at home autumn/winter 2012
DESCRIPTION
The magazine for Poole Housing Partnership residentsTRANSCRIPT
Your ISSuES | Your NEIGHBourHooD | Your HomE | Your maGazINE
Autumn/Winter 2012
www.YourPHP.org.uk
Christmas on a budget p4 Get easy access to all our services p6
Money advice
p10 p16 p22
VolunteerSupport Workers
p18
Hamworthy999 Project
WiiOlympics
PHP 747HAS LANDED
Interactive TVIncluding Smartphone App & Nintendo Wii
✓ News & What’s On✓ Contact Us✓ Report It✓ Request It✓ Sheltered & Supported Housing✓ You & Your Home✓ Useful Services✓ Paying Your Rent✓ Get Involved
See page 6⇢
At Home is produced for Poole Housing Partnership residents.
We’d like to include your own news, views and articles in future editions. Please send them to the address below and if you require any further information, please call: 01202 264436
Poole Housing Partnership Ltd Beech House 28–30 Wimborne Road Poole BH15 2BU
Tel: 01202 264444 Email: [email protected] Web: www.yourphp.org.uk
Designed & Printed by printing.com Tel: 01202 530763
Distributed by Postcare Ltd.
Without permission from PHP, reproducing a part or the whole of this magazine is not allowed.
Alternative format?
We can supply this information in large print,
on audio CD or in your language. We can also send you a magnifier. Please call to discuss your requirements.
Welcome to theautumn/Winter Edition of at Home!
How to contact us:Freephone number for all enquiries:
0800 6523900
Local landline:
01202 264444
National rate number when ringing from a mobile:
0300 2003900
Freephone out of office hours emergency repairs:
0800 506050
Freepost address:
Freepost PHP
3
CoNtENtS
Top tips for a value for money Christmas . . . . . . . .4
Your Community
Looking Local is here. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Lunch date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
New Roots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Meet the life savers of the future. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Young footballers train with the pros. . . . . . . . . . 11
Poole Youth Forum hosts annual residential . . . 11
Through the sheltered keyhole. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Making your views count. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Christmas refuse collection dates. . . . . . . . . . . . 13
We’re improving your community. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Horticultural honours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Your Issues
TRUST sessions keep residents informed . . . . . 15
Residents welcome second Memory Café . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Your People
Team BC go for gold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Prestigious award for Hinchliffe resident . . . . . . 16
IT Champions to the rescue!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Life as a PHP volunteer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Leaseholders re-elect Board member . . . . . . . . 19
Rent raffle prize winners announced . . . . . . . . . 19
Your Home
Looking after your loft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Spectrum successes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Make the extractor your number one fan. . . . . . 20
Tips from Mend It Mike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Solar news. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Your money
New name, same faces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Better budgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Go Coastal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Shining a light on Welfare Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Don’t get in with a loan shark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Contents
Christmas
4
Top tips for a value for money
ChristmasThat time of year is upon us once again!
But while Christmas is a time for giving, it’s easy to get carried away if you
don’t keep an eye on your spending. Here are our top tips for enjoying a
fabulous festive season – without breaking the bank.
Buy your gifts onlineIt goes without saying that the best deals can often be found online, so try logging
on rather than hitting the high street. You’re bound to save a packet on electronic
items, as well as books, DVDs and personalised gifts. It’s also worth checking if
there are any discount codes available to help you save even more.
Our favourite sites are www.myvouchercodes.co.uk and
www.vouchercodes.co.uk, where you can search by store
to locate the latest codes.
Write a list, check it twice, and stick to itBefore you head to the shops, make a list of all the gifts you need to get (according to your budget) and cross them off as you buy them. Pre-planning is key here – you’ll want to make sure your nearest and dearest are covered, but your list will help reduce overspending, and temptation, when you’re out shopping. It will also prevent you buying duplicates of things, and stop you collecting a big stash of presents for one person but neglecting others!
Set yourself a realistic budgetThe first thing you should do is work out how much you can afford to spend this Christmas. Use a budget calculator
such as the one at www.talktalk.co.uk/events/christmas/calculators which enables you to allocate funds to every
aspect of your Christmas spend, from gifts to decorations. You’ll see straight away if you’re spending more than you
should and it will give you the chance to get your finances organised before you start shopping.
Check what you’re entitled to
Do you think you should be entitled to benefits or tax credits?
While you won’t necessarily get your payments in time for
Christmas, some legitimate extra funds could help to ease the
financial pressure in the new year. PHP’s Your Money Team
supports residents with help and advice, so if you’d like to find
out more please ring 01202 264484 or email
[email protected]. Alternatively please take a look
at page 22 of this edition of At Home.
5
Christmas
Don’t go crazy at the sales
No sooner than Christmas Day is done and dusted then all attention turns to the sales. The advice
here is not to overdo it. With many of us happily finding an excuse to indulge over Christmas, it
pays to give the pocket or credit card a rest at the sales; a bit of common sense will go a long way.
Remember to shop wisely and not buy things just because they’re reduced – you’ll only end up
spending money on items you don’t need or don’t fit!
Share the cost of ChristmasIf you’re spending Christmas with other members of your family, why not allocate responsibility for different elements to each person? One could buy the turkey, another the crackers and someone else the Christmas pudding. You could even organise a Secret Santa between yourselves. Each person buys a gift for one other person, chosen by ballot, and according to an agreed limit. Alternatively, collect some cheap treats and turn your present-giving into a lucky dip!
Deliver gifts and cards in personAssuming your loved ones don’t live on the other side of the world, a great way to spread some festive joy is to visit friends and relatives in person, gifts and cards in tow. This means you don’t end up wasting a lot of money on delivery charges and you might find you have more room in your budget for presents. Even better, you could deliver your cards on foot – you’ll save a lot of money on stamps and petrol, and it will help you burn off all those mince pies and chocolates!
Be wise about your food shopping
Too many people think Christmas is reason to have the best of
everything when cheaper, lesser-known brands can do the job just
as well and at a fraction of the cost. Rather than bulk buying all
your food a few days before Christmas, shop around for the best
bargains, including at the cheaper supermarkets, in advance.
The thing to remember here is to taste with your tongue, not by the
look of the packaging. And don’t forget your loyalty points will come
in very handy too.
Start saving for next Christmas now
The perfect time to prepare for next year’s festivities is now. If you see
some gift-worthy items in the sales, get them now and save them
for next Christmas. Consider starting a savings fund too, which will
encourage you to put some cash aside each month and make budgeting
a lot easier. You’ll also notice that the price of cards and decorations
plummets in January, so you’ve got a chance to grab some festive treats
at massively reduced prices.
Now you can find all our services in one handy locationAt PHP, we’re committed to providing a high-quality customer service to all our residents. So we’re delighted to have launched Looking Local – our brand new interactive customer support tool.
Looking Local is open 24/7, giving you fast, convenient access to PHP’s services wherever and whenever you need them. All you need to do is boot up your computer, flick on your TV, swipe your smartphone or point your Nintendo Wii and it’s easy to find the information you’re looking for. Why should I use Looking Local?Looking Local collects all our services in one place. If you need to report a housing repair job or an instance of anti-social behaviour, you can do it in moments. If your rent is due, Looking Local tells you how to make a payment and provides advice on managing your account. And if you want to keep up to date with the latest developments at PHP, including news and events, Looking Local is the place to go.
How can I find out more?If you have any questions about Looking Local and how to use the service, please give our IT team a call on 01202 264444.
Your Community
6
Looking Localis here
Head to Looking Local for:• advice on reporting repairs• Help with your rent• Ways to get involved in PHP activities• News and events updates• Housing officer contact details• Information on sheltered housing• money advice• Guidance for leaseholders• NHS and Job Centre Plus services• Ways to get in touch with us• and more!
Through your TVIf you’re a Virgin customer: 1. Press the Home button 2. Choose Interactive 3. Select News & Info 4. Select Looking Local or Go to the Community Channel (233) 5. Press red
If you’re a Sky customer: 1. Go to the Community Channel (539) 2. Press red
Through your smartphone 1. Go to the android market or app Store 2. Search ‘Looking Local’ 3. Download the app – it’s free!
Through your computer, mobile or Nintendo Wii1. type the urL http://lookinglocal.gov.uk2. Enter ‘747’ in the QuickCode box3. Click oK.
How can I connectto Looking Local? It couldn’t be easier to access Looking Local. We’ve made the service available on a range of platforms so you can choose the right one for your needs.
7
Your Community
Lunch dateSheltered housing residentscome together to enjoya tasty mealWe aim to help provide healthy, low-cost meals to residents and the local community, so we are delighted to host a weekly lunch atStanfield Close and a fortnightly lunch at Bob Hann House.
Launched in July 2012, Stanfield Close lunch club is held every Thursday at 12pm in the scheme’s common room. Lunch is prepared by Bryan Seebourn, chef at St Aldhelm’s Academy, and cooked in the Academy’s kitchen. The cost of a meal at Stanfield Close is just £3 per person, including a main course, dessert, and tea or coffee. The club is open to all, and places should be booked in advance by contacting Lesly Curtis or Chris Foster on 01202 743396.
Bob Hann House lunch club was launched in August 2012. Held every other Tuesday at 12.30pm, the club has been well received by residents and members of the local community, giving older people in the Parkstone area an opportunity meet and socially interact with others. Meals are supplied by Collins and cost £4 per person, including a main course and dessert. If you’d like to make a booking, please telephone Sarah Florio on 01202 730313.
residents and visitors enjoy lunch
at Stanfield Close
Lunch time at Bob Hann House
Week 1Chicken pie / Macaroni cheeseNew potatoes and green beans
Jam Sponge with custard
Week 2Roast beef / Cauliflower cheese
Roast potatoes and carrotsIce cream pot
Week 3Sweet and sour chicken with riceVegetarian quiche with potato
wedges and cauliflowerFruit crumble with custard
SAMPLE
If you’d like to find out more about our lunch clubs and how we can help you eat healthily on a budget, please contact your Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator.
8
Your Community
Last year, PHP won funding from the
National Lottery Local Food Fund to
launch a two-year project to help
and encourage PHP residents, and
the wider community, to grow food
locally. Here’s a look at how the
project is progressing…
Turlin Moor Community Garden goes from strength to strengthSet up and run by local residents with support from PHP, the Turlin Moor Community Garden has flourished since it was officially launched by the Mayor of Poole in June 2012. Residents and their families have been actively encouraged to plant and harvest a variety of produce, while groups from Turlin Moor Community School, St Gabriel’s Nursery and Postman Pat’s Nursery all have their own plots. Members of Turlin Moor Youth Club have also used their artistic skills to create a permanent sign to welcome visitors to the garden.
Over the summer, PHP ran a number of workshops and activities to keep children entertained, from cooking to scarecrow making. We organised the Garden Olympics, where children competed in wheelbarrow and egg-and-spoon races. Prizes of fruit baskets were awarded to Aaron and Thomas Collins and Max and Tommy Stringer, who donated the most compostable material for use in the garden.
At the end of September, residents got the chance to sample some of the produce, including potatoes, carrots, onions, courgettes, peas, beans, salad and herbs, during the Turlin Moor community lunch.
The project has inspired several young local gardeners to test out their green fingers at home. Garden Olympics-winners Aaron and Thomas have grown vegetables in their garden at home for the first time, harvesting beans, carrots, cabbage and much more. Siblings Brooke, Lacey-Lee and Kaitlyn Bacon have also grown potatoes, carrots, onions and courgettes.
New Roots ⇢
Youngsters competed in the
Garden Olympics during the summer
Brooke, Lacey-Lee and Kaitlyn Bacon get green!
Did you know?Waitrose in Parkstone has supported the Turlin Moor Community Garden with more funding.
PHP residents have been busy at the National trust’s Community allotments
at Kingston Lacy, tending their own plots and growing fruit and vegetables on PHP’s
communal plot. Despite the terrible summer, an abundance of produce, including some
enormous pumpkins, has been grown. to celebrate the allotments’ success, over
50 people enjoyed a cream tea and guided tour when they visited the site in august.
a big ‘thank you’ to volunteers Eric, Steve, Sue, Gill and her grandchildren Charlotte, Daniel and Jack, for their help on the day,
and also to our partners Diverse abilities for their help and support with this project.
It’s easy to get involved with New RootsIf you’d like to visit one of PHP’s gardening projects,
or set up a garden in your community,
please contact Clare Sutton on 01202 264316 or email [email protected]
9
Your Community
Gardeners ann Way and John robertson from Hinchliffe Close
with their crop of vegetables
Kingston Lacy ⇢ latest news
Eight of PHP’s sheltered housing schemes have now established their own food-growing projects. Selby’s long-running gardening club has had a bumper crop of raspberries, cucumbers and courgettes, while at Cinnamon Lane residents have been enjoying strawberries, spinach and broad beans.
The Cynthia Close project, which only started up in May, has produced a great salad crop. And at Hinchcliffe, sales of residents’ produce have so far raised £60 towards seeds and tools.
Gardeners at Bob Hann, Selkirk and Sherrin Closes are growing some winter crops and hatching plans for next year, while at Stanfield Close, sheltered residents and the wider community have come together to harvest beans, marrows and onions.
Sheltered housing⇢update
PHP’s Clare Sutton joins visitors at the Kingston Lacy celebration cream tea
10
Local children learn about the importance of the emergency servicesPupils from Carter Community School, Hamworthy middle School and turlin moor Community School recently embarked on the Hamworthy 999 Project, a new initiative organised by the Hamworthy Safer Neighbourhood team.
the project, which has the backing of Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and rescue Service, South West ambulance Service and the royal National Lifeboat association (rNLI), is designed to inspire children to pursue careers in the emergency services.
the children spent time with members of each service, learning about the role they play and the issues affecting their community. Dorset Police’s dog and firearms sections talked about the impact of crime and anti-social behaviour on victims. Dorset Fire and rescue Service gave fire safety tips for both outside and inside the home. and the South West ambulance Service taught the pupils how to respond in a medical emergency, including some vital first aid skills.
Finally, the rNLI invited the group for a tour of its Poole HQ and offered some important water safety advice.
PCSo David Bowler from the Hamworthy Safer Neighbourhood team told at Home: “We hope the skills learnt and the community spirit gained by these children will lead them onto a bright future. the feedback we received will allow us to continue to improve this multi-agency partnership project to positively engage with a new group of young people next year.”
a mentoring scheme ran alongside the project, ‘buddying’ Year 7 Hamworthy middle School and turlin moor Community School pupils with Year 8 pupils from Carter Community College. the scheme has helped to improve team working skills, nurtured leadership skills, and eased the anxiety of some pupils who feared the transition to high school.
Hamworthy school children enjoy a daywith the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
Youth Corner
Meet the life savers of the future
11
PHP helped run a successful football project with AFC BournemouthYoung people from Poole had the opportunity to train alongside AFC Bournemouth’s coaches for free over the summer holidays as part of a project to provide positive activities for young people. Around 30 young people attended each weekly session at Baiter Park, Poole.
The coaching sessions were jointly funded by the Poole Town and Oakdale Safer Neighbourhood Team and Poole Housing Partnership as part of wider work to prevent young people from becoming involved in anti-social behaviour.
PC Stuart Newman, of the Poole Town and Oakdale Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This project is all about giving young people something positive to focus on as well as an opportunity to train with professional coaches. This is just a small part of our ongoing work with local young people.”
Sue Howes, Housing Manager at Poole Housing Partnership, added: “We were delighted to support the project, which encourages young people to develop their teamwork skills, build their confidence and invest in their futures.”
Young footballers train with the pros
The group came together to discuss the issues that matter to themPoole Youth Forum held its
annual residential in the last week of august.
the group of young people, who are aged between 13 and 19, planned a schedule
of events for the next year and decided the agenda of the forthcoming annual Youth Conference. topics including self-confidence, access to information, and guidance in relation to mapping out career choices, were raised in group discussions. other issues, such as being safe in their communities, were also considered.
the group helped with the programme of activities, the menu, shopping and cooking during their stay at David Donaldson Field Studies Centre at Worth matravers.
anne Newton, the then Strategic Director (Children Services) at the Borough of Poole, visited the group for lunch before answering their questions about the
future of children’s services in Poole. anne said: “Being able to talk directly with young people about issues that concern them is vitally important in helping shape priorities and services that meet the needs of children and young people in Poole.”
anne recognised the thoughtful and professional way in which the young people engaged with the discussions. “I particularly enjoyed being part of activities and working with the youngsters,” she commented. “the residential is always a very rewarding event to be a part of and I thank Poole Youth Forum for their commitment to improving the services we provide.”
Feedback from the young people in attendance was extremely positive, with comments including: “It was brilliant”, “We did amazing things”, “the star gazing was great” and “Can we do another one?”
to find out how you can get involved in Poole Youth Forum, please contact Peter Cooper on 07779 880723.
Youngsters at the annual residential at Worth Matravers
Poole Youth Forum hosts annual residential
Your Community
12
Visitors welcomed to PHP’s annual Sheltered Housing Open WeekWe were pleased to welcome over 200 prospective residents to our sheltered housing schemes during our special Open Week.
Current residents were kind enough to open their doors to allow visitors to see inside their homes. Schemes from across Poole were involved, such as Baiter Gardens in Poole Town, Millfield in Creekmoor and Cynthia Close in Parkstone. Visitors could choose between a morning coffee or an afternoon tea slot and enjoyed refreshments prepared by PHP Support Officer Maralyn Kitcher’s daughter, Jennifer Croxford.
PHP’s Sheltered Housing staff provided help and advice during the week, as did PHP’s Your Money Team. Our partners from the Borough of Poole, Spectrum Property Services, Age Concern and the Safer Neighbourhood Team were also on hand to answers visitors’ queries. We were fortunate to welcome the Mayor of Poole to our Hinchliffe Close and Selkirk Close schemes and Cllr Peter Adams, Housing Portfolio Holder, also attended.
Housing Support Locality Manager Karen Rees was thrilled with the positive feedback the team received during the week: “Visitors told us they were pleasantly surprised by the quality of PHP’s properties, and impressed at the range of activities and social events on offer,” she said. “Thanks to everyone’s hard work, the event was a big success, and we’re looking
forward to next year!”
Our independent residents group has its say on PHP’s services the resident Scrutiny Panel (formerly known as the Service Improvement review Board) was formed earlier this year to enable residents to have a further say in how PHP delivers its services and ensure we meet high standards.
the group, which acts independently of other resident groups at PHP, has the freedom to choose which services they scrutinise. It currently consists of 10 members of varying ages and diverse backgrounds, who meet every five to six weeks throughout the year. they report directly to the PHP Board of Directors.
the meetings have so far helped to shape the format and design of the PHP annual report (included with this issue of at Home) and the updated PHP website, which is set to go live in early 2013. members have also started examining PHP’s service standards and whether they adequately meet the needs of today’s residents.
there is currently an opportunity to recruit two more members to the group, so if you’re interested in joining or would like to find out more, please call 01202 264401.
Through the sheltered keyhole
Making your views count
the resident Scrutiny Panel
at the close of a successful meeting
Visitors learn about our sheltered housing schemes
Information on display for our visitors
our sheltered housing scheme
at Woodstock Close
13
Your Community
There will be no waste collections between 24th December and 28th December inclusive.
Collections will resume from 31st December 2012 on your normal
collection days.
Extra bags of refuse and recycling will be collected with your first collection after
Christmas. Additional recycling can be placed in either plastic bags or cardboard boxes.
Please do not put cardboard boxes out before your collection day as they will get damp and
become difficult to collect.
If you live in a PHP property with a waste chute or identified capacity limitation, you will receive
a collection service as normal between 24th and 28th December 2012.
Recycling or additional waste can also be taken to the council’s new Household Waste Recycling
Centre, Nuffield Road which is open weekdays from 8.30am until 4.15pm except Christmas
Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Tenants and leaseholders can apply to PHP for funds from the ‘Neighbourhood Improvements for Communities and Estates’ (NICE) scheme to carry out improvements which will benefit their community. Examples include communal garden improvements, the creation of seating areas and improved security and lighting, to name just a few. The latest projects are pictured here.
The maximum grant available under the NICE scheme is £3,000 per project. If you would like to find out more please give us a call 01202 264444.
Collection area Normal collection day
Last collection before Christmas
First collection after Christmas
Hamworthy West, Hamworthy East Tuesday 11th December 2012 8th January 2013
Oakdale, Canford Heath East, Canford Heath West
Wednesday 12th December 2012 9th January 2013
Newtown, Oakdale, Parkstone, Canford Heath East
Thursday 13th December 2012 10th January 2013
Penn Hill, Branksome West Friday 14th December 2012 11th January 2013
Penn Hill, Branksome West, Branksome East
Monday 17th December 2012 31st December 2012
Broadstone, Creekmoor Tuesday 18th December 2012 1st January 2013
Parkstone, Poole Town Wednesday 19th December 2012 2nd January 2013
Merley & Bearwood Thursday 20th December 2012 3rd January 2013
Branksome East Friday 21st December 2012 4th January 2013
Christmas refuse and
recycling collection dates announcedRecycling collection dates
Trinidad House A gravelled area and large planters for residents to plant up with their own plants has created an attractive entrance to the common room.
Cynthia House Residents applied for some seating to enhance their well-maintained garden and orchard areas.
Cinnamon Lane The outdoor space has been improved with a range of wooden garden furniture, providing a pleasant area for residents to meet, sit and socialise.
We’re improvingyour local community
Your Community
14
Horticultural honoursGreen-fingered PHP residents have been
recognised in our annual gardening contest
PHP has been running its own gardening competition for residents since 2010. This year’s judge, Councillor
Les Burden, who is also a Director of PHP and Chair of the Broadstone Horticultural Society, was highly impressed by
the quality of entrants and particularly by the garden of Peter Rush in Hamworthy, which was awarded first place in
the Best Individual Garden section.
PHP’s sheltered housing scheme at Selby Close received first prize in two categories, Best Community Garden
and Best Themed Garden, and resident Ali McGrail was placed second for the Best Individual Garden prize. In the
Young Gardeners’ section, the prize went to Turlin Moor Community School, where lots of pupils have helped out
at the community garden as well as in their own garden at the school. Ellis Bright, Aaron Collins and Thomas Collins all
received certificates.
Councillor Burden believed everyone involved should be very proud of their achievements: “It’s been a real pleasure meeting these people who work so hard to create beautiful
gardens for themselves and their communities,” he said.
Best Individual Garden
1st prize: Peter and Christine rush 2nd prize: ali mcGrail 3rd prize: Gill akejder
Best Community Garden 1st prize: Selby Close Gardening Club
2nd prize: Simmonds Close 3rd prize: Sherrin Close
Best Themed Garden 1st prize: Secret Garden (Selby Close)
2nd prize: rose Garden (Stanfield Close)
Most Improved Garden 1st prize: rose Garden (Stanfield Close)
2nd prize: Communal garden (Vale Close) 3rd prize: Begonia bed (Stanfield Close)
Best Young Gardener 1st prize: turlin moor Community School
Certificates: aaron Collins, thomas Collins and Ellis Bright
Peter & Christine Rush Best Individual Garden
Ali McGrail & Councillor Les Burden Best Community Garden
Ali McGrail & Alan Bill Selby Close’s Secret Garden
Gill Akejder & Thelma Cullen Most Improved Garden, Stanfield
15
Your Issues
The Resident Involvement Team at PHP provides training for residents through a group called TRUST (Tenants R US Training). The group is made up of local landlords who provide help and advice for tenants on a variety of topics, in a value-for-money way. These training events also provide a great opportunity for residents to share their experiences and ideas with other residents from across the region.
In August, 10 PHP residents were invited to Bournemouth Village Hotel to learn about the new Social Housing Complaints System, due to come into effect from April 2013, and how it is going to directly affect them.
In October, a further 15 PHP residents looked at how resident involvement has progressed over the last decade and what’s in store for social housing residents over the next 10 years.
Brian Muspratt, a resident from Selkirk Close who attended both sessions, said: “TRUST events are a
great way to meet other residents from different landlords to find out how their services differ from ours. They also provide an opportunity to stay informed about the latest issues in the housing world.”
If you would like to attend any of the TRUST events, then please call 01202 264422 or email [email protected]
New facility provides support for residents with short-term memory lossFollowing the success of the Memory Café project at Hinchliffe Close, a new Memory Café has been launched at Simmonds Close, Oakdale.
During a recent consultation, 81% of Simmonds Close residents voted in favour of the service operating at their sheltered housing scheme.
Memory Cafés offer an informal setting where anyone can drop in without an appointment, and talk to a volunteer or a professional about memory loss.
The Café provides emotional support and also reduces the isolation often felt by people with memory problems, their carers and their families. It presents a useful addition to the process of an early diagnosis to those who may not wish to go directly to their doctor.
The project aligns with the aim of the National Dementia Strategy, which was launched by the government in 2009. The strategy aims to place great importance on places of contact where ‘Peer Support’ may be found and where education and information can be distributed.
Memory Cafés held at Hinchliffe Close and Simmonds Close are run in partnership with the NHS’s Memory Support Team, who promote independence for people with memory difficulties.
Simmonds Close residents attend the newly set up Memory Café
PHP’s memory Cafés are open to people who are:
✓ over 18 years of age
✓ registered with a Bournemouth or Poole GP
✓ active participants and agree to the referral
✓ Have the symptoms of memory loss or a diagnosed dementia
TRUST delegates learn about the
Housing Landlord Complaints System
Residents welcome second Memory Café
TRUST sessions keep residents informed
For more information, please contact maria read, Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator, on 01202 679038.
The Nintendo Wii console is easy to set up and use
Carol Evans, the Worshipful Mayor of Poole and her consort Bryan Evans, join Kevin Green and award recipient Jean Lock
Your People
16
Active sheltered housing residents take part in the Wii OlympicsInspired by Team GB’s success at the London Olympic Games, residents at Belmont Court have come together to compete in their favourite sports – all from the comfort of their common room.
The residents, who include May Harris, Pat Mullins, Phyllis Brown and Ron Cooper (pictured above right), have played a number of sports since a Nintendo Wii games console and widescreen television was provided in the summer. The group enjoy playing snooker, golf and ten-pin bowling, with 98-year-old May winning a strike the first time she picked up the control – go May, go!
The Nintendo Wii offers a fantastic opportunity for the residents to keep active and socialise with their neighbours, as well as familiarise themselves with a fun and easy-to-use piece of technology.
Belmont Court is an ‘extra care’ scheme and has a team of carers on site in the evenings to support residents and organise activities. Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator Julia Druce asked the residents if they would like to try the Wii.
“The response was really positive, so we set up some evenings where they could come down to the communal lounge to play against each other,” said Julia. “The Wii encourages residents to interact, be active and have fun all at the same time.”
Formed of a base unit connected to the television and one or more remote controls, the Wii cleverly detects players’ movements to enable them to interact with the action on screen. The console is simple to set up, and has become a popular activity with both children and adults. And, as Pat told us, it’s just as entertaining to watch as it is to take part!
PHP currently has three Wii consoles, which were funded by the Get Digital outreach programme. To enquire about borrowing one, please speak to your Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator.
A PHP resident has been commended for her contribution to her communityJean Lock, resident at Hinchliffe Close, recently received the Silver Poole Community award from Carol Evans, mayor of Poole.
Jean was nominated for the award by fellow resident Kevin Green, who she helped when he was recuperating from an operation a few years ago.
as well as supporting residents on a day-to-day basis, Local Community representative (LCr) Jean acts as chairperson of the Hinchliffe Social Group, organising coffee mornings, lunches, craft afternoons and bingo sessions. She’s also never far from the kitchen and can often be found making rounds of tea and doing the washing up!
Carol Evans, mayor of Poole, said: “I was much moved when I heard about the all help and support mrs Lock gives to her neighbours and the difference this makes to their lives. It is wonderful to have people like mrs Lock in the Borough and I sincerely congratulate her on this well-deserved award.”
May Harris loves a game of ten-pin bowling on the Wii!
Prestigious award for Hinchliffe resident
Belmont Court residents with their Nintendo Wii games console
Team BC go for gold
Ray Aggett [email protected]
•Mostwidely used programs
•Setupsupport and installing new programs
17
Your People
Our technical whizzes are here to help solve your computer problems
The IT Champions Scheme is an initiative set up to
provide residents with a range of IT support. From setting
up an email account, to online shopping and designing
newsletters, our volunteers are on hand to answer your
queries and offer training throughout the year at various
convenient locations. The team can also help you with the
technical set up of new systems and programs.
We currently have five IT Champions, each with their own
area of expertise, so take a look at their profiles to see
who can help you best. A big thank you to them all!
IT Champions to the rescue!
•Databases
•Presentationgraphics
•Spreadsheets
•Wordprocessing
•MSNMessenger
•Internet
•Artworkandimaging
•Basiccomputer queries
•Internetsurfing
•Emails
•Designingposters and newsletters
Jeannette Brason
•MicrosoftWord
•Presentationsand sideshows
•Sendingemailsand adding attachments
•Searchingthe Internet for information
•Importingphotos from digital cameras
•Croppingandresizing digital pictures
Chris [email protected]
Norman [email protected]
•Goodknowledge of most It subjects
•AllMicrosoftOffice programs (except Excel!)
Brian [email protected]
Would you like to be an IT Champion?Please get in touch with the Resident Involvement Team for more information by calling 01202 264422 or emailing [email protected]
Your People
18
We speak to Becky Stanley about her reasons for becoming a volunteer and how helping others has helped her take her first steps into an exciting new career.What first motivated you to sign up as a Volunteer Support Worker with PHP?
I’d been working for a charity for some time, and felt that I could offer more than just a voice on the end of a telephone. I wanted to support people on a practical level, with their day-to-day activities. Having moved from Southampton to Poole I thought volunteering in this way would help me get to know my new community, as well as make a real difference to people’s lives.
What does volunteering involve and how much time do you give to it?
I am currently supporting a local resident by accompanying them to appointments and helping them with their shopping. Sometimes we just meet for a coffee and a chat. I usually spend a few hours per week with them, but occasionally more. I have also helped them prepare for a house move. How much time I give is dependent on both my availability and the client’s requirements, but I’m generally able to accommodate their needs around my own personal commitments.
What have been the highlights of your time volunteering so far?
While I’ve only been volunteering for a short time, I feel I’ve had a positive effect on every person I’ve helped. This makes what I do so worthwhile.
What are the main rewards?
My clients are always really appreciative of what I’ve done for them, and it makes me happy to say “I did a good thing today”. It’s great that PHP provides free training and supervision to ensure that I am well prepared, and that I can talk to a member of the team if there’s a problem or issue I need to discuss.
Any low points?
There aren’t really any low points, but it helps to accept that despite your best efforts you can’t help everyone with everything all the time.
You’ve recently started studying for a social work degree at university. Has the volunteering helped you with your course?
I started my degree course at Bournemouth University (BU) in September, but applied for the course a long time beforehand. I definitely think the fact that I was volunteering for PHP contributed to the quality of my application. Since starting the course, I’ve learnt that BU uses PHP, among other employers, to place students during practice learning placements, so I think that also worked in my favour!
Why would you recommend volunteering for PHP in this way?
I would recommend volunteering for PHP as you can give as much as is convenient for you. You will help people who have issues relevant to your skills and experience, with the option to be a befriender, or an enabler. Your expenses are refunded and full training is given, which are all skills that are transferable to the workplace.
PHP’s Volunteer Support Service can help both PHP residents and the local community
If you like the sound of volunteering at PHP and would like to find out more, please call Esther Brown on 01202 264317 or email [email protected]
Life as a PHP volunteer
We are delighted to report that, following a ballot of all PHP leaseholders, Adele Kitson has been re-elected to the PHP Board of Directors.
A leaseholder of six years, Adele was first elected in September 2010, and has also been a member of the Leaseholders’ Committee. Adele has lived in Dorset all her life and has been a Poole resident for the last 20 years.
Speaking about her re-election, Adele told us: “I would like to thank my fellow leaseholders for re-electing me. I feel very passionately that leaseholders should have a strong voice within PHP, and I thank them for their confidence in me. I won’t let them down!”
Leaseholders re-elect Board member
Adele Kitson has been on the PHP Board since 2010
19
Your People
Rent raffle prize winners announced
Congratulations to these residents who have been rewarded for their clear rent accounts. PHP’s Paul Gillett presented each of the
winning residents with a £250 cheque.
All residents with a clear rent account are entered into the annual raffle.
Mr & Mrs Whyle, Selby Close, Broadstone
Mr M Worth, South Road, Poole Town Mrs P Holmes, Allenby Road, Waterloo
20
Your Home
Here’s some useful advice if your home has an accessible roof space
As stated in your tenancy agreement, PHP must be allowed to gain access to all areas of your loft to carry out any necessary repairs, maintenance or
improvements. This could include rewiring or electrical repairs, heating or plumbing alterations, roof repairs, or
upgrading your loft insulation.
Any belongings you may have in the loft will need clearing to enable the work to be done. If you cannot do this yourself then please ask a family member or friend
to help.
Once your insulation has been upgraded, please be aware that placing objects on top could not only reduce its effectiveness, but possibly cost you more money to
heat your home. It’s also worth noting that the extra weight of items stored in the loft can cause cracking
or other damage to the ceilings below, making you potentially liable for the costs of repair.
You keep telling us how pleased you are with Spectrum’s re-wiring work! Here are just a few of the comments we’ve received recently…“I was worried about the stress and mess the rewire would cause, but the whole process was completely trouble-free. The workers were very polite and cleared up after themselves at the end of every day. And they even finished a day early! Overall, I’m very pleased with the work.” Mrs W, Alderney
“The two lads who visited were great and made it a lot easier for me. Thank you.” Ms O, Alderney
“I’m pleased with my extra plug points and the more secure wiring. The workers were very obliging too.” Mr & Mrs P, Alderney
“Fantastic service from everybody. Keep it up. Well done.” Mrs L, Alderney
Extractors can help prevent condensation and associated mould problems
PHP’s engineers install extractor fans to help you
ventilate your home. our recently installed fans use
90% less energy than previous models, and cost as
little as £2.40 a year to run – and that’s with them
turned on all the time! they operate very quietly and
provide continuous trickle ventilation.
When having a bath or shower, or when you’re
cooking in the kitchen, the fans can also be boosted
by flicking a switch or pulling a cord to remove air
more quickly. this mode is energy efficient too: if you
used the fans for two hours a day, the cost is only
30p a year.
It’s important to keep a tidy loft in your homeLooking after your loft
Spectrum successes
Make the extractor your number one fan
an update for residents who have photovoltaic (PV) panels installed
PHP is now working with Low Carbon Exchange (LCE) to monitor and maintain our photovoltaic systems.
Any faults will be fixed remotely where possible, but if a site visit is required, LCE will contact you directly to
arrange an appointment. These types of faults usually take between 5 and 10 days to correct.
21
Your Home
How can I prevent condensation in my home?When cooking, bathing, washing or drying clothes, prevent moisture from spreading throughout your home by keeping doors closed.
If washing is left inside to dry, open a window or turn on the extractor fan enough to ventilate the room. Ideally, dry clothes outside or in a tumble dryer.
When cooking or bathing, good ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms is essential. Use your extractor fan or open a window.
It is important to ventilate the rooms in your home. All that’s needed is a slightly open ventilator or window – aim for a 10mm (half inch) gap.
To prevent condensation, heat is needed to keep the room surfaces reasonably warm. Try to make sure all rooms are at least partially heated. Condensation most often occurs in unheated bedrooms. For more information, please contact us for a leaflet.
Solar news ⇢
PHP’s Director of technical Services
helps you get to grips with maintenance issues around your home
If you are a Utilita customer and you have PV
installed in your home, your meter should have been updated.
If you are unsure about yours, please contact Utilita on 0845 450 4357.
Tips fromMend It Mike
What causes condensation?Condensation occurs when warm moist air comes into contact with a cold surface. It usually occurs in the winter when building structures are cold and because windows are open less, so moist air cannot escape.
Warm air rises so walls tend to be cooler at lower levels and this is where water may condense. Walls, ceilings and sometimes floors become damp and may become discoloured and unpleasant as a result of mould growing on the surfaces.
We are working with our partners to ensure your PV system is working efficiently
This week’s spend
Rent after Housing Benefit £35
Council Tax after benefit £3.50
Gas
£10
Electric £10
Food shopping £60
PHP’s financial inclusion team has undergone a revamp!Now known as the Your Money Team, Mark and Cath are here to help you increase your income and reduce your outgoings. The team will also continue to help residents develop employment and money-management skills in workshops held throughout the year.
Through private appointments held in your home or at Beech House, and consultations over the telephone, the team can identify welfare benefits that you may be eligible to claim, and support you through the claims process. With planned changes in benefits, it is important that you know how you may be affected.
“The benefits system is very complex and many people struggle to pay their bills because they don’t realise what help is available,” says Cath Carter, Welfare Benefits Officer. “Our service can cut some of the worry and confusion affecting those residents who need to claim benefits”.
The team also offers: ✓ Free energy cost checks to see if you are paying too much for your gas and electricity
✓ Practical information on finding cheaper sources of credit
✓ Advice on how benefit changes may affect you
✓ Access to low-cost home contents insurance
✓ Help to get your savings from under your mattress and into a bank account
To see how the Your Money Team can help you please call 01202 264484 or email [email protected]
We understand how a lot of residents are feeling the squeeze on their finances so, for many, good budgeting is an important consideration. But how can you start taking better control of your spending? Here are a couple of our top tips…
Start a spending diaryFor two weeks, keep a note of everything you spend, from payments on bills to cheeky bars of chocolate. Knowing what you spend and when you spend it, is the first step in taking control of your family’s purse strings. Can you see any areas where you could cut down to help your money go further?
Write a household budget sheetMake a note of all of the money that comes into your house on a weekly basis. This could be from benefits, wages, or any other source of income. Next, note down all the bills that you have to pay each week and any regular outgoings, such as food, cleaning products, petrol etc.
Take the amount you spend away from the amount you have coming in and the amount left over is your ‘expendable’ income. If you don’t have an amount left over or you spend more than you have coming in, it’s a sign that you may need to consider cutting back on your spending. Alternatively, feel free to contact the Your Money Team to discuss ways we could try to help you increase your income.
22
Your Money
New name, same faces
Cath Carter Welfare Benefits Officer Mark Andrew
Your Money Project Officer
Better budgets
23
Your Money
Jam Jar Account
Members could have their benefits or salary paid into a Coastal Account. From here, Coastal will separate the money by agreed amounts into separate mini accounts for various household bills, debt payments or rent.
Housing Benefit Account
Members can have their Housing Benefit paid into their Coastal Accounts and Coastal will forward this to the member’s landlord. Will be useful when Universal Credit begins and Housing Benefit is paid direct to you.
Coastal Loan Account
Repayments include a small element of savings which are kept separate to your normal Coastal Account. These become available when the loan is paid off. Interest of between 9.6% and 26.8%. People with a low credit score will be considered on a case by case basis.
Coastal Current Account
Account offered through Co-Operative bank. Great help for people who cannot bank elsewhere. Weekly fee of £1.25 debited from account. Full access to Direct Debit, Standing Order and ATM facilities.
Find an account that’s right for youCoastal Credit Union is an ethical, not-for-profit co-operative, run by staff and volunteers, which helps people in the Bournemouth and Poole area to save regularly and borrow in times of need. Coastal Credit Union offers so much more than a safe place to keep your money – take a look at the different types of accounts on offer:
To find out more, please contact Coastal Credit Union on
01202 566878
It will cost you an arm and a leg! Have you or anyone you know:
Been offered a cash loan without paperwork? Been threatened when you couldn’t pay? Had your benefit or bank card taken from you? Had a loan which keeps growing even though you are
making payments? If you can answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, you may have been bitten by a loan shark.
For confidential help and advice, please contact the Illegal Money Lending Team on 0300 555 222.
You are not breaking the law by borrowing from a loan shark; they are committing an offence by operating without a licence. If you owe money to a loan shark you
may not have to pay off the cost of your loan.
Go Coastal
Don’t get in with a loan shark
Shining a light on...Welfare BenefitThe Government has committed to making the Welfare Benefits system simpler while reducing the cost of providing financial support to claimants. As a result, there are big changes ahead which will affect many residents who rely on benefits to support themselves and their families.
Let’s take a look at two big changes coming in April 2013:
Benefit Cap Working age benefits will be capped at £350 per week for single people or £500 per week for couples and lone parents. This will be based on income for the whole household and could mean a reduction in income for certain claimants. You may be exempt if you receive certain benefits such as Working Tax Credit or Disability Living Allowance.
Bedroom Tax (under-occupation rule) If you claim Housing Benefit and you under occupy your home, you may face a reduction in Housing Benefit. Single people aged 16+ and couples will be allowed one bedroom, same sex children up to the age of 15 will be expected to share one bedroom, boys and girls up to the age of 9 will be expected to share one bedroom. If you are concerned about either of the changes mentioned above or you want to find out if you will be affected please contact the Your Money Team on 01202 264484 or email [email protected]
✓ New look
✓ More interactive services
✓ Improved accessibility
✓ New search facility
✓ Neighbourhood and community pages
✓ Discussion forums and blogs
✓ Events calendar
✓ Links to our social media feeds
✓ And much more!
We’re bringing more to thePHP website
Coming in Spring 2013!
www.YourPHP.org.uk