NEWSFor tenants and leaseholders of Community Housing Summer 2019

New look for SCH!

Welcome to your new look newsletter. This reflects our new branding and fresh modern logo. We hope you enjoy this first edition. Message from Fiona

Welcome to the but social housing remains around high rise buildings. summer newsletter – as important today as it was This new team will act I hope you like the new back then. as a one-stop approach look and the new logo! Our Engagement Team have to all aspects of safety lined up a number of events to which is an issue that It’s another busy we continue to edition which I hope celebrate the centenary of the Addison Act and we’ll have prioritise. you find an interesting some pictures of these in the and enjoyable read. The team will work next newsletter. in accordance with Along with lots of other I am also very pleased to guidelines from the council landlords, this year announce that we have just Hackitt Review, which Fiona Hughes we are celebrating the introduced a new ‘Safer conducted a thorough Chief Executive centenary of the Addison Act. Homes’ team. This is in direct assessment into all the One hundred years ago the response to the Grenfell circumstances surrounding Government of the day Tower fire tragedy. the Grenfell disaster. introduced this new idea to The Social Housing Green One of the key outcomes working closely with tenants. build and provide social Paper that was published of the Hackitt Review housing. this year led to a complete was around customer Look out for more information Things may have changed reappraisal of social housing engagement and our new on the Safer Homes team on a lot over the past century safety standards, in particular Safer Homes team will be our website.

Give us your views Please do not abuse to be in with the our staff We are sorry to report that chance of winning we have had some recent cases of customers being Congratulations to Mrs Whitehouse, from Leader, Darren, to present her abusive to our staff. This is Chelmsley Wood, was with the £50 love to shop not acceptable. the latest winners of shocked when she received voucher. Mrs Whitehouse was our Share Your Views the call to say she was the overjoyed with the voucher We will not tolerate abusive prize draw. lucky winner. We went along and is looking forward to or aggressive behaviour from with Rent Arrears Team spending it! any of our customers. Mr Rogers, who is also from If staff do experience this kind Chelmsley Wood, recently of behaviour they will leave completed an online survey to the situation or terminate the share his thoughts about our call immediately. services. Much to his surprise, a few weeks later he received the call to say he was a prize draw winner! Thank you to everyone who have taken the time to complete a Share Your Views survey. Your feedback is very valuable to us as it helps us to improve our services and shape the way we do things. Everyone who completes one of our online Share Your Views surveys is automatically ■ For you to be in with the chance of winning a £50 voucher entered into our quarterly give us your views at www.solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk prize draws.

2 We’re working with you to improve our Jan Jackson Chair of the Scrutiny services Committee Hi everyone, I would like to update you all on the In the first half of the year we’ve been working hard at our tenant Customer Journey Mapping exercise engagement. This is in response to things you told us when we Scrutiny has been involved with. carried out our ‘Join the Conversation’ project. Members of Scrutiny have been testing the services SCH provide. We have been monitoring what happens when an issue is We are now starting to put things in place Another source of concern was the reported right through to when it has been to improve the quality of service we amount of rubbish on our estates. So in resolved. This helps us identify where provide. We know that some of our new response to this we joined in the ‘Great services work well or need improving. tenants felt we needed to do more once British Spring Clean’ campaign. Here are some examples of issues they had moved in. For more than a month we had teams of we monitored: So we now have a ‘New Tenants’ focus staff picking up litter across our estates. • In December, a Scrutiny member which involves joint working of our As you can see from the pictures on page reported having no heating and hot Tenancy Sustainment Team and newly 5 the teams worked really hard filling sack water to the Contact Centre. The formed Customer Service Team to after sack of rubbish. advisor informed them the repair would support residents in the weeks and We are also increasing our direct tenant be completed within 24 hours as it was months after they first move in. engagement with a series of summer an emergency. Within a couple of hours We will visit tenants in their new homes to events planned around the high rises. a contractor had fixed the problem. make sure they are happy. If there are any This will be a great opportunity to hear Scrutiny were impressed with the great minor repairs outstanding at that time we your views. These events are part of our service because everything was explained clearly and completed quickly. will aim to complete them during that visit celebrations around the centenary of the – or for larger works arrange a mutually Addison Act that first introduced council • A tenant reported a blocked bin chute convenient appointment to return. housing in 1919. in a high rise and the cleaning contractors were sent out to clear it. We want new tenants to be happy in their Unfortunately the contractors were new home and the ‘New Tenants’ focus ■ Take a look at page 6 to find out unable to unblock the chute and it had will hopefully make this happen. when we are visiting you. to be passed on to the Maintenance Team who had to remove the canopy to unblock it. The blockage was caused by a lodged sandwich toaster. This caused inconvenience to the residents and also costs SCH for calling out both the cleaners and the operatives. This highlighted that we need to remind residents living in high rises how to use the chutes appropriately. • A broken handle on a high rise fire door was reported to the Contact Centre and fixed within 24 hours. Scrutiny were pleased with how quickly it was repaired but found that waiting times for the Contact Centre were long. With My SCH Account coming soon it will be very handy for tenants like you and I to report non-emergency repairs quickly and skip the Contact Centre queues. ■ If you have any comments for us Kevin, Jake and Adam please get in touch. We are always form our new Customer happy to have your input. Email us Service Team at newsandviews@solihullcommunity housing.org.uk or call us on 0121 717 1515.

3 H A S R T R I N Y H ’S H A N D Y

Install smoke alarms on Most accidental fires Stub cigarettes out We are proud to be 1 5 8 supporting the national every level of your home start in the kitchen so properly and dispose and make sure you can never leave cooking of them carefully campaign, Fire Kills. hear them throughout unattended and always The campaign aims to your home take care raise awareness of fire Test your smoke Don’t overload plug 2 6 risks around the home alarms monthly sockets and adapters and to encourage – watch out for loose Offer to test the smoke everyone to test their 3 wiring, scorch marks, alarms of older family hot plugs and sockets smoke alarms regularly. members, friends or neighbours who may Keep heaters clear from 7 need help curtains and furniture – Follow these simple steps to never use them to dry Plan and practise how help keep you and your loved 4 clothes ones safe: you would escape in a fire and have a plan B

■ For more fire safety information please visit www.firekills.campaign.gov.uk

4 We were delighted when residents joined in the Spring Clean

A spot of Spring cleaning

We recently enjoyed taking part in the Great British Spring Clean run by Keep Britain Tidy. The national campaign which ran throughout March and April, encourages everyone to take part in a litter pick and clean the local area.

Our Engagement Team also great to work alongside organised a series of litter local residents. During the picks across the borough. campaign we collected more We cleaned up spots than 150 bags of rubbish – suggested by local residents our random finds included that needed a bit of extra care. an axe, a purse and even a In total we completed 10 litter dead pigeon. picks and 65 willing volunteers We would like to say a big took part. We had a number of thank you to all our litter staff volunteers and it was heroes!

5 Pop by and see us! Our Engagement Team, Jill and Mandy, are hosting a series of pop up events at our high rises over the Summer. The pop up events will give you the chance to come and talk to us about safety in your home, enjoy some refreshments and collect some freebies. We’ll also have games for children! We hope to see you over the Summer. WHAT'S

Tues 30 July, Thurs 1 Aug, SUMMER 1pm – 3pm 1pm – 3pm ON! Avoncroft, Fircroft, Bedford, Birkbeck

Keble and Kingsgate and Newnham Winchester Drive, Windward Way green Chelmsley Wood, space, Smith’s Wood, CARS AREA TOGETHER

B37 5QH B36 0PG FUN DAY Weds 7 Aug, 1pm – 3pm Saturday 29 June, 12-4pm Richmond, Trevelyan Bosworth Wood Playing Field,

and Darwin Tues 13 Aug, Auckland Drive, Smiths Wood, B36 9JR 1pm – 3pm Marlene Croft, (entrance off Lotus Walk and Auckland Drive) Chelmsley Wood, Catesby, Demontfort, B37 7JS Digby, Kingshurst and Wingfield Thurs 15 Aug, Stonebridge Crescent, SHIRLEY CARNIVAL Kingshurst, B37 6JP 1pm – 3pm Saturday 13 July, 12-4pm Balliol, Linacre, Merton, Greyfriars and Oriel Tues 20 Aug, Stalls and family fun at Shirley Park Crabtree Hall car park, 1pm – 3pm B90 3AL Crabtree Drive, Bangor and Keele

Chelmsley Wood, Forth Drive, B37 5BX Thurs 22 Aug, Chelmsley Wood, 1pm – 3pm B37 6PJ SAXON COURT OPEN DAY Dillington, Cheshunt and Wednesday 17 July, 2pm-6pm Weds 28 Aug, Downing 1pm – 3pm Saxon Court, Marlene Croft, Moorend Avenue, Chelmsley Wood, B37 7JJ Wadham, Mansfield, Chelmsley Wood, Selwyn and Somerville B37 5TD Waterson Croft, Chelmsley Wood, B37 6TT MIDSUMMER CRAFT FAIR Tues 3 Sept, 1pm – 3pm Friday 26 to Saturday 27 July, Westham and 9am-5.30pm Wedgewood High Street and Mill Lane, Solihull Forth Drive, Chelmsley Wood, B37 6PX ■ Look out on our social media for more information.

■ Please pop along and say hi. Did you know our Engagement Team have Twitter? Follow them @EngagementSCH

6 Different but equal

Each year we publish an Equality and Diversity report that shows how we promote equality and diversity and practice fairness in everything we do. Below is a summary of the report which includes examples of how we achieve this.

Sensory and physical needs Cuckooing Many of our customers have sensory and physical needs. This is a crime where drug dealers take over someone’s home To meet these needs we provide a range of services and and use it as a base for drug dealing. We worked with Mr D a facilities, these include: young tenant who was befriended by a drug dealer and moved into Mr D’s home with his partner. We worked with Mr D who • Staff allowing extra time for people with mobility issues had become homeless as a result and evicted the drug dealers. to get to the door when visiting them. Preventing homelessness • Providing adaptions to homes such as handrails and walk-in showers. Last year we worked with 40 households and helped them move into good quality private rented housing. We also worked with • Offering information in a larger print or Braille. 626 tenants to offer money and debt advice to prevent them from being evicted because of rent arrears. • Translating information into other languages.

Domestic abuse We have worked with the Police to stop physical attacks ■ The full report is available on our website and mental torture on Ms A and taken legal action against www.solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk her abusive partner. If you have any suggestions about how we can improve the fairness and inclusions of our services, please let us know by emailing newsandviews@ solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk

7 These handy gadgets will keep your loved ones safe

Our Wellbeing Team offers a range of useful gadgets to help around the home. These gadgets are designed to help maintain independence and keep loved ones safe.

Door Exit Contacts are used As the condition got worse, care for their loved one with by many people across the family found that their peace of mind, knowing they Solihull. The device is fitted to loved one began wandering will be informed if any exit exit doors of a property which in the night. doors are opened. alert responders when the The family reached out to the This device can be installed door is opened. This can be Wellbeing Team for support by our Wellbeing Team and particularly useful for those and they were recommended leased from us from as little with dementia and are at risk Door Exit Contacts. The family as £4.27 per week. It can be of wandering and leaving their are delighted with the gadget easily managed by a timer home unexpectedly. because they can continue to or key switch. This handy gadget recently helped a Solihull family when their loved one was ■ For more information about Door Exit Contacts get in touch with our diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Wellbeing Team on [email protected]

Sign up to Direct Debit today! Solihome A free tenant matching service for private landlords Direct Debit is the easiest payments made in error or way to pay your rent, but are taken fraudulently, making you wondering why you Direct Debit a safe payment Benefits of using Solihome: should take out a Direct method. • No fees • Affordability checks completed Debit? • One months rent in advance with tenants ■ • Deposit Bond equivalent up to • A wide range of support to help Well, here are a few reasons: If you would like to five weeks rent tenants manage and maintain set up a Direct Debit, • Up to £150 contribution their tenancy • It saves you time or would like towards Landlords insurance • Free Inventory Service • In tenancy support and advice • Single point of contact Finding the time to stay on more information for landlords top of bills can sometimes please call us on be a challenge. If you set up 0121 717 1515. a Direct Debit for your rent everything happens automatically and efficiently. • It takes away the hassle of late payments With Direct Debit late payments don’t need to be an issue – you pay on time, every time. • It’s secure and protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee To find out more about the scheme contact Paul Winwood on 0121 779 8876 or email It is an extremely safe way [email protected] to pay and all payments are covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee. This gives you complete cover for

8 Our ASB service is open to all For many years now we have managed the Antisocial Behaviour (ASB) service on behalf of Solihull Council. Our ASB service is open to our tenants and leaseholders and also to those in the private sector including homeowners and those who rent privately. Our ASB service is managed by our Neighbourhood Services Team and reports are investigated by a Teams came together to Neighbourhood Officer. celebrate the completion of Phase One Our Officers are trained in many areas including providing witness support to the victims or witnesses of ASB, mediation, how to investigate statutory Astley Walk gardens noise and how to use the technical noise monitoring equipment. enjoy a makeover! Our Officers also have excellent relationships with partner agencies and work closely with them in Astley Walk in Shirley order to investigate and is looking its best resolve cases. for the summer following a fantastic ■ To report ASB please call our ASB hotline recent makeover. 0121 717 1500, The dividing strip of text 07781 474 722, land that runs through or visit a Solihull Connect office the centre of Astley Before After Walk had become overgrown.

Now, with the help of We were delighted to play our project set for completion in members of Solihull’s part in helping to make this the summer. Community Gardening project such a success. Services, the whole area A small celebration was held has been tidied up, with new to mark the start of the new turf and trees planted. cleaner and greener look, The work took place with with the final phase of the the help of teams from Solihull Council and Solihull Community Housing.

9 Step onto the property ladder with DIYSO

We are offering you the opportunity to take your first step onto the property ladder with our Do-It- Yourself Shared Ownership scheme (DIYSO)! DIYSO is a six-month pilot part-buy, part-rent scheme designed to help tenants get on the housing ladder. It is very similar to other shared ownership Members of the Trinity schemes except for Close Residents’ Group one key element. Under most shared ownership schemes the buyers usually choose a home provided by us or a housing association. Residents tuck in at However, with DIYSO, buyers can choose a home on the open market, giving you far more choice of a new community café! property to buy! DIYSO allows you to buy There’s no place the a share in a home of your choice and pay an residents of Trinity affordable rent on the part Close Residents’ Group you don’t own. would rather be on a Thursday afternoon ■ For more information than the Hobs Moat on DIYSO and to see Community café. if you are eligible to apply, visit our website This is a wonderful project – known as the Real Junk Food Project – where anyone can pop along for a snack or cooked meal and some great company on a pay-what-you- can basis. Staffed entirely by an Kitchen Staff at the enthusiastic team of Community Café volunteers, tuna pasta bake was on the menu the day we dropped in. Vegetarians and vegans are The food is still healthy and holding surgeries there while catered for and the menu is tasty and many people in the the team of volunteers have set to expand soon when a area now make it their regular also arranged free first aid brand new kitchen is opened. place to go on a Thursday training and gardening from 12-2pm. courses for those who would All the food used is donated like them. by local superstores, The café, adjacent to St Mary’s sometimes simply because Church, is at the heart of the the packaging is out of date. community with local police

10 Get in with ‘The Crowd’ Are you entitled for a healthier lifestyle! to new If you want to get a bit fitter and share ideas for your community then Active Communities central could help you achieve your goal. heating? This new scheme aims to The Crowd is an online Affordable Warmth tackle physical inactivity platform that will help Solutions have created the across parts of Solihull and keep residents informed £150million ‘Warm Homes until May 2021. of activities in their area, Fund’ to help some of the while also making it easier The pilot project is being four million UK households for people to connect with supported by Sport . living in ‘fuel poverty’. each other. Nick Garnett, Senior Public If you depend on a storage To get involved all you need Health Manager for Leisure heater or coal fire to heat to do is sign up. You will then and Physical Activity, is your home then you be kept up to date with leading the work in Solihull. could be eligible for a activities in your area and He said: “Active new environmentally receive news on local sport, Communities supports friendly heating system activities and events. Solihull Council’s priority to free of charge. create the conditions for “Hundreds of people across One satisfied customer communities to thrive. Birmingham have already Keith, said: “Previously I We’re looking at how we joined The Crowd,” said Nick. just had a gas fire in the can use sport and physical “Now we’re encouraging lounge and was dependent activity to bring people and people living in the Solihull on storage heaters for the communities together.” pilot areas to get involved.” rest of the house. My new The pilot scheme will work heating is so much better with communities around ■ To register for and I would recommend it Chelmsley Wood, Smith’s The Crowd visit to anyone eligible for the Wood, Kingshurst and bit.ly/2Blbo35 scheme. It’s absolutely . marvellous!” The scheme is open to home owners and council We are pleased to announce tenants. Act on Energy and Thriving community that Saxon Court is officially Dodd Group work together full and all residents are to provide new central settling in well. heating to those families at Saxon Court A range of fun filled activities who meet the criteria free keep residents busy as they of charge. engage with neighbours over We are writing to families regular bingo sessions and who we think may be takeaway evenings. entitled to have this work Residents have recently done. If you hear from us celebrated the official please respond as this is a launch of their very own wonderful opportunity to hair salon and hosted a have modern central special fun day celebration heating free of charge. for St. George's Day. Many residents kindly volunteered to support the day to make sure it was great ■ To see if you qualify success. They invited friends please email advice@ and family along to enjoy actonenergy.org.uk music and a barbecue in or call Freephone the sun! 0800 988 2881. There’s a real community buzz at Saxon Court

11 Star Photo Competition

Thank you to everyone who entered and sent us pictures that capture Solihull at its very best. WIN A £25 GIFT Congratulations to our winner, Mr Jackson from Smith’s VOUCHER Wood on the lovely picture on the right of a ford in Catherine de Barnes. Your £25 voucher is in the post! If you would like your picture in the next issue of the newsletter please enter. We’re after some great images that show what a wonderful place Solihull is to live. The photos can be taken with a camera or phone and can be taken anywhere in Solihull. Only one picture per person is allowed. Only SCH tenants and leaseholders can enter.

■ Please email your photos to [email protected] The closing date is Friday 2 August 2019. Follow us! To get in touch

Freepost RLSS-UEBA-RTUZ Phone: 0121 717 1515 Solihull Community Housing Endeavour House Typetalk: 18001 0121 717 1515 solihullcommunityhousing Meriden Drive Text: 07781 474 722 Solihull B37 6BX @solihullhousing Email: [email protected] solihullcommunityhousing Website: www.solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk

For live updates Protecting your personal information: We promise only to use your information join us on social media. strictly within the Data Protection Act 2018. If you supply your email address we will use it to send future editions of the newsletter. For further information on our Privacy Policy visit: www.solihullcommunityhousing.org.uk/ About-us/Data-Protection-and-freedom- Resource Reg. No. 2110 of-information/Data-protection

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