News and Views Summer 2015

ISSUE 26 • July 2015

news&views

GREAT Homes GREAT Neighbourhoods GREAT People

Community jumpsfor joy in June

Meet the CommunityEngagement team pages 10 & 11

St. Andrew’s Housecomes to life pages 18 & 19Carers Project page 5

!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!

#JUMPSTARTJUNE#JUMPSTARTJUNE

17340A Gedling Newsletter Summer 2015 v8__ 15/07/2015 13:43 Page 1

Contact usTel: 0115 905 1515Email: [email protected]: www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

Twitter:@Gedling_HomesFacebook:www.facebook.com/gedlinghomes

2

Guest Editorial Gordon Aitken

Welcome to the Summer edition of Newsand Views.A lot has been happening over the last few months,St.Andrew's House has officially opened.Together withhelp from the Nottingham North and East ClinicalCommissioning Group a project to help carers and thosefor whom they care for has been launched and theCommunity EngagementTeam has been formed to offer arange of services for tenants.

In this edition, the success of Jump Start June iscelebrated,with full photographic evidence for all tosee on pages 12 and 13.

We're also saying HappyBirthday to GH Responsewho celebrated turning onein July.They've had a great 12months and are set toimprove even further.

Don't forget our regularcompetitions and there'splenty of events to lookforward to on pages 20 and21.Until next time,enjoy!

Gordon Aitken

What building was on this site 60

years ago and what was it known as? In this edition you will notice small chequered boxes.These are QR codes.They are a type of barcode thatyou scan with your smart phone or tablet to visit aspecific website.

If you have a smart phone or tablet, simply downloada free QR code scanner app.

Using this app, the camera in your phone or tabletwill read the QR code, just like a barcode scanner in ashop.Your phone or tablet will then take you straightto the specific website.

Give this one a try, it will take you straightto our website.

QR Codes

The building is Calverton Folk Museum

Congratulations toMrs Sylvia Coyle of Collyer Road,Calverton.You got it right!£25 vouchers are coming your way!

Last edition’s answer:Did you know what it was?

Send your answers to Customer Experience,Gedling Homes, Gedling House,Wood Lane,Gedling, NG4 4AD for your chance to win£25 in shopping vouchers. We’ll let youknow the answer in the next edition!

?

Do you knowthis landmark?


We want to hear from you!Send us your photos,news, ideas,or feedback on

our services and we will print a selection of the responses inthe next edition of News &Views.

Email us at:[email protected] or write toCommunications,Gedling Homes,Gedling House,

Wood Lane,Gedling,Nottingham,NG4 4AD

3Find us online at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

Contents

News

Giving you the feel-good factor 4Your work search - with My WorkSearch 4Carers Project 5Caught on Camera 5Ending your tenancy - something youshould know 6Our 2015/16 Investment Programme 6Gedling Homes Development Update 7Happy Birthday GH Response -celebrating good times 7

Money

Community Switch 8Welfare Reform - do you know whatit all means for you? 8Household Budget Calculator 9Universal Credit is now live in Gedling 9‘My Money, My Choice’ 9

Tenant Involvement

Meet the Community Engagement team 10-11Jump Start June 12-13Make your views count - have yoursay in this year’s STAR survey! 14

Your Community

Restorative Justice Scheme CelebratesFirst Anniversary 15New programme to assist young people 16Film Project for Netherfield Children 16

Street Talk

Alan White meets Laura Shaw 17

Independent Living

St. Andrew’s House comes to life 18-19

Events

Events list 20-21

Fun & Games 22

Our Performance 23


4

Your work search - with

If you are looking for a job,MyWorkSearch is designed to helpyou prepare for work and find a job.

MyWorkSearch is the market-leading online service that helpsregistered housing providers assistlarge numbers of people into work.

You can use the service from yourhome or anywhere else where theinternet can be accessed.

MyWorkSearch helps jobseekers inmany ways including:

• Using specially developedassessments to revealyour transferable skills andcareer interests.

• Using the power of technologyto find relevant vacancies frommore than a million jobs postedon thousands of job boards andemployer sites.

• High quality eLearning to helpyou understand the challenges ofthe employment market andhow to secure a job.

• Building one or more CVs.

• Using tools to ensure you remainorganised and focused.

As you work through your journey,MyWorkSearch automatically tracksusage, reminding and encouragingyou to stay active.

MyWorkSearch’s multi-awardwinning system is proven to workand is already being used to helpjobseekers in welfare to workcontractors, colleges, vocationaltraining providers and otherorganisations throughout the UK.

Gedling Homes’ CommunityEngagementTeam will providesupport for tenants to make themost of MyWorkSearch.

For more details you can contactthe team on 0115 905 1515 [email protected]'.

Hello there! My name is Patrick Meakin and Ihave recently joined Gedling Homes as theHealth & Wellbeing Project Officer.My role is to enable Gedling Homes residents to maximisetheir health and wellbeing in a variety of ways.

I will look to deliver this by working with the communityto provide engaging and enjoyable services based aroundthe needs of our tenants.Here are some examples ofwhat to look forward to in the near future.

• Moving More Often - an initiative from the BritishHeart Foundation to get older people more active incare settings to reduce isolation and improve mobility.

• HealthWalks - a programme of free, locally basedshort walks withThe Ramblers and Macmillan CancerSupport that are suitable for all.

• Playing Out - sessions across the borough wherestreets are closed for a few hours to allow kids to playsafely and neighbours to chat with tea and cake!

• Health Fairs - bringing together a range ofhealth professionals under one roof offeringblood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and bone densitychecks.There will also be partners offering advice onnutrition, health and fitness, active travel and massagetaster sessions.

• Falls Prevention - many of our residents are at riskof falls and there will be interventions to tackle this.These will include the provision of home exercisebooklets and education around minimising the risk offalls in the home.

More details about these and other services will becoming soon.

For more information please contact CommunityEngagement on 0115 905 1515 [email protected]

Giving you thefeel-good factor

Gedling Homes has signed up for the My WorkSearch initiative.


5

News

Carers Project

Are you a carer?The Carers Trust defines acarer as anyone who cares,unpaid, for a friend or familymember who due to illness,disability, a mental healthproblem or an addiction,cannot cope withouttheir support.Gedling Homes is working inpartnership with Nottingham Northand East Clinical CommissioningGroup to provide a service with theaim of improving the health andwellbeing of carers and those forwhom they care.

Gedling Homes’ residents wererecently contacted about thescheme and more communicationabout what is on offer will be sharedin the coming weeks.

Patrick Meakin,Health &WellbeingProject Officer for Gedling Homessaid: It’s clear from the researchundertaken that there are asignificant number of our residentswho are carers.Gedling Homes andour NHS partners are workingtogether to deliver a service thatsupports carers and theirdependants to maximise theirhealth and wellbeing.

For more information pleasecontact Community Engagementon 0115 905 1515 [email protected]

Find us online at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

Caught onCamera!!

A tenant atWalton Court inCarlton was identified on CCTVas being responsible for flytippinga sofa within the scheme.

Richard Quinn,NeighbourhoodManagement Officer, used theCCTV to identify the man inquestion and has subsequentlyserved him with a tenancycaution as well as recharginghim for the cost of the removalof the sofa.

Richard said:“I hope this providesa warning to tenants that we willuse all available methods toidentify those responsible forblighting our neighbourhoods.Flytipping is detrimental to theappearance of communities andwe will do what we can to cutit out.”

Gedling Borough Councilprovides a low cost bulky wasteremoval scheme for persons whoare unable to dispose of largeitems.They can be contactedabout this on 0115 901 39 01.


Quite often when a tenancy is ended,lots of personal belongings are left in theproperty. We have to remove thesebefore we can start to get the propertyready to let to the next tenant.When you have ended your tenancy and havehanded the keys back to us, you must ensure thatthe property is clear of all items - this includes lofts,cellars, the garden and any outbuildings. This isyour responsibility.

If there are any items left in the property, you willbe recharged for their removal and it can be quiteexpensive. This is because there is a cost toGedling Homes to clear items from the propertyand that cost is repayable by you.

6

Ending your tenancy -something you should know

The 2015/16 investment programme hasbeen finalised and the Gedling HomesInvestment Team will be investing£5.6million pounds in capital improvementsaround the borough.

The main areas of focus this year are as follows:

• Continuation of the ExternalWall InsulationProgramme which will insulate over 400 solidwalled properties.

• Ongoing provision of disabled adaptation worksbased on OccupationalTherapist recommendations.

• Starting programmes for communal lightingupgrades, hard-wired smoke detector installationsand communal decorations.

• Continuing to create new scooter storage facilitiesin communal schemes where necessary.

To help deliver our investment programme we aredelighted to welcome Phil Crampin andAndrew Ridleywho have recently been appointed as Project Surveyorsin the InvestmentTeam. Andrew and Phil will join ourteam of existing surveyors in working to provideGREAT homes for our residents.

If you would like any further information on theGedling Homes Investment Programme please contacttheAsset Management team on 0115 905 15 15 [email protected]

team of existing surveyors in working to provideGREAT homes for our residents.

If you would like any further information on theGedling Homes Investment Programme please contactthe Asset Management team on [email protected]

Our 2015/16 Investment Programme

External wallinsulation



GH Response

Gedling HomesDevelopmentUpdate

After having completed over£42 million of capitalinvestment to our existinghomes since transfer,Gedling Homes is nowembarking on an ambitiousprogramme to deliver over200 new build properties byMarch 2018.Negotiations are ongoing regardingmultiple sites with developmentpotential within the Borough and wehope to start work on our firstscheme in early 2016.

We are also delighted to introduceDeborah Higgins who has recentlybeen appointed as DevelopmentManager and will be leading theday-to-day delivery of the GedlingHomes Development Programme.

If you would like any furtherinformation on the Gedling HomesDevelopment Programme pleasecontact theAsset Managementteam on 0115 905 15 15or [email protected]

GH Response, the repairsand maintenance servicefor Gedling Homes,celebrated their firstbirthday this month(July 2015).Over the past 12 months theservice has gone from strengthto strength and customersatisfaction is the best it’s everbeen, scoring 100%.

GH Response is also set toimprove further,with a brandnew PDA (Personal DigitalAssistant, also known as ahand-held PC) work schedulingsystem due to be put in place forthe team.This will ensure thatthe service is more efficient, as itwill be easier to plan jobs in andensure that the right materialsare available at the right times,saving time and money as well asreducing our carbon footprint.

Head of Property Managementfor GH Response,MickArchersaid:“It’s been a great year for theservice, it has been a real team

effort to make it work and we’vemade massive improvements inour productivity.We are nowlooking forward to what thefuture holds, ambitious targetshave been set to ensure that wemeet the expectations of ourcustomers and I am confident wewill achieve this. We are alsolooking to expand the service,which will provide new workopportunities in the borough.”

Photographs of the teamcelebrating are below.

GH Response, the repairs effort to make it work and we’ve

For more information about GH Response please see ourwebsite www.gedlinghomes.co.uk call 0115 905 1515 oremail [email protected]

HappyBirthday GHResponse -celebratinggood times


Are you paying too much for your energy?

Did you know:• If you do not change your tariff or switch suppliers you

could be paying the most expensive costs for your fuel?

• Have you thought about saving money by switchingyour energy supplier, but not had the confidence ormotivation to do so?

• Gedling Homes want to help you get the best energydeal you can by making switching your supplier easy andhassle free.

• To do this we have teamed up with Community Switchthat provides a free and independent price comparisonservice to find the best energy deals available and helpyou complete the switch.

• It doesn’t matter if you pay your bill quarterly ormonthly,Community Switch can work with you to getthe best deal.

• If you use a pre-payment meter Community Switchcan help you switch your energy supplier to Utilita,the UK’s leading prepayment gas and electricity supplierto save you money by cutting costs and installing asmart meter so that you can monitor your usage at thetouch of a button.

A few moments of your time could save you upto £300 a year!

Contact Community Switch:

• Ring 0333 240 6024 Mon-Fri 9am-7pm,Sat 10am-2pm

• Text Switch to 60777

• www.community-switch.co.uk

8

Community Switch

www.myhomefinance.org.uk

Weareaso

cial le

nder

andwebe

lieve

inaff

ordab

le

credit

forall

Beawiseowl

Call today:

0190525805

There for you, fair for you

By switching to an affordableloan from My Home Finance,we can help you gain controlof your finances.

So be a wise owl andcontact My Home Financetoday.

My Home Financetwitter.com/MyHomeFinance

THE HOME OFAFFORDABLELENDING

Welfare Reform - Do you knowwhat it all means for you?

For the last few years, tenants have seen cuts intheir entitlement to welfare benefits.This has includedthe ‘bedroom tax’, a cap on the amount of benefithouseholds can claim and changes to disabilitybenefits. We have also seen the introduction ofUniversal Credit.

There is a lot to take in and it’s hard sometimes toknow if you are affected. To offer some assistance,you can log onto the website to access ‘frequentlyasked questions’ about welfare benefit changes thatyou may find useful www.gedlinghomes.co.uk/welfare-reform/faqs-gedling

We know that there are more significant welfarebenefit cuts to come. These are likely to include afreeze on benefits, cuts to entitlement to HousingBenefit for young people and a further reduction tothe overall benefit cap.

It’s important that you start to think about whetheryou will be affected and contact the MoneyWiseTeam on 0115 905 1515 if you need some advice.ACT NOW!

If you use a pre-payment meter Community Switch


Money

9Find us online at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk 9Find us online at www.gedlinghomes.co.uk

Universal Credit is nowlive in Gedling

Universal Credit is nowbeing rolled out in theGedling area.

This means that singlejob-seekers may nowhave to claim UniversalCredit rather than JobSeekersAllowance andHousing Benefit.

If you are unsure whetherthis affects you or you have

been told to claim UniversalCredit, please contact us on0115 905 1515.

The DWP will start toinclude other groups,such as families, in thecoming months.No firmdates have been set, but it’sreally important to be readyfor the changes.Can youanswer yes to the following?

If you are unsure whetherthis affects you or you have

I have access to the internetI can use the internetI have a bank account or Credit Union accountI can budget monthlyI have looked at all my household expenditure

✓ ✗Tick list

If you can’t tick ‘yes’ to all of the above, please contactthe Money Wise Team for help and support on0115 905 15 15 or email: [email protected]

HouseholdBudgetCalculatorBudgeting is about being in controlof your money.It is very important to make sure you do notspend more than you have coming in, as this maylead to you missing important payments like yourrent or being charged for being overdrawn atthe bank.

A great way to work out your budget is with ouronline budget planner.This allows you to record allof your incomings and outgoings. It then analysesand adds up your figures and gives a breakdown ofwhere your spending goes each month.

It provides you with some additional informationand helpful hints if you are spending within yourbudget, very close to overspending or spending fartoo much.You have the option to save yourbudget planner results and return to update themat any time.

Please have a look at the Gedling Homesbudget calculator onwww.budget.entitledto.co.uk/newcharter

‘My Money,My Choice’Take a couple of minutes to haveanother look at your ‘My MoneyMy Choice’ booklet - it may beworth your while. You can alsoaccess the booklet on our websitewww.gedlinghomes.co.uk/pay-your-rent/welfare-benefits

1MY Money MY Choice ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2015

Ways topay yourrent

MY MoneyMY ChoiceYOUR 12 MONTH GUIDE ON HOWTO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR FINANCES

QUIZ: £100 SUPERMARKET VOUCHERSOF YOUR CHOICE TO BE WON

-3/",-!3,.'3 -3+,#-1%33+#)! $*4- "*(3 #) 2#+&2*+ /*)0#2#*)

ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2015

Help fromGedling Homes

MoneyChoice

MoneyChoice

£100 SUPERMARKET VOUCHERS CHOICE TO BE WONCHOICE TO BE WON

Help from

KEEP ME

HANDY!


10

Meet the Community Engagement teamIn April the CommunityEngagement team wasformed in theNeighbourhoods team atGedling Homes to provide acommunity focus to our workin your neighbourhoods.It brings togetherTenant Involvement,Community Regeneration,Health andWellbeing andTenancy Sustainmentwith Community EngagementManager SteveWard leading the team.

Steve WardCommunity EngagementManagerSteve brings a wealth of experiencein community services having ledGedling Homes toTenantParticipationAdvisory Service(TPAS) accreditation in 2011,and built the involvement servicesfollowing transfer from GedlingBorough Council.

He previously worked for nine yearsin housing management roles withother Registered Providers in theMidlands and is responsible for thestrategic direction of the team andthe scrutiny function.

Sarah QuinnTenant Involvement OfficerSarah has worked at GedlingHomes since 2010 and has lots ofexperience delivering involvementservices to tenants.

She is responsible for all involvementservices on a day-to-day basis andlooks after GREATer Training;GREATer Together involvementstructure;TenantVoices andTenant Inspectors.

Martin CurtisCommunity RegenerationOfficerMartin has been with Gedling Homessince 2012 and has almost 30 yearsexperience working in a rangeof community development,community regeneration andcommunity arts roles.

He is responsible for all communityregeneration services; delivery of theCommunity Chest initiative;employability, including the delivery ofthe local Gedling ‘young and

successful’ hub,which tackles longterm unemployment in 18-25 yearolds;oversees delivery of theGREAT Neighbourhood Promisesand looks after projects aimed attackling social isolation.

Patrick MeakinProject Officer(Health and Wellbeing)Patrick joined Gedling Homes inApriland has over ten years experience indelivering health and physical activityinterventions to people of all ages.

Patrick will be responsible for aproject to improve the health andwellbeing of Gedling Homes tenantswho are Carers as well as a range ofother exciting initiatives such as fallsprevention, health walks, communityplay events and even Ping Pong!

Emma GreenallPositive Engagement OfficerEmma Greenall has been with GedlingHomes for four years and is aqualified social worker.


Tenant Involvement


For nine years she provided intensivesupport for young people aroundbarriers for progression.

She is responsible for supporting familiesat risk of eviction to sustain theirtenancies, reduceASB, improve schoolattendance and increase engagement.

Laura ShawCommunity EngagementAssistantLaura has worked for Gedling Homessince 2013.

She has a strong background in providingcustomer service having previouslyworked in the repairs call centre and isresponsible for providing theadministrative support for the team,promoting events, publicity andsocial media.

Did you know that GedlingHomes has a tenantspanel that deals with finalstage complaints?Customers and landlordssometimes disagree.

Most of the time complaintsare resolved quickly butoccasionally it’s difficult to reachan agreement.

The panel includes customersfrom three registered housingproviders:

• Derwent Living

• Gedling Homes

• Tuntum Housing

It meets once a month to reviewunresolved complaints andpropose a solution.

Tenants tackle complaints

• To build on success of the GREATerTrainingtenant academy

• Deliver theTenant Inspector and scrutinyfunction programme

• Deliver the Gedling Homes ‘carers project’ inconjunction with the NHS Clinical CommissioningGroup (CCG) (see page 5)

• Oversee the delivery of the nine NeighbourhoodPlans to ensure the delivery of 5★ neighbourhoods

• Deliver the Gedling young and successful microhubsupporting the long term unemployed within the18-25 year olds (see page 16)

• Build theTenancy Sustainment service to providesupport to tenancies across Gedling Homes

Key areas of work for the team this year are:

Our new email address is:[email protected]

If you would like to learn more about the panel or wouldbe interested in joining, please contact Community Engagement on0115 905 1515 or email [email protected]


12

June saw a month of action forGedling Homes, across all ourcommunities.More than 600 residents of Gedling boroughjoined in with the fun of #JumpStartJune,which incorporated activities for all sectionsof the organisation.

The main theme of the month focused onimprovements to tenants homes and theircommunities, and kicked off in style with the'Beside the Seaside' exhibition in Netherfield.Other activities included the Big Lunch inNewstead and the GREAT GetTogether inNetherfield,which were both events aimed atbringing the community together to enjoy ameal and socialise.

!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!

!

#JUMPSTARTJUNE#JUMPSTARTJUNE

More than 600residents rise tothe challenge


Tenant Involvement


Further activities encouraged social interaction,such as an organised walk at Gedling CountryPark and a Playing Out event in Killisick.In addition other events focusing onsupporting local communities took place,including an Energy Switch day to help ensureGedling Homes residents can access the bestpossible energy deals and a day aimed atsupporting tenants with the introduction ofUniversal Credit.

SteveWard,Community Engagement Manager,said:“JumpStartJune is our month of communityaction and is part of Gedling Homes’commitment to supporting the communitiesin which our residents live. There was a rangeof activities across the whole borough andsomething for everyone to get involved in.The numbers participating have been fantastic,with more people getting involved thanever before.”

#JumpStartJune supported Gedling Homes’‘GREAT Neighbourhood Promises’,which details various initiatives to supportlocal communities. The aim of the promisesis to create 5 star neighbourhoods acrossthe borough.


14

Make your views count -have your say in this year’sSTAR survey!

66% of you wereworried about anti-social

behaviour (ASB) so we are takinga robust stance against ASB with

new powers to issue legalnotices aimed at prevention of

anti-social behaviour.

70% of you said repairswere important to you so we have

introduced new technology to offer repairappointments at our first visit. By the end of

March 2015 92% of all repairs were completedby agreed appointment, an increase of 19% fromthe year before. On completion of major works,96% of tenants surveyed were satisfied with the

improvement work we carried out.This is fantastic as we delivered around £12

million of improvements last year.Those of you who

wanted to be more involvedwere invited to the Value

For Money CustomerConference held in March.

58% of you wereunhappy with servicecharges, so a leaflet is

being put together with thehelp of tenants, to help

make things a bit clearer.

This year’s customer satisfaction survey (STAR) willtake place during July. This is our annual survey ofa random sample of customers from acrossGedling Homes that helps us make surewe are delivering services in a way that suitsyour needs. A company called BMG Researchwill be making the telephone survey callson our behalf.If you take part in the survey you will be entered into acompetition draw to win £150 shopping vouchers.

We are also looking at different ways to complete thesurvey, so some of you may receive an email with a link tocomplete the survey online.

Last year’s feedback was really valuable, helping toshape this years’ service improvementsand priorities. As a result of what youtold us in 2014 here are some of theimprovements we have made.

Your neighbourhood plans werereviewed this year to look atperformance at the halfwaypoint with 75% of actionscompleted out of a totalof 1353.

WIN£150SHOPPINGVOUCHERS

were important to you so we have

have your say in this year’s

wanted to be more involved

of 1353.


Your Community


RestorativeJustice SchemeCelebrates FirstAnniversary

We currently have a team of six volunteers whofacilitate meetings between the harmed andharmer. At the end of the meeting, anagreement is signed which records theagreed outcomes.

Evidence on a local and national level indicatethat by using a restorative justice approach thelikelihood of persons re-offending issignificantly reduced.

Caitlin O Connel,one of our RJVolunteers,who has been heavily involved in the projectsince its outset, said:“Being involved with theGedling Neighbourhood Resolution Panelshas been a really interesting and rewardingexperience. It clearly seems that therestorative justice approach to addressinganti-social behaviour works and results inlong-term solutions to ingrained anti-socialbehaviour issues.

As volunteers,myself and my colleagues areindependent and are able to provide a wayforward to all parties. Sometimes it can be assimple as the person who is in the wrongoffering an apology,which enables both sets ofneighbours to move on with their lives andactually result in them getting along a lot betterin the future. I would strongly suggest that iftenants of Gedling Homes are offered this as away to address their neighbour problems theyaccept it and give it a go.”

The Gedling Neighbourhood ResolutionPanel recently celebrated its firstanniversary. During its first year,our team of volunteers have beenhelping to reduce anti-social behaviourfrom re-occurring and providing solutionsto long-standing neighbour problems.


16

New programme to assist young peopleAs part of our commitment tooffering a range of services,Gedling Homes is delighted tohave been appointed todeliver the Gedling areaMicro-hub for the TalentMatch Programme Young andSuccessful Programme fundedby the Big Lottery.This Programme is targeting youngpeople aged 18-25 who are furthestfrom the job market, including thosethat are completely outside the

benefits,work and training system andare facing severe barriers to gainingthe skills they need to get into work.

We are currently in the process ofappointing a peer mentor who willcomplete ongoing support planswith young people and build linkswith local employers and serviceproviders to ensure that they aresupported to receive the bestopportunities available to overcomebarriers to work.

Based at Gedling House, this post isspecifically designed to support young

people in the Bonington,KillisickSt Mary’s,Daybrook and BestwoodVillage area.

For more information please contact Community Engagement on 0115 905 1515 oremail [email protected]

Gedling Homes are currentlysupporting a Film Project inNetherfield that aims tohelp support families withpre-school children with ourpartners Gedling BoroughCouncil and NottinghamshireCounty Council.

Film production companyJAM-AV have begun filming‘EarlyYears’, a film that willshowcase the services andsupport available to parents intheir local area to best preparetheir children for school.Some children find it difficult tobe separated from theirparents when starting school,they may not be able to use thetoilet unaided or communicatetheir needs to their newteacher. The film will highlightto parents the services availableto support them and theirchild's development.

The film was premiered on16 July at Carlton PentecostalChurch and is also availableonline at www.jam-av.com.

JAM-AV Director JennyMcDonald said;“It’s a pleasureand lots of fun to be workingon the EarlyYears project.We have been amazed by theamount on offer for youngfamilies within the area.We hope new parents andchildren will join us at thelaunch event and startaccessing these fantasticservices.” Councillor KathrynFox,Portfolio Holder forCommunities said;“We’re veryexcited about this project.It’s not often we get lights andcameras in Netherfield andColwick and it’s a greatopportunity to highlight animportant issue for parentswith children starting school.

Film Project for Netherfield Children

EarlyYears



Alan White, Tenant Inspector talks to Laura Shaw,Community Engagement AssistantAlan White, Tenant Inspector talks to Laura Shaw,

When and whydid you joinGedling Homes?At 19 I found myself homeless.Support services were virtuallynon-existent, but those that I didexperience became my motivation towork toward doing the job I do today.

By 2003 I was on my feet, rehousedand settled. I studied for a degree inPsychology and worked within asocial housing framework for anumber of years before joiningGedling Homes inApril 2013.

I started off voluntarily and eventuallystarted to get paid,working closelywith both older homeless people andyoung people with additional needs.

Tenant Involvement appealed to mebecause I had gained a lot ofexperience both personally andprofessionally. I think it suits mewell and whilst it’s taken me avery long time, I think I’ve finallyfound my niche.

What is it, thatinterests you inyour daily work?I am a people person. I love to planand I love to help others to reachtheir potential.My mission is to bringpeople together.

Have you broughtany good advice toyour job?Sarah Quinn is Gedling Homes’Tenant Involvement Officer and Icould never take credit for all thehard work she’s done.We do sharesimilar outlooks on how we wouldlike to see the service shaped though,and collectively we continuously bringa range of ideas to the table.

What progress haveyou seen since joiningGedling Homes?We recently became the CommunityEngagement team which is a welcomearrangement. Our team is now solelyfocussed onTenant Involvement andEngagement opportunities. It’s anexciting time for everyone and weencourage people to becomeinvolved.

Do you find thatTenant Involvementis an asset toGedling Homes?I’m not sure any real improvementscould be made to our service withoutthe involvement of our tenants.

Tenants shape the services that weprovide and rightly so!

If asked, what wouldyou change toimprove TenantInvolvement?The first thing I would do to improveinvolvement would be to look at waysof attracting a wider audience bybroadening the scope for involvementopportunities. I want to see moreopportunities offered both inside andoutside of working hours and seemore practical training coursesoffered such as plumbing, plastering,hairdressing and administration.I want to see more of our tenantswith children accessing involvementopportunities.

I feel very strongly that if we placemore emphasis on overcomingbarriers to work and education,wewill see a more diverse range oftenants becoming involved.

How do you spendyour spare time?I’ve spent the past 18 years bringingup my daughter. She’s about to startUniversity to become a Doctor, soI’m in a transitional period. Whilst it’sa huge change, I’m really enjoying it.


18

St. Andrew's Housecomes to lifeAfter almost 12 months on site,Davlyn Construction handedover the building to GedlingHomes in May. The team atDavlyn have worked hard todeliver a high quality andbeautiful building and the teamat Gedling Homes have alsoworked hard to ensure thatSt Andrew’s House will workwell for the people who willlive and work there for manyyears to come.Our key partners at NottinghamshireCounty Council visited the facility andare very pleased with what we haveall achieved.

We wasted no timeonce the building wascomplete and the firstpeople moved intotheir new apartmentsin May.Both tenantshad moved out of St.Andrew’s House whenit was closed for rebuilding work andwere delighted to be returning home.They were also very impressed withhow lovely their apartments look andare already enjoying the wonderfulshared areas, including the receptionlounge and dining room.

In addition to the 32 apartments,St.Andrew’s House has a multi mediaroom,a spa, a quiet lounge, a guestroom,an assisted bathroom,a laundry

and a scooter room.There is also,of course a commercial cateringkitchen to provide hot midday mealsto all tenants and their visitors,as well as high teas (on request) andcatering for other special occasionevents. Indeed some families arealready enjoying the benefits ofbeing able to buy a meal while atSt.Andrew’s House.

Andrew’s House when


Independent living


More people moved in during thefirst few weeks in June and by theend of June the 11 tenants whomoved out in 2013 and wanted tomove back,were home.We will alsobe welcoming new people to live atSt.Andrew’s House and the firstnew tenant has already moved in.

Over three floors, each apartmentis different and all are fitted withcarpets, a cooker and cooker hoodand a fridge freezer. They alsobenefit from storage and a largewet room which in manyapartments can be accessed fromthe lounge and the bedroom.There are 10 x 2 bedroomedapartments and 22 x 1bedroomed apartments.

The housing team, led by Sue Goliah,Extra Care Housing Manager,has been in post sinceApril and iscurrently working hard to ensure thateverything is in place for everyonemoving in.

Sue is also liaising closely withNottinghamshire County CouncilAdults Social CareTeam andAgincareto ensure that people who move in toone of the 15 nominated extra careapartments, after being assessed assuitable to receive the extra careservice, have everything in placethat is required.

Everyone who lives at St.Andrew’sHouse benefits from the availability ofthe housing team seven days a week.This is provided by Sue and herdeputyTasnim Ismail, plus MarieLittlestone, Independent LivingAssistant. Everyone has a pull cordsystem through to the housing teamor central control, a hot midday meal,the benefits of the fabulous sharedfacilities and access to a range ofevents and activities the team willbe developing.

The extra care service includes all ofthese things but with the addition of

planned care and support from thecare team, Agincare.

Eligibility criteria applies to allapplicants for either level of service atStAndrew’s, the extra care service orthe sheltered plus service.

For more information contact;Sue Goliah, Extra Care HousingManager or Karen Sands,Head of Independent Living on0115 969 1332.


20

1 August, 1pm-4pmNewstead Fun DayNewstead Centre

3 August, 2.30pmGedling Homes SingersperformanceNabarro Court

4 August, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksBritannia Court

6 August, 2pmWalk and TalkMoyra House

6 August, 9am-11amNewstead Drop-inNewsteadVillage CommunityCentre

6 August, 10am-11amMoving More Often SessionCarlton House

12 August, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksTavill Field

13 August, 9.30am-4.30pmVolunteer Walk LeaderTrainingGedling House

14 August, 10.30amWalk and TalkLendrum Court

19 August, 11.30am-1pmThe Ark SurgeryThe Ark,Wollaton Avenue,Gedling

19 August, 1pm-4.30pmMoving More Often TrainingFoxhill Court

20 August, 5.30pmSt Austins Court WalkaboutWalton Court/Crescent/Greenhill RiseWalk-a-bout(meeting outsideWalton Court‘B’ Block)

27 August, 11am-12pmLeaseholders WalkaboutPrincess Close andQueens Avenue

August

23 July, 2pmWalton Court area Walkabout

Walton Court/Crescent/Greenhill RiseWalk-a-bout(meeting outsideWalton Court

‘B’ Block)

28 July, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksCarlton House

29 July, 2pmWalk and TalkOrchard Court

July


Events


October7 October, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksRushcliffe Avenue

8 October, 9am-11amNewstead Drop-inNewsteadVillage CommunityCentre

12 October, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksBailey Court

20 October, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksErnehale Court

21 October, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksFoxhill Court

29 October, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksWalton Court

Money Wise SurgeriesWednesday morning of eachweek, 9.30am-12.30pmGedling Homes CustomerContact CentreCivic Centre,Arnot Hill Park,Arnold

First Thursday morning ofeach month, 11am-1pmSt George’s CentreVictoria Road, Netherfield,Nottingham

First Thursday morning ofeach month, 9am-11amNewstead CentreTilford Road, NewsteadVillage,Nottingham

September3 September, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksBramble Court

3 September, 2pmWalk and TalkSeagrave Court

3 September, 9am-11amNewstead Drop-inNewsteadVillage CommunityCentre

8 September, 2pm-3.30pmCalverton Estate walkaboutMeeting on the corner of SeelyAve (Collyer Road End)10 September, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksLendrum Court

11 September, 10.30amWalk and TalkNabarro Court

14 September, 10.30amWalk and TalkBailey Court

15 September, 2pmWalk and TalkCavendish Road

17 September, 11amWalk and TalkRushcliffe Avenue

17 September, 11amWalk and TalkWestmoore Court

18 September, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksNabarro Court

22 September, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksCavendish Road

23 September, 11.30am-1pmThe Ark SurgeryThe Ark,Wollaton Avenue,Gedling

29 September, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksBramble Court

29 September, 10amWelfare Benefits TalksCoronation Walk


Fun & Games

22

WORDSEARCHYou can win £25 in vouchers in our“Beach” wordsearch.Words go left, right, up,down,not diagonally, and can bend at aright angle. We have already found one for you!Please send your completed wordsearch to us. A winner will bepicked from the correct entries on Friday 28thAugust 2015.Return to: Wordsearch Competition,Gedling Homes,Gedling House,Wood Lane,Gedling,Nottingham,NG4 4AD

Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CRABFLIP-FLOPS

GULLLOUNGEOCEAN

PEBBLESANDSEA

SUNBATHINGSUNGLASSES

SWIMMINGSWIMSUIT

TOWELUMBRELLA

VOLLEYBALL

And thewinnersare...My Money, My ChoiceIn January,we included ‘My Money,My Choice’ with your newsletter.

The booklet contained details aboutthe financial services we have availableto you such as affordable loans, homecontents insurance and avoiding acharge for repairs to your home.

We ran a competition in the bookletand our winner is MissAngelaPendered who has won £100 insupermarket vouchers. Well done!

Colouring competitionAmelia Davies (age 8)

Wordsearch competitionMs Paula Mason ofWestmoore Close,Mapperley

Please send yourcompleted colouringto us. A winnerwill be picked onFriday 28thAugust2015.Return to:Colouring Competition,Gedling Homes,Gedling House,Wood Lane,Gedling,Nottingham,NG4 4AD

COLOURME IN!

Name: ..............................................................................................................................................Age:......................................

Telephone:.......................................................................................................................................................................................

Address: ...............................................................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Your child / grandchild could win a £25 book tokenin our colouring competition.

SAND


Responsive repairsworks undertaken‘right first time’*

Year End Target: 99%

99.87%

Below target, looking to improve

OK, work in progress

On target, going well

Customer satisfactionwith responsive repairs


99.33%

All responsive repairscompleted on time*


99.95%

Customers satisfiedwith investment works


100%

Rent collection rate -rolling 12 monthperiod


99.70%

Re-let time - generalneeds and shelteredproperties (excludinglow demand)

Year End Target: 27 days

27 days

Customers reportinganti-social behaviourwho were satisfied withhow we dealt with it


100%

Customers satisfiedwith the condition ofproperty when theproperty was let


100%

RIGHT1ST

TIME

Our performanceOur performance


2014-15


By sending us an e-mail:General enquiries:[email protected] Involvement:[email protected] writing to us at:Gedling Homes,Gedling House,Wood Lane,Gedling,Nottingham.NG4 4AD

In person:Please visit our CustomerContact Centre on the groundfloor at:The Civic Centre, Arnot HillPark, Arnold,NottinghamNG5 6LU.The opening times are 9.00am to5.00pm Monday toThursday and9.00am to 4.30pm on Friday

This information is available in large print,audio and Braille.This information is from Gedling Homes. If you can tell us which language you speak,we willarrange for an interpreter.Or you can ask a friend or relative to phone us 0115 905 1515.

Chinese

Gujurati

Kurdish

Urdu

Polish

Contact usBy phone:24/7 Repairs line0115 905 1515Anti Social Behaviour(24 hours)0808 145 6555Rent Payments0161 331 2224(24 hour automatedpayment line)For all other enquiriesplease ring0115 905 1515and ask for the team youwant to speak to.

@Gedling_Homes

Resource Housing Reg. No. 2111

www.facebook.com/gedlinghomes


News and Views Summer 2015

Documents