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OpendoorAutumnyour section 2019 The magazine for Magna Housing residents

New development coming to

Raising awareness of Men’s health Residents’ Days coming soon

Blooming lovely! Garden competition winners revealed

1 Welcome!

Welcome to the autumn edition of Opendoor.

Wow, what a hot start we had to the summer Get in touch! season! Although some rain would definitely have helped here and there, your gardens General enquiries email: certainly bloomed in the sunshine. The entries [email protected] for the garden competition were beautiful. Well done to everyone who entered. The Postal address: winners are featured on pages 8-11. Oak House, Road, Dorchester, , DT1 1SW. Well done also to everyone who entered Dorset’s Best Village competition, which Online: www.magna.org.uk we organised this year. The winners for this competition will be announced at a Phone numbers are listed on the presentation evening in October. back page.

On the opposite page, you’ll see we are facebook.com/magnahousing hosting two drop-in days. We will have staff there ready to answer any questions you @MagnaHousing might have. We hope to see lots of you there.

Christmas is fast approaching and Santa has Opendoor is produced for all Magna Competitions kindly agreed to visit our grottos again this residents and aims to keep you & Activities year. On page 5 you can find out where and informed about housing issues and when. community news. All competitions in Opendoor are for Magna residents only. Prizes Finally, I’d like to thank my colleague Carl, to be won who has bravely shared his story to highlight men’s health issues on page 16. It’s a really Would you like to receive important message to all men - don’t be afraid to seek help. Opendoor by email or on audio CD? If you have something you’d like to share, get If you would like an audio in touch. version, or to receive Opendoor by email, contact Tanya Head Marketing Manager the editor on the details 01305 214047 shown opposite. [email protected]

Magna Housing Limited (MHL) is registered in , charitable registered society No. 7520, Social 2 Housing Regulator No. 4844. MHL is a member of the National Housing Federation. The registered office address is Oak House, Poundbury Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1SW. Free event for Magna families

Are you worried about the cost of Christmas? We have organised two special events to spread some festive cheer. Children 0-10yrs can have a FREE visit with Santa in his grotto and receive a small gift from him and we will donate an additional free gift for children under 18 to open on Christmas Day! Well done to Healeys!

Congratulations to the residents and There were 1,000 nominations and Healeys volunteers at Healeys’ sheltered housing were one of ten shortlisted for the award. scheme, in Porlock, who won an award for their volunteering, including organising Natalie Fouracre, Sheltered Housing coffee mornings three times a week, Advisor, said: “Everyone is really sociable breakfasts, lunches, BBQs and birthday and enjoys coming together. All these parties. events are organised by the residents so I’m really pleased they were recognised for Sian Lewis, Lorraine Shove and Doug Carter the award. are residents at Healeys and volunteer every week to organise and set up the “We encourage other schemes and various events and activities. communities to do the same as Healeys and organise some events to bring the Janice Carter, also a resident at Healeys, community together.” nominated Sian, Lorraine and Doug for the West Volunteer of the Year By appointment only so book early to avoid Award. disappointment!

To book your place, call Neil Bliss, resident & 5 community engagement officer, on 01984 635134 4 or email [email protected] by 18 October. Making a stand against domestic abuse

In 2018, Magna Housing signed up to the We have made amendments to our policies If you or someone you know needs help Chartered Institute of Housing’s (CIH) Make that will give even more support to please call: If you are in a Stand pledge to tackle domestic abuse. employees who may be experiencing immediate danger, The pledge was created to encourage domestic abuse and we are proud to have Freephone 24 hour housing organisations to make a joined the EIDA (Employers’ Initiative on National Domestic please call 999. commitment to support people Domestic Abuse) to continue our Violence helpline on experiencing domestic abuse – this not only commitment to support our staff. The Home Office has a system in place applies to residents but staff members too. 0808 2000 247 called Silent Solutions, which helps While our work for the CIH wraps up in callers, such as domestic abuse victims, We are continuing our commitment to raise September 2019, we will be ensuring the You can also get help and advice from a who cannot speak to an operator. You can awareness of domestic abuse. A team of legacy from the Make a Stand pledge will number of organisations including: signal that your call is a domestic abuse staff and residents have met throughout the continue within Magna Housing. We will emergency by coughing after the 999 call year to put into action the four commitments continue raising awareness and funds for is answered. Magna has pledged to work on. agencies that support victims and survivors Women’s Aid and carry on working closely with womensaid.org.uk If you have not been able to signal that Team members also reviewed our Domestic partnership agencies in Somerset and your call is an emergency by coughing Abuse Policy and suggested amendments, Dorset. 0117 944 4411 after dialling 999, you will be put through which our board approved, and we recently to the operator. made it mandatory for all new employees to take an online training on domestic Respect If you are in danger, you will be asked to abuse. Our aim is for all staff to take the respect.uk.net dial “55” otherwise the call will be course. terminated. 020 7549 0578

Pictured: Some of our Make a Stand 6 champions promoting their campaign #MakeAStand 7 at our recent staff day. 2019 gaRDEN

Mrs J Hawkins, in Melplash, won first Mr C Smalldon, in Dorchester, won first prize in the large gardens category. prize in the communal gardens category. Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s gardening competition and huge congratulations to the winners! The judges had a very difficult job due to the high quality of entries! Thank you also to the staff and residents who volunteered their time to judge Full list of winners for Dorset: the gardens across Dorset and Somerset.

Special congratulations goes to our prize cup winners, Mr P Wilcox in and Mrs T Payne in Brushford. Also to our shield winner, Mrs T Wheeler of . Small Garden category John Foot Cup & 1st prize: Mr P Wilcox, Bridport 2nd: Mrs D McCarthy, DORSET 3rd: Mrs W Goff, Lyme Regis Large Garden category 1st: Mrs J Hawkins, Melplash 2nd: MR R A Butler, Portesham Miss M Taylor, in , won first 3rd: Mrs J Ferreira, John Foot prize in the sustainable/wildlife category. Cup Patios, containers, hanging Winner baskets & window boxes category Cox Shield & 1st prize: Mrs T Wheeler, Drimpton Cox Shield 2nd: Mr G Hounsell, Bridport Winner 3rd: Mr R Teague, Dorchester

Communal garden category 1st: Mr C Smalldon, Dorchester 2nd: Mr S Herbert, Bridport 3rd: Ms T Harding, Bridport

Sustainable/wildlife category 1st: Miss M Taylor, Sherborne 2nd: Mr M Hale, Mr P Wilcox, in Bridport, won the John 3rd: Mrs H Chant, Foot Cup and first prize in the small gardens category. Mrs T Wheeler, in Drimpton, won the Cox Shield 8 and first prize in the pots and patios category. 9 SOMERSET

Full list of winners for Somerset: Tim Chilcott Cup Tim Chilcott Cup Winner Winner Mrs T Payne in Brushford

Large Garden category 1st: Mr & Mrs F Matravers, Bridgetown 2nd: Mr & Mrs J Heard, Dulverton 3rd: Mr & Mrs A Irish, Minehead

Small Garden category 1st: Mr M Forman, Minehead 2nd: Mr W Duck, Washford 3rd: Mr & Mrs A Rush, Allerford Mrs T Payne, in Brushford, won the Tim Chilcott Cup and first prize in the Miss H Williams, in Wellington, won first Patios, containers, hanging baskets sustainable/wildlife category. prize in the patios, containers, hanging and window boxes category baskets and window boxes category. 1st: Miss H Williams, Wellington 2nd: Mrs I Wood, Porlock 3rd: Mrs J A Rice, Dulverton

Sustainable/wildlife category 1st: Mrs T S Payne, Brushford

Communal category 1st: Alcombe Communal garden in Minehead

Mr & Mrs F Matravers, in Bridgetown, won first prize in the large garden Mr M Forman, in Minehead, won first category. prize in the small garden category. Alcombe Lodge won first prize in the communal garden category 10 11 Our additional services team offers home help to anyone in Dorset and Somerset. We can make a visit or provide contact on the telephone • according to our customers’ needs. • • • • • • • • • • You don’t need to rent a property from Home help is available to anyone, but us to benefit from these additional particularly for elderly or vulnerable services. Contact us for a free quote or people and people with disabilities or a to book an appointment. long-term illness.

We also provide a garden handyperson service to anyone in the local area.

12 13 We are committed to delivering quality, “ affordable homes. ”

Shared ownership is another way to buy your own home. You buy a percentage, and pay rent on the rest. The housing association owns part of it — but you’re living there, you #MagnaBuilds decorate it, and you decide when to sell. Buying a percentage means a smaller deposit and smaller mortgage. In most cases, you can carry on buying shares, to in Yetminster own it 100%.

We are pleased to announce we have The scheme will also see the 100th home • Your maximum yearly household income must not secured a contract to deliver 29 new to be built as part of Magna’s five-year exceed £80,000. homes in Yetminster by 2021. strategy to deliver affordable homes in Dorset and Somerset. • You’ll need enough savings to cover your deposit Chris Meadows, Development Manager at (dependent on your mortgage and/or share of Magna Housing, said: “We will be working Chris added: “We are committed to property). with Burrington Estates to create great delivering quality, affordable homes within homes together, which will be affordable the communities we are based in. This • You will need additional savings of £3,500 to cover legal and available to the local community.” development not only delivers our 100th new home, but also increases the amount fees and costs. The new development will deliver 85 of shared ownership homes that are homes, 29 of which will be purchased by available in Yetminster. This provides a • You do not have an interest in another property. Magna to deliver affordable housing. They great opportunity for local people to get a will be available to rent or buy through step onto the ladder to homeownership.” • You may need to have a local connection to the property shared ownership. that you wish to buy. (we shall advise you on application).

Keep up to date with our development news If you’d like to find out more, contact our sales team on using #MagnaBuilds on Twitter 01305 216153 or email [email protected] 14 15 One of our colleagues, Carl I got myself straight to the 3: Guys, do not be Johnson, recently shared a doctor who referred me to embarrassed to get your post on social media and hospital and less than a bits out in front of the Men’s Health asked that we include it in week later I was at Dorset doctor. There truly is Opendoor to raise County Hospital seeing a nothing embarrassing awareness. It’s a really specialist. He was not about it and more than important message and happy, and I was back the likely it will be a cyst (very we’re really glad he shared following day having blood common), or, like me, it with everyone. tests. something not to really Awareness worry about. However, if it This is Carl’s story, in his Just over a week later I was cancer and you have a own words... was back for a scan and good old check regularly was told that I have a then the treatment and Carl Johnson, gas safe benign tumour and survival rate is 90%. This post is not for hydrocele and I am now The problem is when we plumber, shares his attention, it's to help awaiting an appointment are too embarrassed to say others, particularly men. with the specialist to "Here Doc, I’m a bit story to help raise discuss an operation to sort worried about this". I was I have been suffering with it out. amazed when the nurses awareness for others. severe anxiety and post at the scan said they see traumatic stress disorder The point of this post is :- some guys that are (PTSD) for 2 years now. A worried about a lump and couple of months ago 1: Guys and girls, if you’re it's been there 5 years or things got too much and I suffering and life has been more! Don’t leave it that was sent to a therapist. a bit rubbish, we are not long, check regularly and alone. Friends, family and seek advice if you find Along with help from the colleagues either have or anything unusual. therapist, I have made big will go through a bad time steps forward and up until in their life at some point, I just hope that if you’re 3 weeks ago I felt like I so talk, or go to the reading this and struggling was well on the road to doctors, they see it all the a bit, please realise you recovering. time and do help. are not alone and please talk to someone. And However, whilst in the 2: Men: it's not weak to fellas, check yourselves - it shower, I discovered a ask for help, don’t suffer in takes no time at all. lump. My heart sank and silence. immediately I felt like I'd been kicked back to the beginning again. Carl Johnson

The Steps to Wellbeing Service is a free, confidential, NHS service for people aged 18+. They provide a service across Dorset for people registered at a Dorset GP surgery. For more information visit: www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk 16 17 We want to give our residents the best service that we can and Do we always strive to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction. Sometimes, however, we make mistakes and we receive complaints.

Complaints are important to us because lessons and improve services for others they provide us with feedback from besides the complainant. They are get it right? customers about the things that we don’t regularly reviewed by Directors and get right and an opportunity to fix them. operational senior managers and By learning from the feedback we can appropriate action is taken to improve our Complaints for 2018 to 2019 improve the way we work and the service service. that we offer.

We recently reviewed the formal If you would like more complaints we received between 1 April information about complaints, 2018 and 31 March 2019. or to discuss a complaint, please contact: Between 1 April 2018 and the end of March 2019 we received 31 new formal Repairs and maintenance complaints, compared to 21 for the complaints: Janet Walker, complaints previous year. officer, on 01305 214071 or email [email protected] 94% of the complaints were resolved at the first stage. Housing services complaints: Amanda Taylor, complaints officer, on 01984 635131 Of the 31 formal complaints received in or email [email protected] 2018/19, we upheld 10 and partially upheld 13 and 7 were not upheld. Complaints remain an opportunity to learn

Numbers 1 April 2017 - 1 April 2018 - 31 March 2018 31 March 2019 No. of formal complaints 21 31

No. of formal complaints 18 29 resolved or closed at stage 1 No. of formal complaints 2 2 progressed to stage 2 No. of formal complaints 1 2 18 resolved or closed at stage 2 19 your money RepairsBudgets... budget 2018/19 In total we spend about £17m each year on repairs ANNUAL and maintenance. Here’s how it’s split: Response repairs (£3.4m)

Estates services eg cleaning and REPORT 2019 grounds maintenance (£1.3m) Aids & adaptations (£143k)

Our annual report provides information on our repairs and maintenance budget from 1st Routine testing and maintenance, eg April 2018 to 31 March 2019. heating servicing contracts and cyclical painting programme (£2.89m) We give you relevant performance information so that you can check how well we are providing our services. Repairs to empty properties (£1.5m)

Planned works - see chart below for Repairs breakdown (£8.22m)

We split our repairs into three categories: emergency, urgent and routine. We set ourselves a target for completion and check to see how well we do against that target: We spent £8.22m on planned works on the following areas:

Target for How did Did we Asbestos removal (£202k) completion we do? meet our target? External improvements eg external refurbishments, improvements to Emergency repairs paths, walls and fences (£1.3m) (Attend and make safe within 24 hours) 99% 99.13%  Roofing (£1.2m) Urgent repairs (Complete within 5 working days) 99% 98.82% x Windows and external doors (£312k) Electrical upgrades, fire safety repairs, Routine repairs fire alarm & emergency lighting (£609k) 99% 99.06% (Complete within 20 working days)  Energy improvements, new central heating and boilers (£1.39m)

New kitchens and bathrooms (£3.19m)

m = million k = thousand 20 21 New Payments for those who lost their Severe Disability Premium when they moved onto

Since 16th January 2019, anyone who has universal credit due to the loss of are still entitled to the disability benefit criteria on the date their case comes to the severe disability premium in their severe disability premium in an which would have made them eligible attention of the DWP they will receive no employment and support allowance award of income-related ESA, for severe disability premium (ie the compensation. So for anyone who since (ESA), job seekers allowance (JSA), income-based JSA or income support daily living component of PIP, middle moving onto UC up to the present time income support or housing benefit have which ended within one month of the or high care component of DLA, armed does satisfy all the above criteria it is best not been able to move onto universal universal claim starting forces independence payment, to ensure the DWP are aware of the credit. However, prior to this date many attendance allowance, constant situation now by putting a note on your people with this premium lost out when • Have had a continuous entitlement to attendance allowance or exceptionally journal to say that you meet these criteria. they moved onto universal credit. universal credit and are still on severe disablement allowance) universal credit when the DWP review New regulations have now been their claim – ie it cannot be paid for • Their carer has not started to receive introduced by the government to allow universal credit awards which have carer’s allowance or a carer element in transitional severe disability premiums to terminated because the claimant their own universal credit for looking those who lost out by moving onto ceased to meet conditions of after them universal credit if they meet qualifying entitlement before the DWP look at criteria. the claim It is important to note that the regulations state that unless the claimant meets these The backdated payment will only apply to • Have not become or ceased to be a claimants who meet all the qualifying couple since moving onto universal criteria: credit

• Lost out financially when moving onto • Have had a continuous award of and If you have any questions, or would like to assess if you would be entitled to this payment, please contact our money matters team on 0800 999 6130 or email [email protected] 22 23 Who’s my housing officer? Dorset Nicola March To see who the housing officer is for an area, find the village or town in the following • Abbotsbury • Melcombe Bingham lists and match the colour to the housing officer. • Alweston • • • Melplash • Batcombe • Somerset • Beaminster • • Blandford • Netherbury • Alcombe • Langport • Bradford Abbas • • Allerford • Luccombe • Bradford Peverell • • Bicknoller • Luxborough • Bradpole • • Bridgetown • Minehead • Bridport • Annie Cole • Bridgwater • Monksilver • Broadmayne • • Brompton Ralph • Porlock • • • Bourton • Portesham • Brompton Regis • Roadwater & Old • Burton Bradstock • Portland Victoria Letten • Brushford Cleeve • • • Bruton • Rodhuish • Cerne Abbas • • Cannington • Skilgate • • Puddletown Bridie Screen • Carhampton • South Petherton • Charmouth • • Castle Cary • Stogumber • Chesilbourne • Purse Caundle • Chard • Stogursey • • • Clatworthy • Taunton • Chickerell • Salwayash • • Timberscombe • Chideock • • Crowcombe • Washford • Corscombe • Sherborne (part) • Crossways • Sherborne (part) Andy Bellchambers • Curry Rivel • Watchet • • • Cutcombe • Wellington • Dorchester • • Dulverton • Wheddon Cross • Drimpton • Stratton Kerrie Brook • Dunster • Williton • Duntish • Stockwood • Exford • Winsham • • Stourpaine • Holford • Winsford • Frampton • • Huish Champflower • Withycombe • Gillingham • Jill Brighouse • Ilchester • Withypool • • • Grimstone • • Ilminster • Wiveliscombe Paula Laughton • Kilve • Yeovil • • • • Tolpuddle • • Trent • Leigh • West Knighton • • Devon • • West Bay • Exeter • Seaton • Longburton • West Milton Lucy Corben • Paignton • Lyme Regis • Weymouth • Maiden Newton • • • To contact any of the housing officers, or to find • Martinstown • Yetminster a village not listed, please call 01305 216060 • or email [email protected] • Melbury Osmund 24 25 SAY IT “ write it “ #TWEET IT

A job well done!

We received this message from a resident recently. Our kitchens and bathrooms team did a fantastic job. Another happy customer!

I just wanted to say a really huge thank you to you both, and to the whole team, for this Knit and Natter for a good cause absolutely beautiful kitchen. It wasn’t anything like as disruptive as I had imagined “ and the work that has been completed is of The Knit and Natter group at Symonds summer fete to the charity. More than If you would like to send in a letter, story such a high standard. Court, Charminster, has been tirelessly happy to oblige, the club presented the or photo, please send it to: knitting goodies for the Hearts Response charity with a cheque for £500 on It really has been a transformation and the Charity that supports children and widows Thursday 25th July. Email: [email protected]“ kitchen is now a lovely place to be as a in Romania. family. I am very grateful for your help Rachel McGinley, sheltered housing Post: Communication team, Magna planning it and for the amount of storage we Their knitted goods are sent out to advisor, said: “The club and the knitting Housing, Oak House, Poundbury Road, have been given. Romania and distributed to those in need. group demonstrate amazing community Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1SW. involvement, they work so hard and are The group also approached The Broken extremely proud of this achievement.” facebook.com/magnahousing Cross Social Club and asked if the club would donate the proceeds of their Well done everyone! @MagnaHousing

26 27 Magna contacts

Contact us Not sure who to call? Here’s some useful phone numbers at Magna.

Housing services 0800 1386107 eg housing officers, garages, resident engagement, rent payments, ending your tenancy.

Sheltered housing & 0800 9996130 supported services

Repairs 0800 3586025

Estate services 01305 214027

Formal complaints Repairs & maintenance issues 01305 214071 Housing services issues 01984 635131

Right to buy enquiries 01305 216008

Home ownership team 01305 216153

Get #social! Get in touch through Facebook and Twitter!

facebook.com/magnahousing

@MagnaHousing