StreetTalkIssue 21 – Spring 2018 News from Progress Housing Group Investing in your home pages 5-8

Charity football match Manchester City Legends vs Progress Housing Group staff, Saturday 12 May, kick off 2pm at Lancashire FA in Leyland. Visit www.progressgroup.org.uk/mascot to register your child to be a mascot on the day.

Data Protection - change is coming page 9 Annual gardening competition 2018 page 17 Building Better Opportunities page 21 Welcome to your

Head Office: Sumner House, tenants´ newsletter 21 King Street, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 2LW Open Monday to Friday StreetTalk Reception 8.30am-4.30pm Warwick House, This issue gives you important Kilnhouse Lane, Lytham St Annes, FY8 3DU information about our maintenance Monday to Thursday and improvements programme for Reception 9.30am-12.30pm Friday - closed the year ahead (see page 5-8). Progress Connect 03333 204555 Find out in the Independent Times section on page 13 to 16 what Monday to Friday 8am-6pm activities and events tenants living in our independent living schemes have planned for the coming months. Live web chat Monday to Friday 9am-5pm An article on page 9 explains that the Data Protection Act is being Repairs 03333 204555 updated and this brings with it new rules and regulations on how we [email protected] can communicate with you. We will no longer be able to send you www.progressgroup.org.uk StreetTalk unless you have specifically requested it. Please can you take Website five minutes to complete and return a newsletter consultation form on www.progressgroup.org.uk page 12, many thanks! Email [email protected] As always, we are delighted to receive your contributions to StreetTalk. If you have any stories, photos, recipes or money saving tips that you @ProgressHG would like us to share, please send them to us. You will find our contact www.facebook.com/ details on the left. ProgressStreetTalk

If you would like this newsletter in Be rnie K e e n a n another format, please contact us. Executive Director (Services and Growth) (Urdu)

(Cantonese)

(Mandarin) Features. . .

(Polish)

Contributors • Debbie Atherton • Margaret Lonsdale • Sarah Barnes • Laura Marshall • Sam Beattie • June McNamee • Nicola Byrne • Gary Melia • Lucy Cheetham • Kirsty Monks Building new homes 10-11 Independent Times 13-16 • Andy Crame • Diane Nash • Sian Coulton • Ursula Patten • Andrew Coward • Abbey Rawcliffe • Emily Fisher • Gill Shaw • Russell Gallagher • Richard Tong • David Herbert • Sue Whitham • Andrew Lamb How to contribute If you would like to contribute to StreetTalk or would like to receive the newsletter on CD then please contact Joanne Hodson, StreetTalk Editor, on 03333 204555 or email Progress Futures 20 Out and about 27 [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG 2 News in brief More Positive Together The Progress Futures Team will be at South Ribble Civic Centre from Monday 9 April for two weeks promoting the More Positive Together project. Progress Housing Group are working in partnership with several other associations to reach out to unemployed people across Lancashire. The project offers free one-to-one support and mentoring to help people Customer self-service app find employment, training and volunteering opportunities. The team will be on hand all day from We continue to work on our customer We are currently testing the app 10am-4pm providing information, self-service app with a planned internally with colleagues and have guidance and answering any release for this coming summer. started initial testing with some questions you may have. Come You will be able to download the selected tenants. This is an important along and find out how we may Progress Housing Group app to your phase of development as we want be able to help you or a family tablet or phone which will enable to make sure it provides you with member. you to access services and generate what is of most use to you and that it requests through the app. works for you. The main features, amongst others, In terms of go-live, it is likely that we is you will be able to: will look to introduce the app in a phased way so that we can ensure Raise and appoint repairs everything is working as it should. View your rent balance and make When we get closer to the launch payments date, we will be creating a campaign Report and update ASB reports to raise awareness of the app, ensuring that tenants know what it Provide us with feedback. can do and offer.

Chorley Inspire Youth Zone is counting down the days to its grand opening on Saturday 5 May 2018

The £4.8 million facility, which is The new Youth Zone will give sign up and become a member located on Chapel Street, Chorley thousands of young people from or to find out more go to will be open seven days a week, Chorley and surrounding areas the www.inspireyouthzone.org/young- 52 weeks of the year, for young opportunity to try new activities, people/become-a-member/ people aged 8-19 and up to 25 for get active, develop their skills those with a disability. and provide services to support vulnerable young people. The centre will include a 3G kick pitch, indoor climbing wall, dance Over 250 young people have already studio, fully equipped gym, sports registered to become members of hall, boxing ring and more - offering Inspire, with membership expected to 20 activities each night from arts and reach 3,000 in the Youth Zone’s first crafts, sports and cooking all for just year of opening. Membership costs 50p per visit. just £5 per year and 50p per visit. To

3 Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.uk News in brief

Left to right, Lower Lane David Robinson, Fiona Brown and community Annette Stevens centre Thanks to some dedicated local volunteers the Lower Lane community centre is starting to see a new lease of life ready for spring. The volunteers have big plans to ensure the community centre is used more and are looking at bigger projects to improve the area such as a better play area for young people A Benefit to Society and bringing in external agencies to support the local community. The volunteers supported by A number of our staff and to disability, sickness or are Homestart, Progress Housing Group customers recently travelled themselves carers. to the House of Commons in and URPotential ran two events for “By visiting the House of Westminster to meet with other young people including a valentines Commons we made our reality social housing tenants and MPs disco which was attended by over 40 known. This campaign is about for the launch of a new campaign, changing a negative into a young people. Benefit to Society, which aims to positive”. Chelsea, Dana, Katie and Caroline are change public perceptions about giving up their time to volunteer and those who live in social housing. The launch event of the campaign also saw the unveiling of new say “We are here to make a change”. A recent national survey research carried out by Professor highlighted that more than 90% of If you would like to get involved with Anne Power of the London School social housing tenants feel they the local project please take a look of Economics. Whose research are portrayed in a negative way. at the Facebook page Lower Lane suggests that the reduction in community centre, get in touch with Fiona Brown, a Progress Housing social housing from around 30% the Progress Opportunities Team on Group customer from Leyland, of the country’s housing stock to 03333 204555 or email community@ said: “Too often lately, those living around 17%, has had a negative progressgroup.org.uk in social housing have been impact on the wider public portrayed by the media as ‘drug- perception of who lives in social taking louts’, or ‘single mums with housing. The assumption is often an endless supply of children that it’s a tenure of last choice. living on benefits’. However, information from tenants shows that the reality is that social “This is not the reality of social housing provides good quality housing. The reality is that the homes for a wide range of people. majority of social housing is taken up by working people and To view the Benefit to Society those who do not have a choice report go to www.benefittosociety. as they are unable to work due co.uk/campaign-research

Do you need help with your future? Don’t know where to start? Why Progress not come along to our new Progress Futures drop-in session at The Place, Royal Avenue, Leyland, PR25 1BX. These drop-in sessions are running every Thursday between 1pm - 3pm. Come along for help with finding work, training Futures drop- courses and volunteering opportunities. We offer free friendly one-to-one support to help with getting online, CV writing, interview skills and more. You can in sessions also contact Progress Futures to arrange a home visit or for more information contact us on 03333 204555. Let’s make 2018 your year!

Pay your rent online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 4 Investing in your home

April marks the start of our 2018/19 maintenance and improvements programme. Over the next year, we plan to spend more than £13 million on your homes. This is how the money will be spent: Planned maintenance Responsive repairs TOTAL and improvements Day-to-day repairs, clearing Bathrooms, kitchens, electrical and cleaning empty rewiring, heating systems, etc. properties, etc. £3.87 million £5.01 million

Cyclical maintenance Miscellaneous Gas servicing, painting, Aids and adaptations, £13.06 energy efficiency works, etc. environmental improvement million £1.96 million works, etc. £2.22 million

How is the work planned? How will I find out if any If your property is not listed, it doesn’t work is being carried out necessarily mean that no work will be To help us plan our future carried out at your home this year. maintenance programmes, we to my home? record the condition of each element Unless stated otherwise, we will On page 6 you will find details of every property in a database. notify you by letter at least four weeks of the repairs, maintenance and We continually update our records before starting any work that may improvement works that we will be using information collected from our affect you. We will explain the works carrying out between April 2018 ongoing programme of property proposed and the level of disruption and March 2019. Work will not be you can expect. inspections. completed at all properties and independent living schemes listed in For planning purposes, we may need these areas, just those that we have to inspect your home to assess the identified as needing work. work that needs to be completed. If we need to inspect your property We will notify you in advance if we we will notify you in writing. However are carrying out work to your home. if time does not permit, an inspector may notify you in person.

5 Report repairs online at www.progressgroup.org.uk Planned maintenance and improvements Every year we carry out a programme of planned maintenance and improvements to replace or repair the parts of your home that need to be updated.

Type of works Approx no. Location of homes of homes Major internal works Independent living scheme refurbishments Kitchens 281 South Ribble, Fylde, and electric Burneside This year we will be carrying out upgrades major refurbishment work at: Tuson House, Boundary Close, St John’s Court, Stanner Lodge, Croft Court, Bathrooms 290 South Ribble, Fylde Derby House, Bolton Croft, Lower House and Hennel House. Major external works Aids and adaptations Roofs 68 Leyland, St Annes Last year we carried out more than 382 aids and adaptations to help those with a disability enjoy their Pointing and 48 St Annes, Kirkham, Longton homes. Demand for these works is rendering high, so we carefully assess every request. Double 19 South Ribble, Fylde, We have a specialist assessment glazed Burneside officer who can give you advice on windows how to make the best use of your home. If you think that you would Heating systems benefit from an improvement of Gas 299 South Ribble, Fylde this type email us on enquiries@ heating progressgroup.org.uk or phone 03333 204555. Electric 20 St Annes heating

Major internal works a new kitchen installed more recently than neighbouring properties and so Every year we carry out a package may not need a replacement at this of necessary major internal works, time. including the following: Prior to any major internal works and Kitchen replacements external painting work, we will need Bathroom refurbishments to carry out an asbestos survey at your property. You will be notified Heating system renewals by letter if your home is part of the Electrical rewiring. planned works programme and you The major planned programmes run will be contacted by an asbestos throughout the year. surveyor in advance of the works to carry out the survey. If you refuse to We only carry out those works that have an asbestos survey carried out, are required in each property. For we will not be able to continue with example, one house may have had the planned works.

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalk 6 Ongoing maintenance We carry out an ongoing cyclical maintenance programme to cover the recurring items of property maintenance.

Type of works Approx no. Location of homes of homes important for your own safety, that you contact Lantei to make a suitable External 220 Fylde, South Ribble, morning or afternoon appointment. painting Blackpool Energy efficiency measures Gas 6,657 Nationwide Servicing Over recent years we have been carrying out a major loft and cavity wall insulation programme with Painting the outside of Gas servicing the aim of making your homes your home more comfortable, reducing your Every year we need to check the energy bills and helping to protect We aim to paint the outside of safety of all the gas appliances that the environment by reducing around 220 homes this year. Often we have provided in your home. This energy consumption. Our ongoing this will involve carrying out minor service is for your safety, to ensure programme of inspections identify repairs to rotten or damaged timber that everything is working safely and those properties that require insulation before the painting is carried out. efficiently. This year, we will service improvements. Please help us to All tenants will be notified if their gas appliances at more than 6,657 help you by giving us access to your property will be painted within the properties. property. next few months. If a gas engineer calls at your Other cyclical work Painting communal areas property and has been unable to gain access, a card will be posted We have many other cyclical Some of our flats and independent through your door to tell you that maintenance programmes running living schemes have internal someone has called to do your all the time. These include servicing communal areas, such as corridors inspection. The card will have our lifts and fire alarms, testing electrical and stairwells that need painting from phone number on it. It is important appliances in communal areas of time to time. We will be redecorating for your own safety, and also to independent living schemes, and a small number of schemes over the comply with the law, that you contact disinfecting water storage tanks. coming year. us to make a suitable morning or We always try to minimise disruption afternoon appointment. to tenants and, in most cases, you Electrical testing will not know that they are happening – but where you do need to know, we Every 10 years we need to carry out will contact you in advance. a condition report of the electrical system that we maintain in your Day-to-day repairs home. This report is for your safety, Every year, we carry out around to ensure that everything is working 18,000 repairs at the request of our safely. This year, we will inspect tenants. We also repair and clean electrical systems at more than 3,000 around 488 properties for new properties. tenants to move into, once the old If an electrician calls at your property tenant has moved out. This costs and has been unable to gain access, approximately £2,000 per property. a card will be posted through your When the tenant has caused door to tell you that someone has damage, we charge the cost of the called to do your inspection. The work to them so that all tenants do card will have a phone number of our not have to pay for the negligence of chosen contractor Lantei on it. It is others.

7 Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG Additional improvements You may wish to carry out improvement works, other than decoration, to your home that are not included within our planned programme of works.

You will need permission from us Tenant match funding To qualify for the scheme to do this and we will arrange for scheme an asbestos survey to be carried you must: out in the areas where you plan If you’ve been struggling to get Be up-to-date with your rent to do the work. All building, wiring enough cash together to make some payments and plumbing work should be home improvements then our match carried out by suitably qualified funding scheme is for you. Have not received any formal notice or injunction for breach of tradespeople, for example a Gas We will contribute 50% of the cost Safe registered engineer should tenancy from us in the last two of qualifying improvements, up to years install gas appliances and a NICEIC a maximum of £500, for eligible registered electrician should install tenants. Examples of improvements Put in writing the full details of the electrical appliances. In order to covered under the match funding work that you intend to carry out comply with building regulations scheme are: and provide quotes. a member of a Domestic Installer Other provisions apply, so please Scheme must complete certain jobs. Installing an electric shower over contact us for further details Please contact your community the bath via web chat or by phoning on housing officer for further advice and Fitting extra lighting or plug 03333 204555. You can apply for guidance. You should not carry out sockets match funding by completing the any improvements or alterations to Fitting additional kitchen application form on our website your property without the permission cupboard space www.progressgroup.org.uk. of Progress Housing Group, in line with your tenancy agreement. Fencing. DIY repair scheme Scheduling, Are you handy with a hammer? texting and

If so, then we are also offering You must wait for our inspector customer cashback to tenants who carry to pre-inspect the repair before out low level repairs themselves you carry out any work. We feedback instead of logging a repair with us. unfortunately cannot pay you for The scheduling software, Repairs covered under the scheme any previous repairs you may have which was originally set up include things like, adjusting doors already carried out yourself. in October 2015, has been and drawers, renewing silicone updated to improve how many sealant, raking out and re-grouting appointments we are able to tiles. If you want to carry out any offer our customers whilst on the repairs yourself, you will need phone. In conjunction with this to complete an application form we have also improved our text which you can download from our messaging service. Customers website www.progressgroup.org. will now receive a text message uk/improvements/ when an appointment has been Once your request has been made and when the operative is logged we will visit you to check on their way to you. We are also if the repair qualifies for the DIY looking at improving the way repair scheme and discuss with customer feedback is collected you what you need to do and how (both on iPad and via text much cashback you will receive. message) and utilised to improve the service.

Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 8 Data protection - change is coming

There is a new piece of Businesses have to make sure they The right to object to ‘automated keep your information secure too, decision making’ or ‘profiling’, law coming into effect stopping it from being lost, stolen or which is when computers make at the end of May that damaged. decisions for the business based upon information about you. will have an impact The law gives you the following on individuals and rights: All the above rights have rules and exceptions, especially if there are businesses. It is called the The right to be informed about other laws that require businesses General Data Protection what data a business holds about to keep certain information. You Regulation or GDPR for you and what they do with it can find out more about the law short. This is updating the The right to ask for a copy of the and your rights on the Information old Data Protection Act data a business holds about you Commissioners website (ico.org.uk). (often called a Subject Access from 1998. Progress Housing Group takes great Request) The purpose of this law is to help care of the information it holds about you understand and control how The right to make sure your data is people and we are doing all we can organisations and businesses correct and accurate to make sure we are prepared for the manage the information they hold The right to be ‘forgotten’ - if a new law. about you and to set rules for those business no longer needs your We will be making sure we carry on businesses in how they can use your information or does something being open, honest and transparent data. with it that you don’t agree with, about using your information. you can ask for it to be deleted Businesses have to be honest and If you have any questions about this open, telling you what they will do The right to restrict processing feel free to call on 03333 204555 and with your information and who they if they have inaccurate data or ask to speak to the Data Protection might share it with as part of their are doing something you don’t Officer. business and to provide services to like, such as sending you lots of If you would like to carry on receiving you, how long they will keep your marketing information via email or this newsletter you will need to let us information for and what rights you making nuisance calls have in relation to your information. know. Please complete the form on The right to ‘portability’ - meaning page 12. the ability to move your data from one service provider to a similar one

9 Pay your rent online at www.progressgroup.org.uk Building new homes

courtyard at the end of Vicarage attracted a grant of £150,000 from Vicarage Street, Street and is situated next to an Homes England (formerly the Homes established park and recreation area, and Communities Agency). Chorley which will prove a great attraction We anticipate completion in for families with small children. The Progress Housing Group is March 2018 and along with our neighbourhood is generally popular working with a local contractor developments at Brock Mill and with a number of facilities in easy J B Loughlin (Construction) St James, we are pleased that an walking distance including shops, additional 29 affordable homes will Ltd and Thornber and Walker banks and a post office. In addition, be delivered in Chorley over the next (Employers Agent) to develop there are pharmacies and a doctor’s few months. an attractive and exciting new surgery within easy reach. affordable rented scheme at There are a number of ‘Excellent’ and Vicarage Street, Chorley. ‘Good’ rated primary and secondary schools in the area and a good local This new development will provide grass grass

grass a two-bedroom house and four, public transport system with bus 13600 patio patio stops along nearby Harpers Lane patio 16840 3 bed three-bedroom houses all to be let 1182 3 bed

3 bed 9890 at an affordable rent. The properties providing easy access into the town Garage 5. 4. Vicarage 3.

are spacious, superbly finished, centre and to Chorley railway station. 1117 1710 There are also good access routes to 2586

with attractive modern kitchen and 4800 21000 the motorway network. new tarmac bathrooms and each has private 6000 access road

visitor parking 600 car parking spaces and well sized The development site previously 4800

430 2814 enclosed gardens with garden sheds bin 1000 1. collection formed part of the Parish Church of point 2. to the rear. Quality is guaranteed 9890 Saint Peter vicarage’s garden and 9665 3 bed new tarmac 2 bed access road

T14 to be retained due to with the whole build being monitored 1346 10320 patio 4600 TPO as detailed on the patio Arboricultural Development was acquired from the Diocese 600 by the Group’s Development Team Report - June 2013 hatched area denotes use of on the understanding that it would Cellweb TRP to road structure 12270 grass for tree root protection including our clerk of works. be developed for social housing. grass

new fw drain to connect The new development forms a The scheme has the full support of into extg. fw sewer self-enclosed private and secure Chorley Borough Council and has

Revision Notes: A: Alterations made to accommodate ginnel between plots 4 & 5 and the retention of T14. WA 15/10/15 B: Cellweb TRP added to the road area around T14; visitor parking bays deleted to both sides of T14. ASL 02/05/17 C: Site plan updated to take account of the Title Plan boundary ASL 02/05/17

N CLIENT Report repairs online at www.progressgroup.org.uk J.B. Loughlin (Contractors) Ltd 10 PROJECT NAME Proposed Residential Development at

St. Peter's Vicarage, Harpers Lane, Chorley, PR6 0HT

DRAWING NAME Proposed Site Layout 0m 5m 10m 20m SCALE DRAWN BY DATE DRAWING NUMBER REVISION 1:200 @ A2 WA 03/08/15 15/076/P01 C Scale: 1:200 213 Preston Road, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 7PS Telephone: 01257 261555 Fax: 01257 267224 Website: www.lmparchitects.co.uk LMP Architectural Consultants is the trading name of Lawson Margerison Practice Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. No. 5597973 © Complaints and compliments During the last quarter of 2017/18 we received 72 Building new homes complaints. Repairs and maintenance service Customer services, scheduling, Progress Housing Group will take and staff members Riverside View, a further 17 units later this year, Tenancy management and our Lancaster a mix of two-bedroom and three- estates bedroom houses, all of which will Rents Built by Barrett Homes, be available for shared ownership. Housing and support services Progress Housing Group are (independent living and supported offering five houses for sale on Riverside View living) a shared ownership basis, at Other issues (such as home Riverside View in Lancaster. ownership and leasehold) The site is very popular and is 9.5% 1.5% pleasantly located with lovely walks 1.5% along the River Lune. The peaceful 5.5% waterside views combined with a popular and well used play park on site make it the perfect place for Lord Street, Phase 2 52% families. Good road links ensure 30% easy access to the city and M6 26 properties for affordable motorway and the development is rent were handed over in just a short walk from Lancaster March 2018 at Lord Street in city centre with its fantastic range Lytham St. Annes as part of During this quarter we responded to of shops, bars and restaurants. Phase 2 of this development. 100% of complaints within our target There are also a good number of timescales. We also received 56 high Ofsted rated primary schools, The scheme comprises of three, compliments. three-bedroom houses, two, two- secondary schools, colleges The new complaints process referred nearby and Lancaster University is bedroom houses, 11 two-bedroom apartments and 10 one-bedroom to in the last edition of StreetTalk within easy commutable distance will be coming into effect from April apartments. from the development. 2018. The key focus of this process The five houses all have three The homes are being delivered in will be to work with our customers to reach an early resolution, and bedrooms and are finished to the partnership with Fylde Borough Council and are being constructed learning from your feedback to make highest quality, with contemporary improvements to our services. kitchen designs and finishes and by Brimas Construction, the modern bathrooms. The sales development is on a former launch took place on 24 February commercial site (Keenan’s Mill) How to make a complaint with the properties proving very which was demolished in 2016. or provide feedback popular as a number of plot If you are interested in applying reservations were made on the day. You can submit feedback by for one of these properties please contacting the Progress Connect contact us on 03333 204555 or visit Team on 03333 204555, Monday Riverside View www.myhomechoicefyldecoast.co.uk to Friday 8am - 6pm, or by web chat (through the website www.progressgroup.org.uk), or by letter, or by e-mail (enquiries@ progressgroup.org.uk). You can also submit your feedback via the website on a feedback form, or come into one of our offices during opening hours (see page two for opening hours and Lord Street our Head Office address).

11 Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalk Budget and rent setting This year we have implemented These service charges represent Supported living service charges the third year of 1% rent the actual cost of providing the are reducing by an average of service, so there is no absolute 3.37%. reductions across all general limit, but staff have worked hard to So, in summary, most general needs and independent living keep the service charges as low as needs and independent living tenancies. This means that all possible. tenants will see an overall reduction general needs and independent The main highlights relating to in their core rent and service living tenants will see a 1% service charges are: charges when combined, whilst reduction in their core rent. most supported living tenants, will General needs service charges see a small increase. It is important to remember, though, are on average expected to that most of our tenants pay a remain the same Overall, with all of these impacts service charge in addition to their factored into our long-term plan, we Independent living service core rent. Our service charges are remain financially strong and are charges are increasing by an reviewed each year in line with well placed to meet the challenges average of 1% costs. of the coming year. Important - if you want to carry on receiving this newsletter you will need to let us know You will have read on page nine that the Data Protection Act is being updated and this along with other legislation, brings with it new rules and regulations on how we can communicate with you, in relation to marketing. These changes will affect our newsletters, meaning we are no longer able to directly send copies of them to customers unless you have given us consent to send marketing materials to you. The newsletters are a key way of keeping you up-to-date with important news and changes to services so we would like your feedback on this area by answering the following questions. Remember we won't be able to send you the newsletter unless you give us permission. Please complete our permission form online www.progressgroup.org.uk/my-newsletter, or complete the form below by 20 April 2018. Do you have access to the internet? Yes No Would you be happy to read the newsletter online? Yes No Do you want us to continue to post a copy to you? Yes No Would you like to receive a copy of the newsletter emailed to you? Yes No Any other comments

Name: Address: Email: Telephone: We are also carrying out for customers to request it to be improvements and increase the consultation to gain your feedback emailed to them directly or sign up number of communication methods as to whether or not you would like for email alerts. available to customers. This enables to receive your tenant newsletter, As a Group we continually review more efficient communication and StreetTalk in a digital format. By how we deliver services to ensure ensures you receive news and creating a digital publication we we are achieving value for money information in a timely manner. will be able to look at increasing for customers whilst maintaining a Please complete the above form the frequency of the newsletter and high level of customer satisfaction. and return it by 20 April 2018 provide interim updates from the We have started to offer some to: Progress Housing Group, current quarterly communication. of our services in a digital format Marketing Team, Sumner House, It is our proposal to have the to enable you more ways to 21 King Street, Leyland, PR25 publication available digitally on communicate with us digitally and 2LW or call 03333 204555. our website, along with the option in turn aim to bring about service

Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG 12 IndependentSpring 2018 Times Welcome to the I'm OK system for spring edition of the Independent Times Amounderness Court and I hope that by the The ‘I’m OK’ system is Yellow icon time you read this an interactive monitoring This shows that the tenant’s system helping to provide speech module is in an ‘away’ that the warmer days real-time information to our state. This is usually used will be upon us. independent living scheme when the tenant is vacant co-ordinators to let them from the property and is set We have had a few staffing know that residents are safe when the tenant presses the changes since our last and well. speech modules ‘away’ key. edition with the arrival of Tenants at Amounderness Green icon Abbey Rawcliffe as the new Court in Kirkham have This shows the tenants that Independent Living Scheme recently had their monitoring the system has detected Activities Co-ordinator equipment upgraded in activity for. This will show the who I hope you have had their flats to the Tunstall ‘I’m time and date when activity the chance to meet. More OK’ system, this is the first was detected. information about Abbey and Progress Housing Group The picture shows Mrs Hartley the next three months’ social independent living scheme to using the new system, and activities are detailed within have this system in place. also the housing portal (similar this edition. Activity view to a small laptop) which is Touching the activity button kept in the independent You may have also seen displays a list of residents that living co-ordinator’s office. Frank Farrington in and activity monitoring is enabled This shows that Mrs Hartley about your scheme who is for. is okay, as activity has been temporarily covering the role recorded. The system resets of handyperson. Three different coloured icons are displayed: itself at 6am every morning. I hope you enjoy this edition Mrs Hartley said, “I think Red icon this new system is great, as of the Independent Times and This shows that no activity has if you have any stories that when I get up I can let the been detected by the system co-ordinator know that I am you wish to share please send since the activity timer has alright”. them in. been reset. Until then happy Easter! Sue Whitham Head of Independent Living 03333 204555

13 Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.uk Independent Times

Glenys The spotlight continues to shine on. . . Martinfield one of our was ongoing at Martinfield. We Glenys seen in the photograph independent living are pleased to say the work has at the consultation and more now been completed and with recently enjoying a coffee in schemes in Penwortham fabulous results. At the very the lounge said: “We have As mentioned in our autumn first consultation meeting with been involved right from the edition of StreetTalk, work to residents, they chose the colour beginning. Tenants were invited the community centre and new scheme for the carpet, furniture to the consultation to discuss entrance with ramped access and décor and the scheme not only bringing the centre has been transformed into a up-to-date but also to make bright, modern environment for it accessible for all. At the the tenants to enjoy. The new meeting we discussed colour stylish kitchen opens up into choices and design. It was the lounge and is accessible to great to be involved. When the all. The tenants are very happy centre was fully refurbished to have been included in the we were invited back to give new design of their community our opinions. The result was a centre. unanimous thumbs up. We just love it”.

Pay your rent online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 14 Fylde environmental works

St John’s Court St John’s Court

Liggard Court Liggard Court St John’s Court

Fylde independent living Liggard Court - new Ancenis Court - major tenants are enjoying a tarmac and bollards/scooter works on external lighting range of environmental store/external lighting/the and re-boarding outside improvements to their recycling store area has been hallways. schemes. These include: extended and new metal Other schemes are benefiting railings have been installed. from smaller works including Various properties - St John’s Court - new car moss removal/rotary driers/ individual security lights park space at rear, flagging push bike storage and grit have been installed where for garden furniture and new bins. a security issue has been fencing. highlighted. Decommission of a number of independent living properties in Leyland and Lytham Over the last few years there Due to these changing factors needs properties as and have been a number of a review group made up of when they become empty. changes to the independent various Progress Housing These properties will then be living service such as the Group staff meets bi-monthly offered to applicants aged withdrawal of Supporting to discuss developing trends. 40 and over. People Funding in April 2017, An example of these trends Consultations were held at an increase in properties that is the increasing difficulty in these schemes to discuss this are more difficult to let and letting some properties in the proposal with the tenants and the changing needs of tenants street schemes and properties to receive their feedback. moving in to the 30 schemes that are located a far distance that Progress Housing Group away from the schemes’ The outcome was positive manage. Some tenants centre such as at Fox Lane, and since mid-December moving in are younger and Lowerhouse Road in Leyland, 2017 the decision was require less support from staff South Hey, Gisburn and Ilkley confirmed by the review group but may have other reasons Avenue in Lytham. This has resulting in empty properties why they want to live in a resulted in the proposal to now being advertised as scheme such as security. re-designate a number of general needs for applicants independent living properties aged 40 or above. (a total of 174) to general

15 Report repairs online at www.progressgroup.org.uk Independent Times Spring is sprung! I am sure we are all looking forward to Spring arriving. Here are a few of the activities that are happening in the independent living schemes and everyone is welcome to come along and join in. No excuses for missing out, we can help with transport as well!

Tuesday 3 April Apprentice Independent Living charity of their choice. They say 10am - Tea and toast drop-in at Activities Co-ordinator on 03333 that they really enjoy making Jubilee Court, West Paddock, 204555. these cards, it keeps them out Leyland The Lowerhouse Community of mischief and is especially rewarding that the money raised 1pm - Easter cream tea at Café is still open for business every other Friday, come along, goes to a good cause. The cards Ancenis Court, School Lane, are sold for £1.25 each and can Kirkham have a breakfast butty and a brew, and chat to the friendly be made upon request. Wednesday 4 April crowd of regulars. There is often Dates for your diary! 10.30am - Coffee morning, every a charity raffle as well. week at Wrights Fold, Bent Lane, Once a month it’s ‘Games Wednesday 25 April Leyland Galore’ at Wrights Fold on Bent 2pm - Cheese, wine and quiz Thursday 12 April Lane, Leyland, arrive for a 2pm afternoon - Liggard Court, start and join in with a selection Mythop Road, Lytham 10am - Remember and of board games, jenga, darts and Here are a couple of photos of reminiscence at Orchard Grange, dominoes - refreshments are also the successful cheese and wine Liverpool Road, Penwortham available. There is no charge for event held at Amounderness this activity. Friday 13 April Court in Kirkham, it was a great 9.30am - Lowerhouse Coffee morning - social catch afternoon and enjoyed Community Café, Welsby Road, up with your community. There by all. Leyland are now monthly coffee mornings at Jubilee Court, Boundary Close Staff from Progress Housing and Northbrook Gardens. Group and Pennine Lancashire Community Farm will be on Every Wednesday Wrights Fold hand at the café to discuss the hold a coffee morning from proposed community garden 10.30am - everyone is welcome. venture. Card making - Alice and Maz Wednesday 18 April from our independent living scheme Bolton Croft in Leyland 2pm - Games afternoon at have been busy making a Wrights Fold, Bent Lane, Leyland variety of cards suitable for Friday 20 April all occasions. They have both been making cards for around 10am - Tea and toast - 15 years and decided to join Northbrook Gardens, Broadfield, together to start making them Leyland for a good cause. The money Since the beginning of 2018 they raise is donated to a local these are some examples of the Friday 4 May events that have been organised 10am - Pamper morning and at schemes near you. If you refreshments - Martinfield, would like to attend any of these Martinfield Road, Penwortham. events, or organise something similar in your scheme please contact me, Abbey Rawcliffe,

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalk 16 Annual gardening competition 2018 How great is your When will the judging be Best container garden - this taking place? is for tenants who have pots, garden? Is it something baskets, window boxes or you are proud of? Is it The closing date for entries is 1 June containers in their garden 2018, and judging will take place something you want to the week commencing 2 July 2018. Best edible garden - this is for A prize giving event will be held on tenants who grow fruit, vegetables show off to your friends and herbs in their garden and neighbours? Is it Tuesday 17 July to which the winning entries will be invited to receive their Most improved garden - this prize winning? award from Jacqui De-Rose, our is for tenants who have made If the answer to these questions Chief Executive. improvements in the appearance is “yes” then this is for you. We What are the categories of their garden. If you are entering this category we will need you to are really pleased to announce for the competition? that Progress Housing Group will provide a ‘before’ photograph once again be holding an annual We want to enable as many people with your application to show what gardening competition. The as possible to enter their garden, so the garden was like before the competition is free to enter, all you have created numerous categories. improvements. need to do is complete and submit Hopefully, you will find one that is One for the children one of the entry forms, either online suitable to enter your garden, but be or by post. sure to check the criteria for each Whilst we would encourage children section to make sure your garden to be included in all the gardening This is a time to show off your garden fits. categories, we thought they would and get recognition for the hard work like a section of their own: and love you put into creating the The categories are as garden of your dreams. So come on, follows: Biggest sunflower - open to all don’t be shy, pop your entry in today! children and grandchildren (12 Best front garden - this is for years of age or under) of Progress Who can enter? tenants who have their own front Housing Group customers. Quite garden Anyone, of any age, living in a simply, the tallest one wins! Progress Housing Group property Best rear garden - this is for How can I enter? can enter the competition. This tenants who have their own rear includes people living in general garden Entry forms are available from needs, independent living, supported Sumner House and Warwick House Best shared garden - this is for reception areas, online at living, supported housing, shared tenants who do not have their own ownership, key worker and leasehold www.progressgroup.org.uk or garden, but look after a shared request one from us on 03333 properties. You can enter as an garden with neighbours individual or as a group, if you have 204555. All entries must reach us by worked together to look after a Friday 1 June 2018. Good luck! shared garden. You can also enter for more than one category.

17 Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG Value for Each year in our value for money statement we set out how we will achieve savings during the course of the following Money financial year. This helps the Group remain financially strong so that we can continue to invest in our homes and services for our customers. Last year we said we would achieve savings of £0.8 million for 2017/18 across the Group.

Progress Housing Group invests In total the savings from these target time, rent loss due to voids and on average £18 million each year in procurement exercises has resulted overall re-let times: repairing, maintaining and improving in projected savings of £695,000 over We have continued to focus on all the properties that we own. This the next three years which equates making improvements within involves doing day-to-day repairs, to savings of around £231,000 each our services and performance major repairs, replacing items such year. indicators as bathrooms and kitchens as well As well as these savings, the as safety work like checking gas and Arrears targets are expected to be Group has over the past few years electrical installations. achieved at year end invested in technology to deliver With so much money being spent repairs and maintenance services We are starting to see on repairs and maintenance it is digitally with staff being much more improvements within our important that we spend the money mobile and less reliant on manual responsive repairs service following wisely and get value for money. paper processes. This software is changes to our scheduling process continually being reviewed to make it and we are expecting to achieve Property Services, which is the more effective and productive so that our planned works programme for Group’s in house repairs contractor, repair works can be carried out more the year regularly works with contractors and efficiently and productivity increases. suppliers to make sure that the price Void rent loss targets are being met Major changes to our scheduling we pay for materials and services in general needs and independent software have been made during are competitive and achieve the best living accommodation. 2017/18 to improve the way repairs value for the Group. operatives are able to complete repair We can see customer satisfaction Over the past year Property works more efficiently. improvements within services. We Services has undertaken a number are creating a new mechanism to In our value for money statement we of tendering exercises which have incorporate alternative forms of also said we would continue to grow achieved significant savings for the customer insight to help shape our Progress Lifeline and Technology Group. This has involved a range of services in the future. Within 2017/18 Enabled Care and Support Services services including: the focus will remain on improving (TECS) to help us reinvest in our voids and responsive repairs Roofing works homes. Progress Lifeline has performance. External works continued to grow over the last financial year with 19,000 connections If you can think of any ways that Decoration works for supported and a £3.4 million income each year. we could save money or improve living tenants our services without increasing We also said we would continue to our costs, then please get in Kitchens - for supported living develop much needed new homes touch by emailing enquiries@ tenants for our customers; at year end we will progressgroup.org.uk, visiting our Gas boilers have completed 84 new homes at a website www.progressgroup.org. total spend of £9.9 million with grant Repairs and maintenance materials uk and using web chat, visiting of £2 million. facebook/ProgressStreetTalk or Fire alarms, door entry, lifts and We also stated we would improve phoning on 03333 204555. CCTV our performance on overall service Specialist baths satisfaction, repairs completed within

Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 18 Universal Credit (UC) and benefit update Universal Credit update seven-day waiting period for Financial Inclusion Team on 03333 Universal Credit, so that the claim 204555. Universal Credit is a means-tested starts from the date of application. benefit for people of working-age This means that if Universal Credit is Alternative Payment who are on a low income. It replaces paid on time, claimants will wait five Arrangements six existing means-tested benefits weeks for their first payment instead (APAs) are available for claimants Income Support, Income-based of six weeks. who can’t manage to pay their Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income- Universal Credit rent direct from their Universal related Employment and Support Credit, this is the alternative to Allowance, Housing Benefit, Child From April 2018 those already on having Housing Benefit paid Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. Housing Benefit will continue to direct. Progress Housing Group Universal Credit is intended to be receive their award for the first two can request for this to be paid to simpler than the current system of weeks of their Universal Credit ourselves if a tenant has more than benefits and tax credits. It is paid claim. This will be an unrecoverable eight weeks rent arrears or it has on a monthly basis. Entitlement payment. been highlighted that they may is worked out by comparing your The government will also make struggle to pay their rent. basic financial needs that the it easier for claimants to have the If you are worried about how you government says you need to live housing element of their award paid may be affected by Universal Credit on with your financial resources. directly to their landlord. you should discuss this with our Benefit changes timetable The government expects that Financial Inclusion Team on 03333 2018 Universal Credit will be rolled out to 204555. Please note that information about all areas of the country by the end of Personal Independence some of these changes may be December 2018 for new Universal Payment (PIP) - government limited at present and also subject Credit claimants. Families with three legal U-turn or more children, however, won’t be to further change. Although some Following a High Court decision in will happen quickly, others may be able to start Universal Credit claims until 1 February 2019 onwards. December 2017 the government will introduced gradually over several review about 1.6 million disability years. They will be moving claimants on the existing benefit system over to benefit claims for PIP made in the January 2018, Universal Credit Universal Credit from July 2019. last four years. It is expected about Advance 164,000 claimants could receive Universal Credit two child limit higher awards, which could be As of January 2018, Universal Credit Universal Credit will no longer pay backdated. advances will be provided within you an additional amount for a five days of request. Previously The Department for Work and third or subsequent child born on advances were for 50% of the Pensions (DWP) has promised to or after 6 April 2017, unless special UC entitlement but now you can review about 1.6 million claims, circumstances apply. receive 100% of your month’s UC which will cost an estimated £3.7 entitlement. These advances can For example, if you are already billion and take several years to then be repaid over 12 months claiming Universal Credit, have complete. The DWP will contact rather than the previous time limit of responsibility for two children and anyone affected and additional six months. you then give birth to a new child, payments will be backdated to the you won’t get an extra amount of effective date in each claim without February 2018, removal of Universal Credit for that new child, the need to undergo a new medical seven-day waiting period unless special circumstances apply. assessment. As of February 2018, the For further information speak to our government has removed the

19 Pay your rent online at www.progressgroup.org.uk Progress Futures

Progress Futures offers our customers and members of I’ve received Kinga a lot of help from their household one-to-one Progress Futures, ranging help and support to achieve from financial help to cover their goals around training, costs of my exams, travel costs, information about free online courses education and employment. to improve my employment prospects, The team works with customers on help with writing my CV and assistance an individual basis as well as through with applying for jobs. During my group training activities to provide time with Progress Futures I a range of opportunities that allow have improved my customers to upskill themselves in confidence and now a friendly and safe environment at a feel I can achieve level they feel comfortable with. a lot more. Time is taken to really help customers establish what their end goal is and Case study: Kinga in specific areas. Feedback the team creates bespoke action was shared and in August 2016 plans that look at all elements of Kinga lives in Leyland with three she was successful in a further what needs to be met before this can children and after moving to the administration work placement be achieved. This often starts with UK in 2005 Kinga completed with Progress Housing Group. confidence building courses as well several short college courses to as academic training in functional develop her knowledge and skills, In September 2016 Kinga skills like Maths and English. The as well as improve her English as enrolled on a Level 2 Foundation team is able to access a range of she felt that this was a barrier to Certificate in Accounting at opportunities for customers, by her gaining employment. Preston’s College and shortly working in partnership with local after applied for a Progress In September 2015 Kinga applied colleges and training providers Futures Housing Trainee role and we have organised a selection of for a three month work placement was successful. In addition to individual and group training courses with ourselves that was advertised this, Kinga began the Chartered exclusive for our customers to through Progress Futures and Institute of Housing (CIH) Level access in a local venue at a time that was successful in securing the 3 in Housing Practice course at suits them. Allocations Administrator post. Blackburn College. During her time in post Kinga The range of outcomes and support was supported to apply for In October 2017 it was agreed that varies, from customers who have other vacancies, with a focus on Kinga would complete her final six never worked to those that are in an administration or customer months of her trainee role in the employment and fancy a change service role. Once the placement finance department to support her in career. The team’s direct support had ended, Kinga’s Progress AAT qualification. really allows the service to be tailored Futures Officer organised a to the individual. We have recently In January 2018 Kinga received funding from the European work experience placement for successfully passed her last AAT Social Fund which has allowed us her in the reception at our head exam, as well as her second to increase the size of the team and office, Sumner House. Kinga assignment for the CIH course. become a delivery partner in the successfully completed a 12 Kinga was supported in updating More Positive Together programme, week unpaid work experience her CV and had started looking as such we have staff on hand to placement which enabled her to for permanent employment as offer support to more customers gain valuable work experience in her trainee role was due to end in than ever before. An example of how her chosen field. April 2018. Kinga recently applied we support customers through their Following the completion of the for an internal role as Contracts journey is highlighted in Kinga’s story. work experience Kinga applied Administrator for a period of six for other work placements, but months and was successful in was unsuccessful due to lack being offered the role which she of experience and knowledge is due to start in April 2018.

Report repairs online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 20 Building Better Opportunities employment and wellbeing activities More Positive Together project. I have Are you over 50 the programme aims to engage them been with Progress Housing Group back into society. If you, a friend or a for around eight weeks now and and looking for member of your family is aged over although I have been doing a lot of work or training? 50 years and would like to access training I am now beginning to build this exciting opportunity please up some of my own customer cases We are proud to be a partner in contact us directly on 03333 204555 and I am really enjoying the variety the Building Better Opportunities and ask to speak with a member of this role brings. If you would like help national programme from The Big the Progress Futures Team. and support around employment, Lottery Fund who are matching training, volunteering, education or funds from the European Social Help and support apprenticeships, please call Progress Fund (ESF) 2014-2020 to invest Futures on 03333 204555 or email in local projects tackling the root from a trainee [email protected]. I causes of poverty, promoting look forward to meeting with you social inclusion and driving local Progress Futures soon! jobs and growth. Officer We are a delivery partner in Age of Opportunity which is one of the My name is Emily Fisher and I am projects in the overall Building Better training to be a Progress Futures Opportunities programme that is Officer. designed specifically to meet the Previous to this role I worked in the needs of over 50s who would like Human Resources department at to work, but are unable to without Blackpool Pleasure Beach. In 2015 additional skills or support. A core I graduated with a degree in history focus for this project is supporting and I have interests in a wide range older people who are most at risk of of activities. I am working within social exclusion. By offering them the Progress Futures Team until the training and skills to access December 2019 helping to deliver the Emily

the installation service to be very comprehensive and sensitive to the Scrutiny update - needs of the customer. Ten recommendations have come out of the review, the next steps will include an action plan to be created Progress Lifeline to work towards making those changes. Our last Scrutiny Pool The review group focused on how The Scrutiny Pool’s latest area to saw our customers look at easy it is to access the Progress review is Progress Connect which Lifeline service as a new potential has just started (April 2018). our expanding Progress customer, from how a potential new If you would like to be involved in Lifeline service. customer finds out about the service, the Scrutiny Pool and help us shape The Scrutiny Pool identified that to accessing the service through and improve services our Progress Lifeline is a valuable to the installation. This included the next quarterly meeting is on service that is looking to increase the Scrutiny Pool carrying out some 25 April 2018 from 2pm-4pm, number of customers. It identified the shadowing of the Installation Team. Warwick House, Lytham St Annes. areas where more marketing would One of the findings from the review Get in touch with the Progress be beneficial, for example, for our was that Progress Lifeline staff are Opportunities Team Progress Housing Group general responsive and caring in meeting on 03333 204555 or email needs and supported living tenants. customers’ needs and they found [email protected]

21 Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalk Funding to support local community groups and charity activities

Every year Progress Housing The Leyland Project - to support Variety - The Children’s Charity the running of a community centre Group supports local community St Catherine’s Hospice in South Ribble groups to set up and develop Cancer Research facilities, events and activities Opportunity Sports Foundation - to by awarding money from our provide activities for young people The Legacy Rainbow Trust Community Investment Fund. in South Ribble The Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Key - to support community Charity Since April 2017 we have supported development in South Ribble the following groups: Brindle Brass Band Community groups can apply to The Christie Charitable Fund Pennine Lancashire Community the Community Investment Fund for Farm - to develop a community community projects including events U3A garden in South Ribble or activities and new facilities. We ask Buckshaw Village Women’s SHAPE Lancashire - to deliver a 26 that groups submit an application Institute week programme of activities for showing what the money will be used young people in South Ribble for and how this could benefit our Muscular Dystrophy UK customers and the areas they live in. Big Lunch events in South Ribble Trust House Lancashire and Fylde If you know of any groups that Crisis could benefit from funding from our National Citizen Service The Community Investment Fund please The Charity Fund can be applied Challenge events in South Ribble, contact the Progress Opportunities for to support any local fundraising Fylde, Preston and Blackburn Team on 03333 204555 and we event. Streetwise - to support activities for will be happy to talk through the If you know of any local charities that young people in Fylde details and help them to submit an would like to apply for funding from Homestart - to provide activities for application. our Charity Fund please contact the young people in Fylde Charity Fund Progress Opportunities Team on 03333 204555 and we will be happy Kingsfold Football Club - to In addition to the Community to help you with an application. support a community football team Investment Fund, Progress Housing in South Ribble Group also supports local fundraising Bad Apple Project - to provide from our Charity Fund. Since April educational resources to six 2017 we have spent £2,285.54 to primary schools across Fylde and support the following charities: South Ribble Group Combination The Group Combination The project team is making sure all of new charitable Registered Provider our legal and governance documents – Progress Housing Association project is progressing well are in place. Limited, on the first day of May. and on 5 March the Boards In order for us to complete the For any queries, please email us of NPHA, PCHA, NFH and documents to our satisfaction, we on the Group Combination email the Group Board (PHG) have revised our completion date to address: groupcombination@ approved all the necessary 30 April 2018. We are excited that progressgroup.org.uk the project is in its final stages and documents and consents. look forward to launching our one

Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG 22 Next steps for The Base community centre

Progress Housing Group's Community Investment Fund has provided funding to Key to employ a part-time community development worker to work with the community to ensure that The Base community centre remains open and offers a range of activities available to all members of the community. Lynda Kendall has taken on this Lynda will work in partnership with Get in touch with Lynda to say how role and she started in March. She existing projects and groups as well you would like to be involved by is keen to hear the communities’ as supporting the community to phoning 01772 678979. views on how they would like to be set up new projects based on their involved and what they would like passions and interests. to see happening in the area, and in particular at The Base. Lynda will Lynda says: “I am really be getting in touch with tenants and excited about getting to arranging events so that she can know people and helping understand what the community them to make sure that The would like to see. Base is a thriving centre for everyone in the area”. Opportunity Sports Foundation Opportunity Sports sport session and spoke to some will meet you. The group is run by of the young people, who said a team, many of whom used to Foundation runs sports they enjoyed attending as it was attend the group when they were sessions for young people somewhere to meet up with their younger. Leaders are all checked aged 12 to 18 every Friday mates, listen to music, join in sport via DBS and trained in running the and meet up out of the cold. They sessions. If you would like to know evening from 7.45 to were also really looking forward to more, or would be interested in 8.45pm at Bamber Bridge the new dance sessions starting. volunteering please contact Andy Bell at Andrew@opportunitysports. Leisure Centre. The group is open to anyone org or check out their website at between 12 and 18 years of age, Over the last couple of years the opportunitysports.org. main activity has been football, but just turn up at the centre on a Friday the group has plans to extend the evening and one of the leaders activities offered to include street dance from the end of March. The sessions are free to attend as Opportunity Sports Foundation is funded from a variety of sources, including Progress Housing Group’s Community Investment Fund. Diane Nash, Progress Opportunities Manager at Progress Housing Group, recently attended the

23 Visit us online at www.progressgroup.org.uk Fox Lane community garden

We know that some tenants have Final drawings from tenant As we mentioned concerns about this proposal and we responses have been produced and in the last edition of will be meeting tenants individually to will be reviewed in collaboration with discuss these concerns. Remember all interested parties. StreetTalk an exciting this is still a proposal and we want to Work on the garden will start in April hear your views. project to develop and will work with local groups and a new community Consultation events with tenants volunteers to landscape and plant have happened at various sites to up the garden. This will provide an garden in Leyland has gauge views about the project and opportunity for people to gain new been launched. how best to use the land. skills, get outdoors and socialise. Pennine Lancashire Community Tom Wilkinson from Pennine Pennine Lancashire Community Farm are recruiting for volunteers, Lancashire Community Farm said: Farm are working with Progress anyone interested can contact Tom “We are currently at the consultation Housing Group to create a on 01282 421690 or contact Alan stage. We aim to gather as much community garden project on Fox Greig, Progress Opportunities Officer, information as possible to help us Lane in Leyland. The funding for on 03333 204555. the scheme is being provided by shape the design. In this way the Progress Housing Group and United local community are involved in the A final consultation event to view Utilities and managed by Pennine creation of the garden right from the plans will take place at Lower House Lancashire Community Farm. beginning”. community centre on Welsby Road on 13 April 2018 at 10am. Spotlight on volunteer estate appearance inspectors At Progress Housing Group What is involved in We would really love to expand our we are really fortunate team of volunteer inspectors, could it being a volunteer be something that you are interested to work with a group of in? Could it help you develop new volunteers who carry out estate appearance skills to include on your CV? Training estate inspections of the area inspector? and support is provided to all our they live in. volunteer inspectors and we cover Our volunteers carry out regular the cost of expenses needed to carry In recent years they have been called inspections of the area where they out the role. Green Inspectors, but following a live and complete a record sheet If you would like to know more recommendation from our Scrutiny to show how they found the area, about this or would be interested Pool, this role has now been for example, they may note that the in joining the team of volunteer expanded to include all aspects of grass has been cut recently and inspectors please contact Diane the appearance of the estate, not just looks good or they may see some Nash on 03333 204555. grounds maintenance. They are now graffiti which is making the area look called estate appearance inspectors. untidy. This is a really important role The inspector sends the completed as it gives us the chance to get sheet to Progress Housing comments back from customers Group who will take action telling us what we are doing well, and to resolve any actionable what we could be doing better to issues raised. improve the appearance of the area they live in.

Pay your rent online at www.progressgroup.org.uk 24 How are we performing? From April 2017 to February 2018 Housing Management Target Result Target met Trend Top quarter*

Worse than We aim to re-let general needs 20 days empty properties within 21 days 21 days 34.8 last quarter days

We aim to have less than 1.2 properties Worse than 1 out out of every 100 vacant at any time 1.2 1.1 last quarter of 100

We aim for current tenant rent arrears Better than £1.90 of to be less than £5.10 of every £100 of £5.10 rent due £4.47 last quarter every £100 We aim for current tenant rent arrears, excluding that owed by Housing Worse than £0.80 of Benefit, to be less than £4.70 of every £4.70 £4.19 last quarter every £100 £100 of rent due Repairs Target Result Target met Trend Top quarter*

We aim to complete responsive Better than 6.5 days repairs within 6.5 days 6.5 days 10.8 last quarter days

We aim to complete 95 out of Better than 95 out every 100 responsive repairs 95.0% right first time 97.0% last quarter of 100

We aim to keep 99 out of Worse than Not every 100 responsive repairs 99.0% 92.0% appointments made last quarter available

We aim for 100 out of every 100 Same as 100 out gas appliances to have been 100% serviced in the last 12 months 100% last quarter of 100 Tenant Satisfaction Target Result Target met Trend Top quarter*

We aim to keep 96 tenants out Worse than 97.6 out of every 100 satisfied with the 96.0% 87.5% service provided to new tenants last quarter of 100

We aim to keep 96 tenants out of every 100 satisfied with the overall Same as Not service provided regarding arrears 96.0% 100% last quarter available management

We aim to keep 96 tenants out of Worse than 97 out every 100 satisfied with the overall 96.0% 98.5% quality of a responsive repair last quarter of 100

We aim to keep 96 tenants out of Better than Not every 100 satisfied that the repair 96.0% last quarter available has been completed right first time 96.8%

*This column shows the performance figures of the highest performing housing associations across England and Wales. We aim to be within the top quarter of all housing associations. You will see that for some of these indicators we are already on the top quarter whilst for others we need to do a bit more work.

25 Report repairs online at www.progressgroup.org.uk Communication Dates for your diary Forum Forum or panel meeting Event Tenant inspection Training Our Communication Forum April (formerly know as the 4 Wed Coffee morning. 10.30am every week. Wrights Fold, Bent Lane, Leyland. Communications Panel) 11 Wed The Base Partnership meeting. meets every quarter. This 10.30am. The Base, Bannister Drive, Leyland. forum is an opportunity 11 Wed Facebook Q&A. for customers to give their 6.30-8.30pm. feedback on the different 13 Fri Consultation event for Fox Lane Community Garden. ways we communicate, 10am. Lower House community centre, Leyland. including social media, 25 Wed Scrutiny Pool meeting. leaflets, the website and 2pm. Warwick House, St Annes. quarterly newsletters. May This is an opportunity for 8 Tue Void Inspectors meeting. 2pm. Warwick House, St Annes. customers to let us know what is going well, and what could 15 Tue Independent Living Forum. 2pm. Sumner House, Leyland. be better. It is also a chance for 21 Mon Communications Forum. customers to suggest the type of 1.30pm. Sumner House, Leyland. information and articles they would 29 Tue The Forum meeting. like to see in future to ensure we 2pm. Sumner House, Leyland. are providing what customers want. June The Communication Forum is due 1 Fri Closing date for entries for the Annual Gardening Competition. to meet on Monday 21 May from 5 Tue Repairs Forum. 1.30-3.30pm at Sumner House, 2pm. Warwick House, St Annes. Leyland. If this is something you 13 Wed Estate Appearance Forum. 2pm. Sumner House, Leyland. would like to get involved with or you would like to know more View all our upcoming events online at www.progressgroup.org.uk about the Communication Forum Looking for estate walkabouts? Please contact Progress Connect on please contact Diane Nash on 03333 204555, email [email protected] or view them on 03333 204555. our website www.progressgroup.org.uk/news-events/events Wordsearch competition

If you would like to be in with a chance of Gold Coast C O M P E T I T I O N winning a £20 Love2shop voucher why not Miracle Mile E Q P G C X S H A M J have a go at our Commonwealth Games Competition wordsearch. Deadline for entries is Friday 1 R B O R O B I E B I S Humanity June 2018. E I K O M H C B P R W Equality Congratulations to Mrs Pickstone from The Bar M A Q V E U Y A S A I Lytham St Annes, who won our winter O T A I Y F N R G C M wordsearch. Borobi Athletics N H C R L Y W G T L M HOW TO ENTER Swimming Please send your entries along with your name, I L R U G I X S V E I age and home address to: StreetTalk, Progress Ceremonies E E E M P T A R B M N Housing Group, Marketing Team, Sumner Bowls S T Q A B O W L S I G House, 21 King Street, Leyland, PR25 2LW. Cycling L I U S C B R C V L D E C A D U V N J P E U Name T S L C Y C L I N G C Age Q O I O K J T U M B I Address G U T H U M A N I T Y S D Y O U J S I A N R

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ProgressStreetTalk 26 Out and about Share your photos with us. If you would like a photo to appear in ‘out and about’ please email it to [email protected] or post a copy to StreetTalk, Progress Opportunities Team, Sumner House, 21 King Street, Leyland, PR25 2LW.

Thank you card for Tuson House for raising Christmas lunch & bingo at Ancenis Court £2,000 for the Smile charity.

Brenda Norton before Brenda Norton head shave for Macmillan

Amounderness Christmas party Amounderness Christmas party

27 Follow us on Twitter @ProgressHG We help hundreds of people live independently in their own homes every day. First four weeks free Progress Lifeline offers remote We can help support you to stay (Quote ST18) monitoring in your home and in your own home for longer and emergency personal assistance also provide much-welcomed 24 hours a day, 365 days of reassurance and peace of mind, the year to help to make your not only to yourself but also to life easier, safer and more your family, friends and carers. comfortable.

Get in touch

For more information call today on 03333 204999 (please quote ‘ST18’) or email [email protected] www.progresslifeline.org.uk www.facebook.com/ProgressLifeline

Progress Lifeline is an easy-to-use personal alarm system that can enable you to remain independent and more confident in your own home. Prices start from £3.60 per week.