Your Home - Christmas 2015

NEWS FROM CHP
Winter 2015
JUMPING FOR JOY:
MORE NEW HOMES
LAUNCHED IN ESSEX!
CHAIR’S
CHRISTMAS
MESSAGE
FUN FESTIVE
SUGGESTION
Page 2
Page 12
NEWS
NEWS
CHAIR’S
Christmas message
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish all residents
throughout Essex a very Merry Christmas.
I
have met and been involved
with many residents during
the year and I sincerely
thank all residents who have
become involved in the work at
CHP, especially the CHP
Residents’ Voice and Residents
Scrutiny Panel who spend an
enormous amount of time
working for us ‘the residents’.
2016 will bring new challenges to
residents as well as staff but you
can be assured that whatever
challenges the year may bring,
your Board and management at
CHP will endeavour, at all
times, to ensure that residents
will maintain a good quality of
life in a decent home.
I wish you all a happy festive
season to enjoy with family and
friends. I am sure you ‘the
residents’ would wish me to
thank all the staff at CHP who
work on our behalf to ensure that
we maintain a good quality of life
in a decent home.
I wish you all a
HAPPY NEW YEAR!”
Ursula Heelis, Chair
Please remember that you
can be part of your future at
CHP, incentives are available
to assist residents to improve
their skills or prepare for
employment. These incentives
are only a phone call away at
the Parkside Community Hub.
A telephone call to CHP and you
will be put through to the
appropriate employee who will
advise you on the various
ways to become involved
and I am looking
forward to sharing
these opportunities
that can encourage
many more residents
to assist and share
their views.
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YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
There are many
reasons people
experience loneliness
but whatever the
reason we know it
can have a significant
impact on their
health and wellbeing.
Don't be
LONELY
Don’t delay,
apply today...
If you’re interested in
becoming a Resident
Board Trustee then
apply today.
give a
befriender
a call
❆
❆
❆
❆
As part of our
recruitment and
rotation process, we’re
always looking for
residents to join our
Board of Trustees. As
part of process you’ll go
through a comprehensive
programme of training
which includes an interview
with our Selection Panel.
Following the interview,
successful applicants will be
put forward for the election
process and we’ll make an
appointment in October 2016.
All Board Trustees are
remunerated for the time spent
helping the company be a
success and are reimbursed for
their travel and childcare.
To express an interest or
to ask any questions
about the role of a Board
Trustee, please phone Assistant
Company Secretary, Bobbie
Charlick, on 0300 555 0500 or
email [email protected].
Alternatively you can
download an application form
by visiting our website.
service has a positive impact on a
person’s state of mind and wellbeing. It also enhances their sense
of belonging and can help them feel
a valued part of their community.
The friendships that develop enrich
the lives of both.”
TELEPHONE BEFRIENDING
service launched
A new pioneering telephone befriending service to help tackle
loneliness has been launched by our charitable subsidiary,
CHP Foundations, and Age UK Essex.
T
he free service is open to all
our residents aged 18 and
over and offers regular
companionship. The service is
designed for people who might be
feeling lonely and isolated.
Jane Lomas, Age UK Essex
Telephone Befriending coordinator, said: “All clients are
provided with a local volunteer
who’ll call each week offering
friendship and a listening ear. This
"There are many reasons people
experience loneliness, sometimes it
can come from a change in
circumstances – be it from illness,
bereavement or relocation – but
whatever the cause we know it can
have a significant impact on
someone’s health and wellbeing,"
said Ray Canham, Community
Engagement manager. “Loneliness
can also contribute to other
problems as well, so we’re
delighted to launch this service
with Age UK Essex, especially since
it’s available to all residents over18 and is free of charge.”
Do you have a passion for caring
and want to make a difference to
someone’s life?
All befrienders will be offered free training and
ongoing support to increase their skills and
knowledge. You’ll need to participate in
Disclosure and Barring Service checks before
carrying out any befriending.
If you’re interested in becoming a
befriender or a volunteer call our
Community Engagement team or Jane Lomas
on (01245) 613082.
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
3
SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT
?
Are you of working age? Are you making a new claim for Job Seekers
Allowance (JSA)? Have you been invited to claim Universal Credit (UC)?
Contact our Income Management team for help and information.
U
C has been rolled out in 11 of the 12
council areas that we work in. It will
be introduced in the Rochford
district from Monday 1st February 2016.
DO YOU RECEIVE
Employment Support
Allowance?
UC is at the heart of the Government’s
Welfare Reform Act and brings together six
working age benefits and credits with the
incentive to ‘make work pay’. UC replaces:
f you are receiving Employment Support
Allowance (ESA) you must respond to letters that
request information and provide consecutive sick
certificates if requested.
● Income-based JSA;
● Income-related Employment Support
Allowance;
● Income Support;
● Child Tax Credits;
● Working Tax Credits;
● Housing Benefit.
If you have an appointment for a face-to-face medical
assessment you must attend. If you’re unable to attend
please contact the Department of Work and Pensions
and re-arrange the assessment immediately.
If you’re making a new claim for JSA then you
may now be directed to claim for UC. If this
applies to you please visit www.gov.uk/applyuniversal-credit to start your claim.
Please visit your local Job Centre Plus if you require
any advice or assistance with your ESA claim. If you
need help to complete any forms please contact one of
our benefit advisors on 0300 555 0500.
I
If you miss this appointment your ESA payments may
be affected.
Give our Income
team a call
4
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
to the internet?
You’ll need access to the internet
as your UC claim will need to be
made online.
● Do you have a basic account with either a
bank or building society?
You’ll need to have a bank or building society
account set-up as your UC payment will be
paid directly to you.
● Are you able to budget your
money monthly?
You’ll need to be able to balance your
spending with your income as UC will be paid
in a lump sum on a monthly basis.
● Are you able to pay your rent to your
landlord on a monthly basis?
If you’d like advice on whether you will be
affected and what UC means for you then
call our Income Management team on
0300 555 0500.
Alternatively you can call the UC helpline
on 0345 6000 723, visit the
www.gov.uk/universal-credit/overview or
your local Job Centre Plus.
Do you have access
What kind of motorbike
does Santa ride?
While UC will be paid directly to you, you
will need to make arrangements for your
rent to be paid to your landlord. Set-up a
direct debit or pay online to make it easy
and unforgettable!
A Holly Davidson!
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
5
COMPETITIONS
SERVICES
Are you a
New website launched
HAPPY SNAPPER?
It’s time for the annual Your Home
photography competition!
6
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
If you’re looking to move
house by exchanging your
home with another social
housing or council tenant,
register for Swap and
Move – an online service
which helps you find a
suitable exchange partner.
Rather than waiting on a
transfer list you can take
matters into your own hands
and search for the right home
for you and your family.
In the over-18’s category we’re looking for a happy
snapper who can take a terrific photo of transport (this
year’s theme) – you can enter more than one image.
The winners will receive a £50 high-street voucher
and the runners-up a £25 voucher. Framed prints of
the winning photos will be displayed in our Parkside
Community Hub for all to see.
move home?
D
T
For the under-18’s category, we’re looking for our
younger residents who can take a magnificent photo
on their mobile phone. The theme is architecture and
while it can be of any architectural structure – it must
be taken on a mobile phone.
WANT TO
ue to be launched in the
New Year, the free
service matches you
with other residents who are
also looking to swap their home.
his year we’ve two categories – one for those
of you 18 and over and one for our younger
residents under-18.
Your photo can be of anything transport related (cars,
buses, bikes etc.) and can be in colour or black and
white, the choice is yours.
Bright branding;
refreshed content
and new features
mean it’s easier to
use. You’re also able
to upload photos
when submitting an
online form –
particularly useful
if you’re reporting
a repair.
Visit www.chp.org.uk
In brief...
To enter the competition
Simply send you name, address, age and
photo by Friday 29th January 2016 to:
Debbie Willson, Parkside Community Hub
manager, Myriad House, 33 Springfield Lyons
Approach, Chelmsford, CM2 5LB.
Alternatively you can email your picture to
[email protected]. Please note
that only amateur photographers may enter
the competition (stock or professional taken
images will not be accepted). If you’re emailing
your picture it’ll need to be of a high-resolution
(300 dots per inch).
Jane Martin, Housing Options
manager, said: “Partnering with
Swap and Move means we can
offer residents an effective
mutual exchange service where
they can swap and move homes
anywhere in the UK.”
For more information
please visit
www.swapandmove.co.uk or
call our Housing Options team.
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
7
COMMUNITY NEWS
RESIDENT
EVICTED
COMMUNITY NEWS
News in brief...
Sign-up
from ‘cuckoo’ house
Tell us about
Recently we evicted a resident who
allowed a drug dealer to run an
operation from their home in a practice
known as ‘cuckooing’.
TENANCY FRAUD
‘Cuckooing’ is when a dealer takes over a
resident’s property and sells drugs from the
premises, much like how a Cuckoo invades
another bird’s nest.
Following complaints of antisocial behaviour
and drug dealing, we investigated the claims
and applied to Chelmsford County Court for
possession of the property.
Jon Cowie, Tenancy Services team leader, said:
“There’s an emerging trend across Essex where
London based criminal gangs are targeting
certain residents and using their homes to
supply drugs in the community.
“We take a zero-tolerance approach to drug
dealing in our properties and if a resident refuses
to co-operate with us to remove the “cuckoo”
then we will pursue an eviction. If any of our
residents have similar concerns regarding their
neighbours we would urge them to contact the
police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously
on 0800 555 111.”
If any of our residents have
similar concerns regarding
their neighbours we would
urge them to contact the police
on 101 or Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
If you suspect someone of renting their
home out to someone else, call us
immediately – tenancy fraud is a crime.
T
he Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act
2013 made important changes to both civil
and criminal law relating to tenancy fraud.
The changes mean:
● Local authorities have the power to prosecute cases
of unlawful subletting;
● Unlawful subletting by a social housing resident
with an assured and / or secure tenancy is now a
criminal offence;
● The courts can now order the recovery of any
profits made by subletting from a tenant;
● Any assured tenant(s) who unlawfully sublet the
whole of the property cannot subsequently regain
their security of tenure.
If you know of someone who is unlawfully
subletting call our Quality of Life team today.
STOP THE HATE
A new 24 hour helpline is available to report
hate crimes against those with learning
difficulties. Call 0808 802 115 if you
experience or witness hate crime.
For more information visit www.stophateuk.org.
Our Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) team has
been busy helping to keep your
community safe. The team have introduced
calling cards for lower level ASB. The cards will
say ‘were you aware that you disturbed me’ and
encourage residents to discuss the issue with
each other before they make a formal complaint.
FOR SOLAR
We’re working with
Solarplicity and Energy
Facilities to install solar
panels to 3,000 of our
properties by January 2016.
We've a new range for you
New range of
KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
We’re offering a new range of stunning kitchens and beautiful
bathroom tiling as part of our upgrade programme to make
your home a modern, attractive and safe place to live.
W
e’re working with
Magnets to offer four
new styles of kitchen
and Forbo Flooring to supply
snazzy new tiling for your
bathroom. The new ranges were
chosen with the help of our
Repairs and Planned Works
Residents Group.
During the last year we’ve
invested £3.5 million in
modernising your homes and our
trade teams have fitted 203 new
kitchens and 81 new bathrooms.
For more information
about the new ranges
please contact our Commercial
Services team.
HEATING SERVICE CHANGES
From January 2016 we’ll be charging £15 if you miss or cancel
within 24 hours a heating servicing appointment.
During the winter months it is extremely important that our heating
engineers have access to your home. We MUST service your
appliances every year to make sure they’re working safely and
efficiently. This not only keeps you safe but your neighbours as well.
Graham Thomson, Surveying and Contracts manager, said: “If the
heating appliance isn’t safe, it not only puts the resident at risk but
also neighbouring properties. Due to this we’ve felt it necessary to
introduce the charge as appointments that aren’t kept puts pressure
on our resources and can lead to service delays.”
The free of charge panels use
energy from the sun to generate
electricity and – while they may
not provide you with all of the
electricity you need to run your
home – they’ll make your bills
cheaper. In fact you could save
up to £200 a year.
Both of the companies are
responsible for the purchase,
installation and maintenance of
the panels and are required to
insure against any damage
caused when fitting them.
However, not all of you will be
contacted – if your roof doesn’t
face the sun, it won’t be possible
to install them.
LIGHT IT UP
Our electricians have been
busy installing over 200
LED lights to communal
areas at three sheltered
schemes as well as
upgrading 12 street lights.
The energy efficient LED lights
all work on motion sensors
meaning that they only come on
when needed.
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
9
VOLUNTEERING
VOLUNTEERING
In the last year our Parkside
Community Hub has provided:
16 work experience placements;
31 volunteer opportunities and
helped 132 people find employment.
meet Carrie Sawkins. I was told I
couldn’t apply for the
apprenticeship, as I’m not a CHP
resident, but I could do work
experience with CHP.
Within a day of meeting Carrie,
she’d organised an eight-week
placement in the Asset
Management team and a week
with Human Resources. On my first
day I was overwhelmed by the
friendliness of everyone. I was
shown a great deal of support as I
was made to feel part of a team,
not an outsider looking in.
GET EXPERIENCE:
Stand out from the crowd
‘Support’, ‘advice’ and ‘guidance’ are the three words to describe work experience with us,
according to those who’ve taken part in our work experience programme.
T
he programme is designed
to help and support you if
you’re on Job Seekers
Allowance or Employment Support
Allowance. You’ll receive training
and advice tailored just for you –
whether it’s learning interview
techniques to writing CV’s.
In the last edition of Your Home we
introduced Nicholas and Martin
who applied for work experience
and went on to gain a job with us.
Here Helen and Shauna explain
how their work experience
placement helped them forge
new careers.
“After 27 years in the retail
industry and three years at
Chelmsford College studying
Business Administration I thought
I’d have no problems finding work.
Everywhere I went I was told that
it was nice to have the
qualifications, but that I needed
experience. I was starting to think
that I’d wasted my time when
someone suggested applying for a
CHP apprenticeship.
After a couple of emails I went to
the Parkside Community Hub to
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
Shauna's now a teaching assistant
Shauna Tolaini
“I applied for a work placement
as I wanted to be a teaching
assistant but I didn’t have any
relevant experience.
After emailing my details to Carrie I
had an interview at the Hub and
was told I could start an eight-week
placement as a teaching assistant.
I worked with small groups of
learners and sometimes one-onone. I assisted with the speaking and
listening activities for the English
Speakers of Other Languages
classes and helped them prepare for
their exams. I prepared resources
for the tutors, such as presentations
and worksheets, and I delivered
parts of the lessons myself.
I’ve been offered a lot of advice
and support while at CHP. I’ve had
help in creating a new CV and
advised on how to apply for jobs. I
began applying for teaching
assistant positions and secured
three interviews, the second of
which I was successful in. Working
at CHP has given me invaluable
experience and has been an
excellent opportunity that
exceeded all my expectations.”
Helen Goddard
Helen now works with us
10
Since completing my work
experience I successfully applied
and secured an administration role
with the Asset Management team.
I’m extremely grateful for the
opportunity I’ve had and I’m
looking forward to my new career
with CHP.”
If you’d like to gain work experience then
contact the Parkside Community Hub by
emailing [email protected] or
calling 0300 555 0500.
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
11
❆
❆
❆❆ ❆ ❆
FESTIVE FUN
HOBBIES
TOP TIPS
It’s Christmas, the nights are drawing in and
the decorations are being put up. It’s now time
to make some sock snowmen! We thought
we’d give you a simple Christmas craft idea
for you and your children to enjoy.
If you had a real tree
for Christmas – shred
it for mulch or composting
or take it to your local
authority’s Christmas tree
recycling drop off point.
Winter
GARDENING TIPS
From socks ❆ ❆ ❆ ❆
TO SNOWMEN ❆ ❆ ❆ O
With winter approaching you may be thinking of wrapping up
in front of the tele with a cuppa and mince pie at hand.
S
ock snowmen are incredibly
easy to make and should
take no more than 10
minutes. All you need is a pair of
old (but not smelly!) socks,
scissors, glue, rice or sand, rubber
bands and buttons.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll
have a family of sock snowmen to
decorate your home with.
12
● First, cut off the foot part of the
sock just before the heel. The
foot part becomes a hat later on.
● Turn the sock inside out and
attach a rubber band tightly to
the top of it. Turn the sock rightside out.
● Fill the sock with rice or sand
and pack it down (this will get
you a nice round base).
● Place a rubber band at the top of
the sock and place one more
rubber band three-quarters of
the way to the top. This will make
the head for your snowman.
● Now it’s time to decorate! Tie a
scarf (a scrap of fabric) around
your snowman’s neck and add
eyes, nose, and buttons. You can
use map pins for the eyes –
preferably black ones.
● Use the toe of your cut socks to
create a stocking cap.
● You can either sew or glue on
your buttons and then embellish
your snowman with twine, bows
or ribbons as needed.
● Place your family of snowmen
throughout your home!
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
❆ ❆
ne person who’ll be out and
about though is our
Grounds Maintenance team
leader, Charlotte Welch. Here, in
her new column, Charlotte offers
some tips to help your garden look
blooming lovely for when the
warmer weather arrives.
Now is a good time to take
hardwood cuttings from
ornamental shrubs and climbers
such as Berberis or Buddleja. Also
many perennials, for example
Phlox or Japanese Anemone, do
well when taken from root cuttings
in early winter.
Now is a good time to
give your patio or
driveway a good clean. Use a
pressure washer or scrub it
with a stiff broom to remove
any dirt or slime.
“In general, winter is a good time
for pruning most deciduous trees
but there are a few exceptions,
such as fruit trees as they’re best
left until summer. However, before
pruning check with your local
authority to see if the tree has a
Tree Preservation Order attached.
As soon as your Dahlias die, dig
them up and store the tubers in a
cool dry place until next year, keep
an eye on them though and remove
any that show signs of rotting.
March is the time to start cutting
back to the ground any dead
foliage on ornamental grasses
before new shoots start to grow
through. You could also start
thinking about planting summer
flowering bulbs and seeds, such as
Alliums or Gladiolus.
Also, while the weather’s still
relatively warm, now’s the time to
transplant deciduous shrubs and
plant trees (although please ask us
for permission before planting any
trees in your garden).
Because they were
two deer!
❆
It’s also a good idea to move any
outdoor containers to a sheltered
spot and raise them off of the
ground so they’re protected
from frost.
With winter in full swing, start
planning for spring and summer.
Order your seeds and draw up a
garden plan (it’ll help you work out
how many you need) and think
about hanging baskets. You may
want to grow vegetables.
We’ve a few cold months to get
through but that shouldn’t stop you
gardening. Before you know it all
that hard work on wet, cold days
will seem a distant memory when
you’re sitting in your blooming
summer garden. If it's looking lovely
you could even enter it into the
Your Home gardening competition."
Before you know it all that hard work on wet, cold
days will seem a distant memory when you’re sitting
in your blooming summer garden. If it's looking
lovely you could even enter it into the Your Home
gardening competition.
Why did no one bid
for Rudolph and
Blitzen on eBay?
❆
To encourage wildlife
through the colder
months, put out bird food. If
there are any berries left on
your trees or shrubs leave
them for the birds. Also
don’t forget to give them
fresh water.
Charlotte Welch
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
13
chp residents’ voice
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
of CHP Residents’ Voice
First of all may I, on
behalf of the
members of the CHP
Residents’ Voice
committee, apologise
to all residents for
having to postpone
our Annual General
Meeting (AGM) which
was due to take place
on the Thursday 29th
October 2015. This
was down to the late
production and
delivery of the
CHP magazine –
Your Home.
chp residents’ voice
Meet Christine
Christine
Mitchell is your
Older Persons
representative
for the CHP
Residents’ Voice.
If you live in a
sheltered
scheme and have
any questions,
please contact Christine by emailing
[email protected].
COMPETITION TIME
Win a Thresher wine voucher by
guessing what this is?
We have now rescheduled the AGM
for Thursday 28th
January 2016.
National housing
crisis and the new
HOUSING BILL
The new Housing Bill is going to be one of
the biggest shake-ups in many a year and
will affect lots of us.
C
ome along to our open meeting on Thursday
28th January 2016 to learn more. We have
invited CHP’s Chief Executive, Stuart
Stackhouse, to attend and give a presentation of the
company’s position to the many changes being made
by the government on housing. This is your
opportunity to listen, question and learn how these
changes will affect you.
Although we realise that, to some extent, CHP’s
hands are tied, they have assured us that they will
try to do everything they can to minimise the effect
this will have on their tenants. However, there will
inevitably be changes that will affect us all. Existing
social housing is not under immediate threat, but it
does appear as if social housing will be a thing of
the past and the existing stock will reduce as it is
sold under Right to Buy. New affordable homes for
rent are also at risk as the government have stated
that the way forward may very well be discounted
homes being built for first-time buyers rather than
up for rent.
Points to ponder....
Where does market rent leave many of our
vulnerable and lower paid members of our society
without the safety net of low cost social housing?
The closing date is Thursday 14th January 2016
and the draw will take place at our AGM on
Thursday 28th January 2016.
To take part simply email your answer to
[email protected]
or post it to CHP Residents’ Voice, Myriad
House, 33 Springfield Lyons Approach,
Chelmsford, CM2 5LB.
14
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
The government are also introducing, amongst its
proposals, a ‘pay to stay’ scheme and whilst the
details are somewhat sketchy at the moment this
will likely lead to some working residents having to
pay increased rents.
We are also concerned with issues being
raised over the possible nationalisation of
housing associations.
Colin Rolfe,
Chair,
CHP Residents’ Voice
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
15
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Former pub site
PROVIDES NEW HOMES
An artist, MP, schoolchildren and the Mayor helped to
launch our New Barn development.
W
e redeveloped the New
Barn public house in
Kings Road, Chelmsford,
as it’d been left derelict for years.
We also asked children from Kings
Road Primary School to help
Rayleigh artist, Lisa Hawker,
create a public art installation to
commemorate the development.
Launching our Southminster homes
“These are beautifully designed
homes with a really lovely street
scene as you arrive. What CHP has
been doing is providing housing in
settled communities where schools
and hospitals are nearby which is
what makes this a fantastic
development,” said the Mayor of
Chelmsford, Cllr Paul Hutchinson.
Stylish new properties
Sir Simon Burns MP added: “We’re
fortunate to have CHP because not
only are they are meeting the
needs of local people, they are also
an imaginative provider of social
housing in the borough. What we
see today is a way to turn a not
particularly attractive building,
which had fulfilled its use, into
good quality homes.”
peaking at the event John
Whittingdale MP said: “I receive a
lot of letters about the shortage
of housing from constituents so it’s
great to see a development like this.
While building in areas such as this
may never be popular it’s most
definitely needed. It’s great to see that
more homes are becoming available
in the district due to CHP.”
Harlow
in Southminster
The launch of thirty-five stylish new homes in
the heart of Southminster by local MP, John
Whittingdale, saw us provide our 50th home
in the Maldon District.
New homes for Southminster
S
Chair, Ursula Heelis, added: “This is
a milestone for us as it’s the 50th
property in the Maldon area and
it’s wonderful that we’re
continuing to meet the housing
needs of the county’s residents.”
Homes developed
Homes under construction
Pipeline schemes
Uttlesford
160
Braintree
45
167
116
364
16
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
New Barn becomes new homes
Tendring
239
33
Chelmsford
36
478
Epping Forest
96
73
10
Maldon
37
53
Brentwood
127
Basildon
32
Rochford 33
17
63
97
29
53
145
Local school children helped with the launch
38
40
73
It’s great to see that more
homes are becoming available
in the district due to CHP.
Colchester
38
Castle
Point
22
55
Southend-on-Sea
Unitary Authority
Thurrock
Unitary Authority
We’re developing throughout Essex
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
17
RESIDENT FOCUS
MEET CAROLINE
We’d like to welcome our new Resident Board Trustee,
Caroline Marion.
C
aroline – who was appointed to the role in October 2015 –
brings a wealth of experience with her having been involved
in the housing sector throughout her life.
How do snowmen pay
for their carrots?
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Fancy popping in for a coffee?
Whether you’re sitting down to a turkey or
vegetarian Christmas dinner, roast potatoes make
it so we thought we’d give you a recipe for the
perfect roasty.
Meet Caroline
“We have challenging times ahead and, as Board Trustees, we
understand the importance of ensuring we maintain value for money
for all services and for all age groups,” said Caroline.
We're always looking for more people to get
involved. To find out more call our service centre.
Well done Paul
● Heat your oven to 190C (fan) or gas mark five (gas).
Peel the potatoes and cut them in half (if they’re
large cut them into quarters or leave them whole if
they’re small).
● Place a knob of fat (goose fat is great but old
fashioned lard works just fine) in a roasting tray and
place in the oven to get sizzling hot.
NEW COMMUNITY
CAFÉ IN
CHELMSFORD
A new coffee shop has opened in the
heart of Meadgate, Chelmsford.
Resident walks LeJoG
R
FOR CHARITY
The volunteers are trained Baristas and the café
will soon be working with local help groups.
After seven weeks, four days, almost 1,000
miles and a stone and a half in weight loss a
resident has walked from Lands’ End to
John O’Groats.
C
olchester resident Paul Hollick started out
from Lands’ End in July and arrived at John
O’Groats in September – raising over £700 for
the charity, Dementia Adventure, in the process.
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YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
MAKE THE PERFECT
roast potatoes
Through the nose!
As a former estate agent, Caroline was involved in the buying and
selling of properties and working with trade sub-contractors. She
has also volunteered to help the blind, disabled and people with
learning difficulties and has been involved with school and
foundation governing bodies.
In truth there were probably more
hard times than good, but the good
ones far outweighed the bad.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
“Eat, sleep, walk, repeat seemed to be the mantra for
the journey,” said Paul. “I had low days and I had high
days and mostly rainy days, but one thing I was never
short of was support from friends, family and strangers.
In truth there were probably more hard times than
good, but the good ones far outweighed the bad.”
un by Meadgate Church, the Orchards
Café is open every day from 8:30am11:30am and features a soft play area
for under-fives’.
“It’s a little gem hidden in the estate of
Meadgate,” said Reverend Tim Ball. “We work to
support families and communities so we wanted
to create a hub for community safety, belonging
and provide access to other resources.”
● Tip the potatoes into a saucepan, just cover with cold
water and bring them to the boil for a few minutes
until the outsides start to soften.
● Drain the potatoes and then toss them in the
colander to fluff up their surfaces. Squash them
gently to increase their surface area. Sprinkle a
small amount of flour over them as you go.
● Put the potatoes in the hot roasting tray and turn
them so all sides are coated in fat.
● Let the potatoes roast undisturbed for 20 minutes.
Remove from the oven and gently turn them over
with a fish slice, then return them to the oven and
let them cook for another 20 minutes.
Turn them again and leave for
a final 20 minutes in the oven.
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If you have any other seasonal
tips you’d like to share...
email [email protected]
or find us on Facebook (search for CHP)
or Twitter (CHPHousing1).
YOUR HOME WINTER 2015
19
CONTACTS
Contact us...
Phone:
0300 555 0500
1
2
3
4
(all calls charged at a
local rate)
press option one for
heating breakdown /
gas servicing;
press option two
for repairs;
press option three to
make a rent or leasehold
payment using our
automated All Pay system
press option four for
customer services team
FESTIVE SEASON OPENING
During the festive season our offices will be closed
from 1:00pm on Thursday 24th December 2015
until 8:00am on Monday 4th January 2016.
T
he emergency repairs service will still be available
24 hours a day over the period. Emergency repairs are
those which pose a danger to you or your home, such
as electrics or water leaks. We will charge you if you misuse
this service. We’d also urge you to make sure that you have
home contents insurance.
Email:
[email protected]
Text relay:
18001 0300 555 0500
Write to:
Myriad House,
33 Springfield Lyons
Approach, Chelmsford,
CM2 5LB
www.chp.org.uk
CHPhousing
@CHPhousing1
We can visit you in
your own home if you
need us to. Simply call
our customer services
team and make an
appointment.
What did the stamp say
to the Christmas card?
Stick with me and we'll
go places!
Please contact us if you would like a copy
of this document in large print, on CD or in
another language.
Proszę się z nami skontaktować, żeby otrzymać ten
dokument w wersji dużym drukiem, na płycie CD lub
w innym języku. (Polish)
倘若您需要本擋以大字體、音頻格式(CD)或另外一種語言提供，
請聯絡我們。(Cantonese)
Bu belgeyi büyük boyutlu baskı olarak, CD ortamında
veya başka bir dilde edinmek istiyorsanız lütfen bizimle
irtibata geçin. (Turkish)
Kreipkitės į mus, jei norėtumėte gauti šio dokumento
kopiją stambiu šriftu, jo garso įrašą kompaktiniame
diske arba jei norėtumėte jį gauti kita kalba. (Lithuanian)
(Bengali)
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YOUR HOME WINTER 2015