road, Rhyl
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
T hornton Close, Rhyl S udbury Close, Rhyl H addon Close, Rhyl P las Foryd, Kinmel Bay C los Yr Ardd, Rhiwbina H ope Court, Cardiff H eol Aneurin Bevan, Rhymney L imebourne Court, Cardiff R hiw Cae Mawr, Bridgend R hiw Tremaen, Bridgend G lan Yr Afon Court, Maesteg R owan Court, Cardiff H anover Court, Barry M oorland Court, Cardiff
If you have any comments or feedback please contact us on 0800 052 2526.
“My kitchen’s totally transformed!” “I can’t tell you how pleased I am with my new kitchen; they replaced cupboards, tiles, flooring, sink and lighting as well as painting the walls. It’s now totally transformed” says Nicola Tweedie of Netley Road in Rhyl, Denbighshire.
“Nothing was too much trouble. They took up the floor covering and levelled underneath. They moved all my white goods. I didn’t have to do anything. The standard of workmanship was excellent, and they made sure it was all done properly. They worked hard and were very friendly, I felt I could leave them alone and put my trust in them completely. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of lads. I really would like to thank them as they have changed my life for the better.” “The foreman came around after it was completed to ask if I was satisfied with the work and if I was pleased with it all.”
“Now I really enjoy my kitchen, have friends around and enjoy sitting and chatting. It’s amazing to be able to sit in the kitchen with my new table and chairs my Mum bought me. I now enjoy cooking and the kitchen has been completely transformed.”
www.wwha.net
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You Said, We Did
Supporting people back into employment In these harder economic times having a job and keeping it is at the forefront of many people’s minds, writes Bridget Garrod, Neighbourhood Initiatives Manager. Working in partnership with our contractors and others we have, for a number of years, provided work and training to people within many of the communities where we work. We know from your feedback that you are interested to find out more about this. So here’s a resume of what we’ve done so far. Arbed funding We accessed Welsh Government grants to improve the energy efficiency of homes which qualified under the Arbed 1 scheme. As a consequence of generating more work for contractors they in turn were able to support nine additional posts. JobMatch projects Mark Evans and Donna Samuel, both of Maesteg, have secured permanent jobs with WWHA thanks to JobMatch Bridgend. Mark, 49, is now a Site Superintendent, while 43-year-old Donna works in the company’s 24/7 Customer Service Centre. Donna said: “Going back to work has been very fulfilling and has really built my confidence. I have made long lasting friendships at WWHA and the job has given me the ability to make a difference for others. It’s brilliant!” WWHA worked in partnership with JobMatch Bridgend to support Mark and Donna on Employment Routes programmes which help people who have been long-term unemployed get back into employment. 14
Donna Samuel enjoys her work in the Customer Service Centre Apprenticeships and trainee places Our repairs contractors, painting and decorating contractors, and window contractors have all supported additional apprenticeships, trainee places and training as a result of the work that we commission them to do to keep your homes in good condition. Connect Project Merthyr More and more services including welfare benefits are coming online and with an estimated 900,000 adults digitally excluded – in other
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
You Said, We Did words not able to access goods, services and information online – the Connect Digital Inclusion project in Merthyr is helping people to use digital technology. People who are long term unemployed/ sick are just one group which is being targeted by this project of which we are a partner. Sessions are held in community-based venues where jobseekers can drop in and get help in searching for jobs, completing job applications and CVs on line and to access Learndirect courses which aim to up-skill people in all sorts of areas. St Mellons Community Creche Childcare is a major barrier for people to access training which will hopefully lead to employment. The St Mellons community crèche in Cardiff offers affordable childcare for parents who take up training or educational courses. The crèche is operated as a charity and we provide an annual contribution and staff time towards supporting this valuable community service. Dr Bike This is a project that encourages people to learn basic bike maintenance and aims to recruit 4 people to get more involved and achieve an OCN level 2 in bike maintenance. We are supporting this project by making funding applications and assisting to deliver the project to funding requirements. Training A number of our residents have undertaken training as part of groups that you belong to. We support residents who are part of recognised groups to access training and gain confidence and the skills that may help you into work. So what next? We are seeing more and more people
approaching us as they are struggling to pay their rent and other household bills. For people in work juggling funds to pay bills is difficult enough and for those out of work it becomes an even bigger challenge. Through our financial inclusion strategy our aim is simple, ‘to assist people to maximise their incomes’. So we’re looking at how we can do more to help more people gain work or help make them work ready through training and placements. What we are planning to do: We’re working with Jobmatch to train two dedicated Energy Advisors who can spread the word amongst residents about how to get the best deal on their fuel bills and minimise costs. We’re also talking to our partners who are installing replacement windows, bathrooms and kitchens, who provide painting and decorating services and repairs in your homes about how the contracts to do this work can generate jobs and work placements within our communities. We intend to support our contractors and suppliers to create apprenticeships in electrics and window fitting. We also aim to create work placements in partnership with JobCentre Plus and through the Department of Work & Pensions’ Work Programme. And we are planning to explore what new job opportunities we can create through new areas of work in recycling. When we build new homes we expect our contractors to use local labour and supplies that will generate and support the local economy. Residents will be able to access training that supports their involvement but at the same time gains them credits that can add up to recognised qualifications. www.wwha.net
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You Said, We Did
So who does what?
You’ve asked us for more information about various roles and responsibilities within WWHA. So here is our first article about just that – who does what? We’re covering four roles this time: Scheme Manager (rented), Housing Officer, Community Development Project Officer and Site Superintendent. Scheme Manager – Rented Scheme managers at our rented schemes will often tell you that no two days are the same, but the level of service provided is consistent and tailored to your individual needs. For example, a scheme manager will: •B e aware of the daily well-being of all residents, ensure support plans are completed and any actions identified are carried out, as well as answer and deal with emergency calls as needed. •P rovide an effective tenancy management service, including dealing with rent accounts, low level anti social behaviour and any issue that is included within your tenancy agreement. •B e responsible for reviewing and monitoring waiting lists, and make offers of tenancy to potential residents. They will also offer advice on housing and welfare benefits. •F acilitate the organisation of activities as requested by residents and play an active part in promoting resident participation and empowering residents. •U ndertake marketing activities and opportunities for the scheme. Ensure a high standard of building and grounds management and ensure the required checks and inspections are undertaken in line with procedures and Health and Safety requirements.
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Housing Officer Our housing officers are based at various offices but the majority of their time is spent with residents and in the communities in which their schemes are based. They will either work on general needs schemes or our retirement schemes and will have line management responsibility for scheme managers. For example your housing officer will: •P rovide frontline delivery of excellent customer services as an individual and through a team of Scheme Managers. •W ork with residents to help you sustain your tenancy by accessing support, providing benefit advice and opportunities to engage in your communities. •P rovide an effective estate management service, ensuring conditions of tenancy are met, and will liaise, consult with and advise residents on matters affecting you. •M onitor waiting lists and make offers of tenancy in line with agreed and established procedures, monitor rent accounts for payment of rent and service charges, manage arrears and provide advice to residents relating to housing and welfare benefits. •P lay an active role with other staff and residents in the Association’s resident participation and community development strategies.
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
You Said, We Did
Herman Valentin, Community Development Project Officer, entertains youngsters at the Splott Fun Day 2011. Community Development Project Officer Our three Community Development Project Officers (CDPOs) spend most of their time with residents and in the communities in which they work. They cover both our general needs schemes and our retirement accommodation. CDPOs are responsible for developing and supporting projects that fall within the Association’s Community Development Strategy’s core themes: • Tenancy sustainability • Financial inclusion • Addressing the needs of younger people The projects on which CDPOs work help to develop and support communities to meet local needs. They also link in to the delivery of local authority and Welsh Government priorities.
Projects are primarily demand-led, and are identified by CDPOs themselves, other staff, residents or partner organisations with whom we work. For example, CDPOs and Housing Officers often work closely on a variety of local issues including area improvement plans, anti social behaviour and resident participation. Close links also exist between CDPOs and our Money Advice Officers on projects aimed at reducing fuel poverty and improving financial capability, including increasing the use of digital technology to save money as well as keep in contact with family and friends. CDPOs also work with a wide range of agencies and are members of various forums and Community First partnerships. Their brief is wide-ranging and includes health and wellbeing, education and lifelong learning, to children and young people’s issues. www.wwha.net
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Resident Participation Strategy
Who Does What?
cont/
Tony Eggington, Site Superintendent, looking after the communal grounds as part of his role. Site Superintendent Site Superintendents are responsible for effective and efficient maintenance of WWHA’s sites and report directly to our Asset Management Officers. For sites not covered by contractors, they ensure that: • All internal and external communal areas and refuse areas are kept clean and clear of rubbish and litter. • They are trained to use various machinery such as ride-on and heavy duty lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, strimmers and chainsaws. • They are certified to use pesticides. • They ensure that: All grassed areas are maintained. Borders and flowerbeds are weed free. Hedges and trees are trimmed/felled. • Carry out minor repairs to our buildings and properties. 18
• Carry out checks and repairs to external communal lights. • Carry out statutory checks to fire equipment such as fire alarms, dispersed alarms, fire extinguishers and emergency lighting (inc. bulb replacement). • Fill grit/ salt bins and carry out gritting in accordance with the Association’s gritting policy. As they are site based and can visit sites daily they are able to report issues such as drug abuse, anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and abandoned vehicles. We hope you have found this information useful. If you’d like us to tell you about other roles within WWHA in future editions of In Touch, please email us on info@wwha.co.uk or call us on 0800 052 2526.
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
www.wwha.net
Resident Participation Strategy
Would you like to make a difference to your community? Or are you itching to tell us how we can do better? Then read on... Our revised Resident Participation Strategy explains how we are working to put residents at the heart of our work and how we can support, encourage and help you get involved in a way that suits you. We want to keep on improving our services and you use our services every day, so who better to tell us how we are doing and how we can improve?
CDPO Vy Cochran in discussion with a resident The Welsh Government asks us to update our strategy every three years and we’re happy to do this as we want to get it right for you. We spoke to residents who regularly give their views and our Resident Participation Steering Group (RPSG) helped us to shape residents’, and our own, ideas into the new strategy. The RPSG are Group 500 members from across Wales who help us monitor that we are doing what we have said we will do in our strategy.
In this three page special feature we explain how things have changed. Group 500 has changed. We used to ask members about our services by email, post or phone survey but this meant that we sometimes asked you about services you wouldn’t have recently received. So we now think it makes more sense to ask a representative sample of residents your views straight after you have received a service. www.wwha.net
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Resident Participation Strategy We now do this for services such as repairs, rents and new homes that we have recently reviewed and redesigned. We’ll now ask Group 500 members about: • service areas that we haven’t yet redesigned • how well resident participation is working and how you feel about getting involved • our website and In Touch magazine • self-assessment for the Welsh Government’s regulatory framework The RPSG are helping us review Group 500. Feedback – good or bad – and complaints We want to give you every opportunity to tell us what you think about our services – good or bad. We’re making it easier for you to tell us if we haven’t got things right by reviewing our complaints procedure. We’d also love to hear from you if we’ve done a good job or if you have an idea. You can already give your views to our staff on site, through our Customer Service Centre or by email. We also want you to be able to get in touch through our website and text. Keep an eye out for future In Touch articles where we’ll update you on how this is progressing. If you have any ideas for other ways that you could tell us your views please let us know. We want to tell you more about how we’ve used your views to improve our services so that you can see the difference that they’ve made. Also, we want to understand what result you want when you make a comment so we can give you the response you want e.g. 20
There are so many ways you can get involved in what we do. Here prospective residents are viewing a property do you want to discuss it with us or just make us aware? We use your feedback, the comments you make and the outcomes of complaints to improve the services we deliver to you. Local participation We understand that you all have different needs. We’re open to your ideas and are happy to support activities that suit the needs of individual residents, groups and communities. We can give you lots of examples of different projects if you want inspiration. We’ll also pay for you to attend training that helps you to get involved and our Make It Happen grants can help kick-start local projects.
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
Resident Participation Strategy You’ll receive our revised Residents’ Handbook early next year which gives full details of our local participation options but don’t feel limited by these. Tell us what you’d like to change and we’ll do our best to support you to make this happen. Call me on 0800 025 2526 for a chat about your ideas. Monitoring our strategy Our Strategy’s action plan is monitored Residents enjoying Wii games at Ty by the RPSG and you will see our Pontrhun retirement scheme progress on our website and in In Touch. us providing landlord services – we Resident participation is about mutual really care that you are happy in your respect. We ask your views so that we home and where you live. By telling us know what you actually think about your ideas you could be helping other our services and we can treat you people – just think how proud you’d be as you want to be treated. It is the to read In Touch and see how we used responsibility of every member of our your idea to improve a service for all staff so please talk to us about our 16,500 of our residents! services. We genuinely want to know So please get in touch if you: what you think so we can keep on • would like a copy of our strategy in improving. another format or language • are interested in any of the options mentioned here • have any ideas how we can improve any of our services Ways to contact us: • talk – to a member of staff where you live • phone – our Customer Service Centre on 0800 025 2526 We want to hear from everyone. It doesn’t matter how old, or for that matter, how young you are your views are important to us. Please don’t think that it will count against you if you tell us something negative – if something’s not working, we want to fix it. It’s not just about
• email – info@wwha.co.uk • text – 07766 832692 – please include your name and the 1st line of your address. We’d love to hear from you! Claire Hammond Resident Participation Strategy Officer
www.wwha.net
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MAD Awards Report
WWHA residents really are The Association’s fourth annual Making A Difference Awards took place at City Hall on Friday, October 14th. These are our version of the Pride of Britain Awards and the aim of the evening is to recognise and celebrate the great community spirit shown by so many of our residents in various ways, shapes and forms.
David Taylor Local Hero – Lena Charles, of Danymynydd retirement scheme, Garw Valley, nominated by scheme manager Yvonne Humphreys.
This year’s winners were: Good Neighbour – Dennis Brookes, from Hanover Court retirement scheme, Llandudno, nominated by scheme manager Gay Baines.
Dennis Brookes
Lena Charles (second left) Green Fingers (Older Person) – Eric Fitton and Margi Sharp, of Nant y Mor Extra Care Scheme, Prestatyn, nominated by scheme manager Karen Boyce.
Bonnie Price
Fresh Start – Bonnie Price, of Hightown, Wrexham, nominated by Housing Officer Donna Sutton.
Eric Fitton & Margi Sharp
Eco Champion – Jeff Bunce and Derek Rose, of Great Western Court, nominated by fellow resident Jean Gorton and Environment Officer Owen Jones.
Green Fingers (General Needs) – Andrew and Deana Taylor, of Clos Scotts, Marchwiel, Wrexham, nominated by Jill Willcox, Housing Officer.
Jeff Bunce & Derek Rose (centre)
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Andrew & Deana Taylor
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
MAD Awards Report
‘Making a Difference’ Community Project – Cyfarthfa Fruit and Veg Co-Op, Twyncarmel, Merthyr Tydfil, nominated by Helen O’Shea of the Gellideg Foundation.
Community Project – Danymynydd retirement scheme residents for fundraising and community arts projects in association with Valley and Vale Arts, nominated by scheme manager Yvonne Humphreys.
Cyfarthfa Fruit & Veg In addition we awarded three Special Inspiration Awards to: Green Fingers (Older Persons) – Llys Bryn Felin retirement scheme in the Rhondda, represented by Lillian Randall, Robert & Hilary Shephard, Jeff Rogers and Margaret Tookey. They were nominated by Clive Sheridan, Site Superintendent.
Llys Bryn Felin Green Fingers (General Needs) – Mount View Angels, Merthyr Tydfil, represented by Mary Cassidy and Andrew Selway, and nominated by Councillor Brian Mansbridge.
Danymynydd We had more than 70 nominations from staff and residents so once again thank you to everyone who told us about the good stuff going on in your streets and communities. The evening itself was a great success and a special thank you must go to our sponsors and contractor partners GKR, LH Evans, Ian Williams, Bushmede Ltd, Gibsons Specialist Technical Services, the Graham Group and Cambria Maintenance Services. Without their financial support and interest the evening would not have been the success it was. Thanks also to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, our entertainment for the evening, and Minimal Media, who made our video of the night. Watch our video of the MAD Awards 2011 on YouTube and be inspired! Simply search under ‘WWHA Making A Difference Awards 2011’.
Mount View Angels
www.wwha.net
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TPAS Report
“Do I really want to do this?” Jane Styles, Chair of Cwrt Leighton Residents’ Association was invited to attend the TPAS Conference in November and thought “do I really want to go?” as she didn’t understand much about TPAS. Then she thought “This could be the best place to learn.” “At the Conference I chose two ‘informative’ workshops on social housing, and one on ‘Skills, Interests & Hobbies to Get People Involved’ which I felt would benefit members of my Residents’ Association. I thought the morning debates might be boring, but they were far from it and it helped me having a speakers’ list and jargon buster. The first two workshops weren’t run as ‘lectures’, as everyone was encouraged to participate and it was really good to hear other people’s views and comments on different aspects of social housing. I found the afternoon workshop so
interesting that the time just flew and before I knew it, it was over and time to make my way home. At the beginning of each workshop you are invited to introduce yourself – I thought this was an excellent idea as I was amazed at how many people, although not all WWHA residents, were also from my area! One group of gardeners live yards from my estate, so I am hoping to trade some gardening ideas for my own group! Thank you WWHA for an interesting couple of days – great for making new friends and contacts!” Jane Styles, Cwrt Leighton RA
Getting everyone together in Connahs’ Quay Thanks to an estate-based Bonus Ball, funds were raised for Cwrt Leighton Residents’ Association to offer all residents and families the opportunity to see Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at the Pavilion Theatre in Rhyl on Saturday 10th December. Sixteen children had free tickets and ten adults paid just £5 each to attend. Paula Ellis, Chair of the Residents’ Association, told us, “the children were so well behaved, especially as some of them had never been to the theatre before. Parents reported that the children were very excited on the way home and so tired that they went to bed early. “It was a real community-spirited weekend,” said Paula. “We had the Christmas Raffle raising a total of £33 on Friday and then the children going to the fantastic Pantomime on the Saturday.” 24
Chair Jane Styles said, “It looks like both the Christmas Raffle and the Pantomime Trip are going to be regular events from now on.”
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
Healthy Living
Fire safety in blocks of flats and retirement schemes Some Do’s and Don’ts DO • Familiarise yourself with the scheme’s evacuation plan • Follow the evacuation plan in an emergency • Ensure fire doors are kept shut • Use CE or kite marked LED Christmas lights • Talk to your Housing Officer or Scheme Manager if you have any queries or concerns • Close fire doors in a fire incident • Call the emergency services on 999 if you suspect a fire and then call our 24 hour call centre on 0800 052 2526
PLEASE DON’T • Leave naked flames unattended • Prop open fire doors • Enter another property where a smoke alarm is sounding– dial 999 or call the 24 hour call centre on 0800 052 25 26 • Store personal belongings in communal areas, they could be a fire risk and could hamper an evacuation in an emergency • Re-enter a burning building Remember – fire safety is everyone’s responsibility.
WIN by paying your rent with Direct Debit
Wi nn er
Congratulations to… Mr & Mrs Vaughan, pictured, from Bridgend, the lucky winners of our 3rd Quarter Direct Debit Draw in 2011. The winning couple received a cheque for £100. For your chance to win you need to pay your rent by Direct Debit. Please contact the Customer Service Centre on 0800 052 2526 if you’d like to set up a Direct Debit or, alternatively, have a word with your Housing Officer. You have to be in it to WIN it!
££
£££
££
££ £
For help and advice on your money issues contact Money Advice Officers, Mike Halloran (right), or Les Cooper (far right) on 0800 052 2526
www.wwha.net
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Healthy Living
Toasty tips to help warm your winter 1. Bleed your radiators: to make sure they are working properly and if you have a combi boiler make sure the pressure is topped up. If in doubt on how to do this give us a call for advice. 2. Curtail with curtains: Hang heavy, lined curtains at windows to help keep in the heat and close them as soon as it starts getting dark. If you have Venetian blinds tilt the blades so they face down (curved side to room). 3. Combat your thermostat: Set your room thermostat at or around the recommended temperature of 21°c (70°f). If you turn down your heating thermostat by 1°C you could save around £60 a year. 4. Think ahead: If the weather is really cold, set your heating to come on a little earlier to give the house time to warm up, rather than turning up the thermostat. 5. Ventilation nation: Remember to leave air bricks and vents clear as your home needs ventilation to stop condensation and ensure a supply of fresh air. Wood-burning stoves, gas boilers and open fires also need a good air supply to ensure they burn efficiently. No hot water, what next? A little troubleshooting for those little glitches you might be able to fix yourself. Before you call the engineer check: • The isolation switch/plug to your boiler is turned on. • The boiler is turned on? 26
• The thermostat is turned up and the clock timer is on. • Your boiler appliance controls are on. • The pressure gauge on the front of your boiler, (if it has one), to see if it’s at approximately one bar. • If your appliance has a permanent pilot light, is it turned on? • If you still have no heat or hot water then you may need an engineer. Having clock/programmer problems? • Check the electrical supply is working. • Have the clocks gone forward or back? Does the clock need resetting? Check the time of day is correct and the on/off settings. • Is the timer display showing unfamiliar symbols? Look in your user manual to see what to do next. • If the timer/programmer has a manual override, constant or 24 hour feature you may be able to use it to overrule the settings temporarily and get your system working.
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
Money Matters – Fuel Bills Special
Struggling to pay your fuel bills? If you’re worried about fuel bills this winter, please read on… Recent energy price rises, along with other rising costs and falling incomes, have left many people struggling to pay their energy bills. Many do not know where to turn for help and what their next steps should be. So campaigners at Consumer Focus have launched their ‘Plug The Debt’ campaign, which is full of helpful information if you find yourself
struggling to pay your fuel bills, or if you are worried about falling into debt. Here is the advice they are offering.
If you are having trouble paying your fuel bills, Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice say: 1. Always contact your energy insulation to help your home stop supplier as soon as you realise leaking heat and cut your bills. you might have trouble paying. 4. Even if you’re in debt you may Debts will build-up and be harder to still be able to switch to a pay off the longer you leave them. cheaper deal with your current Your supplier has a responsibility supplier, especially if you pay by to help you if you have problems cash, cheque or pre-payment paying your bill. meter. If you pay by pre-payment 2. Tell your energy firm what you meter and have less than £200 can afford to pay – they have to of debt you can also switch to a take this into account in agreeing cheaper deal with another supplier. repayments of the money you owe. 5. Financial help is available 3. Ask your energy company, local Citizens Advice Bureau or call Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 to find out about other free energy help available. For example you could qualify for a discount off your bill or free
which could make it easier to afford your bills – check you are receiving all of the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to by getting in touch with your local Citizens Advice Bureau or visiting www.adviceguide.org.uk
WIN 250 if you have your boiler serviced first time around Mr & Mrs Roach of St Mellons were lucky winners of PH Jones’ prizes of £250, a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of flowers. “It was a pleasant surprise, I really didn’t expect it” says Mrs Roach.
All residents who have their gas appliances serviced on the FIRST appointment we make, or if they give at least 48 hours ‘notice to postpone, are automatically entered in the FREE draw. www.wwha.net
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Money Matters – Fuel Bills Special
Where to go for help: Your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau can offer impartial information, advice and help if you are struggling with your energy bills. Advisers may be able to help you to find out: • whether you qualify for a discount off your bill or free insulation to help stop your home leaking heat and cut your bills • if you are missing out on extra financial help Visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk or look in the phone book to find your local branch. The Energy Best Deal scheme, also run by Citizens Advice and Ofgem, offers face-to-face advice sessions, which help people to shop around and switch, reduce their bills, and get help if they are falling behind on payments. Extra advice is also available online through six new help films.
Consumer Focus has a range of online help and advice at www.consumerfocus.org.uk. Go to the energy help section. Help available includes: • Leaflets on what to do when you’re having difficulty paying your bills and how to find out if you’re missing out on free services and other benefits • A template letter to send to your supplier if you are finding the amount they are asking you to repay each month / quarter difficult to afford • A question and answer search tool to help with information and advice over a wide range of energy issues.
Your local Age UK could offer advice and information if you’re having trouble paying your energy bills, tell you about help available and check whether you may be entitled to cash benefits and to low cost or no cost home improvements.
Further independent advice on energy issues is available from Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or 01604 640 371.
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Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
Money Matters – Fuel Bills Special
Your energy firm: Your energy firm has to help you to repay the amount owed at a rate that’s affordable to you. The customer service contact details for different energy companies are below: British Gas Tel: 0800 048 0202 EDF Energy Tel: 0800 096 9000 E.ON Tel: 0845 059 9905 npower Tel: 0845 070 4851 (monthly direct debit) 0845 070 4850 (cash, cheque or quarterly direct debit customers) 0845 070 4853 (pre-payment meter customer) SSE Group Tel: 0845 7444 555 (SSE and Southern Electric) 0845 300 2141 (Scottish Hydro) 0800 052 5252 (SWALEC) 0845 073 3030 (Atlantic) Scottish Power Tel: 0845 270 0700 Co-operative Energy Tel: 0800 954 0693 Ebico Tel: 0800 458 7689 Ecotricity Tel: 0845 555 7100 (domestic customers) First Utility Tel: 0845 215 5000 Good Energy Tel: 0845 601 14104 Green Energy Tel: 0800 783 8851 Ovo Tel: 0800 5996 4440 Spark Energy Tel: 0845 034 7474 Utilita Tel: 0845 450 4357 Utility Warehouse Tel: 0844 815 7777
Further help on energy efficiency and energy savings: You can contact Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 or the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 for advice on saving energy and grants and schemes available to help make your home warmer and save you money. General information on how consumers can save money on their
energy bills by switching payment type, tariff or supplier and insulating their home, is also available as part of the Check, Switch and Insulate to Save campaign, following the UK energy summit on 17 October. Details can be found on the DirectGov website energy advice pages. www.wwha.net
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Anti-Social Behaviour
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! This time of year signifies frosty nights and early mornings, and if last year is anything to go by, significant snowfalls. Whilst snow isn’t to everyone’s liking, to children it’s magical, a time for making snowmen, snow angels and having snowball fights with their friends, and often it doesn’t last for very long. For us in the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit (ASBU), we have the unenviable task of dealing with the complaints that increase during this time. Realistically we would expect any residents who inadvertently get in the way of a stray snowball or have the odd one or two thrown at their homes, to deal with this directly with the child or their parents, without the Association becoming involved and possibly making relationships between neighbours worse.
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This is the message residents are likely to get, if they make complaints about children playing with snowballs, and it’s established that it’s purely high jinks and nothing more sinister. However, if residents can demonstrate that they are being particularly targeted and they are being harassed, they should report the problem to both the Association and the Police, who will work together to resolve the problem. If you would like more information and guidance on this topic, please do not hesitate to call a member of the ASBU on the Association’s freephone number 0800 052 2526.
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
WWHA News & General Information
“I’m completely overwhelmed by my garden makeover!” St Mellons resident Angela Biston says she has been overwhelmed by a garden makeover by volunteers from WWHA, Hafod and LincCymru Housing Associations. Mrs Biston told us that her back garden was completely out of control with weeds, brambles and the long grass which had taken over what was once an attractive garden. “I have lived here for 23 years and my father used to work in the garden, but since he passed away the garden has been far too big and hard work for me to look after on my own – it was totally unmanageable. I had no one to help me get it under control,” said Mrs Biston. The volunteers (some of whom are pictured right), who were all part of the St Mellons Compact Estate & Environmental sub-group, astounded Mrs Biston by laying a new patio and pathways, planting shrubs, flowers and a new vegetable patch, and reducing the size of the plot by putting up a new boundary fence, so that the garden would be easier for her to look after. Blooms Garden Centre also donated a pot full of plants to add to the colourful display.
next morning. I was totally astounded and overwhelmed – there was no mess anywhere, just a fantastic garden. What a total transformation!” “It’s absolutely wonderful I just can’t tell you how pleased I am. I didn’t realise that they would work to such an extent, it’s amazing. All my family came round and they were awestruck. I will take pride in the garden now and can’t wait until the summer when I can have friends and family over.”
Chris Walton, WWHA Housing Manager, said, “The garden has been significantly improved and should now be a lot easier for Mrs Biston to maintain. I’d like to thank all those involved for taking part in the garden makeover, and thanks especially to Blooms Garden Centre for their kind “The weather was against the donation. I am sure Mrs Biston will volunteers on the day they all came round and I only managed to see them enjoy her new garden, especially when the spring arrives and the garden for about 30 minutes in the morning begins to bloom!” as I had to go out that day so I was unable to see what they were doing,” To find out more about the work said Mrs Biston. of the St Mellons Compact Estate & Environmental sub-group, “It was dark when I returned so I contact Chris Walton on didn’t think of looking in the garden freephone 0800 052 2526 and I only looked out my window the www.wwha.net
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WWHA News & General Information
FanTASHtic Movember
Visitors to Wales & West during November may have been struck by an outbreak of facial hair, a rash of moustaches! 16 members of staff banded together to form “The Housing Tashtonauts” in order to raise money for Movember.
Movember is a global charity event, the aim of which is to grow a moustache and get sponsorship to raise vital funds and raise awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. The team consisted of 14 Mo-brothers and 2 Mo-Sisters: Alan Jones, Rhys Cousins, Tom Griffiths, Julian Ling, Sion Phillips, Glyn Smith, Lyndon Griffiths, Robin Alldred, Mike Richards, Mike Barker, Darrell Smith, Chris Ball, Paul Wyatt, Cliff Goodwin, Dorrett Evans and Kim Rockcliffe. Aside from the fun of growing and sporting their new face furniture, the team wanted to raise as much money for the charity as possible as they had all been touched by friends or family succumbing to, or surviving cancer. One team member Alan Jones explained, “15 years ago I had an active tumour and chemo to treat
my testicular cancer and my dad has received radiotherapy for prostate cancer, and we’re both doing well. I want to support and promote this.” Some members of the team took part in the Cardiff half marathon, whilst others undertook light-hearted challenges in order to raise money. By the end of the month the team had raised in excess of £1,300! Well done all involved!
Operation Christmas Child Pictured is Louise Carpanini, WWHA Financial Accountant, with just a few of the 120 Christmas boxes that have been filled once again this year with toys, games and items of clothing to help Operation Christmas Child raise a smile and make a difference to needy boys and girls between the ages of 2 and 14 across the world on Christmas day. Thank you to everyone who donated items. For more information about the work of this charity, go to www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk 32
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
Your News
Tasty breakfasts raise money for Help for Heroes Kathy Klee, Karen McCann and Pam Baggett, residents of Hanover Court, Barry, in the Vale of Glamorgan, have been raising money for ‘Help for Heroes’ for nearly three years. The ladies organise a charity breakfast almost every month to raise funds. The tasty treats included in the Mess Hall Menu were Torpedo toasted sandwiches, Paratrooper pancakes and Battlefield beverages of fresh orange juice, tea and toast – all for the amazing value of £1.50. Pictured are Kathy, the master chef, ably assisted by Karen, Pam and Kathy’s granddaughter, Louise. In addition to the breakfasts, Kathy, Pam and Karen organised a Fun Day in
2010 which raised £70.00, a sponsored silence and supported a Trek across the Sahara. Hundreds of pounds have been donated to ‘Help for Heroes’ and WWHA would like to say a big thank you for all their continued efforts.
Another successful year for Help for Heroes The Charity Team at WWHA have been very busy in 2011 organising events to raise money for Help for Heroes, our nominated staff Charity. As well as a Body Shop party which raised £126, WWHA have introduced a ‘give your pennies’ scheme, which means that staff can choose to donate the odd pennies shown on their wage slips to the charity. The main event, which took a great deal of planning and organising, was the Staff Christmas Charity Ball, held on the 2nd December in Cardiff. The night was a huge success and £884 was raised on the raffle alone, the main prize being a signed Wales Rugby World Cup shirt and rugby ball. A Christmas Raffle also raised a total of £1,600. Money is being collected all the time and the current total is over £11,000. The charity team couldn’t achieve this without the continued support, help and generous donations they receive from residents, family and friends, and the
The glamorous gals snapped at the Help for Heroes Charity Ball are Diane Barnes, Charmaine Deen, Paula Gauci, Verity Davies, Leah Jenkins, Suzanne Round, Rhiannon White and Lucy Simms. team would like to thank everyone who has given time, effort or donations to this very worthy charity. If you have any ideas for the forthcoming year or would like any advice on organising an event for Help for Heroes, please contact 0800 052 2526 and ask to speak to a member of our Charity Team.
www.wwha.net
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Your News
My memories of Cilfynydd from the 1930s by W. John Owen “Memories of Cilfynydd from the 1930s” near Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taff, is a very interesting book by WWHA resident W John Owen (pictured right today and as a young man). It recalls anecdotes and tales of those times and is scattered throughout with photographs from the past. The whole 96 pages are a treasure to read. To obtain a copy please send a cheque for £4.99 made out to W. John Owen, together with your details, to: Mr W. J. Owen, 28 Stephenson
Court, Wordsworth Avenue, Cardiff. CF24 3FX. All proceeds from the book will be donated to: The Sir Geraint Evans Wales Heart Research Institute Sefydliad Geraint Evans Dros Ymchwil Y Galon Yng Nghymru
5th anniversary for yoga class at Llys Faen In November 2005 Linda and Aldwyn Jones came to live at Llys Faen retirement scheme in Bridgend. They are both qualified and experienced yoga teachers, and this year they celebrated their 5th anniversary providing yoga classes at the scheme. Mr Mansell Green, who visits Llys Faen said, “I have been attending the yoga class for six weeks and I am more comfortable with Aldwyn than any health professional. It’s done me the world of good. I feel better for the exercise and it’s lovely to socialise at the end of the class.”
Aldwyn would like to open the class to residents from other schemes in the area. The classes are every Wednesday from 2.30pm until 3.30pm with refreshments until 4pm. Admission is £1. If you are interested in joining please call Aldwyn on 01656 662292.
Needles at the ready for charity Residents from Nant Y Mor Extra Care scheme in Prestatyn, North Wales, started to meet in the lounge during the afternoons and many took in their knitting. Others then joined in and now, June Foster, Jean Ward, Jane Morris, Lily Whitely and Joyce Brown meet regularly in their crafting/knitting circle. 34
It’s amazing what they can do with a ball of wool! Purses, handbags, hats, blankets, and wrist warmers amongst other things, have already been knitted and many donated to the shoe boxes collected for the charity Operation Christmas Child (see page 32). Joyce said, ” We all meet in the lounge every afternoon if there is nothing else
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
Your News
Great news and a busy time at Oldwell Court, Cardiff Students from St Teilo School were welcomed at Oldwell Court at their Friday coffee morning in October. The purpose of the visit was to research information for the Intermediate Welsh Baccalaureate course regarding issues and concerns that older people may have and compare findings with the issues that teenagers of today may have. This will culminate in a report on all their findings. Sandy Houdmont, Scheme Manager, said, “It is lovely to see different generations sharing old and new experiences and points of view. The residents enjoyed the lively interaction and would welcome the students’ return. They are an absolute credit to St Teilo’s School.” In September the Spring Chicken Group set up a table-top sale, with all the money raised going to Macmillan Cancer Charity. Residents Pauline and Ivor Solsberg initiated the idea when they moved to Oldwell in July, and the group then took it further. The day was advertised locally and the doors opened on the 30th to floods of people. The day was a great success and raised a grand total of £211 for the charity.
The Spring Chicken group also organised an event to raise money for Children In Need. The day included a visit from two local schools, holding a painting competition and a cake sale. Roath Park Primary pupils brought in their paintings to be judged by Jenny Willott MP and students from St Teilos went along with their homemade cakes and sold raffle tickets. Everyone had a great time as well as collecting a grand total of £200.60 for Children In Need.
The photograph shows the three winners of the painting competition from Roath Park School, their teacher Mrs Louise Knight, Saffron Lloyd, Jake Friday and Paige O’Sullivan from St Teilo School, Jenny Willott MP and Sandy Houdmont, Scheme Manager.
on and the weather is cold outside. We are all different ages and come from different walks of life. I am trying to finish knitting a pair of men’s socks at the moment, but I get interrupted and go and do other things. We all enjoy meeting up in the afternoons with our knitting and having a chat.” www.wwha.net
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Your News
Winners of our Christmas Card Competition We received some very colourful entries for the Christmas Card competition this year. Every entry was a worthy winner, but we had to pick one and first prize went to Dawn Primus from Cardiff whose photograph won the judges attention with a snowy scene of her neighbourhood near Caerau, Cardiff. Dawn also won £100 of Argos vouchers. Congratulations Dawn. Pictured are Dawn’s winning entry (below) and the completed e-card with poem written by Gill Sanger, WWHA’s Financial Accounting Manager.
The other finalists were: •2 nd – Mr Harding from Llandaff, who won £50 Argos Vouchers •3 rd – Mr White from Prestatyn, who won £25 Argos Vouchers •3 rd – S Gearing from Crickhowell, who also received £25 Argos Vouchers.
Mrs Sage has a Christmas Hamper surprise Mrs Sage, from Rhiw Cae Mawr in Brackla, Bridgend, was very surprised when her housing officer, Claire Pepper, delivered a Christmas Hamper. Mrs Sage was the winner drawn from a hat for the Christmas Hamper Competition featured in the autumn edition of ‘In Touch.’ be one winner, so keep your eyes open for more competitions in future editions. Mrs Sage said, “I always enter The winning answer was C – Over 9,000 competitions and it was a nice surprise properties. for Christmas to be presented with this lovely hamper.” Pictured is Claire Pepper, Housing We’d like to thank everyone who sent in Officer, with prize winner Mrs Sage, entries, but unfortunately there can only her son, James, and Archie the dog. 36
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Sophie is a Princess Diana Champion Sophie Sullivan, 15, a pupil of Cyfartha High School, Merthyr Tydfil, has been rewarded for being a Diana Champion Volunteer. The award was presented by Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools, and Dr Maggie Atkinson, Children’s Commissioner for England, and was signed by The Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP, Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party. Sophie is the great granddaughter of a Ty Gwaunfarren former resident, Danny Sullivan, and received the award for the care she gave her granddad following a stroke. She also helps as a volunteer for the Stroke Association during school holidays and spends time
at Ty Gwaunfarren most Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Dave Morgan, Scheme Manager at Ty Gwaunfarren, said “Sophie’s involvement at the scheme is greatly valued.”
Hilda’s special 100th birthday
Vida 101 years young
Hilda Doubleday celebrated her 100th birthday at Oldwell Court, Cardiff, on 1st October and was delighted to receive birthday cards from Her Majesty the Queen and the Welsh Government. Hilda’s family, friends and fellow residents joined her for cake and a glass of sherry, where she was presented with her birthday presents – a lovely bouquet of flowers and a very special bottle of red wine with her name and birth date inscribed on the label. The wine was presented by Christine Seargent and John Owen on behalf of Oldwell Court residents, neighbours and the Spring Chicken Group.
Vida Price celebrated her 101st birthday on the 19th of December. Vida moved to Ystad Goffa in Flint six years ago and Scheme Manager Alison Moody says she is an absolute marvel. When asked how she is, she always replies “Getting on with it.” With the help of her friends she is never alone for long and everyone at the scheme loves to see her. Vida doesn’t like a fuss, but on the 19th of December a very special coffee morning took place at Ystad Goffa with all her friends. A special birthday card crafted by a neighbour and signed by all the residents and friends with everyone’s best wishes was presented to her. Happy 101st Birthday Vida!
Hilda said “I really had a wonderful day.”
Sophie with her certifi cate. For more information or to nominate, go to: http://diana-award.org.uk or call 0845 337 2987.
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Letters to the Editor… We’re always keen to hear from you… So if you’ve anything you’d like to share with us, please write to: Sarah Manners, Letters to the Editor, In Touch, Wales & West Housing Association, 3 Alexandra Gate, Ffordd Pengam, Tremorfa, Cardiff CF24 2UD. Or email sarah.manners@wwha.co.uk We reserve the right to edit letters subject to space or other considerations.
Dear Sarah morning from I received a phone call this I’d won first prize in t tha yourselves advising me ition. May I take this the Christmas card compet big thank you to all at opportunity to say a great lly pleased that I was a Wales & West, I was rea come at a better time. e winner; it couldn’t hav the middle of making When you rang I was in cake, she is 16 today so our daughter’s birthday tography is my hobby, it’s a double whammy. Pho my work just type in of if you wish to see more and view my webpage dawn primus on Google magazine. on digital photographer dness. Thanks again for your kin Regards
Dawn Primus
Hanover Court residents show their appreciation to the Police Community Support Offices PCSO Samantha Dance has been patrolling the Cadoxton area in Barry for the last year and PCSO Dominic Bury for two and a half years. Their aim is to maintain high visibility patrols in order to reassure the community with their presence and get to know the residents. Both Sam and Dom have made a huge difference to the local community and when on duty, they are always on hand to visit and chat to the residents of Hanover Court, Barry, in the Vale of Glamorgan, allaying any concerns they may have. They will be holding a Police Surgery in Hanover Court in January 2012 and are willing to discuss crime prevention. Sam and Dom often call into Hanover Court on a Tuesday afternoon, when the residents hold a Line Dancing group, organised by one of the residents, Mary Wood. Until now, Mary has failed to get Sam and Dom to join in the dancing. The PCSO’s were looking to local businesses for sponsorship of around £300 for equipment and WWHA were quick to act and sponsored them for the safety equipment to compliment the bikes which had previously been purchased by the Police Authority. WWHA recognised the amazing work of the PCSOs and the difference it has made to the residents of Hanover Court. 38
Thank you Sam and Dom from everyone in Hanover Court and WWHA.
Wales & West Housing Association Winter 12
The Equality Act 2010... ...so what does it mean for you? This act has replaced all previous anti-discrimination law with one single act to make the law simpler and to remove inconsistencies. It has been designed to protect certain ‘characteristics’: • Age • Disability • Gender reassignment • Pregnancy and maternity • Marriage and civil partnership • Race • Religion or belief • Sex • Sexual orientation In the next few editions of In Touch we’ll explain what each of these protected characteristics means. What has age got to do with it anyway? There are common misperceptions that ‘older’ people are all Victor Meldrew from One Foot in the Grave and ‘young’ people are Vicky Pollard from Little Britain! However, a recent Saga survey found that today’s young people think their parents’ and grandparents’ generations are friendly, knowledgeable and, as young people say, ‘with it’! For most people age isn’t a problem, ageing is a fact of life and people are encouraged to get the most out of life and contribute towards society. And that’s the way it should be. But sometimes individuals, or businesses, may say and do things which may have a negative impact, whether intentional or not. What is ageism and age discrimination? Ageism makes assumptions about individuals, their abilities, circumstances, preferences and much more, simply because of one factor – in this case, their ages.
There have been a number of positive developments in terms of combatting age discrimination, for example people are no longer forced to retire at 65 and legal cases which challenge employers on age such as a case in 2009 where the age limit of 35 for recruitment to train as an air traffic controller was challenged. The employer did not have evidence to support its argument that there was a decline in the performance of older air traffic controllers, and the extensive safety measures already in place meant that the age limit was not necessary to achieve the aim of improving safety. The tribunal decided that the employer could not justify the age limit of 35 and it was, therefore, unlawful. What can I do about it? Get to know older and younger people in your community, cease making jokes or pointed references to age and ability, and tell others that such jokes and references are disrespectful. Do all that you can to learn from the talents of each individual, regardless of age!
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