homes & people Bringing you all the news that matters to you
Driving for a good spring clean! Page 10
Claiming and managing Universal Credit: what it’s like - page 4
Tree Top Village Last few homes available W A L K E R
April/March 2017
Emergency contacts Housing Anti-Social Behaviour and Enforcement (team (HASBET) ASB can take many different forms, ranging from threatening behaviour and hate crime to loud music to untidy gardens. Don’t suffer in silence report now to our dedicated officers on 0191 278 8740. Repairs and Maintenance service YHN are jointly responsible with you for looking after your home. We rely on you to inform us of repairs as soon as possible so that work can be arranged. To report a repair call 0191 278 7878 or text “FIX” to 80800. For emergency repairs outside of opening hours email repairs@newcastle.gov.uk Housing Options Centre To speak to someone about applying for a new home, contact us on 0191 277 2020. Housing Advice Centre If you need housing advice, are at immediate risk of homelessness or are homeless and have nowhere to stay please contact the Housing Advice Centre on 0191 277 1711 or visit us at 112 Pilgrim St, Newcastle NE1 6SQ.
Income If you’ve made a claim for universal credit, want to make a rent payment, set up a direct debit, need some budgeting help or have any queries about your rent account call your income officer on 0191 278 8600. Envirocall We are your single point of contact for environmental services delivered within Newcastle. This includes things like reporting fly tipping, street cleaning, rubbish and recycling, planting and vandalism. Call us at Newcastle City Council on 0191 278 7878 or report and track online at www.newcastle.gov.uk My Leasehold YHN manage properties that were sold under the Right to Buy on a leasehold basis. If you are a leaseholder and have any queries call us on 0191 278 7725 or email us at leasehold@yhn.org.uk My Concierge We provide Council tenants and leaseholders and Byker Community Trust tenants living in flats across Newcastle with a Concierge service that includes things from building cleaning to a response service. To contact your concierge service call 0191 278 8600.
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This information is also available in easy Right to Buy 这是有关租客有权购买他们的市政房屋的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致 GB Z_¨ nj Avgv‡`i †jwUs mvwf©m( fvov welqK) m¤^‡Ü| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb fvlvq cÖ ‡qvRb nq YCH Repairs 這是關於如何要求維修您住房的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 read, large print, and audio tape. We can also arrange for you to see a British Sign Language interpreter. 0191 电Braille 0191 索取。 Zvn‡j GB278 bv¤^8633 v‡i †dvb Ki“b- 0191 278 8633 278 8633 索取。 Tenancy 这是有关您作为纽卡斯尔市政租客所需要承担的责任的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语 Newcastle Furniture informations concernent le service « mobilier de Your Homes qui fournit du mobilier GB Z_¨ nj BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj mg‡Ü| Ges Avgiv » wKfv‡e `vwqZ¡ cvjb Newcastle, KiwQ †m mg‡Ü| BDi †nvgm wbDK¨vmj, YHN + Ces Rightgeneral/Homes to Buy 這是關於租客有權購買他們的市政房屋的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致 言版本，请致电 0191 8633 索取。 dans leur logement. Si vous avez besoin de ces service aux locataires pour les278 aider àKvDw݇ji s’installer wbDK¨vmj wmwU8633 KvDw݇ji c‡¶ Ni evox e¨e¯’vcbvi `vwqZ¡cÖvß| GB Z_¨ hw` <evsjvq> A_ev Ab¨ †Kvb People 電 0191 278 索取。 YCH 这是有关我们的出租服务的信息。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其它语言版本，请致电 0191 278 informations oubv¤^ dans une autre téléphonez 0191 278 8600 fvlvq cÖ‡qvRben nqfrançais Zvn‡j GB v‡i †dvb Ki“b- langue, 0191 8633 au : 0191 278 8633. Tenancy 這是關於您作為紐卡素市政府租客所需要承擔的責任的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語 8633informations 索取。 Rent Ces concernent votre loyer. Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou YHN general / Homes + dans 这是有关代表纽卡斯尔市政府（Newcastle City Council）负责管理市政房屋的 Your Homes Newcastle 言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。 une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633. People （您的纽卡斯尔住房）组织的信息，内容解释了我们是如何运作。如果您需要此信息的普通话版本或其 Repairs Ces informations concernent les demandes de travaux pour votre logement. Si vous avez 0191 besoin de YCH 這是關於我們的出租服務的信息。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它語言版本，請致電 278 它语言版本，请致电 0191 278 ces en français ou8633 dans索取。 une autre langue, téléphonez au : 0191 278 8633. 8633informations 索取。 Right to Buy / Homes + Ces informations concernent les droits des locataires relatifs à l’acquisition de leur logement social. YHN general 這是關於 Your Homes Newcastle（您的紐卡素住房）機構的信息，內容解釋了我們代表紐卡素市政府 Si vous avez besoin de ces informations en français ou dans une autre langue, téléphonez au : People （Newcastle City Council）負責管理市政房屋以及如何運作。如果您需要此信息的廣東話版本或其它 0191 278 8633. 語言版本，請致電 0191 278 8633 索取。 @ói@óäb îŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @NóäbmóØòìíäb‚@ñòìó䆋ÙØbš@üi@ðîŒaí‚a†@ðmóïäüš@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ Tenancy Ces informations concernent vos responsabilités en tant que locataire de la municipalité de Repairs HN general / Homes + Nç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@ 0191 278 8633 @ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ Si vous deآن ces informations enدرfrançais dans uneدرﺑﺎره autreاﻃﻼﻋﺎت langue, ،Newcastle. ﺷﻬﺮدارى ﻧﻴﻮﻛﺎﺳﻞ از ﺳﻮىavez ﺳﺎزﻣﺎنbesoin اﻳﻦ.اﺳﺖ ﻋﻤﻠﻜﺮد ﻧﯿﻮﮐﺎﺳﻞ« و ﻫﺎى ﺷﻤﺎou ﺧﺎﻧﻪ » ﺳﺎزﻣﺎن اﻳﻦ eople téléphonez au :ﻫﺎى 0191 8633. @ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @NòŠb’@ñaŠü’@ðäbØòìíäb‚@î ‹Ø@üi@çbåï“å–‹Ø@Àbà@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ دﻳﮕﺮ ﺑﺎ ﺷﻤﺎره ﺗﻠﻔﻦ زﺑﺎن278 ﻳﺎlíngua, ﻓﺎرﺳﻰ زﺑﺎن اﻃﻼﻋﺎت ﺑﻪ ﻧﻴﺎز ﺑﻪoﺻﻮرت .دارد ﻣﺴﺌﻮﻟﻴﺖ اداره ﺧﺎﻧﻪﻫﺎى دوﻟﺘﻰ را ﺑﻪ ﻋﻬﺪه <português> ou noutra queira ligarاﻳﻦ para 0191 در 278 8633. Right to Buy YCH Ces informations concernent notre service location. @óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ Si vous avez besoin de ces278 informations en Nç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@ 278 8633de .ﺑﮕﻴﺮﻳﺪ ﺗﻤﺎس ٠١٩١٢٧٨٨۶٣٣ 0191 8600 Rent Esta informação refere-se à sua0191 renda. Se @ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra françaisqueira ou dans une autre langue, au : 0191 278 8633. @m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @Npara óîa‡Ý—bØüïä@óÜ@Šb’@ñaŠü’@ðÙ—åï“å–‹Ø@íØòì@òí—÷@ðäbØóïmóîb‹qŠói@ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ língua, ligar o 0191 278téléphonez 8633. Tenancy YHN general / Homes + Esta Ces informations concernent Your Homes Newcastleem : qui chargé gérer les logements sociaux Repairs informação refere-se ao8633 pedido de reparações suaest casa. Se de precisar desta informação em Nç‹i@ñ‡äòí— q@0191 278 @ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ@ðäbàŒ@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ People au nom de ðäbàŒ@ la ou municipalité de Newcastle et para comment nous procédons. Si vous avez <português> noutra queira ligar o 0191 278 8633. ói@ pòŠbió@ @Šóè@ bî@ ñ†ŠíØ@ ói@ óäbîŠbïäaŒ@língua, ãó÷@ m‹ Šòì@ óÜ@ çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @ Nóîóá—÷@ ð–‹Ø@ ðäbØómóà‚@ óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ ãó÷ besoin de ces Right to Buy YCH Esta informação refere-se direito os langue, inquilinos têm de comprar a sua social. Se informations en français ouao dans uneque autre téléphonez au : 0191 278habitação 8633. Nç‹i@ñ‡äòí—q@0191 278 8633@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ
0191 278 8455 0191 277 1484
Right to Buy Rent
Tenancy YCH
YHN general / Homes + People
Repairs
YHN general / Homes +
People Right to Buy
Tenancy YCH YHN general / Homes + People
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precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. @òìóÝ—bØüïä@ñŠb’@ñaŠü’@çóîý@óÜ@óØ@óîóØó䆋؊bØ@ðmóïäüš@ì@ Your Homes Newcastle @ói@pòŠbió@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷ Esta informação refere-se às suas responsabilidades como inquilino social em Newcastle. Se precisar desta informação em <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar para o 0191 278 8633. @ðäbàŒ@ói@óäbîŠbïäaŒ@ãó÷@m‹ Šòì@óÜ@çbmŒóyŠó ó÷ @NpbÙi@ðmóîaŠóiòí–Šói@Šb’@ñaŠü’@ðäbØòìíäb‚@óØ@òìaŠ‡—q@ñòìó÷@ðØŠó÷ idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Esta informação refere-seNç‹ ao serviço0191 de 278 arrendamento. Se precisar desta informação em i@ñ‡äòí—q@ 8633@ðäüÑïÝm@òŠbàˆ@ói@óîóè@óÙî†@ðÙ—äbàŒ@Šóè@bî@ñ†ŠíØ 8600 Ésta es información sobre cómo pedir quepara se realicen reparaciones en su casa. Si necesita esta <português> ou noutra língua, queira ligar o 0191 278 8633. Esta informação refere-se a organização información en español oà enYour otroHomes idioma,Newcastle, llame al 0191 278 8633. responsável pela gestão da habitação social em nome e a anossa situação actual. municipal. Se precisarSidesta Ésta es información sobredo losMunicípio derechosde deNewcastle, los inquilinos comprar su vivienda necesita informação em <português> noutra para278 o 0191 278 8633. esta información en españolou o en otro língua, idioma,queira llame ligar al 0191 8633.
Ésta es información sobre sus responsabilidades como inquilino municipal de Newcastle. Si necesita esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Ésta es información sobre 0191 278nuestro 8600. servicio de adjudicación. Si necesita esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633. Ésta es información sobre Your Homes de Newcastle, que es la responsable de gestionar las viviendas municipales en nombre del Ayuntamiento de Newcastle, y sobre nuestra manera de hacerlo. Si necesita esta información en español o en otro idioma, llame al 0191 278 8633.
Your Homes Newcastle Limited. Registered in England and Wales. Registration number 5076256. Registered office: Newcastle Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8PR. A company controlled by Newcastle City Council. Follow us on Facebook. Search Your Homes newcastle Follow us on Twitter: @NewsfromYHN Designed by: barkingdog design and layout. Printed by: Mosaic Print Management Plc
You’ve got the Power update
you’v e got
powehe r 2 t
round 017 3
Back in January, we asked you to vote on our website for your favourite projects from round 3 of You’ve got the Power. Voting closed in February. We have been busy counting the votes to find out which projects have been successful. We received over 8,000 votes which is the highest amount of votes to date for YGTP. A fantastic response! After getting together with our Tenants’ Panel to look at your votes, we have identified the winning projects. Of those that were shortlisted and featured on the website, 51 projects got through. We want to do each of them to a high standard, so we’ll be carrying them out over the next two years.
Like to know more? You can see all of the projects that will be carried out on our website at www.yhn.org.uk and we’ll post regular updates to our social media channels.
Hi everyone Flowers are blooming, birds are singing, the sun is (hopefully) shining – spring has arrived! It’s the time of year lots of us do a bit of a spring clean by getting organised and clearing the clutter. Last month I pulled my sleeves up and joined a good number of you in an actual spring clean by taking part in a litter pick in Kenton Bar. As part of the Great British Spring Clean we organised 13 clean up events in communities across the city and helped to remove a massive 458 bags of litter – pretty impressive I think you’ll agree! It makes such a difference when the areas outside our homes are clean and tidy. Read more on page 10. Spring is the season for fresh thoughts and new starts. As you know I’m really keen to improve your experience of being a YHN customer – but I need your help! Please do share your experiences and suggestions so I can change the services you
receive for the better. I’d love to hear your views – please email getinvolved@yhn.org.uk or contact us via Facebook or Twitter. We’re also changing how our board and committees work so customers have a better and direct influence on how we provide services. Keep an eye on Facebook and Twitter to find out more. Best wishes
Tina Drury Managing Director, Your Homes Newcastle
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Claiming and managing Universal Credit – what it’s really like Miriam Payne, 61, from Kenton, recently took early retirement after a long career in the NHS and had to apply for Universal Credit. We spoke to her about her experience of Universal Credit and how she has found the whole process.
Miriam Payne, from Kenton
Q How did you manage making your Universal Credit claim? I couldn’t get my head round it at first. I didn’t know anything about it and so wasn’t prepared for it. I just didn’t realise Universal Credit would affect me. I haven’t got a lot of computer skills and with working most of my life I wasn’t used to filling out complicated online benefit forms so I got some help from my family to complete the claim.
Q How are you getting on now a few months into claiming? I’m still finding things tough. I have very little spare cash to get by on. I don’t get a lot in Universal Credit payments and support myself mainly through my private pension which pays my rent first of all as a priority. I manage by budgeting - that’s what it comes down to. You’ve really got to look at your outgoings and plan every month what you need to pay for and when.
Q What’s been your main concerns and issues that you’ve had to overcome? I have mental health issues and physical health problems that have made claiming Universal Credit and managing on it even harder. Like anyone with any kind of health problems knows, you have good days and bad days. On those bad days it’s harder to cope, stay motivated and navigate a life on benefits. I cope by painting. It’s my release. It lets me express myself and how I’m feeling, and gives me something to feel proud of. Painting gets me back on a good path. Everyone needs to find their way back to feeling better – whether it’s reading a good book, watching their favourite show, talking to a loved one…find that one thing and you can get back on track.
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Painting by Miriam Payne, February 2017.
Q How has YHN helped you? I met the Customer Involvement team and I’ve learned a lot. I’ve found out about all the help YHN can give and how to keep up to date with the services and support on offer. I wish I’d known about your services sooner, especially things like digital training, budgeting help and planning my money better. The more YHN can shout about their services the better, because people need to know about them so they aren’t left to worry by themselves. I’ve been put in touch with the relocation team about a move, and they’re supporting me to move in the future to somewhere better suited for me with regards to my health. Also through YHN finding out about me and my experience they asked me to paint something for them which I was thrilled to do. I’ve painted a picture of a neighbourhood just like yours or mine and it’s going to go up in one of YHN’s offices which I’m really happy about.
Does anything sound familiar to you from Miriam’s story? Don’t suffer in silence – get some help today! • For help with Universal Credit, from making a claim and receiving your money, to working out your rent payment and budgeting your bills, contact your income officer or the Advice and Support team on 0191 277 1144, or call into your local housing office today – you don’t need an appointment! • The Advice and Support team can also point you in the right direction if you need to talk to someone about how you are feeling or if you think you may need some personal support. • For help in getting online, increasing your digital skills and accessing free online training call us on 0191 278 8600. • For advice and help with moving contact Housing Options on 0191 277 2020.
If you haven’t already registered to access your information online, why not do this now at https://myaccount.yhn.org.uk/ page 5
Artist’s impression.
G N ST INI LA MA RE
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Tree Top Village, Walker Road Exclusively for people over 55 Located in the heart of Central Walker, Tree Top Village offers one and two bedroom homes to rent in a quality new development. Exclusively for people over 55, all homes are light and airy with excellent space standards, modern fixtures and fittings and private outdoor space. The central atrium area of the development boasts a community area and retail and leisure space.
• No fees or deposit to pay • Affordable weekly rent • Secure door entry system as standard • Furnished option available on request • All repair and maintenance costs covered • Car parking available • Sheltered housing service • Rent from £145 per week (over 49 weeks)
Interested? Contact us now to find out more or arrange a viewing before they’re all gone
Call: 0191 278 8585 Email: yourtimeyourspace@yhn.org.uk Visit: www.yhn.org.uk/treetop page 66 page
Tree Top Village W A L K E R
Improvements to online rent accounts We are improving the way and what customers can access online in relation to their rent accounts. This will include real time information on payments, balances as well as how you view your statements. We’re hoping to have this ready in May. As soon as it is available, we’ll be contacting customers through a number of ways, including e-mail and text, to encourage them to give it a try.
If you haven’t already registered to access your information online, why not do this now at https://myaccount.yhn.org.uk/
Looking for a quick and easy way to report a non-emergency repair? Look no further than our new repair reporting tool, My Repairs Portal, which can be found via www.yhn.org.uk
The portal is a really handy way to report and track nonemergency repairs and can be easily accessed by a mobile phone. There are lots of repair types to choose from and you can easily provide all of the information YHN needs to attend to your repair.
Better still, you can select a date and appointment time to suit you and we even have timeslots that mean you’ll always be free for the school run if you need to be! In order to use the portal, you’ll need to register via the My Council section at www.newcastle.gov.uk – you’ll need your rent number to do so, which you can get from your local housing office or your rent statement. Then you just need to set up a username and password and you’re good to go!
Does someone close to you control when you see friends and family? Do they stop you communicating with them and make you feel isolated from the people you love? page 7
Changes to the lettings policy
Lettings Policy 2017
Following consultation with our customers via Newcastle Independent Tenants Voice, Newcastle City Council has made some changes to its lettings policy. As part of their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly, the council is making it easier for those people to access our properties. There is still some eligibility criteria, but for some, this means that they may be given a higher priority for housing. There’s also been a change in approach to tenant transfers so that “good” tenants are better rewarded, like the people who pay their rent on time, who keep their homes in a decent condition, and who are good neighbours – with the chances of them being able to move when they want to increased. It’s more difficult for customers who don’t do these things to move, so, if someone who already has a suitable home wants to move somewhere
else but they’re in arrears, or their property is a bad state, or their neighbours have complained about antisocial behaviour, then they may be suspended from bidding until those issues are resolved. We’ll always work with customers who are in need and want to support to anyone who is struggling, but we think it’s fair to expect everyone to try to be a good tenant. We’ll also be taking a closer look at new applicants’ financial circumstances to make sure they need and can afford social housing, which should help us point more people in the right direction for help to access benefits and other support. Newcastle City Council will continue to review the changes, their impact and the need for any further changes.
You can read the updated policy in the publications section of our website at www.yhn.org.uk
Changes to our complaints and compliments policy We’ve also made some changes to our complaints and compliments policy for customers. Again you can read more about the process on our website at www.yhn.org.uk but the most important thing to note is that more of our staff will now be able to handle any complaints you have. In the past, all of our complaints went to a central team and then we had ten working days to come back with a response, but we’ve changed it now so that whoever you speak to in your housing office should be able to deal with this for you, and straight away at that.
We hope this will lead to a simple and much quicker resolution for everyone involved. Does someone you live with demand to know where you are at all times, when you’ll be back home and who you’ll see when you’re out? Do they read your messages and open your letters? page 8
Changes to your rent and service charges Last year the Government said that council house rents should be reduced by 1% a year, for the next two years. This came into effect on April 1, so if you pay all or part of your rent you may have already noticed a small reduction, usually of about 80p per week, in the rent you pay each week. Government guidance permits an increase in service charges. Based on a nationally recognised formula this would give a 2% increase in service charges. Service charges include the following services; Concierge, furnished accommodation and sheltered accommodation.
Tenants who are in receipt of housing support will not experience any financial impact for costs eligible for support as these costs will continue to be met by housing benefit or Universal Credit.
Want to make a difference? Want to have your say?
Yes? Then we want to hear from you! Newcastle Independent Tenant Voice (NITV) was set up in March last year to support all tenants and leaseholders to put their own, independent views to the Council about housing issues. The NITV team will talk to tenants and leaseholders when national or local housing policies are changing and will listen to you to ensure your voice gets heard. There are lots of different ways to get involved; surveys, social media, email and our website – all of which help to make it quick and easy for people to contribute. And if you prefer a face to face conversation or are not digitally connected, we will also host drop-ins, pop-ups and public meetings so no one misses out.
Register your interest today by emailing your name to NITV@newcastle.gov.uk and you will be entered into our FREE prize draw to win £50 of shopping vouchers! Closing date for competition is Friday 30 June.
Tenant Panel The Tenant Panel is an important part of NITV. They interpret the information gathered from tenants and leaseholders and present it to the Council, who use it to make key decisions about housing policy and services. Full training and support is provided for all Tenant Panel members and related expenses will be met. If you would like to get involved or would just like to know a bit more, please contact us now!
nitv@newcastle.gov.uk www.newcastle.gov.uk/nitv
@NewcastleIndependenttenantvoice
Did you know that this could be classed as domestic abuse? You don’t have to be physically harmed for someone to be “abusing” you – this sort of controlling behaviour can be considered abusive too. page 9
Kenton Bar Primary School pupils Keep Kenton Tidy! School children from Kenton Bar Primary School were joined by an important former pupil when they took part in Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean and spruced up their local streets. Tina Drury, our managing director and former pupil of Kenton Bar Primary, joined five children from years five and six on a litter pick as part of the national week of action organised by Keep Britain Tidy. The Great British Spring Clean is a national campaign designed to fight litter in towns and cities across the country by bringing local communities together to clear up rubbish and set a positive example to those living nearby. We organised events in thirteen different communities across the city. Numerous members of staff from YHN and Newcastle City Council teamed up with local residents, Councillors, tenant and resident associations, Northumbria Police, Springs Roofing, Greggs, McDonalds UK, Fresh Student Living, West End Women and Girls, Excelsior Academy and St. Mark’s Primary School in Newbiggin Hall to collectively remove 458 bags of litter from the streets of Newcastle. But, for Tina, the most memorable part of the campaign was meeting pupils from Kenton Bar Primary and going back for a visit many years after her last one. She “It was so much fun said: “It was so much fun for me to spend time with the children from my old primary school and the kids were great; they really got into it and were for me to spend time with extremely competitive and very eager to pick up the rubbish whenever it the children from my old was spotted, so I couldn’t always get my litter picker in there fast enough! primary school and the “It really took me back actually going into the school too, I felt the years drop off me as I walked through the door and it was like being a child again – although everything did look a little smaller to my adult eyes!
kids were great”
Could your neighbourhood use a clean up? Contact your local housing office for information on community clean up events – you can find contact details on page 12.
If you’re experiencing this kind of behaviour, and it’s making you unhappy or uncomfortable, please don’t worry – we can support you, just contact your local housing office today and we’ll help. page 10
The Great North Care Record The Great North Care Record is a new system that will make emergency care better and safer by making it easier for medical professionals to access patient records. The system provides secure, real-time access to a summary of GP records so doctors, nurses and paramedics can make potentially life-saving decisions with easy access to up-to-date medical records. The electronic system includes the sort of details that are already shared using slower methods of communication, like phone calls and letters. The patient will be asked by the healthcare professional caring for them for consent to access their record. Everyone in the region will be included if you do not choose to opt out. If you are happy to
0344 811 9587
be included you do not need to do anything. If you have any concerns or questions, you should contact the Great North Care Record helpline on:
gncarerecord@nhs.net
www.greatnorthcarerecord.org.uk
£25 prize wordsearch This edition we have done something a little different with the wordsearch. You must complete the puzzle which contains words found throught the newsletter. But – one of the words is missing. To enter the competition all you need to do is identify which word is NOT in the wordsearch then text or email us your answer. Good luck! T B U D G E T I N G M P K I X S G O L I T S F U E N X T S I R D U R N Z Z H D S Q A K U P X T U A Z K O I U D K O E C P F P Y M B N P L B K N S E D H X R I X Q Y Y E W K P C G I U N D Y D O C A K O E N S Z V O R A P O T L D P D L V P O E P P W S R R W
Universal Credit claim budgeting digital training relocation advice support
customer involvement online benefit money rent
H P J U V L W A I V F X Q W T H T L N V V I O B U T S G I Q I N S M L C I S C A L B A S T R T F E Z Y H A V Q E U T G C J A I X E R E J E A T W
Congratulations to Stephanie Nicholson of Newburn who won last issue’s competition. Well done!
K H Z L K O X O Y J O R I L O K G T
Send the missing word along with your name and address to:
B P E J B C B R H I V Y W N M N I S
Email: communicationsteam@yhn.org.uk
K R P L A M J J U W K Q U S U L D F
Text: 07815 784 037
M C D X O E N I L N O V P P N O I E
Z P A J H O T S U N Y F H D P R Y P M P Q G L G G Y A W R I G D F P S C
By Friday 26 May 2017.
O H Y Z L I Y P Z T A V C X W K J T
Please note: competitions are only open to tenants and leaseholders with no rent arrears.
page 11
I need some help with… My money - Advice and Support team 0191 277 1144 Whether it’s help with money management, budgeting, benefit changes, paying your rent, or paying off debts, don’t worry in silence. Call us today or speak to your local tenancy and estates officer who can refer you if you prefer.
£
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Getting a job – Employability team 0191 277 3667 employabilityteam@yhn.org.uk We offer paid work-based training to unemployed customers. We also offer apprenticeships and a range of employment advice. My energy use – Energy for the Future team 0191 278 3842 energy@yhn.org.uk Making a few changes in your home could reduce your energy bills. Call us for more info or to arrange a home visit. My garden – Garden Care service 0191 278 8600 gardencare@yhn.org.uk We can help keep your garden tidy, from one off jobs to regular maintenance. You might not even have to pay for this service if you are receiving certain benefits. Getting online – help, guidance and training 0191 278 8600 Whether it’s the first time you’ve switched on a computer or you’re worried about dipping your toe into online surfing, we can help. Visit our website page www.yhn.org.uk/i-need-support/help-to-get-online/ for more information. Getting involved - Customer Involvement 0191 278 8600 getinvolved@yhn.org.uk By being involved you can help shape the decisions that affect you, your home and your community. To find out what we are talking to customers about and how you can give your feedback and share your views please get in touch. Living independently and finding my feet - Young Peoples’ Service 0191 277 1190 youngpeoplesservice@yhn.org.uk We support young people, aged 16-25 years old, in Newcastle by helping them to find accommodation and providing the advice and support they need to live independently. Living safely, remaining independent - Ostara 0191 277 7470 contactus@ostara.org.uk Our 24hr response and support service enables you to live safely and independently in your own home. We provide alarm equipment such as pendant alarms and fall detectors that will alert the 24hr response centre if you fall, feel unsafe or unwell at home.
Your Time Your Space
Living safely, remaining independent – Sheltered Schemes 0191 278 8585 shelteredhousingservice@yhn.org.uk We manage 26 sheltered developments across the city. If you are looking to live independently within a safe and secure environment, we can help.
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