Around the Houses August 2013

‘Around the Houses’ is published monthly to showcase the excellent work members are doing in a wide variety of different areas. If you have any stories you’d like to include in the next edition, please send them to [email protected].

Chief Executive gets on his bike

Tai ’s Chief Executive, Steve Jones, has collected his new mode of transport from local cycling experts Cyclemart and is hoping others within the organisation will take his lead and sign up to the government’s Cyclescheme in order to be part of this ‘healthy living’ initiative. Tai Ceredigion is committed to helping its staff to lead healthy lifestyles and also reduce carbon emissions. This scheme, part of the Government’s Green Transport Plan, also provides a financial incentive for its participants. Welsh Warriors take on the world ‘Cyclescheme’ enables employees to get a bike and safety equipment such as a helmet Two Newport City Homes (NCH) residents and clothing tax-free, and is helping thousands took part in football’s Homeless World Cup in of people to reduce carbon emissions as they Poland earlier this month. Both play for Street cycle to work. ‘It’s a fantastic opportunity for Football ’ ‘Welsh Warriors’ women’s all staff,’ said Steve. ‘Payments are deducted team and were very excited about going to from your gross salary and spread across an Poland. Bethan Clayton, 18, was especially agreed period of time so it’s a really good way excited as this was the first time she had of making what can be an expensive purchase. left the UK. Clare Rogers, 24, is the team It also helps save on fuel costs - even leaving captain and told us how she had experienced the car at home for a few days a week will problems with drugs and alcohol which had make a massive difference to weekly fuel bills resulted in her losing previous tenancies and help the environment,’ he added. With over but how football and the support of NCH 140 members of staff throughout the county, Tai Neighbourhood Officer, Sam Howells, gave Ceredigion hope a high percentage of the team her a focus in life. Clare said: ‘Sam sorted will take up the offer and is encouraging them me out.’ Clare now works for Street Football to support their local expert bike shop as part of Wales as a project worker, through Jobs Tai Ceredigion’s support for local businesses. Growth Wales. In support of their trip to the tournament, the Welsh Warriors received funding towards transportation from NCH and free kits from the Football Association of Wales. However, they are looking for further sponsorship. If you would like to sponsor them or would like more information you can find them at www.justgiving.com or by contacting Keri on 07964 119984 or [email protected]. Around the Houses Charter Housing event bus takes to the road! August 2013 The highly-visual Charter branded bus, affectionately christened as EVIE, recently took its inaugural trip when it rolled into Heol Hamelin, Abergavenny to host a ‘window surgery’. It was greeted by a queue of residents eagerly waiting to talk to staff! Residents were invited via letter, text, Facebook and Twitter to come along to the surgery to discuss any problems with their windows, as well as other tenancy related issues, with Charter staff. A surveyor was also on hand to visit properties, as well as members of the building maintenance team who were kept busy fixing United Welsh supports Credit Union seals and replacing handles. The ‘window surgery’ expansion was an innovative response to the outcomes of a tenant survey undertaken by Charter where Smart Money Cymru Credit Union has Heol Hamelin residents indicated they were very refurbished and opened its first high street happy with their homes, but as a result of wear branch in Caerphilly. With support from and tear there were areas such as window seals United Welsh, the building will offer a and handles that needed to be replaced. EVIE’s completely new experience for customers. first journey was an overwhelming success, with The credit union has seen a huge growth in positive feedback received from residents. The membership since the economic crisis began residents were extremely pleased to welcome the and now has nearly 4,000 members. The bus to their Estate and were impressed that staff timing could not be better to raise the profile could respond to their queries on the spot. They of Smart Money Cymru and the Credit Union felt that their issues had been taken seriously and movement in Wales. The new building was that they had been listened to. The bus is already officially opened by Jeff Cuthbert, Minister proving an extremely useful resource, enabling for Communities and Tackling Poverty. Charter to better engage with the communities in Jeff Cuthbert said ‘It is good to have the which they operate, provide on-site training, and opportunity to celebrate the opening of this increase their visual profile at community events. new Smart Money Cymru Credit Union head office and to meet those who help make a difference to the community. It is essential that communities are well informed and aware of the facts to enable them to make informed decisions about their lives.’ This move is aimed at helping those who do not have access to main stream financial products, tackling the increase in pay day loans, and reaching out to those people who First Choice Fun want to save more ethically. Both United

Welsh and Caerphilly CBC have made July saw First Choice host its annual tenant contributions to support the delivery of the conference and fun day. It was the most well project. With changes to the welfare benefits attended fun day the association has ever held system, many people need access to safe which makes it even more poignant in its 25th and secure financial products. Promoting anniversary year. The association encouraged a saving culture and steering people away attendance by contributing towards travel from unscrupulous lenders is important work expenses. Tenants enjoyed a host of activities for the credit union. Another growing market including a magician, hoop a duck, tin can alley, has been those people who want to support coconut shy and arts and crafts stalls. The day their community by saving a small amount was hosted by Hi-Jinx theatre who presented each month. This money is used to provide an interactive sketch on supported living which low cost loans to those who don’t have tenants and staff thoroughly enjoyed. Peter access to the financial services many of us Holmes said, ‘It was lovely to have the opportunity take for granted. The relocation to Caerphilly to meet and engage with tenants. As Chair of high street will not only support business First Choice, this reinforces why I and other growth but has also made a significant dent board members are so committed to the ongoing in the regeneration of the area. success and development of the association.’ Around the Houses Students build a future with help from Pennaf Housing Group August 2013

School students from across the Rhyl region have been finding out more about the world of work by spending a week with the Pennaf Housing Group. Students from Rhyl, Prestatyn, Denbigh, , Welshpool and Bangor spent a week with the Housing Group working alongside staff in a diverse range of occupations before they broke up for the summer holidays. ‘Because of the New beginnings for the Olinda Trust size of the group and the breadth of our activities we were able to offer the students a The Olinda Trust, a North Wales-based charity number of different placement opportunities, which offers residential and day care for mental from office based work, to working with the health and dementia sufferers, will re-locate PenAlyn Maintenance Teams who look after to Plas Parciau in November.The move marks Alyn Housing Association properties a milestone for the charity which delivers for the Group,’ said Trainee HR Advisor support for 16 service users, which will include Rhian Tilston. ‘The placement opportunities opening the service to accommodate male are all part of our ‘Grow Your Own’ strategy service users as currently the service operates where we develop staff and also work with a female only provision. The historic building local communities offering opportunities to in Old has been purchased by North people across the areas where we operate. Wales Housing, who have commissioned a The students were an absolute credit both £1.3m renovation programme. The former to their schools and to themselves. They Abbey Field Care home will be transformed to brought energy, enthusiasm and a real sense create a modern, peaceful and relaxed home of commitment as they engaged with those for service users. It is hoped that local people around them in the workplace.’ will in due course be able to access day care services offering support and care tailored to meet their specific needs and requirements. All service users will have access to all communal facilities available on site, which include a dining room complete with tea bar, two lounges, external conservatory, internal lift and the entire grounds of the site.

Disabled youth club gets cash boost

Disabled youngsters at TOGs youth group Polish journey hopes for Llanelli young recently received £250 from Melin Homes’ people’s project community grant fund. TOGs was established to provide young people with physical Young people in Llanelli have been awarded disabilities or learning difficulties a chance to over €11,000 to help fund a cultural trip to socialise and try new experiences in a safe Poland and run a 26 week programme environment. TOGs run youth clubs for 8-21 of cultural events within their community. year olds with disabilities twice a week, with Llety Llanelli Foyer is a Grŵp Gwalia annual costs of around £42,000. The centre scheme supporting young people aged was set up by parents in the 1990s and relies between 16-24 who are homeless or at risk on charitable donations. Company Secretary of homelessness. The young people are and Director, Sarah Baker, got involved with planning a visit to Poland after being awarded the charity when her son was diagnosed with a grant from the European Union’s Youth in Angelman Syndrome. She said: ‘I know how Action Programme to explore youth issues important TOGs was to me. It’s about making within the country. Llanelli has a strong Polish sure that parents have a break, children community and the young people were keen have a chance to do something different, to to explore the culture and customs of the give them a sense of independence, and the country as well as issues around immigration chance just to be a kid… All the money that and youth unemployment. comes in goes straight back to the children.’ Around the Houses August 2013

Focus on Digital Inclusion... project to help tenants get online

Torfaen tenants will find it easier to get online with four new digital help points being built in the area. The UK Government’s Digital Deal project has awarded £40,000 to fund a project led by Bron Afon Community Housing, with partners including Torfaen Council and Communities First in Torfaen. There will be two multimedia kiosks in north Torfaen and two in south Torfaen. The machines will also be able to make video calls to cut down on travel. Duncan Forbes, Neath gets online Chief Executive of Bron Afon, said: ‘We have to make it as simple as possible for tenants Digital inclusion is about improving lives and to get online as it will not be long before reducing social isolation, enabling individuals they have to use the internet to manage any to communicate more easily, access public benefits they receive. Already the majority services more easily and get goods more of job-hunting takes place online so it’s vital easily and for lower prices. There are many we increase the number of places where the benefits of using digital technology and those internet is available for free. Broadband is that do not have access to it, or lack skills and becoming a necessity but for many tenants it confidence are ‘digitally excluded.’ The ‘Get is a luxury they can’t afford to have in their NPT Online’ project is a partnership between home. This cash is brilliant news for the area NPT Homes, Coastal Housing Group and and the many people who don’t have easy Melincryddan Community Conference for which access to the internet.’ Communities Minister Communities 2.0 Digital Inclusion funding has Don Foster said: ‘Whilst ever more people of been received. The project was launched at all ages and backgrounds are getting online, Briton Ferry Library and was well attended by some people have been left behind including local community groups, partner organisations, many social tenants. We are backing 12 members of the community and the Minister projects across the UK to help turn this around, for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Jeff opening up all the benefits of the internet from Cuthbert. It is estimated that around a third of job searches to keeping in touch with friends the adult population in Wales do not regularly and family to thousands more people for the use the internet. The majority of those are likely first time. As the UK becomes ever more to be unemployed, economically inactive, living reliant on the internet as both a work and in deprived areas, people with disabilities, social tool, we can’t afford not to make this older people or social housing tenants. Around investment to help all sections of society keep 38% of social housing tenants are not using pace.’ Digital Deal is being managed by the the internet. The aim of the project is to help Tinder Foundation, which supports the 5,000 anyone across the borough who would like to online centres across the UK. Helen Milner, gain the skills to use IT equipment and access Chief Executive, said: ‘I’ve seen the growth of the internet. The project will promote local Digital Deal from just a germ of an idea, so it’s resources and will use a five step approach great to see the announcement of these 12 to getting people online which includes using new projects and I’m really looking forward to internet browsers, internet security, setting up seeing what they’ll all achieve. We’ll be there an email, sending email attachments and filling every step of the way to support them. Social in forms. Volunteer training has started and all housing is such an important sector in terms involved are proud to be part of this exciting of digital inclusion, and it’s never been more project and look forward to being able to help critical for social housing providers to help as many people as possible. their tenants to get online.’