The magazine for North Kesteven District Council tenants SUMMER 2018 Summer neighbour tips and keeping cool advice Summer can a be a diffcult time for some p14 so we have some tips and advice to help Search Facebook for “NKDC Housing” 05 is your magazine WELCOME CONTENTS 04 Mileage for life 04 Right to buy Training course that provides 04 guidance for senior drivers 05 Updated information online 05 Universal credit update 06 Good neighbour this summer 07 Keeping cool in summer 08 Walking football Walking football to help 08 people get fit and active 10 Day in the Life 12 Community Champions 13 Nominations form 14 What’s on this summer Things to do this summer Produced in consultation with tenant representatives. 14 holiday season At Home is produced by North Kesteven District Council. DAY IN THE LIFE WITH MILLIE DANIELS Carpenter Apprentice Millie starting a career in 10 the construction industry This document is available in large print, braille, audio tape, electronic formats such as CD, or in a different language. Our website is ReadSpeaker enabled. For a copy contact Community Engagement on 01529 414155 or email [email protected] 3 NK News MILEAGE FOR LIFE Mileage for Life is a training Lincoln, Market course that provides guidance for Deeping, Grantham senior drivers, giving a refresher and Skegness. to those who want to continue to drive safely into later life. The practical element is arranged for a A theory and practical course, mutually-convenient it is free for the over 60s and date by a qualified the theory session focuses driving instructor on things like changes in and isn’t a driving regulation and legislation, new test. The session is signage and driving styles, tailored to address eyesight and judgement, areas of concern for each more relaxed to help extend their restrictions in physical movement individual, helping them to build driving career beyond the point and driver confidence. confidence around specific they may have thought possible. aspects of their driving. Courses are available in For further information, email Sleaford, Woodhall Spa, It is an opportunity for senior BS_LRSP_Lincoln@lincolnshire. Pinchbeck, Boston, Swineshead, drivers to become safer and gov.uk or call 01522 805800. NK News RIGHT TO BUY KEEPING IT LOCAL Following Government approval parts of North Kesteven have been designated as a Rural Area within the terms of the Housing Act 1985. This new status will protect the Council’s housing stock for use by people with a local connection and assist in providing affordable homes to local people. In the parishes within the buyers when these homes are prior to purchase, within the North Rural Area, where Right to Buy re-sold on the open market. Kesteven District Council area. Applications are submitted after 1 July 2018 and the These properties will have to be Full details of the Right to homes are subsequently sold to someone who has lived Buy Scheme and the Rural purchased, different criteria or worked, or a combination of Designation (RTB) Policy can be will be applied to prospective both, for three years immediately found at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk 4 NK News UPDATED INFORMATION ONLINE We’ve recently gone live with a new look for our website’s Housing pages. We’ve grouped the pages in a way that makes more sense and condensed the information so that you can find what you are searching for more quickly and easily. The pages can be accessed at www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/residents/homes-and-property Any feedback on the chnages would be appreciated, and will be be shared with our web team. Email [email protected] NK News UNIVERSAL CREDIT UPDATE Universal Credit has been rolled It is paid as a single monthly Benefits replaced by out in full in parts of the District, payment, directly to the person’s Universal Credit are: with the remaining areas due to bank account. It is being rolled go live by the end of the year. out across Job Centre areas. • Child Tax Credits Lincoln and Newark have already • Working Tax Credits It’s a benefit for working gone live. Boston is due in • Housing Benefit age people that replaces a September, and Sleaford will number of existing benefits move over in November this year. • Income Support and tax credits; the amount • Income Based someone gets depends on To get ready for Universal Jobseekers Allowance their circumstances and how Credit you need to have much money they have coming in place a bank account • Income-related in, from other sources. and an email address. Employment Support Allowance NKDC has a dedicated Support Team to assist with making and maintaining a claim, as well as offering advice. Contact them by calling 01522 873592 or emailing [email protected] NKDC Tenants can also contact Neighbourhood Services for further information on 01529 414155. 5 BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOUR THIS SUMMER Summer is a wonderful time of the year, but unfortunately, it can be difficult for some. If only we all liked the same We all make noise but awareness Try not to: sounds - and at the same time is the key to making sure your - life would be so much simpler. noise is not a problem for others. • Carry out noisy DIY at night But we don’t. When it comes Are you a good neighbour? or early in the morning. to the everyday sounds of a If you are planning DIY busy neighbourhood, we have Things you can do: work at the weekend let different lifestyles, different your neighbour know tastes and different tolerances. • Warn neighbours if you are beforehand and try to keep having a party and finish at the noise down. Remember What’s music to your ears could an agreed time - remember - drilling and hammering well be ‘that awful row’ to your to keep the noise down can be very annoying neighbour; nocturnal vacuuming particularly after 11pm • Play music or have the may suit your lifestyles, but • Wear slippers or soft shoes television on too loud it’s giving the person in the flat if your floor is someone’s • Take a radio or below sleepless nights; and ceiling, especially if you have speakers outside your dog barking after you’ve a wood or laminate floor • Slam the doors if you left for work is slowly driving the • Lay carpets and hang curtains come home late young mother next door crazy. - they help to absorb sound • Use domestic appliances • Try to position speakers and - such as the vacuum washing machines away cleaner or washing from neighbours’ walls machine - late at night • Try to make sure your children • Shout or use raised don’t disturb other people voices - your neighbours don’t need to hear you • Let your children play too noisily. No jumping on the floor • Sound car horns or rev engines, especially at night Remember: • Low frequency noise travels further than high frequency noise. If you are able, adjust the bass settings down on your music system • Keeping doors and windows shut will help contain any noise 6 KEEPING COOL IN SUMMER We’ve already had some really • Drink cold drinks regularly, hot weather this summer, such as water and diluted fruit and we could get some more juice. Avoid excess alcohol, before the season is over. caffeine (tea, coffee and cola) or drinks high in sugar. It’s important to keep cool and hydrated so that you • Listen to alerts on the don’t end up with heat radio, TV and social media exhaustion or heat stroke. about keeping cool. The NHS has the following advice • Plan ahead to make sure for staying cool in the summer: you have enough supplies, such as food, water and any • Shut windows and pull medications you need. down the shades when it is hotter outside. You • Identify the coolest room can open the windows for in the house so you know ventilation when it is cooler. where to go to keep cool. • Avoid the heat: stay out of • Wear loose, cool clothing, the sun and don’t go out and a hat and sunglasses between 11am and 3pm if you go outdoors. (the hottest part of the day) if you’re vulnerable • Check up on friends, to the effects of heat. relatives and neighbours who may be less able to • Keep rooms cool by using look after themselves. shades or reflective material outside the windows. If If you have any pets, they this isn’t possible, use need to be kept cool too, light-coloured curtains and keep them closed (metallic Don’t walk dogs during the blinds and dark curtains can hottest part of the day and make make the room hotter). sure all animals have access to cold water. Use ice cubes • Have cool baths or showers, if necessary to keep it cold. and splash yourself with cool water. 7 IT’S WALKING, BUT IT’S ALSO FOOTBALL! Walking football has become increasingly popular and is exactly what it sounds like – a standard game of football where players walk instead of run It’s designed to help people get fit Closer to home we have opportunities for players to play or maintain an active lifestyle no Better Gyms in Sleaford and in friendly matches against other matter what their age and fitness, North Hykeham, where weekly like-minded groups, such as as well as support people getting sessions take place. Victoria Welton, Gainsborough and more.” back into the sport if they have Chapman, NK Sport and Physical given it up due to age or injury.