the

SUMMER 2017 news

Welcome to your Summer Newsletter IN THIS EDITION: Spotlight on Connect Community Trust Universal Credit Update Introducing the new finance team Regulators report on Statutory Intervention Planned Maintenance Programme Home Energy Main Sewerage Drain – Wellhouse Crescent

Keep up to date with what’s happening in your community. 1 Message from the Chair Welcome to your summer newsletter!

I’m looking out the window at the lashing Rest assured we continue to work closely rain as I write this, so I hope when the with the Regulator on improving all areas newsletter drops on your doormat, the of the association. sun is shining. Remember, for members of the It’s been another busy period for the Association our AGM is on 19 September, I Association with changes to our staff look forward to seeing you there. group, new co-optees joining the I hope you all enjoyed the Gala Day on committee, starting new planned 12th August 2017. maintenance work and developing our As usual, if you have any questions please policies and procedures. email [email protected] June saw the publication of the Scottish Housing Regulator’s report on the Maureen Morris intervention at Wellhouse, which is reported elsewhere in this newsletter. Maureen Morris – Chair

A great day was had by all!

2 TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY Spotlight on Connect Community Trust

Connect Community Trust is an independent charity the local environment and/or to provide social, fun or that operates activities throughout Wellhouse, learning within the community. and around and the East End of We are always looking for new ideas and for local people . to let us know what they would like, need or want in the Within Wellhouse we operate hubSports, Innerzone and area. If you would like to see something improved or services within the hub. We work in partnership with you have a suggestion we want to hear from you. Speak Wellhouse Housing Association and other organisations to any of the Connect staff within the hub, Innerzone to develop services that are to help and support local or hubSports or contact Pauline on 0141 781 2132 or people on their own personal journey, to improve [email protected]

Could you make a difference in Wellhouse?

If you have ever volunteered, you needed to succeed. However, if you specifically have may have noticed that you felt something in mind you would like to Many of the services run by Connect fantastic afterward. Maybe you saw try, Connect Community Trust will in Wellhouse and other areas are a little boost in your mood, or that help create a role just for you! only made possible by local people you felt like part of a team. You felt If you are keen on increased like you made a difference and your being involved with many now socialising, finding new friends, community also feels the benefits. employed by Connect. gaining new skills or simply getting If you have never volunteered and We have various roles available out of the house more often visit feel like you may benefit from doing ranging from factory operatives, the Hub and speak to Stephen so, Connect Community Trust will café assistants, allotment assistants anytime for further information or provide you with all the support as well as I.T and admin positions. e-mail [email protected]

FROG HAVEN

The Allotments are not just about growing fruit and veg and our new additions are supporting our aim of creating a biodiverse area. The balance between animals and plants are key to a healthy ecosystem. ‘Smiler’ and his siblings will enjoy a healthy and happy future in the allotments till they go and make their homes elsewhere.

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY 3 Real Life Stories – How the Connect helps through the Peoples Gateway

Over the past 8 months the Peoples interview. An additional interview Gateway has interacted with a practise was set up for the day client to help her gain employment. before the interview and on the 28th of July she got the job she was Early September was the first hoping for. engagement in which a Universal Jobmatch, Email and CV were made Through the Peoples Gateway to help her gain her goal. Over the project we have helped many next 3 months, she attended 5 more local people to gain employment, job searching sessions in which highlighting Food Quality sometimes it is short process of a it was established that further Assurance. On the 28th of June, week or helping create a CV and training was needed. she was asked to attend a quality other times it is longer process and Assurance interview in which we help on a personal journey. No Mid-March, she attended a food did an interview practise sessions to matter what stage or type of help Hygiene course in which she passed. help her in her goal. you would like we are here to help. She then attended 4 more job searching sessions and her CV was Unfortunately, she was not Call Connect and the Peoples updated accordingly to highlight her successful in this but it did give Gateway team on 0141 781 2132 or Food Hygiene achievement. her great confidence for future [email protected] interviews. Again 4 more job search for more information or just come Over the next 9 job searching sessions were attended and on in to the hub and speak to any of the sessions she made great effort the 25th of July she was offered an Connect staff. to search for roles that were

ReConnect Showroom

Over the past year Connect has been developing and operating a furniture reuse and recycling project. This project has helped to create employment and training opportunities within the East End of Glasgow whilst also providing quality and affordable furniture. The Showroom is open Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm and has a range of furniture or all styles, budgets and rooms. Address: 90 Street (adjacent to the Forge Retail Park) G30 4AD Tel: 0141 781 2132

4 TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY Community Lunch

Every Wednesday the hub CAFÉ come along on a Wednesday at 12 provides a 3-course lunch for just or come at 11:30am for a game of £2.50. The team at the hub cook bingo. up a delicious meal, a chance to Also available every Wednesday is socialise and have a chat with a a selection of free bread, rolls and neighbour. cakes provided through Tesco. All are welcome to attend, just Help yourself each week!

Wellhouse Allotments

Anyone walking past the Allotments in Wellhouse will see a constant buzz of activity, over the past 6 months the Allotments have extended the range of items for sale. • Butterfly Signs • Garden Furniture • Garden Wells Each of the items have been made using recycled materials like old sofas. All money from the sale of items goes to helping support the ongoing running and development costs of the Allotments. If you would like something made for your garden or house, pop in and speak to Jim, Stacey or Terry.

Keep up to date with all the services and activities by liking our page on Facebook @connectcommunitytrust

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY 5 SUMMER FUN IN WELLHOUSE

Connect has been running another 11:30 to 5:30pm every day and successful summer programme in Saturday nights. Wellhouse, Provanhall and Calvay. Each day young people take part Wellhouse has seen over 20 young in racket/ball sports, music in the people per activity, attending park, costume making for the Gala science, circus skills, creative play, activities within Innerzone, day, Nerf war, street dance, break Splash battle( water fight ) park hubSports and also out and about in dancing, football, Mini Olympics & trips, messy play & cooking. Glasgow parks. There’s been plenty highland games, Drama, Woodwork, All young people are welcome from of choice and fun happening from upcycling/recycling, crazy golf, crazy Wellhouse and surrounding areas.

DISCLAIMER: Consent for the use of images has been received from parents’ prior to publication.

6 TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY Join our bid to help you save energy and money this summer

Wellhouse Housing Association has teamed up with Don’t miss out – better in your pocket Home Energy Scotland, a Scottish Government funded Switching suppliers hit a six-year high last year as more service that provides free, impartial advice to help households shopped around for a better deal. 7.7 million gas householders of all tenures, save energy and reduce or electricity switches took place in 2016, according to recent their gas and electricity bills. You may have seen their data from Ofgem. This is 1.7 million more switches than the adverts on television. previous year, a surge of 28%. Whilst summer’s here, and before the colder months This said, despite rising switching rates, and the fact that it’s return, we thought we’d get in touch to highlight some never been easier to change supplier, around two-thirds of useful information to help you stay in control of your customers still remain on standard variable tariff, meaning energy bills, and to invite you to benefit from Home lost savings. Energy Scotland’s support, in part by considering to pledge to look for a cheaper energy supply. So, your local Home Energy Scotland team is very keen to help you, friends and family avoid lost savings on energy bills, and invites you to get in touch. Simply Be an energy shopper call Home Energy Scotland free on 0808 808 2282, quoting ‘Energy Shopper’ or email adviceteam@ Switching energy supplier is one of the sc.homeenergyscotland.org and an advisor will call you quickest and easiest ways to save money back. on your bills. You could save up to £200 a year just by shopping around. The team will also be in The Hub over the summer providing drop in surgeries.

MEMORY LANE

Do you know where and when?? Send your ideas to [email protected]

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY 7 Universal Credit Update

LATEST NEWS

As the roll out of Universal Credit monthly). This is a step in the right who are continues across the country, direction. Please note however, that currently in the Scottish Government has if you are advised by the Jobcentre receipt of the announced that they plan to that you should now make a claim single monthly increase the frequency of payments for UC, please get in touch with our payment and and will offer to pay housing costs Income Advice Officer, Pamela who the numbers are (Housing Benefit/rent) direct to can assist you to ensure that this rising. This is a landlords. is the correct option for you and new benefit for everyone involved, help protect your rent payments, including the Department for Work New applicants who live in full as payments direct to your landlord & Pensions, therefore it is important service areas (Glasgow will fall into is currently an option in certain that you let us know as soon as this category from September circumstances. possible if you are advised to make 2018) will be given the option of a claim. fortnightly payments (instead of To date, Wellhouse has 24 tenants

TAX CREDITS ‘BACK TO SCHOOL BANK’ UPDATE If you are finding it difficult to kit From April 2017, support provided through Child the kids out with Tax Credit is limited to 2 children, so that any a new uniform, it’s worth speaking to your school subsequent children born after 6th April 2017 will about making a referral to the ‘Back to School not be eligible for further support. Bank’. It’s similar to a food bank, where instead of food donations, it is new school uniforms in order In addition to the 2 child limit, the ‘family element’ to help those struggling to afford these new items of £545 per year has been abolished. In effect, this for going back to school. will mean that families with at least one child born before April 2017 will be paid the family element however, claims where the eldest child is born after April 2017 will not receive this amount. School Clothing Grant DON’T FORGET TO RENEW YOUR TAX CREDITS Remember that you may also be The deadline to renew your Tax Credits is 31st July entitled to receive a school clothing 2017. If you fail to renew your claim on time, then grant of £52 per child from Glasgow your payments will stop and it may take some time City Council, dependant on your in order to have them re-instated. Please contact household income and circumstances. our Income Advice officer, Pamela who can assist If you require assistance to make a you with this. new application for this, then please contact our Income Advice Officer, Pamela.

8 TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY Hello and goodbye – Report Changes in Circumstances Wellhouse Housing Association has completed the last stage of its restructure with Gordon Kerr If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit and/or Council joining the management team on 1 May 2017 as Tax Reduction, you can now report any changes in your our Finance and Corporate Services Manager circumstances online at www.glasgow.gov.uk Gordon is an affiliate member of CIPFA, and is a You will need to know your reference number which highly motivated and experienced accountant who you will find on any letters you have received from the has worked in the RSL sector for over 20 years for Council. If you receive Housing Benefit and are unsure several Associations, some with Care subsidiaries. of your reference number, you can contact the Housing He has substantial experience of Group Structure Team at the hub who will be able to provide this to you. accounting and is familiar with preparing sets of Charity Accounts as well as Housing Association Accounts. Gordon firmly believes in Wellhouse’s core values and is confident that these will lead to Wellhouse being The Place to Be. Gordon was joined by a new Finance Assistant, Joan McDermott, the following week. In other news, our finance officer Sean O’Sullivan who has worked with us since 2012, is moving to a new job with a specialist finance agency. We wish him the best. We are presently recruiting for this vacancy.

A change in the Housing Benefit rules - Could you benefit?

A change in the Housing Benefit rules means that some people will now qualify for help towards their rent and others could get more Housing Benefit. Contact us if all of the following apply to you - • You are a member of a couple who live together, and • You are not receiving Income Related ESA, Income Support, Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Universal Credit or Pension Credit, and • One of you works for 16 or more hours per week, and • The other is sick or disabled.

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY 9 Regulator’s report on the statutory intervention at Wellhouse Housing Association

Many of you will have seen the press coverage 2014. Since late 2014 the management of the Scottish Housing Regulator’s report into committee, the interim management team, the association, which was published at the end the statutory manager and, of course, our staff of June 2017. have worked hard to put things right while continuing to provide a service. Throughout The report is a public document and this time we worked closely with the Regulator you can download a copy at www. and other public agencies to meet the needs of scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk . The report our customers. details “fundamental failings” which led to its statutory intervention in December 2014 The staff and management committee of after an independent investigation that we had Wellhouse Housing Association are focused on commissioned. the present - and on creating a positive future for the entire community. We are determined As you will know from our newsletters, we to serve the best interests of our tenants, recognised the scale of the issues we were factored owners and all other customers - at all facing from the outset and have spent the last times. All staff and committee members have few years addressing them, head on. voluntarily signed a code of conduct, extracts Last December, the Regulator ended the of which your will find in this newsletter. appointment of the statutory manager they All of us are committed to living by the vision had put in place. This followed improvements and values of Wellhouse Housing Association. we had made to strengthen our governance and financial controls. However, the Regulator You, our customers, come first. will continue to have ‘high engagement’ with We have listed the questions and comments us. This means that they will continue to work that we have received since the report was closely with the association as we ‘bed in’ the published and have reproduced them in this changes we have made since December 2014. newsletter, in the spirit of transparency. If you It is important to remember that the report have any further questions, then please do let published in June 2017 refers to the period us know by phone, email or at the hub. before the Regulator intervened in December

10 TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY Please note that we have tried to be as open as possible, in keeping with our vision and values. Wellhouse Housing Association is not covered by the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act. In Q: Who is still part of the association that addition, we do not provide legally protected, were involved at the time of these personal or confidential information. issues? A: The Scottish Housing Regulator’s (SHR)’s report, which you can read in full on their website, outlines where their concerns lay. The SHR is our regulatory body and the report is theirs, not Wellhouse Housing Why was there a rent restructure? Association’s. The SHR’s report is concerned Q: with the management committee and A: As you will see from previous senior staff, not the main staffing group. newsletters, tenant feedback told The committee membership has changed us that our community felt our since the intervention in late 2014 and rent charges were unfair. We had there is an entirely new management team. 73 different charges with a large disparity. It was important for us to resolve this unfairness. We carried out an affordability exercise and consulted through a range of methods at the time. Q: What sort of compensation are tenants due arising from recharges? A: Please note that Wellhouse Housing Q: Will there be an organised meeting to Association cancelled a number discuss the Regulator’s report? of outstanding recharges in A: Not at this time. Although a couple December 2015 when the interim of people have asked this, there is management team were in place.

insufficient demand for public meeting Any recharges which have been at present. The AGM is our next full applied since then are legitimate. meeting and all members are welcome to attend. All individual questions have been answered in writing to each tenant and former tenant who contacted us. Q: Will monies be returned to the association and divided within the community?

Tenants may also be interested in questions submitted A: All sources of income to Wellhouse HA are used to further our aims as to “what do they know?” public website and Wellhouse a social landlord, i.e. reinvestment Housing Associations responses. As noted above, in properties, supporting wider Wellhouse Housing Association is not covered by the community regeneration, etc. This is Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act. https://www. how the community benefits from the associations activities. whatdotheyknow.com/body/wellhouse_housing_ association

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY 11 Wellhouse’s Garden Guru

Hi Folks

Thanks for the enjoyment I’ve had GOOD LUCK TO THE in writing for the newsletter and NEXT GARDEN GURU the excuse I needed to look at every single garden and verandah in Janet Crawford Wellhouse. Its been a ball!! The Garden Guru

This year’s competition will be run on our behalf by The new categories are: Connect Community Trust and will be judged by 1. Best Newcomer David Linden MP, Ivan McKee MSP and Connect Youth 2. Best Verandah Sub-Group. The winners will be announced at the 3. Best Container Garden AGM on 19 September 2017. 4. Best Fruit/Veg Garden 5. Best Overall Garden

On her walk about to seek out the best gardens “The Garden Guru” has selected the following gardens for consideration by the judging panel. Thank you for all your efforts!

44c Wellhouse Crescent (Category 3), 6 Wellhouse Gardens (Category 3 & 2), 3 Arnol Place(Category 3), 11 Wellhouse Gardens (Category 3 & 2), 63a Langbar Crescent (Category 3), 2 Rigg Place (Category 3), 63b Langbar Crescent (Category 3), 17 Baldovan Crescent (Category 3), 63c Langbar Crescent (Category 3), 47 Baldovan Crescent (Category 3), 61c Langbar Cescent (Category 3), 136 Wellhouse Crescent (Category 3), 12 Dunan Place(Category 3), 126 Wellhouse Crescent (Category 3), 47 - 0/2 Langbar Crescent (Category 5, 3 & 2), 3 Torran Road (Category 3), 43 - 0/1 Langbar Crescent (Category 5 & 3), 125 Langbar Crescent (Category 5), 37 – 0/2 Langbar Crescent (Category 3), 1 Kiltearn Road (Category 3), 2 – 2/1 Wellhouse Path (Category2), 74a Wellhouse Crescent (Category 3 & 5), 3 – 0/2 Inver Road (Category 2), 70 Wellhouse Crescent (Category 3 & 5), 43 Newhill Road (Category 3), 68c Wellhouse Crecent (Category 3 & 5), 7a Balado Road (Category 5), 91 2/1, Langbar Crescent (Category 2), 7b Balado Road (Category 5), 93 0/2, Langbar Crescent (Category 3) 7c Balado Road (Category 3), 83a Langbar Crescent (Category 3) 7 -1/2 Balado Road (Category 2), Allotments (Category 1) 3b Balado Road (Category 3), Allotments (Category 4)

12 TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY 13 Glasgow City Council’s Bin replacement programme

Good news for those of our Authority: Glasgow City Council. tenants who are struggling with However, we are pleased to report the use of Glasgow City Council’s that we have been notified that individual steel bins! the Council has sourced £6.5 million in financing to replace all Over the years we’ve received galvanised bins throughout the many reports about the city and contribute to required insufficient refuse facilities improvements. The programme, in many of our closes and the we are advised, will be rolled out concerns these create regarding in three phases across the city lack of recycling facilities, pest – Wellhouse, and the North East control & public health concerns, of Glasgow will be part of phase alongside general unsanitary 2, scheduled to start in April & unsightly conditions. This 2018. We’re very pleased and will increases significantly in the event be talking to the council about of a missed bin collection. We’ve changes that may be needed to shared your frustrations but have bin areas and so on to make this faced limitations in our attempts project work. We will keep you to resolve these problems given in the loop – please give us your that refuse collection remains feedback and ideas. the responsibility of the Local

Do you think this is a good idea? Do you think it will work in Wellhouse? Speak to the Estate Wardens about your views when you see them out in the neighbourhood. http://www. greendogwalkers.org/

14 TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY PLANNED MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME 17/18

Each year we carry out work to improve and modernise our properties. EWI Statement The Maintenance Team are responsible for the Statement from Everwarm (contractor), Glasgow delivery of planned maintenance and repairs services City Council and Wellhouse Housing Association for Wellhouse Housing Association and for continuing regarding external wall cladding project carried out to deliver excellent customer service. from January 2016 to February 2017, at Langbar This is done following careful planning to ensure Crescent/ Wellhouse Crescent/ Durno Path/ Inver Road/ we target those properties where the work is most Bartiebeith Road confirming that the recent External needed. We routinely contact all tenants that will Wall Insulation project carried out fully complies with be directly affected by any maintenance work, well building regulations and fire safety requirements. before it is due to start. None of the addresses noted are over 18 metres in We have set our budget and programme for 2017 - height. 2018. In determining what items we need to replace “The Epsitherm insulation board is classified as an FRA within any development/property, we take into grade material (Fire Retardant Grade) which means account things like the repair history; the money the insulation will actually shrink away from heat or available from our rental income; the general self-extinguishes if removed from a flame. Epsitherm condition of each item needing replaced; availability insulation is fully encapsulated with a cementitious of parts; continued compliance with the Scottish Class 0 render which together has been tested and Housing Quality Standard (2015); any changes in passed the BS 476-6 (fire propagation) and BS476-7 legislation and the age of each item. (spread of flame) to gain BBA accreditation. Wetherby It is vital that we ensure we check our assumptions have also completed BS8414 / BR135 fire testing using for longer term planning with our actual stock Dash and Silicone finish which is the most stringent EWI condition. This will then be used to up-date our asset fire test in the world and allow the systems use on high management plans for the longer term. rise buildings. All of the above accreditation ensures the Epsitherm complies with Building Regulations. We have reviewed what needs completed for 2017/18 and for this year our main programme relates to The Epsitherm insulation is fully encapsulated in fitting... Wetherby Class 0 cementitious render providing the required protection.

64 kitchen replacements The Epsitherm insulation board, when installed as per Wetherby specification, meets Building Regulations and provides a robust and durable finish in regards to fire. 40 new bathrooms Please see an example of the BS8414 / BR135 fire test passed using Epsitherm insulation, on the home page 128 new boilers www.wbs-ltd.co.uk which has been useful in showing how good the system is and providing confidence in our systems.” double glazing units to 47 townhouses We hope that this gives our residents comfort and we are happy to take any other questions you may have. and approximately 300 properties will receive Please drop in or phone/ email on the details below new smoke alarms and heat and carbon or talk to the team when you see them out on site monoxide detectors. should you have any questions.

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY 15 Safety First

Wellhouse Housing Association is in the process of well as having a Lithium Battery back-up which lasts an installing new alarm systems in 300 properties this impressive 10 years. This should mean that once installed financial year. The types of alarm that we are going to you will not need to touch your alarms to replace/ provide are AICO alarms. Each property will have a Heat maintain anything for 10 years. detector (based in kitchen for fire), a Co2 alarm (near Please allow access for these works as they are very your boiler) and at least 2 smoke alarms (1 in living room important to your safety. and the other(s) in your hall). They will be hard wired as

Smoke Alarms

“Every year the fire and rescue which could have been prevented service is called to over 600,000 if people had an early warning and fires which result in over 800 were able to get out in time. In deaths and over 17,000 injuries. fact you are twice as likely to die About 50,000 (140 a day) of these in a house fire that has no smoke are in the home and kill nearly alarm than a house that does.” – 500 and injure over 11,000, many Fireservice.co.uk

Carbon Monoxide

“Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. Carbon based fuels are usually safe to use, however, when the fuel does not burn properly, excess CO is produced, which is poisonous. When CO enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues, the brain and organs. You cannot see it, taste it or smell it but CO can kill quickly with little warning. Around 50 people die every year from CO poisoning caused by gas, oil and solid fuel appliances and flues that have not been properly installed, maintained or that are poorly ventilated. Lower CO levels that result of prolonged exposure to CO. Increasing public do not kill immediately can cause serious harm to understanding of the risks of CO poisoning and taking health if breathed in over a long period. In extreme sensible precautions could dramatically reduce this cases paralysis and brain damage can be caused as a risk.” – Fireservice.co.uk

16 TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY Wipe out blocked drains with “The Three P’s”

The waste water drain which runs from your house to personal items, special disposable bags are available the public sewer is usually about 4 inches wide, which at most pharmacies and supermarkets. is less than the diameter of a DVD. And when you are out and about, make sure you use Flushing things like wipes, nappies or cotton buds the bins provided in public toilets for any personal down the toilet can cause drains to block, flooding items. you and your neighbours. For more simple tips that will help keep the It’s easy in the bathroom just follow our Three P’s rule water cycle running smoothly in your area, visit and only flush pee, poo and toilet paper. scottishwater.co.uk Everything else should go in the bin, not down your toilet - check out the bathroom checklist of ‘never flush’ items below: • all wipes (baby, personal cleansing, toilet and household cleaning) - even if the pack says ‘flushable’ • sanitary items (sanitary towels, tampons, liners, applicators and backing strips; • cotton wool, cotton buds, disposable nappies and nappy liners • condoms, incontinence pads, colostomy bags, used bandages and contact lenses Keep a bin in the bathroom for you to quickly, safely and hygienically dispose of all the ‘never flush’

Main Sewer Wellhouse Crescent

Wellhouse has a main drain running through Wellhouse biodegradable), cotton buds and nappies down toilets as Crescent which takes sewage, waste water and rain it is causing serious problems for our local drainage and water for the whole of Easterhouse and some parts of sewage systems. This coupled with pouring cooking fat, Swinton. oils and grease down the kitchen sink causes blockages of material and solidified fat that cannot break down easily. Two of our tenants have been badly affected by the main pipe surcharging on many occasions in the last 10 All of the above can lead to the misery of sewage years which has caused flooding into homes. Wellhouse flooding into homes, businesses and streets in our local Housing Association has been working with Scottish communities, and also results in the pollution of local Water, Glasgow City Council, The Area’s Elected Members rivers, burns, coastal waters and beaches. Please do your and the Tenants to get a long term solution to the bit and DO NOT put any of the above items down your problem. toilet or kitchen sink – and dispose of in your BIN. We hope to have a satisfactory resolution for those Scottish Water- 24 hour emergency hotline- 0800 077 tenants affected; however we would also ask that all 8778 Wellhouse tenants ensure that they avoid placing items Roads Flooding Department- 0800 373 645 such as cleansing wipes (even the ones that say they are

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY 17 CODE OF CONDUCT FOR GOVERNING BODY MEMBERS A. Selflessness: E. Integrity:

You must act in the best interests of Wellhouse Housing You must actively support and promote our values; you must Association Ltd at all times and must take decisions that support not be influenced by personal interest in exercising your role and and promote our strategic plan, aims and objectives. Members responsibilities. of the Governing Body should not promote the interests of a particular group or body of opinion to the exclusion of others. F. Accountability: B. Openness: You must take responsibility for and be able to explain your actions, and demonstrate that your contribution to our You must be transparent in all of your actions; you must declare governance is effective. and record all relevant personal and business interests and must be able to explain your actions. G. Leadership:

You must uphold our principles and commitment to delivering C. Honesty: good outcomes for tenants and other service users, and lead the organisation by example. You must ensure that you always act in the best interests of the organisation and that all activities are transparent and accountable. Conduct. When attending meetings, committee members must: D. Objectivity: • Conduct themselves in a courteous and business-like manner; You must consider all matters on their merits; you must base your • Show respect for the authority of the Chair of the decisions on the information and advice available and reach your meeting; decision independently. • Show respect and consideration towards other committee members, staff members and anyone else attending the meeting.

REGULATORY STANDARDS OF GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

1. The governing body leads and directs the RSL to achieve good 4. The governing body bases its decisions on good quality outcomes for its tenants and other service users. information and advice and identifies and mitigates risks to the organisation’s purpose. 2. The RSL is open about and accountable for what it does. It understands and takes account of the needs and priorities of its 5. The RSL conducts its affairs with honesty and integrity. tenants, service users and stakeholders. And its primary focus is the sustainable achievement of these priorities. 6. The governing body and senior officers have the skills and knowledge they need to be effective. 3. The RSL manages its resources to ensure its financial well-being and economic effectiveness.

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY

18 TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY STAFF CODE OF CONDUCT

A. Honesty and B. Openness and C. Selflessness, Objectivity Integrity: Accountability: and Leadership: You must act at all times with You must declare all relevant personal You must act in the best interests honesty and integrity. You must interests. You must handle information of WHA at all times within the not use, or seek to use, your in accordance with our policies and framework set by the organisation, position to gain financial or procedures. You must report to the working to promote our aims and other benefit for yourself, your appropriate senior person within objectives, upholding our values family or friends. WHA any reasonable and honest and setting a good example by your suspicions you may have about possible own conduct. wrongdoing.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY STATEMENT Wellhouse Housing Association welcomes and We expect you to: respects diversity. We will: • treat all colleagues, partner organisations and customers in the same manner. • Make no judgements about • Treat you as an individual, with you based upon age, disability, dignity and respect; gender / gender reassignment, • Respect your privacy & “We work within an environment of marriage / civil partnership, mutual respect and tolerance, where confidentiality and act pregnancy / maternity, race, everyone is treated fairly and can feel sensitively; religion or belief, sex, or sexual safe and supported. We welcome all orientation; • Take time to listen to you people and the dignity of customers, and give you open and honest Management Committee members, • Make no assumptions about explanations; contractors and staff is to be protected your age, disability, gender / at all times, therefore we cannot allow gender reassignment, marriage • Provide you with the information any discriminatory or offensive language / civil partnership, pregnancy / you need; or behaviour within any part of The Hub, on the telephone, on social media or any maternity, race, religion or belief, • Be professional, reliable and other interaction at any time.” sex, or sexual orientation; deliver what we promise; • Make no judgements or • Keep you updated; assumptions about you based Positive about Wellhouse upon how you speak, how you • If there is a problem, put it right ✓ dress, where you live or who you as quickly as possible; ✓ Positive about the people of associate with; • Welcome feedback and make use Wellhouse of it to improve our services; • Treat you fairly; ✓ Positive about the people who • Make it easy for you to deal with • Treat all people with whom you work for and with Wellhouse us; associate in the same manner.

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY

TRUST • HONESTY • INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY 19 Lets Keep Wellhouse Clean SUMMER

Are you concerned about litter, fly tipping, graffiti, dog 2016 fouling or any other environmental issues? If so, Glasgow City Council's newly formed ‘Environmental Task Force’ wants to hear from you.

Use the 'MyGlasgow' app on your smartphone, call Wellhouse The Place to Be! 0300 343 7027 or contact them using social media: Welcome to the summer 2016 newsletter. Wellhouse Housing Association is working Report using twitter: @theenvtaskforce Report using the service, or look at the positive comments on with the local community and our partners to make Wellhouse, the Place to Be. We have Facebook: envtaskforce Facebook, and before and after photographs that people have published. great pride in our local community and want to work with you to keep on improving Wellhouse staff have met up with ETF staff to discuss where we all work, rest and play and especially those of us who call Wellhouse home. the new service, which looks very impressive. But don't Keeping the area clean is the responsibility of every The Housing Associations values reflect how we want to work with you: take our word for it, look at their website resident, so let’s make the best use of this service from (https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx? Glasgow City Council to make Wellhouse the place articleid=17179) for full information and a video about to be! Our Values

Who put that there! The barriers to blind and partially sighted people Trust Honesty Integrity Excellence Accountability Sustainability getting out and about. Parking on Pavements We are reviewing our ways of working and our housing officers and assistants will have a Research undertaken by RNIB shows that people with sight loss new way of delivering customer service. We will launch a new website later in the year, most commonly collided with cars parked on pavements more are reworking our policies and procedures, which we will consult on and have a customer than any other pavement obstruction How to contactHow us to contact us opinion panel, as well as our regular management committee meetings. We are open in the hub daily from 9am, Please be considerate of people with sight problems, mobility issues, We are open in exceptthe Wednesdays hub daily when wefrom open at 9am, 10am except Wednesdays when we open at 10am people with buggies, etc and don’t park on the pavement. We close at 5pm Monday to We closeThursday at and 5pmat 4.30pm Monday on Fridays to Thursday and at 4.30pm on Fridays

Call us on 0141 781 1884. Email us direct, [email protected] us on 0141 781 1884. if you know who you want to contact, or LIKE US ON FACEBOOK TO [email protected] Email us direct, e.g. [email protected] if you know who you wantKEEP UPto TO contact, DATE WITH ISSUES

Clean up after your Please help us Please be considerate, Do not feed dog: It is unsightly,or [email protected] Wellhouse the cars on pavements pigeons or gulls unhygienic and Place to Be and put are dirty, unsightly please they against the law. your litter in a bin. and dangerous. create a mess.

Clean up after your Please help us Please be considerate, Do not feed TRUST • HONESTY • TRUSTINTEGRITY • HONESTY • EXCELLENCE• INTEGRITY • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY• SUSTAINABILITY dog: It is unsightly, make Wellhouse the cars on pavements pigeons or gulls unhygienic and Place to Be and put are dirty, unsightly please they against the law. your litter in a bin. and dangerous. create a mess. 49 Wellhouse Crescent, Glasgow G33 4LA (office hours) Tel: 0141 781 1884 49 Wellhouse Crescent,Emergency Glasgow 0800 595 G33 595 Fax:4LA 0141 781 1885 Keep up to date with (office hours) Tel: 0141www.wellhouseha.org.uk 781 1884 Scottish Charity No. SC036552 what’s happening in your community. Emergency 0800 595 595 Fax: 0141 781 1885 www.wellhouseha.org.uk

Wellhouse Housing Association Ltd is registered under the Co-operatvie and Community Benefits Societies Act 2014 and the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010 20 and is a Charity Registered with OCSR, registeredTRUST number SC036552. •Registered HONESTY office: The Hub, 49 Wellhouse Crescent,• INTEGRITYEasterhouse, Glasgow, G33 4LA. • EXCELLENCE • ACCOUNTABILITY • SUSTAINABILITY