Neighbourhood Issue 9: Spring 2020
MattersNeighbourhood Issue 9: Spring 2020
Your safety is our priority
La Ciotat communal room transformed
Queen’s Square refurbishment complete
Garden Competition 2020 is now open Hello... I have been with Homes in Sedgemoor for Bridgwater Central almost 5 months and have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the organisation, Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge, getting to know our fantastic staff and talking Brean and Berrow to you, our customers.
Cheddar, Axbridge and Thank you to everyone I have running has taken longer than North Sedgemoor Villages spoken to, your comments planned and we are still about the organisation were ironing out some issues around very positive and where customer service. Once these Hamp, North Petherton and things could be improved, have been resolved, I hope the South Bridgwater Villages you pointed this out to me. service will be slick with Highlights for me in recent minimal inconvenience to you. weeks were joining our I also want us to review the La Ciotat House community engagement team choices we offer you for and customers at the Cheddar kitchens and bathrooms. Christmas party, joining Laura What we do in the future will from our lettings team and Mrs form part of my work with the Sydenham and the Levels Solomon at a viewing of a very Board of Homes in Sedgemoor nice bungalow, joining for part of the Same Day Repairs Woolavington, Puriton and Customer Scrutiny Day and, Polden & Parrett Villages finally, hearing about proposed changes to our services at a sheltered housing consultation Corporate News event at Dunwear House. I also enjoyed spending a couple of hours working in the lounge at General Higgins House where I was made to feel very welcome. ‘Back at the office’ I have met with most of our maintenance contractors and have joined our surveying team inspecting new kitchen and bathroom installations. In the last 6 months we have started two new Resource Reg. No. 2110 contracts for works like these and other things like roofs. Getting these contracts up and
2 to agree a new strategy for the organisation that will take us up Bridgwater Central to 2023. The Board has a key part in setting this strategy and it is great that a third of the Board (3 persons) is made up of customers to ensure that your voice is heard at the top table. The strategy needs to set our objectives for the next three years and a clear path to achieve them. These are very important for your safety so please do respond Lastly, I wanted to say that your to the letters so that we can safety in our homes is our undertake the checks. As part of number one priority and I have this wider safety work the Fire spent a significant amount of my Brigade held a simulation VPCC first five months understanding exercise at Westfield House what we do and how we can to help train their firefighters make our homes even safer. for a potential fire in a high Hampers You may well receive requests rise building. This kind of from us to visit you and exercise is very worthwhile We supported Haygrove undertake things like gas and and I hope something that School students to electrical safety checks. we repeat in other areas. create hampers Thank you to everyone who is involved and sorry for any for Victoria Park inconvenience caused. Community Centre. I very much look forward to Chilton Trinity School also got meeting more of you in the involved after Haygrove SENCO coming months and to Mr Handel introduced the working with our great team initiative to them a few years of staff to provide the services ago. Students and staff from that you want. both schools went above and beyond to make some brilliant hampers which were filled with generous donations such as Peter blankets, foods, toys, books, clothes, DVDs and much more. Peter Hatch With the help of Year 9 Chief Executive Haygrove students, the hampers were loaded onto a kindly donated Falcon Vehicle Solutions van and Your New Neighbourhood Matters taken to Victoria Park Community Centre in You may notice that your Neighbourhood Matters looks a bit Bridgwater, where the students different. We have consolidated the ten local versions of your old then helped volunteers sort newsletter into this new-look, thicker edition, but without losing any through the donations. of your community news. We’ve gone from ten, 4-page newsletters, The organisations that to one, 16-page newsletter, filled with interesting news, photos, benefited from these generous information, and not forgetting, your favourite word search. donations to the community You’ll receive your new Neighbourhood Matters three times a year, were Foodbank Bridgwater, and between newsletters, we’ll keep our social media platforms and Bridgwater Salvation Army, website brimming with news and events. We are really excited about Homes in Sedgemoor and your new Neighbourhood Matters, and we hope you love it! Headway Somerset.
Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 3 Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge, Brean and Berrow
Scam Awareness After customers reported different scams across Sedgemoor, Angi, Community Enabler, arranged a series of scam awareness presentations, educating people on scams and sharing helpful tips of what to look out for and what to do if you are a victim of a scam. If you feel you have been receiving scam or nuisance calls, you can ask your telephone line provider to set up a call blocker advised by Trading Standards. You can also report them to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, and register with the Telephone Preference Service on 0345 070 0707 to Queen’s Square help prevent unwanted calls. Don’t forget, if you have uninvited strangers at your door asking to check your home, let Refurbishment the local police know on 101. work. During the project, we also For more information on We’ve been busy scams presentations, call the improving the block of replaced the roof and removed several redundant chimneys. Community Enabler team on flats at Queen’s Square, 0800 585 360. Highbridge. To complete the modernisation, we pointed all the brickwork, The front and sides of the repaired and replaced the building were suffering from damaged concrete lintels and stress related issues which replaced the windows, bringing required some major structural life back into the building.
More Parking in Highbridge We hope you love the extra Did you car parking spaces at Kiln Drive, Highbridge, which know... were created following the 29 customers attended our extension of the existing car scam presentation park, by Alun Griffiths Ltd.
4 Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 Cheddar, Axbridge and Penn Close North Sedgemoor Villages Refurbishment Penn Close communal hall is a hive of activity during the week, with a number of activities going on, including coffee mornings, bingo and Flexercise. But over time, the carpet, which was a Cheddar Valley Foodbank light beige, became stained. Laura, Community Enabler, visited the Cheddar Valley Residents asked Sue, Homecheck organised for MD to replace a Foodbank and donated some Coordinator, if they could have stained worktop. toiletries to replace some of the carpet cleaned. But the The residents had to give up the stolen items, following a carpet was too badly marked, their activities in the hall for break-in in December. so Sue organised to have a new the week, while staff emptied carpet laid. the hall and the carpet was Antisocial Behaviour Sue took some samples up to the laid and then the furniture in the Community coffee morning, so residents was returned. Residents have Our Neighbourhood Team could choose the colour, and they since said they are thrilled is working with partners to chose a lovely ruby red. Sue also with the result. address instances of antisocial behaviour where we can. Although these are really difficult times, all residents are asked to be respectful of their neighbours and keep their noise to a minimum - it’s worth remembering not everyone likes your taste in music or wants to hear you sing at the top of your voice! We are also aware that home isn’t a safe place for some. If you have concerns about your own safety, that of a neighbour or child please let us know or contact one of the other key organisations. Your actions could save a life. Thank You Did you Thank you to everyone who attended our annual Christmas celebrations at Victoria Park Community Centre, Webbington know... Hotel and YMCA George William Centre. 108 customers We can issue Foodbank attended across the three celebrations from a range of vouchers via our Customer locations across Sedgemoor. Services Team.
Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 5 Hamp, North Petherton and South Bridgwater Villages
Same Day Repair Scrutiny The HiS Scrutiny Group joined us at the lovely Canalside Conference Centre in Bridgwater to look at our Same Day Repair service. We are proud to offer an award winning service and it is important to us that we work together with customers to continually improve our services. The group, who are all HiS customers, supported by Jane Eyles, Tpas (Tenant Engagement Litter Pick Experts) Associate looked at what works well and what not While we were out and about for our regular so well and have made a few recommendations that we will Walkabout, we also teamed up with Together Team look to implement over the South, Sedgemoor District Council, councillors and coming months. various community members to hold a litter pick. The group will work alongside us to test the improvements Despite almost being blown away by the wind, we all managed to and we will update you fill several bags of rubbish from all over the estate. throughout the process. If you would like to be involved in the scrutiny group please contact community.engagement@ New Homes in Highbridge homesinsedgemoor.org or phone Customer Services and ask for We are really excited to be the Community Enabler team. taking on seven new homes The group meets a few times a at the former Highbridge year and you can benefit from library site, following training opportunities, meeting refurbishment and new people, learning more remodelling of the old offices. about Homes in Sedgemoor’s Peter Hatch, Chief Executive, processes and, most importantly, attended the handing over of Housing Development help us improve the service for the new homes at Alpha Strategy and delivery customers from a customer’s House, Market Street, programme that is being point of view. We cover all out- with Councillor Peter Clayton, undertaken by Sedgemoor of-pocket expenses, all you need Burnham-on-Sea and District Council. to do is give a little of your time. Highbridge Town Council The new homes will be Chairman, builders Ken Biggs advertised through the Construction and senior countywide choice based council officials. lettings scheme HomeFinder These new homes are the Somerset and available to start of a new and ambitious local people.
6 Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 Residents’ La Ciotat House First Floor Association Communal Lounge In the December newsletter we told you we had been working to refurbish the first floor Meetings communal lounge. This work is now complete and the space is The La Ciotat Residents’ Association meets transformed. If you would like to use the communal room for regularly to talk about where they live. any activities, please contact the Community Enabler team This is a good opportunity to communal lounge, have been who can arrange this and meet your neighbours and talk temporarily postponed. support you if needed. You can about things happening on your Information about the meetings call us on 0800 585 360. door step. The residents’ will be posted on the notice association supports people to board when they restart. Changes to Free get together and join in with TV Licences their community. We have been made aware that As a result of the residents’ the free TV Licence scheme for association, people have also the over 75s will be replaced been taking part in regular litter this year. picks. The litter picks happen on the Saturday after the residents’ Currently, it is free for anyone to association meeting, people are have a TV licence if you are over welcome to join in and give as the age of 75. much or little time as they can But soon people will only be afford to give. Extra pairs of eligible for a free TV Licence if hands are always welcome. they are aged over 75 and Unfortunately, due to the receive pension credit. current Coronavirus pandemic, If you don’t receive pension the meetings, which are held on credit, you will have to pay for the last Thursday of the month a TV Licence. at 6.30pm, in the first floor If someone in your household receives pension credit and are over 75, the household will still New Door be eligible for a free TV Licence. Entry System
Customers at La Ciotat House said they’d like more security in the building and communal areas. So, we are upgrading the door Please contact entry systems and added fob TV Licensing access to both the lounges and for more laundry. Fobs are colour coded information and can be deleted if lost.
Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 7 Coronavirus Information
Coronavirus Support To support all customers and the wider community, we are continuing to monitor information and adhering to advice surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak and provide the latest advice from Central Government, Public Health England and Public Health colleagues. The situation is changing day by day but we are working closely with our contractors and other key partners to Keeping in Touch develop plans for ensuring the highest priority services are maintained. Staff across the organisation have been busy calling customers since the country went into lockdown to For the latest news and information about how our check on their welfare and ensure they have support. services are affected, contact the Customer Services As we have over 4,000 to look out for your neighbours Team on 0800 585 360, households, we firstly and remember to be aware of visit our website at concentrated on our customers scams. If you are in doubt or www.homesinsedgemoor.org, over 70 years of age and those something doesn’t seem quite or check our social media who we know are vulnerable and right please do not hesitate to platforms. most in need. contact us on 0800 585 360 or We then offered repeat calls customer.services@ A single phone number is homesinsedgemoor.org.” available for anyone in where necessary. Somerset who needs We’ve had some great feedback David - Member of HiS Board Coronavirus-related support from you about these calls, and and Customer: from their councils. are pleased we could help! “Thank you for contacting me, The Somerset Coronavirus Lindsey - Neighbourhood and your advice re possible Support Helpline number, Manager: shopping assistance, and the 0300 790 6275, will make it link to the various shops easier for people to access any “This is a new way of working for offering a range of services. local authority help they may Homes in Sedgemoor and the It is much appreciated. Be safe need, including emotional team has shown such and take care.” support, in the current crisis. commitment to making welfare calls to all customers over the Mo - Customer Services The new number won’t cover age of 70 and those that are Assistant: medical advice, for which most vulnerable. We will “Nearly everyone who I spoke people will need to continue continue to offer support and to said how nice it was that to use the 111 NHS online signpost to ensure that all we had called and were service and only ring 111 if customers receive the help that grateful for being thought they cannot get help online. is available. Please all continue of by us.”
8 Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 Paying Your Coronavirus Information Rent Make Yourself Heard We appreciate that some of our customers may be struggling to pay their rent due to absence from HELP work because of sickness or self-isolation during this Coronavirus outbreak and as a result may have reduced household income.
Our fantastic team of Income evicting anyone for rent arrears Officers is available to address for the next 3 months. any questions or queries you It is still very important you may have Monday to Friday, keep us updated with your 9am to 5pm. circumstances so we can note To help with the impact of this on your rent account. If you are in danger and need reduced income, our team will be The Government has also the police, but can’t speak, happy to make an affordable relaxed some conditions for follow these steps: arrangement to help you pay claiming some benefits. your rent now and going forward. 1. Dial 999. You could be entitled to help 2. Listen to the questions We can also signpost you to with your rent, council tax from the 999 operator. specialist organisations like and living costs; even if you Citizens Advice Sedgemoor for have previously tried to claim 3. Respond by coughing budgeting help. benefits but weren’t eligible, or tapping the handset if To contact your Income Officer, working still or already you can. please call 0800 585360. claiming benefit. 4. If prompted, press 55. We will continue to follow To see if you are entitled to help, This lets the 999 call our arrears recovery process check on the gov.uk website operator know it’s a genuine but we will be following or contact your local Job emergency and you’ll be put Government policy of not Centre Plus. through to the police. Support We understand that these are uncertain times, and for some, it is very worrying. Coronavirus is changing the way we live our lives, and this may effect your mental and physical health. It is really important to ask for help when it is needed. We have put together a list on our website www.homesinsedgemoor.org of just some of the different support organisations who are ready to help.
Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 9 Sydenham and the Levels
Sydenham Improvement Group Sydenham Improvement Group is a local resident group which is keen to make positive changes to the Sydenham community. Members of the group work closely with local businesses, the Community Centre, Homes in Sedgemoor, the Together Team and Sedgemoor District Council to try and make Sydenham a better informed community with a sense of community pride. If you would like to get involved, contact Health Walks Lewis Hayes via email at [email protected] Redgate Medical Centre and Somerset Bridge Medical Centre host Health Walks Multi-agency Meetings on alternate weeks. Jemma, the Neighbourhood This photo was taken before the walks were Officer for Sydenham, suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak. will hold regular multi-agency The walks are held every Wednesday, beat surgeries with the local at 12.30pm. police team when deemed safe by the Government. To find out when the walks will restart, Jemma will join the local PCSO and for more information, call 01278 at The Hub, Sydenham and 454560 for Redgate Medical customers will be able to talk Centre, and 01278 411520 to Jemma, and raise any issues for Somerset Bridge or concerns. Medical Centre. We will advertise the dates of the meetings on our website, so keep your eyes peeled. Going Green
As we continue to look at ways to go Did you greener as an organisation, we are offering a new opt-in option for know... customers who’d like to receive a digital Sydenham Improvement version of their newsletter. If you’d Group has planted 10 trees prefer to have your Neighbourhood in the community Matters emailed to you, let our Customer Services Team know via email!
10 Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 How to Keep Fire Evacuation Communal Spaces Safe If you live in a block, with a communal hall, this area is Training Exercise now inaccessible. The decision to close these communal spaces comes Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service after the government’s announcement that people worked in partnership with us and Sedgemoor should not gather in groups District Council to undertake an emergency training larger than two. exercise at a high-rise block of flats in Bridgwater, We need you to help us by keeping yourselves and your in February. neighbours safe, and so we ask that you be extra vigilant, and The joint initiative, involving a For more information about the undertake to do the following: live fire evacuation and simulated training exercise, and the reason ➤ Do not store or place items balcony evacuations, was held behind it, visit our website at in the communal areas that at Westfield House, West Street, www.homesinsedgemoor.org. are either combustible, or a 10-storey tower block block escape routes, these containing 60 flats. should remain sterile areas. Around six fire appliances ➤ Check all the alarms attended the training exercise, within your own flat on a including a high rise ladder unit weekly basis. which was deployed to validate ➤ In the event of a fire alarm that a full frontal balcony sounding, you should follow evacuation could be undertaken. existing procedures (which The training exercise was very are displayed in your block) successful, and we were really and which may include pleased with the communication evacuating the building if between everyone involved. told to do so, even if you have been advised to Thank you to all our customers self-isolate. who assisted with the exercise. ➤ Do not be tempted to undertake any DIY works on any part of your home. ➤ With the warmer weather Gas Safety Checks now on the way, please run any infrequently used taps / Gas safety checks are a legal requirement, and it is important showers for at least Liberty’s operatives are able to enter your property to carry these 2-minutes once a week to out when required. reduce the risk of bacterial build up. We know that some customers may be worried about the ➤ If you smell gas or are Covid-19 outbreak, but please be assured that your safety is very worried about gas safety, important to us and we are taking comprehensive measures to you can call the National protect you and your family during these checks. Grid on 0800 111 999 at If you have any concerns about your upcoming gas safety check, any time, day or night. please contact Customer Services on 0800 585 360. ➤ Do not overload plugs as this is a fire risk.
Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 11 Woolavington, Puriton and Polden & Parrett Villages
Food Hygiene Courses Members of local community groups had the opportunity to gain a level 2 certification in Food Hygiene to help support the groups they run. Signage and Fencing Woolavington We’ve been busy in Woolavington helping to improve the fencing and and Puriton signage. New fencing and a new road sign have been installed at Sedgemoor Way. Dream Scheme We hope the new fencing stops cars parking on the grass verge. The Dream Scheme members have been busy in their local community helping to plant daffodil bulbs outside the village hall in Woolavington. Watch out for them popping up for spring!
8-14 year olds in Woolavington and Puriton are able to join the Dream Scheme project where they can get involved in their community and earn points to gain rewards such as trips to amusement parks. If you would like to volunteer with the Dream Scheme, please get in touch as there are still some voluntary roles up for grabs.
12 Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 Walkabouts We hold regular Walkabouts throughout Sedgemoor to identify areas in your community in need of improvement. We work closely with other organisations, including Clean Surroundings and Sedgemoor District Council, to tackle any issues raised during the Walkabouts.
This winter, we’ve been out in Highbridge, Sydenham, Woolavington and West Street, Bridgwater, looking for any areas of improvement including fly-tipping, untidy gardens and repairs. We spotted a number of repairs, including blocked drains and worn out flooring, and fly-tipping incidents in several of the communities, and we have already worked hard to improve this. During our Walkabouts, we saw almost 40 untidy gardens, In the meantime, we are including 34 in Sydenham. relying on you to be our We have been in contact with eyes and ears. customers, to help support them to improve this. If you spot something in your community, such as Unfortunately, due to the fly-tipping, call our Coronavirus pandemic, we have Customer Services Team had to cancel our Walkabouts for on 0800 585 360 or email the foreseeable future. customer.services@ However, we will restart our homesinsedgemoor.org and Walkabouts as soon as we will do everything within our safely possible. power to improve the issue.
Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 13 Saving for Christmas Christmas may seem like a long time ago, but now is the time to start planning for Christmas 2020. Your rent free weeks for Christmas 2020 are December 14 and December 21, 2020. In order for you to fully benefit with the rent free period, you need to have a clear rent account with no arrears. Monthly payers have the rent free weeks calculated in their monthly payment due. If you need support or advice with paying your rent, please call your Income Officer on 0800 585360 and they will be happy to help or refer you to a partner agency if applicable. Tip: Why not start saving for Christmas 2020 now? • If you claim Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit, Food, Fun you may be able to take advantage of the government saving offer, Help to Save. It pays 50% tax free bonus and Families worth up to £1,200. For more information or to apply, We’ve been busy working with a number visit gov.uk/helptosave of different organisations to put on cooking • West Country Savings & Loans are a local community classes in Highbridge and Hamp. credit union which offers instant access savings We teamed up with Zing Coming Soon... account or Christmas Somerset, LiveWest, Burnham We are hoping to run more Food, savings schemes with and Highbridge Together Fun and Families sessions with annual interest. For more Team and Together Team South Sydenham Improvement Group information or to apply, visit to run the educational Food, for children (aged 5 and above) westcountrysavingsandloans. Fun and Families sessions, and parents/carers to take part in org.uk or call 01275 390650 which promote cooking together when it is safe to do so. affordable and nutritious meals. The sessions also include The sessions will be held at discussions and activities The Hub, Fairfax Road. covering different aspects For more information, or to find of nutrition, including the out when the sessions will start importance of variety in your running again, contact Sharon, diet and awareness of sugar Community Enabler, via Customer and salt content. Services, on 0800 585 360.
14 Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 Garden Competition
Calling all green fingered customers! It’s that time of year again when we are on the hunt for the best gardens in Sedgemoor. You could get £150 worth of vouchers if you win the Homes in Sedgemoor Garden Competition 2020, so don’t forget to enter! This year’s criteria is: Horticultural Achievement Design, colours, appropriate choice of plants, special features, presentation innovation, quality and sustainability. Environmental Responsibility Recycling, minimising demand placed on natural resources and any negative or positive impact on the environment, wildlife areas and natural habitat. To enter, call Customer Services on 0800 585 360, email community.engagement@ homesinssedgemoor.org or message us on Facebook. Prizes
The closing date for the competition is Wednesday, June 24, and judging will take £150 £75 £50 place on Monday, July 6 and voucher voucher voucher Tuesday, July 7.
Customer Panel
Are you a resident in Sedgemoor and would like to be involved in shaping services, give feedback on your experiences and help shape improvements? Sedgemoor District Council is looking for residents to join its panel of customers to understand their experience and needs with the council and support a greater experience for the future. To get involved, visit www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/customerpanel or call 0300 303 7800.
Neighbourhood Matters Issue 9: Spring 2020 15 Puzzle Time! £25 Enter our Spring wordsearch. VOUCHER Find all 10 words from the list, then return it along with the up for completed entry form. grabs!
S B H M A B U W B Y U U E A O G U J U P BLOSSOM LAMBS BULBS SHOWERS C N O A T S I L O A BUNNY TADPOLES CROCUS THAW O N X H A C S H B C DAFFODIL R Y A I D K H O V S HATCHING C W V M P C K I L G D A F F O D I L N B U T C K L A M B S G Z N S R E W O H S V Please complete your details for a chance of winning a £25 voucher. N A I Z S K N R M K Send your completed entry form to: Homes in Sedgemoor, Name:...... Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater TA6 3AR, email Address:...... customer.services@ homesinsedgemoor.org or ...... message us on Facebook. Telephone:...... Closing date: Monday, May 18.
Congratulations Congratulations To Mrs Wynn, who has won £50 To Mrs Wilson, of Bridgwater, Mrs Shorthouse, worth of Love to Shop vouchers for of Woolavington, and Mr and Ms Burton, of Highbridge, taking part in the Star Survey! who all won the winter competition.
HomesinSedgemoor @HomesSedgemoor
www.homesinsedgemoor.org 0800 585 360 / 01278 552400
Homes in Sedgemoor, Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater TA6 3AR