AUTUMN2017 1 HOMEfromHOMES A magazine from Homes Autumn 2017

COMMUNITY FUND MAKING A DIFFERENCE

We have made the first award from our Community The fund was made possible as a result of Fund to ‘The Friends of Sconce and Devon Park’ procurement efficiencies created by working with which is Newark on Trent’s largest open space. The Efficiency , an organisation providing volunteers at the park successfully bid for cash to efficiencies for the public sector through bulk put towards an Educational Interactive Nature Trail buying. which will encourage children and adults alike to get outdoors and closer to nature. We are now accepting applications for the second round of community funding with a closing Paul Reed, Chairman of Friends of Sconce and deadline of 24 November - for not-for-profit Devon Park said: “On behalf of our group, I would organisations as well as community groups, helping like to thank Newark and Sherwood Homes for to make a difference to the people and environment the Community Award. The award will be used to in the Newark and Sherwood District. provide interactive nature boards. These boards will help give information on the wildlife within the park Apply for the community fund – and allow you to be able to do brass rubbings of the visit our website www.nshomes.co.uk creatures depicted.” for full application pack.

INSIDE: Community News - p2/3 | Thank you Board Members & Awards - p4/5 | New Apprentices - p6 | Universal Credit - p7 2 HOMEfromHOMES Community SUPPORTING NEWS OLDER PEOPLE

so I exercise regularly and it would be great to see more people joining in.”

Visitors at Burton Court in Bilsthorpe were also treated to refreshments straight from our newly renovated kitchen. The new kitchen was installed in the community centre in September and it’s now fully accessible for wheelchair users.

At each free event, there was an opportunity for local people to try out chair based exercises and We were very excited to take part and helped people to find out more boccia, have free entry into a in celebrations across Newark about staying fit and healthy. raffle with prizes donated by local and Sherwood to raise awareness companies and to get advice on of Older People’s Day held on 1 69-year-old Kay Hogan who lives staying active and maintaining October. in Bilsthorpe and regularly attends the exercise class at Burton Court, wellbeing. In partnership with said “I like all exercise and I try to Rebecca Rance, chief executive County Council and Active4Today stay active, I go to the local gym at Newark and Sherwood Homes we held three awareness raising and I enjoy chair based exercises. added: “Older people’s day is a events in Bilsthorpe, Newark and It is really good because you can great opportunity to get involved Blidworth. do as much or as little as you like, and do something different, that’s even if you have a shoulder or a hip These events aimed to promote why we’ve joined forces with other problem, you can still join in and partners to promote this great healthy life styles, gave have a go. Touch wood, I’m quite fit opportunities to combat loneliness initiative.’

Sharon and Kerin serving refreshments Ladies at Burton Court in Bilsthorpe enjoying a game of boccia in newly decorated kitchen AUTUMN2017 3

VALE VIEW ‘GET HAPPY’ WITH A UKULELE BAND

To celebrate the 14 of our tenants came together The Happy Band is run by completion of works at to enjoy a performance by the volunteers from across Newark with University of the Third Age (U3A) a passion for playing the ukulele. their community garden, Happy Band on the garden’s newly During the event, the band played tenants at Vale View were refurbished patio which we recently a number of hits from “You Are My treated to a special ukulele revived with help from Henry Boot, Sunshine” to “Rockin’ All Over The performance this summer. Devlin Decorating and Willow Bank World” for our tenants. Flooring.

Vale View residents enjoying performance on the patio

U3A member co-ordinator of the others. The Happy Band’s aim is to “We thoroughly enjoyed Happy Band, Bob Cawson said: “We give back to the local community performing at Vale View, especially are a group of retired and semi- and ultimately put a smile on in the new garden, which was neat retired people who enjoy coming someone’s face with a happy and and tidy – ready for a summer in together and playing ukulele for uplifting song. the sun!”

OH! WE DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE

This summer we partnered with a special themed photo booth at and Boughton Town Council to the centre of the celebrations– even hold a ‘seaside fun’ event at Ambleside though the day was a little rainy, it Community Centre for 30 local people, didn’t dampen our spirits! including our tenants. Six-year-old Toby Wakefield was one of The fun-filled event focussed on classic the attendees who enjoyed the event – seaside games, with taking home a huge jar of sweets after correctly guessing the number of treats inside.

We were told by his family that Toby Anna presenting Toby with his was particularly excited to have trophy won the prize – as his older sister, Hannah had recently won two similar competitions, so he was delighted to Lisa and Anna have won one on his own! at our seaside themed event 4 HOMEfromHOMES Thank you to Board members stepping down From everyone here at Newark and Sherwood Homes we want to say a big thank you to board members, Jean Clark, Paul Handley and the late Arthur Fell. Jean, Paul and Arthur have all made a huge impact on our work during their time as board members.

Jean Clark has been a member of the board since June 2006 and currently holds the role of Chair of the Human Resources committee which she has held since September 2015, having firstly held the role of Vice-Chair in September 2014.

Jean is a tenant and always keeps her ear to the ground to constantly feed the views of tenants into the Board’s decision making processes always adding value.

Jean has been a true ambassador for the company, always attending tenant and staff events and recently she has hosted the staff recognition award ceremony and the Director of the Board annual awards.

Paul Handley joined the Board in February 2012 and brought with him considerable financial experience and business knowledge. These skills have been an invaluable asset to the Board over a period which has seen the introduction of the Self Financing Housing Revenue Account Business Plan and the creation of the Company’s own Business Plan.

Paul has held the role of Vice-Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee and recently stepped up to the role of Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.

Arthur Fell joined our Board in November 2005. Arthur represented tenants across Newark and Sherwood and he was always keen to support the western side of the district. He always gave insight into the views of tenants on the services provided by the company especially when they related to his great passion, gardening.

Arthur was a dedicated attendee of the regional midlands housing groups where he continued to gain knowledge to help drive improvements in his own community, as well as being a member of his local tenants and residents association. Arthur spent almost 12 years on the Board.

Arthur sadly passed away after a short battle with illness in August this year, he is sadly missed by all who knew, worked and laughed with him.

Rebecca Rance, chief executive of Newark and Board ensured that tenants voices were heard and Sherwood Homes, said: “I personally want to say represented, they each brought skills and experience a big thank you from the bottom of my heart to to support, challenge and ensure the company Jean, Paul and Arthur for all their contributions performed the best we can. They have all done a and input into Newark and Sherwood Homes over tremendous job and will be missed.” the last several years. Their roles as Directors of the AUTUMN2017 5 Do you know someone ‘outstanding’?

It’s that time of year again! We are on the search for tenants who have gone the extra mile within their communities as part of our ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Community Awards’ (OCCA).

The OCCA works to recognise our most outstanding tenants and will see us award winners with £100 to donate to a charity of their choice. However, we need your help to ensure your local hero is represented. Do you know someone who has brought the community together? Is there anyone you know who has gone above and beyond locally?

If you know someone who deserves an OCCA and would like to nominate a friend, neighbour or acquaintance, please get in touch. Nominations can be made through a simple form which you can access via our website or request via email housing@nshomes. co.uk, however you can also find out more about the OCCA through your tenancy officer, or calling us on 0845 258 5550.

Previous winner Helen Marshall receiving award The deadline for nominations is Thursday 16 November and the from Chair of Board Lynn Clayton winner will be announced at our Annual General Meeting on 23 November. We’ve earned gold in the health and safety awards

Here at Newark and Sherwood Homes we always put safety first and we recently proved this by earning a gold medal in the 2017 RoSPA (Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents) Health and Safety Awards.

The internationally recognised awards, held by RoSPA, promote the prevention of accidents in the UK and worldwide, and honour organisations which are committed to raising their health and safety performance.

The gold medal accolade is only presented to companies that have received between five and nine consecutive gold awards from RoSPA, now making it the eighth year in a row that we have been recognised for our approach to health and safety.

Jean Clark, Chair of the Human Resources committee and one of our tenants, said: “We are all extremely proud and pleased to be recognised by RoSPA for our ongoing commitment to health and safety best practice.

“All the people who work for Newark and Sherwood Homes play a major Kevin Shutt, Maintenance Manager and Jean Clark, Director of the Board part in ensuring a safe culture exists within the company, helping us to with the RoSPA Award provide excellent housing services for the tenants.”

With so many tenants, homes and If you would like a paper version of or Tenant annual facilities to look after we are always on report, you can request one through report the lookout for ways to do better and [email protected] improve the services we offer to you. Did you know that we If you want to get involved with your Our tenant annual report, is available for local community, resident involvement manage almost 5500 you to view online, www.nshomes.co.uk. offers a range of opportunities where homes and over 9 in 10 It includes lots of useful information, you can have your say and make people are satisfied with advice and tips to ensure that you are difference to the environment you live in. our services? getting the best from us and the best Get in touch today to find out more, call from your home. 0845 258 5550. 6 HOMEfromHOMES “YOU’RE HIRED!” WE WELCOME FOUR APPRENTICES TO THE TEAM

This autumn we have expanded our team with four talented apprentices, thanks to our new apprenticeship scheme, Recruiting and Employing Apprentices Championing Housing (REACH).

Aaron Sarafat, Ben Forde-Shaw, Chloe Rowberry and Julie Moreton have joined us as apprentices in surveying, plumbing, business administration and housing respectively.

We created the REACH programme in partnership with Vision West Nottinghamshire College, which is our training provider for the apprenticeship Aaron, Ben and Chloe at development in progress, Gladstone House standards.

Speaking of his new role, Aaron said: “I have had some work experience at another company before coming here, but what made me want to come to Newark and Sherwood Homes was that it is a really good company where I can achieve a qualification at the same time.

“I am spending one day a week at college studying for an HNC in construction and spend the rest of the week working within the company. It is Apprentices and staff having a look around at Gladstone House a really varied, real-life work experience, which is being built on Bowbridge Road in Newark which I enjoy.”

The REACH programme – which was launched in spring this year – has been created to highlight the wide choice of careers available in the housing sector.

New apprentice, Julie Moreton AUTUMN2017 7 UNIVERSAL CREDIT – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Universal Credit will replace the following benefits for all new claims in Newark from February 2018 and for claimants from Ollerton and surrounding areas from May 2018. – Child Tax Credit – Housing Benefit – Income Support – Working Tax Credit – Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) – Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you already receive one of the benefits detailed above, you will be transferred across to Universal Credit by 2022. 4 things you need to know... 1) Benefit claims are going online – www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit. If you need help claiming online benefits or you don’t have internet access at home, why not drop into our new shared offices at Castle House in Newark where we have internet and computers available? Citizens Advice Newark and Sherwood share our office and can offer free advice and support. 2) Your universal credit payment will be monthly and in arrears. Unlike benefits which have been paid weekly or fortnightly in the past, Universal Credit will be paid monthly and in arrears. For many people this means having to budget carefully. The Money Advice Service provides some tips on budget planning www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk 3) You will need a bank account to receive your money. If you are a tenant and need help setting up a bank account or credit union account you can do this directly with a bank or get in touch with us and we can help you through the process. You can get in touch through our website www.nshomes.co.uk or call us for help in setting up an account on 0845 258 5550. 4) You will be responsible for paying your rent. Under Universal Credit, the housing element of your benefit will no longer be paid directly to your landlord, instead you will need to set up a way to pay this yourself. The easiest way to do this is through a direct debit – making sure your rent is paid on time every month. For more information and to set up a direct debit contact us on 0845 258 5550. For more information see: www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Log in to My Account today • View your rent account, to view your tenancy 24/7. see your rent balance You can now access your including any payments My account online at www.nshomes.co.uk/ • Make a payment Account myaccount to: • Report a repair 8 HOMEfromHOMES

With less than 100 days to go until Please send your designs FESTIVE SEASON Christmas, it’s almost time to dig to our new address below, along CARD COMPETITION out the festive jumpers, book your with your name, age and where pantomime tickets and get the tree you’re from, and we will also down from the loft! feature as many as possible on This year we are inviting all budding our new website. artists to help us celebrate the festive season by brightening up our website We encourage you to get stuck with your Christmas card decorations! in and involve plenty of glitter!!! Please send us your creations by The theme for 2017 is ‘A festive home’ 8 December. and there will be a prize of £50 high street vouchers for the winning design! Good luck and happy drawing! SAY HELLO TO CASTLE HOUSE!

We have now moved to our new offices at Castle House The easiest way and quickest way to get in touch is from our previous headquarters at Kelham Hall. We are still through our website www.nshomes.co.uk where sharing office space with Newark and Sherwood District you can make a payment, speak directly to a customer Council, the Department of Work and Pensions, Citizens service advisor through our 24/7 Web Chat or request a Advice Newark and Sherwood and Probation – saving call back. money and making services more accessible for you.

Our new address is: Newark and Sherwood Homes, Castle House, Great North Road, Newark NG24 1BY