Our house summer 2014

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Accord Group customer newsletter Summer, 2014

You said, we did special

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Calling young entrepreneurs

Great Resident Awards 2014

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New homes available

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Prizes up for grabs

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New partnership means FURNITURE RECYCLING improvements to homes PROJECT LAUNCHES Heantun Housing Association has joined the Accord Group in a move that will see investment into hundreds of homes and services in Wolverhampton and Staffordshire.

The Association took a unanimous decision to choose Accord as its partner and the move has also been approved by the Homes and Communities Agency.

Investment will include a yearly cash injection to improve some of the 1,200 homes and services that Heantun provide.

Chris Handy, Chief Executive of the Accord Group, said: “We are delighted that Heantun Housing Association has joined the Accord Group.

“Heantun is a community-based organisation which is innovative in its approach to care and support and we are proud to be able to work with them to deliver excellent housing and services to people who need it the most.”

Sara Woodall, Heantun’s new Chief Executive, said: “Heantun staff, board members and customers are looking forward to working together for the benefit of all.”

Heantun Housing Association is a charitable organisation which provides affordable homes, including sheltered and supported housing.

A furniture recycling project has been launched to provide people on a budget with affordable pre-loved home furnishings.

Already Loved Furniture is based at the Innovation Works in Booth Street, Darlaston, and managed by Caldmoreaccord. Open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am – 3pm, members of the public and Accord Group customers can browse for items such as beds, sofas and dining tables. For more information, call 0121 568 3923 or email alf@alreadylovedfurniture.co.uk

Bank holiday opening hours

The Customer First contact centre, which deals with enquiries from all members of the Accord Group (except Fry Housing Trust), will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, 25 and Tuesday, 26 August.

If you have an emergency, please continue to call 0300 111 7000 to access our emergency out-of-hours service. The centre will re-open on Wednesday, 27 August and expects to be very busy between 9am and 1pm. We strongly advise that all non-emergency enquiries are reported by email to customerfirst@accordgroup.org.uk to avoid any delays in getting through. For office opening hours, visit your housing association’s website.

Please note that the cost of calling an 0300 number should not be any more than calling an 01 or 02 number. For details, speak to your landline/mobile provider.

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Hello!

Get in touch...

Hello and welcome to the Summer edition of your quarterly newsletter, Our House, which is full to the brim of news and features that matter to you.

0300 111 7000

Facebook snapshot what you’re talking about

clairemo@ accordgroup.org.uk accordgroup.org.uk

You may wonder how we know that the news that we include in Our House matters to you. Firstly, we work closely with a customer Communications Forum that tells us what they want and don’t want in the newsletter.

They’re not shy in telling us what matters to them, providing invaluable feedback.

Last year, we also carried out a reader survey which revealed that you mostly want to read about repairs and maintenance and stories written by customers.

We’ve taken your feedback on board and in this edition we’ve got details about your rights and responsibilities in regards to repairs and information about planned maintenance.

/accordgroup

@theaccordgroup

/theaccordgroup

s Noise Action Week

We hope you enjoy this edition and if you have any feedback, please call me on 0121 500 2340 or email me at clairemo@accordgroup.org.uk

“This week is Noise Action Week – a campaign run by Environmental Protection UK to raise awareness of the impact noise has on health and well-being. To support it, we’ll be sharing do’s and don’ts about noise on our page throughout the week. If you have any tips, feel free to share them too.”

Enjoy the issue.

Claire

Got news or views to share?

Email clairemo@accordgroup.org.uk

My name is Jeremy Seabrook and I am an author and journalist specialising in social, environmental and development issues. I am currently in the process of writing a book which will examine issues such as the changes to benefits and the impact they’ve had on people in Walsall. It will challenge myths and stereotypes, examining the reasons why people are unable to work and telling stories of people who work hard but still struggle to make ends meet. I’m really keen to hear from people across Walsall who would like to share their stories with me and be part of the book that I am writing. If you would like to find out more, please contact Claire Barratt or Claire Morrall on 0300 111 7000.

Your GROUP

“The Big Spring Spruce Up kicked off to a flying start. Our team of volunteers were out and about helping to makeover schemes and neighbourhoods across the Midlands.”

Accord Group, 178 Birmingham Rd, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 6QG

There are also articles written by customers, including a tasty recipe for fruit salad on page 4 and an article delving into the history of one of our homes in Birmingham on page 14. In fact, where you see this icon (opposite), you’ll find an article requested by you.

The MAILBAG

s Big Spring Spruce Up

Recently, we’ve been working with Aldridge School and decided to invite some pupils to attend our 70th D-Day celebrations. Ten pupils came along to see war memorabilia that we’d collected and talked to residents about their wartime experiences. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and learnt so much. Thank you to all the residents who took part and made pupils feel so welcome.

Angela Jewkes, Scheme Manager, Old Rectory Gardens, Walsall

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Volunteers put spring in their step for spruce up

Anna Rogozinska, Community Organiser, makes a clean sweep picking up litter

Staff member Chris Coleman digs deep as part of makeover

Mike Hew, former Chief Executive of Caldmoreaccord and Bruce Gilbert OBE, Chair of Caldmoreaccord, don aprons to cook up food for the volunteers

Around 70 staff worked with customers to give neighbourhoods across Birmingham and the Black Country mini makeovers as part of the first Big Spring Spruce Up. Volunteers tidied, gardened, repaired and painted areas of nine estates in Leveson Court, Saddletree Court and Mill Court in Walsall, Church Road in Moseley, Rockingham/Wightwick Close in Bloxwich, Church Place in Balsall Heath, Booth Street in Darlaston and Solari Close in Tipton.

Taking place over five days, the work also included the painting of a community area in Crauford Court, Stourbridge, where customers hold

neighbourhood meetings. Chairs were also donated. Everyone who volunteered throughout the week was invited to a celebratory BBQ at Mill Court.

If you think your area could benefit from a spruce up, contact Ashley Lovell, from the Customer Engagement team, on 0300 111 7000 extension 9033.

In the last edition of Our House we revealed the findings of a customer satisfaction survey. We also promised that we would keep you updated on the improvements that we’re making as a result.

You said...

You said...

... there is a lack of communication about the planned works programme.

... there is a lack of responsiveness with repairs/time taken to resolve repairs.

We did!

We did!

We have drawn up planned maintenance programmes for 2014/15. Customers whose homes or schemes will be included in the programme will be written to. In fact, you may have already received a letter from us with details. We have also put together a 10-year programme for Ashram Housing Association, which will be publicised this Summer.

If this is successful, we will roll out the same approach across the Group next Summer. To read more about planned maintenance, turn to page 12.

We have developed an action plan with our main contractor to improve response times. So far, this has seen an improvement from an average of 23 days to resolve a repair to 16, when comparing March 2014 to April 2014. We’re making further improvements to reduce this average to less than 10 days.

From the Beatles to Blackpool - Summer activities coming soon!

This year across the Accord Group we are planning Summer trips and activities for you and your family. bchs is hoping to take co-operative members and tenants to Blackpool to see the famous illuminations in September, whilst Caldmoreaccord is planning a trip to the birthplace of world-famous band the Beatles in Liverpool in August.

Meanwhile, Ashram Housing Association and Moseley and District will be staying a little closer to home with a fun-filled garden party in August.

If that wasn’t enough, staff from Moseley and District will also be supporting carnivals in the city, with a stall at the Calthorpe Park event on 20 September.

All associations will be contacting customers directly with more details about their events soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

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Health and Well-being Recipe

Fresh fruit salad

Ingredients A selection of your favourite fruits, fresh orange juice and sugar/sweetener to taste.

Alice Elliot (centre) celebrates her 105th birthday surrounded by flowers and cards

Former dinner lady Alice celebrates 105th birthday A former Shropshire dinner lady has celebrated her 105th birthday. Alice Elliott, who was born in 1909 in Stafford, marked her extra special birthday with a tea party at Cartlidge House in Oakengates, Telford.

The great, great-grandmother-of-six credits reaching 105-years-old with ‘working hard and dancing’.

Method Select your favourite fruits. I use whatever is in season at the time. Wash, peel and either segment or cut the fruit up, catching the juices into a bowl. Add sugar/sweeteners to taste, then add fresh orange, apple or pineapple juice and let the mixture marinade for about an hour.

Top tip For the best value-for-money, buy your fruit from your local shop as you can pick what and how much you want. Supermarkets usually only sell in punnets or packs and you may not want too much. Recipe provided by John Gray

Safeguarding: What you need to know You may have heard of the term safeguarding in the media when people talk about care, but what does it really mean and why does it matter.

So what is safeguarding?

Safeguarding relates to how organisations protect vulnerable people and children from violence and abuse. Abuse can happen anywhere including in an individual’s home, in a residential setting, at a day centre, or within a hospital or community centre.

It can also take different forms including physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, material abuse and neglect.

Why do I need to know about it?

We want to reassure you of our approach to safeguarding and the importance of working together to look out for vulnerable adults and children. We have a shared responsibility to report any concerns that a vulnerable adult or child is being abused. Our message is safeguarding is everybody’s business.

How do you protect vulnerable adults and children?

The Accord Group has a policy, procedure and customer information leaflet about safeguarding that explains our commitment to safeguarding. All staff are trained in safeguarding awareness and we have safeguarding lead officers.

If I have a concern what should I do?

If you’re concerned that someone is being abused or is at risk of abuse, please contact staff at one of our offices or services. If you prefer, we have an email address where you can report concerns safeguarding@accordgroup.org.uk.

We will deal with information confidentially, but where abuse of a vulnerable adult or child is disclosed, we are duty bound to report the matter to the relevant local authority safeguarding team.

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to p ti ps

Water Safety Cherry Tree Court is close to shops and transport links

Spotlight on...

Cherry Tree Court

With Summer well and truly here, we spoke to David Walker, Leisure Safety Manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), about how to stay safe in the water.

Be aware

While waters like rivers, quarries and reservoirs may look pretty calm, there are a number of dangers to be aware of year round, such as strong currents and underwater debris. The water can also be a lot colder than expected and can quickly overwhelm even the strongest swimmer, leading to cold water shock.

What is Cherry Tree Court?

55 and over who require Cherry Tree Court is a scheme for people aged e. Support includes help with support to live independently in their own hom to reduce social isolation and managing money and budgeting and support loneliness.

Where is it? am. It is near local shops, Cherry Tree Court is in Cotteridge, south Birmingh hip. It also has good transport doctors’ surgeries, dentists and places of wors am. links, such as train and bus routes into Birmingh

Be sure

Swimming pools, lifeguarded beaches and lidos are by far the safest places to swim, but if you’re not able to get to these locations, and instead choose to go to an unsupervised site, think through the dangers first and make sure you know what to do if something goes wrong.

rt?

What’s the best thing about Cherry Tree Cou residents can access support Cherry Tree Court is a friendly place to live and about below). It has a big through Taste for Life (which you can read more ry or personal care and a communal lounge, the choice to have domicilia ities happening too, from a huge garden to relax in. There are plenty of activ g club every Friday, to walking craft club every Wednesday and a healthy eatin groups and computer classes.

Be safe

Can I live there? dly and social scheme in If you’re aged over 55 and want to live in a frien Birmingham, then Cherry Tree Court is for you.

How can I find out more?

0121 451 3728 or email You can contact Cherry Tree Court directly on ashramtasteforlife@accordgroup.org.uk

Above all, make time to discuss water safety with your children and do not leave them to swim alone.

For more water safety tips, visit rospa.com

Taste for Life - more than just a helping hand By the time Mr and Mrs Green* were referred to Taste for Life, a support service for people aged over 55, they were thousands of pounds in debt and struggling to cope with demands from bailiffs.

Rudo Muchoko, Assessments Officer for Taste for Life, explains: “The couple really needed support to manage their debt issues and had even sold some of their possessions to meet the demands of bailiffs.

“We worked with them to get help, including arranging for them to visit the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) which supported the couple to manage their debts.”

Thanks to the support they received, Mr and Mrs Green no longer have bailiffs knocking at

their door and are reducing their debts through a payment plan.

This is just one example of the different ways that Taste for Life, run by Ashram Housing Association, can support people aged over 55 living in south and west Birmingham.

The service, funded by Birmingham City Council, offers support ranging from help to find accommodation and manage health and well-being needs to initial support in developing life skills, such as cooking and budgeting. Taste for Life can also coordinate other services such as occupational therapy and they run computer classes in the community to help people get online.

If you’d like to use the services provided by Taste for Life, call Rudo Muchoko on 0121 764 3879 today.

Charity offers help to those with hearing loss Are you deaf or deaf and blind, receive housing benefit and need support?

Action on Hearing Loss, previously known as the RNID, is a charity that provides support to people with hearing loss and tinnitus.

They can support people with hearing loss to find appropriate accommodation, write letters about their tenancy and much more.

To find out more, contact Helen Lawrence from Action on Hearing Loss, on 01922 723 860, text phone: 01922 615452 or email: helen. lawrence@hearingloss.org.uk

*Name changed to protect identity.

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Jobs, Skills and Training setting up an email account Setting up an email account is a great way to communicate with people online instantly and for free. If you haven’t got an email account, why not consider these helpful hints.

Pick your provider. Yahoo, Gmail and Hotmail are just a few of the most popular providers.

Complete a short questionnaire. This will include your name, date of birth and in some cases, a telephone number. A telephone number is occasionally used to confirm your account or to reset your password.

Think of an address/name, for example joebloggs@gmail. com. When choosing an email address/name, remember to pick something that you will remember.

Protect yourself. When picking a password, try and use something that isn’t obvious, but something that you can remember. Don’t forget to keep it a secret too.

Ready to go. Once you have followed the above steps you should be ready to start using your new account.

Some of the young entrepreneurs picked to take part in the business mentoring programme

Clever clogs could see ideas take off in Holland Are you a young entrepreneur or do you have a hobby that you think you could turn into a business?

We are looking for the next group of budding young entrepreneurs to take part in a business mentoring programme in Holland.

You’ll need to be enthusiastic and committed to take part in the project, which includes an accredited learning programme and a European placement in Amsterdam.

Those who sign-up will need to be: l Eager to learn and up for a challenge l Committed to their idea and to developing themselves

Top tips If you’re using your account to apply for jobs, an

l Aged 18-25 years

email address with your name always looks professional. For example joe.bloggs@gmail.com.

l Available to travel between 1 September and 1 November 2014

A mixture of lowercase, uppercase letters and numbers make a stronger password and helps to protect your account.

The project will provide young people with:

Job seekers just a click away from vacancies Job seekers will find searching for work with the Accord Group easier thanks to the launch of a brand new careers portal.

Featuring the latest job vacancies, the site also includes apprenticeship and volunteering opportunities at the Group and hints and tips for interviews and CV writing.

The portal can be viewed at accord.amris.com

Your GROUP

l Hold a valid passport and be free to travel in the EU. l A programme of accredited learning and the opportunity to learn basic Dutch l An expenses paid placement in Amsterdam, hosted by Impact Hub Amsterdam l The opportunity to explore entrepreneurial ideas and improve skills l Access to a network of entrepreneurs and social businesses.

For more information, contact Alix Drysdale, Enterprise Manager for the Accord Group, on 0121 358 9019 or email alixd@accordgroup.org.uk.

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£1,000 to get your business off the ground

“Volunteering opened the door to apprenticeship.” says Ed

Moseley Post Office has joined up with the Moseley Community Development Trust (CDT) to launch a competition for young social entrepreneurs.

According to latest figures, unemployment in the West Midlands has fallen to its lowest rate since the recession. However, for young people like Ed Pitt (pictured) finding work can still be a struggle.

Ed from Walsall shares his experience of finding work and how volunteering led him down an unexpected path.

“After leaving university, I started to search for work but seemed to be hitting a wall. I was applying for 30 or 40 jobs a week, but getting no response.

“My sister had volunteered with Caldmoreaccord and really enjoyed it. She recommended that I did the same to get some work experience. I started volunteering with the Lettings team in September last year.

Andy Burnham MP meets staff and apprentices at Accord’s LoCaL Homes factory

Shadow Health Minister meets apprentices The Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham MP, met trainees employed by the Accord Group during a tour of its timber home factory in Walsall. Mr Burnham met five apprentices (including Ed Pitt who you can read about opposite) during a visit to the area in May.

A prize of £1,000 to help get your business started is up for grabs as well as a 12 month membership of the Moseley Exchange co-working space.

The competition aims to help young people living in B12, B13 or B14 areas to launch ventures that can change the places where they live for the better.

For more information, visit MoseleyCDT.com/ changeit or call 0121 449 8585.

Boost skills with distance learning courses

“I found it really beneficial to get hands-on experience.

“It also helped bolster my self-confidence and gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning. I was absorbing as much as I could about how an office worked, how to work efficiently and operate in the working world.

“I volunteered three days a week until November when I was offered a bank worker position. I was thrilled and accepted. My bank worker role mainly consisted of work in customer services. I stayed on this contract until I was offered, and accepted, a full-time Housing Support Services Apprentice role in April.

“I would very much recommend volunteering. It’s a great way to boost your skills and abilities and it looks very good on a CV. Volunteering also helps develop self-confidence and self-belief, punctuality and timekeeping, organisation and other skills which become invaluable in working life.

“Overall, volunteering has given me the skills to go from a novice to a valued member of a team, and that pretty much says it all.”

Interested in volunteering? Contact Irene Casserley, Volunteering Manager, on 01922 728203 or email irene.casserley@caldmoreaccordha.org.uk

Walsall College’s Job Shop, which celebrated its first anniversary this year

Single mothers, business professionals and mature students are just some of the people who could benefit from studying a distance learning course at Walsall College.

The College has launched a new wave of high-quality distance learning courses with no requirement to attend in person.

The courses cover a range of topics such as Nutrition and Health, Principles of End of Life Care, Equality and Diversity

and Mental Health Awareness and all are delivered by regular telephone tutorials.

Meanwhile, people looking for work can contact the College’s Job Shop, which currently has 108 apprenticeship vacancies and 43 traineeship vacancies.

To enrol on a distance learning care course, visit walsallcollege.ac.uk/ courses/adult-learner/free-care-courses/ or call the Job Shop on 01922 651129.

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Money Management FIVE QUESTIONS FOR…

Remi Ehue Finance Assistant at bchs

Film features an interview with new resident Emma and Tenancy Support Officer Tina Lloyd

Calling all first time tenants…

New residents can find out about their rights and responsibilities as tenants as part of a new programme being rolled out in Walsall.

What does your job involve on a day-to-day basis? bchs provide services to eight housing co-operatives and I’m responsible for downloading and posting rent payments to customers’ accounts. I also undertake rent accountancy and other purchase ledger tasks.

How long have you worked in your current job and what did you do before?

I have worked in my current role for over nine years.

Before this, I worked as a credit controller for a credit union and prior to that, I was a telephone engineer for 16 years on the Ivory Coast.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I like to make sure that all rent that is paid by customers is posted to their rent accounts promptly.

Why is what you do important to me?

My tasks are important because I have to make sure I post accurate and timely information so that we can ensure that rent collections are made.

How can I contact you?

You can contact me on 0121 764 3847 or by emailing me at remi@bchs.coop

Your GROUP

Caldmoreaccord’s Your Home, Your Future pre-tenancy programme is aimed at residents who have never rented before. It includes interactive workshops with hands-on activities focused on budgeting, debt and saving money and a film showing one customer’s experience of moving into a new home.

Jay Gill, Head of Locality at Caldmoreaccord, said: “Moving into your own home for the first time and managing all the responsibilities and bills that come with it can be very daunting.

“Your Home, Your Future is there to help customers succeed in their tenancies and provide them with all the support they need to move into their new home.”

One customer who attended the course, said: “The course gave me an indepth insight into what is takes to have your own property.”

Workshops are taking place monthly for three hours at Caldmoreaccord’s office in Caldmore Green. For more information, call Jay Gill on 01922 728 220.

Take a bite out of quiz to win top prize The Stop Loan Sharks project has launched an online quiz to give one lucky person the chance to win £100 of shopping vouchers.

Two runners up will also each receive a goody bag and the quiz, which can be found at surveymonkey.com/s/IMLTchallenge, only takes 10 minute to complete. It is open until 30 September 2014.

Run by Trading Standards, the Stop Loan Sharks project raises awareness of the perils of using loan sharks, prosecuting them and supporting their victims.

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Customer over the moon with money advice In previous editions of Our House you may have read about our money advisors. The team, which works across Birmingham and the Black Country, can help you with a host of money matters, from opening a bank account to claiming benefits.

Cassandra Lewington (pictured), Money Advisor for Ashram Housing Association and Moseley and District, explains how she helped one customer who had fallen behind on his rent.

“Simon* was referred to me after falling behind on his rent. He wanted some advice on whether he could get help with extra benefits and furniture and white goods, but was doubtful as he worked part time.

We arranged an appointment to talk through his incomings and outgoings and I advised Simon that he could apply for a discretionary housing payment to top up his Housing Benefit entitlement.

Simon was successful and received additional payments of £260 towards his rent. I then encouraged him to allow me to apply to the council for a Local Welfare Provision claim.

Again, Simon was very dubious because he worked and didn’t think he would get anything but he received a bed and a settee. He was over the moon and thanked me for the help that I’d provided.” *Name changed to protect identity.

If you think you’d benefit from an appointment with a money advisor, contact them today.

Ashram and Moseley and District customers can call Cassandra Lewington on 0121 442 5017 or email cassandral@moseleyha.org.uk Caldmoreaccord customers can call Teresa Jones on 01922 705 767 or email teresa.jones@caldmoreaccordha.org.uk or Lynn Marks on 0121 568 3916 or email lynn.marks@caldmoreaccordha.org.uk

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fun summer activities The cost of entertaining the kids over the Summer can easily spiral. To give you a helping hand, Joanne Antcliff, Procurement Manager for the Accord Group, shares her top tips for keeping your brood busy on a budget.

build a tent den Transform tatty and unused curtains or sheets into an instant and fun den by throwing them over a clothes horse and securing them with pegs.

treasure hunts Bury small treats such as sweets or small toys around the garden, hang them off tree branches or stick them to the fence for your kids to find.

DIY crazy golf Find pipes, trays, wood and anything else you have handy in the garden to make your own mini golf circuit. You’ll just need a plastic set of clubs.

backyard camping If your garden’s safe and secure, why not camp out and fall asleep star gazing? Hopefully, you’ll be able to wish upon a star too.

water fun As long as there’s no hosepipe ban, let the kids splash around with the hose or a water sprinkler. It’s even more fun if they have friends over.

Consolidation loan A loan which combines outstanding credit cards, loans and bills into a monthly payment.

It’s vital that you know the APR (annual percentage rate) for a consolidation loan in order to work out if it’s a worthwhile way of managing your debts.

Debt collection agency These agencies follow up debts on behalf of other creditors or ‘buy’ them. Debt collection agencies aren’t bailiffs and therefore, they can’t take away your belongings or force their way into your home.

gardening Discount shops have a wonderful array of bulbs and seeds for flowers, fruit and vegetables. Why not recycle butter, margarine tubs or old jars and do some planting. Your children will love the daily watering regime, watching their plants grow and eating the fruit and vegetables.

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! e m i t y t r Pa

Last year’s winners of the Resident Group of the Year award Cwerne Court in Dudley

Got a great neighbour? Nominate them now Do you have a committed Carol or a deserving Davinder living next door to you? Then why not recognise their hard work by nominating them for a Great Resident Award.

The annual awards celebrate the great things that neighbours do for each other, their community or for their housing association.

To nominate your neighbour or a customer of the Accord Group that you know, call the Customer Engagement team on 0121 500 2014 or email ceteam@ accordgroup.org.uk.

Your GROUP

Categories include:

l-r Raynor Cope, Andrew Cope, Elecia Cope, Leslie Cope and Paige Cope at Paddock’s pirate-themed party.

Committed to communities Recognising people who have made a difference in their community.

Paddock Housing Co-operative celebrates 25 years

Making a difference Celebrating those who have made a significant contribution by getting involved.

A Walsall housing co-operative formed by families 25 years ago has marked its milestone anniversary with a fun-filled party for all its members.

Personal achievement Recognising someone who has engaged with their housing association and gained personal skills.

Paddock Housing Co-operative was formed by families who were desperate to escape from the dangers that their children faced living in highrise blocks. Now it manages 46 homes, all within walking distance of each other.

Putting people first Celebrating those who have improved services for all.

Best in scrutiny Celebrating a customer who has made a significant contribution to scrutiny.

Resident group of the year Recognising customers who have worked together to be a voice for their community.

Lifetime achievement Awarded to a customer who has been involved for five years or more.

Best newcomer Celebrating a customer who has made a significant impact over the last 12 months.

Margaret Cope, Treasurer of Paddock Housing Co-operative, said: “The last 25 years of Paddock Housing Co-operative have flown by, filled with happy memories and many challenges and changes.

“We know that young people today may have different priorities and demands compared to 25 years ago, but we will continue to work together to provide a secure and co-operative community for families to grow up in for many years to come.”

The party took place on Saturday, 14 June.

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Scrutiny panel set to review repairs Spotlight on...

Members of the Care and Support Forum

Care and Suppor t Forum Group’s new customer This year has seen the launch of the Accord ducing a new forum in forums and panels. To celebrate, we’ll be intro each edition of Our House.

What is the care and support forum? ruary this year and has seven The care and support forum was set up in Feb and support services members. We are all customers who use the care provided by our housing associations.

What do you do? services that are available We look at how care is changing and the current ourselves, we’re able to from the Group. As we use some of the services and improvements that give constructive feedback and suggest changes need to be made.

What have you achieved so far? form which will be used by We have helped to put together an assessment needs of customers that want the Customer Engagement team to assess the looks at things such as to get involved in the work of the Group. The form th conditions. whether people require large print or have any heal What are your plans for the future? , including learning about At our next forum, we’ll be focusing on dementia future, we’ll also be looking the signs and symptoms of the condition. In the that they provide good valueat the cost of services and whether we believe for-money.

How do I join the panel?

500 2014 or email Contact the Customer Engagement team on 0121 ceteam@accordgroup.org.uk

Having completed a successful review of the learning disability services provided by Moseley and District, the scrutiny panel is embarking on a new review.

To coincide with a key milestone in the contract with Lovell, which provide day-to-day repairs to customers’ homes, the panel has decided to review the correlation between the average time taken to complete a repair and levels of customer satisfaction.

Having met with staff from Accord Group’s Assets team, the Panel has now started their research by looking at data provided by both Lovell and the Group. The next step the panel will take is to speak to customers about their experiences.

If the work of the panel sounds like something you’d be interested in getting involved in, contact the Customer Engagement team on 0121 500 2014 or email ceteam@accordgroup.org.uk

Families take a bite out of the Big Lunch

Fish, chips and connecting futures Booking is now open for the conference

Customers who want to revolutionise customer engagement and shape future services are being invited to a special conference in September.

Taking place on 19 September from 10am-3pm at the Black Country Living Museum, the Connecting Futures event will also feature fun activities, a mystery guest speaker and prizes. With 80 places available, Accord Group customers are being urged to book as early as possible to ensure a space at the event. Accord Group customers who attend, will also be able to enjoy a free traditional fish and chips lunch and free entry to the Black Country Living Museum as part of the event.

To book your place, contact the Customer Engagement team by Friday, 5 September, 2014 on 0121 500 2014 or email ceteam@accordgroup.org.uk.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @Ashceteam and @theaccordgroup and use #ConnectingFutures to see the latest news and information about the conference.

From left, Owen Curran, Ben Curran and Kyle Claxton tuck into their lunches.

Families in Birmingham spent the day breaking bread with each other at an event to promote community spirit and healthy eating.

Held at Bosworth Drive Community Centre in Chelmsley Wood, the event saw visitors tuck into a free lunch and watch demonstrations of how to whip up a healthy meal on a budget.

Organised by Ashram Housing Association and Solihull Council’s Public Health team, the fun-filled event was part of the national Big Lunch campaign.

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Homes and Communities

home Repairs A N D YO U R R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S This year the Accord Group has been reviewing the responsibilities of customers when it comes to repairs.

The list below is just a small example of some of the minor tasks for which you are responsible. For the full list, visit the repairs section of your housing association’s website. l Replace keys or locks when they are lost, broken, or you get locked out l Repair or replace door handles on internal doors, fit curtain rails, blinds, hooks and shower curtains l Keep rainwater gully grids clear (if you live in a flat or scheme, your housing association will carry out this task) l Try to clear blocked basins, sinks, baths and toilets. If unsuccessful, call Customer First which will provide advice or book a repair. l Repair or replace toilet seats, replace plugs and chains on baths, basins and sinks l Maintain general garden paths (not the one to the front or back doors), patios, paved areas and other garden features and repair minor problems with fences.

For more information about repairs, visit the ‘repairs and maintenance’ section of your housing association’s website or call 0300 111 7000.

Planned maintenance WHAT IT MEANS AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU Every year we carry out work to improve some of the 13,000 homes that we manage across the West Midlands – this is commonly known as planned maintenance.

David Livesey, Assistant Head of Assets at the Accord Group, explains what planned maintenance is and how it could affect you.

“We strive hard to deliver the best possible quality homes whilst making sure that we spend our resources efficiently and effectively.

In order to do this, we undertake surveys throughout the year to check on the condition of homes, both internally and externally.

This information helps us to decide what improvement work we do and where. We then ‘batch’ together work to get the best possible deal by buying in bulk.

As you can imagine, this is a challenging exercise and needs to be done carefully to ensure that we get it right.

At the moment, we are in the final stages of talking to our suppliers for this year’s programme and will be issuing our one, five and 10 year planned maintenance lists over the coming months.

Don’t worry if you don’t see your address when these lists are published, give us a call and we will come and survey your property to ensure that the data we hold on your home is correct.”

Don’t let pesky pests ruin your summer Whilst the Summer offers us the chance to soak up the sun it also signals an increase in pesky pests like wasps, ants and flies. To stop them ruining your Summer, here’s what you need to know. l If you live in a house or bungalow, your housing association is not responsible for controlling pests l You can treat them yourself using over the counter products sold in garden centres or supermarkets l You can also contact your council’s pest control team, although they may charge you for removing pests

Your GROUP

l If you live in flat the same rules apply, except if an infestation is in a communal area and then we will be responsible for clearing it l If you’re going to treat a wasp’s nest yourself, do it early or late in the day when wasp activity is at its lowest l Always remember to read labels of insecticides or other products carefully and follow the instructions.

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Brand new home from as little as £125,000

Stylish homes are available to buy now at Pattern Gardens

Each home at Pattern Gardens features a stylish and modern kitchen

Are you looking to get onto the property ladder and want to buy a contemporary and stylish new-build home? Then look no further than Pattern Gardens.

Based in Darlaston, Walsall, the development features 106 low carbon timber homes, fitted with modern bathrooms and kitchens.

in buying a new home through the Help to Buy scheme, which allows people to buy a new home with as little as a five per cent deposit.

There are now just 27 homes left to buy at Pattern Gardens, with prices starting from just £125,000 for a two bedroom home.

Plus, if you recommend a friend and they complete on a purchase of a home at Pattern Gardens, you will receive £50.*

In addition, there are 15 homes available for shared ownership, with prices starting from £62,500 for a two bedroom home.

For more information about purchasing a home at Pattern Gardens, please call Connells Estate Agents on 0121 556 2338.

The Accord Group is also offering prospective purchasers assistance

*Terms and conditions apply.

New homes for rent in Walsall Do you want to live in a brand new rented home in Beechdale which will be run as a tenant management organisation (TMO)?

We’re building a new development of timber homes just off Remington Road, which will be completed by early 2015.

Two, three and four-bedroom homes will be available and if you apply early, you’ll also be able to choose from a small range of kitchens and bathrooms. To find out more, call Annette Perry or Faith Donalds on 0300 111 7000.

Be safe not sorry this Gas Safety Week This September (15-21) marks Gas Safety Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness of gas safety.

According to the Gas Safe Register, which runs Gas Safety Week, at least a quarter of a million gas appliances installed in homes each year are done illegally.

Using an unqualified gas fitter to carry out work in your home that is unsafe or causes damage is dangerous and can also breach your tenancy agreement.

If you rent a home with us, you are entitled to a free gas service.

For more information, visit the ‘gas safety’ section of your housing association’s website or call 0300 111 7000.

An artist’s impression of how the homes will look

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Charity money stolen in Redditch

Walkers wore their favourite hats during the charity stroll

Police are appealing for witnesses after charity money was stolen during a burglary in Redditch.

The incident took place at the office of Redditch Cooperative Homes on Britten Street between 5pm on Thursday, 8 May and 9am on Friday, 9 May. The offender(s) forced entry to the property and stole £200 of charity money.

Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to call West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident number 0115S 090514.

Redditch Co-operative Homes is attempting to raise the £200 that was stolen back via a dedicated Just Giving page, which can be found at: justgiving.com/ rchwearahat

Pakenham House in Edgbaston once the home of Constance Naden – picture taken by John Gray

Many homes conceal a hidden history, so we’ve decided, following a suggestion from one of our readers, to delve into the past of some of the properties managed by housing associations in the Accord Group.

In this edition, customer Ian Cook explores the heritage of Pakenham House in Birmingham.

Volunteers get busy at time bank

Time bank hosts drop-in surgeries in Willenhall Time for Real has teamed up with Willenhall Chart Community Hub to host drop-in sessions for people who are interested in joining the time bank.

Time-brokers Yasmeen Mohammed and Dianne Friend, will host the sessions at the Hub in Gomer Street every Monday from 10am–12pm, in addition to sessions at the Village Hub in Caldmore every Tuesday from 10am-1pm and Thursday from 12pm-3pm. Local people will be able to drop into the sessions to find out how they can join the time bank, which allows people to swap skills for free.

For more information, contact Time for Real on 01922 630 364 or email enquiries@timeforreal.org.uk

“Pakenham House in Edgbaston, Birmingham, is a beautiful home with a very famous former tenant.

“Constance Naden, born in 1885, moved into the two-storey grade two listed building aged just 12-days-old, following the tragic death of her mother.

“The building was the home of her grandparents, Caroline and Josiah Woodhill, who brought up Constance.

“Constance grew up to be writer, poet and philosopher, with several of her works published following her death aged just 31.

“After her death, a medal was founded in her honour. Each year, it was awarded for the best Faculty of Arts Master’s degree thesis at Mason College in Birmingham.

“In 2009, the Birmingham Civic Society provided a blue plaque to be hung at Pakenham House to honour Constance.

It reads “Constance C.W. Naden 18581889 Poet, Scientist and Philosopher lived here for most of her life.”

Do you live in a home with an interesting history and want to share it in Our House? Contact Editor Claire Morrall on 0121 500 2340 or email clairemo@accordgroup.org.uk

Keep fit fan celebrates 100th birthday A former Walsall shop owner who was a keen swimmer and runner in her youth has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Theresa Done, born in 1914 in Old Pleck Road, Walsall, celebrated her centenary with a party with friends and family at St Peters Court in Bloxwich. The motherof-one, who regularly swam up until her 80s, didn’t move into St Peter’s Court until she was 92-years-old and remains active by taking part in seated exercise classes. She also enjoys participating in art classes, bingo sessions and socialising with friends at the scheme in Harrison Street.

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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 Claire Morrall, 178 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 6QG or email them to clairemo@ accordgroup.org.uk by Friday, 22 August, 2014.

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 Mrs J Sadler from Dudley.

1: On which island would you find the volcano Mount Teide?

2: Vermicelli, Pappardelle and Rigatoni are types of what?

3: Which actress scooped the ‘Best Actress’ award at this year’s Baftas?

4: What is the name of the Dutchman who has been appointed manager of Manchester United?

5: Who was the third wife of Henry VIII? 6: What is the name of the main organising body of men’s professional tennis?

7: In which county is the musical festival Glastonbury held?

8: On the periodic table which element is represented by the initials AG? 9: Which band’s album titles include Dirty Work and Voodoo Lounge?

10: You’ll find the next answer in this newsletter… ? What’s the name of the furniture recycling project that has been launched in Walsall?

"

Wordsearch 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 Claire Morrall, 178 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 6QG or email clairemo@accordgroup.org. uk by Friday, 22 August, 2014.

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.

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MIAMI VICE NYPD BLUE LIFE ON MARS THE WIRE IRONSIDE CRACKER

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 Mrs V Kendrick from Walsall

Care and support

Love sitting in your garden but hate the upkeep?

From gardening to meal delivery, we’re offering a helping hand to give you more free time to spend doing the things you really enjoy.

Our help around the home service covers a wide range of support, including:

For further information, call your local team today:

l Help with meal preparation and meal delivery

SANDWELL, DUDLEY AND WOLVERHAMPTON

l Help with shopping trips and online ordering

Tel: 01902 271 466

l Money management and benefits advice

BIRMINGHAM

l Gardening service

Tel: 0121 227 2396

WALSALL

l Dog walking service

Tel: 01922 663 277

l Window cleaning service

TELFORD AND SHROPSHIRE

l Day centre visits l Companionship and befriending service.

All of these services can be bought in as and when you need them and can be tailored to meet your changing needs. Our prices are competitive and affordable and with our flexible approach, we’ll work with you to make sure you get the most for your money.

Accord Group, 178 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 6QG

Tel: 01952 455 791

COVENTRY AND SOLIHULL Tel: 0121 227 2397

STAFFORDSHIRE AND STOKE Tel: 01785 330 950

Email: hello@accordgroup.org.uk Visit: accordgroup.org.uk