YOUR LOCAL MAGAZINE FROM ... - … LOCAL MAGAZINE FROM WELLINGBOROUGH HOMES WINTER 2013 d s! er ... Universal Jobmatch ... and upload your CV to start

YOUR LOCAL MAGAZINE FROM WELLINGBOROUGH HOMES

WINTER 2013

Recordbreakers!Our most successful fun day ever

Life of a caretakerpage 13

Two years of FISH

page 10

Big Lottery Boost 04

Transform Wellingborough 06

Record breaking fun 08

Fish 10

Going green 12

A Day in the Life of... 13

Youth 14

Get Involved 15

Freeze Winter out 16

Inside this Issue

Add us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ wellingboroughhomesFollow us on Twitter: @whomes_hr

Page 2 | Well Informed | Winter 2013 Page 3

Our programme of training courses for tenants is now available. Why not turn over a new leaf for the New Year and learn a new Skill?

Learn to signA ten week course teaches the basics of sign language. You will then have the chance to move on to a more advanced course if you wish. It runs from Thursday 16th January from 9.45am to 12 noon at Hollowell Court in Wood Street.

IT for work & learningThis ten week course covers how to use Excel, Power Point, Publisher and much more. It runs from Friday 17th January from 9.30am to 11.45am at Thompson Court.

Tenant Craft CoursesLearn everything from card and jewellery making to flower arranging. Course dates, times and venues to be confirmed.

Universal JobmatchFind out how use this new system and upload your CV to start applying for jobs. A number of two hour sessions will be held in the New Year.

Shining a light on the Dark AgesThis seven week course looks at Britain over a period of 400 years after the Romans left in the 5th Century. It runs from Wednesday 30th April from 10.00am to 12 noon at Charles Robinson Court, Gillett’s Road.

Creative PlayThis five week course for parents or carers of young children, examines five different areas of a child’s development. It runs from Monday 20th January from 9.30am to 11.30am at Charles Robinson Court, G.

Silver surfers clubOver 50? Want to learn to use a computer? We are holding a five week course that will teach you how to set up an email account, surf the web and interact with friends and family. It runs from Monday 13th January from 10.00am to 12 noon at Knights Court.

Interested in any of these courses? Contact Amy or Michael on: 01933 234450 or email: [email protected]

Residents at one of our supported living schemes well and truly rose to the challenge when they took part in the national Macmillan Coffee Morning.

A group of residents living at Knights Court, in Gold Street, organised and ran the event, raising nearly £700 for Macmillan Cancer Support and even baking cakes to sell.

Family, friends and staff joined them for a day of fun including a ‘guess the weight of the cake’ competition, games and a tombola and bric-a-brac stall.

Knights Court resident Yvonne Thomson was the main organiser, helped by friends and neighbours at the scheme.

Supported living officer Karen Low, who looks after the scheme, said: “Our residents organised and ran the whole day, and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was a fun way to bring in funds for such a good cause.”

New Year, new skill!

Rising to the challenge

Monday 23rd December - Normal hours

Tuesday 24th December - Close at 3pm

Wednesday 25th December - Closed

Thursday 26th December - Closed

Friday 27th December - Closed

Monday 30th December - Normal hours

Tuesday 31st December - Close at 3pm

Wednesday 1st January - Closed

Thursday 2nd January - Normal hours

Christmas opening hours

For emergencies when we are closed call 01933 231392 and you will be redirected to our out-of-hours service.

We’re rethinking the way we encourage and help residents to have their say about how Wellingborough Homes works and how we support local communities. We need your views.

Putting customers and communities at the heart of everything we do is a top priority for us. And boosting the opportunities for residents to shape our work was one of our key promises when Wellingborough Homes was born.

In 2011, we worked with residents to draw up our Involvement Strategy, which sets out why it’s important for people to have their say, what we hope this can achieve and a host of ways for customers to get involved.

Since then, the regulations we work to have changed and our focus is more and more on supporting neighbourhoods. Residents have told us that what matters most are the things happening on their doorsteps.

Everyone needs to feel confident they can flag up local concerns and get our help to improve things.

Consulting, involving and working with our customers is all about driving change – making sure we offer modern services that work well, meet people’s different needs and are good value for money.

Some of the groups and methods we use to engage residents are working really well and delivering results, but others aren’t as effective. So it’s time to look again at how we invest residents’ money in this part of the business.

Over the next few months, we’ll be asking existing resident groups and panels what they think, and we welcome individual views and ideas too.

If you’d like to take part in this review, or have any comments please contact us.

We’ll tell you about any changes in our approach in the next Well Informed.

We need your views

Merry Christmas

to all of our tenants!


Big Lottery boost!

Support Wellingborough has received a major boost in the form of £350,000 in funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

New partner organisations continue to join and there are now 26, meaning vulnerable people across the borough can get advice and practical support on everything from financial assistance, family and legal issues, domestic abuse, homelessness and much more.

To recognise this work the Big Lottery Fund awarded the scheme £350,000 through its Reaching Communities programme which will fund two new posts through Support Wellingborough.

Sean Tizzard, from the Big Lottery Fund, was on hand to officially mark the organisation’s support at a special event which brought more than 100 people, including representatives from local organisations together, at Wellingborough Museum.

Pratima Dattani, Head of Support Wellingborough, said:

“Support Wellingborough was created to help people get the support they need as quickly as possible.

“We are delighted to receive this funding from the Big Lottery Fund so that we can continue to grow the team and help more people across Wellingborough.”

Sean Tizzard, Policy and Learning Manager at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “The Big Lottery Fund is delighted to be awarding this grant to support the activities of Support Wellingborough. The close working relationship between the organisations that comprise Support Wellingborough will ensure immediate support is given to people most in need, one of the core aims of our Reaching Communities programme.”

Do you need help? Contact Support Wellingborough on 01933 234 452 or visit www.supportwellingborough.org for more information.


We are working on developments to improve existing properties and build new ones

across Wellingborough and beyond.

MEADOWLANDS, LITTLE HARROWDEN Work has now started on this development to demolish the 32 supported living flats at the site and replace them with a mix of family homes, bungalows and one-bedroom homes.

The site was in need of updating but following consultation with residents a decision was made to start afresh, allowing us to provide a range of 16 homes to cater for different local needs.

Work should be completed on the site in summer 2014.

DIANA AND SYLVANUS HOUSE, QUEENSWAY A major £5.2 million regeneration of this site is now under way.

This will see significant changes to the exterior and interior of the buildings as well as structural changes.

The site currently consists of two blocks of 36 one-bedroom flats. The regenerated site will feature a mixture of one and two bedroom flats.

Both blocks are scheduled to take around ten months to complete. Work on Sylvanus House has already started and is scheduled to be completed in September 2014. Work will then start on Diana House and this will be completed by August 2015.

KNIGHTS COURT Work to transform this site is now almost complete.

Substantial internal and external refurbishments to two blocks of flats at the site are set to be completed soon following the completion of the supported living scheme and refurbishments to another block at the site earlier this year.

We would like to thank residents at the flats for their perseverance throughout the refurbishment work.

HARDINGSTONE Work on our first development outside Wellingborough borough is progressing well.

A total of 20 new Wellingborough Homes properties will be built at the site in Hardingstone.

These will be a mix of properties, some for affordable rent and others for shared ownership.

Work on the scheme is scheduled to be completed by July 2014.

DUN COW SITE, GOLD STREET The Mayor of Wellingborough welcomed the start of work on site during a recent visit.

The Mayor, Councillor Graham Lawman, joined representatives from Wellingborough Homes and Westleigh Developments at the site to mark the official start of work on the £2.5 million scheme which consists of a complex of 26 new flats.

Councillor Lawman said: “The building of these homes will help people on the housing waiting list, and also, because they will be within walking distance of our town centre, they will contribute to wider regeneration plans.”

It is hoped work will be completed in summer 2014.

Transforming

Wellingborough


Thank you for helping us achieve record-breaking numbers at our annual fun day!

More than 1,000 people turned out to enjoy a day full of fun for all the family.

Our sixth fun day featured entertainment from Wellingborough Gospel Choir, classical Indian dancing and even a performance of Phantom of the Opera.

A host of games, a puppet show and a magician kept youngsters occupied and a wealth of photos, documents and artefacts from Wellingborough Museum were on show to celebrate the history of the borough.

Dale Thompson, Head of Neighbourhood Services at Wellingborough Homes, said: “Everyone had a fantastic time at the fun day and we were delighted

to see so many people support and enjoy the event, which is firmly entrenched in our calendar now.

“We had lots of positive feedback from people who loved the variety of activities and entertainment, which is great.”

Elaine said: ‘Had a brilliant time at the Fun Day with my grandchildren. You thought of everything to entertain all ages – well done!’

Daniel said: ‘Thank you very much for a fantastic day. Everyone was so nice and supportive.’

Viv said: ‘Thoroughly enjoyed the day. We brought family with us from Croydon and they couldn’t believe how good it was and all free too.’

The Mayor of Wellingborough, Cllr Graham Lawman, said: ‘Excellent day at Wellingborough Homes Fun Day’

For daily updates featuring the latest news, views and pictures from our events join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wellingboroughhomes and follow us on Twitter @WHOMES_HR

Record-breaking fun!

What you said!

Page 11Page 10 | Well Informed | Winter 2013

FISH is two years old!

This month we celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the FISH shop!

FISH (Free Impartial Support and Help) was set up during the recession back in December 2011 as a one-stop shop to help Wellingborough residents get confidential help and support on everything from debt and benefits to health issues and training.

In two years Wellingborough Homes has teamed up with a raft of local

organisations at the town centre hub, including the Community Law Service, Women’s Aid, JobCentre Plus and PCT Health Trainers.

Together we have helped thousands of people claim millions of pounds of benefits, deal with their debts and otherwise help them.

Simon Favell, our Operations Director, said: “The FISH shop was set up to give people easy access to support they need.

“Having this town centre location has proved hugely successful and we are pleased to be able to work with other organisations to help people in a whole range of ways.

“This has proved a very effective way of pooling resources and expertise to provide vital support and we want the service to continue to grow.”

2WE’RE

Want to book an appointment? Speak to a member of the team confidentially on 01933 278248


We recently ran a pilot for a new low-cost gardening service for tenants.

The service was made available for residents who are over 55, or disabled and have no able-bodied person living at home.

We are now compiling feedback from the pilot with a view to launching the service properly in the New Year.

Contact the customer services team and ask for Anita on 01933 234 450 to find out more.

• Kingsway – including Earls

Barton, Ecton and Wilby

Caroline Berwick,

Area Team Leader

01933 231351

Angie Thomson,

Tenancy Support Officer

01933 234461

Katherine Goodwin,


01933 231362

Tressa Carrington Administration Officer

01933 231323

Meet the teams...A handy guide for Wellingborough Homes tenants to who’s who in our neighbourhood teams.

• Queensway – including Isham,

Little Harrowden, Orlingbury, Sywell,

Hardwick and Mears Ashby

Yvonne Wills, Area Team

Leader – 01933 231354

Lindsey Smith,


01933 234474

Marie Hickman,


01933 231369

Lisa Marie Francois,

Administration Officer

01933 231370

• Town centre – including

Finedon, Irchester and Little Irchester

Lucy Lynn, Area Team

Leader – 01933 231358

Bev Odell, Tenancy Support

Officer – 01933 231322

Agnes Wawrzkiewicz,


01933 231383

Magda Murawa, Administration Officer

01933 231357

• Hemmingwell – including

Wollaston, Great Doddington,

Grendon and Bozeat

Sarah Huseyin, Area Team

Leader 01933 231359

Kayleigh Mehew,


01933 231376

Megan Bradley,


01933 231356

Candice Dean, Administration Officer

01933 234483

• GaragesChris Lyons, Garage Officer 01933 234463

Going green

Wellingborough Homes has an 11-strong team of caretakers who are responsible for keeping your properties and the surrounding areas up to scratch.

You’ve probably seen them driving around in their vans, but do you really know what they get up to every day?

The team’s responsibilities include everything from clearing fly-tipping to gardening and repairs.

Graeme Cummings has been a member of the caretaking team with Wellingborough Homes for nearly six years.

“The job is really varied and there is quite a range of tasks we do,” he said.

“A lot of our time is spent keeping the area up to scratch so we do a lot of removing fly-tipping and other litter picking.

“We also do garden work and empty properties, where the occupant has passed away for example.”

Fly-tipping has become an increasing problem and takes up a big chunk of the caretaking team’s workload, Graeme explains.

“We have noticed quite a big increase in fly-tipping.

“It takes up a lot of our time we could be spending on other things.

“It is amazing what some people will just leave in an area, which we then have to clear up.

“Some of the furniture is actually still in good condition so when we find items like that we make sure they go to organisations where they are then given to other people.

“Being a caretaker is certainly a very varied job, no two days are the same and you’re never quite sure what you are going to be doing from one day to the next.”

A CaretakerA Day in the Life of...

• SupportKim Thorogood 01933 231337


Families enjoyed crafts with a difference at our special half-term events.

The Community Involvement Team put on the free events to keep families occupied while the children were off school.

The theme was ‘pine cone pets’ with families getting the opportunity to use pine cones collected by the team along with other craft materials. Our caretaking team also provided logs from their environmental works.

Events were held at Thompson Court, Penrith Drive Children’s Centre and Kingsway Methodist Church.

Di Bradbury, Community Involvement Officer at Wellingborough Homes, said: “The events were a huge success and it was great to see youngsters enjoying themselves creating their weird and wonderful pine cone pets. The results were very impressive.

“These events are also a great opportunity for parents to raise anything with us if they need any advice or support as well as get involved and have some fun.”

young citizens

Creating

This year marks the fifth anniversary of our Young Citizens Award which continues to be hugely successful in engaging young people.

We have worked with schools across the borough to offer the full day courses to Year 6 children.

Teaming up with representatives from local police and fire services

and waste collection firm Wellingborough Norse, the day is split into sessions featuring everything from street and fire safety to the impact of making bogus phone calls and littering.

In the five years since the scheme started there has been a significant decrease in reports of anti-social behaviour.

Geoff Moore, our Acceptable

Behaviour Officer, who coordinates the course, said: “This project continues to go from strength to strength.

“It is no coincidence that since we started the project five years ago anti-social behaviour has gone down and we hope to continue this trend.”

To find out more contact Geoff on 01933 231 360.

Youngsters

get crafty

Get involved!There are so many ways you can get involved in our work.

Our many tenant involvement groups allow you the chance to help shape the work that we do, socialise with other tenants and enjoy a host of activities.

We have focus groups on everything including a scrutiny

group and complaints panel to a youth group and over 50s group and many more.

These can be a one-off meeting or a series of meetings to review a particular issue or project.

Your involvement is key in allowing us to keep our services in line with what you need.

Acceptable Behaviour Focus Group

This group is ideal for tenants that only want to have a minimal amount of time and involvement as it meets once every month - the meetings are for one hour only and the group is a good stepping stone should they wish to learn more about Wellingborough Homes.

Jargon Busters

It is vital to us that all of our literature is written in plain English. Jargon Busters is a virtual group as all feedback is given by email, post or phone. We will send you a document to look over, you tell us if it makes sense, ensure there is no jargon and when all feedback is received and changes are made, each document gets the customer tick of approval. This is a vital group which doesn’t require a lot of your time.

Customer Service Group

This group allows tenants to sit with our Customer Services team on the call system, this can be very interesting, it also shows the diversity of calls received and the amount of knowledge the CS team need to have to deal with these calls. Tenants can gain a better understanding of how our system works.

To get involved in any of our focus groups contact the community involvement team on 01933 231392.

More than 75% of our tenants are happy with the service they are receiving - a new survey has shown.

Members of our Tenant Advisory Panel (TAP) recently helped us complete a survey of 500 residents which focussed on getting your views on our service and to ask what is important to you going forward.

More than half of tenants in the survey said there was nothing they thought we could improve upon

while 70% of you said you were happy with the choice of services offered by Wellingborough Homes.

You told us your priorities are:

• Improvements/major works to properties or surrounding areas

• Repairs• Work to improve communal areas• And tackling anti-social behaviourThanks to everyone who participated. Your views inform the way we provide our service.

Your voice, your serviceTenants Working Together

If you would like this magazine translated please contact us on 01933 234450 or call into the offices. Copies can also be made available in large print, Braille or on audio CD on request.

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Opening hours Monday 8.30am to 5pm Tuesday 8.30am to 5pm Wednesday 8.30am to 5pm Thursday 10am to 5pm Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm

Wellingborough Homes, Thompson Court, 9f Silver Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire NN8 1BQ

A5193

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SILVER STREET

CHURCH

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CHURCH STREET

SHEEP STREET

OXFORD STREET

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PLACE

With the cold snap upon us again and forecasters predicting a particularly cold winter it is important you remember to protect your home and neighbourhood over the winter months.

Frozen pipes are the biggest problem faced during the winter. As the temperature drops, pipes are at risk of freezing and then bursting which can flood your home.

Here are some top tips to avoid this:

• Keep heating on low, even if you’re away

• If you go away, turn the cold water supply off at the internal stop tap (normally under the kitchen sink)

• Isolate outside taps by turning them off at the controlling stop tap inside

If your pipes do freeze:

• Turn off the water supply

• Protect or move everything around the pipe to avoid damage if it bursts

• Turn on the tap nearest the frozen pipe so water can flow out when it’s melted

• Thaw the pipe with a hot water bottle or hairdryer (taking care to keep it well away from any water), beginning from the tap end and working towards the cold water tank

Safety first Stay safe over the Christmas season.

Remember to:

• Turn off Christmas lights at night

• Check waste collections with your council so bins are put out at the right time

• Rip up boxes for electrical items before you recycle to avoid being targeted by burglars

Keeping warm

• Talk to your energy provider to make sure you’re on the best tariff

• Extra blankets and jumpers can help keep you warm and bring bills down

• Check on elderly neighbours, who are at greater risk and may find it difficult to get out in cold weather

Page 16 | Well Informed | Winter 2013

Freeze winter out

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