Stronger Together Winter 2015 - 2016

Transcription

YOUR CALLS
As from 21 September 2015
all telephone enquiries have
been directed through our
new customer service centre
at Birmingham Business Park,
where advisers take calls from
across the WM Housing Group.
From 21 September to 31
December 2015, the customer
service centre received 80,022
calls in total with 22,566 calls from
Family Optima customers.
It is best to call
between 6pm and
8pm as our phone
lines are less busy
at this time.
Remember - we are
open from 8am to 8pm,
Monday to Friday.
You can also visit our new website
at www.wmhousing.co.uk
Play WM
World
Get your year off to a
great start with the
online WM World
Challenge. You could
win £1,000 in vouchers
or as a credit to your rent account.
WM World is made up of two zones, each filled with tasks to help you
improve your finances or help you on your way if you’re job hunting.
As you complete each task, you’ll earn points. Collect all 140 points in
both zones and we will automatically enter you into our prize draw in
June 2016.
You need your rent account number and an email address to take part.
To get started visit www.wmworld.co.uk today.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding means
protecting people’s
health, wellbeing and
human rights, and
enabling them to live free
from harm, abuse and
neglect.
To report suspected adult abuse
contact:
Adults & Communities Access
Point on 0121 303 1234 between
8am- 5pm Monday to Friday.
Abuse can happen to anyone and
anywhere and there are lots of
different types of abuse.
Outside office hours please contact
the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on
0121 675 4806
If you suspect that someone is being
harmed or abused then you have a
responsibility to tell somebody so that
they can stop it.
They will ask you for some
information about:
Safeguarding is everyone’s
responsibility. In an emergency call
the police on 999.
To report suspected child abuse
contact:
Birmingham Multi Agency
Safeguarding Hub on 0121 303
1888 between 8am- 5pm Monday to
Friday. Outside office hours contact
0121 675 4806.
RECHARGEABLE
REPAIRS
• yourself (unless you wish to remain
anonymous)
• the person you are concerned
about
• the alleged abuser
• what you have seen or heard.
Be aware that wherever it is
appropriate you will be given some
information about what has happened
but this will not go into details or
provide any confidential or personal
information.
If you would like to speak to a staff member about
any of the above please call 0300 790 6560.
WINTER 2015-16
CONTACT US
ONE NUMBER
0300 790 6560
8AM-8PM MONDAY TO FRIDAY
EMERGENCY OUT OF OFFICE
HOURS 0300 790 6560
Customer Reception
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE
FOR KEEPING YOUR HOME
IN GOOD ORDER AND
DOING MINOR REPAIRS.
WE WILL NOT CHARGE
YOU FOR REPAIRS
THROUGH FAIR WEAR
AND TEAR.
However, you will be charged for repairs
caused by neglect, deliberate damage,
vandalism, or poor DIY, by you or any
members of your household, pets or
visitors. These are rechargeable repairs.
Examples of when you will be charged:
• Re-glazing
• Lock changes
• Replacing key fobs
• Damage to fixtures and fittings,
including missing or damaged internal
doors
• Clearing blockages caused by nappies,
cooking fat, refuse, etc.
Open Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm.
Cost
The cost of the repair depends on the
work required. The minimum charge is
£60, for example, for unblocking waste
pipes or lock changes.
We charge £120 for larger repairs, such as
re-glazing a window or door, or replacing
internal doors. Replacing entrance fobs
and keys are £15 each.
When you pay
Emergency repairs are carried out
urgently and you will be charged after the
work is done. It may be possible to pay
this back in instalments.
All other work needs to be paid
beforehand. If you want to do work
yourself or get someone to do it for you,
they must be competent and all gas or
electrical work must be completed by a
qualified engineer.
Insurance
It is your responsibility to insure your
furniture, belongings and decorations
against fire, theft, vandalism or water
damage. For contents insurance contact
Thistle Insurance on 0845 3372463 or
01628 586189.
For full details on rechargeable repairs
visit www.wmhousing.co.uk
SAFETY IN YOUR HOME
TO HELP OUR
CUSTOMERS LIVE SAFELY
IN THEIR HOMES WE
PROVIDE ANNUAL GAS
SAFETY CHECKS, 10YEARLY ELECTRICAL
INSPECTIONS AND
UNDERTAKE ESSENTIAL
REPAIRS.
There are also a number of steps you can
take to help us keep you safe:
• Allow us access to your home to
complete the annual gas safety checks
and 10-yearly electrical inspections.
• If you smell gas take immediate action
by calling National Grid emergency
services on 0800 111 999.
• Never block sources of ventilation or
obstruct flues and ensure window
trickle vents are always open.
• Test smoke detectors weekly and
contact us to replace the batteries
when required.
• Do not store large items in communal
areas such as pushchairs, mobility
scooters and bicycles, which could get
in the way during a fire evacuation.
• Report essential repairs to us
promptly.
• Only use qualified electricians for any
kind of electrical DIY.
• Report to us any incidents of anti-social
behaviour such as abandoned cars or
furniture.
• Don’t dry clothes on heaters and keep
them a safe distance away to stop them
catching fire.
• Keep candles safe and away from
curtains and clothes that could
catch fire.
• Keep fire doors closed and do not prop
them open. If a fire door is damaged
or does not close properly, report it to
us urgently.
• Firefighters from your local fire station
will carry out free home fire safety
checks. To request your FREE safety
check call the helpline on 0800 389
5525.
You can report repairs or anti-social
behaviour on 0300 790 6560 or online at
www.wmhousing.co.uk
Further information is also available in our
online leaflet ‘Security & Safety in your
Home’.
St Thomas House,
80 Bell Barn Road,
Lee Bank, Birmingham
B15 2AF
[email protected]
www.wmhousing.co.uk
By post:
WM Housing Group
4040 Lakeside, Solihull Parkway,
Birmingham, B37 7YN
facebook.com/FamilyOptima
twitter.com/FamilyOptima
RESIDENTS CREATE
PAYMENT ON TIME
WWII COMMUNITY GARDEN
Most customers pay their rent and other charges on time, i.e. on the date it is
due in their tenancy agreement or lease. However, there are some customers
who pay late, get behind, can’t catch up and eventually lose their homes.
We don’t want this to happen to anyone, so please plan to pay on time;
pay any arrears in full, and talk to us immediately if you need to pay by
instalments. We can help with advice and practical support about benefits
or other money worries. Call us on 0300 790 6560. We have a 24-hour card
payment line on 0844 557 18321 or at www.allpayments.net
take a look inside:
New year, new plans
New look for Benmore
Family Optima update
Family and Optima are proud to be part of
NEW NUMBER!
Contact us 0300 790 6560
New year, new plans
The New Year is often a time to take
better control of our lives and get our
finances back on track.
Here are some of our top tips:
• Budget your money so you know how
much is coming in and being paid out.
• Pay your rent and other priority debts –
don’t risk losing your home, not paying
court fines or utilities being cut off.
• Borrow money from Credit Unions, not
loan sharks or other lenders who have
high interest rates.
• Keep to the payments you have
promised.
• Switch to cheaper deals for your
gas, electric, store cards or telephone
provider.
• Get online – save with direct debit
payments and online shopping.
• Check your bank account is right
for you and offers what you need for
overdrafts or interest payments.
If you are struggling to pay your
rent or need help with your
money, please contact us on
0300 790 6533.
Don’t forget about it, dealing
with it now will get you out of
debt sooner.
BRRRRR…BILLS THIS WINTER!
Helping you stay warm
and save money
Contact us on 0300 790 6560 for a free
home energy health check with our
qualified Home Energy Advisor.
FREE:
• Advice on saving money and staying
warm.
If you are over pensionable age, ask your
supplier if you are entitled to a Winter
Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment if
you’re claiming benefits (these should be
paid automatically by your supplier).
• Help with energy suppliers and tariffs.
• Money saving gadgets.
• Financial support advice.
• Fuel debt advice.
You can also:
Contact your energy supplier to find out if
you’re eligible for a Warm Homes Discount
of £140.
Contact Community Switch to check your
utility bills, compare with other suppliers
and switch if necessary.
Community Switch: 0333 240 6024
Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 10am-2pm
community-switch.co.uk
If you are elderly
or vulnerable and
medically dependent
on the electricity
supply, join the Priority
Services Register to receive assistance
during power cuts and bad weather.
For details call Western Power
Distribution on 0845 724 0240 or visit
www.westernpower.co.uk
We are working in partnership with
Community Switch and Severn Trent to
save customers money from their energy
and water bills. As part of this, we intend
to share customer contact information with
both these partners, so that they can speak
to you direct about ways they can help.
If you object to this, please call our contact
centre to opt out on 0300 790 6560.
PAY BY
To help you keep your rent
payments up to date, we
encourage you to pay by
direct debit.
This is very simple to
arrange and you choose
if you want to pay every
week, two weeks, four
weeks or every month.
Take control and call us
on 0300 790 6560 to set up
your direct debit payments.
It’s that easy!
You can also gain points at
WM World when you pay
by direct debit. Register at
wmworld.co.uk
YOUR CALLS
It is best to call
between 6pm and
8pm as our phone
lines are less busy
at this time.
Remember - we are
Monday to Friday.
Play WM
World
online WM World
June 2016.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding means
human rights, and
neglect.
contact:
0121 675 4806
they can stop it.
information about:
the police on 999.
contact:
0121 675 4806.
RECHARGEABLE
REPAIRS
anonymous)
about
information.
WINTER 2015-16
CONTACT US
ONE NUMBER
0300 790 6560
HOURS 0300 790 6560
Customer Reception
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE
IN GOOD ORDER AND
WE WILL NOT CHARGE
YOU FOR REPAIRS
THROUGH FAIR WEAR
AND TEAR.
• Re-glazing
• Lock changes
doors
Cost
When you pay
qualified engineer.
Insurance
01628 586189.
SAFETY IN YOUR HOME
TO HELP OUR
IN THEIR HOMES WE
PROVIDE ANNUAL GAS
INSPECTIONS AND
UNDERTAKE ESSENTIAL
REPAIRS.
when required.
promptly.
furniture.
catching fire.
catch fire.
us urgently.
5525.
www.wmhousing.co.uk
Home’.
St Thomas House,
80 Bell Barn Road,
B15 2AF
[email protected]
www.wmhousing.co.uk
By post:
WM Housing Group
Birmingham, B37 7YN
RESIDENTS CREATE
PAYMENT ON TIME
take a look inside:
New year, new plans
NEW NUMBER!
Contact us 0300 790 6560
New year, new plans
promised.
provider.
0300 790 6533.
debt sooner.
and save money
FREE:
warm.
You can also:
of £140.
If you are elderly
or vulnerable and
medically dependent
on the electricity
PAY BY
direct debit.
on 0300 790 6560 to set up
It’s that easy!
wmworld.co.uk
Doors open on new
community centre
We work in partnership
with the following Sure
Start Children’s Centres.
Family support and childcare provided to age
five. Services include parenting groups, health
promotions, baby groups, baby massage,
weaning advice and ‘stay & play’. For more
details, give us a call ‘or pop in. All welcome!
n
L i lli a
“I have lived in this area for many years and the
transformation through projects such as this has
been fantastic.”
L is s a & B e
l
hi
ld
re
avia
The new centre was purpose-built with
Birmingham City Council, to provide much
needed space and facilities for local groups and
organisations, such as sports clubs, scouts and a
pensioners’ lunch club.
Joy Gayle, a director of the Woodview Community
Forum, said: “It was truly wonderful to see so
many people here for the opening. It was far more
than we expected or even hoped for and I think
shows how much this centre means to people in
the area.
C
We were very pleased to see so many
local residents join in the celebrations of
the official opening of a new community
centre at Woodview Drive, Edgbaston, on
Saturday 21st November.
de
gr
New community centre
opens in Edgbaston.
r e n’ s C e n
t
Lillian de Lissa
Children’s Centre
Bellevue, B5 7LX
0121 675 3421
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
St Thomas Children’s Centre
Bell Barn Road, B15 2AF
0121 464 0002
TREASURE
KNIT
NATTER
CHEST FUNDS
Last year we provided nearly £10,000
from our Treasure Chest funding to
help local residents and community
organisations set up and run a number
of projects.
These projects ranged from
jewellery and theatre workshops
to a summer activity programme
and community choir.
te
Funding helps local residents crea
WWII Community Garden
Local schoolchildren also worked alongside businesses
in the area to develop skills in carpentry, landscaping
and food growing, including helping to build a hen house
which supplies fresh eggs to the local community centre
for their cooking and healthy eating classes.
The funding also enabled Gro-Organic to hold a garden
open day with a world war theme. Caroline Spellman MP
cut the ribbon for the garden declaring it “a wonderful
community asset.”
Other community groups joined in the fun, such as
Northern Star Community Arts which played live music
from yesteryear and local artist Ronnie Cashmore who
painted a wall mural bombing scene.
Date
Rev By
28.04.15 00
The apartment blocks will be between
six and 11 storeys high and designed
around a central landscaped
courtyard. Three blocks will front onto
Bristol Street and Lee Bank Middleway
and will provide 217 apartments
for the private rented sector along
with commercial and retail facilities
including a shop, cafe and gym.
Lee Bank
Impression of Park Central from
ner
Cor
et
Stre
tol
Bris
Middleway and
Details
MG Planning Issue
Working with contractors, Lovell and part funded
by Eon, nearly £700,000 has been spent on
adding insulation, providing a new roof and
rendering to the external walls of Ottawa Tower,
Edgbaston.
LOCATION KEY
NOTES:
DIMENSIONS NOT TO BE SCALED FROM THIS
DRAWING. CONTRACTORS TO NOTIFY
ARCHITECTS OF SITE VARIATIONS
AFFECTING INFORMATION ON THIS
DRAWING. THIS DRAWING IS COPYRIGHT OF
GLENN HOWELLS ARCHITECTS.
During the improvements, Lovell organised a
collection for Birmingham Central Foodbank and
thanks to generous donations approximately 45
meals were provided to a family with children in
emergency need.
LEE BANK MIDDLEWAY AND BRISTOL STREET CORNER VIEW
KEY
321 Bradford St, Birmingham, B5 6ET
Tel. 0121 666 7640 F. 0121 666 7641
[email protected]
Project
Park Central, Zone 11
Client
Crest Nicholson
Drawing Title
Visuals
Sheet 1
EDUCATIONAL
VEGETABLES FOR GREEN
FINGERED PUPILS
Date
28.04.15
Project Ref.
Date
Rev By
28.04.15 00
2038
Details
Scale
Checked
1:250@A1
1:500@A3
Drawing No.
A-L-400
SS
Revision
00
MG Planning Issue
rtyard
Impression of Park Central cou
The pupils of James Brindley Parkway
School, Edgbaston, look set for a
tasty education after creating their
own school vegetable patch.
Tel. 0121 666 7640 F. 0121 666 7641
[email protected]
Project
We recently joined forces with pupils
from the school and Lovell to plant
flowers and vegetables in a plot of land
they had cleared in the summer.
Client
Crest Nicholson
Drawing Title
Visuals
Sheet 4
Date
28.04.15
Project Ref.
2038
e
Knit Natter group members mak
large throws for the winter
Over 150 residents have worked alongside Gro-Organic to
design and build the garden which includes raised garden
beds, ground allotments, an Anderson air-raid shelter and
a trench made with sandbags.
er
Food donations from Ottawa Tow
45 meals
residents provides a family with
COURTYARD VIEW
For more details contact Marian Gillespie, at Latimer Gardens, on 0121 440 5433.
Starting in December 2014, Gro-Organic liaised with
Solihull Council and Optima on behalf of local residents to
transform a plot of land in Chelmunds Cross from an antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping hotspot into a community
garden.
To date around 1,700 new homes
have been built along with two new
park areas. Now, the final phase will
see the construction of six apartment
blocks providing 335 homes at the
corner of Lee Bank Middleway and
Bristol Street.
The development will take three years
to complete, with the first apartments
due to be ready in Spring 2017.
The group meets in the community room at Latimer Gardens Care Home every Monday from 1pm to 3pm.
Gro-Organic CIC successfully applied for
Treasure Chest funding in April last year for a
community garden project and received £1,266.
KEY
LOCATION KEY
“The group is really successful. Not only do we have
active knitting members, we also attract quite a few companions who come for the natter part of the meeting!”
Two successful applicants
to receive funding were GroOrganic CIC and the Latimer
Gardens Knit Natter Group.
NOTES:
We are now on the final phase of the
£250m regeneration of Park Central.
The remaining three blocks, fronting
onto Spring Street and Bell Barn Road,
will provide 118 apartments to be sold
on the open market.
In September the Latimer Gardens
Knit Natter Group received nearly
£250 from the Treasure Chest fund to
help buy equipment for their craft club.
Monica Jeffrey, a member of Knit Natter, says:
“Our knitting group is really pleased to have
been awarded money from the Treasure Chest.
We are a small group and the money helped
buy a sewing machine, threads, embroidery kits,
cross stitch cards and patterns so members can
improve their craft skills.
NEW HOMES, SHOPS AND
GYM AT PARK CENTRAL
Ottawa Tower
foodbank donation
A number of residents dressed up and posed for
photographs to replicate the ‘Dig For Victory’ posters of
that era. Their photographs and recorded stories of what
community means to them and how it has changed over
the years are now available for visitors to the garden.
The project has been a huge success with young and
old alike. The garden has been used for educational
purposes, health and wellbeing initiatives and work
experience for people who are looking for employment.
Sarah Gill, from Gro-Organic, said: “We are so pleased
that we have been able to help local people create such
a wonderful community space. It just goes to show there
are no better people to make local decisions than local
people. The garden is so well used throughout the year
and has provided a number of positive outcomes for
people living in Chelmsley Wood, including improved
health and wellbeing and even employment.”
Local resident Keith Latham commented: “It has been a
great project, we are all very pleased and proud that us
residents have created this for our community. It’s great
to see so many positive things happening in the garden,
particularly with the children. They really enjoy looking
after the hens and giving the food they have grown to
elderly residents.”
NEW
LOOK FOR
BENMORE
We are very pleased to confirm
that this year we will be replacing
the render on the outside walls
of the tower blocks at Benmore
estate in Edgbaston, which
includes Edmonton House,
Halifax House, Montreal House
and Vancouver House.
The work, which will vastly improve
the appearance and waterproofing
of the tower blocks, is due to
start in the Spring following
consultation with residents and will
take approximately 12 months to
complete.
At Optima’s AGM in November
2015, the question was
raised whether Family and
Optima would become one
organisation and if so, when?
Managing Director, Martyn
Hale, responds:
If we do pursue the option to merge the
two companies, this cannot happen
without a special set of meetings and
these being in agreement. There will not
be and cannot be any other process
than this, so please be assured that
this will not happen without a full, frank
and open consultation with everyone
affected.
Family and Optima are separate legal
companies and this cannot be changed
without the agreement of shareholders
of Family and members of Optima. In
addition, we also need permission from
funders and our regulator the Homes
and Communities Agency (HCA).
We are proposing that this year we hold
both AGMs on the same day and as
well as focusing on the future, we have
a celebratory event to mark the work we
have done over the last 12 months.
Since the 1st September 2015 we
have, however, created a new staffing
structure, with new patch-based teams.
This new structure means officers
are managing a geographical area
rather than looking after customers for
a specific organisation. We are also
working together as Family Optima.
This does not mean a new organisation
has been created, it just felt logical and
easier to call it this.
We will keep you updated on any further
information through our newsletters and
website.
Martyn Hale
Managing Director
Scale
Checked
1:250@A1
1:500@A3
Drawing No.
A-L-403
SS
Revision
00
The project has been a great success,
linked to GCSE catering lessons and
even improved maths skills through
measuring the planting beds. All pupils
have been taught how to care for their
plants and vegetables and are now
looking forward to watching them grow
over the coming months.
HELP TO FIND A FRIEND
Age Concern is currently contacting
some of our older customers to
ensure they don’t feel isolated and
have the support they need to keep
healthy and happy in their home.
For further information, please contact
our Community Involvement Team on
0300 790 6560.
Social isolation and loneliness have
been proven to have a serious
negative affect on your health and
wellbeing, including increasing the
risk of dementia, heart conditions and
mortality.
COMMUNITY
CAROL SINGING
On Monday 7th December, the Salvation
Army led a carol singing procession
of over 50 local residents around the
estates next to our office on Bell Barn
Road, including a stop at the Kerria Court
Care Home.
Afterwards everyone gathered at St
Luke’s Church in Great Colmore Street
for a well deserved treat of mince pies
and mulled wine.
GARDEN WINNERS!
Congratulations to our four
garden competition winners
Derek Myatt, Sutton Coldfield;
John Faulkener, Longbridge;
Margaret Bills, Sutton Coldfield,
and Chiswick Residents,
Attwood Green.
Thank you to everyone for your
photos of your amazing gardens.
Winners received £50 vouchers
for B&Q or National Gardens.
Doors open on new
community centre
We work in partnership
with the following Sure
Start Children’s Centres.
Family support and childcare provided to age
five. Services include parenting groups, health
promotions, baby groups, baby massage,
weaning advice and ‘stay & play’. For more
details, give us a call ‘or pop in. All welcome!
n
L i lli a
“I have lived in this area for many years and the
transformation through projects such as this has
been fantastic.”
L is s a & B e
l
hi
ld
re
avia
The new centre was purpose-built with
Birmingham City Council, to provide much
needed space and facilities for local groups and
organisations, such as sports clubs, scouts and a
pensioners’ lunch club.
Joy Gayle, a director of the Woodview Community
Forum, said: “It was truly wonderful to see so
many people here for the opening. It was far more
than we expected or even hoped for and I think
shows how much this centre means to people in
the area.
C
We were very pleased to see so many
local residents join in the celebrations of
the official opening of a new community
centre at Woodview Drive, Edgbaston, on
Saturday 21st November.
de
gr
New community centre
opens in Edgbaston.
r e n’ s C e n
t
Lillian de Lissa
Children’s Centre
Bellevue, B5 7LX
0121 675 3421
St Thomas Children’s Centre
Bell Barn Road, B15 2AF
0121 464 0002
TREASURE
KNIT
NATTER
CHEST FUNDS
Last year we provided nearly £10,000
from our Treasure Chest funding to
help local residents and community
organisations set up and run a number
of projects.
These projects ranged from
jewellery and theatre workshops
to a summer activity programme
and community choir.
te
Funding helps local residents crea
Local schoolchildren also worked alongside businesses
in the area to develop skills in carpentry, landscaping
and food growing, including helping to build a hen house
which supplies fresh eggs to the local community centre
for their cooking and healthy eating classes.
The funding also enabled Gro-Organic to hold a garden
open day with a world war theme. Caroline Spellman MP
cut the ribbon for the garden declaring it “a wonderful
community asset.”
Other community groups joined in the fun, such as
Northern Star Community Arts which played live music
from yesteryear and local artist Ronnie Cashmore who
painted a wall mural bombing scene.
Date
Rev By
28.04.15 00
The apartment blocks will be between
six and 11 storeys high and designed
around a central landscaped
courtyard. Three blocks will front onto
Bristol Street and Lee Bank Middleway
and will provide 217 apartments
for the private rented sector along
with commercial and retail facilities
including a shop, cafe and gym.
Lee Bank
Impression of Park Central from
ner
Cor
et
Stre
tol
Bris
Middleway and
Details
MG Planning Issue
Working with contractors, Lovell and part funded
by Eon, nearly £700,000 has been spent on
adding insulation, providing a new roof and
rendering to the external walls of Ottawa Tower,
Edgbaston.
LOCATION KEY
NOTES:
During the improvements, Lovell organised a
collection for Birmingham Central Foodbank and
thanks to generous donations approximately 45
meals were provided to a family with children in
emergency need.
LEE BANK MIDDLEWAY AND BRISTOL STREET CORNER VIEW
KEY
Tel. 0121 666 7640 F. 0121 666 7641
[email protected]
Project
Client
Crest Nicholson
Drawing Title
Visuals
Sheet 1
EDUCATIONAL
VEGETABLES FOR GREEN
FINGERED PUPILS
Date
28.04.15
Project Ref.
Date
Rev By
28.04.15 00
2038
Details
Scale
Checked
1:250@A1
1:500@A3
Drawing No.
A-L-400
SS
Revision
00
MG Planning Issue
rtyard
Impression of Park Central cou
The pupils of James Brindley Parkway
School, Edgbaston, look set for a
tasty education after creating their
own school vegetable patch.
Tel. 0121 666 7640 F. 0121 666 7641
[email protected]
Project
We recently joined forces with pupils
from the school and Lovell to plant
flowers and vegetables in a plot of land
they had cleared in the summer.
Client
Crest Nicholson
Drawing Title
Visuals
Sheet 4
Date
28.04.15
Project Ref.
2038
e
Knit Natter group members mak
large throws for the winter
Over 150 residents have worked alongside Gro-Organic to
design and build the garden which includes raised garden
beds, ground allotments, an Anderson air-raid shelter and
a trench made with sandbags.
er
Food donations from Ottawa Tow
45 meals
residents provides a family with
COURTYARD VIEW
For more details contact Marian Gillespie, at Latimer Gardens, on 0121 440 5433.
Starting in December 2014, Gro-Organic liaised with
Solihull Council and Optima on behalf of local residents to
transform a plot of land in Chelmunds Cross from an antisocial behaviour and fly-tipping hotspot into a community
garden.
To date around 1,700 new homes
have been built along with two new
park areas. Now, the final phase will
see the construction of six apartment
blocks providing 335 homes at the
corner of Lee Bank Middleway and
Bristol Street.
The development will take three years
to complete, with the first apartments
due to be ready in Spring 2017.
The group meets in the community room at Latimer Gardens Care Home every Monday from 1pm to 3pm.
Gro-Organic CIC successfully applied for
Treasure Chest funding in April last year for a
community garden project and received £1,266.
KEY
LOCATION KEY
“The group is really successful. Not only do we have
active knitting members, we also attract quite a few companions who come for the natter part of the meeting!”
Two successful applicants
to receive funding were GroOrganic CIC and the Latimer
Gardens Knit Natter Group.
NOTES:
We are now on the final phase of the
£250m regeneration of Park Central.
The remaining three blocks, fronting
onto Spring Street and Bell Barn Road,
will provide 118 apartments to be sold
on the open market.
In September the Latimer Gardens
Knit Natter Group received nearly
£250 from the Treasure Chest fund to
help buy equipment for their craft club.
Monica Jeffrey, a member of Knit Natter, says:
“Our knitting group is really pleased to have
been awarded money from the Treasure Chest.
We are a small group and the money helped
buy a sewing machine, threads, embroidery kits,
cross stitch cards and patterns so members can
improve their craft skills.
NEW HOMES, SHOPS AND
GYM AT PARK CENTRAL
Ottawa Tower
foodbank donation
A number of residents dressed up and posed for
photographs to replicate the ‘Dig For Victory’ posters of
that era. Their photographs and recorded stories of what
community means to them and how it has changed over
the years are now available for visitors to the garden.
The project has been a huge success with young and
old alike. The garden has been used for educational
purposes, health and wellbeing initiatives and work
experience for people who are looking for employment.
Sarah Gill, from Gro-Organic, said: “We are so pleased
that we have been able to help local people create such
a wonderful community space. It just goes to show there
are no better people to make local decisions than local
people. The garden is so well used throughout the year
and has provided a number of positive outcomes for
people living in Chelmsley Wood, including improved
health and wellbeing and even employment.”
Local resident Keith Latham commented: “It has been a
great project, we are all very pleased and proud that us
residents have created this for our community. It’s great
to see so many positive things happening in the garden,
particularly with the children. They really enjoy looking
after the hens and giving the food they have grown to
elderly residents.”
NEW
LOOK FOR
BENMORE
We are very pleased to confirm
that this year we will be replacing
the render on the outside walls
of the tower blocks at Benmore
estate in Edgbaston, which
includes Edmonton House,
Halifax House, Montreal House
and Vancouver House.
The work, which will vastly improve
the appearance and waterproofing
of the tower blocks, is due to
start in the Spring following
consultation with residents and will
take approximately 12 months to
complete.
At Optima’s AGM in November
2015, the question was
raised whether Family and
Optima would become one
organisation and if so, when?
Managing Director, Martyn
Hale, responds:
If we do pursue the option to merge the
two companies, this cannot happen
without a special set of meetings and
these being in agreement. There will not
be and cannot be any other process
than this, so please be assured that
this will not happen without a full, frank
and open consultation with everyone
affected.
Family and Optima are separate legal
companies and this cannot be changed
without the agreement of shareholders
of Family and members of Optima. In
addition, we also need permission from
funders and our regulator the Homes
and Communities Agency (HCA).
We are proposing that this year we hold
both AGMs on the same day and as
well as focusing on the future, we have
a celebratory event to mark the work we
have done over the last 12 months.
Since the 1st September 2015 we
have, however, created a new staffing
structure, with new patch-based teams.
This new structure means officers
are managing a geographical area
rather than looking after customers for
a specific organisation. We are also
working together as Family Optima.
This does not mean a new organisation
has been created, it just felt logical and
easier to call it this.
We will keep you updated on any further
information through our newsletters and
website.
Martyn Hale
Managing Director
Scale
Checked
1:250@A1
1:500@A3
Drawing No.
A-L-403
SS
Revision
00
The project has been a great success,
linked to GCSE catering lessons and
even improved maths skills through
measuring the planting beds. All pupils
have been taught how to care for their
plants and vegetables and are now
looking forward to watching them grow
over the coming months.
HELP TO FIND A FRIEND
Age Concern is currently contacting
some of our older customers to
ensure they don’t feel isolated and
have the support they need to keep
healthy and happy in their home.
For further information, please contact
our Community Involvement Team on
0300 790 6560.
Social isolation and loneliness have
been proven to have a serious
negative affect on your health and
wellbeing, including increasing the
risk of dementia, heart conditions and
mortality.
COMMUNITY
CAROL SINGING
On Monday 7th December, the Salvation
Army led a carol singing procession
of over 50 local residents around the
estates next to our office on Bell Barn
Road, including a stop at the Kerria Court
Care Home.
Afterwards everyone gathered at St
Luke’s Church in Great Colmore Street
for a well deserved treat of mince pies
and mulled wine.
GARDEN WINNERS!
Congratulations to our four
garden competition winners
Derek Myatt, Sutton Coldfield;
John Faulkener, Longbridge;
Margaret Bills, Sutton Coldfield,
and Chiswick Residents,
Attwood Green.
Thank you to everyone for your
photos of your amazing gardens.
Winners received £50 vouchers
for B&Q or National Gardens.
YOUR CALLS
It is best to call
between 6pm and
8pm as our phone
lines are less busy
at this time.
Remember - we are
Monday to Friday.
Play WM
World
online WM World
June 2016.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding means
human rights, and
neglect.
contact:
0121 675 4806
they can stop it.
information about:
the police on 999.
contact:
0121 675 4806.
RECHARGEABLE
REPAIRS
anonymous)
about
information.
WINTER 2015-16
CONTACT US
ONE NUMBER
0300 790 6560
HOURS 0300 790 6560
Customer Reception
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE
IN GOOD ORDER AND
WE WILL NOT CHARGE
YOU FOR REPAIRS
THROUGH FAIR WEAR
AND TEAR.
• Re-glazing
• Lock changes
doors
Cost
When you pay
qualified engineer.
Insurance
01628 586189.
SAFETY IN YOUR HOME
TO HELP OUR
IN THEIR HOMES WE
PROVIDE ANNUAL GAS
INSPECTIONS AND
UNDERTAKE ESSENTIAL
REPAIRS.
when required.
promptly.
furniture.
catching fire.
catch fire.
us urgently.
5525.
www.wmhousing.co.uk
Home’.
St Thomas House,
80 Bell Barn Road,
B15 2AF
[email protected]
www.wmhousing.co.uk
By post:
WM Housing Group
Birmingham, B37 7YN
RESIDENTS CREATE
PAYMENT ON TIME
take a look inside:
New year, new plans
NEW NUMBER!
Contact us 0300 790 6560
New year, new plans
promised.
provider.
0300 790 6533.
debt sooner.
and save money
FREE:
warm.
You can also:
of £140.
If you are elderly
or vulnerable and
medically dependent
on the electricity
PAY BY
direct debit.
on 0300 790 6560 to set up
It’s that easy!
wmworld.co.uk
YOUR CALLS
It is best to call
between 6pm and
8pm as our phone
lines are less busy
at this time.
Remember - we are
Monday to Friday.
Play WM
World
online WM World
June 2016.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding means
human rights, and
neglect.
contact:
0121 675 4806
they can stop it.
information about:
the police on 999.
contact:
0121 675 4806.
RECHARGEABLE
REPAIRS
anonymous)
about
information.
WINTER 2015-16
CONTACT US
ONE NUMBER
0300 790 6560
HOURS 0300 790 6560
Customer Reception
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE
IN GOOD ORDER AND
WE WILL NOT CHARGE
YOU FOR REPAIRS
THROUGH FAIR WEAR
AND TEAR.
• Re-glazing
• Lock changes
doors
Cost
When you pay
qualified engineer.
Insurance
01628 586189.
SAFETY IN YOUR HOME
TO HELP OUR
IN THEIR HOMES WE
PROVIDE ANNUAL GAS
INSPECTIONS AND
UNDERTAKE ESSENTIAL
REPAIRS.
when required.
promptly.
furniture.
catching fire.
catch fire.
us urgently.
5525.
www.wmhousing.co.uk
Home’.
St Thomas House,
80 Bell Barn Road,
B15 2AF
[email protected]
www.wmhousing.co.uk
By post:
WM Housing Group
Birmingham, B37 7YN
RESIDENTS CREATE
PAYMENT ON TIME
take a look inside:
New year, new plans
NEW NUMBER!
Contact us 0300 790 6560
New year, new plans
promised.
provider.
0300 790 6533.
debt sooner.
and save money
FREE:
warm.
You can also:
of £140.
If you are elderly
or vulnerable and
medically dependent
on the electricity
PAY BY
direct debit.
on 0300 790 6560 to set up
It’s that easy!
wmworld.co.uk

Stronger Together Winter 2015 - 2016

Transcription

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