now - Glasgow Housing Association
Transcription
now - Glasgow Housing Association
INSIDE: WIN AN DECEMBER 2014 KEY the iPAD 2 TENANT MAGAZINE If you’re having problems keeping up with your rent, please get in touch WE CAN HELP p6-7 WIN A £50 SHOPPING VOUCHER IN OUR PRIZE SUDOKU ON P15 theKEY www.gha.org.uk News 3 Gordon Sloan GHA Chair We’ll be asking you for a little more info FROM the end of 2014, we’ll be asking customers for a little more information – such as their date of birth – when they get in touch with us. This is to help us verify their identity and make our service quicker and more efficient. We appreciate your understanding. GHA environmental wardens’ efforts to make communities cleaner are hotting up. New hot water trailers are helping staff keep closes spick and span by providing them with piping hot water. The hot water trailers are powered by Calor gas and run off the van’s electrics – so the water is heated while the van is moving. That means they deliver hot water straight to the kerbside, where our hard-working wardens get to work with their mops and buckets cleaning closes. It’s already helping our environmental teams deliver an even better, cleaner service to tenants across the city. Jacqueline Norwood, GHA’s Neighbourhood Services Leader, said: “Tenants have told us they want closes cleaned with hot water and these new trailers help us do that. “It means we can keep closes up to the standard tenants deserve and help us make the city cleaner, greener and safer. “I’m sure tenants will notice a big difference.” Welcome NETs staff are hotting up WELCOME to the December issue of the Key. I can hardly believe Christmas is just round the corner. It’s always an expensive time of year, but making sure you are up to date with your rent is vital. We know it’s hard, but if you’re struggling to keep up with your payments, talk to your housing officer. No one wants to lose their home. Remember, GHA is here to help you. Our area committees, led by tenants, continue to do great work across the city. See how they’re helping kids in the north west take up sport on page 5. You can read how furniture from the Commonwealth Games is transforming tenants’ lives on page 9. We also have a reminder of the different services available to GHA tenants – from help to get online to help putting up curtains. See page 10 for details. Elsewhere in this issue there are handy tips on staying warm this winter on page 4, your letters on page 12 and the latest from Glasgow Gold on page 14. Finally, I’d like to thank former GHA Board member John Grant, who has retired. John has worked tirelessly over the years and will be greatly missed. I hope you enjoy this issue of the Key. 5 Contents News and features Cold weather advice.............. 4 Welfare reform latest............ 6 Kit for badminton kids.......... 8 Games furniture boost.......... 9 Tenants are so engaged..... 11 Pictured on the front is tenant Barbara Maxwell, backing our rent campaign The Glasgow Housing Association Limited is a not-for-profit housing association: registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 No. 2572R(S); recognised by HM Revenue and Customs as a Scottish Charity No. SC034054; registered social landlord No. 317 with the Scottish Housing Regulator under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010. Registered office: Wheatley House, 25 Cochrane Street, Glasgow, G1 1HL. the Key is printed on paper made from responsible sources. Please recycle responsibly. theKEY www.gha.org.uk 4 News WINTER ADVICE Home check for older tenants WE’RE offering extra help to vulnerable tenants during the cold spell. Every tenant who is over 60 or disabled can get a free home check. A plumber will check the boiler, pipes and taps. The plumber will also bleed the radiators and show tenants how to turn off the water supply in case of flooding. If you are over 60 or disabled and want a free home winter check, call 0800 479 7979. Get ready for winter Council cash help to stay warm TENANTS over 80 can get extra money to keep warm. Glasgow City Council’s Affordable Warmth Dividend is worth £100. To receive the payment you must be 80 years of age or over by 31 March 2015 and live in Glasgow. theKEY www.gha.org.uk If you are not yet 80, but will be before 31 March 2015, you can make the application now. They will be accepted until 31 March. If you haven’t claimed for the winter fund, or haven’t received a letter from the council, call 0141 287 7961. O UR long hot summer is a distant memory and winter is here. That means it’s time to make sure you’re geared up for the worst of the weather. Remember, our helpful advisors are on the end of the phone all day, every day, if things go wrong. Here are some simple tips to keep warm: n have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day n wear several light layers of warm clothes to keep heat in n keep active and wrap up warm if you go outside n draw your curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to block out draughts n keep your living room at around 18-21oC (6470oF) to keep warm n check dripping taps and overflows to prevent freezing of waste pipes and flooding n make sure you’ve had your annual gas service. It will ensure your heating system is working effectively n if you’re not going to be at home for a period of time, set your heating to come on for a couple of hours a day – and leave a key with a friend or neighbour. Trouble with your home If you have a frozen or burst pipe, your heating or boiler breaks down or tiles blow off your roof, you can call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 4797979, or 0141 274 7979 if phoning from a mobile. Our advisors will talk you through what to do and arrange for a tradesperson to call as soon as possible. i You can find more handy tips on our facebook page. Go to www.facebook.com/ glasgowhousing News 5 AREA COMMITTEES Upgrade plan for Townhead GET FIT: Pupils from the north west took part in the Mini Commonwealth Games Going for gold THE area round the high flats at Townhead will be upgraded after the North East Area Committee agreed to spend £80,000. Work includes improvements to the landscaping, improved drainage and new benches. A rundown area of land at Robroyston Avenue will also be given a make-over, with fences painted, kerbs replaced, bushes cut back and new tarmac put down. Scotstoun sporting event is a big hit with youngsters Govan cards make history ORE than 700 sporty youngsters kept the buzz of Glasgow 2014 alive by taking part in the Mini Commonwealth Games. The event, organised by GHA and A&M Training, saw pupils take part in a range of events including judo, basketball, hockey, rugby and table tennis at Scotstoun Leisure Centre. The youngsters were joined by Scottish Commonwealth silver medallist James Millar for some judo coaching. Around 740 pupils took part in the Games, which were funded by GHA’s North West Area Committee. The overall prize was won by Scotstoun Primary. Kate Willis, Chair of GHA’s North West Area Committee, said: “The Mini Commonwealth Games was a great way of encouraging youngsters to take part in sport – and a way of helping us create a THE South Area Committee is celebrating the history of Govan. GHA is creating a set of top trumps cards featuring well-known characters from the area, as well as a Govan digital treasure hunt for young people to get involved in. The cards will be distributed to youth clubs and schools in the area to help youngsters learn about the heritage of Govan. M lasting legacy from Glasgow 2014. “I was really impressed with the enthusiasm of the children. They were a credit to their schools.” A&M Training runs football and dance coaching in GHA communities across Glasgow. The event at Scotstoun follows the FARE Mini Commonwealth Games for east end schoolkids held at the Emirates Arena earlier this year. Acre Drive games court YOUNGSTERS in Summerston will benefit from a new multipurpose games court, thanks to the North West Area Committee. The committee agreed to spend £40,000 on the new play area at Acre Drive. theKEY www.gha.org.uk 6 News Tributes as John steps down from GHA Board GHA Board member John Grant has retired. John, 58, from Mosspark, is stepping down for health reasons. He’s retired from the GHA Board as well as his role as chair of the North West Area Committee. John was appointed to the GHA Board in 2008. He was also a regular contributor of photographs to the Key magazine. John said: “The changes made to housing in Glasgow over the past 10 years are absolutely phenomenal. “GHA has made a great difference to the city and I’m proud to have been part of that.” GHA Chair Gordon Sloan said: “I’d like to thank John for the contribution he has made to GHA and to Glasgow as a whole.” John has also retired from the board of Wheatley Group, GHA’s parent company, and of Lowther Homes, GHA’s sister organisation. Home is so im why I never If you are struggling to pay, we can help – but you need to talk to us PAID UP: Louise Tchapchet with kids Idris and Bernice Universal credit: ANOTHER big change to the benefits system is coming. Universal credit will see everyone who’s of working age and on benefit receive one payment every month paid in arrears directly into their bank account. People need to claim online, so they’ll need access to the internet, as well as a bank account. The new system will be introduced in some parts of the UK for new claimants theKEY www.gha.org.uk who are single jobseekers from February 2015. You need to make sure you’re ready. Several benefits will be rolled into a single payment. They are: housing benefit, jobseekers’ allowance, employment support allowance, income support, child benefit, working tax credit and child tax credit. Universal credit is paid in arrears. That means it will be several weeks after you make your claim that you’ll News 7 mportant, that’s miss my rent C HRISTMAS is expensive - but it’s vital you keep up with your rent. It’s important you don’t lose your home. If you’re having problems paying your rent, we can help you reduce any arrears and stay on top of your payments. GHA tenant Louise Tchapchet, 46, always plans ahead. Louise, from Drygate, said: “It’s hard, but I’ve never missed my rent. “My home is so important and I respect it very much. “Home is where I have my comforts with my family, so that’s why I make sure my rent is taken care of. “I always plan well in advance.” Tenant Barbara Maxwell, 88, from Cardonald, pictured, said: “Christmas is expensive but you have to pay your rent. Your rent is the main thing. “Once your rent is paid, you can shut your door and not worry about anything.” GHA can help. Our money advisors can help you manage your debts, and our welfare benefits advisors will help you claim everything you’re due – and help challenge any unfair sanctions. Our fuel advisors can help you cut your energy bills. GHA’s Andy Ashcroft said: “It’s really important at any time of year to keep up with your rent. “If you don’t, you could lose your home – and no one wants that to happen. “If you are having difficulties, please get in touch.” i To make an appointment with any of our advisors, talk to your housing officer or phone us on 0800 479 7979. it’s time to get ready receive your lump sum. People will also need to budget in a completely new way. At the moment, housing benefit is paid directly to GHA to cover your rent. Under universal credit, tenants on benefit will have to pay their rent themselves out of the lump sum they get every month. And then they’ll have to budget for their other bills so they have enough to live on. GHA Area Director Andy Ashcroft, pictured left, said: “Universal credit is a really important change. “People need a bank account. They’ll also need to budget differently, and have access to the internet. Remember GHA can help you get ready. Come and talk to us.” We told you in the last issue about a new ‘jam jar’ bank account we’re planning. We’ll keep you updated. Our Click & Connect centres all over Glasgow can help you get online. Your housing officer can give you more details. Remember, we’re here to help. i Talk to your housing officer or phone 0800 479 7979. If you’re calling from a mobile, it may be cheaper to phone 0141 274 7979. Nine easy ways to pay your rent 1. ONLINE: Visit www.gha.org.uk and follow the instructions on our easy and fast rent payment website. You can also pay your rent by visiting www.facebook.com/glasgowhousing 2. BY TELEPHONE: Call 0800 479 7979, or 0141 274 7979, to pay by debit or credit card. We have two options when you call. You can either choose to pay by automated (often called touch tone) payments or by talking to an advisor. 3. IN PERSON: Drop into our groundfloor shop at 173 Trongate and pay by cash, cheque or with your credit or debit card using our chip and pin facilities. 4. DIRECT DEBIT: By choosing our Direct Debit option, you can set up a bank instruction to pay your rent weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly or monthly. 5. BY STANDING ORDER: Remember, you will need to change the Standing Order amount if your payment amount changes. 6. POST OFFICE: Pay at the post office with a GHA rent payment card. 7. BY PAY POINT: At any shop that displays the PayPoint sign. 8. BY POST: Send a cheque or postal order to: GHA, 173 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HF. 9. HOUSING BENEFIT: If you receive full housing benefit, your rent is paid by Glasgow City Council. If you receive partial housing benefit, you are responsible for paying the rest. Make sure you are not missing out on benefits you are entitled to by going to www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/ onlineservices/benefitcalculator or calling 0800 597 3777. i Want more information? Call us on Freephone 0800 479 7979, go to www.gha.org.uk or drop in and see us at 173 Trongate. theKEY www.gha.org.uk 8 News GHA tenant Stephen Baillie, 33, from Drumchapel, talks about the impact of being made redundant Security of a job changes your life I WAS made redundant from my job in a carpet warehouse three years ago. It came out of the blue and was a real shock. I was in tears. I had given a lot to that job and I felt let down, big time. I’ve always been a willing worker. Even when I was at school I had a paper round and worked at weekends. It was very hard financially. I had to pay rent, put food on the table. I have two kids under five and my biggest fear after I lost my job was that I wouldn’t be able to feed them or buy them clothes. It’s a father’s job to provide for his kids, to bring in money for the house. You’re less of a man if you can’t take care of your children. I felt as if I was letting them down. I didn’t like taking them to the shops because I had to keep saying ‘no’. I was hanging around the house all day, too, and arguing constantly with my partner, Michelle. We were seeing each other day in day out, and it affected my kids, too. Eventually I got a start with the community janitors and now I’m moving into full-time work with Loretto, GHA’s sister organisation. Work gives you a goal in life, which is important. Getting a job has changed my life and my family’s life. Now I’m working, I get on a lot better with Michelle and my kids are much happier, too. It means I can take my kids on holiday, get my driving licence – which I’ve always wanted – even buy a car. Now my daughter gets her pocket money. It makes a difference when you’re out of the house all day – I really look forward to seeing the kids and hearing what they’ve been up to when I come back from work. There’s so much more to talk about than when you’re stuck indoors all day every day. The security of having a full-time job is important. Now I can plan for the future. i For details of the community janitors, talk to your housing officer. Contact Jobs & Business Glasgow on 274 3333. Visit us at facebook.com/ glasgowhousing for other job opportunities. theKEY www.gha.org.uk Kids’ kit joy Badminton club wins £250 for racquets C OMMONWEALTH badminton medallist Kirsty Gilmour hopes youngsters follow in her footsteps after they were gifted sports equipment. Kirsty, who won silver at the summer Games, met the next generation of players when she presented a £250 voucher to Beacon Warriors Badminton Club in Cranhill. The competition, run by GHA’s parent company Wheatley Group and Glasgowbased cloud computing company iomart, provides sports clubs with vouchers to buy equipment or kits. Beacon Warriors was the first of 18 winners to be announced. Youngsters previously had to take turns to train as the club did not have enough equipment. Kirsty, 21, said: “Competitions such as this allow clubs to buy equipment and help more youngsters take up sport. “Hopefully young people from these clubs will compete for medals at future Commonwealth Games.” GHA Chair Gordon Sloan said: “We’re delighted suppliers, such as iomart, are working with us to make a real difference to sports clubs.” The competition is part of Wheatley Pledge, a £1.5 million scheme encouraging contractors and suppliers to do more to help our tenants. News 9 Furniture boost helps us build a lasting legacy for our tenants CHANGING ROOMS: Barry Haetzman with Council Leader Gordon Matheson and GHA Chair Gordon Sloan F URNITURE from the Athletes’ Village at the Commonwealth Games is helping change lives for people across Glasgow. Thousands of items of furniture used by athletes at this summer’s event have already been redistributed to tenants who need help to furnish their home. GHA tenant Barry Haetzman from Shettleston was one of the first to benefit. He received beds, bedside cabinets, wardrobes and sofas which allowed him to furnish his spare room for his children to stay at weekends. GHA Chair Gordon Sloan and Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, joined Barry at his flat to see the difference it has made. Barry said: “The furniture has really helped me, especially for when the kids come to visit. I’m happy if the kids are happy. “It would have been very hard to furnish the flat The Games just keep on giving without this help. You have to budget for electricity, gas and food. It all adds up. “There are people out there who don’t have anything at all. “This furniture will really help them out.” GHA Chair Gordon Sloan said: “This scheme will make a big difference to vulnerable tenants, families and also to wider community projects in the city so thousands of people can benefit from the legacy of the Commonwealth Games.” Councillor Leader Gordon Matheson added: “This is another fantastic example of the social legacy that the Games have brought to Glasgow, with many people and organisations across and near the city benefiting. “I wish to congratulate all those involved in this inspired project.” The furniture was donated to GHA by the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and RGS Ltd, the Official Furniture Provider for the Games. Around 2,500 return trips, involving 197 staff, were needed to remove all of the furniture from the village. Sky’s the limit In the pink YOUNGSTERS from Finnart FC in Bridgeton pinned their colours to the mast. The under-11s team received cash from our East End Community Homes office – and decided to buy pink strips to publicise breast cancer charities. A DAREDEVIL tenant in her 70s is travelling to the other side of the world to skydive for charity. Liz Magill, 71, from Drygate, is travelling to South Africa to do the skydive to celebrate her daughter Lynn’s 40th birthday. Intrepid Liz, who used to live in South Africa and whose children still live there, is raising money for charity Cash for Kids at the same time. Liz, a retired shop manager, said: “I’m excited and apprehensive. It’s not something you do every day. “It wasn’t on my to-do list, let’s put it that way. But I thought – if I’m going to HIGH LIFE: Liz is skydiving for charity do something stupid at my age, then I might as well do it for charity. “I’m not even asking how high it is. I don’t want to know. “I’m not a daredevil – more like a mug!” theKEY www.gha.org.uk 10 News Much more than bricks and mortar GHA services are benefiting tenants R EMEMBER, GHA is about lots more than bricks and mortar. There are lots of services available to tenants, from help around the home to help finding work and training. Here’s a round-up of what’s available. OLDER TENANTS The Handyperson Service helps over-60s and disabled tenants with odd jobs round the home, such as plumbing in washing machines. Phone 0800 111 4404. Older tenants can also attend free fitness and arts ‘Revitalise’ classes. YOUR HOME Home Comforts provides recycled furniture to help tenants set up home. Fuel advisors can advise on cutting energy bills. And our low-cost home contents insurance can give you peace of mind in case the worst happens. MONEY AND BENEFITS Our 24/7 welfare benefits helpline gives advice and information on benefits. theKEY www.gha.org.uk Phone 0800 597 3777 or 0141 444 0110. Our welfare benefits advisors can make sure you’re claiming all the benefits you’re due and money advisors can help you budget and manage debt. GETTING ONLINE Our Click & Connect centres can help you get advice on using computers and getting online for free. Visit www.gha.org.uk/getonline JOBS AND TRAINING The community janitors give the long-term unemployed experience working alongside our environmental teams. Our modern apprenticeships give young people a career start. There are also opportunities through the Wheatley Pledge, which encourages our contractors to do more for our tenants. Visit www.facebook.com/ glasgowhousing for other job opportunities i For any of these services, talk to your housing officer. News 11 Have your say on rent HAVING THEIR SAY: GHA Board member Iwona Majzuk with Elizabeth Bashir and some younger tenants It’s good to talk Engagement event helps people influence GHA decisions T ENANTS turned out in force to make their voices heard. An event at Wheatley House last month saw tenants come together to discuss how best to influence decisions made by GHA. They took part in a series of interactive sessions and workshops which looked at how GHA can increase opportunities for tenants. Wheatley Chief Executive Martin Armstrong also joined in a feedback session to hear what people were saying. GHA money advisors, and staff from our Home Comforts and Eat Well projects, were also on hand to give advice. Maureen Dowden, GHA’s Community Governance and Compliance Leader, said: “Tenants are at the heart of everything we do and it’s vital that they influence the decisions we make. “The event was aimed at getting people involved and keeping tenants informed about services and their part in decision-making.” Meanwhile, GHA’s Polish Forum met last month to discuss repairs and contract management. Alex McGuire, Director of Property with GHA’s parent company Wheatley Group, was also on hand to answer questions. The next Polish Forum is early next year. i To find out more about how you can get involved, phone Linda Hunter on 274 6612. For details on the Polish Forum, email marta.rudnikowska@ gha.org.uk Dunedin Canmore to join Wheatley Group Wheatley Group – GHA’s parent company – is set to welcome a new partner. Dunedin Canmore, which provides housing, regeneration, property management and related services to customers in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife, is expected to join Wheatley next year, subject to final approvals, including from the Scottish Housing Regulator. Wheatley Group Chair Alastair Dempster said: “Dunedin Canmore is one of Scotland’s most respected social landlords and we look forward to welcoming them into the Group.” WE would like to hear your views on our proposals for next year’s rents. We aim to keep our rents as affordable as we can while still improving our homes and communities and delivering services you have told us you want. Remember, this is a consultation so we want to hear your views. Every GHA household will have received a leaflet about the proposals and a feedback form in the post. The closing date to tell us what you think is 24 December 2014. Make sure you have your say. Affordable insurance GHA tenants can benefit from low-cost home contents insurance. You can now get cover from as little as £2.32 every four weeks (for £8,000 of standard cover) – and from just £1.44 every four weeks if you’re aged 60 or over (for £5,000 of standard cover) – for household belongings, including furniture and ornaments. Insurance helps protect you from the expense of replacing items lost during fire, flood or theft. That gives you peace of mind in case the worst happens. i For details, call 0800 479 7979. If you’re using a mobile it may be cheaper to dial 0141 274 7979. theKEY www.gha.org.uk 12 News On target for success GHA aims to deliver excellent services – and we set targets to measure how we’re doing. The Scottish Housing Regulator expects all social landlords, including GHA, to perform well and monitors what we do. Here are our latest performance figures: ■■ Percentage of tenants satisfied with the overall service provided by GHA – 91% in our last survey ■■ Reactive repairs completed right first time – 95.26% (target 90%) ■■ Average time to let homes – 13.64 days (target 15 days) ■■ Gross rent arrears – 4.69% (target 4.5%) ■■ Value of sitting tenant arrears – £3.57 million. We’ll keep you updated on our performance figures in future isues of the Key. KEYinfo SINCE 2003, GHA HAS DELIVERED: 43,763 CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEMS 14,510 NEW WINDOWS 47,272 NEW KITCHENS 46,973 NEW BATHROOMS WE HAVE ALSO: OVERCLAD 40,098 HOMES, REROOFED 38,194 AND REWIRED ANOTHER 44,142 HOMES YOUR LETTER Dear the Key I would like to thank Jim McGinley for his story on mental health in the last Key. If I lived in Scotstoun, I would personally shake his hand. I suffer from depression and have asked for help. It’s very difficult. Maybe GHA would consider setting up a small group? A tenant in need, Cardonald Dear the Key As a mentally ill out-patient, I can relate to Jim McGinley’s column in the last Key. I suffer from chronic schizophrenia. The answer for outpatients like me is occupational therapy. I agree that doctors, social workers and care workers along with housing and voluntary organisations must be more integrated. People in community care need encouragement and security. Many people are ignorant of the mentally ill, which causes stigma. Tenant, Mosspark Thanks to everyone who wrote in about the column from Jim, below. Remember, if you have a story, email thekey@gha. org.uk Dear the Key The bins in our back court are a disgrace, with tenants putting the wrong things in recycling bins and carpets and furniture being dumped. They also smell terrible. Can you put a notice up in the close? Mary Codona, Brockburn Road Thanks for letting us know, Mary. We’ve sent all tenants a letter and put up notices. theKEY www.gha.org.uk Dear the Key I have a large tree in my garden. When it’s windy the leaves blow everywhere, including on to my neighbours’ path. They are pensioners and I’m worried they’ll slip. Can you give it a trim? Mrs McKinlay, Ashgill Road Our arborists will get to you when they can. Dear the Key I live at Strowan Street in Sandyhills. The buildings are well looked after, and the concierges are great, but some of them let in people who don’t live here. Apart from that, it’s a great place to live. Tenant, Strowan Street We take tenants’ security very seriously and our concierges don’t let anyone they don’t know into the block. If you have concerns, talk to your housing officer. Dear the Key It took three years of complaining for the hedge in my back garden to be cut last year. I’ve also requested that the trees be cut back because they are a nightmare – the roots cause drainage problems and the birds and squirrels in the trees are ripping the bins to shreds. It is a complete eyesore, not to mention dangerous. Emma Doherty, Cloan Avenue Our arborists will cut back the trees at the front and back of your garden, Emma. Dear the Key My daughter attends uni and got a bursary News 13 ERS Send your letters to us at: the Key magazine, FREEPOST RTJU-TRRA-GHKA, Wheatley Group, Wheatley House, 25 Cochrane Street, Glasgow G1 1HL or [email protected] If you want your letter to be printed, please include your name and address. Letters may be edited and we can’t print all we receive. St George’s telly stars YOUNGSTERS at St George’s Primary in Penilee are celebrating a new TV gifted by our South West local office. The school will use the TV to screen video shoots of the pupils doing presentations and short dramas they’ve written. The youngsters were so grateful they even wrote a poem thanking GHA. Pictured are Housing Officers Rosie Duffy and Tricia Moore with pupils Taylor Tomlinson, Aodhan Flannery, Ellis Pollok and Haillie Rhodie. STAR PHOTO THE winner of this issue’s star photo competition is Myo Myint, from Knightswood. Myo took this colourful photo of the sunset from his flat in Kirkton Avenue. He wins £10 worth of shopping vouchers. Have you taken a picture of your street, your house, the view from your window or a view of Glasgow? If so, why not send it in from GHA last year, which was much appreciated. I believe the criteria has changed and young people now have to volunteer. Just getting through uni is hard enough but my daughter is also a carer and is struggling to find time. Can you treat grant requests on an individual basis? Tracy Young, Dornal Avenue We introduced volunteering after people who received bursaries suggested they give something back. We always consider personal circumstances, so your daughter will still receive the bursary. Glasgow Gold education grants could also be available. Dear the Key Could we get the ‘No Dog Fouling’ sign moved from the top to the bottom of the steps at the Cathcart Road entrance to our block? Dogs are fouling the grass and owners don’t pick up. At the moment they could say they don’t see the sign. Tenants, 15 Cathkinview Place The sign is on council land. We’ve spoken to their dog wardens. People can walk dogs on open spaces and, as with anywhere in the city, must pick up any mess their dogs make. If you see dog fouling, call 0800 027 7027. Dear the Key Can you help with overgrown to the Key’s star photo and we’ll print the best one. i Email your photos to [email protected] Good luck – happy snapping! trees blocking the pathway outside my back garden gate? Someone came out and took pictures and we’ve heard nothing since. I don’t want my shed roof ruined. Richard Thomson, Victory Way You’re on our arborists’ list and they’ll get to you as soon as they can. Dear the Key Can you help me have my grass and hedges cut as my dad has health issues and I have bad legs. Marie McKinlay, Hallhill Road We’ve cut back the tree and given you a form to fill in to get on the council’s garden maintenance programme. Ashley in model bid A CRAIGEND tenant made the finals of a modelling contest. Ashley Wilkie, 24, was selected as a finalist for the Miss Elegance Glasgow competition last month – with the chance of winning a modelling contract. Full-time mum Ashley, 24, said: “I’ve never modelled before and I’m excited.” Meeting CRANHILL Community Council meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Cranhill Community Centre, 200 Bellrock Street, at 6.30pm. Email: walker641216@ yahoo.co.uk theKEY www.gha.org.uk 14 News Glasgow Gold Grants lifeline WIN AN iPAD 2 Tenant reward scheme is proving a real boost PEOPLE all over the city are feeling the benefit of Glasgow Gold. GHA’s tenant reward scheme provides a little extra help for community groups, students and small businesses. It’s an important way of rewarding tenants who are up to date with their rent – and of increasing opportunities for tenants. Youngsters from the east end had a wild time at a farm recently, thanks to a Community Chest grant. Kids who attend the Connect 2 out of school care services enjoyed a day trip to the Heads of Ayr Farm Park over the summer, thanks to a grant from Glasgow Gold. Connect 2’s Linda Liddell said: “The children really enjoyed the trip as many of them don’t get days out.” Here are some of the other community groups which have recently been given a helping hand: n Greater Knightswood Elderly Forum received £450 for their summer away day to Perth n The 10th Glasgow Scout Troop, based in Provanmill, received a grant to help with their programme of summer activities, including a trip to This Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh n Kingsway Court Health and Wellbeing Centre received a grant to build a brick barbeque for the benefit of local residents who attend the community garden n The South West Kinship Carers’ Group WE have another iPad 2 to give away in our competition for Glasgow Gold members. To win one of the amazing tablet computers, just answer this simple question: Youngsters from which out of school care service recently enjoyed a trip to Heads of Ayr Farm Park: BUSINESS BOOST: Simon Crawley, top, and Michelle Stevenson, above, received Glasgow Gold business start-up grants received £500 for a trip to the panto. GHA Chair Gordon Sloan said: “Glasgow Gold is an important way for us to help tenants lead better lives. “It means we can help grassroots community groups, provide a little support to hard-up students and help people starting their own business to realise their ambitions. “It’s another way we’re increasing opportunities for our tenants.” Sign up for a range of fantastic benefits IF you are a GHA tenant whose rent is fully paid up – or who is on a repayment plan – you can join Glasgow Gold and receive a range of benefits, including the theKEY www.gha.org.uk chance to apply for: n Community Chest grants of up to £500 n Education grants of £250 n Business Start-up grants of up to £1,000. i For details on Glasgow Gold, phone 274 6744, email [email protected] or speak to your housing officer. A) Connect 2 B) Connect 3 C) Connect 4 i Send your answers to the Key magazine, FREEPOST RTJU-TRRA-GHKA, Wheatley Group, Wheatley House, 25 Cochrane Street, Glasgow G1 1HL by 12 January 2015. Please include your full name, address and contact number. Terms and conditions can be found at www.gha.org.uk Remember, only one entry per household. Marjory Stewart, of Blairdardie, correctly answered the iPad2 competition in the last issue of the Key. Leeanne’s Fabulous Faces received a grant. News 15 WHAT’S iN SUDOKU ABC, MUSIC AND ME St Francis Centre, 405 Cumberland Street, G5 0SE. 22 December, noon-1pm. Free. Activities for kids aged 2-5, including music and dance. For more info, call 429 0275. Fill in this Sudoku and send it to us for a chance to win a great prize – a £50 gift voucher. Send your answers to: KEY SUDOKU, the Key magazine, FREEPOST RTJU-TRRA-GHKA, Wheatley Group, Wheatley House, 25 Cochrane Street, Glasgow G1 1HL by 12 January 2015. i MOTHERS’ SPACE Merry-Go-Round, 32-34 Nithsdale Road, G41 2AN. 18 December. 2.30pm. Free. A friendly support group for mothers. For more info, call 423 2299. LAST ISSUE’S SUDOKU i SING OUT CHILDREN’S CHOIR Name: Telephone number: The winner of the Sudoku competition in the last issue of the Key was Jacquie Bell of Coxton Place. Jacquie wins £50 worth of shopping vouchers. Address: St Margaret’s Scottish Episcopal Church. 353-355 Kilmarnock Road, G43 2DS. 23 December. 3.30pm-5pm. Free. A new choir for kids in P4-7 who want to get into singing and musical fun. For more info, call 636 1131. i WEANS IN THE WILD PANTO Castlemilk Community Centre 121 Castlemilk Drive, G45 9UG. 19 December, 7-8pm. £3 (£2). A Glasgow panto for all the family. For more info, call 634 2233. i Find us on facebook at Facebook.com/ glasgowhousing and Twitter @glasgowhousing Terms and conditions can be found on the GHA website at www.gha.org.uk/competitions COMPLAINTS update THE Scottish Housing Regulator asks GHA to report on complaints. Across GHA during the first two quarters of 2014/15, 745 complaints were resolved. Of these, 395 (53%) were upheld and 654 (88%) were resolved within the agreed timescale. The most common complaint related to repairs and the most common reason was communication of appointments. We’ve highlighted this to our contractors to ensure appointments are appropriately scheduled and communicated. We want to learn from complaints so we can respond to things we don’t do so well. We aim to resolve all complaints within five working days. You’ll know the name of the member of staff dealing with your complaint, and they’ll inform you of progress. You can make a complaint, comment or compliment by: ■■ calling us on 0800 479 7979 ■■ dropping in to one of our local offices ■■ using our complaints form ■■ writing to your local office ■■ visiting our one-stop shop at 173 Trongate ■■ emailing us at [email protected] theKEY www.gha.org.uk theKEY www.gha.org.uk
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