Your customer newsletter - Issue 36, February 2015

Building an affordable

Roger Phillips and Andrew Gwynne MP opening Fir Tree

Inside: Also in this issue: • 51 new homes built in Pantry opens its doors! » Page 2 Offerton’s June Young meets the PM » Page 3 • Guide to shared ownership Get involved in developing our website » Page 6 » Pages 8-9 Universal Credit extended to families » Page 10

www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes @StockportHomes Transforming Lives a week memberships available

Maureen and volunteers at Brinnington Pantry opening

An exclusive food club located in First House.

Brinnington Pantry opened its doors to customers for 9.30am – 12.30pm the first time on Monday 12 January. The pantry is Monday the second community store under Stockport Homes’ Tuesday 1.00pm – 4.00pm ‘Your Local Pantry’ umbrella, following Penny Lane Thursday 3.00pm – 6.00pm Pantry at Lancashire Hill.

Maureen Dalzell (top left), the first customer to shop at Brinnington Pantry said, “The pantry is smashing, it’s a really good idea. It will make a huge difference to me as I can now save money on my food bill.”

For just £2.50 each week local residents can become members of the pantry and access a whole range of benefits. Members can choose 10 items each week from a huge variety of groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables plus all the usual store cupboard favourites. The average shopping basket is worth more than £15 at retail value, saving members over £600 on their food bill each year!

To become a member or to volunteer, Helping the please contact Anna Jones, Food Homeless into Housing Sharing Officer on 0161 474 4760 www.h-3.org.uk Charity number – 1147113 or [email protected]

2 Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org/pantry /StockportHomes News in brief

From Dialstone Lane to Downing Street: Offerton’s June Young meets the PM named ‘Contractor of the Year’

Imagine waking up one morning The councillor said he could take and finding a letter from the Prime two volunteers to Westminster on Minister on your doorstep. That’s 19 January as part of an initiative Stockport Homes’ Repair exactly what happened to June to celebrate local community 1st team is celebrating Young, a volunteer with Friends of champions. June said: “I was after being named Offerton (right). shocked by the invitation. I’m best in the country honoured to be representing by a leading housing She received the official invite after Friends of Offerton when there is so magazine. Hazel Grove Councillor William much great voluntary work going Wragg visited Offerton Community on across Stockport.” Judges at the 24Housing Centre. Awards were particularly impressed by high customer satisfaction Residents to prepare to ‘swap’ properties at: rates and the team’s commitment to providing The training for young and unemployed people.

Stockport Homes was also highly commended at the awards for Exchange supporting customers with Welfare Reform, and particularly with the under-occupancy charge. Stockport Town Hall’s Ballroom will be Along with Kids’ Corner to transformed into a social lettings fair entertain the children, there will The winners were on Thursday 9 April. Residents are be plenty of information stalls announced at a invited to come along between and social housing properties ceremony at Villa 1.00pm - 5.00pm if they’re on display. Why not come along Park in Birmingham in interested in moving somewhere and see what’s on offer? November, home to bigger, smaller or just different. Aston Villa Football Club.

Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org/news /StockportHomes 3 Transforming communities

Community buildings now open for a range of activities

Stockport Homes is now managing nine community buildings in Brinnington, Woodley, , Bridgehall, Offerton, and Lancashire Hill. With bookings increasing every month, the buildings are a great local place to meet and they cater for many different interests.

Residents can keep fit in 2015 with activities such as line dancing, Zumba, yoga, martial arts or indoor bowling. They can meet with friends and neighbours at coffee mornings, lunch clubs, bingo and other groups and learn new skills at computer clubs or Stockport Homes’ Skills for Life courses. Children can get involved with toddler groups, youth clubs, Rainbows and For information about the activities at each Brownies. centre, or to book a room for your group or party, telephone 0161 474 2222 or The centres can be booked at very [email protected] reasonable prices. Contact us to enquire.

Can cook, will cook Young people learn tenancy skills

A group of young people Through taking part in the have gained valuable programme the young tenancy and cooking skills people gained an Asdan thanks to a programme run Foodwise Award and by Stockport Homes and qualifications in food hygiene partners. and health and safety.

Teaming up with Stockport Two of the young people Action for Voluntary Youth involved are now following and social enterprise 4Lunch, through on the course by The group produced a cookbook weekly sessions were held to volunteering regularly, with stuffed full of recipes and tips from the improve meal planning. one helping at a college programme. Look out for it soon on the kitchen and the other at a Stockport Homes website! They also completed a series museum. of bite size workshops to improve their knowledge of the housing register, bidding, If you, or someone you know aged under 25 and would money management be interested in this programme, contact Nicola Green, and their rights and Customer Involvement Officer on 0161 474 5811, responsibilities as tenants. 07800 617695 or [email protected]

4 Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes Drilling cabinets, opening doors: Mobile Classroom helps young people get jobs

A ‘Mobile Classroom’ weekly sessions, participants programme in construction learn different trades such as skills has provided a group of joinery and tiling, and painting young people with improved and decorating. life chances and a way into apprenticeships and jobs. Previous groups have played an important role The programme aims to get in the community too, young people between the ages working on projects such of 16 and 30 back into training as the renovation of a local Participants gain a National Open or employment. Over the community centre. College Network Qualification in ‘Multi Skills in Construction’, qualifying If you’re interested in this course, please them for a provisional six month contact Marley Brougham, Customer Construction Skills Certification Scheme card which is proof of health Involvement Assistant on 0161 474 2862 and safety training, and a requirement or [email protected] to work on construction sites.

Qualifications for community champions

A newly accredited course how to run meetings, and to in participation, run by improve their practical abilities Stockport Homes, has such as problem solving. seen 13 customers learn valuable skills in ‘community The Level 2 Participation course organising’. has grown in popularity, with other landlords recommending The students learn it to their tenants. It was Putting down roots presentation skills, how to recently rated ‘outstanding’ by Seven customers have completed a promote their communities, assessors. City & Guilds course in Horticulture, held at Woodbank Nurseries in If you’re interested in this course, please Offerton. The 12 week course contact Christopher Hughes, Customer qualifies the participants in the Training Officer on 0161 474 2862 or basics of planting and growing. [email protected]

Correction to brochure Saturday 18 April: Green Fingers: April showers Thursday 4 June: Green Fingers: Summer baskets

Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes 5 Getting digital Get involved in developing our New IT qualification available website £ from Stockport Homes courses FUNDING

The new courses will take just four half-day sessions to Searching complete, and give customers a qualification at City & Guilds for funding Entry Level 3 in Basic IT. for your We are always trying to They will be run regularly in improve and develop our several venues, so there should project? website to make it easier for be one to suit you. If you are you to find the information you interested in booking a place, Another option is now open for want. Now is your chance to please contact Liam customers who already have some get involved and have your say Knocker, Welfare basic computer skills and want to about the website. Reform Support Officer gain a qualification to help them in on 0161 218 1496. to work. Interested? Please contact Nicola Poulter, Marketing and Communications Officer on Get the app! Stockport Health and Care Finder 0161 474 3768 or email nicola.poulter@ If you have a smartphone stockporthomes.org you can download a new Health and Care Finder app. Privacy Notice The app provides a directory of local pharmacies, GPs, and We have made some changes other health and social care to the Privacy Notice on our services. There are also links website which explains our to videos on how best to look policy on data protection. There after yourself if you are ill. is a link to the new notice on the bottom left of our website Search for Stockport Health and Care Finder in your app store. homepage.

Digital Heroes scheme reaches a milestone! Digital We have now helped Digital Heroes provide support over 100 customers in an informal way personalised HEROES to get online through to your needs, including: our Digital Heroes • staying safe online; scheme. Digital Heroes • searching and applying for are volunteers who jobs; have been trained by • applying for benefits; Starting Point to support • banking online; customers to get online • using email and social and make the most of media; and the internet. • accessing services online. For more information, please contact the Social Inclusion Team on 0161 474 2854 or [email protected]

6 Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes Funding and sustainability

Over the last 12 months, we have continued to £ support community groups apply for funding: FUNDING H3 (Helping the Homeless into Housing) has secured funding Helping the of £278,000 over four years to Homeless into Searching deliver the “H4 Hospital” project Housing with Stepping Hill hospital. This will www.h-3.org.uk Charity number – 1147113 help support potentially homeless for funding people with health issues by funding a number of posts with H3. for your Friends of Heaton Norris Park received funding from Forever project? to purchase IT equipment and made a successful bid to the Equity Foundation for Cherry Tree Residents Association to deliver a ‘for a bike’ project.

Oldham Drive Estate Tenants Group continues to benefit from outside funding, with a successful bid to Manchester Airport for the Projects funded by: installation of a new commercial grade dishwasher at the Arthur Greenwood Centre, which helps volunteers cope with the popularity FOREVER of the Lunch Club. MANCHESTER Community Fund Stockport Homes, in partnership with the GreaterFOUNDATION Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations, has received £60,000 of ‘Talent Match’ funding for a ‘talent coach’ who will help workless 18 to 24 year olds living in temporary accommodation to gain Privacy Notice employment. Do you have a project or idea that requires funding? If so, please contact Mark Rogers, Funding Officer on 0161 474 3463 [email protected]

Is winter time quiet for gardening? Not for Green and Edible volunteers!

Customers in Adswood and Bridgehall At Bridgehall Orchard, overgrown shrubs have been taking part in a range of were trimmed, bulbs planted and litter ‘greenspace’ activities this winter, cleared to improve the area. 5,000 spring including sowing vegetable seeds, bulbs have also been planted to spread foraging for fruit, and making jams some spring cheer. and Christmas wreaths. If you would like to get involved with They’ve completely transformed Green and Edible projects please get in community spaces such as St Gabriel’s touch with Gemma Russell, Greenspace Church garden, working with the Officer on 0161 474 2914 or Princes Trust. [email protected]

Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org/funding /StockportHomes 7 Building homes 51 new homes in Reddish Stockport Homes has officially opened our its largest new build development to date, with 51 new homes being built in on the former site of Fir Tree Primary School, for completion at the end of March.

The Fir Tree development has been part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and has seen Stockport Homes work with Stockport Council and Seddon Construction to deliver 29 x two bedroom houses, 21 x three bedroom houses and one x four bedroom house.

15 of the properties are for shared ownership, supporting local people to gain a foothold on the housing ladder, with the remaining 36 properties being available to rent.

112 affordable homes built over last 12 months!

Fir Tree, North Reddish 51 homes Peacefield, Marple 17 homes

Essex Road, Brinnington Turves Road, Cheadle Berlin Road, Other properties around 18 homes 11 homes Hulme 10 homes Stockport 5 homes

8 Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes What is shared ownership?

If you want to own your home You buy part of the home, while and pay the landlord rent for the but are currently renting, a landlord such as Stockport other 50%. getting on to the housing Homes buys the rest and rents ladder can be difficult. it out to you. Your payment to As time goes on, there are live in the home is made up of usually options for you to buy a Shared ownership is a different both mortgage and rent. For larger percentage of your home route to home ownership that example, you may pay for a from the landlord over time until aims to solve this problem. mortgage on 50% of the home, you own the home completely.

Properties available for shared ownership from Stockport Homes

Fir Tree, North Reddish Two and three bedroom semi-detached homes with great transport connections, children’s play area, close to .

Essex Road, Brinnington

Modern and eco-friendly two and three Berlin Road, Edgeley bedroom semi-detached homes with large Two bedroom homes in established gardens. Two-thirds are already sold. Carpets residential suburb close to Sykes are included in the sale package. Available now! Reservoir and park. Town Centre and shops are within walking distance.

If you are interested in the shared ownership properties, please contact Andrea Jackson, Assets and Development Administrator on: 0161 474 3462

Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes 9 Money ! Changes to benefits to be extended to families Welfare Reform

Universal Credit is a new If this applies to you, you will If you feel you will struggle to benefit which brings together a have to wait five weeks from cope with this because you number of other benefits, such claiming before you receive your have problems managing as Housing Benefit, Working first payment. You will receive your money, mental health Families’ Tax Credits and benefits payments on a monthly basis, difficulties, drug or alcohol that are paid to job seekers and straight into your bank account, problems or any other issues, those who are long-term sick. and be responsible for paying all please contact us straight of your rent to Stockport Homes. away. In some circumstances It is now being paid in Stockport it is possible to get the to singles and couples but will This first payment will only cover payments made directly to soon be extended to families. four weeks worth of your rent, not Stockport Homes or paid to Most people of Pension Credit five, so you will also need to make you weekly or fortnightly. age are NOT affected. up the difference yourself.

Call us now for support and help on 0161 474 2668 (west area) or 0161 474 2677 (east area).

Pay your rent by for your chance to win a grand of shopping vouchers! Rent Direct Debit is a simple Ever wondered what you and convenient way to would do with £1,000? Well, pay regular outgoings, Gas 2015 could be the year you such as your housing rent, find out as Stockport Homes with payments taken is joining a national campaign Electric automatically so you run by Bacs, the not-for-profit don’t have to worry about organisation behind Direct falling behind with your Water Debit in the UK. bills. The housing rents initiative To be in with a chance encourages people to switch To set up your Direct Debit of winning this fantastic to the ease and convenience simply call our Customer prize, switch to paying of Direct Debit, with a fantastic Finance Team on your rent by Direct Debit prize of £1,000 in Love2shop 0161 474 2668 (west before 30 October 2015. vouchers up-for-grabs. To be in area) or 0161 474 2677 with a chance of winning you (east area) – it will only take simply have to be an existing a couple of minutes. Direct Debit payer.

10 Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes Beating Cancer in 2015 Over £13k Council and partners’ raised for bid to boost cancer survival

Stockport Homes’ decision to The Council and partners are choose The Christie hospital as working hard to increase the uptake our charity of the year coincides of bowel, cervical and breast cancer with a major campaign by screening in Stockport. Cancer Stockport Council and partners screening tests can help detect A total of £13,799.38 has to improve cancer support and the disease before symptoms have been raised for our staff prevention over the year ahead. a chance to develop and some charity, Millie’s Trust, over are even able prevent it. If you’re the last year; smashing our New medicines and lifestyle invited for screening, go, and if target of £10,000. changes mean people are twice you’re worried about symptoms, as likely to survive cancer as see your GP. The charity aims to make they were 40 years ago and, if it first aid training available to is diagnosed early, the chance More than four in 10 of all cancers everyone, no matter what of survival is much better. diagnosed in the UK are related to their situation in life, to give lifestyle factors. 86% of lung cancer more people the ability and cases in the UK are attributable to confidence to respond in tobacco use alone. emergencies.

For free, confidential and local advice on healthy lifestyles, including help to stop smoking visit www.healthystockport.co.uk or call Healthy Stockport on 0161 426 5085.

Campaign launched against dangers of second Staff got involved in hand smoke activities such as the Manchester 10k run and residents really showed When someone smokes their generosity during second hand smoke is community events. produced. This is a toxic cocktail of chemicals which Thank you to everyone when breathed in by others involved. We look forward will damage their health. to a successful campaign To find out more about the campaign this year too, raising money The only way to make sure and how to sign up for a free Smoke for The Christie hospital your family and pets aren’t put Free Home and Cars pack visit which specialises in the in harm’s way is to make sure www.nhs.uk/smokefree or call treatment of cancer and your home and car is smoke 0161 474 2463 related illnesses. free all of the time.

Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes 11 How we are doing New customer Performance feedback October 2014 - January 2015 process A new customer feedback process Stockport Homes checks how was launched in February 2015 it is performing by monitoring We are on target... to benefit anyone making a a set of indicators chosen by complaint. This includes ‘fix-in-five’, customers. They are called meaning staff have the option of The Customer Super Six and responding within five working they are published on our 98.4% days in simple cases. However, website every quarter. satisfaction with the quality of service for a more complex complaint, Target: during investment the ten day timescale stands. The work programmes. final stage of the process will see 96% complaints being considered by an appeal panel made up of a Head of Service and two independent 15.2 days customers.

Average number Average repair cost per of days taken Customer complaints property per year: to re-let empty properties. Target in days: 16 Between October and December 2014 we received 130 complaints.

£223 We welcome all feedback from customers, and use it to improve % our services. To make a complaint, We are 87.6 or a compliment, contact our almost there… of repairs were Performance and Improvement completed right Team on 0161 474 2600 or Target: 82% first time. [email protected] 97% Compliment Target: 98% 96.8% “You were of anti-social behaviour excellent complainants were of estate when Alice satisfied with the outcome inspections were rated at least could not of their case. Target: ‘good’. 96% get up after a fall, and the equipment Four out of 118 ASB complainants were not satisfied with their Carecall used case outcome. Each reason for dissatisfaction is investigated. ensured dignity… an excellent service.” Mr and Mrs Catledge, Compstall For more information, please contact Katalin Szavai, Performance and Improvement Officer on 0161 474 3764 or [email protected]

12 Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes News from the Board

Preparing ourselves for 2015: a year of change

Stockport Homes’ Board has organisation that improves been learning about Welfare the environment and Our services Reform. This helps us to prepare wellbeing in our communities for changes ahead and make and beyond. sure we continue providing the best possible services to meet With the forthcoming signing need. of a new management agreement with Stockport Planning ahead, we’ve been Council, we are also thinking looking at new strategies to about how this will change Wherever improve the services we provide the way we work as a Board for older people and making sure in the coming months and you are we continue to be a responsible years.

For any questions about the Board contact Jeremy Beatty, Governance Manager on 0161 474 2850 or [email protected]

Report repairs wherever you are with Stockport Get Involved – Make Things Better: Homes’ mobile phone app. Taster Day, Friday 27 March 2015 Download it free via the Google play store or Apple There’s lots of exciting ways you There will be refreshments app store. can get involved in improving provided and we can provide Stockport Homes’ services to support with childcare and customers, including joining ‘out of pocket’ expenses. our Quality Panel, Customer Scrutiny Panel or Board. Customers who are on the Quality Panel, Customer Come along to the Taster Day Scrutiny Panel and the on Friday 27 March 2015 at Board make new friends and 10.30am - 2.30pm to find develop valuable new skills. The app also includes out what it’s like to do mystery We always looking for new quick links to our website, shopping, review services or members, from right across Facebook and Twitter pages, make big decisions about the the Borough - there’s a role Universal Credit website, future of the company. to suit you! Money Advice Service and Universal Jobmatch. To book your place or for more information contact Jill Holt, Customer Involvement Team So, why not install Leader, on 0161 474 3511 or [email protected] the app now?

Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes 13 Spotlight on scrutiny Customer Scrutiny Panel On Target Money and financial Improvements made advice services after repairs review

Is it easy or difficult to get the information you need from Stockport Homes when it comes to issues such as money and debt?

That’s one of the questions the Customer Scrutiny Panel is looking at as it conducts a review into financial inclusion services. As part of this review the Panel has reviewed literature and the website, held meetings with customers, interviewed staff and visited other landlords to After a recent review of repairs at Stockport compare services. Homes, the Customer Scrutiny Panel made some suggestions which have now been implemented: The group has also asked the Quality Panel to • Information available to customers is now carry out mystery shopping into the financial consistent and up to date in the Sheltered inclusion services available at Stockport Homes Housing schemes. to learn more about your experiences. • All contractors now uphold the same standard of communication as Stockport Homes’ staff. The full report will be published on the Stockport Send your review suggestions about services to: Homes website April 2015: [email protected] or www.stockporthomes.org/CSPreports Customer Scrutiny Panel, Stockport Homes, 1 St Peters Square, Stockport SK1 1NZ

“A fantastic service. I was able to return to work knowing help for my mother was at the touch of a button.”

Are you or one of your relatives Independence in your own home 24 older, feeling vulnerable or living hours a day, 365 days a year. with a medical condition? Carecall can provide you with a Contact us for more details. Telecare monitoring service, from £2.18 0500 130 585 per week. We also have a local Mobile www.stockporthomes.org/carecall Warden Service. facebook.com/carecallmonitoring twitter.com/carecallmonitor

14 Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes Safer communities Be Aware of Bogus Callers Positive action against Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) October 2014 - January 2015

Crown Like

42 97% Bogus callers are criminals legal actions of customers were pretending to be from the were taken. satisfied with the outcome “Water Board” or other Crown of their ASB complaint. organisations.

of customers were satisfied If the caller does not have a with how we dealt with their prior appointment, leave the 99% ASB complaint overall. door locked. If they say they

News are from a utilities company, ask them to quote your account number. If they don’t of customers were satisfied that have it, tell them to leave and they were kept up-to-date with the that you are calling the Police. 98% progress of their ASB complaint.

Time Like • Always ask for ID, and check it. • Do not buy goods or 80.5days 96% services from cold callers. • Do not keep large amounts was the average of cases were of cash in your home. time taken to resolve successfully • There is no such company an ASB complaint. resolved. as the Water Board, Gas Board or Electric Board. • Always report any suspicious behaviour to Give food a thought… the police. • Keep your doors locked being careless in the kitchen even when you are home. can cost lives Follow the stop, chain and More than half of accidental fires check rule when people call at in the home start because of the door: something to do with cooking. Take • STOP - If you are not extra care when cooking with hot oil expecting anybody and don’t leave children alone in the and they don’t have an kitchen when the hob or oven is on. appointment - don’t let them in. To book a free Home Safety Check, • CHAIN - Use your door please call Fire chain or bar before and Rescue Service on opening the door. 0800 555 815 or visit • CHECK - Ask to see ID and www.manchesterfire.gov.uk double check this.

Stockport at home www.stockporthomes.org /StockportHomes 15 Seen someone sleeping rough in Stockport?

If you let us know, Stockport Homes working together with our partners, can visit them within 24 hours and offer help to move off the streets.

If you have seen someone, please get in touch and tell us: • where you saw them; • when it was; and • what they looked like.

Stockport Homes’ Housing Options Team

0161 474 4237

No Second Night Out

0345 112 8128

Diversity and accessibility

You can get free copies of This newsletter includes information about Stockport Homes’ events and services. A free interpreting service is available if you need help with this newsletters and other documents newsletter. Please telephone Stockport Interpreting Unit on from Stockport Homes on 0161 477 9000. Email:[email protected] audiotape, CD or in large print. Portuguese

For more information, Farsi please contact Phil Rhodes on telephone 0161 474 2860, text Chinese 07891 949 399, email phil.rhodes @stockporthomes.org Urdu

Please recycle this newsletter Arabic appropiately.

www.stockporthomes.org facebook.com/StockportHomes Polish twitter.com/StockportHomes youtube.com/StockportHomes