wishing youalla happy easter

Transcription

Our Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2012
the
HOUSING ASSOCIATION
CYMDEITHAS TAI RHONDDA
A Charitable Housing Association
Way Ahead
Rhondda Housing Association • Cymdeithas Tai Rhondda
Office closures
• The office will be closed from 4.30pm on
Thursday 5th April and will re-open at
8.30am on Wednesday 11th April
• We will also be closed on Monday 7th May
and will re-open at 8.30am on Tuesday
8th May
Emergency Contacts
During office closures you may call the out
of hours emergency number
01685 385231
This is for emergencies only
inside this issue
p7 Welfare reform – Are you
going to be affected?
p15 Recruitment – Community
Wellbeing Coaches Wanted
p16 Summer trip – £8 or 6 Time
Credits
WISH
YOU ING
ALL A
HAPP
EAST Y
ER
Rhondda Housing Association, 9 Compton Road, Tonypandy, CF40 1BE. Tel: 01443 424200. Email: [email protected]
2
Bethlehem View, Llanharan
TPAS Garden
Workshop
On Friday 18th November
David Duncan and Brian
Williams from Bethlehem
View Residents’ Panel
attended the TPAS conference
in Llandrindod Wells.
Both David and Brian had worked
very hard to prepare a
presentation to deliver on the
Communal Garden, which was
completed in 2011.
Santa’s
Grotto
If speaking at conferences on
the success of the garden
wasn’t enough for the
Bethlehem View
Residents’ Panel, the
group also decided to
hold a Santa’s Grotto
throughout the
festive period.
gift and a photo with Santa
himself, the activity helped to
raise funds to further support the
panel’s future events.
As well providing
the opportunity for
children to receive a
The presentation – on the success
of the garden went very well and
created a lot of interest.
The workshop itself provided the
opportunity for delegates to learn
about garden projects taking place
with different organisations and to
share good practice.
3
Llys Catwg, Talbot Green
Here at Llys Catwg we are
still busy. This doesn’t mean
we don’t have time for fun
though. Three of us went to
the Tea Dance organised by
R.H.A. and had a great time.
Do those of you who went
remember the bingo? Yes the
two hands of bingo were won
by myself, but I must add it
did go into the shoe box
charity appeal.
Shoe Boxes
What a wonderful idea this is.
To think a shoe box filled
with small toys, pens/pencils
notebook toiletries and
sweets will make such a
difference to a child’s
Christmas.At Llys Catwg
we filled six shoe boxes, three for
boys and three for girls aged
between 9 and 14.The boxes were
then taken to the local Cubs Hall
to be sent in along with theirs.We
donated a sum of money on-line
and were sent a bar code which
we put in the shoe boxes.When
the boxes are checked and sent off
we will then get an e-mail telling
us where our boxes have gone.
Cheltenham
Christmas Market
This was the destination for our
Christmas shopping trip.This has
proven to be quite popular with
tenants/ residents and also family
and friends from our local
community.
All the children in the street received
either a selection box or a box of
chocolates for Christmas.
Children’s Christmas Party
This was a huge success which
took place at Pizza Hut during
the school holidays in January.
Adults who accompanied the
children also had a good time
sharing in the party atmosphere
and also sharing the pizzas.
Christmas 2013
We are now planning for next
Christmas by knitting hats,
scarves, hand puppets, and
matching handbags and purses
to put in the shoe boxes along
with other gifts. We would like
to say a big big thank you to all
the people who have donated
wool and knitting patterns to
us, the donations are much
appreciated.
Annual Charity Donation
This year we have decided to
support our local Church, Ebenezer.
They are currently organising a
coffee shop/drop in centre for
teenagers. Hopefully this will be of
great benefit to the young people
who live in the Talbot Green area
and we are very proud to be a part
of this.
Best wishes
Linda Gough
Secretary
4
RHATE Tenant Assessors
mosaic Team Update
You may remember back
last year that a group of
dedicated volunteers were
working to create a RHATE
mosaic.
It was started in the Summer Fayre
and completed a few months later.
The mosaic was designed by
tenants with artist Alice Smith.
The piece acts as a reminder of the
ethos of the Time Exchange (Time
Banking) and working together.
A lot of hard work and time had
been spent creating the piece, and
staff felt it would be nice to hold a
small event to thank everyone.
A coffee morning was held in
February inviting all to have the
opportunity to catch up and to see
the finished mosaic displayed in
RHA offices in Tonypandy.
A big thank you goes to all tenants
and Alice, for creating the piece.
After a very busy year in
2011 the Tenant Assessors
from all involved Housing
Associations decided to
meet up for a spot of
Christmas lunch.
The four Housing Associations
who have been involved in the
process are Rhondda Housing
Association, Hafod Housing
Association, Cynon Taff
Community Housing Group,
and Merthyr Tydfil Housing
Association.
Now the festive period is over the
newly trained team will be taking
on their first assessment.
The group will be working jointly
with Hafod Housing Association
in order to assess two sheltered
schemes of the opposite
Association.
The assessments will help to share
good practice and to highlight any
improvements that can be made to
the schemes.
If you would like to find out more,
or would like to become a Tenant
Assessor yourself, please contact
Anthony O’Connell on 01443 424208
or email [email protected]
5
POP
ART
In a cold and wintery January
we began a fun eight week
pop-art painting project as
part of our commitment to
engage with our senior
tenants.
The project took place in Penygraig
Boys & Girls Club and all our
tenants over 55 years of age were
invited to get involved. Nine
tenants accepted our offer and we
started painting on Friday 21st
January. With the full support of a
wonderful local artist and tutor
Steve Ennis, the group began
creating wonderful pieces of
modern art, representing something
special and personal to them.
This fun and interactive painting
project helped our older tenants get
to know one another, learn new
skills and meet their neighbours.
One participant said “I didn’t think
I would be able to create such a
lovely canvas painting, but it’s
easier than I thought. And it’s lovely
to get out of the house and chat to
people and make friends.”
All the artwork created in these
projects will be taken home and
proudly displayed in tenants’ own
homes and enjoyed by their family
members. If you are interested in
getting involved in any projects
then please contact the
Community Development
team on 01443 424 212.
6
Tenants Oxford trip
Christmas
Rent Draw
Winner
The winner of the
Christmas Rent Draw was
Mr L Dimitri of Ton Pentre
who said,
On Thursday 16th December
the annual Christmas trip
hit the road, this year’s
destination – Oxford.
Although the trip was quieter than
previous years and the weather
was not particularly pleasant, all
who attended were in high spirits.
During the journey attendees
enjoyed the usually games
including bingo, quiz and a raffle.
Oxford with its many shops and
malls provided the opportunity for
people to pick up some last minute
Christmas presents for friends and
loved ones, or to enjoy a quiet
During the journey
attendees enjoyed
the usually games
including bingo,
quiz and a raffle.
relaxing afternoon in local
restaurants and coffee shops.
It is hoped that the Summer trip
next year, will encourage more
people to enjoy a fun day out with
RHA staff and tenants.
What a lovely surprise
I had when Rhondda
Housing Association
rang me in the new
year to say I had won
the Christmas rent
draw of £500.
This is an excellent incentive for
tenants to make sure that they
keep a clear rent account to be
eligible for these quarterly
draws and winning the money
at this time of the year has
been an excellent bonus.
So, have a chat with your
Housing Officer to make
sure you have a clear rent
account in time for our
Spring Prize Draw of £100!
7
What is ‘Financial
Inclusion’?
At Rhondda Housing
Association we aim to
help people become less
financially excluded and more
financially included and help
them to access mainstream
sources of credit, open basic
bank accounts, and help
them to budget by reducing
their outstanding debt and
maximising their disposable
income.
My name is Natasha McCarthy.
I am the Financial Inclusion Officer
at Rhondda Housing Association.
I support tenants who are suffering
from escalating debt and paying
crippling rates of interest for
essential goods.
I provide advice regarding debt and
options/ remedies through private
and confidential one to one sessions.
I offer support through bankruptcy,
debt relief orders (DRO’s) and debt
management. I also give advice
regarding government benefits and
help to make claims when appropriate.
Natasha McCarthy,
Financial Inclusion Officer
Are you going to be affected
by welfare reform?
We can help. Please
contact Natasha for
more information.
For more information contact
Natasha on 01443 424233 or
speak to your Housing Officer.
8
Supported Housing
Department Update
Congratulations
Claire!
We are delighted and
extremely proud to announce
that Claire Ricketts was a
winner in the 2011 Annual
CIH Student Awards following
a nomination by her course
tutor and head of studies at
UWIC. Special congratulations
to Claire for this fantastic
achievement which is a great
recognition of her hard work.
We are all extremely proud of her
achievements and Claire will be
presented with her engraved award
at the Tai Housing Conference in
March 2012.
The Supported Housing
department underwent a
review in late 2011. This
has resulted in a new pilot
project which started on
1st November 2011. There
has been some moving
and shaking going on with
the staff, all of which has
been really positive.
Instead of having one
department manager now they
have two team leaders.
Congratulations to Claire
Ricketts who became the team
leader alongside Cath King. The
new dedicated senior persons
EngAGE officer is now Barbara
James who is doing a wonderful
job. Special congratulations to
Liz Williams who is now promoted
to the Supported Housing Officer
role and will also make a great
contribution to the team.
This restructure enables the
Supported Housing team and the
work they do to have a greater
impact and effectiveness at the
front line. It also improves the
quality controls and monitoring
and better enables them to meet
the requirements of the new
national outcomes framework.
Well done to everyone.
9
Supported Housing
New Years Party
Our “Include” and “EngAGE”
Supported Housing service
users got together for a special
New Years celebration held in
the Community Resource Room
at RHA’s offices in Tonypandy
on Friday 27th January 2012.
It was a really lovely social event
which involved over twenty service
users from all around Rhondda
Cynon Taf area.The run up to
Christmas can be a busy time so we
decided this year to hold our party in
the New Year as January can be a
really long month with nothing to
look forward to. So the party was
something fun, and a chance to meet
new people and have a good old
laugh with one another.
Overall the afternoon was a great
success with almost twenty five of
our service users joining us from the
Rhondda Cynon Taf area.The
afternoon included a fantastic fish
and chip dinner, some games of
bingo and a special raffle.The food
was wonderful and everyone really
enjoyed themselves even if they
were too full up to do much dancing!
One of the service users said:“This
afternoon has been lovely. I met
some nice new people and enjoyed
chatting with friends I had made
before. It’s been good to get out of
the house!”
It is really important to us to
organise something that our service
users can get involved in and enjoy.
The Supported Housing team work
closely with adults who live in the
community, who are having or could
experience difficulties maintaining
their homes or quality of life. Our
aim is to try and help secure their
tenancies, instil independence and
assist them with life’s difficulties.
Sincere thanks to those who helped
make the party such a great success
and donated toward the prizes.
Special thanks to Judges Bingo Hall,
the Co-operative Store in Ynysybwl
and Tesco in Talbot Green and
Aberdare. And thanks to all the staff
who donated selection boxes for the
children and prizes used at the party.
It’s all really appreciated.
If would like more information on
the Supported Housing team and
what they do then please contact
Cath or Claire on 01443 424 250.
10
The Big Profile
Winner
You may remember at
Christmas time in 2010 that
we informed all tenants that
we would be carrying out
“The Big Profile” over the
following year. This survey
was to assist Rhondda
Housing Association to tailor
our services to better meet
your needs and expectations.
All those who helped us with our
aim and completed the profile
were entered into a prize draw to
win £500! And the lucky winner
was;
Irene Parry from Beddau
who said,
It’s nice to win,
I’ve never won
anything in my life!
I’m going to spend
it on myself and
the grandkids
A total of 340 tenants responded
to the satisfaction part of the
survey – the findings of which
show significant increases in
satisfaction levels in a number
of areas.
Area
The Big Profile Survey
Previous survey
Tenants satisfied
with overall service
97%
84%
Those who felt that the
rent paid represents
good value for money
91%
90%
Tenants satisfied with the
way that RHA deals with
repairs and maintenance
86%
84%
Tenants satisfied with the
accommodation they
occupy
91%
88%
Those who are happy with
its condition
91%
85%
Those who felt staff
were able to deal with the
last problem they
raised
84%
83%
Tenants that felt they
were kept informed about
matters that might affect
them as tenants
92%
96%
Tenants that are satisfied
with the opportunities
for participation in
management and
decision making
86%
86%
11
The survey revealed a really positive
improvement in satisfaction levels
overall.There were also significant
improvements noted in the way we
deliver the maintenance service.
Tenants viewed their accommodation
as value for money in general.
“
I was living in another flat
and had lived with the
council for years. Rhondda
Housing is the best landlord
I have had in all aspects.
“
I had help from a lady
called Tracy [Supported
Housing], very helpful.
“
Thanks to everyone who
took part.
“
I am not well enough
to participate [in community /
tenant group activities].
Although I think it is excellent.
“
“
Too many letters,
would prefer a
telephone call.
“
Didn’t complete a
survey this time? It’s not
too late. Complete it
now and you will be
entered into our
monthly draw where
you could win £100!
Contact the Customer
Service Team if you
need help with
completing The Big
Profile. Come on –
have your say!
“
More play areas for kids.
“
If you have any views or ideas
on how service delivery may be
improved then why not join the
Community Core? Your views and
opinions are very welcome. Please
contact our customer service
team on 01443 424200.
Here are some comments made by
tenants who completed the survey:
“
The only negative was the
decrease in the number who felt
that RHA were good at keeping
them informed about things that
may affect them as a tenant.
Officers will be discussing these
findings with tenants to give them
the opportunity to suggest better
ways of working.
12
Step up to Rhondda Housing Association
meets the Wales Standard for
your new
Anti-Social Behaviour
home
Homestep is Rhondda Cynon
Taf County Borough Council's
Low Cost Home Ownership
scheme. Homestep recognises
it is becoming increasingly
difficult to get onto the property
ladder and is currently working
with housing developers to
deliver affordable homes to
purchase across RCT. Below is
a list of three schemes currently
being promoted by Homestep.
Dan Y Fron, Tonyrefail
2 Bed houses
Guide price - £82,500
Meadow Walk,
Pontyclun
1 bed apartments
Guide price - £66,000
Milton Acre, Llanharan
2 Bed and 3 Bed Houses
Guide prices - £89,250
(2 bed) - £114,750 (3 bed)
If you are interested in any of these
schemes, please contact Virginia
O'Reilly, Housing Strategy Officer
(Affordable Housing),with Rhondda
Cynon Taf County Borough Council
on 01443 425388 to see if you
qualify for Homestep assistance.
The Wales Housing
Management Standard for
Tackling Anti-Social
Behaviour is a voluntary
standard introduced by the
Welsh Government. Social
landlords such as Rhondda
Housing Association can
sign up to this. The
Standard demonstrates our
commitment to tackling
anti-social behaviour within
our communities.
Rhondda Housing Association
submitted its application to the
Welsh Government as ‘meeting’
the Standard and we are
delighted to say our application
was accepted in January 2012.
We are currently one of just
nine social housing providers in
Wales who have met the Welsh
Government’s criteria in this
way.
What does this
mean for you?
By signing up as ‘meeting’
the Wales Standard, Rhondda
Housing Association has
demonstrated that we have
met the criteria within each of the
seven core commitments outlined
in the Standard:
1. Commitment, leadership
and accountability
2. Empowering and reassuring
residents
3. Prevention and early
intervention
4. Support to tackle the causes
of anti-social behaviour
5. Tailored services for residents
and support for victims and
witnesses
6. Protecting communities
through swift enforcement
7. Encouraging Community
Responsibility
We hope this will reassure you
that all anti-social behaviour
reported to Rhondda Housing
Association will be dealt with
effectively and professionally.
If you would like to know more
about the Wales Anti-Social
Behaviour Standard, please
contact your housing officer.
13
Discount Carpet Offer for Our
Tenants and Service Users!
Rhondda Housing Association
is working in partnership with
Cleanstream Carpets and
other local Housing
Associations to deliver a
SPECIAL OFFER PRICE for
carpets for our tenants and
Rhondda Include service
users. By carpeting your
home, you can help to keep
your properties warmer,
better insulated from noise
and more comfortable.
Cleanstream Carpets specialises in
the supply and fit of carpet tiles
that have been recycled from large
offices. Cleanstream have
thousands of metres of good
quality carpet tiles of all types and
colours for sale at their warehouse
on the Rheola Industrial Estate,
Porth (behind the Rheola pub).
Carpet tiles require no underlay or
special fitting techniques, so you
can buy and fit your own rooms in
a colour of your choice, or get
them fitted by Cleanstream (at an
additional cost) if you wish.
This special promotion allows you
to buy pre-owned Grade B carpet
tiles for £3.12 per m2. Dragonsavers
Credit Union may be able to help
you purchase the tiles. To get your
promotional code, please contact
your Housing Officer or Supported
Housing Officer for more details.
Carpet one
room for under
£50.00!
14
Count Me In
Financial Inclusion Advice, Information & Support
The “Count Me in” is a
Big Lottery funded project
which is designed to help
tenants and family members
with their personal finances.
Living within a budget,
dealing with debt or just
filling in forms can be
stressful and daunting.
We are here to help you.
If you are having difficulties
managing your finances, please
don’t ignore them. Contact our
Financial Inclusion Advisor MARK
RICHARDS on 01443 424246
This service is FREE and can be
provided at a one to one support
meeting in a confidential and safe
environment.
The project has an Affordable
Warmth Advisor who can provide
you with information, advice and
support on how to save on those
ever increasing household bills. You
could save hundreds of pounds on
your heating and energy bills by
making small changes and without
spending any money. If you would
like to more information please
contact LEIGHTON HUGHES on
01443 424234
We also support the involvement
of young people in gaining the
skills needed to manage their
finances and raise awareness of
money management. The project
works with young people aged
14+ to develop independent living
skills including financial literacy,
managing budgets and developing
financial awareness. If you would
like to get involved in these
projects please contact
RYAN PARRY on 01443 424228
Calling all
community
groups and
support
workers!
Do you run small community
social get-togethers? Or do
you support people in their
home?
Why not add in some
entertainment. Let’s re-invent the
video! Toogoodtowaste now
have hundreds of videos available
for re-use at their charity shops
in Ynyshir and Aberaman, sorted
into types e.g. childrens, music,
dance, keep fit, sport etc. etc.
Whilst many people have moved
onto DVDs these videos are still
toogoodtowaste! Why not show
Pavarotti on video in a
community café or Jungle Book
in a play group? Why not shake
up an exercise class with a fitness
video? Could local Community
groups have a small video library
available within their centres, and
exchange regularly with
toogoodtowaste, to share this
community resource? Could
support workers take videos to
isolated individuals? Please
contact Lynda Davies at
toogoodtoowaste on
01443 680091 or by emailing
[email protected]
if you are interested in sharing
this community resource.
Controlling
Condensation
in Your Home
Condensation in your home
is caused by warm vapour,
moisture-laden air meeting
a cold surface such as
windows, mirrors, walls etc.
When the air cools, it can’t retain
the moisture, and some of it
condenses into small droplets of
water on the cold surfaces. You can
see this happening on the
bathroom mirror when the room is
steamed up with hot water from a
running bath or shower.
Steps to minimise condensation
• When cooking, cover pans and
avoid leaving kettles on the
boil.
• When washing clothes,
whenever possible, it is better
to dry them outside.
• If you have a tumble dryer, run
the vent pipe outside (unless it
is a self-condensing type). You
can adjust the vent pipe to run
outside, with a simple DIY kit.
• When using the bathroom or
kitchen, keep the door closed
whenever possible. This will help
to contain the moist air in that
room.
• Where furniture is against the
wall, try to keep a small
distance between the back of
the furniture and the wall to
keep the air circulating.
• Whilst it is a good idea to
draught proof your home, it is
important to remember not to
block airways that will prevent
air circulating, such as blocking
up air bricks.
Wherever possible, particularly in
cold weather, you should try to
keep your home warm with some
form of background heating; this
applies in particular to bedrooms.
Please remember, if not
controlled effectively,
condensation can cause
problems such as black mold,
dampness and health problems.
15
Trainee
Community
Wellbeing
Coach Job
We are looking to recruit
a trainee Community
Wellbeing Coach for a twelve
month period. The successful
applicant will work in
communities to support
people to improve their health
and quality of life. We want
someone to work within the
area of Taff Ely (Brynna,
Llanharry, Llanharan, Talbot
Green, and Llantrisant).
Could that be you? Do you have
an interest in your own health
and wellbeing and those around
you in your community? Perhaps
you’re looking for an opportunity
to develop your skills and
employment potential?
No previous experience is needed,
just enthusiasm, ability to work
with people and a driving licence
and access to a car. Successful
applicants will receive a salary of
minimum wage plus expenses, and
training costs.You will be employed
by CommunityWellbeing Coaches,
and you will work with our
partners; Rhondda Housing
Association and RCT Homes.
For an application pack,
or an informal chat call
Maria at Community
Wellbeing Coaches on
07800 994816.
Deadlines for applications will
be midday on 11th April 2012
16
Rhondda Housing Association’s
Community Core
SUMMER TRIP
• Somerset (The Village of Street)
Shopping outlet
Approximately 15 mins
from historical town of Wells
• Thursday 21st June
• £8 or 6 Time Credits
Non tenants welcome (£8)
To book your places please
contact our main office
number 01443 424200
The closing date is Thursday
7th June. No bookings will
be taken after this time.

wishing youalla happy easter

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