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Official Newsletter of ISSUE 4 2011 Cynon Taf Housing Group COMMUNITY WELLBEING COACH themselves, their families and their community lead a healthier and happier lifestyle. Stephanie Richards, an enthusiastic 17 year old from , Mountain Ash has found her time BE PART OF THE with Amanda a worth while CONVERSATION. experience indeed. DON’T MISS A TWEET. Stephanie told us what she thought of having this free CYNON Taf Community AMANDA Bishop, a facility through Cynon Taf Housing Group have Community Well Being coach Community Housing Group; taken a leap into the 21st joined us in October with one “I think it is giving people century! aim – to improve the lives of a great opportunity to access We now have Twitter people within the community. services and participate in and Facebook accounts What is a Community activities they wouldn’t have live and want you to join in Wellbeing Coach and what had the chance to before.” the conversation. Access can they do for you? If you would like to contact information any day, any Our coach is available in Amanda and find out how she time, any place by going your local area and can help can support you and start your online now. with all aspects of your life. journey to a positive change Whether you need support, in your life, please email on guidance or advice –Amanda [email protected] or can help. call on 01443 743227 or for Whether you want to give more information go to www. Become a fan up smoking, incorporate communitywellbeingcoaches. www.facebook.com/ a healthy diet and more com CTCHG exercise into daily routine, build confidence and self esteem, Amanda can assist clients to take a positive step towards a better future. Follow us Through various ways of @CynonTafHousing. learning and training clients can feel they are helping

Delivering quality housing services, locally CHANGES IN TENANT SERVICES IN order to improve our service we have made some changes in our Tenant Services Section. We have four Area Housing Officers covering geographical areas and one Housing Officer covering sheltered and supported housing. We also have three Housing Assistants providing administrative support.

Angharad Rogers is the Housing Officer for , , , Penrhiwceiber, , , Rhydfelin, Taffs Well, , Rachel Dent is the Housing Officer for , , , , Graig, , , , Mountain Ash, , , Tynant,

Bethan Hopes is the Housing Assistant for Angharad Rogers and Rachel Dent. You can contact Bethan directly on 01443 743249

Tracey Huish is the Housing Officer for , , , , Godreaman, Matthewstown, ,

TENANT SURVEY Ann Thomas is the Housing Officer for THANKS to all of you who , , , , took the time to complete Gadlys, , Landare, , the recent survey. All Penderyn, the returned forms were entered into a prize draw, Melanie Hawkins is the Housing Assistant the 5 lucky winners of the for Tracey Huish and Ann Thomas. You can £100 prizes are: contact Melanie directly on 01443 743248 • Ms D Gibbs, Trecynon • Mr & Mrs Evans, Cefnpennar Kerri Hunt is the Sheltered and Supported Housing • Mrs K Williams, Officer covering our sheltered schemes at Pen Llew Penrhiwceiber Court Trecynon, Cwrt Alun Lewis Cwmaman, Llandewi • Mr A James, Taffs Well Court and Commerce Place Aberaman, Gower Davies Court Ynysybwl and Maesyfelin Rhydfelin. Kerri is also • Mrs L Evans, Miskin, responsible for supported housing in Abercwmboi, Mountain Ash Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, , Trallwn, Trecynon and Treforest Please see the overview of the tenant satisfaction survey results enclosed Lisa Evans is the Senior Housing Assistant with this newsletter. and provides administrative support for Kerri Hunt. You can contact Lisa directly on 01443 743233

Delivering quality housing services, locally Group as our new interesting. Helping tenants receptionist in July and visitors at the office is this year, and some of very rewarding and I have you may have already thoroughly enjoyed getting spoken with her over involved with preparations for the telephone or in board meetings and this year’s person at our offices. Annual General Meeting. We borrowed her for a short interview and Would you recommend got to know her a little becoming an employee of better. CTCHG to job hunters? Absolutely! Everyone here has Are you enjoying your been friendly and helpful and new role at Cynon Taf I feel very well supported in Community Housing my role. Group? OUR NEW Yes, very much so. Members Here are 5 facts about our new RECEPTIONIST of staff here have been receptionist! incredibly welcoming and my l I’m a real bookworm and my RACHEL Cryer joined Cynon new role involves many varied favourite book of all time is Taf Community Housing tasks so it has proved really Pride and Prejudice l I have an adorable Jack Russell Terrier named Fry HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE HOUSING (after Stephen Fry who is my ALLOCATION SCHEME CONSULTATION hero!) l My fiancé and I have a red AS many of you may know, Volkswagen T4 Campervan since April 2011 the Council l I’m a vegan has had the responsibility of l I never miss an episode of maintaining the waiting list University Challenge! for people who want to apply for social housing owned by Housing Associations in Cynon Taf. This waiting list is called REPAIRS NEWS the Common Housing Register and this is because We have reviewed the way more than one Housing we collect information about Association uses it to how satisfied you are with the allocate their homes. At housing in the Borough and repairs carried out in your the moment the Council provide a simpler way for home. You told us you would uses a points based system people to apply for housing. prefer to have a telephone call to assess applications for For more information to check if you are happy with social housing in Rhondda and to take part in the repairs carried out rather Cynon Taf and this is called consultation (closing than fill in a form. Our Tenant an Allocation Scheme. date 12th December Assessment Team and our The Council wants to make 2011) please click - www. Repairs Team have already changes to the Allocation rhonddacynontafhousing. started to contact a number Scheme to make the service co.uk Or you can contact the of you who have had repairs for applicants better, provide Housing Solutions Team on completed to check what you more information about 01443 487997 felt about the service you have received. They could be ringing you soon.

Delivering quality housing services, locally “We are very pleased that our pupils could contribute to this calendar. The children are excited at the thought that their pictures will go to so many homes and families and will be viewed for a whole year! Thank you for the opportunity.”

Cyn n Taf C mmunity

delivering quality housing services, locally KIDS GET CREATIVE FOR CALENDAR darparu’n lleol gwasanaethau tai o ansawdd uchel H using Gr up A SMALL class at out to all our tenants just Pengeulan Primary School, before Christmas. A copy is Penrhiwceiber have released enclosed with this issue of Calendar 2012 Unit 4 Navigation Park, Abercynon, Mountain Ash, CF45 4SN WE WOULD LIKE TO Tel: 0345 2602633 THANK THE CHILDREN Visit: www.cynon-taf.org.ukEmail: [email protected] OF YEAR 2 AT PENGEULAN PRIMARY SCHOOL their artistic flair for Cynon our newsletter FOR PROVIDING THE PAINTINGS FOR OUR Taf Community Housing Mr Paul Morgan, the CALENDAR Group. Head Teacher of Pengeulan Miss Jones’s class of Year Primary School, expressed GET YOUR FREE 2 pupils have drawn pictures how pleased he was to get CALENDAR WITH that will be used to illustrate the school involved in this INFORMATION ON months of the year for the project and what it means THE YEAR AHEAD! calendar, which is given for the children;

TENANT ASSESSMENT TEAM and dedication shown by the Tenant Assessment Team and look forward to continually working with them on a range of projects in the future. If you are interested in finding out more about the Tenant Assessment Team or are interested in training to become an Assessor please contact Ann Costanza on 01443 743204 or at OUR Tenant Assessment bathrooms, windows or [email protected] Team has been working doors installed. really hard and have The information they have completed two days of gathered from our tenants telephone repair surveys. has been used to produce They have been speaking to two reports highlighting tenants who have recently what is being done well as had repair work carried well as identifying what out at their homes, or could be improved. We are recently had new kitchens, very grateful for the time

Delivering quality housing services, locally A TENANT’S STORY: MRS WILLIAMS MRS Williams’ had a Due to the poor health of My children and I are able to traumatic experience when myself and my baby, I was socialise. I am getting back on she lost someone very close able to be housed quickly and my feet. to her. She was unhappy the Group were able to give where she lived, the youths me my home in Hirwaun. What is the best thing about were aggressive and her son your new home? was too scared to go out and Do you like living in The house feels like a play. She was suffering from Hirwaun? home. I have moved 10 times depression and has now been Being in Hirwaun is perfect in my life and this is the first diagnosed with bi-polar. Since for me. After losing my Mum place I’ve ever been settled. the move, her life seems to be last Christmas I have needed The best part is I know even if on the up. Here is her story; the support of my family there was a problem with this more than ever. My sister and house, Cynon Taf would come What was it like in the house aunty always help me with and help me straight away. you used to live in? the kids, I love us being so It was awful. The problems close. What has this house given seemed to be non-stop. On you and your family? the second day of being there Has it made a difference for Living here means no more we woke up to the house the children too? stress. I was always angry and being flooded, and we had to The older boys who hung shouting, I hated the way I take the carpets up ourselves. around in the neighbourhood was. It was bringing me down. It caused weeks of disruption of the last house were But I know that the move for all of the family. horrible; they were drunk has improved all aspects of and disorderly most nights my life. Without my mother What happened next? making it a scary place to I have really struggled to do I got in touch with Cynon Taf be on times. My son was everyday things. But, slowly I Community Housing Group, afraid of going out to play. In feel I’m getting better. who I had rented off before. the new house it’s fantastic. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MR HAMILTON the end of last year. guarding high ranking German The mayor Sylvia Jones officers and listening to their attended the birthday bash, conversations. along with Antonia Forte, After the war Mr Hamilton Chief Executive of Cynon Taf worked as a barber in Community Housing Group Kingston, until he bought a who presented Mr Hamilton Barbers shop in Nelson where with a special gift and card he met his wife Susan and to mark his extraordinary raised a family. They remained birthday. in the area after his retirement Mr Hamilton was born until he and Susan moved to OUR tenant Mr Robert in Woolwich London, and Gower Davies Court over 17 Hamilton celebrated his 100th moved to Germany when years ago. They live happily birthday at Gower Davies he was just eight years old. in their newly refurbished flat Court on 7th August this year. He then retuned to England and enjoy regularly socialising Family and friends gathered as a young man to join the with other residents. for a party to celebrate with Army where he experienced Along with family and him and his wife, who have an illustrious career. During friends, all staff at Cynon Taf been married over 60 years. this time his ability to speak Community Housing Group Mrs Hamilton also celebrated fluent German was used at would like to wish Mr Hamilton her 100th birthday with us at the Nuremburg trials, whilst a very Happy Birthday!

Delivering quality housing services, locally MONEY MATTERS AS CHRISTMAS GETS NEARER, MONEY GETS TIGHTER FOR US ALL. PLEASE SEE THE INFORMATION INSERTS WITH PLENTY OF FINANCIAL ADVICE TO GET YOURSELF THROUGH THESE BUSY MONTHS AHEAD.

GET Turn your thermostat down. By reducing the SWITCHED ON room temperature by just 1˚c, you could cut your Cover pots and pans with our Top Ten Tips heating bills by 10% and when cooking – it will save around £60 a year. on Saving Energy at boil faster and use less home this winter energy.

An easy one - Always Don’t leave appliances turn the light off when plugged in when they you leave a room. are not being used. Make sure you don’t leave Open your curtains all phone chargers on and day to let the sunlight televisions on stand by. warm the room. Close the curtains at dusk to stop the heat escaping back through the windows. Check the temperature of your water. Your cylinder needs to be set at 60˚c/140˚f. No higher! When making a cup of tea only boil as much water as you need.

Fill the washing Use energy saving light Fix a leaking tap! Did you machine, tumble dryer bulbs. By replacing a and dish washers when know the water wasted standard bulb with an they are being used. Only by a dripping tap for a energy efficiency one, whole week is enough to you can save £55 in the doing half loads wastes fill the bath tub? bulbs lifetime. energy and money.

Delivering quality housing services, locally NEW OUTREACH FACILITY FOR DENTAL CARE IN THE

Hospital, funded by the Students work slowly so Welsh Assembly and run in appointments will take longer partnership between Cwm and patients will need to Taf LHB, and Vale attend several appointments. University Health Board, and However, all stages are Cardiff University School of overseen by qualified dental Dentistry. professionals and patients Dental care by can be sure they are receiving undergraduate students will a good standard of care. be available at the Primary Dental Care Unit from The Unit will benefit January 2012 with screening those who; FOLLOWING on the success for potential patients taking • Do not currently have a of its first Community Based place from late October 2011. dentist Clinical Teaching Unit at St. We are looking for patients • Are available during the David’s Hospital in Cardiff, who our student teams can day and sometimes for Cardiff Dental School is treat as part of their training. long appointments expanding its programme. The NHS treatments include: (typically 1.5 hours) Cardiff’s new Unit, • Oral Health promotion • Are able to come to multiple which is currently being • Fillings and preventative appointments built at Mountain Ash, will treatment provide 18 treatment units • Gum treatment Screening for prospective for Dental, Hygiene and • Crowns and bridgework patients is now taking place. Therapy students. The Unit • Dentures For further information, will form part of the Cynon • Root canal fillings please telephone 02920 Valley Neighbourhood 536632.

CARRY ON BOWLING!

WE would like to introduce you to six of our tenants at Gower Davies Court who got talking about their fantastic hobby. These lovely ladies enjoy nothing more than getting together, putting on their whites and playing bowls – whatever the weather. In the summer they are out on the A message from Marelyn; through boring meetings but green in the sunshine. During “The Pontypridd Ladies through something they love the cold winter weather they Indoor and Outdoor Bowling and enjoy. If you have any play at the Indoor Centre at Club would welcome any advertisements for groups, Pontypridd, or even at Gower new members. If anyone is teams or activities you would Davies communal hall. The interested please call 01443 like us to publicise, please team play bowls at least 791498. Thanks!” email Beki Lee on blee@ twice a week and get as much We want to bring our cynon-taf.org.uk or call practice as they can! tenants together, not 01443 743235.

Delivering quality housing services, locally CHRISTMASMERRY

TENANTS FORUM NEWS

NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING THE Special General Forum Secretary through signed and dated by the Meeting will be held at Ann Costanza on 01443 proposer, and seconded 10.30am on Wednesday 743204 or at acostanza@ by another member of the 11th January 2012. cynon-taf.org.uk. Forum, before they can be The purpose of the Any additional proposed considered. meeting is to vote on amendments which members Should you have any whether to accept wish to be considered will queries or require any amendments to the need to be received at additional information constitution. If you would least 14 days prior to the please contact Ann like to receive a copy of the meeting, by 20th December Costanza on the above proposed amendments and 2011 (due to the Christmas number. constitution please contact holiday break). Any proposed Alwyn Jenkins, Tenants amendments will need to be

OFFICE CLOSURE Friday 16th December 2011 the office will close at 1.00pm

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS The office will be CLOSED 1.00pm Friday 23rd December 2011 until 9.00am Tuesday 3rd January 2012

IN AN EMERGENCY RING 0345 2602633 FOR GAS HEATING REPAIRS 0800 138 0057

ALTERNATIVELY CONTACT OUR MAIN CONTRACTOR R S MITCHELL PROPERTY CARE ON 07831 299885

Published by Cynon Taf Community Housing Group, Unit 4 Navigation Park, Abercynon, Mountain Ash, CF45 4SN. Tel: 0345 2602633 Email: [email protected] Web: www.cynon-taf.org.uk An Industrial and Provident Society with Charitable Status.

Delivering quality housing services, locally