Summer 2019 Edition 7 doorstep customer magazine

Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 2 Welcome Contents

One of the promises we But even before we planning future surveys 3 | Fun activities for kids made when PA Housing started the new model about how we are doing was set up was to listen we had other projects and what you want from to what you want and underway that you us in the future. So stay 4 | Good neighbours make good friends to change our ways of asked for. in touch. We want to working so that you hear from you. would be happier with • We’ve provided 3 5 | You’re a winner every time with My PA! our services. We have activities for young Best wishes already taken on many people in areas where of your suggestions there is little for them Patrick Taylor 7 | New UC Hub supports claimants and in this edition of to do. Executive Director of doorstep you will find • We have invested in Customer Services details of some of the new stock to help 9 | Is it time for you to get involved? projects you requested tackle the housing that we now provide. shortage in London and the South East. 10 | Your Neighbourhood Team You said you wanted to • We’ve carried out see more of our people improvements to out in your areas so existing stock, such as 14 | Help at the end of the phone they would be easier to new heating systems. reach and could react • At your request we’ve more quickly when you made it easier to 15 | Contacting us need them. Following 18 reach us with a 10 months of research and simplified, single a £1 million investment telephone number. 16 | Collecting your comments we have launched our • We’ve also introduced new housing services the My PA digital portal model. We’ve taken to make managing your 17 | Meet James Morris on more than 30 new home more convenient. staff and by now you should have met some You can find information 19 | Brand new boilers for 225 homes of the team as they have about all this and more been out gathering in this edition of your details on what our magazine. 20 | Providing more homes neighbourhoods need. If you haven’t seen them We are continuing to yet, watch out for their seek your opinions on 21 | Are you ready for summer? purple shirts! our services, and we’re 17

Would you like to receive this Editorial Group: Patrick Taylor, Ian Watts, Marion Hall, Nick Cullen, magazine electronically? Joseph Ragnoli, Aidan Creed, Anne Jeffery and Rosie Wilson If yes, please email us at 3 Bede Island Road, LE2 7EA [email protected] and

Paragon Asra Housing Limited is a charitable Community Benefit we will add you to the mailing list. Society registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014.

Registered Office: Third Floor, Pentagon House, 52-54 The cost to print this magazine Southwark Street, London SE1 1UN. Community Benefit Societies No. 7536. Homes England No. 4849 is 22p per household 3 | doorstep 19 Fun activities Good neighbours for kids make good friends

We are always keen to from EEM Ltd all to wear suitable clothing. to improve their offer services that you the activities were The event was designed coordination and want and one of the provided and run by to appeal to sporty core strength. things we’re often an experienced events types as well as to • Adventure - a huge asked about is providing company, Rising Stars encourage those who inflatable bull that was more for children and Multi-Sports, who aim to weren’t so keen on a challenge to ride. Residents of Hedingham our Neighbourhoods on up a Good Neighbour parental supervision; and young people. use everyday activities games. It included: • An obstacle House in Kingston Tour visits. Agreement and everyone consideration for others to help children learn course, sumo suits, asked for our help accepted a few simple in all activities. Our As a result of requests about the world while • Dart Tag (Nerf) - an gladiators, space because a lack of So our Resident rules to make life better teams also drew up a list from residents at developing their action based activity hoppers and archery. activities in their Involvement, Tenancy for all. of clubs and associations in physical coordination that relies on team area meant young Solutions and close to the scheme Leicester, we set up free and independence. work, solving game Staff from Housing people gathered in Neighbourhood teams Among the changes that welcome young fun activities during the situations and Services and Finance the courtyard making got together to come were a ban on ball people, including sports, half term holidays for Kids were provided coordination. helped out and were noise until late at up with a novel way to games in the courtyard; Sea Cadets, creative everyone aged 4 to 12. with safety gear, where • Trampolining - a great delighted to meet the night. The problem help. In discussion with older children not to workshops, and holiday Thanks to funding necessary, and advised way for children families involved. came to light during residents, they drew use the play area; activity clubs.

3 | doorstep Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 4 You’re a winner every Repairs

An average of 85% of My PA users tell us it is easy to report a repair using My PA with time with My PA 100% in April and May.

The great new My How is My PA service is now up and running and PA used? many of you have Checking already signed up. It’s the easiest and your account The vast majority most convenient of our customers way to manage like to use My PA your home online. Since the start to make payments If you haven’t of 2019, 6,157 and book their tried it yet - what’s customers have logged in repairs. stopping you? on My PA to check their account.

Katie from in Leicester signed up and had a double bonus because she won our promotional How is competition. She was presented with £250 worth of shopping while I was at work. This log in using your email PA. Within a month of its vouchers by Digital is so much easier. address and a password launch 1,209 people had MyPA doing? Customer Engagement you have created; signed up - 115 of them in Officer Bic Athwal and “I’ve no idea what I’m then start enjoying the a single day! Lots of our Digital Project Manager going to spend the convenience of My PA customers are choosing To make sure we’re offering you great services, we regularly monitor Dan Moraga. money on. I’ve just straight away! to pay their rent through performance and measure our success. Here’s some of the latest figures. done some redecorating it, either individual She said: “I was really so I might think about It’s available 24/7 so you payments or by setting up surprised to win the what I need after that, don’t have to wait until a Direct Debit. Like Katie, competition. I decided to then go shopping.” our offices are open, they’re finding it easier When can you use sign up after I spoke to and you won’t have to and more convenient someone on the phone If you still haven’t signed contact us by phone. You than phoning our call the portal? Time when I paid my rent. She up, do it now. All you need can diagnose, report centre. Don’t miss out. said it would be much is an internet connected and monitor repairs; Sign up today and start saving easier for me to use the device and your PA book appointments; taking advantage of what You can log in any time, any day, but app, so I thought I would payment reference check your rent balance; My PA offers. most regular My PA users tend to use the give it a try. number. (You’ll find it on make payments; set up portal between 7am and 10pm. Reporting a repair your rent statement.) Visit a Direct Debit; and lots can take as little as “I was a bit worried at pahousing.co.uk and click more. The system is very 90 seconds. first because I wasn’t on My PA Login. Register secure so you don’t need sure the money had using your payment to worry about your data gone through, but now reference and your email going astray. Webchat I know it works I’ll use address and we’ll email it all the time. I used to you back. Around 7,500 of you are have to call at weekends now registered to use My Using webchat is becoming more and more popular. There’s to make payments Click the link in that been a 300% increase since the start of the year. In January we because I couldn’t email to verify your had a total of 599 webchats, equating to 27 per day. In May, we phone during the week account and then You can download My PA by visiting had a total 1,590. That’s 76 web chats a day. pahousing.co.uk/mypa

5 | doorstep Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 6 New UC Hub supports claimants

We hope our customers the process with the payment of £2,493, create an email address, thrive in their homes but Department of Work meaning she could all of which you’ll need recent changes to the and Pensions. pay off a considerable to collect your money. benefits system, such amount of her arrears We’ll also help you to as the introduction of It is all overseen by team and set up a payment check you are receiving Universal Credit (UC), leader Hayley Ivers who plan to clear the rest. all of your entitlements. have created challenges said: “The team will Call 0300 123 2221 or for many. always go the extra mile If you think you might email universalcredit@ for people. We cannot be moving onto UC pahousing.co.uk. Often claimants find secure extra money for soon, get in touch it difficult to navigate everybody, but we try because we can help through complex rules to prevent anyone from you prepare for this. We and regulations, and as a getting into debt.” have produced an advice result millions of pounds leaflet that explains what of welfare benefits go Before the Hub was will be different and the unpaid every year in introduced new UC process you will need the UK. claimants were clocking to go through to make up arrears of around your claim. When UC first launched £250 because of the in 2013, we realised change to monthly You can help smooth many of our residents benefits and the the transition by getting might need help, and delay before the first ahead with your rent. began training our one is paid. Since its You’ll have to wait at least staff to cope with the introduction in October a month for your first UC changes. Once the full 2018 the Hub has helped payment so paying your service arrived in some 691 customers. The rent in advance means of our areas it was clear average arrears increase you won’t accrue debts we needed to go even is now just £18.71. during those first few further, and in September weeks. We can help last year we brought We helped one woman you to set up a Direct together a specialist who was facing Debit that will make advice team. eviction because she payments for you accumulated more than automatically so you Named the UC Hub, £3,000 in arrears after don’t have to remember. the team has specialist her housing benefit was We can also help you benefit advisers who stopped and she moved to get online, set up carry out telephone onto UC. We supported a bank account if you interviews, visit people her applications for don’t have one, and at home to offer advice, Council Tax Reduction, or go with claimants Discretionary Housing to support them at Payment, and Universal JobCentre interviews. Credit Mandatory They also answers email Reconsideration, which inquiries and manage resulted in a back

7 | doorstep Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 8 Is it time for you to We’ll be there get involved? before you need us! At PA Housing, customers are at the heart of what we do We have invested by new specialist teams and we want you to have your say. £1million in our based across the country. housing services. That includes 32 new PA Look out for our special Housing colleagues publication hitting your who will be out in your doorstep this autumn neighbourhoods. that introduces our new services and teams and The (on the ground) explains what this means teams are supported for you.

Our team of PA Housing meet other residents say they’ll stand up for • Anthony: “People need residents play a vital and hear what they have themselves, but they motivation to take part in role in guiding what to say. We’ll be sending don’t, or they don’t know things, so we make sure services we offer and more information to you how. I can help them there are regular events. how we manage them. soon about joining one of have a voice.” They feel good when This is your chance to our service improvement • Mitchell: “If you’re left in they are involved and join that team. groups. It’s your the dark you get angry we feel good because opportunity to work with and frustrated, but if we’ve helped them.” We believe that as a us to put things right and you’re informed you’re customer you should influence the services more relaxed and can If you think this is for have a meaningful you pay for to make the handle things better. you, call the Resident say in how services changes you want to see People don’t always Involvement team on are delivered, as well for all PA residents. know how to get what 0300 123 2221 or email as how your homes they want but I can help getinvolved@pahousing. and communities are It doesn’t have to take by guiding them through co.uk and we’ll be managed. There are a lot of time. You just the systems.” pleased to talk to you. many ways to get need enthusiasm and • Sadhana: “It’s very involved to influence and a keen interest in your rewarding. Some Still not sure? Why not improve the services community. But don’t people maybe don’t watch our new video we provide and the take our word for it. go out because of a and hear from people communities you live in. Here’s what some of our language barrier but who are already having a Involved Residents say: we can help them to positive influence on our Some things can be done reach everything that PA services and within their from the comfort of your • Michael: “There’s a real Housing provides. The communities. You’ll find it home and in any way sense of satisfaction skills we learn are also on our website you’re able to. Or you from being more very useful for other pahousing.co.uk/ could attend an event, involved. A lot of tenants things you want to do.” customers/get-involved

9 | doorstep #Teampurple Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 10 Samantha Pamment Wayne McEwan Peter Emordi Catherine Goodchild Chris Keen VACANT Amar Afzal Liam Hopps Neighbourhood 1 Neighbourhood 2 Neighbourhood 3 Neighbourhood 4 Neighbourhood 16 Neighbourhood 17 Neighbourhood 18 Neighbourhood 19 Teddington, Hampton, Surbiton, New Malden, Long Chessington, Thames Ditton, East and West Molesey Croydon, Lambeth, Barnes, Richmond, Mortlake, Sheen, Mansfield, Sutton-in- Nottingham, Gedling, Kingston Upon Thames, Ditton, Epsom, Kingston Surbiton, Long Ditton, Wandsworth Barnes, St Margaret’s, Ashfield, Meden Vale, Broxtowe, Giltbrook, Twickenham Upon Thames Claygate, Esher, Tolworth Twickenham, Kew Hucknall, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Mapperley, Calverton, Huthwaite, Forest Town, Daybrook, Carlton, Forest Warsop Vale, Mansfield Fields, Bulwell Basford, St Woodhouse, Warsop Anns, Radford, Basford Your Neighbourhood Paul Pearce Sarah Webster Rahul Shah Jay Patel Neighbourhood 5 Neighbourhood 6 Neighbourhood 20 Neighbourhood 21 Sunbury on Thames, St Johns and , Beeston, Corby, East Northants, Walton-on-Thames (North) Walton-on-Thames (South) Team Chilwell , Melton, North West Kettering, Rushden, Oundle, Leicestershire, Rushcliffe, Burton Latimer Loughborough, Syston

Beth Stephens Jumai Gukas Ros Wilkinson Yaw Nkansah Simon Knight Chloe Noyce Rachael Weston Mumtaz Hashim Neighbourhood 7 Neighbourhood 8 Neighbourhood 9 Neighbourhood 11 Neighbourhood 22 Neighbourhood 23 Neighbourhood 24 Neighbourhood 25 Weybridge, Hersham, Ashtead, Brooklands Road Weybridge, Addlestone, Hammersmith and Fulham, Aylesbury Vale, Daventry, Beaumont Leys, Abbey Rushy Mead, Belgrave, Castle, North , Walton-on-Thames (Central) Weybridge, Cobham, Chertsey, Staines, Egham, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Northampton, South Humberstone & Hamilton, Wycliffe, , Oxshott, Leatherhead, Woking, Tongham, Reading, Feltham, Isleworth, Whitton, Northamptonshire, St Evington Braunstone Park, Rowley Bognor Regis Slough Woodlands Albans, Wellingborough Fields, Fosse

Frankie Barrett Kayode Ogundele Jerome Walker Nadine Charlemagne Joanne Taylor Amy Heathcote Desrii Edwards Neighbourhood 12 Neighbourhood 13 Neighbourhood 14 Neighbourhood 15 Neighbourhood 26 Neighbourhood 27 Neighbourhood 28 Barnet, Brent, Ealing Camden, Haringey, Newham, East Greenwich, Bexley, Shooters Hill, Saffron, , Harborough, Oadby, Braunstone, Countersthorpe, Islington, Redbridge, Tower Thamesmead, Abbeywood, Woolwich, Charlton, Knighton Wigston, Rutland, Kettering, Narborough, Blaby, Hamlets, Waltham Forest Plumstead Lewisham Leicester Coventry, Hinckley, Kirby Frith, Bosworth, North Warwickshire, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Rugby

11 | doorstep Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 12 What will the Help at the end Neighbourhood of the phone

Service 24 are the because they are now a lot to me to know that Team do? people at the other end responsible for even help is there. I feel more of the line when our more properties. But at ease knowing I can customers have out- their customers are get help from them.” of-hours emergencies. grateful to know they are They never know there when needed. At Abbey Mill, a different what they will face extra care scheme, throughout the day. It One of the residents another resident said could be an urgent living in our Wolsey the system lets him repair, fire panel extra care scheme in be independent but warning, someone Leicester is a widow with he knows that he can locked out of their home, no family in the UK, and get help if he needs or a serious medical finds she has to deal to. “I feel safer at home emergency like a heart with many challenges because all I need attack or stroke. on her own. “It doesn’t to do is push a matter what you need, button and It can be tough on the 27 the staff are just at the someone is We’ve listened to wearing purple uniforms holding regular local What they don’t do staff who provide cover, end of the phone and there for me.” feedback from that tell you they are the surgeries. Look out for working in groups of up are always friendly and customers and Neighbourhood Team. Neighbourhoods on The Neighbourhood to 7 at a time, but for helpful,” she said. “They colleagues and Tour coming to you Coordinators don’t deal their client base of more regularly call anyone on have launched a The team carry out estate this year! with individual repairs, than 67,000 customers, their own to make sure new and improved inspections, report antisocial behaviour, from PA Housing as we’re alright. If they Housing Services. communal repairs, work The purpose of the housing moves or home well as other housing don’t get an answer they Our Neighbourhood with customers to keep Neighbourhood budgets, but they are associations, they can get someone to check Coordinators are able to communal areas clean Coordinator service is to supported by teams who literally be a lifeline. up on us. That’s very give you a local ‘on your and clear, monitor our be local and accessible do, so they can signpost reassuring.” doorstep’ service. The cleaning and grounds on your doorstep. This you to where to get help Callers can reach them team will work across all maintenance contractors, means that you cannot and advice on any issue. through emergency pull Another resident at the of our properties apart carry out new customer contact Neighbourhood cords, or some wear Wolsey recently fell out from our Independent sign ups and perform Coordinators by phone If you report an issue pendants with a signal of bed and his daughter Living schemes. first year visits. They or email. the Neighbourhood button. Raising the alarm found she could not lift will also be working Coordinator will let you puts them in touch with him back. “I pulled the The team is mobile with you on projects in If you want to report know that they have the team at our Bede Service 24 cord and and will spend at least your neighbourhood anything, like some picked this up either in Island office, who then they sent someone 70% of their day in your and to help set up local dumped rubbish, you person or by putting a contact whichever to make sure he neighbourhood. residents’ groups. can do this using the card through your door. service is needed. was OK and to My PA app, online or by help me get Members will be very Each Neighbourhood phoning our Customer Last year the team dealt him back visible as they’ll be Coordinator will be Contact Centre. with 102,709 calls and into bed. It that’s expected to rise means Look out for #Teampurple in your neighbourhood – the team are excited to meet you! Find details on our website pahousing.co.uk/yourneighbourhood

13 | doorstep Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 14 Contacting us Collecting your

You’ve been asking pay your rent, and the in the queue without under 2 minutes and pick us to simplify how same advisor will handle hanging on. your own appointment. comments you contact us and everything, except in we’re pleased to say a very few, specialist For less urgent calls Our offices are staffed we’ve introduced one circumstances. you can use our online from 8am to 5pm telephone number We can deal with contact form by visiting Monday to Friday, but and one email address your calls quickly and our website at pahousing. we’re available 24 for everything you efficiently, and ensure co.uk/contact-us. We’ll hours a day and every need. Thanks to a huge we provide the best get back to you within 1 weekend in case of investment in training service to all customers. working day. There’s also emergencies. and equipment you Our Customer Services a live chat button on the can now expect a Advisors are being website with an average Call 0300 123 2221 consistent system, trained by the response rate of under or use the online wherever you live. Chartered Institute of half a minute. email form. Housing so they can And there’ll be no more offer expert advice. Or you could register transfers between with My PA, which has departments for different We now offer a call lots of useful information tasks. You can call to back service if our lines to help you manage your report a repair, ask for are busy, so that you home, and where you a replacement key or can keep your place can report a repair in

We constantly monitor questionnaires. You might Your views are important our services to make also be contacted by a because they help us sure that we are offering research company acting to plan and update our what you want to the on our behalf. services. For example: standard you expect. Call us on 0300 123 2221 One of the ways we Your feedback allows us • Feedback from a home check is by carrying out to measure how you ownership resident in surveys so you can give feel we are doing London highlighted us your feedback. so please keep your the need for scheme comments coming. managers to review Your replies help us to noticeboards regularly Email [email protected] plan and improve our At the moment we are so that residents’ notices services. Sometimes sending out surveys: are kept up to date. we use the information • A customer in the to see how we’re doing • after a repair is Midlands said she was compared with other completed happy with the standard housing associations. • following gas servicing of her repairs but had Visit pahousing.co.uk • if you have spoken had to cancel a shift at We might contact you by to our Tenancy work while she waited phone, text or email. Most Sustainment Team in for the contractor. surveys are short, just • following help from our We are now looking at 2 or 3 questions, mainly Universal Credit Hub or ways to let you know with one word answers, welfare benefits team approximate arrival times Download My PA at pahousing.co.uk/mypa although sometimes • if you are a new so you don’t need to we send out longer customer. stay in all day.

15 | doorstep Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 16 Meet James Morris

James is a PA Housing challenging or difficult. We created our own beer Services in the past customer living in They didn’t have any to target hate crimes. I have expected me Richmond. At just 23, understanding of my went down to the brewery to fit in around them, he has raised money autism, or any training [Gipsy Hill brewery in rather than them being for the likes of Great that could help them London] to meet people. accommodating to me. Ormond Street and Help understand it. I loved it. I’ve also been Where I live now fits for Heroes and has been involved with the Treat around my autism. I am involved in Treat Me How did that make Me Right project, which supported as an individual. Right, a programme that you feel? trains doctors, nurses and trains professionals on other professionals to You like to dress up as how to work with autistic It was hard for me to cope understand more about mascots in your spare people. Most recently, with how others viewed autism. When people time. What sort of he’s been placed on the me. I had a lot of changes have attended the Treat thing do you get Learning Disability and in my life which made me Me Right course, they dressed up for? Autism Leadership list. quite frustrated. When understand more, and James His London flat forms people didn’t understand I get positive feedback I’ve always liked mascots, part of accommodation me, I felt really upset. in the sessions. I won a so I linked that up with managed by Certitude, Certitude organisational fundraising – I’ve worked a provider to support And how do you annual award, too, for my with charities like with people with learning feel now? involvement. Help for Heroes and Great disabilities, autism and Ormond Street, and I’ve mental health issues I feel that my life has That’s brilliant. Let’s talk worked with rugby and across London. We went changed for the better; about where you live. Do football teams. In the to meet James and one I feel like a much better you enjoy living in your future I would like to work of Certitude’s managers, person inside. People accommodation – and with the Autistic Society, Mark, to chat about view me as an adult what’s your favourite and I’d also like to design James’ achievements and now, and they have thing about it? my own mascot one day. experiences. better knowledge of my autism so they respect I love my accommodation; Who’s your favourite You were originally my choices and needs a I had some bad mascot to dress up as at labelled as challenging lot more. experiences growing the minute? and aggressive but now up, and I’m glad that you’re using your journey You’re on the Learning I’ve come to live here. I I like Brooklyn and Alaska. to challenge stereotypes. Disability and Autism struggled in a residential I named them myself. Can you tell me about Leadership list. set up because it was Brooklyn comes from New Holly the husky your journey and your Congratulations! How do too communal. Now, I’ve York because I love New experience? you feel about it? got my own separate York so much, and Alaska flat, which I prefer. Due the husky comes from a In the past, services and Amazing; I’m being viewed to my autism, I like to very cold climate because people didn’t understand positively for the first time have everything set I love huskies so much. the needs I had as a in my life. People are up in a certain way. person with autism, like trying to understand me; Living alongside other Do you have one tip for communication and the list helps the public to people triggered me, working more effectively sensory issues. They’d understand autism. but past services didn’t with people with autism? view me as understand that. They It was your part in thought I was being Ask people with autism the Hops Not Hate difficult or awkward, but I what they want. It’s about campaign that put you just like things in a certain asking, not telling. on the list. What was way – as do most people that all about? on the autistic spectrum.

17 | doorstep Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 18 Providing more homes

Last year the government published a Green Paper called ‘A new deal for social housing’ which identified a need for more and better affordable homes in England. Demand for social housing is growing every year, particularly in London and the South East.

We are playing our part with a pledge to build 500 homes a year for the next 5 years, with our main area of expansion in London and the towns around our Walton- on-Thames base.

Brand new boilers for 225 homes

We want our residents that will heat homes astounding savings and It’s much better than to be happy and more efficiently and ensures that residents their old systems, which comfortable in their save residents money. are always warm in were really inefficient so homes and one of the Depending on the size their homes, for a much residents are going to ways we support that of the home the savings lower cost. It’s great to see a huge improvement.” is through regular could be as much as be part of something modernisation. In one £800 a year. helping to provide safe One resident said: “The of our latest projects and pleasant homes in heating had stopped we have upgraded James Keirnan, our neighbourhoods where working in my bedroom. from inefficient electric Commercial Manager, people have pride in their I’m really happy – I’ve heaters to A rated said: “The conversion homes and surroundings.” been cold and my kids gas boiler systems in from electrical heating have been cold, wearing 225 properties across to full gas central Richard Rhodes-Heaton their dressing gowns the Midlands. heating is a complex and from Property Tectonics, and stuff. I’ve been using expensive process, it the building surveyor heaters, but they cost Working with UK is fantastic that we are leading on the project, a lot of money. I’m so Gas and Fulcrum we in a position to provide said: “We’ve had a lot of happy – once they’re have provided new the upgrades for so feedback from customers done, I can redecorate Worcester Bosch boilers many residents. It offers – they’re really happy. and make it a home.”

19 | doorstep Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 20 Catch some rays Take up a new hobby Are you ready Everyone knows that Summer is the perfect being out in the sun too time to try new things, long and without sun and not all hobbies are protection isn’t good for expensive. You could for summer? you - but staying indoors have a go at sketching all the time is bad too. and probably have paper You need sunlight to and pencils in your home Here are some hints to help make yours a success. produce vitamin D, which already. Origami is the is needed for healthy Japanese art of paper bones, teeth and muscles. folding. Practise on old Stay hydrated magazines and junk mail and you can still recycle Make sure you drink plenty of fluids in the summer. Signs of dehydration include: feeling dizzy, rapid breathing, them afterwards! Learn dry mouth, muscle cramps, headache, sleepiness or confusion and fainting. If you suspect you or anyone with you Attract butterflies a language with one of has these symptoms get into the shade or somewhere cool, and sip water or diluted fruit juice. Avoid tea, coffee the free apps available. or alcohol because they could make symptoms worse. If you don’t feel confident enough to grow food you can always plant flowers that Or take up photography will attract butterflies, such as phlox, coneflower, marigolds and lavender. The great using your mobile phone. Create a bird table news for gardeners is that you don’t need to weed so often if you want butterflies Be more creative than a to visit. few selfies! If you share your garden make sure the neighbours are OK with this one. Set aside an area where you can put “I’m bored!” vegetable peelings, a whole apple, seeds and nuts, or buy dried The summer holidays can be a challenge for kids but there are plenty of things to do to keep them mealworms from a entertained. Have a go at making your own ice cream - recipes are easily found online. Watch out for free or garden centre. Avoid inexpensive play days in your area. We will be offering fun activities at some of our schemes. Keep an eye on using bread - it isn’t good our website and social media for details. for them. Also offer water Stay active - it’s as important for birds as it is for you. Then you Sitting around in the sun is great, but don’t forget to exercise too. If the weather’s can have fun watching really warm take walks in the early morning or evening when it will be cooler. Or if who visits and looking up your garden has shady areas you can do some light weeding and pruning to keep what sort of bird they are. up your step count. On very hot days, swimming is a great way to keep cool.

Eat your greens

Summer is a great time to grow plants. Even if you live in a flat you can set up a window box, and Water babies If all else fails… salad crops like edible leaves or radishes take Kids love water and will There are card games, no time at all before really enjoy having a board games, reading, they’re ready for the paddling pool to play in painting, skipping, kite plate. You might even try on sunny days. But even flying, country walking, your hand at herbs and if it’s raining you can all paper aeroplane races, small tomato plants. It’s have fun splashing in making up and telling great to be able to pick puddles - and you don’t jokes, singing, charades, your own produce - fresh even need a garden. going to the movies, Lego. from your plot. The list is endless!

21 | doorstep Edition 7, Summer 2019 | 22 Everybody is unique

PA Housing is proud to support and celebrate diversity among our customers and colleagues.

See our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy online at pahousing.co.uk