Our House, Spring 2015 by The Accord Group

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Accord Group customer newsletter Spring, 2015

Christmas centenary

Eden Alternative

Time For Real celebrates

Already Loved Furniture shop

TPAS triumph!

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The Accord Group sign deal to build two dementia centres of excellence Two multi-million pound, new state-of-the-art dementia centres of excellence are to be built in Lichfield and East Staffordshire as part of an exciting partnership deal with Staffordshire County Council. The new centres will be built over the next three years and will replace three council residential homes in Tamworth, Burton-onTrent and Lichfield. Accord will take over the running of the existing residential homes and will run the new centres, which will be built by Keepmoat and designed by Quattro architects. Five years ago, Staffordshire County Council made a commitment to improve the lives of people with all stages of dementia in Staffordshire. The new centres, which will be in Lichfield and Burton, will provide stateof-the-art care, a safe

and fulfilling home environment and support the community where people are experiencing the early stages of dementia. The Accord Group are leaders in dementia excellence and have a successful track record of running services for those with dementia around a care model called the ‘Eden Alternative’, which the new centres will be based on. The Eden Alternative is centred on residents having their own rooms based around a living and kitchen area. This will enable people to eat and live together in small, family-like groups, giving them the consistent support network that make a real difference to people with dementia. In addition, residents are also invited to bring their pets to live at the schemes, hold family gatherings and enjoy a fulfilling life with the care and support they need.

Chris Handy, Chief Executive of the Accord Group, said: “This is a really exciting partnership deal with Staffordshire County Council and we are delighted to be working with our consortium partners Keepmoat and Quattro to deliver two new dementia centres of excellence.”

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Hello! Hello and welcome to your Spring edition of Our House. What a bumper edition this is too, with lots of stories from across the Group to share with you all. In the last edition, we included a reader survey for you to send back to us. Response has been low, so we have extended the deadline to the 30 April, as we realise many of you were busy celebrating the festivities. It would be really terrific if you could take the time to send it back to us. Your opinions are really valued. Thank you to those who have taken the time to fill it in. We will share with you the results in the Summer edition.

Facebook snapshot what you’re talking about

I am an honorary editor this month of your newsletter and it has been a real treat for me to go back to my journalistic roots to bring you this edition. Sarah Archer will be the editor in charge for the next edition and Sarah will be out and about meeting as many of you as she can. What has been a real pleasure for me as editor was to meet 100-year-old Irene Boot and her daughter Jone from Australia. I spent a lovely couple of hours hearing Irene’s story and it was a real delight. If you have any stories like this to share, anniversaries or unusual stories, then we would love to hear from you. So please do get in touch. Within this edition you will see a call out for new customers to come and join a number of our customer forums. I really hope that you feel you want to sign up – especially to our editorial panel. So I hope you enjoying reading this edition as much as I have enjoyed writing it! If you have any other views about Our House, you can email me at claire.barratt@ accordgroup.org.uk or write to us at Our House, c/o Claire Barratt, 178 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B70 6QG.

Claire

s Eden Alternative at

Cartlidge House

Cartlidge House, an Accord Group care scheme in Telford, was recently validated on the Eden Alternative UK Register of Homes. Congratulations to all the staff and all the residents. For more information about the Eden Alternative, see page 5.

claire.barratt@accordgroup.org.uk

Hello from your new editor! I only started at the Accord Group in February so it’s still early days and I have lots to learn but am really enjoying the challenge so far. What strikes me the most is what a lovely bunch of customers we have – you’re all doing such great things and there are many fantastic initiatives underway across the whole Group. I’m sure I’ll have a wealth of stories to share with you all in our future editions. I’m really passionate about producing a magazine that people want to read, so please keep telling me about stories or ideas on how we can make Our House even better. Maybe there’s a burning issue you’d like us to feature or something you’d like to know more about. Please pick up the phone and call me on 0121 500 2340, email me on sarah.archer@accordgroup.org.uk, or write to me at the head office address that Claire has given above.

Sarah

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s #ConsiderCare We have recently launched a recruitment campaign on Facebook as we are looking for people to fill various health and social care jobs currently available across the Group. If you’re interested, please visit accordgroup. org.uk/vacancies to see what’s available.

Spring, 2015

Boot-iful Irene toasts Christmas celebrating her 100th birthday A former pub landlady and shop owner from Darlaston rang in Boxing Day raising a toast in celebration of her 100th birthday. Irene Boot, who is a resident at Parklands Sheltered Housing Scheme, puts her long life down to “hard work” and “worry”. Born and raised in Bilston, Irene was one of two sisters, leaving school at 14 to work in Edges Shoe Factory for just seven shillings a week. However, ill health of her step-father, saw Irene having to leave to take a job at Sankeys factory where it paid more money and in addition also took an evening job working at Tom Wood’s picture house in Bilston. Irene said: “Life was tough. My father died when I was just two year’s old and then my step-father could no longer work. We didn’t have much money, but I never minded working the two jobs. “I had to take the money off the customers as they came in and they would leave their babies in the corridor. When they cried I would push the prams up and down to get them back to sleep. It was lovely.” At the age of 21, Irene met her first husband Jack Whitehouse at the Drill hall in Bilston. After a short courtship the two were married on the 22 June, 1935, with Irene wearing a brown suit and trilby. The two lived together at Hartshorn Street and a year later their daughter was born – Jone.

With the war imminent, the couple Irene with her daug decided to manage a pub and in 1941 hter, Jone took over the running of the Three Horse Shoes in Oxford Street in Bilston. This was followed by the Navigation pub in Just three years later, Irene’s Chris died and Bradley, Bilston and the Rough Hay Tavern after running the shop for two years by herself, pub in Darlaston. However, tragedy struck sold up and moved to Fallowfield Road in shortly after, when Irene’s husband died at Orchard Hills, Walsall. Irene later married David the age of 39. Boot whom she was married to for ten years Irene said: “Life suddenly changed, as back in before he died. the 1940’s they didn’t allow widowed women Not content with retirement though, Irene to be a landlady. So the brewery offered me went back to working at the Red House pub an off licence which came with a flat and that’s in Walsall. where Jone and I went.” She said: “I was bored and wanted something It was here that Irene met her second husband to do. I liked to work and I was at home Chris Fellows. The two married in 1951 and behind a bar.” lived at East Street in Walsall, but in 1952 Irene Today a grandmother to six grandchildren went back into the pub game and took over as and six great grandchildren, Irene who has landlady of the Victory in Tipton, followed by survived cancer and a hip operation at the the Hussey Arms in Brownhills. age of 86, still isn’t completely resting. She Four years later Irene gave birth to a second enjoys crocheting, baking and listening to daughter – Linda and just a year later the talking books. couple moved to take over the Swann Inn, Irene adds: “I just keep going. I have seen a in Forton. lot change in the world, much of it I think is crackers. I am grateful for electricity though! In 1960, the couple decided to buy their own shop and for the first few months lived “It’s been a tough life, but also a good life. I on the cans of food which had no labels on have visited my daughter Jone in Australia, and couldn’t sell – so every night dinner was had a lovely birthday card from the Queen a surprise. Irene said: “One night we thought and I’m quite content with putting my feet up, we had a tin of peas, but when we opened it, it putting my head back and listening to one of was fruit. We had such a laugh.” my books.”

This year we will be refreshing our website and introducing a number of new features to make your experience online and finding things on our site easier. However, we want to know your views on the existing site. What do you like, what would you like to see more or less of? Would you like greater signposting to jobs and courses or maybe you would like to know about more local events in your area. It maybe you want to be able to see your rent balance, make a payment or book a repair.

Over the course of the next few months, we will be holding a number of focus groups to learn more from you, to create a website that will make you want to visit. So if you would like to be involved in a focus group or simply wish to send your thoughts about the website, then please get in touch by emailing claire.barratt@accordgroup.org.uk

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Health and Well-being New scheme opens A new service designed to support older people and families living with mental health conditions and depression in Walsall, has opened its doors. The Mind Matters Café held at 17 Lichfield Street, Walsall takes place every fourth Wednesday of the month from 10:30am – 12:30pm.

Damp and condensation Moisture is in the air, even if you cannot see it. If the air gets cold, moisture appears as droplets of water, most noticeable on windows on a cold morning. This is condensation. You may also see it on mirrors when you have a bath or shower. Condensation occurs in cold weather, even when the weather is dry. It doesn’t leave a tidemark – if it does, then this may be another problem such as water leaking into your house from a plumbing fault, loose roof tiles or rising damp. Dampness caused by excessive condensation can lead to mould growth on walls and furniture and the rotting of window frames. Also, damp and humid conditions provide an environment in which house dust mites can easily multiply. This can make respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis worse.

It is run under the Pathway’s for Life service provided by the Accord Group and Walsall Age UK and is funded by Walsall joint clinical commissioning group and Walsall Council. Designed to provide support within an informal, friendly and relaxed environment, the Mind Matters Café offers opportunities for peer support, discussion and social activity, as well as refreshments. Information around other services and support will also be available.

Recipe Chocolate fudge Easter cakes

Condensation forms more easily on cold surfaces in the home. For example, walls and ceilings. In many cases, those surfaces can be made warmer by improving the insulation and draught proofing. Loft and wall insulation are the most effective forms of insulation. However, if you install any draught proofing, do not draught proof rooms with a condensation problem or where there is a cooker or heater.

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Dry your windows and windowsills every morning, as well as surfaces in the kitchen or bathroom that have become wet. Wring out the cloth rather than drying it on the radiator. Treat the mould in your home, then deal with the basic problem of condensation to stop the mould from reappearing. To kill the mould, wipe down or spray walls and window frames with a fungicidal wash that carries a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) approval number. These can be found at supermarkets. After treatment, redecorate using good quality fungicidal paint Hang your washing outside to dry if possible or hang it in the bathroom with the door closed and a window slightly open or with an extractor fan on. If you use a tumble drier, make sure it is vented to the outside, or that it is of the new condensing type. Always cook with pan lids on. When filling your bath, run the cold water first, then add the hot. Try to avoid use of bottled gas heaters – they produce eight pints of moisture from an average sized gas cylinder. Don’t use your gas cooker to heat your kitchen. Keep kitchen and bathroom doors closed and the heating on at low all day in cold weather.

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Ingredients 140g soft butter; 140g golden caster sugar; 3 medium eggs; 100g self-raising flour; 25g cocoa, sifted. For the frosting 85g milk chocolate, broken; 85g soft butter; 140g icing sugar, sifted; 2 packs white chocolate maltesers, chocolate eggs. Method 1. Heat oven to 190C (fan 170C) gas 5 and put 16 cases into a fairy-cake tin. Tip all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and beat for 2 mins with a whisk until smooth. Divide between the cases so they are twothirds filled, then bake for 12-15 mins until risen. Cool on a wire rack. 2. For the frosting, microwave the chocolate on high for 1 min. Cream the butter and sugar together, then beat in the melted chocolate. Spread on the cakes and decorate with maltesers and chocolate eggs. We’d love to see your pictures on facebook.com/ accordgroup

Recipe taken from bbcgoodfood.com

Top tips for drying out...

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

What is the Eden Alternative? At the Accord Group we have been using the Eden Alternative as a model of care in a number of our schemes which specialise in dementia since 2006.

So just how does the model work? The Eden Alternative was founded in 1991 in the USA by Dr Bill Thomas and Jude Meyer-Thomas. It is based on the core belief that ageing should be a continued stage of development and growth, rather than a period of decline. The philosophy was originally applied to nursing homes, but has since been adopted with little modification by all forms of residential care, community care and other long-term care environments not limited to aged care. The Eden Alternative is about changing the culture of long-term care organisations and helping to support a meaningful life for their elders. The beauty of the Eden Alternative philosophy is its flexibility and adaptability. As it is a philosophy, and not a project or package that can be unwrapped and implemented it can be and has been implemented, in a wide range of cultural environments across the world and increasingly in a wide variety of care situations. The philosophy has been particularly successful in organisations caring for people living with advanced dementia. Studies show that implementation of the Eden Alternative philosophy is a powerful tool for improving quality of life and quality of care for those living in long-term care. Organisations like us, that have adopted Eden have found that there is improved staff satisfaction and retention and significant decreases in the use of medication. Most importantly, elders, supported by care givers, can once again direct their own daily lives.

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Activities and events Animal Activity Week Staff, family and friends are encouraged to bring in their pets to meet the customers and even a horse visits one scheme. The response to the animals is brilliant, with a noted difference in customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; levels of anxiety and an increase in levels of engagement. Cartlidge House in Telford now have Pet Therapy fortnightly and customers take a very active role in the care of a resident pet cat, Blackie, and the budgies. Rupert the horse is a very welcome guest at Cartlidge House in Telford. One customer was so moved by the experience that she cried tears of joy, as it was the first time she had ever been so close to a horse in her entire life.

Eden qualified Cartlidge House and Silver Birches have both recently qualified in having their homes Eden registered. To get accredited, the homes had to complete a self assessment on how they meet the eden principles, how staff are on board with the initiative and the culture of the home.

Rupert the horse is a regular visitor

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Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Jobs, Skills and Training Are you out of work and long-term unemployed, but want to get back into the workplace? The Working Together pilot being led by the Accord Group could be what you need, as over the next three years the project will help 900 people into work. In each of the areas – Walsall (Darlaston, South), Wolverhampton (Bilston East), Dudley (Kates Hill) and Sandwell (Prince End), there is a dedicated Community Connector who will be on hand to signpost you in the right direction to the opportunities that are available to you through Working Together. So if you fit the following criteria, then this could be up your street. Are you: l l l l

A social housing tenant? Living in one of the specified four wards? 18 or over? Long-term unemployed for six months or more and in receipt of any benefit?

Have you ticked ‘yes’ to all the above? Do you have an opinion on what support you would like to see from the project to help you on your journey? Contact city.deal@accordgroup.org.uk or call Jacki Lakin or Wendy Matthews on 01902 571201 to find out more.

Time to celebrate as time bank clocks up 6,000 hours of time exchanges Walsall’s first ever time bank which opened its doors three years ago offering local people a unique way of volunteering in their neighbourhoods is celebrating having delivered over 6,000 of time exchanges. Called Time for Real, the innovative time bank based at the Village Hub on Caldmore Green, which is part funded through Walsall South Area Partnership and run by Caldmoreaccord Housing Association, supports local people to donate their time to help others in their community. To date it has helped 141 members and unlike traditional volunteering, participants ‘earn’ time credits for donating skills such as DIY, gardening and cooking, which they can then ‘cash in’ when they need help. There are approximately 250 time banks across the UK, with Time for Real being the first to open in Walsall in April 2012, serving all four wards in the south of the borough. Tina Dalton, Transformation Officer from Caldmoreaccord, said: “People have joined the time bank to gain skills for work, building confidence, raising aspirations and learning life skills, as well as health and well-being.

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“In addition, members have also helped to deliver free services to the local community such as helping in the Learning Lab jobs club and the Learn My Way centre, where people can drop in to search for work or to learn computer skills.” The Time for Real time bank is open to everyone and all members receive support every steps of the way to trade skill with others. Ms Dalton, added: “This is a unique way of volunteering, where members are rewarded for giving up their time to help others in their community. “We have living proof that this kind of volunteering can really change the lives of both volunteers and those receiving the services, creating more cohesive and sustainable communities.” To become a member of the Time for Real time bank, contact Dianne Friend or Yasmeena Zindani on 01922 630 364 or email enquiries@timeforreal.org.uk.

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Scheme is helping young people to Get on Track

Time to lend a hand? We could be right up your street... We have over 100 volunteering roles available for those who have a little time to spare and are looking to gain a new skill. Volunteering can deliver a wealth of benefits – self-worth, great fun, friendships and job opportunities. It may be an outlet for your natural talent, or a road test for your new career.

Caldmoreaccord has launched the next phase of its ‘Get on Track’ mentoring programme which saw local youngsters flock to Wolverhampton University, Walsall Campus to be put through their paces in a range of sporting activities. More than 20 16-25 year-olds took part in the latest of the free sessions, which were run in partnership with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and the Black Country consortium. The project uses sport with the help of top athletes, including former Great Britain heavy weight Judo champion Tom Davis and extreme skater Richard Parker to engage young people and help develop the skills they need for working life as well as motivating them to lead healthier lifestyles and take part in sport on a regular basis. The group were put through their paces in a range of fun and exciting activities, from fencing, basketball and indoor rock climbing and as well as keeping fit, meeting new friends and learning a new sport, they were able to develop a range of transferable skills from communication and team work to problem solving.

At the Accord Group we have a number of roles available including support assistant vacancies within one of our care schemes in Walsall, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Aldridge, Darlaston and Telford. We are also looking for befrienders to work with people over the age of 65 to help reduce loneliness for them in Tipton, Princes End and Great Bridge. People to assist our customers to the gym, a dining companion, swimming, football matches and to church are also required. Other opportunities include a volunteer assistant to work in our Already Loved Furniture workshop restoring unwanted furniture for resale and a number of opportunities for volunteer receptionists and administrators. Those who have a love of arts and crafts, cooking or digital media are also skills in which we are actively seeking volunteers for. Irene Casserley, Volunteer Services Manager for the Accord Group said: “We try to support as many volunteers as we can and volunteering a great way of either spending your free time or gaining valuable experience. Everyone who volunteers with us is trained to the highest of standards – the same as a staff member and you never know, it may just open a new career door for someone.” If you would like to find out more, contact Irene on 0121 500 2044 or email Irene.casserley@accordgroup.org.uk

Tina Dalton, Transformation Officer at Caldmoreaccord, said: “We ran the ‘Get on Track’ programme last Summer, receiving great feedback from our customers with some of them going on to get permanent jobs after taking part. The athletes involved are firstclass, delivering a fun and inspiring programme that really works.” Anyone interested in being involved in future sessions can contact Tina Dalton on 01922 705280 or email: tina.dalton@caldmoreaccordha.org.uk for further information.

Training programmes

Customers were given the opportunity to gain some really practical life skills and knowledge from hanging wallpaper, CV writing and basic first aid.

Steps to success

Each course lasted no longer than three hours and took place every Wednesday morning or afternoon from the 1-15 April.

Customers living in Walsall have been busy putting pen to paper and paper to walls as part of a range of courses underway by Caldmoreaccord.

Stephen Sharman, Transformation Manager at Caldmoreaccord said “It was great to see our customers attending our courses and learning new skills to put to good in the future. You could really feel the sense of achievement during the sessions”.

If you would be interested in attending future courses, or would like to offer your services to train other customers, please contact Stephen Sharman on 01922 705286 or stephen. sharman@caldmoreaccordha.org.uk

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Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Money Management

Make Already Loved Furniture your top of the shops to visit Already Loved Furniture, the furniture reuse project started by Caldmoreaccord last year has opened a shop in the centre of Walsall. Based in the Park Place shopping centre on Park Street, the outlet will sell quality pre-loved furniture alongside new items at affordable prices. Why not pop in and visit the store next time you are in Walsall, and as an Accord Group customer, you will automatically receive a 20 per cent discount on the prices displayed. Stephen Sharman, Transformation Manager at Caldmoreaccord said “This is a really

exciting opportunity for us. By opening this retail unit, it helps to ensure that we are making our items to available to as many people as possible, becoming publicly more visible, and will help us to sustain this project into the future.” If you are interested in helping to support the project by donating unwanted furniture, or by volunteering in the shop, workshop or out on our delivery van, please contact Stan Palmer on 0121 568 3923 or alf@ alreadylovedfurniture.co.uk

How to stay safe online More and more of you are getting online and paying for things over the internet. We want to ensure that you are safe in doing so.

Here are some quick tips to help you.

Suspect anything or anyone you don’t know – no matter what or who they claim to be.

Ask questions. Whatever a fraudster tries, you have the power to stay in control.

Find out for certain who you’re dealing with. Challenge anything that seems suspect.

End situations that make you feel uncomfortable. If you feel threatened, contact the police.

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And don’t forget... Always check the web address (url) of sites that ask you to enter personal details. Misspelled company names (e.g. actonfraud.police.uk, instead of actionfraud.police.uk) can be set up to steal data and identities. Be particularly security-conscious if you are using a public computer or public Wi-Fi internet connection. Never enter personal information (date of birth, address, etc.) or passwords unless you are certain of a site’s security and authenticity. Always learn the security features of your internet browser. For example, a lockedpadlock symbol in the address bar is when a site is verified as safe. When double clicked/ right mouse clicked, the padlock should reveal details of the site certificate which should match the organisation you think you are dealing with.

Always check the sender's email address – Never respond to a message from an unknown source. Know who you are dealing with – always access internet banking sites by typing the bank's address into your web browser. Never go to a website from a link in an email and then enter personal details as the email could be fraudulent. When shopping online always sign up to American Express SafeKey, Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode as well as looking for the padlock or unbroken key symbol when you first visit a site. Where possible make your purchase with a credit card or via a credible online payment system PayPal which protects you in the event of fraud. If you think you have been a victim of banking fraud then you should contact your bank or card company immediately.

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Top money saving tips for

Easter

Spring cleaning on a budget

Cut the cost of family meals

Make your Spring cleaning more rewarding with these money saving cleaning tips. They’ll not only reduce your energy usage, they’ll also lower your bills. So grab a rag and get going!

Ask guests if they can bring a course, or just nibbles and drinks. Visit moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/ cheap-supermarket-shopping for tips on getting the best offers from supermarkets.

Newspapers soak up juices from leftover food thrown out from your fridge or cupboards. Baby oil makes a great cleaner for stainless steel and costs virtually nothing compared to stainless steel cleaner spray. Used tumble-dryer sheets make great dusting rags for skirting boards, blinds and TV and computer screens. Their anti-static qualities actually repel dust, reducing the frequency of dusting work in your home. Use microfiber dusting cloths, which are fairly inexpensive. When you clean with them, you will need less cleaning solution to get the job done, helping your cleaning supplies last longer. Plus, they do a superior job trapping dust and dirt. Get them at your local pound shop to save even more money.

Pack a picnic Not only is it a great family activity but a picnic will also save you a fortune if you are going to a theme park or zoo. But don’t undo your cost-saving work by buying pre-made foods. Instead make your picnic from scratch at home, such as cold roast chicken, home-made salad and some homemade cake.

Get good value at restaurants Be sure to use money-saving vouchers. You can find many on the internet or through your local newspapers. If the restaurant you want to go to isn’t offering vouchers, phone ahead and ask if they have an early bird menu or if they will negotiate a group booking deal.

Keep transport costs down Be thrifty. Look for ways to breathe new life into old items. Make dust rags out of old T-shirts and cut out vouchers for cleaning products from newspapers and magazines. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can be sanitised and used again if you soak them in water and bleach, killing bacteria.

Don’t splash your cash on water Severn Trent Water have introduced a new scheme which could save you money. Watersure can help if you have a large family where you use a lot of water or have a medical condition. It works by capping your charges, so you don’t have to pay more than you have to. Find out more at stwater.co.uk/watersure or call 03457 500 500. If you are not eligible for Watersure, Seven Trent may still be able to help you with advice on how to reduce your bills. Simply call 03456 043 772 to find out how.

If driving, check petrolprices.com to find the cheapest petrol for sale at both ends of your journey. Family train fares can be cut by a third if you get a Family and Friends Railcard. Or if you travel as a couple regularly, consider getting a Two Together railcard. Both cards cost £30 a year. Visit railcard.co.uk for routes and prices.

Take advantage of local facilities See if your local leisure centre or library are offering activities to keep your children entertained. Many sports facilities offer soft play gyms or sports day camps at reasonable prices over the school holidays.

Hunt down an Easter Egg The National Trust and Cadbury’s are organising Easter egg trails at tourist spots across the country. Entry fees start from £1.50 (plus the cost of admission to the property). Visit eastereggtrail.com.

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Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

TPAS triumph We are delighted to announce the Accord Group, led by the Customer Engagement team, has been awarded the accreditation from TPAS, the leading national tenant involvement and empowerment organisation. The high level of customer involvement recognises how much the Group involves its own customers in its daily operations. We could not have achieved this without our customers so a big thank you for all your hard work.

2015 Event Calendar This year we have created a calendar of events and important dates from across the Accord Group. There are dates including customer forum meetings, national campaigns and events and not forgetting our customer conference and awards. We will keep you updated throughout the year with more information as these dates come closer.

April

May

June

Monday 6

TBC

Monday 1

Annual Report planning meeting

Colleague Roadshow

Annual Report progress meeting

Monday 4

Monday 1 Sunday 7

Caldmore and Palrey Festival (partnership event)

National Volunteers Week

TBC Ashrammoseley Garden Party

Monday 18 Sunday 24 Noise Action Week (National campaign)

Wednesday 8 Thursday 9

Thursday 9

TPAS Conference (external event)

Care and Health Forum meeting

Saturday 6 Caldmoreaccordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Big Lunch

Thursday 11 Thursday 21 Housing Services Forum meeting

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July

Care and Health Forum meeting

Monday 6 Friday 10 DIY Skills Week

Thursday 16 Housing Services Forum meeting

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Get involved and win ÂŁ20 Join a forum and help to shape your local community

Do you often find yourself thinking you would like to become more involved within your community or have skills which you no longer use, but want to? The Accord Group has a range of ways for our customers to get involved with us; one way is our customer forums. There forums meet once every two months and they look at specific services. We are currently recruiting members over the age of 16 to our Housing Services and Care and Health forum, as well as the Communications panel. Each forum is very informal with not only the opportunity to have a laugh and make new friends, but to also make a significant contribution to the running of your housing association. If you can commit an hour of your time, then we would love to hear from you. Plus, if we successfully sign-up 10 new customers to our forums, the 10th person will receive a gift voucher of ÂŁ20.

August

September October

November

December

Monday 3

Friday 4

Annual Report progress meeting

Annual Report sign-off meeting

Monday 9 Saturday 15

Friday 11 Customer Away Day

Saturday 8

Thursday 10

Caldmoreaccord annual trip

Accord Group AGM

National Recycle Awareness Week

TBC Friday 18

Get Online Week

Customer Conference, launch of Customer Annual Report

Monday 19 Saturday 24

Wednesday 12

Wednesday 28 Friday 25

International Day of Youth

National Housing Exhibition, Birmingham Thursday 17 Housing Services Forum meeting

Big Energy Saving Week

Thursday 12 #HousingDay (national campaign) Thursday 19 Housing Services Forum meeting Tuesday 24 Great Customer Awards

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Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Homes and Communities Maintaining your garden in Spring

Greenscape and estates services unearth new name

Top tips from Mike Stringer, Operational Manager, Home and Garden Services

This year we have decided to change our name from Greenscape to Home and Garden Services in order to better reflect the wide range of services we deliver. Whilst we are busy changing how we look, the service to you and all of our customers remains the same. Our people and prices are remaining the same too. You will see our new logo on our vehicles, clothing and identity badges. The new logo looks like this:

Should I worry about weeding or just let nature take its course? Weeding your beds is really important so you should set aside some time every week to weed. Keeping them tidy will give space for new seeds to grow. A weekly hoe should help to keep the weeds at bay over summer.

When’s the best time to start pruning my plants? Heavy pruning of most shrubs should take place in Winter, however late Spring is a good time to light prune or deadhead your plants as long as they have finished flowering. Dead heading encourages your plants to flower more.

My plants are beginning to grow but they are taking over my garden. What should I do? You should never throw any plants away, so divide up those that may be a bit overgrown or aggressive. Pot up the extra plants and give them to your family and friends. I can’t be bothered to regularly water my plants, does it matter? Yes it does. You should always make time to water your beds, and do it regularly. Plants only stay healthy if they have well watered roots. It is best to water early in the morning. Once the warm weather arrives, a deep soaking once a week of at least two to three centimetres of water is optimal. I’ve not got many plants and flowers in my garden but I have got lots of trees. What do I need to do to look after them? You should always trim branches and shape trees to allow healthy growth. My lawn is looking tired and full of moss and weeds. What can I do? You can scarify by hand using a metal tined leaf rake - this removes the moss and thatch from last season’s mowing. Use a selective weed killer which will leave the grass alone but kill off the weeds. Alternatively, you can buy a propriety “Feed & Weed” from most garden centres. This method does make the lawn look worse for a while as it kills off the weeds but a lush green lawn which will last all season.

If you would ike further information or should you have questions, please contact Home and Garden Services on 01922 728 208.

Introducing

In March this year, our current provider of repairs and maintenance services for your property, Lovell Repairs and Maintenance changed its name to Morgan Sindall Property Services. Whilst this is a big undertaking for them, it is very much a case of ‘business as usual’ for you and there are no changes to the service. However, whilst the team members will remain the same, their vehicles, clothing and identity badges will be badged Morgan Sindall Property Services. In addition, when they are introducing themselves in person or arranging a visit by phone, they will no longer refer to themselves as being from Lovell Repairs and Maintenance. This is a name change only and Morgan Sindall Property Services will remain focused on delivering a flexible, convenient repair services which meet our performance and quality standards. If you would any like further information or should you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0300 111 7000.

Your GROUP

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

More than 600 of you completed and returned the survey we sent out last year. We would like to thank everyone who shared their thoughts and as promised, we can now reveal the results.

73%

62%

55%

said we provide you with value-for-money for the rent and/ or service charges you pay

said that we listen to your views and act upon them

62%

70%

said we provide you with a quality home

said that we provide you with services which are easily accessible

said we keep you informed about the things which may affect you

60%

55%

62%

said we ensure your neighbourhood is a nice place to live

said that we deliver an excellent repairs and maintenance service

said we provide you with opportunities to get involved

said we treat you as a valued customer*

70%

We know there is room for improvement and have listened to your views and discussed them with local teams. There are key areas that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be working on over the next few months and some of you will be helping us to do this. We will provide updates on improvements and will be carrying out another survey later in the year, so that we can keep improving. Meanwhile look out in the Summer edition of Our House for our action plan devised from the results. *irrespective of your age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, faith and/or financial circumstances.

Your NEWS

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Children’s party is a real Christmas cracker!

All things bright and beautiful Customers living at Bennett House are taking part in an intergenerational project together with the Woodlands Primary School and other volunteers to transform their gardens. The project called ‘Bright and Beautiful’ is being funded with a grant of £2,500 from Community First which has enabled the scheme to bring in a company called Octopus Arts who have helped design and make mosaics to be attached to the raised beds, bringing all year round colour to the gardens. Artificial grass has also been laid for customers to have a small pitch and putt area. Work will be completed by the Summer.

100 conversations with Planning for Real

Staff at Ashrammoseley had Christmas all wrapped up for customers and their children who attended the annual Christmas party. Lots of fun was had by all who attended the party which included gifts, a disco, party games, art, storytelling, circus acts and party food. The party will be on again this year for all customers across the Group, so if you would to attend or would like to help organise the event, contact Peter Helly on 0121 442 5030.

Thank you for making it such a warm and lovely environment for all our children and families. We really do look forward to next year and hope that we are able to work together again soon.

Your GROUP

Really massive thanks to ashrammoseley team @CircusMash for Xmas party for children in BalsallHeath. Fantastic entertainment and really great buzz.

A supersized map of Balsall Heath is to be turned into a colourful 3D model of the neighbourhood. In April, the model will then be used by the community so they can pinpoint their priorities, concerns and ideas. A number of conversations with local residents will also take place.

Pepper Garden A number of sites have been identified that could be used for community projects. We will be using the Micro Neighbourhood Model / Planning for Real to inform us of the type of things local people want to do. If you have anything that you think would benefit from a small outdoor space, please contact Peter Helly on 0121 4425030.

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Knitting Nanas Customers at Bournville House, Lightmoor Village, have a formed a group called the “Knitting Nanas”.

High flying housing developments up for national award

Each Tuesday, the group gets together and have already knitted a number of items producing knitted garments for the Bournville House Christmas shopping event and have raised money with their colourful knits for Help the Heroes. They even created a patchwork blanket of many colours to raise funds for Bournville House.

Their current project is knitting for the Greenfields Africa Charity and the ladies are enjoying knitting little bonnets, baby cardigans and blankets for the Mama bags. The Mama bag is an incentive for mums to be, in remote areas of Uganda and Kenya, to attend antenatal, therefore reducing infant mortality, and provides comfort and dignity for the babies. If anyone would like to make donation of double knitting wool to help with the project, please send to Danielle Cleave, Knitting Nanas, Bourneville House, Furnace Avenue, Lightmoor Village, Telford, Shropshire, TF4 3BY.

Marlfield Farm, Redditch

Urban 180, West Bromwich

Two of our housing developments - Marlfield Farm in Redditch and Urban 180 in West Bromwich - have been nominated for a national UK Housing Award.

The £7.9m Urban 180 development in West Bromwich comprises 63 homes and opened in July 2014. All of its homes meet high levels of suitability principles, with each having photo-voltaic panels, which convert sunlight into electricity, saving residents high energy costs. The development has helped deliver the regeneration aspirations for West Bromwich, being developed on a brownfield site bringing redundant land back into use, and has kick-started a transformational residential market in the town. Chief Executive Chris Handy said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for two developments in this category. These projects are very different but both outstanding in their own right and each are making a real difference to the communities they serve.”

The £8m Marlfield Farm development opened in December 2013 and is the largest low carbon Norwegian timber frame housing scheme in the UK, made up of 79 homes and featuring two-eco homes. It has been built with the community and its residents at its heart, with a number of large, open communal spaces for recreation and communal activities, including a village green, a BBQ area, siting areas and an allotment area for residents to grow their own fruit and vegetables. The development is also managed by a new housing co-operative, which has empowered the residents and enables them to manage their own homes and create a cohesive community.

Both developments are shortlisted in the ‘Outstanding Development of the Year’ category and we will find out on 21 April if we have won. Fingers crossed!

Café to support people living with dementia and their carers in Walsall A new, weekly dementia café, run by Pathways 4 Life, a partnership between the Accord Group and Age UK Walsall, is offering free support within an informal, friendly and relaxed environment along with free refreshments. Angela Causton, Dementia Care Manager, said: “Those living with dementia and their carers can take part in a range of social activities with others in a similar situation and share experiences.” The Walsall Manor Hospital dementia café runs every Thursday from 2-4pm at the Garden Room located on the ground floor on route 141. To find out more, please contact Dementia Café co-ordinator Janine Hayes on 07793 699141 or email dementiacafes@accordggroup.org.uk

Your NEWS

Our HOUSE

Spring, 2015

Competitions Quiz Simply answer the following 10 questions correctly to be in with the chance of winning £20 Love2Shop vouchers, which can be redeemed at over 20,000 stores. Send your completed questions to, The Accord Group, c/o Sarah Archer, 178 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 6QG or email them to sarah. archer@accordgroup.org. uk by 12 June, 2015. Remember to include the name of the competition that you are entering, your name, address and a phone or email contact. One winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries. The winner of last issue’s competition was Mr T Calder of Walsall.

1: What kind of electricity can be produced by combing your hair? 2: Which rabbit was the hero of some of Beatrix Potter’s stories? 3: Which Welsh superstar is a judge on BBC singing competition The Voice? 4: In darts, how many points is the Outer Bull worth? 5: What colour to do you get when you mix red and white? 6: What city is the capital city of Germany? 7: Playing which sport could see you ‘leg before wicket’? 8: What kind of nut grows on an oak tree? 9: What is the name of Mickey Mouse’s pet dog? 10: You’ll find the next answer in this newsletter… How many hours of time exchanges have taken place at Time For Real?

Wordsearch W

CROCUS

SNOWDROP

BLUEBELL

PANSY

DAFFODIL

TULIP

HYACINTH

Simply find the word that is NOT in the wordsearch to be in with the chance of winning £20 Love2Shop vouchers, which can be redeemed at over 20,000 stores. Send your answer to The Accord Group, c/o Sarah Archer, 178 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 6QG or email sarah.archer@accordgroup. org.uk by 12 June, 2015. Remember to include the name of the competition that you are entering, your name, address and a phone or email contact. One winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries.

PRIMROSE LILAC

Accord Group, 178 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B70 6QG. Tel: 0300 111 7000 Email: customerfirst@accordgroup.org.uk On request, we will do what is practical to translate information into different formats including large print, Braille and other languages. If you need a document translated into a different language or format, call Customer First on 0300 111 7000. Please note that any products, events or services not provided by the Accord Group are used at customers’ own discretion and risk.

The winner of last issue’s wordsearch was Ms E Claridge of Moseley, Birmingham