Issue 58 Autumn/Winter 2019
The newsletter for Incommunities customers
Green-fingered volunteers...
brightening up their neighbourhood plus! fantastic prizes to also be won in this our three new homes issue... step plan to inspiring plan for managing Sarah! page 13 Bingley site your money page 15 page 6-7 WelcomeMessage from Geraldine Howley A warm welcome to your latest @home.
These are certainly by one of our training partners, Askham Bryan College, near York with interesting times with a an Employer of the Year award for our new Prime Minister moving support for apprenticeships. into Downing Street and the On another positive note, we are building on our work to support clock ticking towards Brexit! more families who are finding it Whilst the pathway ahead may difficult to make ends meet through be unclear you can be assured initiatives such as ‘Surviving Summer’ that we are moving forward with roadshows and ‘stop loan shark’ great confidence. campaigns. Our new homes programme sees To find out more about what’s been more and more diggers and builders happening across the group take a transforming outdated sites into smart break with your new @home. new housing developments as we target delivering over 250 affordable homes by 2020 and 1000 by 2025. Geraldine Howley It’s also great to welcome the Incommunities handover of our first new homes in Group Chief Executive Sheffield. Eventually, Sadeh Lok will manage nearly 50 homes for rent on a smart new estate in a link up with a major UK housebuilder. We are committed to helping more people into work and over the summer it was great to be recognised “We continue to invest in building new homes and modernising existing properties for the benefit of our residents.” Contacting us There are lots of ways of getting in touch with our teams. As well as phoning us, you can email or text us or go to our website www.incommunities.co.uk Please recycle your @home newsletter Our main email enquiries address is: [email protected]
Incommunities Limited is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Our main customer telephone Society Act 2014. Registered in England with the Financial Conduct Authority No. 30178R. number is: 01274 257777 2 Registered address: The Quays, Victoria Street, Shipley, West Yorkshire, BD17 7BN. In my role it’s great to get out and about and meet customers, staff and people from partner bodies. It’s when you have these conversations that you see first hand the difference we are making. At Sadeh Lok’s 30th birthday celebration it was wonderful to join residents, staff and founding board members and hear more about the organisation’s journey as a BME housing association set up in Huddersfield. At the heart of their work is a passion to put the customer first with Jan and meet people’s needs. It’s also inspiring to hear accounts of how some of our customers take such pride in where they live. A big thank you to residents everywhere and staff who have brightened up summer The clocks may be going back but for everyone. we’ve every reason to look forward If you have a great story to share or want to give your feedback on our work, please get in touch. to exciting times ahead. See ‘contacting us’ on page 2. Over the last few months our boards have been busy setting a new course for the group with the launch of our new plan – ‘Improving lives to 2040’. Jan Ormondroyd At the same time it’s been great to welcome Common Board Chair ‘fresh faces’ and new expertise onto our boards.
Wildflower schemes bring splash of colour to estates Thousands of wildflowers brought a kaleidoscope of colours to plots, bedding areas and roadsides around the district over the summer.
The displays were sown by our “Lots of people have been estates teams led by supervisor, stopping to take photos and say Albert Sallu and won praise from how lovely the displays look.” tenants, residents and visitors. Estate Services Manager, The ‘flower shows’ have covered Lindsay Wilson said: “It’s over 20 sites from Addingham to great to see the wildflowers Windhill, Baildon to Ilkley. have again made such a big impression and they’ve been At Hillcrest in Queensbury three popular with the bees and other displays lined the approach pollinators too! to the estate, whilst in Allerton wildflower turf brightened a “Albert and his team love to go stretch of Bell Dean Road. one better every year and these displays seem to have been a Margaret Butlin from Hillcrest real hit!” Drive was among those who gave the planting their thumbs up. She said: “The flowers look spectacular and really lift IMPROVING LIVES the place. INCOMMUNITIES 3 Green-fingered tenants create garden delight at Norwood flats Hats off to a group of proud Shipley tenants who transformed their communal garden into a blooming oasis over the summer.
Every year, the small band of garden enthusiasts at Norwood Avenue get together to turn the surrounds of their flats into a space everyone can enjoy. The secluded garden includes attractive Norwood resident Pauline Kitchen has been busy hedging, fruit trees, sunflowers, stone ornaments keeping up to the garden for over 25 years and and a water feature. says it is more than just a patch of ground. In recognition of their hard work our construction Pauline said: “The flats have had their problems training team gave the group two handmade with anti-social behaviour in the area but through picnic-style wooden benches and bird boxes. the efforts of neighbours – both young and old – this colourful corner lifts everyone’s spirits. “It helps your wellbeing and friendships grow! I love the garden and can lose myself with a trowel and shovel. Thanks to everyone’s efforts the garden is looking better than ever and attracting lots of birds and bees!” Anna Fryer, Incommunities’ Director of Neighbourhood Services said: “The garden is an absolute credit to this diverse group of tenants. “It’s another great example of how by working together our customers are improving lives and brightening up their neighbourhoods.”
4 The green-fingered Norwood group in their own green ‘oasis’ New Sheffield homes a ‘first’ for group “Providing new We’re delighted to now offer South Council flat. Shauna homes for families said: “Our new home in the Sheffield area is Yorkshire ‘homehunters’ the chance is just perfect and a an exciting ‘first’ for to snap up a smart new rented home lot more accessible for the group.” thanks to an exciting partnership my daughter who has mobility issues. with a leading UK housebuilder. “It has a lovely fitted kitchen, spacious lounge, enclosed back garden and As part of the Graves Fold development at driveway. Sadeh Lok and Incommunities have been Norton, we will take over 46 homes in a planning brilliant in making our move go so smoothly and agreement – known as Section 106 – with Miller we’re looking forward to building a new life here.” Homes. The development of nearly 140 homes is due to be Over 14 two and three bedroom houses have completed in late 2020. so far been handed over to local families with a housing need, working in partnership with Geraldine Howley, Incommunities Group Chief Sheffield City Council. More homes will be Executive said: “Providing new homes for families released later this year. in the Sheffield area is an exciting ‘first’ for both Incommunities and Sadeh Lok. One of the first tenants to move in is Shauna Pedro and her young daughter Blaire who moved “This development is the product of our to their two bedroom house from a one-bed partnership between our development team and Miller Homes and hopefully is just the start of similar ventures to offer To find out more about future more affordable rented homes.” releases of rented homes at Norton contact us on 01484 435715.
IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 5 Managing your money – your three step plan Many households face tighter budgets and keeping up to your bills and outgoings can be stressful. Why not take our three step plan to keeping control of your money and staying out of debt? Step 1 Set up a monthly budget plan to keep track of your spending and see what’s coming in and going out. That way you can:- • understand your priorities – work out what you need! • identify where you can make savings • avoid building up a debt and enjoy what you have • every month is different. Here’s a simple guide Help you can fill in. to claim Monthly Income Wages: (after tax) £ benefits Don’t miss out. The benefits Benefits: £ system is complex but our teams are here to help you. Total: £ Go to Incommunities ‘Better Off’ webpages Monthly Outgoings – betteroff.co.uk – for advice on claiming Rent: (including service charge) £ benefits and check your entitlements. Council Tax: £ The roll out of Universal Credit continues. By the end of 2023 this single payment system will Utility Bills: (gas, electric, water) £ be the main benefit for people aged 16 to 65. Travel: £ If you are moving onto Universal Credit let Loan repayments: £ us know as soon as possible. We can help Internet/TV/Phones: £ you set up to receive the right payments (including TV licence) and manage your budgets. Food and clothing: £ If you are struggling to pay your bills or Other: (childcare, medication etc) £ have difficulty paying your rent, don’t delay Total: £ – call our Income Team on 01274 254777 or email [email protected] (Incommunities customers) or for Sadeh Summary Lok ring 01484 435715 or email Income Total Outgoings Total [email protected] £ £ Remember, we can help you:- Per calendar • with your budgeting £ month • benefit entitlement Did • saving on energy There are lots of great budgeting apps costs you know? available too. They can help you work out how • debt advice You can check much you are spending on household bills your entitlement to (such as electric and water), living costs benefits online at 6 (such as food), travel and leisure. Betteroff.co.uk Step 2 Make savings on everyday expenses Families helped Energy bills to ‘survive summer’ • you can sometimes save hundreds of pounds by switching energy supplier. Use comparison Hundreds of families went along websites or ring your existing provider to find to local roadshows to get help and the best deal for you! advice on making ends meet over the • take regular energy and water meter readings summer school holidays. and submit these to your provider to avoid paying estimated bills Our Income Team joined local groups including Bradford District Credit Union, • see if you are eligible for help through national Bradford Council, CNET and Citizens payment schemes – go to https://bit.ly/2AXtesN Advice at the ‘Surviving Summer’ events. Savvy shopping There were also games and activities for • always make a list before going shopping children at the roadshows to encourage them to keep physically and mentally active. • look at your shopping options – buy more own brand items Phoebe Twum-Brown from Incomes • check out the online discount offers at said; “Over the school holidays many www.smarterbuys.co.uk families can struggle with the extra cost • use cashback websites to earn whilst you shop of having children around and keeping them entertained. • use Freecycle www.freecycle.org – to pick up items for free in your neighbourhood “It was great to join the organisers, Bradford • try charity furniture shops such as Newlands District Credit Union and be able to give Furniture Service and CHAS @ St Vincent’s key money and benefits advice to help get through the summer.” Ian Brewer from the Credit Union said: Step 3 “We were delighted to be joined by Make things easier and set up a direct debit! Incommunities’ Income staff who share Setting up a monthly direct debit to pay your rent our commitment to help local people save is a great way of managing your budget and your responsibly, avoid high cost lenders and tenancy. Direct debits are the safest and easiest manage their money better. way to ensure your rent and other bills are paid “We look forward to working with Phoebe on time. and her team on ‘Surviving Christmas’ and You can easily set up a Direct Debit for your ‘stop loan shark’ campaigns later this year.” rent by calling the Income Team (Incommunities Did you know Incommunities tenants customers) or the Customer Service Team at get a free £10 starter credit on opening Sadeh Lok. an adult or child saving account? Payments can be set up weekly, fortnightly, four weekly, monthly and quarterly to suit you and your lifestyle! Let your bank do it for you! Use bank account services such as ‘jam jar’ accounts or standing orders to set aside money for your bills and any savings. Joining a Credit Union is a great way to save and manage your money. Simply call Bradford District Credit Union on 01274 431000 (Incommunities customers) or Leeds City Credit Union on 01132 423343 (Sadeh Lok customers).
IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 7 Keeping safe in your home The safety of our customers is our Staying safe in the kitchen top priority. Did you know more fires start in the kitchen than anywhere else in the home? We carry out regular fire safety work and electrical testing to local homes and fire risk Please read our fire prevention check list to assessments to all communal areas. staying safe: You can be assured all our fire safety policies, • when preparing food never leave your cooker or procedures and assessments are up to date. grill unattended In this issue of @home we have important safety • turn pot and pan handles away from the front to advice for YOU. avoid spills • don’t try to cook if you have been drinking or • never leave children alone. Keep matches out are under the influence of drugs of reach and do not let children near cooking and heating appliances when in use • unplug electrical appliances when not in use • do not overload electrical sockets - try to keep • keep your cooker/appliances clean to avoid any to one plug per socket build up of grease and fat • do not smoke in bed. This is a major cause of fires • wipe up spills immediately to avoid falls in the home. Always finish your cigarette before or accidents. going to bed, and make sure you stub it out • never leave candles unattended. Candles are naked flames, make sure you extinguish candles and incense sticks at night • have your own heaters serviced every year. Make sure they cannot be knocked over and Fire safety work keep them away from furniture and furnishings, Our programmes of fire safety also make sure nothing can fall onto the heater work and electrical testing are • before going to bed, switch off all electrical appliances. Carefully remove plugs from continuing within local homes. electrical sockets. Check ashtrays for burning Some of the work will only take a short time cigarette ends and pipes. Close all internal and include communal areas, but some doors. Check there is nothing blocking the including electrical testing will involve access hallway or front door. to your home for a minimum of two hours. We will write to you if we need to carry out work in your home, explain what we are doing, when we plan to do the work, the time it will take and give the name of the contractor (if applicable). We will also include a contact number in your letter in case you have any queries or need to get in touch to rearrange your appointment.
8 Home appliances – safety advice Communal areas – keeping you and your Appliances in the home, such as tumble dryers neighbours safe and washing machines can also cause fires. We If you live in accommodation with communal have teamed up with West Yorkshire Fire and areas please remember to:- Rescue Service to give you these safety tips: • keep all corridors and stairwells clear of any • never leave your tumble dryer or washer obstruction unattended when switched on or programmed • do not leave out any refuse items in these spaces to run overnight • never leave a fire door open • clean the filter of any fluff and lint after every use • never block an emergency access point to your • don’t cover the vent building • ensure the vent pipe is free of any kinks and not • get to know your neighbours. They may need blocked in any way assistance in any emergency • with condenser dryers, ensure the water tank is • report any damaged doors or smashed empty and always clean the tray windows to your neighbourhood officer or • never overload your dryer and put items in that scheme coordinator have been used to soak up flammable liquids • make sure you are familiar with the emergency • ensure your tumble dryer or washer is serviced procedures for your building. They are regularly by a qualified engineer displayed in all our communal areas • regularly test your smoke alarms to make sure • in the event of an emergency where we would they are working. have to evacuate the building, we need to know If you are concerned about any electrical in advance who would need help. appliances in your home you can find out if they Please register your needs by calling have been recalled for safety reasons by going 01274 257777 (for Incommunities customers) to the Electrical Safety First website: or 01484 435715 (for Sadeh Lok). www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/product-recalls If you have fire safety concerns or issues If your appliance is on the recall list stop using where you live please do not hesitate to contact it immediately and contact the manufacturer or your neighbourhood housing officer or scheme retailer you bought it from straightaway. coordinator or call our Fire Safety Team on 01274 257256. Youngsters get creative! Eleven youngsters got creative in a Geraldine Howley, Incommunities Group Chief fun family challenge organised by our Executive said: The family challenge gave the construction training team. youngsters the chance to show their creative side and make items that, at the end of the The young relatives of some of our staff were given a day, will benefit some of our customers and a taste of building skills as they made bird boxes and leading charity too.” picnic benches. Among those taking part were Lucious (12) and Willow (eight) from Denholme who came along with their mum, Karline, who is a qualified joiner with us. Lucious said: “My favourite subject at school is Design and Technology and it’s great to have a go at building something big!” The picnic benches will be donated to local community causes and the bird boxes will be auctioned off to raise money for the domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid. IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 9 Competitions Competition time – City of Culture! Bradford is bidding to become the UK City of Culture in 2025. This prestigious title is awarded every Coventry is the latest city to win UK City four years and success unlocks millions of Culture status and is getting ready to of pounds of investment and showcases look forward to a special 2021. the winner as a leading cultural and To celebrate our 2025 bid we have two tourism destination. £20 shopping cards to giveaway in a We are right behind the city’s bid and prize draw. see it as a great way of building on Bradford’s regeneration and a life- changing opportunity for everyone.
For the chance to win, Send your entry to FREEPOST simply answer the question Incommunities or email Closing date: below correctly: [email protected] 1st Which northern city Competition rules apply. November celebrated UK City of Mark your entry 2019 Culture status in 2017? @home competition a. Sheffield To enter this competition you b. Hull must be an Incommunities or c. York Sadeh Lok tenant/leaseholder or shared ownership customer. 10 Swapping home! If you’d like to move house have you thought about swapping your home? Incommunities and Sadeh Lok tenants can apply to a mutual exchange – a fast and easy swap service between social housing tenants. To find someone to swap with go to www.homeswapper.co.uk. You can search for swaps locally and nationally. Swim team make a splash for charity Over the summer our Group Chief Executive, Geraldine Howley, joined colleagues in taking the plunge for charity.
She was joined by Adrienne Once dried out the swim team Reid and Greg Robinson from were delighted to handover a our management team and cheque for £1560 to Chartered roofing operative Mark Crane in Institute of Housing President, the Great North Swim to raise Jim Strang, who made Women’s funds for the domestic abuse Aid his nominated charity. charity, Women’s Aid.
Watch out for bogus or unwanted callers From time to time we all get callers to our home who are not expected.
Sometimes these include bogus Remember, it is best to callers who are looking to gain entry keep your doors locked. into your home. If you are at all concerned It is very important you always ask any about a caller please caller to your home that you don’t know ring 01274 257777 for their identification before letting (Incommunities) or 01484 them in. All Incommunities staff and our 435715 (Sadeh Lok contractors will show you their ID card. customers) straightaway and we will check the If we are carrying out a repair to your matter out immediately. home or doing some refurbishment work in your area, you will be contacted Alternatively you can in advance by phone, text message or call the police on 101. letter to say when we will be doing work at your home. Please do not let anyone into your home unless you feel comfortable about letting IMPROVING LIVES them in. INCOMMUNITIES 11 Home energy savings – handy tips! As Autumn draws in, now is a great time to save money on your energy bills. Our Sustainability Team share their top tips for keeping warm and saving money. • compare the price of energy suppliers and • every degree counts – lowering your thermostat switch, if needed, for a better deal. To find out by just 1ºC could save you up to 10% on your more call Citizens Advice on 03454 040506 or heating bills. Aim to set your hot water to 60ºC try a comparisons site like uSwitch – • keep radiators, heaters and air vents clear to www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity make sure the flow of heat is not obscured. • turn your appliance off standby mode, especially • spending one minute less in the shower each televisions, game consoles and computers day can save you around £10 on This could save you £30 a year. Buy a Standby your energy bill. Saver to help you do this without having to We can also • fitting a water efficient reach the socket switch. make FREE shower head can save you energy advice visits • draw your curtains at dusk to keep the heat in more. Pick one up free from to your home. To and open them during the day to let the sun in. Yorkshire Water – go to arrange one please www.yorkshirewater.com/ contact us on savewater 01274 257777. Help with your energy bills If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills and stay warm, did you know you could get help from certain programmes?
These include: • Winter Fuel Payment – a one-off payment paid to people on State Pension or other benefits • Warm Homes Discount Scheme – a one-off discount on your fuel bill and arranged through your energy supplier • Cold Weather Payment – paid to people on certain benefits when the temperature falls below zero over a certain time
For more information go to the Citizens Advice site: https://bit.ly/2AXtesN or call us on 01274 257777. 12 Inspiring Sarah in pathway clean up! A big well done to Sarah Wilton from Windhill who has given a snicket where she lives a clean up for the benefit of her neighbours.
Over the Summer, Sarah trimmed hedges, weeded much tidier now. Hopefully, I can inspire other and swept the pathway and cleaned up litter. people to take pride in where they live.” Mother of three, Sarah, even added solar lights One Facebook follower said: and flower features to brighten the pathway “It’s never looked better between the two rows of homes off Stubbing Way. - been living here for “One day I seven years now and She said: “Sometimes I can’t keep still and one just picked up a it looks so lovely day I just picked up a brush pan and hedge brush pan and hedge and even better, it’s trimmer and thought I want to make a difference easier to walk down trimmer and thought – go for it! in the dark.” I want to make a “It’s a lovely neighbourhood around here with a difference.” mix of young families and some elderly residents Sarah and people are saying the pathway is safer and
“It’s never looked better - it’s easier to walk down in the dark.” Facebook follower
Sarah with her partner Danny and sons Isaac and Tobias by the cleaned up snicket. Eldest son, Brandon not pictured. Retirement living Starting a new chapter in your life? Are you or a relative or friend thinking of moving or down-sizing? We have a range of affordable housing options at 23 locations, ideal for older residents who value their Interested? independence. These include one bedroom self-contained To find out more about our retirement living flats, studio apartments and larger two bedroom homes. options and see a short video visit Each site has attractive communal facilities and outdoor www.incommunities.co/uk/retirement-living gardens or patio seating areas. or ring us now on 01274 254545. Residents are also supported by a dedicated Retirement Housing Officer and have the assurance of being linked to our 24-7 Trustcare mobile response service. IMPROVING LIVES INCOMMUNITIES 13 Building new homes fit for the 21st century We are on track to build over 1000 new affordable homes by 2025. Across the city scores of homes are taking shape Angela Perry, Incommunities Assistant Chief on the site of outdated housing. Executive, Asset Management said: “We are determined to regenerate more of our former Amongst the latest developments, is family sized housing sites and turn them into attractive new living in Manningham and Thornbury as we target homes fit for the needs of the 21st century. completing 250 rented homes over the next two years. “Many of the new homes we are building will be released for rent but we also recognise that we Our new Asset Management plan outlines need to offer greater choice for people wanting exciting plans to deliver another 3000 homes to get on the housing ladder such as shared beyond 2025. ownership and rent to buy options.”
New homes at Idle Turning around our lettings We have transformed our lettings In the coming year we aim cut the turnaround period to 27 days. performance and continue to make savings for the business. Letting times by property type
During the last quarter (April – June) we re-let 400 378 120 600 properties which took an average of 34 days 350 to complete. That’s an improvement of 3 days on 100 300
the same period last year and has brought us 80 let to days savings of over £24,000. 250 200 60 At the start of 2018, it was taking us 71 days on 147 150 average to re-let a home. 40 100 number of properties of number 49 The best performing property types to let are flats 20 50 15 and houses whilst bedsits and one bedroom flats 11 0 0 continue to be the most difficult to find tenants for. BEDSIT BU GALOW FLAT HOUSE MAISO