Frugal fun! Green Fingers Get connected

Plus Dane Residents’ Magazine
Issue 25 | Summer 2016
Frugal fun!
Get connected
A guide to FREE activities in the
North West this Summer
FREE online courses, guides &
activities for you and the family
The benefit cap
Green Fingers
A closer look at how it
could affect you
£50 prize to be won in
Plus Dane’s annual
gardening competition
Plus Dane Unity | 00
Welcome...
...to the latest edition of Unity where amongst other things
you can read about the changes to benefits that are
being rolled out later this year and lots of free events and
activities that are taking place over the summer months for
families to enjoy.
First, I would like to share some
exciting news with you; Linda
Minnis the current Chair of Plus
Dane is due to step down at our
AGM in September having been
a board member for the last ten
years, alongside her a number
of other board members will
also step down. As part of our
succession plans we have recently
undertaken a recruitment exercise
to appoint a new Chair and five
new board members.
Sir Peter Fahy, the former Chief
Constable of Greater Manchester
Police has been appointed as
Chair. Whilst he will formally take
up the post in September, he has
already joined the Board to ensure
a seamless handover with Linda
Minnis. Five new board members
have also been appointed and will
join the Board between now and
September, each of them bringing
something new and different to
complement the current Board. On
page 9 you can read a bit more
about each of them and what they
hope to bring to Plus Dane.
As this is the last edition of Unity
with Linda Minnis as Chair I would
like to take this opportunity to
thank her for her hard work and
commitment over the last ten
years and for guiding Plus Dane to
a stronger position following what
has been a challenging couple
01 | Unity Plus Dane
of years. And a special thanks to
the board members that are also
stepping down, the support they
have offered me since joining Plus
Dane has been invaluable.
One of our key aims as an
organisation is to support our
tenants and customers into
employment and you will know
that we run job clubs and
recruitment events across the year.
“We have also made a
commitment to the 5%
Club, a national initiative
creating momentum
behind the recruitment
of apprentices and
graduates into the
workforce.”
So by 2021, 5% of our workforce
will be made up of apprentices,
graduates and people in work
placements. We will advertise
any opportunities on our website
and would actively encourage our
tenants and customers to apply
so please keep your eye out if you
are interested.
In the last edition of Unity I
spoke about our new Tenant and
Customer Engagement Strategy
and how we want to ensure that
you have a louder voice in what
and how we do things. As part of
this we are currently recruiting for
Tenant Scrutiny Panel members.
We want representation from a
range of our customers including
tenants and home owners so if
you would like to get involved
then please turn to page 17 for
more information and details on
how to apply.
Finally for this edition, following
the EU referendum last month and
the country’s decision to exit the
European Union, Plus Dane will be
working closely with our financial
advisors, funders, and other
housing association colleagues
over the coming weeks and
months to ensure we understand
any impacts on the organisation
and our tenants and customers
and can prepare for them. In the
meantime it’s business as usual
and our priorities remain the same.
Barbara Spicer
Chief Executive
Plus Dane Housing
LEARNING
Develop
your digital
skills with...
It is becoming increasingly important to know how to use online services, as the
UK is now ‘digital by default’ for many essential services, such as taxing your car
and Universal Credit, which can only be applied for and managed online.
As a UK Online Centre, Plus
Dane can provide free training
and support to help people find
out more and explore the basics
of getting online with resources
like ‘Learn My Way’.
Learn My Way is perfect for
both those without basic online
skills, or for those looking to
improve their existing knowledge.
The website hosts a series of
free online courses, guides
and activities, tailored to your
individual needs and abilities.
Courses are combined to create
packages to help people follow
a logical path through the site.
The Online Basics package is
the first step along the road
for absolute beginners to
the internet, starting out with
keyboard and mouse skills,
simple searches and getting a
first email address.
The ‘Learn My Way’
website hosts a series
of free online courses,
guides and activities,
tailored to your individual
needs and abilities.
For those who have mastered
the basics, Online Plus provides
a great way to progress to more
in-depth learning, adding job
hunting, shopping, socialising
and managing money online to
the repertoire of skills available
to learners.
To get access to the courses
simply register your details at
www.learnmyway.com
and enter our Centre code of
3456366 when prompted.
To find out more about
Learn My Way contact Kelly
Arnold, Digital Inclusion
Officer on 01260 288 265.
Plus Dane Unity | 02
COMMUNITY
Building bridges
Residents of Alsager’s Radway estate are celebrating the formation of an official recognised
tenants association. The newly-elected independent committee will now be able to apply for
funding bids to support their work in the community, which will ultimately help to improve
wellbeing and employment outcomes for local residents.
The group already run a number of activities
for local people including wellbeing sessions,
careers advice, and maths, English and IT courses,
as well as taking part in social events to promote
key services. They have been supported through
the process of establishing a constitution by Plus
Dane’s Jenny Priest and Usman Ashiq.
New chair Simon Felton said: “We are delighted we
are now a recognised tenants association. We are
excited to get started and hopefully be able to make
a really positive difference in the community.”
Getting organised: Radway Tenants Association
Plus Dane’s extra care scheme Derby Court, in
Halewood, Merseyside, celebrated its first anniversary
earlier this year. Residents there have formed their own
tenants association, and raise funds through weekly
subs, bingo, tombolas and raffles, to enable activities
in and outside the scheme.
Since setting up, the self-sufficient group has bought
garden equipment; refreshments, decorations and
entertainment for regular celebrations; enjoyed
subsidised days out, and much more besides.
“The tenants association has
helped build a real sense of
community in Derby Court. We’ve
made great friends and we’re proud
of everything we have achieved in
such a short space of time.”
Sylvia Woods - Derby Court Resident
A successful first year: The residents of Derby Court
03 | Unity Plus Dane
Supported by Plus Dane’s Helping Hand older
people’s project, the group also facilitates weekly
activities to improve health and wellbeing, including
card making, knit and natter, flower arranging and
local history.
Fred’s on cloud nine
Help is out there for older
people who feel isolated and
alone – just ask Fred Hunt.
Last year, Everton-based Fred
was struggling with health
problems, depression, and
the recent loss of the father he
had cared for full-time. Facing
Christmas alone, he featured in
his local paper talking about how
he dreaded the time of year.
Plus Dane staff saw the article,
recognised Fred as a tenant - and
took action. Jackie Connolly from
the Helping Hand older people’s
project paid a visit with a care
hamper – and a plan to help
get Fred back out and about,
arranging for him to attend two
Christmas parties.
As well as this, a member of the
INES team tidied his overgrown
outdoor areas, and volunteer Kev
Moreland from the charity An
Hour for Others refurbished
Fred’s front room.
Since then, he has stayed in touch
with Jackie and continues to get
out and about attending Helping
Hand events. He said: “What
Jackie did, I can never repay. She
listened to me and now I feel I
have someone to turn to.”
“I love my flat, it’s ideal
for me and after all this I
was just on cloud nine –
it gave me a real boost.’
Fred Hunt
Green Fingers Competition 2016
The Green Fingers competition is back! Whether you have a
garden full of colour, a lovely hanging basket or a pot which
you have enjoyed planting, we would love to hear from you.
The competition has been split into
the following categories:
• Best Garden
• Best Communal Garden
• Best Hanging Basket or Container
Please send a photograph or two of
your entry, along with your details
to the following:
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: facebook.com/plusdane
WIN UP TO
£50
IN GARDENING
VOUCHERS
Closing date is Friday 19th August
2016. We look forward to seeing all
your efforts - good luck!
Please note: This competition is only open
to Plus Dane tenants, leaseholders and
shared owners.
By post: Gillian Haynes at our Civic
Way office (please state if you would
like your photographs returned).
Plus Dane Unity | 04
ACTIVITIES
Whether you’ve a summer holiday planned or just some time off, why not make the most of
what’s on locally. Here’s a guide to some great summer activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Free Paddling Pool - Congleton
Where: Park Road, Congleton, CW12 1DP
When: until early September 10.00am – 6.00pm
Brouhaha Festival
Where: Various locations across Liverpool
When: Until July 17
Website: www.brouhaha.uk.com
Afro Supa Hero Crafts
Where: International Slavery Museum, Albert
Dock, Liverpool city centre
When: July 21 & 22
Tel: 0151 478 4499
Liverpool International Music Festival
Where: Various locations across the city
When: July 21-24
Website: www.limfestival.com
Tel: 0843 504 4674
05 | Unity Plus Dane
Alia Azougbi – Liverpool Arab Arts Festival
Where: World Museum
When: Saturday, July 23
Tel: 0151 478 4393
Monsters of the Deep
Where: Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool
When: Monday, July 25
Tel: 0151 479 4499
Website: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime
Action Transport Theatre Summer School
Where: Whitby Hall, Ellesmere Port
When: July 25 - 30
Tel: +44 (0)151 357 2120
Email: [email protected]
Summer Family Fun
Where: Speke Hall
When: July 26 - 31
Email: [email protected]
Soggy and the Smuggler’s Cat
storytelling event
Where: Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool
When: Thursday, July 28
Tel: 0151 479 4499
Website: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime
Sol Theatre School Summer School
Where: Daneside Theatre, Congleton
When: August 1 -13
Website: www.soltheatreschool.co.uk
Little Actors - Summer performing arts courses
Where: Neston
When: August 3 – 10, 10am to 3pm
Website: www.littleactorstheatre.com
Tel: 0151 336 4302
Liverpool Loves Festival
Where: Pier Head
When: August 4 - 6
Tel: www.liverpoolloves.co.uk
Website: 0151 707 0964
Kidzfest Live
Where: Royal Cheshire Showground, Flittogate
Lane, Tabley, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0HL
When: August 6 - 7
Website: http://www.kidzfestlive.co.uk/
Tel: 0844 414 5340
Pricing: Early bird ticket offer - £5 adult/children
Destination Space Show
Where: World Museum Liverpool
When: Sunday, August 7
Tel: 0151 478 4393
First Class on Titanic
Where: Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool
When: Wednesday, August 10
Tel: 0151 479 4499
Website: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime
Youth in Action Playscheme 2016
Where: Congleton
When: August 22 – 26, 10am- 4pm
Website: www.yiacongleton.org
Folk on the Dock
Where: Albert Dock
When: August 27 - 29
Website: www.albertdock.com
The Congleton Jazz and Blues Festival
Where: Congleton
When: August 26 - 28
Website: www.congletonjazzandblues.co.uk
Everybody Sport & Recreation Ltd – Children’s
summer activities
Where: Leisure Centres throughout Cheshire East
Website: http://everybody.org.uk
Tel: 01625 383968 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
Brio Leisure CIC – Children’s Summer Activities
Where: Leisure Centres throughout Cheshire West
Website: http://www.brioleisure.org/
Tel: 01244 377086
Email: [email protected]
Nantwich Food Festival
Where: Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 5AS
When: September 2 - 4
Website: www.nantwichfoodfestival.co.uk
Cheshire Tour of Britain (cycling)
Where: Congleton to Tatton Park, CW12 1BN
Route to be confirmed, 120km
When: Tuesday, September 6
Museums & Ga
lleries
The Walker Ar
t Gallery
Where: William
Brown Street
Website: www.
liverpoolmuseu
ms.org.uk/w
alker
Congleton Mus
eum
Where: Market
Square, CW12
1ET
Email: info@co
ngletonmuseum
.co.uk
Tel: 01260 276
360
The Bluecoat
Where: School
Lane, L1 3BX
Website: www.
thebluecoat.org
.uk
Tel: 0151 702 53
24
Plus Dane Unity | 00
WELFARE
How does the benefit
cap affect you?
From autumn, the limit on the total amount
of benefit that most people aged 16 to 64
can get is changing.
The total amount of welfare help a household can
receive will be reduced from £26,000 a year to
£20,000 for couples and families, and from £18,000
to £13,400 for single claimants. This is called the
benefit cap.
We are currently working with local authorities to
identify which of our customers will be affected, and
as soon as we know we will be in touch.
You might be exempt from the cap if:
• You qualify for Working Tax Credit
• You’re above the qualifying age for
Pension Credit
• You get certain benefits for sickness or disability, or a war pension
• You or your partner had been in employment
for at least 50 weeks out of the 52 weeks
before your last day of work
The benefit cap won’t apply if either you or your
partner get any of the following benefits:
Disability Living Allowance (DLA); Personal
Independence Payment (PIP); Armed Forces
Independence Payment (AFIP); Attendance
Allowance; the support component of Employment
and Support Allowance; Industrial Injuries
Benefit and equivalent payments as part of a war
disablement pension or armed forces compensation
scheme; War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
You will also be exempt if a child or young person for
whom you are responsible gets DLA or PIP.
07 | Unity Plus Dane
Where can I get help?
If you think you are affected by changes
due to the benefit cap and are concerned
as to how you will manage your money, we
have an ‘entitled to’ calculator that can help
you work out what you may be able to claim,
and a budgeting tool on our website to help
understand where your money is spent and
if any savings can be made. This is also
available on our mobile app.
We have an in-house tenancy sustainment
service that is available to help you with
managing your money and budgeting to
ensure rent and other essential bills are
paid. They also offer advice in a number of
other areas including ensuring you are in
receipt of all benefits you are entitled to
and signposting to other support services.
Universal Credit
‘Digital’ services to
go live in Runcorn
The full Universal Credit digital service has started to roll
out across the UK, and goes live in the Runcorn area this
month (July). The digital service will allow claimants to
do things such as reporting change in circumstances,
seeing when your next payment is due, recording your
job search and more.
From July, only people of Pension
Credit age and people living in
supported accommodation will
be able to make a new claim for
Housing Benefit.
For everyone else needing to
make a new claim, Universal
Credit replaces Housing Benefit.
If you are already claiming
Universal Credit, you will be
contacted by the Department
of Work and Pensions advising
when you will need to transfer to
the digital service.
You can apply yourself online at
www.gov.uk. If you are unsure
about the internet, staff at any
Jobcentre will be able to help
you with your claim.
You can call the Universal
Credit helpline on 0345
600 0723 - charges from a
BT landline are £0.04p per
minute (£0.15p set up cost)
and £0.40p per minute
from mobiles (ask Universal
Credit to call you back if
this is too expensive).
As yet, we do not have dates
for when the Universal Credit
roll out will come to other areas
where Plus Dane has properties.
If you’re a customer with queries about the benefits you could
be entitled to, please contact our welfare reform team by calling:
0800 169 2988 (landline) or emailing: welfarereform.team@
plusdane.co.uk.
Back to
school?
Plus Dane customers
claiming benefits who
have older children
continuing their education
must make sure the
relevant authorities have
proof of this before
schools and colleges
close for summer – or risk
losing out.
Once children turn 16 they
are no longer considered to
be dependents - unless they
are in full time, non-advanced
education (meaning A Levels or
equivalent) - and this will affect
deductions to your housing
benefit you may have received
up to then.
If your child is turning 16 or
18 over the summer and will
be staying in education, it is
your responsibility to inform
your local authority (with
regards to housing benefit)
or the Department for Work
and Pensions (with regards to
Universal Credit), or risk losing
out on the relevant deductions.
You will need to obtain proof of
their status from their school
or college, which should be
done before they close for the
summer. If you are late providing
this, payments can only be
backdated for one month. To
avoid the risk of going into
arrears, please make sure your
information is up to date.
Plus Dane Unity | 08
A warm welcome to our
new board members
Plus Dane has appointed Sir Peter Fahy as the new Chair of its Board. Sir Peter retired
as Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police in October 2015; his decorated 34-year
career in policing included five years at the head of Cheshire Constabulary.
Sir Peter Fahy
Dr Ann Hoskins
Rob O’Malley
Sir Peter is the Chief Executive of
Retrak, a Stockport-based charity
for street children in Africa.
Ann has over 30 years’ experience
working in public health in the UK
and in the Republic of Yemen.
Rob is Head of Strategic Planning
and Investor Relations at Electricity
North West.
“I am proud to have been
selected for this post because
Plus Dane has such a strong
social purpose. I am looking
forward to working with the Board
and staff, but most importantly
tenants and local agencies so
that we can provide more homes
and stronger local communities.”
“Good quality housing plays a
huge part in improving our health
and wellbeing so I am really
looking forward to strengthening
the links between health and
housing for the benefit of our
tenants and customers.”
“The whole Board is very supportive
of developing further the culture
that the safety of our employees,
tenants and other stakeholders is
our number one priority.”
Julie Gill
Jon Corner
Tommy McIlravey
Julie is Chief Officer for Cheshire
Constabulary.
Jon is CEO at The Landing
MediaCityUK.
Tommy is Chief Executive Officer
of HIV charity, Sahir House.
“I hope to bring my experiences
of working with different partners
across the wider public sector to
Plus Dane in a positive way for
the benefit of our tenants.”
“Plus Dane is an organisation at
the start of a new phase, where
the intention is to innovate in order
to deliver the best experience and
opportunities for their residents.”
“Plus Dane’s holistic approach
goes well beyond putting roofs over
people’s heads, it is about enabling
everyone to fulfil their potential.”
09 | Unity Plus Dane
Support at home
The Forget-me-Not service is for Plus Dane customers and
private home owners in Cheshire who would like to feel
safer and stay independent in their own home for longer.
Products and services include:
• Telecare – this uses a small alarm unit that plugs into your phone. When the red button is pressed it will make a call
through to our operator who will contact the services you need.
If you would like to have an
• 24/7 mobile response - If you fall and are uninjured, our team informal chat with the team about
how these services could benefit
can also provide a dignity-saving lifting service.
• Personal emergency equipment including fall detectors,
epilepsy sensors, and easy to use mobile phones.
• SOS emergency wristband – monitored 24/7 to help you
you, or to arrange a free no
obligation demonstration call Chris
Birch on 01260 288 264
or email [email protected].
feel safe and more confident when outside of your home.
When a stranger calls...
If a stranger calls at your door without any prior notice its natural to feel wary. Although the
majority of people that call at your door may be genuine callers, not all of them could be.
Anyone calling to your home from
Plus Dane, whether it’s to carry
out a gas safety check, or discuss
any tenancy issues with you, will
always carry an identification
badge. You can always call us to
check on 0800 169 2988.
Here are some tips
to consider:
•
Do not open the door if you don’t recognise or are not expecting a caller. If you do open the door, keep the
chain on while you find out who’s calling
• Always make sure visitors to your home are who they say they are by asking to see identification
• If you are unsure check the identity of the caller by calling the company they say they are from using the number listed on the internet or telephone directory
•
Remember to close and lock the back door before answering the front door to prevent anyone sneaking through an unsecure door
• Have a viewer or spy hole
and stout door chain fitted to your door
•
If the caller claims to be from the electricity, gas or water company, ask them to quote your customer reference number or password. A genuine caller will be able to quote these.
• Water boards no longer exist. It’s an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers
“Remember - if in
doubt the safest
option is to keep the
stranger out.”
If you want to report any
suspicious activity that has
taken place, call the police
non-emergency number 101 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on
0800 555 111.
Plus Dane Unity | 10
COMMUNITY
Grow yer own!
A new community allotment is now up and running in
Liverpool. Pinehurst Community Green officially launched
the allotment at the end of June – and all local residents
are welcome to get involved. Regional media and
Liverpool’s Lord Mayor came down to the official launch
as the residents group proudly showed off the result of
their hard work.
Plus Dane Engagement Officer Irene Crone helped the group secure
more than £26,000 of funding to bring the allotment project to life.
The aim is for the allotment to be completely self-sufficient and for
volunteers of all ages to play a part, including local schools and older
people. It will help those who feel isolated or who just want to be
more active.
The allotment has planters and a polytunnel to grow fruit, vegetables
and flowers for the community. Search for Pinehurst Community Green
on Facebook to like their page and keep up to date with the latest news.
The allotment is based at Age Concern’s Poppy Centre
on Townsend Lane in Anfield, Liverpool L13 9DG.
11 | Unity Plus Dane
Members of Pinehurst
Community Green
‘The aim is for the
allotment to be
completely selfsufficient and for
volunteers of all ages
to play a part...’
It’s a KNOCKOUT!
A Merseyside amateur
boxing club is celebrating
a successful fundraising
campaign to buy more
equipment.
Marsh Lane ABC in Bootle runs
classes for children and adults,
including women-only fitness
sessions with female instructors.
They have raised more than
£1000 in an online appeal.
Plus Dane tenant Mary Henry is
a qualified instructor at the notfor-profit community gym. She
said: “To see the difference in
the children who attend because
of our gym and the coaching we
provide is priceless.”
Marsh Lane ABC hopes to expand
in future and provide even more
community events.
“If a child comes to
our gym and has no
money we do not turn
them away.”
Mary Henry
Qualified Boxing Instructor
Marsh Lane Boxing Club
New rural development ready for spring 2017
As part of our exciting new
development programme,
18 quality homes are
currently under construction
in Cheshire for affordable
rent and shared ownership.
Dunkirk Farm is set in idyllic
countryside and is located on
the outskirts of Holmes Chapel,
within the parish of Brereton, a
popular Cheshire village.
The village is home to some
historical landmarks including
Brereton Hall, a Grade I listed
Elizabethan house and Brereton
Heath Country Park, renowned
for its charm with its local walks
and range of attractive period
properties.
The development has a mix of
twelve 2 and 3 bed spacious
homes to rent and six 2 and 3 bed
shared ownership homes for sale,
which are close to local amenities
including schools and shops.
The scheme is for local people,
and a ‘local connection criteria’ is
being applied to both rent and sale
properties.
These homes will be ready to occupy in spring 2017 and will be
advertised early 2017 on Cheshire Home Choice website:
www.cheshirehomechoice.org.uk
Plus Dane Unity | 12
SUPPORT
Solid foundations
Having a place to call your own is something we all
wish for. Finding the right place is just the start, there
are lots of other considerations including bills, finding
furniture and whether or not there are any benefits you
may be entitled to.
Setting
standards
If you live in Ellesmere Port or Neston and are in need of support
to maintain your tenancy Carmel McCarthy, Plus Dane’s Tenancy
Sustainment Officer can help. Carmel can provide housing related
advice, offering emotional and practical support to meet individual
needs, whilst still allowing you to live independently in your home.
When Nigel Livesey was offered his own tenancy, he felt very isolated
and had no idea what to do next. Carmel was able to help him
through every stage. She assisted him in claiming the right benefits,
found goods and furniture, helped read and understand letters and
set up paying bills and making phone calls.
‘
‘It was important to
have Carmel’s help
and support. It’s
good knowing she is
available at the end
of the phone’
Nigel Livesey
Now, 12 months later, Nigel volunteers with the Salvation Army in
Ellesmere Port three days a week, has made new friends and is
Plus Dane’s Older Persons’
Service in Cheshire has been
awarded Platinum Member
status following their audit
by the Telecare Services
Authority, making them one
of only 26 organisations
nationally to have achieved
the European standard!
All calls for assistance are
answered by our control centre,
and the Platinum accreditation
means they meet strict
performance criteria on the time
it takes to answer your call.
Plus Dane is proud of this
achievement and it is something
we will be looking to obtain for
the equivalent Merseyside service
in future.
Work Clubs
looking into training to get back into work.
Since the tenancy sustainment provision was set up in May 2015,
68% of service users said they would not have been able to continue
with their tenancy without the extra support provided. Over 80% of
clients were referred to services such as local job clubs and all the
users who were asked said they found the service useful and would
know who to contact if they needed support in the future.
13 | Unity Plus Dane
Are you looking for work?
We now have a list of local
work clubs across Merseyside,
Cheshire and Ellesmere Port on
our website: www.plusdane.
co.uk/employment-training/
work-clubs/
PROJECT
First Waves of Hope
conference makes a splash
Left to right: Speakers Julien Corner and Dyane Aspinall and Programme Manager - Gary Morris.
The first ever conference
dedicated to sharing the
learning of the Plus Daneled Liverpool Waves of
Hope project was held at
the Crowne Plaza hotel in
the city last month.
Liverpool Waves of Hope is
funded by the Big Lottery, and
is a five-year project dedicated
to changing the lives of people
The free conference updated
delegates from across the North
West about progress to date.
Gary Morris, the programme
manager for Liverpool Waves
of Hope said: “The conference
was a real success, it provided
a catalyst for multiple needs
specialists to come together and
share learning, providing both a
national and local perspective.”
“We hope our second
conference next June
will prove to be equally
as successful, helping
highlight the need for
long-term change.”
Gary Morris
Programme Manager
Liverpool Waves of Hope
who have multiple needs, such
as homelessness, re-offending,
substance misuse and mental
health issues.
Plus Dane Unity | 14
JOBS
Housing associations
join forces for jobs fair
Nine Merseyside housing associations came together to support local people into work, by
showcasing a variety of job opportunities. More than 3000 people attended Employability 16,
which took place at St Georges Hall in Liverpool city centre in June.
More than 80 employers
promoted a variety of job
opportunities across the region,
in sectors including hospitality
and leisure, construction, transport
and logistics, retail, administration
and social care.
A collection of training providers
were on hand to advise people
about training and qualifications
available to them and a number of
apprenticeships, work placements
and volunteer placements were
also promoted on the day.
15 | Unity Plus Dane
Alongside Plus Dane, the housing
associations who collaborated to
organise Employability 16 included
One Vision, Riverside, Your
Housing Group, Cobalt, Liverpool
Mutual Homes, Regenda, South
Liverpool Homes and Liverpool
Housing Trust.
Some of the largest employers in
Merseyside attended Employability
16, offering an invaluable
opportunity for those looking for
work or a change of occupation.
The aim of the event
was to remove the
barriers preventing
people from finding
employment and
showcase the wealth
of options available to
local people.
JOBS
Committing to apprentices
Plus Dane has showcased its commitment to the next generation by joining The 5% Club,
an industry-led initiative focussed on increasing the recruitment of apprentices, graduates
and sponsored students.
The campaign was initiated with
an aim to get UK companies to
commit to raising the number
of apprentices, sponsored
students and graduates on formal
programmes to 5% of their total
workforce within five years.
We have taken our first steps
to achieving this goal by
joining up with Joint Learning
Partnership, Riverside College
and West Cheshire College
to create ten brand new
apprenticeship opportunities
across the organisation.
These include:
• four business
administration roles
• four trades opportunities (plumber, gas, joiner
and electrician),
• one IT role
• one customer service apprenticeship.
“By 2021, 5% of our
workforce will be made
up of apprentices,
graduates and people
in work placements.”
To find out more about these apprenticeships
and the training providers we have partnered
up with, head to: www.plusdane.co.uk/
apprenticeships.
Plus Dane Unity |16
YOUR VOICE
Challenge yourself...challenge us!
There has been lots of
interest from our tenants
and customers about
becoming members on our
new Scrutiny Panel to help
improve services.
We started our recruitment drive
last month looking for tenants,
leaseholders and shared owners
over the age of 18 who can help
us review our services, challenge
us and suggest what we can
do better.
The new Scrutiny Panel will consist
of seven to ten people who will
be an independent group of
customers who reflect the diversity
of people living in our homes.
This initiative is part of our new
tenant and customer engagement
strategy, which takes a fresh
17 | Unity Plus Dane
approach to engaging tenants
and customers by providing more
dynamic opportunities for them
to help shape, influence and
improve services.
We have already held two events
for those who had expressed an
interest in finding out more about
scrutiny and a third day will be
held on 1 August for anyone who
didn’t get a chance to attend.
Emma Sneyd, Head of
Engagement and Partnerships,
said: “The scrutiny panel is a
great opportunity for our tenants
and customers who are serious
about playing a role in shaping
and improving the services we
provide. Members will be involved
in understanding and challenging
what we do, our performance, and
developing workable solutions
to help us get better. Their
involvement really will make a
difference.”
No previous experience is
necessary. Training, support, and
reimbursement of reasonable
expenses will be provided to the
successful applicants.
We have extended the deadline for
anyone interested in applying to
become a member of the Scrutiny
Panel. So if you’re interested in
finding out more, please fill in an
interest form, which will need to
be completed by 28 July.
Visit our website
www.plusdane.co.uk, to
complete the form online.
Alternatively, contact Sarah
Mythen on 0151 330 3505
or email: sarah.mythen@
plusdane.co.uk.
HISTORY
Pools from the past
Our readers have told us they love a bit of local history, so we thought summer would be
the perfect time of year to dip into the past and take a look at some pools from yesteryear.
Ellesmere Port Rivacre
outdoor swimming baths
In August 1934 the “swimming
pool in a garden” was opened
after the local council agreed for
it to be built after fatalities caused
by unauthorised swimming in the
canal. The cost was £12,000 and
there were 36,000 visitors in the
first month. The local newspaper
wrote: “Young men and maidens
have discovered something of the
elixir of life in the caressing waves
of the swimming pool in a garden.”
Parkgate Open Air
Swimming Pool, Wirral
In 1923 Mr AG Grenfell opened a
swimming pool at the far end of
the North Parade in Parkgate. It
was filled using seawater from
the estuary. Sadly, the pool’s
life was short-lived, as silting of
the estuary started in the 1930s.
The site was sold to Neston
Urban District Council, and was
eventually closed in the 1950s.
Nantwich Outdoor Brine Pool
Liverpool led the way for
public bathing facilities
Nantwich Outdoor
Brine Pool
The first baths were built in 1756
at New Quay, with water fed from
the Mersey or steps down to the
river itself. Their replacement
was St George’s Baths, which
opened in 1829. After a cholera
epidemic, Kitty Wilkinson opened
Britain’s first public washhouse on
Upper Frederick Street in 1842.
Other public pools which you
may remember could be found
on Pickford Road, Lodge Lane,
Cornwallis Street and Dovecot
baths in Huyton.
This pool opened in 1935 and is
still open today. It was renovated in
2012. When the pool is reopened
each year, it is filled with fresh
water and brine pumped in from a
pump a quarter of a mile down the
road. When the pool first opened, it
was a popular spot for recovering
soldiers in the First World War.
The medicinal benefits of the
Nantwich salt pit have been known
for hundreds of years and people
who suffer from problems such
as rheumatism still visit to use the
pool as a treatment.
Congleton open air
swimming pool
One memory of these baths was
the water was very cold - even
when the weather was warm!
There was a very grand entrance,
and the colour scheme was
council green and white.
Plus Dane Unity | 18
Looking for an affordable way
to get on the property ladder?
Shared Ownership could be the key.
Buying a share in a new home is a great way to get your
foot on the property ladder – it’s affordable, flexible and
can cost less than renting the same home privately!
You can purchase from 25% to 75% with the option
to buy more shares when you can afford them.
Eligibility criteria applies.
To find out more visit:
www.helptobuynw.org.uk
CONTACT US
www.plusdane.co.uk
0800 169 298
Free from most UK landlines and mobiles
If you are a Cheshire West & Chester Council
tenant living in Ellesmere Port & Neston contact:
0151 373 2520
Or write to:
Nicky Speed
Communications Manager
Plus Dane Housing
13-15 Rodney Street
Liverpool
L8 3SB
Download our FREE App by searching Plus Dane
in either the App Store or Google Play.
For general information and repairs email:
[email protected]
If you have any comments about Unity Magazine
please let us know. We also welcome any ideas for
stories that you might have. You can submit your
comments and suggestions in the following ways:
@plusdane
facebook.com/plusdane
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0151 708 4608
2016 This publication has been produced by Plus Dane Communications Team in partnership with the Tenants Communications Group.
Plus Dane Unity | 00