Open House issue 1 2017

Page 1

OpenHouse The Magazine for Council Tenants and Leaseholders

Issue 1 2017

25 years of

OpenHouse If you require this information in a different format eg large print, Braille, disc or other, please contact Housing Customer Services 01792 635045 or visit our website www.swansea.gov.uk/housing or email housing@swansea.gov.uk Return Address: City and County of Swansea, Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN

See page 9

What’s Inside FEATURES Focus on The Neighbourhood Support Unit ..... 1 Gardening Competition ..................... 4 Get Swansea Online .......................... 6 Recipro and Community RePaint ...... 7 New Community Green Map ............ 8 25 years of Open House ................... 9

LOCAL LINKS

10

TENANCY AND ESTATE Tenants voice ..................................... 14 Sheltered housing news .................... 16 Housing tenancy fraud ...................... 17 How are we doing? ........................... 18 HomeSwapper .................................. 19 More Homes ...................................... 20 Are we up to date? ............................ 22 Tenancy Support Unit ........................ 22 Rent payment methods ..................... 24 Support services ................................ 25

GENERAL ADVICE Nuisance callers ................................ 26 Tumble dryer safety advice ............... 28 Contact the Council ........................... 29

EQUALITIES Community cohesion ......................... 30 Are you covered? ............................... 32 Communities for work ....................... 33 Rough sleeping .................................. 34 Big housing conversation .................. 36 Useful contacts and calendar centre pull out

welcome to

OpenHouse Happy New Year and welcome to Open House, the magazine for Council tenants and leaseholders. We hope you enjoy reading this edition which has lots of useful information, interesting news and our regular features including ‘Local Links’ with information on activities for the over 50s on page 10 and ‘Tenants Voice’ on page 14. We are celebrating 25 years of Open House and you can see how the magazine has changed over the years on the cover and page 9. On page 4 we have featured photos of the winning gardens in our annual Tenants and Leaseholders Gardening competition. There is also advice and information on nuisance callers and unwanted traders on page 26 which includes a cut out sticker to display and tumble dryer safety advice on page 28. Open House is also available to read online at www.swansea.gov.uk/housing Anne Webber, Editor

Useful Contacts Editor – Anne Webber ............................................. 635045 Repairs Contact Centre ........................................... 635100 Out of Hours Emergency Repairs ........................... 521500 24 hour Neisghbourhood Support Unit ................. 648507 Housing Options ..................................................... 533100 Environment Contact Centre ................................... 635600 Housing Benefit Queries ......................................... 635353

District Housing Office Numbers Eastside District Housing Office .............................. 791251 Morriston & Clase District Housing Office .............. 601720 Sketty District Housing Office .................................. 516810 Townhill & Mayhill District Housing Office .............. 513900 Blaenymaes District Housing Office ....................... 534060 Gorseinon District Housing Office .......................... 897700 Penlan District Housing Office ................................ 582704 Town Centre District Housing Office ....................... 650486 West Cross District Housing Office ......................... 402500 All telephone numbers are Swansea based (01792)

ALL INFORMATION IN OPENHOUSE IS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS.

Open House: Issue 1 2017

We welcome correspondence in Welsh and will deal with Welsh and English correspondence to the same standards and timescales.

Focus on... The Neighbourhood Support Unit The Housing Service is committed to ensuring that our council housing estates are a safe and attractive environment for all residents who live there. While the majority of residents support and contribute to this aim there are still some individuals who persistently cause anti-social behaviour problems. UÊ *Ài«>ÀiÊiÛ `i ViÊv ÀÊi v ÀVi i ÌÊ>VÌ ÊÌ >ÌÊ Ê >ÃÊLii ÊV>«ÌÕÀi`Ê ÊÌ iÊÛ>À ÕÃÊ

/6Ê equipment operated by the NSU UÊ *À Û `iÊ>Ê iÊ7 À iÀÊ Ì À }ÊÃÞÃÌi Êv ÀÊ> Ê Housing staff and a number of other council services UÊ "«iÀ>ÌiÊ>Ê,i ÌiÊ V iÀ}iÊ-iÀÛ ViÊv ÀÊÌ iÊV ÌÞÊ centre high rise blocks

Within Housing Services there are various teams who work together to try to resolve and eradicate anti-social behaviour. One of these is the Neighbourhood Support Unit (NSU), which was created in 1997 and over the last 20 years has become a well-established part of the Housing Service. The NSU operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to: UÊ *À Û `iÊ>ÊÀië à ÛiÊÃiÀÛ ViÊv ÀÊ> Ê V `i ÌÃÊ vÊ anti-social behaviour (ASB) on our council estates UÊ ÃÌ> ]Ê > Ì> Ê> `ÊÀië `ÊÌ Ê> >À ÃÊ Êi «ÌÞÊ council properties (voids) to protect against boiler/ metal theft UÊ 1 `iÀÌ> iÊ>Ê } Ì ÞÊ«>ÌÀ ÊÃiÀÛ ViÊÌ>À}iÌi`ÊLÞÊ the District Housing Offices (DHO) throughout all our council estates UÊ Ì ÀÊÎäÊ«iÀ > i ÌÊ

/6ÊV> iÀ>ÃÊ V>Ìi`Ê Ê council estates to deter anti-social behaviour UÊ i« ÞÊ>Ê Õ LiÀÊ vÊ L iÊ

/6ÊV> iÀ>ÃÊ ÊÌ iÊ request of the DHOs or other partners to gather ASB evidence against perpetrators

UÊ ÃÌ> Ê«> VÊ> >À ÃÊv ÀÊ ÕÃi `ÃÊiÝ«iÀ i V }Ê domestic abuse or victims of serious crime, which will always generate a police response UÊ ÃÌ> ÊëiV > ÃÌÊiµÕ « i ÌÊÌ ÊÃÕ«« ÀÌÊÛÕ iÀ>L iÊ victims of bogus callers and/or rogue traders at Ê Ì iÊÀiµÕiÃÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ* ViÊÊÊÊ / iÊÌi> Ê ÃÊ i`ÊLÞÊ*>Õ Ê ,iiÃÊ> `ÊÜ Ì ÊÌ iÊ -1Ê there are 32 shift staff supervised by David Wheeler, who provide the 24/7 service. These staff wear uniforms that identify them as NSU staff and they drive vehicles which are easily identified with council logos. They have many years iÝ«iÀ i ViÊ vÊ`i> }ÊÜ Ì Ê - Ê> `ÊÜ À }Ê Ê council estates and are well placed to offer advice and assistance to anyone whose life is affected by unacceptable behaviour. ,iVi Ì ÞÊL `ÞÊV> iÀ>ÊÌiV }ÞÊ >ÃÊLii Ê introduced which is issued to NSU staff when

Open House: Issue 1 2017

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undertaking evening patrols and attending incidents of ASB or alarm activations outside ofďŹ ce hours. This equipment not only provides protection for the NSU staff attending incidents but can also be used as evidence to substantiate a complaint when footage is recorded.

report that will be made available to the DHO for the ˜iĂ?ĂŒĂŠĂœÂœĂ€ÂŽÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ`>Ăž°ĂŠ

What can the NSU deal with? Should you have any concerns about ongoing anti-social behaviour that is affecting you or someone you know such as a neighbour or relative, then you can contact the NSU. Over the years the NSU has dealt with a vast range of issues, including: UĂŠ ÂœĂ•`ĂŠÂ“Ă•ĂƒÂˆVĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆiĂƒ UĂŠ

Ă•ÂˆĂƒ>˜ViĂŠLœ˜wĂ€iĂƒĂŠ

UĂŠ 1Â˜Ă€Ă•Â?ĂžĂŠĂ›ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€Ăƒ UĂŠ Â?Vœ…œÂ?ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ`ÀÕ}ĂŠĂ€iÂ?>ĂŒi`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜Vˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒ UĂŠ Â?ĂžĂŠĂŒÂˆÂŤÂŤÂˆÂ˜} UĂŠ 1˜VÂœÂ˜ĂŒĂ€ÂœÂ?Â?i`ĂŠÂŤiĂŒĂƒ UĂŠ 6iĂ€L>Â?ĂŠ>LĂ•ĂƒiĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ˜iˆ}Â…LÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ`ÂˆĂƒÂŤĂ•ĂŒiĂƒ

How can I report ASB problems to the NSU? Should you be affected by the behaviour of a neighbour, their visitors or other people within your community, you can contact staff from your local DHO during normal ofďŹ ce hours for advice and assistance. You can also contact the NSU on 01792 648507 (24 hours a day) and arrangements will be made for NSU staff to visit you >ĂƒĂŠĂƒÂœÂœÂ˜ĂŠ>ĂƒĂŠÂŤÂœĂƒĂƒÂˆLÂ?i°ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?ĂŠĂŒi˜>Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠ>Â?ĂƒÂœĂŠĂ€iÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ non-urgent ASB online: http://www.swansea. gov.uk/article/4121/Report-anti-social-behaviour

UĂŠ Â˜ĂŒÂˆÂ“Âˆ`>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ…>Ă€>ĂƒĂƒÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒ UĂŠ

Ă•ÂˆĂƒ>˜ViĂŠĂ›i…ˆVÂ?iĂƒ

The NSU is not there to replace the police and if you are the victim of a crime or witness any criminal act, then you should still telephone 101 for non-emergencies or telephone 999 in cases of emergencies. There is also a free conďŹ dential

Ă€ÂˆÂ“iĂƒĂŒÂœÂŤÂŤiĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂ˜Ă•Â“LiÀÊ 0800 555 111 if you have any information regarding a crime.

On attendance, NSU staff must witness the alleged ASB themselves and consider whether it is nuisance behaviour. The NSU does not have any speciďŹ c powers with which to ensure that an individual complies with requests to modify their behaviour. However, they will always be advised that full details of the incident will be passed to the DHO for them to consider the appropriate course of action. All complainants should be assured that their details are never divulged to the alleged perpetrator and unless speciďŹ cally requested, the NSU staff will not call to see them in order to avoid identifying them as the complainant. All incidents attended by the NSU, whether they witnessed anything or not, will generate an incident

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Open House: Issue 1 2017

How well does the NSU perform? The NSU submits a wide range of performance ďŹ gures on a monthly basis and the following table ÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`iĂƒĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠiĂ?ĂŒĂ€>VĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂƒÂœÂ“iĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*iĂ€vÂœĂ€Â“>˜ViĂŠ ˜`ˆV>ĂŒÂœĂ€ĂƒĂŠ­* ĂƒÂŽĂŠÂ“>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒ>ˆ˜i`ĂŠLĂžĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ -1°ĂŠĂŠ

Performance Indicator

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

Number of void alarm installations*

948

1248

1416

1462

1340

1282

Number of breaches / attempted breaches (in void properties with NSU alarms)*

22

18

27

19

9

14

Number & % of responses to void alarm activations within 20 minutes

740 (93%)

883 (92%)

1019 (94%)

901 (89%)

712 (89%)

879 (91%)

Number of ASB incidents reported to NSU

4287

4425

3575

3329

3636

3823

ՓLiĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ

/6ĂŠÂˆÂ˜Vˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠĂ‰ĂŠÂœVVÕÀÀi˜ViĂƒĂŠ observed

3100

2113

2165

1969

2178

1903

Number of mobile patrols undertaken

25,066

22,302

19,478

15,914

16,912

19,351

Number of foot patrols undertaken

13,201

14,617

12,897

14,038

10,937

12,900

182

166

159

175

225

172

ՓLiĂ€ĂŠÂœvĂŠ*>˜ˆVĂŠ>Â?>À“ÊÀiviÀÀ>Â?ĂƒĂŠĂ€iViÂˆĂ›i`

(* void= our term for an empty property)

How effective is the NSU? Over the last 20 years the NSU has had a key role to play in reducing the impact of anti-social behaviour on our estates and preventing vandalism and boiler theft from our empty council properties by installing alarms and responding to activations. Nothing highlights this more than the number of genuine or attempted breaches in empty council properties, (i.e. alarm activated by an intruder) recorded by the -1°ĂŠ Â˜ĂŠĂ“äääÉä£ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ -1ĂŠĂ€iĂƒÂŤÂœÂ˜`i`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠxĂˆĂ‡ĂŠ}iÂ˜Ă•ÂˆÂ˜iĂŠ breaches and last year this ďŹ gure was reduced to only 14 genuine breaches. Â˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂ˜iĂ?ĂŒĂŠi`ÂˆĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂœvĂŠ"ÂŤiÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒiĂŠĂœiĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠvÂœVĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ our ASB Support Team who complement the work ÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ -1]ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂ€ÂˆVĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ"vwViĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ >“ˆÂ?ÞÊ Â˜ĂŒiÀÛiÂ˜ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ*>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`iĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠLÂœĂŒÂ…ĂŠ victims and perpetrators of anti-social behaviour.

REMEMBER you can contact your local DHO in ofďŹ ce hours or you can contact the NSU at any time on 01792 648507 if you have concerns about anti-social behaviour. Information about the NSU and other council services can also be found on our website www.swansea.go.uk/housing Open House: Issue 1 2017

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The 17th annual Tenants’ and Leaseholders’ Gardening Competition was held during the summer and once again, received an impressive number of entrants. /Â…ÂˆĂƒĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂŠĂœiĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂ€Âœ`Ă•Vi`ĂŠ>ĂŠÂ˜iĂœĂŠV>ĂŒi}ÂœĂ€ĂžĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒi˜>Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠiÂ˜ĂŒiÀÊqĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂź ˆviĂƒĂŒĂžÂ?iĂŠ >Ă€`i˜½°ĂŠĂŠ This category was aimed at tenants and leaseholders who enjoy and look after their }>Ă€`i˜]ĂŠLĂ•ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠÂ“>ĂžĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠLiĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂˆ`iĂ€i`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLiĂŠ>ĂŠÂźĂŒĂ€>`ÂˆĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?½ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂźvÂœĂ€Â“>Â?½ĂŠ}>Ă€`i˜°ĂŠ The judges were very impressed with all the entrants and the high standard of the gardens. Here is a selection of the winners from the competition...

Overall Winner Ă•Â˜iĂŠ ÂœÂ?VÂ…ĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂƒĂƒĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠĂ“ä£Ăˆ½ĂƒĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€>Â?Â?ĂŠĂœÂˆÂ˜Â˜iĂ€°ĂŠ Ă•Â˜iĂŠÂ…>ĂƒĂŠi˜Â?ÂœĂži`ĂŠ}>Ă€`i˜ˆ˜}ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ many years but only considered entering the competition in 2015. She is constantly looking for new ideas for her garden and is looking forward to entering the competition again in 2017.

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Open House: Issue 1 2017

Best Container Garden

Best Lifestyle Garden

ĂƒĂŠ9>˜`iÂ?Â?]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•}Â…ÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŠ

ÀÊ,iiĂƒ]ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€VÂ…}Ă€ÂœĂ›i

Best Garden, Morriston Ă€ĂƒĂŠ7Â…iiÂ?ĂŠĂŠ

Best Edible Garden

Best Newcomer

ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒL>ĂŒĂŒiÂ˜ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒĂŠ

ÀÊ*ˆVŽ“>˜]ĂŠ/ÂœĂœÂ˜Â…ÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠ

Best Garden, Penlan Ă€ĂƒĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠĂŠ

Best Garden, Blaenymaes

Best Sheltered/Communal Area

ĂƒĂŠ7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>Â“ĂƒĂŠ

>Ă•}Â…>Ă€Â˜iĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒĂŠĂŠ

Best Garden, Sketty ÀÊ ˆ˜`iÀÊÊ

Best Garden, Eastside

Best Wildower Garden

ÀÊ-VÂœĂŒĂŒĂŠ

ÀÊ,Ă•ĂƒĂƒ]ĂŠ/ÂœĂœÂ˜Â…ÂˆÂ?Â?

Best Garden, Gorseinon

Best Garden, Townhill

Judges’ Choice Award

Ă€ĂƒĂŠ Ă›>Â˜Ăƒ

ÀÊ iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ

Ă€ĂƒĂŠ7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>Â“Ăƒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•}Â…ÂœĂ€

Open House: Issue 1 2017

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Want to learn how to get the most out of the internet? It’s never too late to learn!

Get involved in the FREE beginners courses to get you online i>Ă€Â˜ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂœĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ}iĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂ“ÂœĂƒĂŒĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŒiĂ€Â˜iĂŒ]ĂŠĂƒi˜`ĂŠi‡“>ˆÂ?Ăƒ]ĂŠĂƒ>Ă›iĂŠÂ“ÂœÂ˜iĂž]ĂŠLÂœÂœÂŽĂŠÂ…ÂœÂ?ˆ`>ĂžĂƒ]ĂŠ surf the web, communicate with friends and family, and lots more. ,Ă•Â˜ĂŠLÞÊ>ʾÕ>Â?ˆwi`ĂŠĂŒĂ•ĂŒÂœĂ€]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂƒiĂŠFREE sessions are held in a number of venues across Swansea including libraries and community buildings. >VÂ…ĂŠVÂœĂ•Ă€ĂƒiĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠÂ?>ĂƒĂŒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂ“ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠĂœiiÂŽĂŠ for 5 weeks. They are aimed at people with limited or Â˜ÂœĂŠiĂ?ÂŤiĂ€Âˆi˜ViĂŠÂœvĂŠĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤĂ•ĂŒiĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠÂˆ*>`ĂƒĂŠ or Android tablets to get online. You can register for one of these courses: 1.

PC beginners course - we provide the computers to use for the course

2. IPad beginners course - LĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŠÂˆ*>`ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠLÂœĂ€Ă€ÂœĂœĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂœvĂŠÂœĂ•Ă€ĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ course sessions 3. Android tablet beginners course - please bring your own Android tablet

For information about dates, times and locations of courses, contact Lifelong Learning in Bryn House on 01792 470171 Alternatively, ask someone to book online for you on www.getswanseaonline.co.uk

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Open House: Issue 1 2017

Fantastic savings from Recipro and Community RePaint Do you want to decorate or freshen up parts of your home but are on a budget? Then Recipro Swansea can help! ,iVÂˆÂŤĂ€ÂœĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂ˜iĂ€ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœÂ?iVĂŒĂŠLiĂŒĂœiiÂ˜ĂŠ

ÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŒĂ€Ă•VĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ Ă?ViÂ?Â?i˜ViĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ7>Â?iĂƒ]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ >Ă€iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ,iÂŤ>ÂˆĂ€ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ,iVÂˆÂŤĂ€ÂœÂ‡1 ĂŠL>Ăƒi`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Â˜ĂŒiĂ€ÂŤĂ€ÂˆĂƒiĂŠ<œ˜iĂŠ in Swansea and they sell surplus products from many retailers at heavily discounted prices. *Ă€Âœ`Ă•VĂŒĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜VÂ?Ă•`i\ UĂŠ ĂŠĂœÂˆ`iĂŠĂ€>˜}iĂŠÂœvĂŠÂŤ>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂˆVi`ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠĂ‹ÂŁĂŠÂŤiÀÊÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂ€iĂŠ (vinyl matt/silk, gloss, masonry) donated by local retailers and recycled paints from Household ĂŠ 7>ĂƒĂŒiĂŠ,iVĂžVÂ?ˆ˜}ĂŠViÂ˜ĂŒĂ€iĂƒ° UĂŠ *>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>VViĂƒĂƒÂœĂ€ÂˆiĂƒ]ĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂ?ˆi`ĂŠLÞÊ >Ă€Ă€ÂˆĂƒ]ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂˆVÂ…ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠ good quality products. UĂŠ ˆ˜œÂ?iՓÊ>˜`ĂŠV>ÀiĂŒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠ>Â?ĂƒÂœĂŠ>Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?iĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂˆVi`ĂŠ ĂŠ LiĂŒĂœiiÂ˜ĂŠĂ‹xĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂ‹£ä]ĂŠ}Ă€i>ĂŒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠL>ĂŒÂ…Ă€ÂœÂœÂ“ĂƒĂ‰ÂŽÂˆĂŒVÂ…iÂ˜Ăƒ° UĂŠ ÂˆĂŒVÂ…iÂ˜Ă‰L>ĂŒÂ…Ă€ÂœÂœÂ“ĂŠÂŤĂ€Âœ`Ă•VĂŒĂƒĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ7ˆVÂŽiĂƒĂŠqĂŠ ĂŠ i}ĂŠĂ‹xÉ`ÂœÂœĂ€]ĂŠĂ‹£äÉV>Ă€V>ĂƒĂƒ°

The Recipro centre in Swansea is located in the Enterprise Zone at: Alberto Road, Valley Way, Swansea, SA6 8QP The project has many beneďŹ ts – it helps the environment as less material ends up in landďŹ ll or incinerated. Also passing products on to be re-used is less energy and resource intensive than recycling. ÂœĂƒĂŒĂŠÂˆÂ“ÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒ>Â˜ĂŒÂ?Ăž]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂ€iĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠ>Â?ĂƒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂ…Ă•}iĂŠVÂœĂƒĂŒĂŠ savings for customers as products are sold at a fraction of the retail price. ˆ˜>Â?Â?Ăž]ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒiĂ€Â˜ĂŠ >ÞÊ >Ă€iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ,iÂŤ>ÂˆĂ€ĂŠVÂ…>Ă€ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ which helps the community in the Swansea/Neath area also beneďŹ ts from this project.

Opening times Mon - Thurs Friday Sat Sun

08:30 - 16:00 08.30 - 15:30 Closed Closed

You can also browse items for sale online at: http://www.recipro-uk.com/wales or their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ Recipro-City-Swansea-211237755895134/?fref=nf

Open House: Issue 1 2017

7

New Community Green Map Sustainable Swansea has published its latest community green map focussing on the Central Swansea area. *iÂœÂŤÂ?iĂŠÂ?ÂˆĂ›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ>Ă€i>ĂŠÂ…iÂ?ÂŤi`ĂŠÂŤĂ•ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠ together over the past year by identifying possible sites to include and by participating in photography sessions. Ă€iiÂ˜ĂŠÂ“>ÂŤĂƒĂŠÂ…Âˆ}Â…Â?ˆ}Â…ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂƒĂ•ĂƒĂŒ>ˆ˜>LÂ?iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ environmental resources in a speciďŹ c area which can include entries such as places to buy local food, places to recycle, community resources such as libraries, community centres, green open spaces and play areas, Ăœ>Â?ÂŽĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ˜>ĂŒĂ•Ă€>Â?ĂŠvi>ĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœÂœ°ĂŠ Â˜ĂŠv>VĂŒĂŠ anything that is seen as a sustainable or Âź}Ă€ii˜½ĂŠĂ€iĂƒÂœĂ•Ă€Vi°ĂŠ ivÂœĂ€iĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒ]ĂŠiˆ}Â…ĂŒĂŠVÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ green maps have been produced in Swansea vÂœĂ€ĂŠ>Ă€i>ĂƒĂŠĂƒĂ•VÂ…ĂŠ>ĂƒĂŠ*i˜Â?>˜]ĂŠ >ĂƒĂŒÂ?i]ĂŠ/ÂœĂœÂ˜Â…ÂˆÂ?Â?]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ*ÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>Ă€``Ă•Â?>ÂˆĂƒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂœiĂ€]ĂŠ-ĂŒĂŠ/…œ“>ĂƒĂŠ >˜`ĂŠ*ÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ/i˜˜>Â˜ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*i˜`iÀÀÞÊ>Ă€i>°ĂŠ

iÂ?ĂžĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ˆ}}ÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ]ĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂœvĂŠ-Ă•ĂƒĂŒ>ˆ˜>LÂ?iĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>½ĂƒĂŠ

ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ"Ă•ĂŒĂ€i>VÂ…ĂŠ"vwViĂ€ĂƒĂŠĂƒ>ˆ`]ĂŠ “We are really pleased to be publishing another map and this time for community members and residents of the central -Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ>Ă€i>°ĂŠ ĂŒĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠLiĂŠĂ•ĂƒivĂ•Â?ĂŠÂœvĂŠVÂœĂ•Ă€ĂƒiĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ Ă›ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœÂœ°ĂŠ ĂŒĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠ`ˆvwVĂ•Â?ĂŒĂŠÂ“>ÂŤĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠw˜>Â?ÂˆĂƒiĂŠ as there are so many entries that could be put on there, which is fantastic from a sustainability point of view.â€?

ÂœÂŤÂˆiĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠ>Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂ?ÂœĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠÂŤÂ?>ViĂƒĂŠ around the city centre including museums, community centres, housing ofďŹ ces, central library, cafes and of course from ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Â˜Ă›ÂˆĂ€ÂœÂ˜Â“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ*ˆiĂ€ĂŠĂƒĂŒĂ€iiĂŒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ marina area.

For more information please contact Sustainable Swansea on 01792 480200 or visit www.sustainableswansea.net 8

Open House: Issue 1 2017

25 years of

OpenHouse This year we are celebrating 25 years since the first edition of Open House was sent out to tenants. A lot has changed since then…. Open House started life as a 4 page newsletter highlighting housing related issues to council tenants in Swansea. Over the years, Open House has developed into a magazine that is produced bilingually and is available in ` } Ì> Êv À >ÌÊ>ÃÊÜi Ê>ÃÊ Ì iÀÊv À >ÌÃÊÃÕV Ê>ÃÊ

½Ã]ÊÌ>«iÃ]Ê >À}iÊ«À ÌÊ> `Ê

Ê, °Ê ÜiÛiÀ]ÊÜiÊÃÌ Ê`i ÛiÀÊ>ÊV «ÞÊÌ Ê each and every council tenant and leaseholder in Swansea. Whilst Open House still provides information and advice Ê Õà }ÊÀi >Ìi`Ê >ÌÌiÀÃ]ÊÌ ÃÊ >ÃÊLii ÊiÝÌi `i`ÊÌ Ê include other useful and interesting information on a variety of topics. We also aim to keep readers up to date with services and events in and around Swansea, and provide Ì iÊ «« ÀÌÕ ÌÞÊÌ Ê}iÌÊ Û Ûi`]Ê> `ʼ >ÛiÊÞ ÕÀÊÃ>Þ½ÊLÞÊ completing questionnaires. Open House will continue to develop and evolve and if you have any suggestions for articles that you would like to see then please let us know. We also have an Open House feedback group that tenants and leaseholders can attend to provide us with their views on recent editions of Open ÕÃi°Ê vÊÞ ÕÊÜ Õ `Ê iÊÌ Ê>ÌÌi `ÊvÕÌÕÀiÊvii`L>V Ê}À Õ«Ã]Ê please contact Alison Winter on 01792 635043.

Open House: Issue 1 2017

9

LocalLinks Local Links provides information about activities taking place in your area. If you would like to contribute to future editions please call 01792 635045.

Here is information on activities for the over 50s in Swansea’s community centres which was suggested by Members of the Open House Feedback Group. Blaenymaes

Eastside

Blaenymaes Community Centre Broughton Avenue, Blaenymaes, Swansea - xÊx Ê 01792 582391

Port Tennant Community Centre 7iÀ Ê >ÜÀÊ, >`]Ê* ÀÌÊ/i > Ì]Ê-Ü> Ãi>Ê - £Ên +

Wednesday 18:30 - 21:00 Bingo

Wednesday 19:30 - 21:30 Bingo

ÀÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì ÊV Ì>VÌÊ À > Ê*À ` ÀiÊ 01792 884642

ÀÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì ÊV Ì>VÌÊ Þ iÊ V ÃÊ 01792 419539

Eastside

Llansamlet Community Centre

ÕÀV Ê, >`]Ê > Ã> iÌ]Ê-Ü> Ãi>Ê- ÇÊ ,

Tuesday 19.00 – 21:00 Senior Citizens

Bonymaen Community Centre Þ >i Ê,`]Ê Þ >i ]Ê-Ü> Ãi>Ê- £ÊÇ 7Ê 01792 462322

Thursday 18:30 - 20:30 Senior Citizen Club

`>ÞÊ£Î\ääÊ Ê£x\ääÊSenior Citizen Club `>ÞÊ£n\ÎäÊ ÊÓä\ÎäÊBingo

Glais Community Centre ÀV }À ÛiÊ, >`]Ê ÀV }À ÛiÊ- ÇÊ

Thursday 13.30 - 15.30 Pentrechwyth Seniors

À `>ÞÊÓ°ääÊ Ê{°ÎäÊGlais Senior Citizens

À `>ÞÊä \ääÊ Ê£x\ääÊLuncheon Club

Wednesday 1.00 - 4.00 Creative Crafters

ÀÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì ÊV Ì>VÌÊ->À> Ê ÛiÀ 07502375006 / 01792 462322

À `>ÞÊÈ°ääÊ Ên°ääÊ­ Ì Þ®ÊChess Club

Trallwn Community Centre iÌ i Ê, >`]Ê/À> Ü ]Ê-Ü> Ãi>Ê- ÇÊ +* 01792 799928 Tuesday 13:30 - 16:00 Senior Citizen Club Tuesday 18:30 - 21:00 Bowls / ÕÀÃ`>ÞÊ£ \ääÊ ÊÓ£\ääÊ­£ÃÌÊ vÊ Ì ®ÊWomen’s Institute ÀÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì ÊV Ì>VÌÊ i Ê 07920091457

10 Open House: Issue 1 2017

ÀÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì ÊV Ì>VÌÊ >À Ê À vwÌ Ã 01792 790786

ÀÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì ÊV Ì>VÌÊ >À iÊ i>Ì 01792 844799

Gorseinon Waunarlwydd Community Centre 6 VÌ À >Ê, >`]Ê7>Õ >À ÜÞ``]Ê-Ü> Ãi>Ê- xÊ{-9Ê 01792 872301 Wednesday 13:30 - 16.00 Senior Citizens ÀÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì ÊV Ì>VÌÊ >ÕÀ>Ê >À V ÊÊ 01792 583327

Gorseinon

Morriston

Gorseinon Institute {{ĂŠ ˆ“iĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€Ăƒiˆ˜œ˜]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- {ĂŠ{ ĂŠ 01792 578029 œ˜`>ÞÊ£Î\ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ääĂŠDancing œ˜`>ÞÊ£{\ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ääĂŠScrabble /Ă•iĂƒ`>ÞÊ£n\ĂŽäʇʣ™\ĂŽäĂŠ­ĂŽĂ€`ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…ÂŽĂŠ Townswomen’s Guild Wednesday 13:30 - 16:30 Llwchwr Art /Â…Ă•Ă€Ăƒ`>ÞÊ£™\ääʇÊÓ£\ääĂŠ­£ĂƒĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…ÂŽĂŠLlwchwr Historical ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ 899221

Clase Community Centre œ˜}Ă›ÂˆiĂœĂŠ,Âœ>`]ĂŠ Â?>Ăƒi]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ĂˆĂŠĂ‡

Rechabite Hall

Â…Ă•Ă€VÂ…ĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂœiĂ€ĂŒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- {ĂŠĂŽ Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00 Gowerton Women’s Club Wednesday 19.00 - 21.00 Whist Thursday 14:30 - 16:30 Painting and Drawing Ă€Âˆ`>ÞÊ£ä\ĂŽäʇʣÓ\ĂŽäĂŠRechabite Hall Art Group ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ ˆ˜`>ĂŠ ÂœÂ?VÂ…ÂœĂ›iÀÊ 01792 872449

œ˜`>ÞÊ£Î\ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ääĂŠMonday Club Tuesday 13:30 - 15:30 Bowls ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ >Ă€L>Ă€>ĂŠ*>Ă€ĂŒĂ€Âˆ`}iĂŠ 01792 534385

Penlan Gendros Community Centre i˜`Ă€ÂœĂƒĂŠ Ă›iĂŠ >ĂƒĂŒ]ĂŠ i˜`Ă€ÂœĂƒ]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- xĂŠn Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00 Good Companions Wednesday 18:30 - 20:00 Bowls ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ/iÀÀÞÊ i>Â?iĂŠ 01792 417552 Manselton Community Centre Â?}ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒ]ĂŠ >Â˜ĂƒiÂ?ĂŒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- xĂŠn+ 07814976612 Tuesday 18.30 - 22.00 Knifty Knitters

Morriston Morriston Community Centre -V…œœÂ?ĂŠ,Âœ>`]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ĂˆĂŠĂˆ <ĂŠ 01792 797236 œ˜`>ÞÊ£{\ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ääĂŠWomen’s Guild Wednesday 10:30 - 14:30 Luncheon Club ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ >ÀÞÊ-VÂœĂŒĂŒ 07950412794 Morriston Memorial Hall iÂœÂ?ĂŠ ĂœiĂ€Â˜i˜]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ĂˆĂŠĂˆ ,ĂŠ 01792 772040 œ˜`>ÞÊ£Î\ĂŽäʇʣx\ĂŽäĂŠBowls Thursday 12:30 - 15:30 Bingo ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ ĂžÂ˜ĂŠ >ÂˆÂ˜Ăœ>Ă€ÂˆÂ˜} 01792 418102 Parc Llewellyn Community Centre /Ă€iĂœĂž``v>ĂŠ/iÀÀ>Vi]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ĂˆĂŠn 9 07907892300 œ˜`>ÞÊ£™\ääʇÊÓ£\ääĂŠBingo ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ i˜˜ˆviÀÊ-VĂ•Â?Â?ÞÊ 01792 423321

Wednesday 14.00 - 16.30 Wednesday Club ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ >ĂžÂ˜ÂœĂ€ĂŠ iiÂ…>˜ 01792 455372 South Penlan Community Centre iÂœÂ?ĂŠ Ă€>˜Ž]ĂŠ*i˜Â?>˜]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- xÊÇ 01792 584485 Wednesday 14.00 - 16.00 Songwriters Guild Thursday 13.00 - 16.00 Penlan Sequence Dancers ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ iLÂœĂ€>Â…ĂŠ >Ă›ÂˆiĂƒĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ / ,ĂŠx°ĂŽäÂ“ĂŠ 01792 793151 Treboeth Community Centre Â?>˜}ĂžviÂ?>VÂ…ĂŠ,Âœ>`]ĂŠ/Ă€iLÂœiĂŒÂ…]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- xʙ ĂŠ œ˜`>ÞÊ£{\ääʇʣx\ĂŽäĂŠArt Class œ˜`>ÞÊ£n\{xʇÊÓä\{xĂŠLadies Guild/Art Wednesday 10:00 - 11:30 Over 50’s Club ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂžViĂŠ >ÀŽiÀÊ 01792 416064

Open House: Issue 1 2017

11

Sketty and Gower

Town Centre

Sketty Park Community Centre i>ĂŒÂ…iÀÊ Ă€iĂƒViÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ-ÂŽiĂŒĂŒĂž]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- Ă“ĂŠn

St Phillips Community Centre Bathurst Street, Swansea SA1 3SA

œ˜`>ÞÊ£Î\ĂŽäĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ĂŽäĂŠShort Mat Bowls

œ˜`>ÞÊ£ä\ääʇʣ{\ääĂŠDancing U3A

œ˜`>ÞÊ£{\ĂŽäĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ĂŽäĂŠ­£ĂƒĂŒĂŠEĂŠĂŽĂ€`ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…ÂŽĂŠ Escape (Ladies Social Group)

œ˜`>ÞÊ£{\ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ääĂŠ­Â“ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…Â?ގÊU3A Painting & Drawing

Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00 (1st of month) Music Appreciation Group

œ˜`>ÞÊ£{\ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ääĂŠ­Â“ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…Â?ގÊU3A Photography

Wednesday 13:30 - 15:30 Camera Club

œ˜`>ÞÊ£n\ĂŽäʇÊÓä\ĂŽäĂŠBingo

Ă€Âˆ`>ÞÊ£ä\ĂŽäʇÊ££°ĂŽäĂŠGood Companions Coffee Morning

Wednesday 20:00 - 22:00 Line Dancing

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ6>Â?ĂŠ*i>Ă€ViĂŠ 01792 429160 Brynmill Community Centre -ĂŒĂŠ Â?L>Â˜ĂƒĂŠ,Âœ>`]ĂŠ Ă€ĂžÂ˜Â“ÂˆÂ?Â?]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- Ă“ĂŠä *ĂŠ 01792 415656

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ Ă•Â˜iĂŠ Â?ĂƒiÞÊ 07436033526 Plasmarl Community Centre

ˆ˜>ĂƒĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒ]ĂŠ*Â?>ĂƒÂ“>Ă€Â?]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ĂˆĂŠn + 01792 791639 œ˜`>ÞÊ£™\ääʇÊÓ£\ääĂŠBingo

œ˜`>ÞÊä™°ääʇ£°ääĂŠSpanish

Thursday 19:00 - 21:00 Craft Club

œ˜`>ÞÊ£{°ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ°ääĂŠMonday Club

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ/Ă€iĂ›ÂœĂ€ĂŠ ii˜iĂž 01792 790178

œ˜`>ÞÊ£™°ĂŽäʇÊÓ£°ääĂŠChoir Tuesday 09.00 - 12.00 Table Tennis / Buddies Tuesday 13:00 - 14:30 Spanish Tuesday 19.00 - 21.30 (Sept-Apr) Bowls

Montana Park Community Centre ÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>˜>ĂŠ*>ÀŽ]ĂŠ >˜`ÂœĂ€i]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ÂŁĂŠĂ“+ 01792 645899

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ*>ĂŒĂŠ Ă•}Â…iĂƒĂŠ 07701012317

œ˜`>ÞÊ£™\ääʇÊÓ£\ääĂŠShort Mat Bowls

Penclawdd Community Centre >˜VĂŠ >VÂ…]ĂŠ*i˜VÂ?>Ăœ``]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- {ĂŠĂŽ 01792 850739

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ iLLˆiĂŠ*>ÀÀÊ 07533733097

œ˜`>ÞÊ£™\ääʇÊÓ£\ääĂŠ­Ă“˜`ĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂ…ÂŽĂŠWomen’s Institute Tuesday 10:00 - 12:00 Bowls Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00 Senior Citizens ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ >Ă›iĂŠ7ˆÂ?Â?ˆ>Â“Ăƒ 01792 850162

Thursday 09:30 - 11.30 Art For Fun

Dyfatty & Greenhill Community Centre

Â…>ÂŤiÂ?ĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒ]ĂŠ Ăžv>ĂŒĂŒĂž]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ÂŁĂŠÂŁ œ˜`>ÞÊ£™\ääʇÊÓ£\ääĂŠShort Mat Bowls Ă€Âˆ`>ÞÊ£Î\ääʇʣÇ\ääĂŠTea Dance ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ >˜VÞÊ œ…˜ 07594667503 Brynmelyn Community Centre *>ÀŽÊ/iÀÀ>Vi]ĂŠ Ă€ĂžÂ˜Â“iÂ?ĂžÂ˜]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ÂŁĂŠĂ“ 9 Wednesday 14:30 - 15:30 Over 50`s Thursday 19:00 - 21:00 Bingo ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ*>ĂŒĂŠ V >Ăž 01792 467714

12 Open House: Issue 1 2017

Townhill

West Cross

Mayhill Community Centre >ĂžÂ…ÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠ,Âœ>`]ĂŠ >ĂžÂ…ÂˆÂ?Â?]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ÂŁĂŠĂˆ/

01792 466536

West Cross Community Centre ˆ˜`iÂ˜ĂŠ Ă›iÂ˜Ă•i]ĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂƒĂƒ]-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ĂŽĂŠx

œ˜`>ÞÊÓä\ääʇÊÓÓ\ää Bingo

œ˜`>ÞÊ£{\ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ääĂŠWest Cross Friendship Club

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ Â˜Â˜ĂŠ-ĂŒiĂ›iÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ 07548213244

œ˜`>ÞÊ£ä\ääʇʣÓ\ääĂŠLadies Bowls

Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00 Dancing Club

Townhill Community Centre *ÂœĂœĂžĂƒĂŠ Ă›iÂ˜Ă•i]ĂŠ/ÂœĂœÂ˜Â…ÂˆÂ?Â?]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ÂŁĂŠĂˆ* 01792 655932

Wednesday 10:15 - 12:30 U3A Bridge Club

Thursday 12:45 - 14:30 Bingo

Ă€Âˆ`>ÞÊ£{\ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ\ääĂŠU3A Singing for Pleasure

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ Â…iÀÞÂ?ĂŠ 07743330214

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ 01792 402935

Gors Avenue Community Centre iÂœÂ?ÊÞÊ ÂœĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€Ăƒ]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ÂŁĂŠĂˆ- 01792 578029

Baywood Community Centre i˜ˆÂ?ĂœÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ*Â?>Vi]ĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂƒĂƒ]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ - ĂŽĂŠx *

œ˜`>ÞÊ£{\ääĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂŁĂˆ°ääĂŠOAP’s

Wednesday 18.30 - 21.00 Baywood Belles Entertainment group

Tuesday 18:00 - 20.00 Bingo

Wednesday 12:00 -14:00 W.R.V.S. Luncheon Club

Thursday 18:00 - 20.00 Bingo

œ˜`>ÞÊ>˜`ĂŠ Ă€Âˆ`>ÞÊä™°ĂŽäĂŠqĂŠÂŁĂ“°ääĂŠQuilters

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ ˆÂ?Â?iÀÊ 07791694345

ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ Â?ˆâ>LiĂŒÂ…ĂŠ7>ÂŽi 01792 424668

Your comments about Open House Do you have any comments about this edition of Open House magazine ÂœĂ€ĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆVÂ?iĂƒĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠĂ€i>`œÊ vĂŠĂƒÂœ]ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠiÂˆĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂŠĂœĂ€ÂˆĂŒiĂŠĂŒÂœ\ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ-iĂ€Ă›ÂˆViĂƒ]ĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒĂžĂŠÂœvĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>]ĂŠ "ĂžĂƒĂŒiĂ€Â“ÂœĂ•ĂŒÂ…ĂŠ,Âœ>`]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ÂŁĂŠĂŽ- ĂŠ Ă€iiÂŤÂœĂƒĂŒĂŠ,- /‡ < ‡ <ĂŠ or email to housing@swansea.gov.uk or phone on 01792 635045 Thank you for your time. *Â?i>ĂƒiĂŠÂ?iĂŒĂŠĂ•ĂƒĂŠÂŽÂ˜ÂœĂœĂŠÂˆvĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠÂ…>ÞÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠVœ““iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠLiĂŠÂˆÂ˜VÂ?Ă•`i`ĂŠ in Open House magazine.

Open House: Issue 1 2017 13

Hello, my name is Alison Winter and I am the Participation OfďŹ cer. This is my regular update on tenant involvement in Swansea, where I provide you with news of the local, city and countywide groups.

Local Groups

City and Countywide Groups

i“LiĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠClyne Court Residents Association (CCRA) “iĂŒĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂœvwViĂ€ĂƒĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Â˜Ă›ÂˆĂ€ÂœÂ˜Â“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ

iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂ?i>Ă€Â˜ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠ>LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂœĂ›iĂŠ œœ`ĂŠ >ĂŒiĂŠ 7>ĂƒĂŒiĂŠV>“>ˆ}˜°ĂŠ i>ĂŒÂ…iĂ€]ĂŠ

, ĂŠ Â…>ÂˆĂ€ÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂƒ>ˆ`ĂŠ ÂşĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠiĂ?ViÂ?Â?iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœÂ?iVĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ĂŠĂ€i>Â?Â?ÞÊi˜Â?ÂœĂži`ĂŠ Â?i>Ă€Â˜ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ>LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂŒ°ĂŠ/Â…iĂ€iĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠÂ?ÂœĂŒĂŠ ĂŠ`ˆ`˜½ĂŒĂŠĂ€i>Â?ÂˆĂƒiĂŠ about food packaging and buy one get one free `i>Â?ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ ĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠViĂ€ĂŒ>ˆ˜Â?ÞÊLiĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠV>Ă€ivĂ•Â?ĂŠÂœvĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ future and hopefully save some money too.â€?

The Estate Management Group also met with "vwViĂ€ĂƒĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Â˜Ă›ÂˆĂ€ÂœÂ˜Â“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ}ÂˆĂ›iĂŠ vii`L>VÂŽĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€>Â?ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ Ă€iiÂ˜ĂŠ >ÂŤĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ has recently been printed. Some group members were involved in the development of the map earlier in the year and were asked for their feedback on the completed map. The comments were very positive and many suggestions were made as to how to distribute it.

ÂœĂ›iĂŠ œœ`ĂŠ >ĂŒiĂŠ7>ĂƒĂŒiĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠÂ˜>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠV>“>ˆ}Â˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ looks at food buying habits, using leftovers, food “ˆÂ?iĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂŤ>VÂŽ>}ˆ˜}°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ>LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠ campaign visit: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com The group also received an update on the current Ă€ivĂ•Ă€LÂˆĂƒÂ…Â“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂŤĂ€Âœ}Ă€>““iĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠ Â?ĂžÂ˜iĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ…>`ĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂœÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂ•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ`ÂˆĂƒVĂ•ĂƒĂƒĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠÂˆĂƒĂƒĂ•iĂƒĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?ĂŠ OfďŹ cers and District Housing OfďŹ ce staff.

14 Open House: Issue 1 2017

i LiÀÃÊ vÊÌ iÊSheltered Reps recently met with >Ê Õ} iÃ]Ê->viÀÊ-Ü> Ãi>ÊÌ Ê` ÃVÕÃÃÊ Õ > Ê /À>vwV }Ê> `Ê Ý« Ì>Ì °Ê/ iÊ}À Õ«Êv Õ `ÊÌ iÊÌ> Ê very interesting and were shocked that some of the issues you hear on the news goes on in your local >Ài>°Ê À >ÊvÀ Ê*i À À ÜÊ ÕÀÌÊÃ> `ʺ Êi Þi`Ê Ì iÊÌ> ÊÌ `>ÞÊ> `Ê Ê> Ê>ÃÌ Ã i`ÊLÞÊà iÊ vÊÌ iÊ v À >Ì Ê> `ÊiÝ> « iÃÊÌ >ÌÊ >Ê` ÃVÕÃÃi`ÊÜ Ì Ê ÕÃ°Ê Êvii Ê >«« iÀÊ> `Ê ÀiÊV w`i ÌÊÌ >ÌÊ ÊV> Ê i «Ê «i « iÊ>vviVÌi`ÊLÞÊÌÀ>vwV }Ê> `ÊiÝ« Ì>Ì Ê ÜÊ Ê know what signs to look out for.”

ÃÕÀiÊLÞÊÜ >ÌÊ ½ÛiÊÃii ÊÌ `>ÞÊ ÌÊÜ ÊLiÊ`i ÛiÀi`Ê Ê time and to the highest possible standard.” The strategy has been developed and reviewed following a consultation programme to identify tenant views on involvement. This was undertaken via a number of face to face events, drop in sessions and a specific tenant involvement questionnaire to all tenants and leaseholders. / iÊ/i > ÌÊ-ÌiiÀ }Ê À Õ«ÊÜ V ÊÜ>ÃÊ Û Ûi`Ê Ê the development of the first strategy back in 2007 has continued to monitor the progress of the second strategy and action plan. They have also contributed to the development of this third strategy. , }iÀÊ ]Ê iÊ vÊÌ iÊ i LiÀÃÊ vÊÌ iÊ}À Õ«]Ê commented “When you look at what each group has >V iÛi`Ê ÛiÀÊÌ iÊ«>ÃÌÊviÜÊÞi>ÀÃ]Ê Ì½ÃÊÀi >À >L i»° ÊÌ ÊÌ iÊ-ÌÀ>Ìi}ÞÊhttp://www.swansea.gov.uk/ article/8526/Tenant-Participation vÊÞ ÕÊ>ÀiÊ ÌiÀiÃÌi`Ê Ê }Ê ÀÊÜ Õ `Ê iÊÌ Ê i>À Ê ÀiÊ>L ÕÌÊÌ iÊ/i > ÌÊ-ÌiiÀ }Ê À Õ«Ê« i>ÃiÊ contact Alison Winter on the contact details below.

i LiÀÃÊ vÊÌ iÊTenant Steering Group welcomed

Õ V ÀÊ `Ài>Ê iÜ Ã]Ê >L iÌÊ i LiÀÊv ÀÊ iÝÌÊ i iÀ>Ì Ê-iÀÛ ViÃ]ÊÌ ÊÌ i ÀÊ >ÃÌÊ iiÌ }ÊÌ Ê` ÃVÕÃÃÊ Ì iÊÀiÛ Ãi`Ê/i > ÌÊ*>ÀÌ V «>Ì Ê-ÌÀ>Ìi}Þ]ÊÌ iÊVÕÀÀi ÌÊ provision for tenant and leaseholder involvement and the future of tenant participation. The main purpose of the strategy is to actively encourage tenant involvement to help the continuous improvement of housing services. This ÃÌÀ>Ìi}ÞÊV ÌÀ LÕÌiÃÊÌ ÊÌ iÊ7i Ã Ê ÛiÀ i ̽ÃÊ commitment to tenant participation across Wales > `Ê>Ê Õ LiÀÊ vÊÌ iÊ Õ V ½ÃÊ iÞÊ«À À Ì iÃÊ V Õ` }Ê safeguarding vulnerable people, tackling poverty and building sustainable communities.

Õ V ÀÊ iÜ ÃÊ >`iÊÃiÛiÀ> ÊÃÕ}}iÃÌ ÃÊÌ Ê i «Ê raise awareness of tenant involvement, which is Li }Êv Üi`ÊÕ«°Ê Õ V ÀÊ iÜ ÃÊÃ> `ʺ/ iÊÀiÛ Ãi`Ê /i > ÌÊ*>ÀÌ V «>Ì Ê-ÌÀ>Ìi}ÞÊÀiyiVÌÃÊÜ >ÌÊÌ iÊ Ìi > ÌÃÊ> `Ê i>Ãi `iÀÃÊ Ê-Ü> Ãi>ÊÜ> ÌÊ> `Ê ½ Ê

Drop in sessions are still being held at the Community Space, Tesco Fforestfach every `>ÞÊLiÌÜii Ê£°Îä« Ê ÊΰÎä« °Ê > Ê Êv ÀÊ>Ê chat or free internet access in this purpose built V Õ ÌÞÊv>V ÌÞ°Ê > V > Ê V ÕÃ Ê >ÃÊLii ÊÌ iÊ > Êv VÕÃÊ ÛiÀÊÀiVi ÌÊÜii Ã]ÊÜ iÀiÊ*>Õ >Ê Ìiâ]Ê Ì iÊ > V > Ê V Õà Ê"vwViÀ]Ê >ÃÊLii Ê>Û> >L iÊÌ Ê provide help and advice about your rent account, Õà }ÊLi iwÌÊ> `Ê1 ÛiÀÃ> Ê Ài` Ì°Ê vÊÞ ÕÊÜ Õ `Ê iÊÌ Êëi> ÊÌ Ê*>Õ >]Êà iÊV> ÊV Ì>VÌi`Ê ÊÌi \Ê 01792 534098, or by email on paula.montez@swansea.gov.uk

vÊÞ ÕÊÜ Õ `Ê iÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì Ê about any of these groups or meetings, or you want to have your say and get involved, you can contact Alison Winter]Ê*>ÀÌ V «>Ì Ê"vwViÀÊ on 01792 635043, or Alison.winter@swansea.gov.uk ÀÊÌiÝÌÊÞ ÕÀÊV i ÌÃÊ> }ÊÜ Ì ÊÞ ÕÀÊ name and address to 07775221453.

Open House: Issue 1 2017 15

Sheltered Housing News Gerald Thomas, Parkway

œ˜}Ă€>ĂŒĂ•Â?>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ iĂ€>Â?`ĂŠ/…œ“>ĂƒĂŠ vĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ*>Ă€ÂŽĂœ>ÞÊ-Â…iÂ?ĂŒiĂ€i`ĂŠ ÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂ?ĂŠ who graduated from the University of 7>Â?iĂƒĂŠ/Ă€ÂˆÂ˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ-ĂŒĂŠ >Ă›Âˆ`½ĂƒĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ>ĂŠ Ă€ĂŒĂƒĂŠ ˆ˜iĂŠ Ă€ĂŒĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ˜VĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜°ĂŠ iĂ€>Â?`ĂŠÂ…>ĂƒĂŠ always had a keen interest in ďŹ ne art >˜`ĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂŒi`ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠ ĂŠ­ ÂœÂ˜ĂƒÂŽĂŠ ˆ˜iĂŠ Ă€ĂŒĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ*Â?ĂžÂ“ÂœĂ•ĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂ“ääĂˆ°ĂŠ iĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠĂ•Â˜>LÂ?iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ continue his studies until recently and initially started Â…ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ“>ĂƒĂŒiĂ€½ĂƒĂŠ`i}Ă€iiĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂŤ>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠLĂ•ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂ˜ĂŠÂ?>ĂŒiÀÊ `ÂˆĂƒVÂœĂ›iĂ€i`ĂŠ>ĂŠvœ˜`˜iĂƒĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŤÂœiĂŒĂ€Ăž°ĂŠ iĂ€>Â?`ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒÂˆÂ˜Ă•iĂƒĂŠ Â…ÂˆĂƒĂŠĂœÂœĂ€ÂŽĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Â?ĂžĂƒÂˆĂ•Â“ĂŠĂƒĂŒĂ•`ÂˆÂœĂƒ]ĂŠ ˆ}Â…ĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂƒ>ĂžĂƒĂŠ Âş ĂŠĂœÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠÂ?ˆŽiĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…>Â˜ÂŽĂŠÂ“ĂžĂŠvÂœÂ?Â?ÂœĂœĂŠĂŒi˜>Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂƒĂŒ>vvĂŠ vÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂˆĂ€ĂŠVœ˜}Ă€>ĂŒĂ•Â?>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ ĂŠĂœÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠi˜VÂœĂ•Ă€>}iĂŠ everyone to adopt a lifelong learning plan.â€?

Communal Garden, St Clears, Penlan -œ“iĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ-ĂŒĂŠ Â?i>Ă€Ăƒ]ĂŠ*i˜Â?>Â˜ĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠ cleared up a small patch of land around their VÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂ?ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂŒĂ•Ă€Â˜i`ĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂˆĂ€ĂŠÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŠ}>Ă€`iÂ˜ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠ Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠi˜Â?ÂœĂžĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ}iĂŒĂŠÂˆÂ˜Ă›ÂœÂ?Ă›i`ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…°ĂŠ ÀÊ7>`i]ĂŠ œ˜iĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂ?ĂŠÂˆÂ˜Ă›ÂœÂ?Ă›i`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœÂ?iVĂŒĂŠĂƒ>ˆ`ĂŠÂş ĂŠviiÂ?ĂŠĂ›iĂ€ĂžĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ•`ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂœÂ…>ĂŒ½ĂƒĂŠLiiÂ˜ĂŠ achieved here; we started from scratch and made a “>}ˆV>Â?ĂŠÂŤÂ?>ViĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠiĂ›iĂ€ĂžÂœÂ˜i°ĂŠ ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŒi˜`i`ĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠÂ˜iĂ?ĂŒĂŠ year the garden will be ready in time for the residents to take part in the Tenants and i>ĂƒiÂ…ÂœÂ?`iĂ€ĂƒĂŠ >Ă€`i˜ˆ˜}ĂŠ

ÂœÂ“ÂŤiĂŒÂˆĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜°ĂŠ

Doug Evans, Mountbatten Court >Ă€Â?ˆiĂ€ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂži>ÀÊ ÀÊ ÂœĂ•}ĂŠ Ă›>Â˜Ăƒ]ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒL>ĂŒĂŒiÂ˜ĂŠ

ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŒĂŠViÂ?iLĂ€>ĂŒi`ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠ£ääĂŒÂ…ĂŠLÂˆĂ€ĂŒÂ…`>Ăž°ĂŠ,iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ VÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂ?ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠv>“ˆÂ?ÞʅiÂ?`ĂŠ>ĂŠ party to celebrate this milestone occasion and invited some very special guests. Doug is a massive rugby fan and has closely followed the Ospreys for “>Â˜ĂžĂŠĂži>Ă€Ăƒ°ĂŠ7Â…iÂ˜ĂŠĂƒÂˆĂ?ʓi“LiĂ€ĂƒĂŠ of the team arrived at the party

16 Open House: Issue 1 2017

with some very special gifts for Doug, he was thrilled to bits.

ÂœĂ•}ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ€iÂ˜ÂœĂœÂ˜i`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂ?ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠ entertaining stories about rugby enjoyed spending time with the players discussing local rugby over the years. ->˜`Ă€>]ĂŠ7>Ă€`iÂ˜ĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂ?ĂŠĂƒ>ˆ`ĂŠÂşiĂ›iĂ€ĂžÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂ…>`ĂŠ such a good time and the Ospreys made this special occasion memorable for allâ€?.

Pantgwyn resident celebrates his 100th birthday!!

œ˜}Ă€>ĂŒĂ•Â?>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ ÀÊ*iĂŒ>ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ iÂ˜ÂŽÂˆÂ˜ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ*>Â˜ĂŒ}ĂœĂžÂ˜ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠ celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year in style, with Â˜ÂœĂŒĂŠÂ?Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠLĂ•ĂŒĂŠĂŒĂœÂœĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆiĂƒtĂŠ ÀÊ Jenkins is one of the 3 original Ă€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ*>Â˜ĂŒ}ĂžĂœÂ˜ĂŠĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠ residing there since it opened ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂŁÂ™nxʇÊÂ?Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠÂœĂ›iÀÊÎäĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂƒĂŠ>}Âœ°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“>Â˜ĂžĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂƒĂŠ he took great pride and pleasure in tending the iĂ?ĂŒiÂ˜ĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ}>Ă€`iÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂŽiÂŤĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂ“ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂˆÂ“Â“>VĂ•Â?>ĂŒiĂŠ condition, and as he spent a lot of time outside, all ĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂœĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂŠĂŒi˜>Â˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂ›ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂ?ĂŠÂŽÂ˜iĂœĂŠ Â…ÂˆÂ“ĂŠĂœiÂ?Â?°ĂŠ iĂŠ>Â?ĂƒÂœĂŠi˜Â?ÂœĂži`ĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂ?½ĂƒĂŠĂƒÂœVˆ>Â?ĂŠ activities. ÀÊ iÂ˜ÂŽÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ]ĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂœvĂŠ£äĂŠV…ˆÂ?`Ă€i˜]ĂŠ}Ă€iĂœĂŠĂ•ÂŤĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ*ÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ Tennant and after leaving school he became a ÂźLĂ•ĂŒVÂ…iĂ€½ĂƒĂŠLÂœĂž½ĂŠVÂœÂ?Â?iVĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ`iÂ?ÂˆĂ›iĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂœĂ€`iĂ€ĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ>ĂŠ Â?ÂœV>Â?ĂŠLĂ•ĂŒVÂ…iĂ€°ĂŠ iĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂ˜ĂŠĂœiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂœÂœĂ€ÂŽĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Â?L>ĂŠ/ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ 7ÂœĂ€ÂŽĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ*ÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ/i˜˜>Â˜ĂŒ°ĂŠ ÂœÂ?Â?ÂœĂœÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ>ĂŠĂƒÂŤiÂ?Â?ĂŠÂœvĂŠwĂ›iĂŠĂži>Ă€ĂƒĂŠ in the desert driving for the Army during the second World War, he returned to working at Swansea Docks, until he retired. ÀÊ iÂ˜ÂŽÂˆÂ˜Ăƒ½ĂŠv>“ˆÂ?ÞʅiÂ?`ĂŠĂ“ĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆiĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠĂƒÂŤiVˆ>Â?ĂŠ LÂˆĂ€ĂŒÂ…`>ĂžĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€iĂƒÂˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ*>Â˜ĂŒ}ĂœĂžÂ˜]ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂœĂŠ >Â?Â?ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŒi˜`i`ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂœÂ˜iĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠv>“ˆÂ?ÞÊ>ĂŒĂŠ-ÂŽiĂŒĂŒĂžĂŠ >Â?Â?°ĂŠ ÀÊ iÂ˜ÂŽÂˆÂ˜ĂƒĂŠVœ““iÂ˜ĂŒi`ĂŠÂź Ă›iĂ€ĂžÂœÂ˜iĂŠĂƒ>ˆ`ĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆiĂƒĂŠ had been the ďŹ nest they had been to and were Ă€i>Â?Â?ÞÊi˜Â?ÂœĂži`°½

œ˜}Ă€>ĂŒĂ•Â?>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂ€i>V…ˆ˜}ĂŠ£ääĂŠĂži>Ă€Ăƒt

Housing tenancy fraud What is housing tenancy fraud? UÊ 1 >ÕÌ À Ãi`ÊÃÕL iÌÌ }Ê vÊ>Ê«À «iÀÌÞ UÊ ¼ iÞÊÃi }½ÊÜ iÀiÊÌ iÊÌi > ÌÊ i>ÛiÃÊÌ iÊ«À «iÀÌÞÊ> `Ê«>ÃÃiÃÊ ÊÌ iÊ iÞÃÊ in return for a one-off lump sum payment UÊ VVÕ«>Ì UÊ *À Û ` }Êv> ÃiÊ v À >Ì ÊÌ ÊÌ iÊV Õ V ÊÌ Ê LÌ> Ê>ÊÌi > VÞ The Housing Service takes the issue of housing tenancy fraud very seriously and has a number of internal checks in place in order to both prevent and uncover such fraud. By fighting housing tenancy fraud, we can ensure that those who are in genuine need are re-housed whilst also reducing the cost of putting the homeless into temporary accommodation.

º iÞÊ> iÃÌ iÃÊ >ÛiÊLii ÊÃÕVViÃÃvÕ Ê Ê Ì iÀÊ V> Ê authority areas, with many properties having been ÀiV ÛiÀi`Ê>ÃÊ>Ê` ÀiVÌÊÀiÃÕ Ì°Ê7i½`ÊÕÀ}iÊ> Þ iÊÜ Ê is committing tenancy fraud in Swansea to surrender their tenancies now because that will avoid the council taking legal action”.

The amnesty is being planned early in the New Year which will provide an opportunity for any tenant who may be committing tenancy fraud, and who wishes to avoid prosecution, to hand back the keys Ì ÊÌ i ÀÊ«À «iÀÌÞÊ> `ÊÜ> Ê>Ü>Þ°Ê ÊÃiVÕÀiÊL ÝÊv ÀÊÌ iÊ keys will be provided at each District Housing Office together with a tenancy surrender form which would need to be completed and signed by the tenant.

uncover this type of fraud, local residents are often best placed to notice if new neighbours arrive or Ì iÊ `Ê iÃÊ ÛiÊ>Ü>Þ°Ê ÌÊ ÃÊiÃÌ >Ìi`ÊÌ >ÌÊ>À Õ `Ê half of all identified cases of unlawful occupation are believed to be detected thanks to information supplied by members of the public.

º*i « iÊÜ Ê>ÀiÊÕ >ÜvÕ ÞÊÃÕL iÌÌ }ÊÌ i ÀÊV Õ V Ê houses or leaving them unoccupied are also There is a possibility in Swansea of a small minority vÊ Õ V ÊÌi > ÌÃÊ i}> ÞÊÃÕL iÌÌ }ÊÌ i ÀÊ iÃÊ ÀÊ depriving other council tenants across Swansea i>Û }ÊÌ i ÊÕ VVÕ« i`Ê> `Ê Û }Êi ÃiÜ iÀi°Ê Ê> Ê because the money the council is losing as a direct attempt to address the problem, an amnesty is to be result would be reinvested back into services for the benefit of residents.” vviÀi`ÊÌ Ê-Ü> Ãi>Ê Õ V ÊÌi > ÌÃÊ i}> ÞÊ sub-letting properties. Although we are taking steps to prevent and

`Ài>Ê iÜ Ã]Ê-Ü> Ãi>Ê Õ V ½ÃÊ >L iÌÊ i LiÀÊ v ÀÊ iÝÌÊ i iÀ>Ì ÊÃiÀÛ ViÃ]ÊÃ> `\ʺ/i > VÞÊvÀ>Õ`Ê is unacceptable. Not only is it illegal, but it can deprive often vulnerable families of much-needed accommodation and generate anti-social behaviour that sometimes impacts on entire communities”. “Although the problem here in Swansea is nowhere i>ÀÊ>ÃÊÜ `iëÀi>`Ê>ÃÊ Ê Ì iÀÊ«>ÀÌÃÊ vÊÌ iÊ1 ]Ê Üi½ÀiÊ`iÌiÀ i`ÊÌ ÊÌ> iÊ>VÌ ÊÌ ÊVÕÌÊ` Ü Ê Ê waiting lists for council homes and help tackle the lack of affordable housing across the city”.

vÊÞ ÕÊÃÕëiVÌÊÌ >ÌÊÞ ÕÀÊ i } L ÕÀÊ ÃÊ ÌÊÌ iÊ legitimate tenant of the property, speak to your Neighbourhood Officer in your local District Housing Office in complete confidence. Alternatively you can also telephone 01792 635359, email fraud@swansea.gov.ukÊ ÀÊÜÀ ÌiÊÌ Ê À« À>ÌiÊ À>Õ`Ê/i> ]Ê ÌiÀ > Ê Õ` ÌÊ-iVÌ ]Ê Û VÊ i ÌÀi]Ê Swansea SA1 3SN. Following the amnesty, any tenant caught committing tenancy fraud could face a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to £50,000 and recovery not only of the property, but also the proceeds from renting the property together with all legal costs.

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How are we doing? We are always trying to improve the services provided for tenants and customers. One of the ways we do this is by monitoring our progress year on year to see where improvements can be made. We also use this information when planning our services. We want you to know how we are performing so here are some performance statistics for the financial year 2015/16.

Rent

Housing Stock

ÌÊÌ iÊi ` Ê vÊ >ÀV ÊÓ ä£È]Ê£1,05 was owed 2,476 by current te n a n ts >ÀÀi>ÀÃÊ­>ÊÀ in rent i`ÕVÌ Ê vÊ Ë £ ÓÇ]xÓ{Ê V «>Ài` ÊÌ Êi `Ê > ÀV ÊÓä£x®°Ê And forme r tenants o wed £376,183Ê­ >ÊÀi`ÕVÌ Ê vÊËÎÈ]Î V «>Ài` ÇnÊ ÊÌ Êi `Ê > ÀV Ê 2015).

Estate

s (down 19 On 4 April 2016 we managed 13,493 propertie compared to 6 April 2015). of 5 Of these 244 properties were empty (an increase compared to 6 April 2015). our properties ÌÊÌ Ê> Ê>ÛiÀ>}iÊ vÊ70.3 days to relet one of compared to 66.6 days in 2014/15.

aretaking Management and C

987 e carried out (down er w ns tio ec sp in et re 5949 st operty 5) along with 3678 pr compared to 2014/1 /15). 0 compared to 2014 inspections (down 14 were cial behaviour (ASB) 921 reports of Anti-so increase t Housing Offices (an reported to the Distric 14/15). of 94 compared to 20 e of tisfied with the outcom sa e er w s nt na te of 62% 14/15). 12% compared to 20 4. n ow (d se ca B AS r thei Ê ÕÀÊ ÌÊLÞÊ/i `Ê> `Ê i `Ê 1117Ê}>À`i ÃÊÜiÀiÊVÕ nerable tenants. service for elderly/vul our were removed from 390 tonnes of rubbish estates. ° `Ê >ÌiÀ > ÃÊÀi Ûi` «i « ÞÊÌ Êy v ÃÊ Vi > ÃÌ 299Ê

Homelessness

Moving Home 1081 applicants were housed (down 97 compared to 2014/15). 349 tenants moved to another Swansea council home (down 34 compared to 2014/15).

s for 70% of We achieved successful outcome homelessness or households who were at risk of who were homeless.

Tenancy Support 2383 households received support from the Tenancy Support Unit or its partners.

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Adaptations

ÌÊÌ Ê> Ê>ÛiÀ> }iÊ v 316 days to provide adapta tions to a coun cil tenant (compa red to an avera ge of 293 days in 2014/15).

Energy

Effi

ciency 350 lo fts in c oun proper ties we cil re filled insulat with ion to the cu Õ ` rrent }Ê,i}Õ >Ì Ã betwe Ê en > `Ê October 2015 >ÞÊÓä£ È°

app is now live! HomeSwapper has launched a new app which is now available to download for iOS and Android mobile devices from the App Store FOR FREE!

The app will give tenants registered on the scheme instant access to your HomeSwapper account for quicker matches and messaging. You will only be asked to log in once using either your HomeSwapper ÀÊ >ViL Ê`iÌ> Ã°Ê i-Ü>««iÀÊiÝ«iVÌÃÊÌ >ÌÊÌ ÃÊ>««ÊÜ Ê«À `ÕViÊ ÀiÊÌÀ>vwVÊÌ ÊÌ iÊÜiLà ÌiÊÜ V ÊÜ ÊÌ iÀiv ÀiÊ}Ài>Ì ÞÊ «À ÛiÊÌi > ÌýÊV > ViÃÊ vÊÃÜ>«« }°Ê

Open House: Issue 1 2017 19

More Homes project update At the end of 2015 we included information in Open House about a project called More Council Homes which was set up to develop a plan on how to invest in providing more Council housing in Swansea. Two sites were identified to pilot the first development of new homes and work on the first iÜÊLÕ `ÊV Õ V Ê ÕÃ }ÊÃV i iÊ Ê v À`Ê7>ÞÊ ÃÊ now underway.

Those most at risk include children, who often see a LÕ ` }ÊÃ ÌiÊ>ÃÊ> ÊiÝV Ì }Ê« >ViÊÌ Ê« >Þ°Ê7 Ì ÊÌ ÃÊ Ê mind, every effort is made to keep children out of the site and away from danger.

£nÊ iÜÊ«À «iÀÌ iÃÊÜ ÊLiÊLÕ ÌÊ ÊÌ ÃÊÃ Ìi]ÊÜ Ì Ê>Ê ÝÊ of 1 bedroom apartments and 2 bedroom houses. The homes will be highly energy efficient which will reduce the cost of heating for the tenants and the «À «iÀÌ iÃÊÜ Ê> Ã ÊLiÊLÕ ÌÊÌ Ê>Ê viÌ iÊ iÃÊ -Ì> `>À`]ÊÜ V Ê i> ÃÊÌ >ÌÊÌ iÞ½ ÊLiÊ>L iÊÌ Ê iiÌÊ the current and future needs of household.

To raise awareness of the risks and dangers of construction sites to local school children, the

Õ V ½ÃÊ À« À>ÌiÊ Õ ` }Ê> `Ê*À «iÀÌÞÊ-iÀÛ ViÃÊ team, have recently attended primary schools in Ì iÊ>Ài>Ê vÊ v À`Ê7>ÞÊÌ Ê«À Û `iÊ> Ê ÌiÀ>VÌ ÛiÊ presentation. The presentation which is fun and informative also educates and provides reassurance

Building new council houses will help towards meeting the overwhelming need for more affordable housing in Swansea. We will keep you updated on the progress of these schemes and the plans for future developments in coming editions of Open House.

Building site safety ̽ÃÊ}Ài>ÌÊ iÜÃÊÌ >ÌÊÜ À Ê >ÃÊÃÌ>ÀÌi`Ê ÊLÕ ` }Ê ÕV Ê ii`i`Ê iÜÊ iÃ]ÊLÕÌÊ Ì½ÃÊ « ÀÌ> ÌÊv ÀÊ those living and working near to the site, to be aware of the dangers and hazards that are present.

20 Open House: Issue 1 2017

of the safe working practices used. *Õ« ÃÊ>ÌÊ9Ã} Ê Þ À>``Ê Þ À>i}Ê/ À`iÕ >Ü]Ê

ÜÞ`Ê*À >ÀÞÊ-V ]Ê* ÀÌ i>`Ê*À >ÀÞÊ-V Ê > `Ê >i Þ >iÃÊ*À >ÀÞÊ-V Ê >ÛiÊ> à ÊLii Ê Û Ûi`Ê Ê`ià } }Ê« ÃÌiÀÃÊ ÊÜ >ÌÊÌ iÞ½ÛiÊ learned, incorporating their school logo. The posters will be displayed in and around the construction site v ÀÊÌ iÊ«>Ãà }Ê«ÕL VÊÌ ÊÃii°Ê Ê>`` Ì ÊÌ ÊÀ> à }Ê awareness to others, it has helped them to feel part of an innovative project on their doorstep. ÀiÊ iÜÃÊ>L ÕÌÊÌ iÊ Û Ûi i ÌÊ vÊÌ iÊ V> Ê ÃV ÃÊÜ ÊLiÊvi>ÌÕÀi`Ê ÊÌ iÊ iÝÌÊi` Ì Ê vÊ"«i Ê House.

Kitchen scheme update To date, almost 2000 council properties across Swansea have had new kitchens fitted and more Ì > ÊËn ÊÜ>ÃÊ ÛiÃÌi`Ê ÊV Õ V Ê «À «iÀÌ iÃÊ Ê*i > Ê> `Ê i `À ÃÊ over the last year for this sort of work which has been funded by the Õà }Ê,iÛi ÕiÊ VV Õ ÌÊ> `ÊÜ Ì Ê financial support from the Welsh ÛiÀ i Ì°Ê / iÊ iÝÌÊ« >ÃiÊ vÊÌ iÊ ÛiÃÌ i ÌÊ programme will see parts of ÀÀ ÃÌ ]Ê ÀV }À Ûi]Ê Þ`>V ]Ê ÀÃi Ê> `Ê7iÃÌÊ À ÃÃÊ V Õ`i`°Ê Ê>`` Ì ]Êà iÊ«À «iÀÌ iÃÊ Ê 7iÃÌÊ À ÃÃ]Ê*i > Ê> `Ê >Þ Ê Ü Ê >ÛiÊÌ i ÀÊiÝÌiÀ > ÊÜ> ÃÊ> `Ê À vÃÊÀivÕÀL à i`°Ê/ iÊiÝÌi à ÛiÊ programme of boiler replacement will also continue across all areas vÊÌ iÊ ÌÞ°Ê "ÛiÀ> ]ÊÌ iÊV Õ V ÊiÝ«iVÌÃÊÌ Ê Ã«i `Ê>À Õ `ÊËÓÈä Ê «À Û }Ê its housing stock by 2020.

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Are we up to date? The council may need to contact you from time to time about your rent, property improvements or any other housing related matters so it is important that we have up to date contact information so we can contact you when necessary. This includes your home phone number, mobile phone number and email address. You may or may not be aware that as well as contacting you by « iÊ ÀÊi > ]ÊÌ iÊV Õ V ÊV Õ `Ê> Ã ÊV Ì>VÌÊÞ ÕÊLÞÊÌiÝÌÊ iÃÃ>}iÊ ÕÃ }Ê>ÊÃÞÃÌi ÊV> i`Ê,i`Ê"ÝÞ}i °Ê > ÞÊ vÊÌ iÊÃiVÌ ÃÊÜ Ì ÊÌ iÊ ÕÃ }ÊÃiÀÛ ViÊÃÕV Ê>ÃÊÞ ÕÀÊ ÃÌÀ VÌÊ ÕÃ }Ê"vwVi]ÊÌ iÊ,i ÌÃÊÌi> ]Ê Housing Options or the Tenancy Support Unit are using this system. We are finding it a really good way of getting messages to tenants quickly and we are also finding that most tenants find it an easy way of responding to us. * i>ÃiÊÃiiÊÌ ÊÌ iÊÀ } ÌÊ> ÊiÝ> « iÊ vÊ ÜÊ>ÊÌiÝÌÊ iÃÃ>}iÊÜ Ê Ê on your phone. * i>ÃiÊ iÌÊÕÃÊ ÜÊ vÊ> ÞÊ vÊÞ ÕÀÊV Ì>VÌÊ`iÌ> ÃÊV > }iÊÃ ÊÌ >ÌÊÜiÊ can update our system and continue to contact you when we need to.

Go real and get £100 Switching to real nappies can cut your family’s waste in half and save you £100s! Plus if you’re a Swansea resident you can get £100 towards the cost through our cashback scheme. Find out more at www.swansea.gov.uk/nappies

How the Tenancy Support Unit can help you The Tenancy Support Unit (TSU) provides a support service to help people within the City and County of Swansea live independently and manage their home. The service is free and available to council tenants, housing association tenants, home owners and people who rent from a private landlord. There are many reasons why people may need to contact the TSU for help. Some may be struggling with health issues, others may need help with money matters such as debt or budgeting their finances. The TSU supports over 700 people at any one time.

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The following table demonstrates how the TSU has been able to help residents in the last ďŹ nancial year: Managing Money 146 people managed to reduce their outgoings as a result of support 184 people said they are now better at managing their money as a result of support 142 people reduced their debt as a result of support 233 people received budgeting advice and support 24 people said support helped them to ďŹ nd work 29 people, through support, were referred to an agency to help them access/ďŹ nd work opportunities ĂˆnĂŠÂŤiÂœÂŤÂ?iĂŠĂœiĂ€iĂŠÂˆĂƒĂƒĂ•i`ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ œœ`L>Â˜ÂŽĂŠĂ›ÂœĂ•VÂ…iĂ€Ăƒ Manage Accommodation 125 people improved their home conditions as a result of support 105 new tenants were supported to resettle into their new homes 135 people received advice on home / ďŹ re safety to make the home safer 59 people received support to help them to recycle / reuse / reduce their waste Support with family issues There was an improvement in education attendance rates for 11 families as a result of support Support helped to reduce child safeguarding concerns in 29 cases Health 59 people said their physical health improved or stabilised as a result of support 117 people said their mental health improved or stabilised as a result of support Substance Misuse 36 people were supported to help address and / or reduce their sub misuse issue Domestic Abuse 52 people were supported to help to address / minimise the domestic abuse issues Social Isolation 65 people said that support helped to reduce social isolation Support helped 62 people to increase their participation in the community Digital Inclusion 18 people received support to access training on how to use a computer/go online

31 people were supported to go online and apply for work, beneďŹ ts and accommodation Offending and Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Support helped to reduce ASB in the community/at home in 17 cases

vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂƒÂœÂ“iœ˜iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂŽÂ˜ÂœĂœĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂƒĂŒĂ€Ă•}}Â?ˆ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂ“>˜>}iĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂˆĂ€ĂŠÂ…ÂœÂ“iĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ?Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠÂ˜ii`ĂƒĂŠ>ĂŠLÂˆĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ}iĂŒĂŠ through a difďŹ cult time, then pick up the phone and make a referral to the Tenancy Support Team. 01792 774360 or 774320 or tsu@swansea.gov.uk Â?ĂŒiĂ€Â˜>ĂŒÂˆĂ›iÂ?Ăž]ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂŒiĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂœÂ˜Â?ˆ˜iʟÀi¾ÕiĂƒĂŒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒ½ĂŠvÂœĂ€Â“ĂŠĂœÂ…ÂˆVÂ…ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠLiĂŠvÂœĂ•Â˜`ĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ www.swansea.gov.uk/housing

Open House: Issue 1 2017 23

Rent payment methods ÂœĂ€Â“ĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠ>Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?iĂŠÂœÂ˜Â‡Â?ˆ˜iĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠĂ€i¾ÕiĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…i“ÊvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ ĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ,iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ"vwViĂ€ĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ 601720 / 534094 or email request to Rentsteam@swansea.gov.uk You will need a Payment swipe card]ĂŠ>ĂƒÂŽĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ,iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ"vwViĂ€]ĂŠ or phone us on 601720 / 534094°ĂŠ*>ޓiÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠÂ“>`iĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ>ĂŠ /Â…Ă•Ă€Ăƒ`>ĂžĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ Ă€Âˆ`>ĂžĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠĂƒÂ…ÂœĂœĂŠĂ•Â˜ĂŒÂˆÂ?ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠvÂœÂ?Â?ÂœĂœÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂœiiÂŽ PayzoneʇÊ9ÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠĂ•ĂƒiĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ*>ޓiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂƒĂœÂˆÂŤiĂŠV>Ă€`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŤ>ÞÊ >ĂŒĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠĂ€iĂŒ>ˆÂ?iĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠ`ÂˆĂƒÂŤÂ?>ĂžĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤ>Ăžâœ˜iĂŠÂ?Âœ}Âœ°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŠ>ĂŠÂ?ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠ retailers please visit www.payzone.co.uk By contacting your Rent OfďŹ cer

Via the Internet

Over the phone

At your local Housing OfďŹ ce

9ÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠÂŤ>ĂžĂŠĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ iLÂˆĂŒ]ĂŠ-ĂœÂˆĂŒVÂ…]ĂŠ-ÂœÂ?Âœ]ĂŠ >iĂƒĂŒĂ€ÂœĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ Ă€i`ÂˆĂŒĂŠ >Ă€`ĂŠ by ringing 601720 / 534094 or your local DHO during OfďŹ ce Hours *Â?i>ĂƒiĂŠĂ›ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?½ĂƒĂŠĂœiLĂƒÂˆĂŒiĂŠ www.swansea.gov.uk

Â?ˆVÂŽĂŠÂź ÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒiĂŠ,iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒ½ĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€Âˆ}Â…ĂŒĂŠÂ…>˜`ĂŠĂƒÂˆ`iĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂŤ>}i°ĂŠ vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠ`ˆvwVĂ•Â?ĂŒÂˆiĂƒ]ĂŠÂŤÂ?i>ĂƒiĂŠV>Â?Â?ĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ 601720 / 534094 for assistance. vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂŽÂ˜ÂœĂœĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂ€iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂ€iviĂ€i˜ViĂŠÂ˜Ă•Â“LiĂ€]ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠÂŤÂ…ÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ automated service English 0300 456 2765 / Welsh 0300 456 2775ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠĂŒÂˆÂ“i°ĂŠ­ vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ`ÂœĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠÂŽÂ˜ÂœĂœĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂ€iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ reference please call 601720 / 534094) At the following District Housing OfďŹ ces & Civic Centre: /ÂœĂœÂ˜Â…ÂˆÂ?Â?]ĂŠ-ÂŽiĂŒĂŒĂž]ĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ Ă€ÂœĂƒĂƒ]ĂŠ Â?>iÂ˜ĂžÂ“>iĂƒ]ĂŠ*i˜Â?>˜]ĂŠ/ÂœĂœÂ˜ĂŠ

iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€i]ĂŠ ÂœĂ€Ă€ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ >ĂƒĂŒĂƒÂˆ`i]ĂŠ­ ÂœĂ€ĂƒiÂˆÂ˜ÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ >Ă€`ĂŠÂŤ>ޓiÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠÂœÂ˜Â?ގÊ You can pay your rent direct from your beneďŹ ts via the -Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ Ă€i`ÂˆĂŒĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?ĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠÂŤ>ĂžĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ 1ĂŠ “i“LiĂ€ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂŠvii°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ 01792 643632 or email query@lasacreditunion.org.uk

24 Open House: Issue 1 2017

Support services Making a new Housing BeneďŹ t Claim

To make a new claim for Housing BeneďŹ t contact the Take Up Team 635885 or email newclaims4beneďŹ ts@swansea.gov.uk

Housing BeneďŹ t

/ÂœĂŠ`ÂˆĂƒVĂ•ĂƒĂƒĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠiĂ?ÂˆĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠVÂ?>ÂˆÂ“ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠ>ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ i˜iwĂŒĂŠ"vwViÀÊ please ring 635353 or email beneďŹ ts@swansea.gov.uk

Financial Inclusion OfďŹ cer

TSU Tenancy Support Unit

vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠÂ…>Ă›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ`ˆvwVĂ•Â?ĂŒĂžĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂ€iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ Paula Montez 01792 534098 or 07920 560244 email rentsteam@swansea.gov.uk The TSUĂŠĂ•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠĂ€Ă•Â˜ĂŠLĂžĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠEĂŠ ÂœĂ•Â˜ĂŒĂžĂŠÂœvĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>Ă†ĂŠĂŒÂ…iÞÊV>Â˜ĂŠ offer a support worker to help with ďŹ nancial problems or any ÂœĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂƒĂ•iĂƒĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂŒi˜>˜VĂž°ĂŠ*Â?i>ĂƒiĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ ,iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ"vwViĂ€ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠTenancy Support Unit on 774360 if you feel you need support Swansea Citizens Advice Â?ĂžĂƒĂŠ Â?>Ăƒ]ĂŠ*Â?i>Ăƒ>Â˜ĂŒĂŠ-ĂŒ]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ÂŁĂŠÂŁ* ĂŠ 08444772020 www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales.htm

Shelter Cymru

vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠĂŒÂ…Ă€i>ĂŒi˜i`ĂŠĂœÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂ…ÂœÂ“iÂ?iĂƒĂƒÂ˜iĂƒĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂžĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠÂœvviÀÊ you free advice and assistance 01792 469400 Housing Advice helpline 0845 800 4444 www.sheltercymru.org.uk/shelter/home/

Housing Options

œ˜iÞÊ>`Ă›ÂˆViĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ`iLĂŒĂŠ>`Ă›ÂˆViʇÊ Â?ĂƒÂœĂŠvĂ€iiĂŠ>`Ă›ÂˆViĂŠ}ÂˆĂ›iÂ˜ĂŠÂˆvĂŠ ĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂŒi˜>˜VĂžĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠĂ€ÂˆĂƒÂŽ°ĂŠ >Â?Â?ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠÂŁĂ‡ĂŠ ˆ}Â…ĂŠ-ĂŒ]ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ- ÂŁĂŠÂŁ ĂŠĂŠĂŠ 01792 533100 housingoptions@swansea.gov.uk

Debt Advice

National Housing Debt Helpline Wales 0800 107 1340 www.housing-debt-helpline-wales.org/ Want to Work - WorkwaysʇÊ vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂœÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠÂ?ˆŽiĂŠ>`Ă›ÂˆViĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂœĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ get into work Freefone 0800 328 6370 or 01792 637112 www.workways.co.uk Open House: Issue 1 2017 25

No nuisance callers, no uninvited traders 9ÂœĂ•ĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€Âˆ}Â…ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒ>ĂžĂŠÂźÂ˜Âœ½ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂ•Â˜ÂˆÂ˜Ă›ÂˆĂŒi`ĂŠĂŒĂ€>`iĂ€ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ˜Ă•ÂˆĂƒ>˜ViĂŠV>Â?Â?iĂ€Ăƒ°ĂŠ TheĂŠÂź9ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠÂ…ÂœÂ“i]ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂ€Âˆ}Â…ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒ>ĂžĂŠÂ˜Âœt½ campaign aims to give residents across South Wales the conďŹ dence to turn away unwanted callers. You can download a door sticker to tell people you don’t accept uninvited traders or nuisance callers. You can also follow the tips to help turn them away at www.swansea.gov.uk/nocoldcalling

You can say no you can ask them to leave 1. Check them all and make a call vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠLiÂ?ˆiĂ›iĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŤiĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ>ĂŒĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ door are there for a genuine purpose, ask for photographic identiďŹ cation and check the details with the company they are representing.

2. Take your time

œ˜½ĂŒĂŠviiÂ?ĂŠÂŤĂ•ĂƒÂ…i`ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂ€Ă•ĂƒÂ…i`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŒÂœĂŠ>}Ă€iiˆ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ purchase a service or goods on your doorstep, and please do not pay for work before it is completed. The cancellation period for buying goods on your doorstep is 14 calendar days after the delivery of the goods or commencement of the service, there are iĂ?ViÂŤĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠLiĂƒÂŤÂœÂŽiĂŠÂŤĂ€Âœ`Ă•VĂŒĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠi“iĂ€}i˜VÞÊ Ă€iÂŤ>ÂˆĂ€Ăƒ°ĂŠ vĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂƒiĂ€Ă›ÂˆViĂŠĂƒĂŒ>Ă€ĂŒĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ“Â“i`ˆ>ĂŒiÂ?Ăž]ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠĂƒĂŒÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠ cancel within the 14 days cooling-off period but you “>ĂžĂŠÂ˜ÂœĂŒĂŠ}iĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠvĂ•Â?Â?ĂŠĂ€ivĂ•Â˜`°ĂŠ vĂŠÂŤiĂ€Â“ÂˆĂƒĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂ…>ĂƒÂ˜½ĂŒĂŠLiiÂ˜ĂŠ given to start work there is no requirement to pay.

3. Report it! By displaying the cut–out door sticker provided on the opposite page you are clearly stating that you do not wish to receive uninvited callers and failure to leave when asked can be an offence.. So, if an uninvited trader or nuisance caller persists; if you believe you have been scammed or; a doorstep caller has acted suspiciously, please contact the *ÂœÂ?ˆViĂŠLÞÊ`ˆ>Â?Â?ˆ˜}ĂŠ 101 to report your concerns. *Â?i>ĂƒiĂŠ>Â?Ăœ>ĂžĂƒĂŠ`ˆ>Â?ĂŠ 999 in an emergency.

26 Open House: Issue 1 2017

ÂœĂ€ĂŠvĂ•Ă€ĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜]ĂŠÂŤÂ?i>ĂƒiĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ/Ă€>`ˆ˜}ĂŠ Standards Division on: 01792 635600, trading.standards@swansea.gov.uk www.swansea.gov.uk/tradingstandards ÂœĂ€ĂŠĂƒiiĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠ/Ă€>`ˆ˜}ĂŠ-ĂŒ>˜`>Ă€`ĂƒĂŠ >ViLÂœÂœÂŽĂŠÂŤ>}i°ĂŠĂŠ

Tips to help you beat the Scammers UÊ iÊÃÕë V ÕÃÊ vÊ> Ê¼Ì Ê} `ÊÌ ÊLiÊÌÀÕi½Ê vviÀÃÊ> `Ê`i> Ã°Ê There are no guaranteed get rich quick schemes. UÊ Ê ÌÊ>}ÀiiÊÌ Ê vviÀÃÊ ÀÊ`i> ÃÊ i` >Ìi Þ°Ê Ã ÃÌÊ Ê time to obtain independent / legal advice before making a decision. UÊ

iÛiÀÊÃi `Ê iÞÊÌ Ê> Þ iÊÞ ÕÊ` Ê ÌÊ ÜÊ ÀÊÌÀÕÃÌ]Ê whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment that you are not comfortable with.

UÊ

iÛiÀÊ} ÛiÊL> }Ê ÀÊ«iÀÃ > Ê`iÌ> ÃÊÌ Ê> Þ iÊÞ ÕÊ do not know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it.

JUST REMEMBER - If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Healthy City Directory Swansea’s community resource for wellbeing and health Swansea’s Healthy City Directory is an on-line resource that enables you to search for a wide range of organisations and groups who can support wellbeing and health. The Healthy City Directory holds one of the most comprehensive lists in Swansea of groups, clubs and organisations who can offer support, teaching and encouragement for you to help feel healthy and well. Use the search to find information on a range of local and national support organisations.

www.healthycitydirectory.co.uk

Debt Panic? Push the button! Debts can be sorted out more easily than you think. The Debt Panic Button will help you take control, and get proper, free support.

www.debtpanicswansea.org.uk

Open House: Issue 1 2017 27

Tumble dryer safety advice Tumble dryers are used by many of us – especially during wet Welsh winters! However, there has been a lot of news recently about ďŹ res in homes involving tumble dryers and a number of safety recalls.

Tumble Dryer Safety Notice A safety notice has been issued for Hotpoint, Indesit, Swan, Proline and Creda tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015 due to a risk of ďŹ re caused by uff coming into contact with the heating elements. vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠLiÂ?ˆiĂ›iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠ>vviVĂŒi`ĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤÂ?ˆ>˜ViĂŠÂŤÂ?i>ĂƒiĂŠ stop using it immediately and visit one of these websites to conďŹ rm and arrange a free visit from an engineer: UĂŠ ˜`iĂƒÂˆĂŒĂŠÂ“Âœ`iÂ?Ăƒ\ĂŠ http://safety.indesit.eu UĂŠ ÂœĂŒÂŤÂœÂˆÂ˜ĂŒ]ĂŠ Ă€i`>ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ*Ă€ÂœÂ?ˆ˜iĂŠÂ“Âœ`iÂ?Ăƒ\ĂŠ http://safety.hotpoint.eu UĂŠ -Ăœ>Â˜ĂŠÂ“Âœ`iÂ?Ăƒ\ĂŠ http://safety-swan.eu "Ă€ĂŠĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ Ă€iiÂŤÂ…ÂœÂ˜iĂŠÂ…ÂœĂŒÂ?ˆ˜iĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ 0800 151 0905 ˆ`ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ7>Â?iĂƒĂŠ ÂˆĂ€iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ,iĂƒVĂ•iĂŠ-iĂ€Ă›ÂˆViĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠ issued this guidance to help you use tumble dryers safely: UĂŠ ,i}ÂˆĂƒĂŒiĂ€ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤÂ?ˆ>˜ViĂƒĂŠĂƒÂœĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂœÂˆÂ?Â?ĂŠLiĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠwĂ€ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ know of any safety repairs or recalls. You can use www.registermyappliance.org.uk/ UĂŠ Â?Ăœ>ĂžĂƒĂŠvÂœÂ?Â?ÂœĂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ĂŠ “>Â˜Ă•v>VĂŒĂ•Ă€iĂ€½ĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂƒĂŒĂ€Ă•VĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ on the use and maintenance of the appliance UĂŠ Â?i>Â˜ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂ?ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂŒĂ€>ÂŤĂŠ>vĂŒiÀÊ every use - the build up of ĂŠ Â?ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠyĂ•vvĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠV>Ă•ĂƒiĂŠwĂ€iĂƒ UĂŠ œ˜½ĂŒĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€Â?Âœ>`ĂŠÂŤÂ?Ă•}ĂŠ sockets - the high wattage for a tumble dryer means that it needs its own 13 amp socket.

UĂŠ œ˜½ĂŒĂŠÂ?i>Ă›iĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤÂ?ˆ>˜ViĂƒĂŠĂ•Â˜>ĂŒĂŒi˜`i`ʇÊ`œ˜½ĂŒĂŠĂŒĂ•Ă€Â˜ĂŠ the tumble dryer on before you leave the house or go to bed. Tumble dryers contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that get very hot. UĂŠ œ˜½ĂŒĂŠÂˆ}Â˜ÂœĂ€iĂŠĂœ>Ă€Â˜ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂƒÂˆ}Â˜ĂƒĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠĂƒÂ“iÂ?Â?ĂŠ burning or clothes feel hotter at the end of cycle, have your appliance checked out. UĂŠ œ˜½ĂŒĂŠÂœĂ›iĂ€Â?Âœ>`ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂŒĂ•Â“LÂ?iĂŠ`ÀÞiĂ€ĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŤĂ•ĂŒĂŠÂˆĂŒiÂ“ĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŒÂ…>ĂŒĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠLiiÂ˜ĂŠĂ•Ăƒi`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒÂœ>ÂŽĂŠĂ•ÂŤĂŠy>““>LÂ?iĂŠ liquids including cooking oil.

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General ďŹ re safety advice in the home UĂŠ Working smoke alarms save livesʇÊ >ÂŽiĂŠĂƒĂ•Ă€iĂŠ you have smoke alarms correctly ďŹ tted and that you test the alarms regularly, we recommend ĂŠ œ˜ViĂŠ>ĂŠĂœiiÂŽ°ĂŠ ÂœĂƒĂŒĂŠVÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?ĂŠÂ…ÂœÂ“iĂƒĂŠÂ…>Ă›iĂŠÂ˜iĂœĂŠ hard wired smoke alarms which are also checked annually as part of the heating service, ĂŠ >Â?ĂŒÂ…ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂƒÂ…ÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠĂ€i}Ă•Â?>Ă€Â?ĂžĂŠĂŒiĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂƒiĂŠĂŒÂœÂœ°ĂŠ vĂŠ you have any concerns, please contact the ĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ,iÂŤ>ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŠ >Â?Â?ĂŠ iÂ˜ĂŒĂ€iĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ 635100 or your local District Housing OfďŹ ce (contact details on inside cover of Open House).

Contact the Council How to contact us about housing repairs and other council services Online ,i¾ÕiĂƒĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠÂ˜ÂœÂ˜Â‡i“iĂ€}i˜VĂžĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ repair on www.swansea.gov.uk/ requesthousingrepair To report other faults, make a payment or apply online visit www.swansea.gov.uk/doitonline

UĂŠ >Ă›iĂŠ>ĂŠĂƒÂ“ÂœÂŽiĂŠ>Â?>Ă€Â“ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ}>Ă€>}iĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂƒÂ…i`ĂŠÂˆvĂŠ you keep any electrical appliances in there. UĂŠ >ÂŽiĂŠĂƒĂ•Ă€iĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠv>“ˆÂ?Þʅ>Ă›iĂŠ>ĂŠLi`ĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂŠ routine that makes sure your home is safe. UĂŠ >Ă›iĂŠ>Â˜ĂŠiĂƒV>ÂŤiĂŠÂŤÂ?>Â˜ĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠv>“ˆÂ?ĂžĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠV>ĂƒiĂŠ>ĂŠ ďŹ re does occur. UĂŠ vĂŠ>ĂŠwĂ€iĂŠ`ÂœiĂƒĂŠÂœVVĂ•Ă€]ĂŠ}iĂŒĂŠÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœÂŤiĂ€ĂŒĂžĂŠ>ĂƒĂŠ ĂŠ ÂľĂ•ÂˆVÂŽÂ?ÞÊ>ĂƒĂŠÂŤÂœĂƒĂƒÂˆLÂ?i°ĂŠ-“œŽiĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠLiĂŠiĂ?ĂŒĂ€i“iÂ?ÞÊ ĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂ?ˆVĂŠÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆVĂ•Â?>Ă€Â?ĂžĂŠĂœÂ…iĂ€iĂŠiÂ?iVĂŒĂ€ÂˆV>Â?ĂŠ>ÂŤÂŤÂ?ˆ>˜ViĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠ involved and just a few breaths can be lethal. UĂŠ œ˜½ĂŒĂŠ}ÂœĂŠL>VÂŽĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœÂŤiĂ€ĂŒĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂƒ>Ă›iĂŠ possessions.

Telephone ,i¾ÕiĂƒĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠÂ…ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂ€iÂŤ>ÂˆĂ€ĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠĂŠ 01792 635100. Ă€ÂœÂ“ĂŠTuesday 3 January 2017 the phone lines will be open: Monday - Thursday: 8.30am - 5.00pm Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm ÂœĂ€ĂŠemergency repairs outside these hours, ring 01792 521500.

Advice on home safety and free home ďŹ re safety VÂ…iVÂŽĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠ>Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?iĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂ?ÂœV>Â?ĂŠ ÂˆĂ€iĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ,iĂƒVĂ•iĂŠ -iĂ€Ă›ÂˆViĂŠÂ‡ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠĂŒÂ…>ĂŒ½ĂƒĂŠÂź ˆ`ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠ7iĂƒĂŒĂŠ7>Â?iĂƒĂŠ ÂˆĂ€iĂŠ >˜`ĂŠ,iĂƒVĂ•iĂŠ-iĂ€Ă›ÂˆVi½°ĂŠ9ÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂ“ĂŠĂŒÂ…Ă€ÂœĂ•}Â…ĂŠ the website below or by calling 0800 169 1234 for more information.

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Living together - community cohesion Community cohesion is a term to describe how everyone in a geographical area lives alongside each other with mutual understanding and respect Â˜ĂŠ-Ăœ>Â˜Ăƒi>ĂŠĂŒÂ…ÂˆĂƒĂŠÂ“i>Â˜ĂƒĂŠi˜>LÂ?ˆ˜}ĂŠ`ˆvviĂ€iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ}Ă€ÂœĂ•ÂŤĂƒĂŠ of people to get on well together and respect the `ˆvviĂ€i˜ViĂƒĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠĂƒÂœVˆiĂŒĂž°ĂŠ ĂŒĂŠ>Â?ĂƒÂœĂŠÂ“i>Â˜ĂƒĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ>LĂƒi˜ViĂŠ of hate crime and attitudes of hate and ignorance. We live in increasingly diverse communities which face challenges from economic migration, differences between the young and old, poverty and ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ}Ă€ÂœĂœÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂˆÂ˜yĂ•i˜ViĂŠÂœvĂŠiĂ?ĂŒĂ€iÂ“ÂˆĂƒÂ“°ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ cohesion policies face these challenges by encouraging integration, valuing difference and focusing on the shared values that join people together.

So, what is a Hate Incident or Hate Crime? A crime or incident committed because of who you are or who someone thinks you are. +Ă•ÂˆĂŒiĂŠĂƒÂˆÂ“ÂŤÂ?Ăž]ĂŠÂˆvĂŠLiV>Ă•ĂƒiĂŠÂœvĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ>}i]ĂŠ`ÂˆĂƒ>LˆÂ?ÂˆĂŒĂž]ĂŠ ĂƒiĂ?Ă•>Â?ÂˆĂŒĂž]ĂŠĂ€iÂ?ˆ}ˆœ˜]ĂŠiĂŒÂ…Â˜ÂˆVÂˆĂŒĂž]ĂŠ}i˜`iÀʭˆ˜VÂ?Ă•`ˆ˜}ĂŠ}i˜`iÀÊ ˆ`iÂ˜ĂŒÂˆĂŒĂžÂŽĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ?ˆviĂƒĂŒĂžÂ?iĂŠV…œˆViĂŠ­i°}°ĂŠ ÂœĂŒÂ…ÂŽĂŠĂƒÂœÂ“iœ˜iĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠ>ĂŠ group of people targets you, commit a crime against you, bullies you or harasses you, then this is a hate crime or hate incident.

/Â…iĂŠ7iÂ?ĂƒÂ…ĂŠ ÂœĂ›iĂ€Â˜Â“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ œ…iĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ >ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ iÂ?ÂˆĂ›iÀÞÊ*Â?>Â˜ĂŠĂœ>ĂƒĂŠÂŤĂ•LÂ?ÂˆĂƒÂ…i`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ Ă•Â˜iĂŠĂ“ä£{]ĂŠ to continue to strengthen, mainstream and sustain both local and regional community cohesion approaches. /Â…ÂˆĂƒĂŠ iÂ?ÂˆĂ›iÀÞÊ*Â?>Â˜ĂŠÂ…>ĂƒĂŠĂ‡ĂŠÂŽiÞÊVÂ…>Â?Â?i˜}iĂƒĂŠvÂœĂ€ĂŠ

ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ œ…iĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ>Ă€ÂœĂ•Â˜`\ UĂŠ >ĂŒiĂŠVĂ€ÂˆÂ“i UĂŠ Âœ`iĂ€Â˜ĂŠĂƒÂ?>Ă›iÀÞÊÉÊ Փ>Â˜ĂŠĂŒĂ€>vwVŽˆ˜} UĂŠ ˜}>}i“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ>VĂ€ÂœĂƒĂƒĂŠ ĂžÂŤĂƒĂžĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂŒĂ€>Ă›iÂ?Â?iÀÊ communities

This may include: UĂŠ 6iĂ€L>Â?ĂŠ>LĂ•Ăƒi

UĂŠ ““ˆ}Ă€>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜

UĂŠ "vviÂ˜ĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠ}Ă€>vwĂŒÂˆ

UĂŠ />VŽˆ˜}ĂŠÂŤÂœĂ›iĂ€ĂŒĂž

UĂŠ /Â…Ă€i>ĂŒi˜ˆ˜}ĂŠLiÂ…>Ă›ÂˆÂœĂ•Ă€

UĂŠ >ÂˆÂ˜ĂƒĂŒĂ€i>“ˆ˜}

UĂŠ >“>}iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœÂŤiĂ€ĂŒĂž

UĂŠ /iÂ˜ĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂ“ÂœÂ˜ÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}

UĂŠ ĂƒĂƒ>Ă•Â?ĂŒ

V…ˆiĂ›ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ}Âœ>Â?ĂƒĂŠÂœvĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠ œ…iĂƒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠ>Â?Â?ĂŠ about working together in partnership with service providers and community groups working towards a common vision.

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UĂŠ ĂžLiÀÊLĂ•Â?Â?ĂžÂˆÂ˜} UĂŠ LĂ•ĂƒÂˆĂ›iĂŠĂŒiĂ?ĂŒĂƒ]ĂŠi“>ˆÂ?ĂƒĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠÂŤÂ…ÂœÂ˜iĂŠV>Â?Â?Ăƒ UĂŠ />Žˆ˜}ĂŠÂ“ÂœÂ˜iÞÊvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•

What support is available via Victim Support?

How and where to Report a Hate Crime?

Â˜ĂŠ7>Â?iĂƒ]ĂŠ6ˆVĂŒÂˆÂ“ĂŠ-Ă•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠÂ…>ĂƒĂŠLiiÂ˜ĂŠvĂ•Â˜`i`ĂŠLĂžĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ 7iÂ?ĂƒÂ…ĂŠ ÂœĂ›iĂ€Â˜Â“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂˆÂ˜VĂ€i>ĂƒiĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠĂ€iÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠÂœvĂŠÂ…>ĂŒiĂŠ crimes and incidents across Wales and to offer support to victims of these offences.

Hate incidents and crimes are under-reported. ,iÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂƒiĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœLÂ?iÂ“ĂƒĂŠÂ…iÂ?ÂŤĂƒĂŠĂ•ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂœĂŒÂ…iÀÊ ÂœĂ€}>Â˜ÂˆĂƒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠĂŒĂ€>VÂŽĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠiĂ?ĂŒiÂ˜ĂŒĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœLÂ?iÂ“ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ local areas and do the right things to make your community a safer, better place to live.

6ˆVĂŒÂˆÂ“ĂŠ-Ă•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`iĂŠĂŒ>ˆÂ?ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ“>`iĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ to meet the need of each victim, which includes: UĂŠ `Ă›ÂœV>VÞÊ­ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠEĂŠ*ÂœÂ?ˆViÂŽ UĂŠ Â“ÂœĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ­ >ViĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠv>Vi]ĂŠÂœĂ•ĂŒĂ€i>VÂ…ĂŠ or telephone) UĂŠ ˆ˜>˜Vˆ>Â?ĂŠ-Ă•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ­ Ă€ÂˆÂ“ÂˆÂ˜>Â?ĂŠ ˜Â?Ă•Ă€ÂˆiĂƒĂŠVÂ?>ÂˆÂ“ĂƒÂŽ UĂŠ *iĂ€ĂƒÂœÂ˜>Â?ĂŠĂƒ>viĂŒĂžĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ…ÂœÂ“iĂŠĂƒiVĂ•Ă€ÂˆĂŒĂž UĂŠ ,iĂƒĂŒÂœĂ€>ĂŒÂˆĂ›iĂŠÂ?Ă•ĂƒĂŒÂˆVi]ĂŠ*Ă€>VĂŒÂˆV>Â?ĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒ]ĂŠ ĂŠ ÂœÂ“Â“Ă•Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂžĂŠÂœĂ€}>Â˜ÂˆĂƒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ They can also provide you with assistance in Ă€iÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠVĂ€ÂˆÂ“iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*ÂœÂ?ˆViĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ>ĂŒĂŒi˜`ˆ˜}ĂŠ court, but there is no pressure to do this.

The right support means we can stop victims feeling isolated, depressed, frightened, distressed or even worse, taking their own life. vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠÂˆÂ˜ĂŠÂˆÂ“Â“i`ˆ>ĂŒiĂŠ`>˜}iĂ€ĂŠĂŒÂ…iÂ˜ĂŠV>Â?Â?ĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*ÂœÂ?ˆViĂŠ by dialling 999 or non-emergencies 101 (24/7) 9ÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠĂ€iÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ>ĂŠÂ…>ĂŒiĂŠVĂ€ÂˆÂ“iĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ6ˆVĂŒÂˆÂ“ĂŠ-Ă•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ `ÂˆĂ€iVĂŒÂ?Ăž°ĂŠ vĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠĂœÂœĂ•Â?`ĂŠÂ?ˆŽiĂŠĂƒĂ•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠĂŒÂ…iÞÊV>Â˜ĂŠ>ÀÀ>˜}iĂŠ this at the same time or without involvement from ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ*ÂœÂ?ˆViĂŠÂœÂ˜ĂŠ 0300 30 31 982ĂŠ­ Ă€iiĂŠĂ“{Éǎ vĂŠÂˆĂŒĂŠÂˆĂƒĂŠi>ĂƒÂˆiÀÊvÂœĂ€ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•]ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•ĂŠV>Â˜ĂŠVÂœÂ“ÂŤÂ?iĂŒiĂŠĂŒÂ…iĂŠ conďŹ dential report form online at www.reporthate.victimsupport.org.uk 6ÂˆĂƒÂˆĂŒĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠVÂœÂ˜ĂŒ>VĂŒĂŠ>Â˜ĂžĂŠVÂœĂ•Â˜VˆÂ?ĂŠÂœvwViĂŠÂœĂ€ĂŠĂžÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠÂ?ÂœV>Â?ĂŠ ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂ€ÂˆVĂŒĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ"vwViĂŠĂœÂ…iĂ€iĂŠ6ˆVĂŒÂˆÂ“ĂŠ-Ă•ÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠ >ĂŒiĂŠ Ă€ÂˆÂ“iĂŠ Ă€iÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂŠvÂœĂ€Â“ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ĂŠÂ?i>yiĂŒĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠ>Ă›>ˆÂ?>LÂ?i°ĂŠ/Â…iĂŠ ÂœĂ•ĂƒÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ Service will investigate the incident, take appropriate action and report the incident on your behalf.

Open House: Issue 1 2017 31

Are you covered? The Council has arranged a contents insurance scheme with Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance plc which is only available for Council tenants. The cost of the insurance is paid weekly along with the rent. Some tenants have assumed that their furniture, belongings and `iV À>Ì ÃÊ>ÀiÊ>ÕÌ >Ì V> ÞÊ ÃÕÀi`ÊLÞÊÌ iÊ Õ V Êv ÀÊ> ÞÊ`> >}iÊ caused by fire, theft, vandalism or burst pipes – but this is not the case. 9 ÕÊ` ½ÌÊ >ÛiÊÌ Ê >ÛiÊV Ìi ÌÃÊ ÃÕÀ> Vi]ÊLÕÌÊ >Û }Ê>Ê« VÞÊ` iÃÊ «À Û `iÊà iÊ«i>ViÊ vÊ `ÊÌ >ÌÊÃ Õ `ÊÌ iÊÜ ÀÃÌÊ >««i ]ÊÞ Õ½ÀiÊ covered. ÃÌÊ ÃÕÀ> ViÊV «> iÃÊ vviÀÊà >ÀÊV ÛiÀÊLÕÌÊ the following is a summary of the policy available vÀ Ê, Þ> Ê> `Ê-Õ Ê > ViÊ« V°

Weekly Payments Sum Insured

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ÃÌÊ vÊÞ ÕÀÊ ÕÃi `Ê} `ÃÊ> `ÊV Ìi ÌÃÊ>ÀiÊ covered. They are covered against loss or damage V>ÕÃi`ÊLÞÊëiV wVÊiÛi ÌÃÊÃÕV ÊÌ ivÌ]ÊwÀiÊ> `Êy `°Ê Also insured are lost or stolen keys and freezer contents. Some Accidental Damage cover is provided automatically by this policy. However you can choose to add the full Accidental Damage option to your policy for an additional premium.

For an application form or more information ring 01792 635305 or contact your local District Office.

32 Open House: Issue 1 2017

OUT OF WORK?

A dedicated team of Employment Advisors and Youth / Adult Mentors is available in Communities First Areas providing one-to-one employment support.

COMMUNITIES FOR WORK :DQW WR ILQG RXW PRUH" Contact CFW at: 01792 578632 cfwtriage@swansea.gov.uk

Do you lack qualifications, have childcare responsibilities or health problems and need advice on getting back to work? Do you need to develop a CV/interview skills or are looking for training or work experience? Then Communities for Work (CfW) could help!

We are active in each of the five Communities First areas in Swansea. Get support to SECURE A JOB AND SECURE A FUTURE. CFW is available to the following customer groups living in Communities First areas: Customers aged between 16 and 24 year old who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs). Customers over 25 years old who are long term unemployed or economically inactive to gain training and employment support. Unemployed and not in receipt of any benefit.

:RUNLQJ LQ 3DUWQHUVKLS ZLWK &RPPXQLWLHV )LUVW DQG -RE &HQWUH 3OXV :RUNLQJ LQ 3DUWQHUVKLS ZLWK &RPPXQLWLHV )LUVW DQG -RE &HQWUH 3OXV

Open House: Issue 1 2017 33

Concerned about someone sleeping rough?

Connecting rough sleepers to local services

34 Open House: Issue 1 2017

On any given night in England and Wales, there are 3,500+ people sleeping on our streets. Sleeping rough is dangerous and extremely damaging to your health. We know that many people would like to help when they see someone sleeping rough but don’t know how. StreetLink offers a practical solution.

How does StreetLink work? StreetLink is a 24/7 website and mobile app, which allows you to send an alert about the location of someone sleeping rough. We will then pass this information to the relevant local services so they can try to find and connect them with support. Our team will follow this up within ten days to see what action was taken and, if requested, give you an update on what happened as a result of your alert. StreetLink does not provide accommodation and is not an emergency service. We simply help to make the connection between the person who needs help and local services that can provide it.

How do I get in touch? There are two ways you can tell us about someone sleeping rough: Visit www.streetlink.org.uk, click ‘Tell us about a rough sleeper’ and fill in as many details as you can. Download the mobile app (available for free from the iTunes and Google Play stores) and follow the same steps as the website.

What information will I be asked for? The more you can tell us, the better the chance the individual will be found. Please provide the following information where possible: A specific location for the individual sleeping rough. You can do this by using the map to pinpoint the exact location if reporting via the website or mobile app. A description of the location with as much detail as possible, e.g. nearby shops or monuments. Details of the times of day that the individual is usually in the location. Any information about them i.e. name, gender, age, ethnicity and any other physical description.

Open House: Issue 1 2017 35

Are you aged between 11 - 25 and want to be part of the

BIG HOUSING CONVERSATION?

Are you interested to join in the Big Housing Conversation about any of the following topics? Looking for a place of your own Anti-Social Behaviour Making a difference in your community Getting involved and ‘having your say’ If you want to find out more about the ‘Big Housing Conversation’ or any of the above topics and meet other young people, then get in touch with Alison Winter, Participation Officer, Housing Services 01792 635043 / 07775221453 alison.winter@swansea.gov.uk

36 Open House: Issue 1 2017

Useful Contacts For advice and information on‌ HOMES AND ESTATES

TO REPORT

My tenancy, estate or concerns about anti-social behaviour Visit or ring your local District Housing OfďŹ ce (DHO): Blaenymaes DHO 534060 Eastside DHO 791251 Gorseinon DHO 897700 Morriston DHO 601720 Penlan DHO 582704 Sketty and Gower DHO 516810 Town Centre DHO 650486 Townhill DHO 513900 West Cross DHO 402500

Anti-social behaviour (24 hours) Neighbourhood Support Unit 648507

Rent, arrears, how to pay rent or money advice Rents Team 534094 rentsteam@swansea.gov.uk Paying rent by direct debit or a direct debit enquiry Rent Accounting Team 635015 Major Works being carried out to my home Housing Partnership Team 635117 Gas / solid fuel servicing Gas Maintenance 511011 / 511032 Adaptations and facilities for disabled people housing grants Housing Renewals and Adaptations 635330 urbanrenewals@swansea.gov.uk Noise nuisance, refuse collection / recycling, furniture disposal, dog fouling, stray animals and pests Environment Call Centre 635600 Tend and Mend Gardening scheme for elderly and disabled tenants Tend and Mend 525152 Right to Buy enquiries (nb scheme is currently suspended) Right to Buy 635011

Repairs Repairs 635100 Monday - Thursday: 8.30am - 5pm Friday: 8.30am - 4.30pm Out of hours emergency repairs 521500 Emergency gas leak National Gas Emergency Service 0800 111999 Problems with road drains, street lights and pot holes Highways 843330 www.swansea.gov.uk/highwayproblems Abandoned vehicles 636819

MOVING Homelessness, general housing advice, money advice, my housing or transfer application Housing Options 533100 or visit the ofďŹ ce at 17 High Street, Swansea housing.options@swansea.gov.uk Sheltered housing Housing for over 60s with the beneďŹ t of a warden How to apply - contact Housing Options Information about a speciďŹ c complex contact appropriate DHO Furnished Tenancies Scheme and furniture packs for new tenants Furnished Tenancies Team 584042 furnished.tenancies@swansea.gov.uk

GENERAL ISSUES Tenant participation or to get involved Participation Officer 635043 Service charges and other leasehold matters Leasehold Team 635223 Information in alternative formats such as in large print or on tape/CD Call your local District Housing Office or the Customer Services Team 635045 Open House, the tenants’ and leaseholders’ newsletter Customer Services Team 635045 Council home contents insurance and claims 635305 / 635015 Insurance claims against the Council 635772 Housing related support and advice to help maintain my tenancy Tenancy Support Unit 774360 / 774320 tsu@swansea.gov.uk Need advice or are worried about scams? Swansea Trading Standards 635600 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction claims and payments Benefits 635353 benefits@swansea.gov.uk Council Tax Council Tax 635382 council.tax@swansea.gov.uk Work to homes to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 635215 Making a complaint Discuss the matter with the office where the complaint has arisen. If you are not happy with their response call the Corporate Complaints Team 637345 or complaints@swansea.gov.uk General queries - Council housing housing@swansea.gov.uk General queries - Swansea Council 636000 contact@swansea.gov.uk

Open House 2017 Calendar

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