ebuzz december 2012
DESCRIPTION
Christmas Party SpecialTRANSCRIPT
• Foundthatweareverycriticalofourselves-weselfevaluatetoidentifyareasinwhichwecanimprove;
• Whentheymetwithourtenantstheydidn’trefertoMHA,butratheras‘we’;
• Thesignificantimpactwehaveasanassociationinthecommunity.There-structurethattookplace18monthsagoseemstobeworkingwell.TheRegulatorswereextremelyimpressedandpositiveabouttheworkandachievementsoftheCommunityandNeighbourhoodTeams;
• TheyalsocomplimentedthefactthatweunderstandtoRegulatoryOutcomes;
• AndweprovidegoodValueforMoney.
Alloftheabovepoints,inparticularvalueformoney,willstandusingoodsteedfortheupcomingHousingBenefitReform.
Regulation
ThefeedbackfromtheRegulatorswasveryencouraging.TheRegulatorshighlightedpositiveareaswheretheywereimpressed,andalsopointedoutourshortcomings,thatwehadalreadyrecognisedourselves.
SomeofthepositivepointsthattheRegulatorsacknowledgedwere:
• TheywereimpressedwiththeclearleadershipfromSMTandBoard;
• TheLeadershipqualitiesmanyofourstaffhold;
• Theyfeltwewere,asourvaluesstate,openandhonest;
• Theyfeltthatstaffreflectedourvaluesandobjectivesinthewayweconductourselvesandcarryoutourwork;
• AcknowledgedthatwetakecalculatedRisks;
TheRegulatorstoucheduponproblemswithcontactingMHAbytelephone–however,incontrarytothis,telephoningisstillthepreferredmethodofcontactforourtenantsbecausetheyarereceivingsuchgoodserviceslevels,evenwiththesignificantincreaseintheamountofcallswereceivedcomparedtolastyear.
OveralltheirimpressionofMHAwasgood,withafewareasinwhichwecanimprove.
Johncongratulatedstaffontheirhardwork.
looking FoRwaRd
WewerenotsuccessfulinourbidforthePowysWHQSwork.Howeverwescoredhighestinregardstoqualityand4thinregardstocost.Johnexplainedthecurrentsituationwithsmallercontractorstryingtomaintaincashflowbydecreasingtheirprices.
Johnalsoreiteratedtheneedtocommencetoaddresscommerciality.WeneedtofindexternalworktogenerateextraincomewhichwillhelpbalanceoutthedeficitweareexpectingfromtheHousingBenefitReform.CommercialitytraininghasbeenarrangedforthenecessarystaffinJanuary.
BoaRd
AttheChristmasBoardMeetingoutcome6ofRegulatoryReport–WeBuildandrenovatehomestoagoodqualitywasdiscussed.RegulatorswereveryimpressedwiththeWHQsworkandnewworkwehavecarriedout.
TheBoardapprovedthenewWelshLanguageScheme
TheBoardalsoapprovedthenewMonmouthshireAchievementProgrammefor2013.
TrevorBowenCourtoutcomesneedtoberevisitedshortly.
TenantsSatisfactionSurveyResults:JohnthankedeveryoneinvolvedincollatingtheTenantsSatisfactionResults.
Thisisthefirstyearwehavedoneitinternally,andsubsequentlyhavehadthehighestresponserates(33%)andhadtheresultsinthequickesttime,andsavedmoneyindoingso!
Duetoanumberofchangesthisyear,theresultswouldbethebestweshouldhopetoachieve.
90%oftenantsareeither‘satisfied’or‘verysatisfied’withthe‘OverallserviceprovidedbyMonmouthshireHousingAssociation’.Thisisup3%fromlastyear,andwhenbenchmarked,putsusfirstinrelationtootherWelshHousingAssociations
‘YourRentProvidesValueforMoney’,‘YourNeighbourhoodasaplacetolive’and‘theoverallqualityofyourhome’satisfactionrateshaveallincreasedbyatleast4%sincelastyearandareabovetheupperquartilebenchmarkprovidedbyHousemark.
OverallSatisfactionwithRepairsandMaintenanceisup4%fromlastyearto87%,andthisisstillabovethehigherquartilefiguresetoutbyHousemark.Johncongratulatedtheteamandsaidthatthereisstillspaceforimprovement,butbytweakingwhatwealreadydowewillbeabletoachievethis.
‘MHAlistenstoyourviews’satisfactionrateshaveincreasedby13%thisyearto79%!ThiswasalsoreflectedintheRegulatorsReport.
By Cheryl TraCy
Onthe8thNovembermyselfandScottbravedthecoldandtookpartinLlamau’sSleepOutinCardiff.LlamauareahomelessnesscharitywhoprovidevitalservicestoyoungpeopleandwomenacrossSouthWales,serviceswhichmaybecomemoreessentialgiventhecurrentclimateandtheloomingwelfarereform.
WearrivedattheSleepOutat6.30pmwearingsomanylayersthatitwasdifficulttomove!!WeweremetbyanextremelyfriendlyLlamauteam,whowerefullofenergyandenthusiasmforthenightahead.Wedumpedourstuffinthelockersprovidedandgotreadytospendanightinthecold.WewereluckyenoughtohaveentertainmentputonbyLlamauintheformoflocalcomediansandbandsandourspiritswerekeptupbyAngelaZenati,aswekepteverybodyupdatedviaFacebook.
Come12.30wewerereadytogoto‘bed’–whichwasapieceofgrasscoveredwithapieceofcardboard(Althoughwedidhavetheluxuryofacardboardenvelope,whichkeptuswarm).Wewerefairlyluckywiththeweatheranditprovedtobequiteamildnight,withtheexceptionofthehowlingwind.Ihadtokeepmyfaceascoveredaspossibleduetothecold.Ialsohadtokeepturningovertokeepthepins/needlesandnumbnessatbay.Itwasoneofthemostuncomfortablenightsofmylifeandaverysoberingexperience.WhenIhadfinallydriftedofftosleepwehadour6amwakeupcallandthenightwasover.
WewouldliketogiveamassivethankyoutoStaffwhosponsoredusandhelpedusraiseamassive£930,whichcontributedtothe£24,492raisedbytheevent.WewouldalsoliketosayamassivethankyoutoMHAwhoagreedtosponsorus£250.
IfyouwouldliketotakepartintheSleepOutnextyear,pleaseletmeknow.It’saworthwhileeventforabrilliantcauseandreallymakesyouappreciatethedifficultiesotherpeoplefaceonadailybasis.
By Jane Grayer
TwotasterSessionshavebeenrunrecentlybytheCommunityInvestmentteamtoencourageparentstocookwiththeirchildren.8parentswithatotalof14childrenrangingfrom18monthsto9yearsfromMonmouthandCaldicotmadespiderbiscuitsforHalloweenandpastawithavegetableandbaconsaucesoeveryonehadfoodreadyforlunch.Thechildrenalllearnedbasicknifeskills,howtomixcookiedoughandshapebiscuitsaswellaslotsaboutdifferentfruitandvegetables.Flourandcocoapowdermixedwithlaughterandencouragementasallthechildrengotstuckin.
Theonlyquietpointwaswhentheywereallowedtosampletheirbiscuitsaftercookingandcooling.Theparentsallfeltmoreconfidenttoinvolvetheirchildrenincookingathome,withplansformingaboutthenextrecipestobetackled.
Meanwhileallthechildrendrewpicturesofpeoplewithsmileyfacesandplatesofbiscuitswithonewriting,‘Bestdayever.Thankyou’
FourmoresessionsareplannedforEastertime(oneineachofthemaintowns).
By david morris
IcanstillrememberthatfeelingwhenIthoughtthatSantawasnotrealafterall...itwashorribleandleftarealemptiness.IwonderedwhatwouldChristmasbelikenowthatallthemagicwasgone?Ifrequentlystillhearpeoplesay“Christmas??...wellit’sforthechildrenisn’tit”
IguessIbelievedthatwasindeedthecaseuntiloneFebruarynightalongtimeago,whilstatuniversityinAberystwyth,IbecameaChristian.OhnonotreligionIhearyoucry...NOnotreligionbutarelationshipwithJesusChrist.SoundsweirdIknowbutaguytoldmeIcouldhaveforgivenessforthebadthingsinmylifeandexperienceanewlife,anewstart.Ididn’tunderstandittotallybutIknewthatIwantedapurposetomylifesofromthatdayIdecidedtofollowJesus,thatishisteachings,hiswayofliving.
IstartedgoingtochurchbutpleasehearmewhenIsaygoingtochurchdoesnotmakeyouaChristian.Peoplehaveloadsofissueswithchurchwhichisnotsurprisingasits’fullofimperfectpeoplelikeme.NobeingaChristianisaboutgettingtoknowJesusthroughreadingthebibleandprayingandIknowit’srealtome.
AtthatpointIfoundthefantasticmeaningofChristmaswhichisevenmorewonderfulthanbelievinginSanta.EventhelyricsoftheChristmascarolsmadesense,thestorytookonawholenewmeaningandIenjoycelebratingthebirthofmySaviour.
IdobelievethatGodgaveusalltheperfectgiftatChristmasofhisSon.Idon’twantto“forcereligiondownanyone’sthroat”butwouldsimplyaskthat,maybeinthebusinessofthistimeofyear,youconsidertheOneitisallabout.Aswithanygiftyouhaveachoicetoacceptitornot.
Finally,IwanttostressthatasaChristianIamaworkinprogress,Istillmessup(asmanyofyouknow!)butIknowGodforgivesmewhenIdoandIcanstartagain.
SohaveagreatChristmasandIprayHisblessingandpeacetoyouthroughouttheNewYear!
MHA’scomputersinthecommunityschemeisgoingfromstrengthtostrengthwithover40computersnowoutonloan.isn’tittimeyouconsideredlookingintothis?
TheMHAComputersintheCommunitySchemewillallowyoutouseyourloanedcomputerinthecomfortofyourownhome,helpingyoutolearnatyourownpace.Providingyouhavecompleted3basiccoursesandarewillingtostudyfurther,wecanofferyouacomputertouseforthosestudies.
Pleasenotethatthisschemeistargetedatthosewhodon’thaveacomputerandwanttolearn.Thisisalimitedresourceandcannotbeopentoall.
ForfurtherinformationonourComputersintheCommunityschemeandtoseeifyouqualifypleaseringandrequestaleafletandapplicationformfromRobyneSquireon01495 761007
Pleasenotethatyouwillneedtoprovideevidenceoflearningaspartofthequalifyingcriteria.
Hiall!MovemberisfinallyoverandalreadyanumberoftheMO’sgrownhavebeenremoved,howeverthereisstilltimetodonatetothisworthycause(Men’sHealth–tofightTesticularandProstateCancer)
Thankyoutoeverybodywhohasdonatedalready,asateam“MHA’sMobros”wehavealreadyraised£103inonlinedonationsandthereisstilltimetoraisesomemorebeforethemoneyhasbeensentin.
Ifyouwouldliketostilldonatetothisveryworthycauseeithergoonlineandfollowthelink:
https://www.movemBeR.com/uk/donate/payment/team_id/803029
orhandinyourcashdonationstoeitherIanAtkinson,AndrewNash,AdrianSimmonds,JohnDaviesorRobCarey.
By roByne sQUire
ThelatestroundsofITsessionsatMHAschemeshavebeenaspopularasever!Theoriginal‘ComputersforBeginners’sessionsbeganatPlasMawr,Usklastyearbuthavenowbranchedouttotwomoresitesinthesouthofthecounty,TheReddingsinChepstowandTheLawnsinMagor.ThesessionsstartedinAugustwithafourweektastercourseandweresowellreceivedthatwecreateda10weekcoursetostartsoonafterwithMonmouthshireAdultEducationwhichisduetofinishintwoweekstime.
MHAprovidedallthelaptopsandlearnerscanborrowthemaspartofthe‘ComputersintheCommunity’schemetocontinuepractisingtheirnewskillsoutsideofclass.
Thesessionshavebeenwellattendedwith15tenantscontinuingtolearnaboutcomputersandtheinternetonaregularbasis.
Sofarthestudentshavelearntaboutbasickeyboardandmouseskills,createddocumentsandpostersinMicrosoftWord,setupe-mailaccountsandlearnthowtoshopsafelyontheinternet.AnothercourseissettostartinJanuarywherelearnerswilldelvefurtherintotheinternetworldlookingatsocialmediasitesandsettingupSkypeaccountstotalktofamilyandfriendsaroundtheworld.Bydigitallyincludingtheselearners,wearealsopreparingsomeofouroldertenantsfortheupcomingbenefitapplicationchangesbyhelpingthemfeelsafeandconfidentonline.
By roByne sQUire
WiththecoldnightscreepinginandChristmasontheway,MHAhelditspopularannualKeepWarmandWelleventsbetween14thand30thNovemberatthreeschemesaroundthecounty,WellfieldCloseHall,Abergavenny,PlasMawr,UskandTheReddingsinChepstow.
Theeventhelpstopromotestayingwarm,wellandhealthytoouroldertenantsduringthecold,wintermonths.
Theeventofferedtenantsover55thechancetogetadviceandinformationonsubjectssuchasmoney,energyefficiency,communitygroupsandhomeadaptationsfromorganisationslikeMoneywise,MCCCareandRepairandCommunityConnections.
AsusualweofferedfreeteaandcaketoallattendeesandafreeentranceintoaChristmasHamperRafflecrammedfullofgoodiesandcupboardstaplestoseeanyonethroughwinter.Tenantscamealongforalldifferentreasons,whetheritwasforadvicefrompartners,informationonlocalservicesorjustforafriendlychatandcupofteabutwhateverthereason,theeventwasenjoyedbyallwhocamealong.
our intrepid explorer who likes the scottish highlands and nepal, took the challenge of attempting to get from newport to mamhilad and back again without using his ozone destroying box on wheels. is it possible? how long would it take? using mha’s newly acquired folding bike.
Thebikefoldseasilyandcanbecarr
iedonthetrainwithnoproblems.A
tNewInn
Imetanotherfoldingbikeenthusias
tandwecycledtothecanaltogethe
rfromthe
trainstation–turnsouthewasfrom
Melin!
Goinghometooksimilartime–alth
oughyouhavegottheproblemofth
ehillback
tothecanalandasIdiscovered,the
bikefliesalongontheflatbutismu
chharder
workonhillsthanaconventionalbik
eduetothesizeofthewheels.
FUELCOST
TRAIN
TIME
WEAR&TEAR
CALORIESLOST
HEALTHGAIN
ENVIRONMENTALIMPACT
CAR
£3.50
NIL
15MINS
DIFFICULTTOCALCULATE
50
MINUSDUETOQUEUINGATROUNDABOUTSANDSTRESSCAUSED
0.01TONNESOFCO2PRODUCED
BIKE
NIL
£4.50
60MINS
VERYLITTLE
400
FRESHAIR,INCREASEDEMOTIONALWELLBEING
NIL
Needsabitofplanning–Clothesneedtobeleftinworkinadvance.Trainsarefairlylimitedsoifyoumissoneyoucouldendupwaitinganotherhour.Trainticketsarearound10%cheaperifyoubookovertheinternetthenightbefore(Ipaidfullpriceontheday).Tryitsometime–it’sgoodforyou!
ThisyearhasbeenabusyyearfortheTenantSupportTeam,andtheteammembershavereorganisedtheirworktoeachhaveadesignatedcaseload.Eachtenantinour10shelteredschemeshasanamedTenantSupportOfficerwhoistheir‘keyworker’
TheteamspendsabitoftimeworkingandliasingwithcolleaguesinHealthandSocialServicesaswellasNeighbourhoodOfficersandtheCommunityServicesTeam.
Inadditiontothe400plustenantsinShelteredSchemeswhohaveasupportplan,theteamhavevisitedafurther90MHAtenants(over60yearsofage)inthewidercommunity.Thepurposeofthesevisitsistoassesstheperson’ssupportneedstoseeifwecanaccess,signpostorsupportthetenant.Forexampleincreaseincome,haveaids/adaptionsfitted,learnaboutreleventactivitiesandlocalorganisations.Thesupportweprovideisverymuchfocusedonsettinggoalswiththepersontohelpthemstayhealthy,secureandindependantintheirownhome.
TheSeniorVoicegroup(madeupoftenantsfromShelteredSchemes)recentlyratedtheirsatisfactionwiththeTenantSupportService.Theyscoredusoutof10inthefollowingareas:
• FeelingSafe:8.1• Feelingpartofthecommunity:7.5• Managingrelationships:8.2• Supporttoleadahealthyandactive
lifestyle:8.7• Supporttoengageineducationand
learning:6.8• Supporttostaymentallywell:9.5
Obviouslythereisalwaysroomforimprovement,andwearecurrentlylookingathowwecangivemoresupportinareasthathavescoredthelesswellthanothers.
Inadditiontothevisitsandsupportworkweundertake,wearealsoresponsibleforfittingandmaintaininghardwareanddispersalalarmserviceprovidedtoover1,200MHAoldertenants.Thisyear(2012)wehave:
• Fitted28alarms• Provided60additionalpendantsfor
tenantsatriskoffalling• Dealtwith72underlyingfaults
Wehavealsohadapart-timededicatedSupportOfficerwhohasorganisedaprogrammeofactivitiesandeventsinShelteredSchemesthroughouttheyear.Theprimaryfocusoftheseeventsisintheareasofmobility,sightandhearing.
TheASBTeamwereshortlistedfortheSocialLandlordsCrimeandNuisanceGroup(SLCNG)forteam oF the yeaRawardfor‘deliveringresults’
TheSLCNGistheUK’sleadinghousingbasedorganisationspecialisingindeliveringeffectivesolutionstoanti-socialbehaviour.TheASBteamwascommendedbythejudgingpanelandwastheonlyWelshHousingAssociationtobeshortlistedwhichistestamenttothehardworkoftheteam,byachievingsomuchinashortspaceoftime.
new policies
MHArecognisesthatdomesticabusecanimpingeonanindividual’sworkperformanceandultimatelyonserviceprovision,andthereforeissupportiveofanyemployeewhoisexperiencingdomesticabuse.Thispolicyprovidesadviceonthesupportavailable.
ThefollowingpolicieshavealsobeenreviewedandupdatedattheStaffCommunicationsGroup
• Learning&Development• Whistleblowing• Probation
all policies can Be Found on inhouse
Herearesomephotosofyouenjoyingtheboothatthisyear’sXmasParty.
MynameisDewiandIpreviouslyworkedastheITTechnicianinYsgolGyfunGwynllyw,aWelshmediumschoolinTrevethin.Myhobbiesincludeplayingrugby,footballanddarts.
HellomynameisDavidandIamthenewAffordabilityOfficerworkingona6monthspilotproject.
Myroleinvolvesprovidingpre-tenancyadvicetohelptenantsunderstandthecostassociatedwithtakingonapropertywithMHA–especiallyinlightofthewelfarereformchanges.Iwillworkcloselywiththe
lettingsteam,theMoneyWiseserviceandtheNeighbourhoodofficers.
Theaimofthe6monthspilotistoascertainifpretenancyadvicecanhelpinsustainingtenancybyprovidingupfrontadvicefortenantstomakeinformeddecisionsintakingonnewtenancies.
By raChal Collins
Stress?Depression?Anxiety?Panicattacks?Etc….I’vehadthemallinvaryingdegreessinceIwasasmallchild.
‘Mentalillness’hassuchaperceivedstigmaattachedtoitthatpeopleareafraid,ashamedorembarrassed(usuallyallofthem)toadmittohavingsufferedfromanyofthem.I’madmittingtoitandtosayI’mperfectly‘normal’(myclosefriendswillnodoubtbesniggeringatthatstatement…)
AnyoftheissuesthatcomeundertheMentalHealthumbrellacanbetrulydebilitating–andencroachonallpartsofyourlife.Iamanemetophobe(extremefearofvomiting).Thiscausesmetobeovervigilantaboutavoidinggerms–Ihaven’ttouchedadoorhandleorstairbanisterforyears(alwaysusemysleeve)andIhavebeenknowntoflushatoiletwithmyfoot!
Panicattackscanmanifestthemselvesbythepersonfeelinglikethey‘willdie’,notme–whenIhaveatruepanicattackIfeellikeIwillthrowup,which(giventheemetophobia)makesmepanicmore,whichmakesmefeelmoresick,etc.etc….
WhenIwaspregnantwithmyfirstbabyIwasextremelyworried.....notabout‘normal’pregnancyrelatedissues,no–myfearswerenuclearwar!Iwouldobsessivelywatcheverynewsbulletinandeventhemosttenuouslinkwouldsendmyanxietyoffthescale.
Iwasdiagnosedwithdepressionin1997andhavebeenonanti-depressantseversince.Ihavetriedtocomeoffthemseveraltimesovertheyears,whenIfeltwellenoughtodowithoutthem.Disappointingly,withinafewweeksofstoppingthem,(weaningmyselfinacontrolledmannerwithmedicaladvice)mybrainrecognisedthechemicalimbalanceandIwasrightbackdownagain.Inowacceptthat,justlikeIneedmyinhalertodealwithmyasthma,IneedCitalopramtoredressthechemicalimbalancethatcancausedepression.
Irefertomybaddepressiontimesas‘blackcardiedays’aswhenIwasatmyworst,Ispentmydaysinabigblackcardigan,lyingonthesofamindlesslyflickingthroughtheSkychannels.
WhenIwenttotally‘bellyup’,IleftmyjobasIfeltunabletodoitproperly,andspentthenextyeargettingbetter,graduallyspendinglesstimeonthesofaandmoregentlewalkingandgettingout.ThenextyearIpaintedeverywallinmyhousewhite,somethingthatIfeltmademefeelbrighter!ThethirdyearIfeltwellenoughtothinkaboutworkagain.IhadafewfalsestartswhenIgotscaredandbottleditandturnedjobsdownbuteventuallyIappliedforandgotajobinrecruitmentintheNHS.Thatwas2001andI’vebeeninworksincethen.
IhaveseenjustabouteverytypeofMHprofessionalthereis–psychiatrist,whotalkedaboutmydreamsandIreallycouldn’tseewhatthathadtodowithanything(weallhavethemostrandom,weirddreamsdon’twe?).Nextwasapsychologistwhotriedcognitivebehaviouraltherapy(todealwiththeemetophobia).Thisincludedlisteningtotapes(rememberthose?)ofsomeonepretendingtobesick.(Itjustmademelaughasitwassoclearlypretend).IthenhadsomesessionswithaCommunityPsychiatricNurse-thatwasquiteuseful.CounsellingwasthetherapythatIfoundmostbeneficial(butIhavehadseveraldifferentonesovertheyears).Themostrecentattemptwassixsessionsofhypnotherapyformyanxiety.(I’mnottotallyconvincedthatworkedeither!)
I’vecometorealisethatIamwhoIamandalthoughIstrugglesometimes,I’mmostlyahappy‘sane’person.Ibelievethathavingmentalhealthproblemsdoesnotmakemeanylessofapersonandwouldliketosaytoanyonewho’ssuffering(andItrulybelievewealldoatsometime)it’soktobe‘mad’.
Inolongerhavetheblackcardieeither…..
Eachmonth,we dedicate a section of
EBUZZtostaffcomplimentsaswe like
to let everyone know howmuch their
colleagues and customers value them!
Hereareafewofthemostrecentones.
helen Jameswantedtothankneil BinnellandRoByne squiReforinvitingthecareandrepairteamtotheKeepWarmandWelleventsthathaverunthroughoutMonmouthshirerecently.IwouldalsoliketocommendyouonyourteamandespeciallyyourTraineeHousingOfficerRobyneSquire.Shemadeusfeelsowelcome,shewassopleasantandnothingwastoomuchtroubleforher.Thelocationswerefabandtheatmospheregeneratedwassopositive,warmandfriendly.Sheisanassettoyourorganisation.
mRs cuRReywouldliketosayamassivethankyoutoeveryonethatputmykitchenandbathroomin,theworkmenworkedwondersandwereabsolutelyfantastic,theykepteverythingcleanandtidyandverypoliteandevengaveconversationtobrightenmydaythatIreallyappreciated,soMHAkeepupthegoodwork.Youcan’timproveperfectioninmyeyes.Thankyou.
susan sandhamwouldliketothankneil BinnellandJill evansfortheirmeeting.ItwashelpfultocleartheairandyouwereverypatientwithherandIhopethatwecanresolvesomething.InfuturewewillbespeakingtoJillmorewefeel.
mR colemanwouldliketocommendtheelectriciansRichaRd moRRisandcRaig FalconeRwhocarriedoutthereplacementofafailednightstorageheaterandfortheirhelpandtidinessindoingtheirwork.
mRs thomaswouldliketopassonherthankstoheatingengineersnick BRownandJake cohenwhofittedaradiatoratapropertyanddidawonderfuljob,wereverycleanandpolite.
miss Rowleswroteintothankneil Binnellandthehousing suppoRt teamfortheirletterofofferofhelpandsupport.MissRowlesreallyappreciatedthisgesture.
stacey edwaRdswenttomakeanewairingcupboarddoorforms whitBy,shesayshedidanabsolutelywonderfuljobandhewasexcellent.
mRs mclauchlan wouldliketoappraiseherfirst5monthsinMHAhome.Thestaffhavebeenconsiderate,understandinganddiscreetwhenneeded..
• “Issuefrontlinestaffwithpocketbookofdirectlinenos...”-Stafftoloadessentialnumbersontotheirphones.
• “Staffshoppingtrip.”-Hasbeenconsideredpreviouslyandmaybearrangedinthefuture.
• “UniformforReceptionist...”-Uniformsareanissueforindividualmanagers.
• “HavingSMVSonjobdescriptionforaPlumber...”-Isalreadybeingconsidered.
• “ChargerentandofferoldbathroomsinBrooksideforstorageforresidents...”-ThissuggestionhasgonetoAndrewNash.
• “CommunityDIYeventsforTenantsbyourTradestaff...”-ThishasalreadybeensuggestedandhasgonetoSMT.
• “Collectstampsonincomingmailtogivetocharities...”-ForwardedtoSueKidd.
• “Sendmorerecharges...”-Isalreadyinprogress.
• “PowerlightingincommunalareasatSchemeswithsolarenergy...”-ForwardedtoSueKidd.
• “TwitterBoard...”-Agreetotrial,CorporateServiceswillpromote.
• “AutotyrepressuregaugeatHQ...”-Someconcernsaboutongoingmaintenanceandsafety
• “ImprovefirstimpressionofVoids-‘welcomehamper’/flowers...”-Welcomepackisprovided.
WINNINGSUGGESTION
TodonatecomputerstolocallibrariesandutilisethespacetopromoteMHA-david Rawlings
Manyothersuggestionsweremadebystaff.Suggestionsputforwardandoutcomes
‘FortheexcellentsupportworkonGlanyNantlastFriday.Onetenantwasillandhadnoheatingandanother’sbackwassobadthatAnnMariehadtodress,toiletandgiveherbreakfast.Twoothertenantsalsohadproblemsatthesametime,butshedealtwitheverythinginherusualcalmandprofessionalmanner.’
‘Forgoingaboveandbeyond,andsortingoutapeskyproblemwithmyPC-makingsurewepayoursuppliersontime!’
‘Forhelpinganewoapresidentintohisaccommodationbyensuringhehasallthehelpneededforthemove.’
‘ThankyouRhiannonforgoingthatextramiletohelpatenantwhohadjustcomeoutofhospital.’
‘Forhavingbeenonaweeksholidayandcomingbacktoatrainingday,Bridgethasmadesuremyclientshadawellbeingcallwithoutmeaskingher,sheknewwhotocontactknowingshewastheonlysupportofficeronsightthatday.’
‘Forworkingsowellwithatenantandatenantsfamilytocometoanagreedconsensusabouthowwewillsupportthetenantsindividualneedsgoingforward.Thiswasafterthefamilyhadbeenquitenegativeaboutthesupportservice.WelldoneJillforhelpingtomanageapotentiallydifficultsituation.‘
HereareaselectionofPicklesawardedinthelastmonthtostaffthathavegoneoverandabovetheirroles.Welldoneall!
AgoodtimewashadbyallthatwenttoseePhantominWalesMillenniumCentreonThursday13thDecember2012.
Ifyouhaveanysuggestionsforfuturetheatretripsorsocialevents,pleasecontactPhilippaDeaconon2140or01495 761140.
MHAhasadedicatedTwitterpagewheregeneralactivitycanbepromotedtotheoutsideworld.Thisisafantastictoolforpromotingsomeofthegoodworkyouaredoing,raisingtheprofileofprojectsunderwayandencouragingotherstointeractwithus.Sendusanemailwithyourlatestnewsandwewillgetthispostedout!
a group has been set up in outlook called ‘twitter messages’.
ByGavinPlumley-Recently,Ihadmytwosonschristened.TwoofmyfellowteammembersJamesBannisterandCraigFalconerwerethereandwerenamedgodfatherstomyyoungestsonCaleb.Thisisduetothefriendshipthatweallformedwhileworkingontheplannedmaintenanceteamtogether.TheyaregreatladsandIamproudthattheyacceptedmyoffer.
CongratulationstoBeckyHogginsandherFianceéOllyonthebirthoftheirseconddaughter‘ImogenGrace’whowasbornTuesday20thNovember2012weighingahealthy8lb13oz.
TobeinwithachanceofwinningsomeAustralianwine,pleaseguessSantaandhisElf.
Emailyouranswerstosarah.kersley@monmouthshirehousing.co.ukbyFriday 18th January 2013.
TheCommunityInvestmentTeamhaveanumberofinitiativesonthegoandareworkingcloselywithotherpartnerstohelpthoseinthecommunity:
deBt RelieF oRdeRsMattTaylor(Income&EnergyAdvisor)ishelpingwithgrantapplicationsforthosewhocannotaffordtopayoffdebts.Ifyouknowsomeonewhoisstruggling,contactMattbecausetherearerestrictionstoeligibility.
MHAareencouragingtenantstoopenCreditUnionChristmasSaveraccountsandwillgive£10tostartthemoff(foradultsand£5forchildren)
the independent Financial advocacy pRoJectispartoftheWalesSafeguardingOlderPeoplePartnership.Thisprojectprovidesimpartialsupporttovulnerableadultsover50.
constRuction youth tRustisaregisteredcharityhelpingyoungpeopletoaccesstraining,educationandemploymentopportunitiesintheconstructionindustry(particularlythosefromdisadvantagedbackgroundsincl.Youngoffenders,careleaversandlongtermunemployed).IfyouknowofanyonethatfitsthiscriteriaspeaktotheMoneywiseTeamformoreinformation.
MHA’sownMoneywiseteamareusingTenantInsightdatatotargettenantswhoneedusthemost.Forexample:
ThenewBedroomTaxwhichisbeingintroducedbytheGovernmentinApril2013—weknowwhoisbeingaffectedandaregivingsupportandadvicetopreparethemforwhatliesahead.Similarlywithotherbenefitcuts.
way into woRkisajointinitiativerunbyMHA,JobCentrePlusandMonmouthshireYouthService.Sofar,wehaveassisted20peopleintoemploymentandmanyhavehadvaluableworkexperienceinanumberofdifferentareasofthebusiness.
MHA’sBursarySchemeisavailabletothosewishingtostarttheirownbusinesses.Thegranthelpswithtraining,equipmentetc.RobyneSquirefromtheWork&SkillsWiseTeamcanhelpwithenquiries.
waRm home discount scheme offershelptoolderpeoplewithenergycosts.MattTaylorhasalreadymetwith28tenantsduringthelastyearandmanagedtosavethem£3,360collectively.
OurIncome&EnergyAdvisorsalsorunFuelClubs,theHolisticEnergyAdviceproject,managingmoneysessions,newtenantvisitsanddrop-insessionsaroundthecountyofferingfreeadvice
computeRs in the community schemeisgoingfromstrengthtostrengthwithover40computersnowoutonloan.
Theschemeallowspeopletolearnattheirownpaceinthecomfortoftheirhomesandtargetsthosewhodonothaveacomputerandwanttolearn.Tenantsneedtocomplete3basiccoursesandbewillingtostudyfurther.
Doyouknowanyonewhowouldbenefitfromthis?TherearelimitedresourcessopleaseputthemintouchwithRobyneSquireon01495 761007forfurtherinformation.
Employment & Self employment read about our success stories
MHA launch the Holistic Energy Advice project – get your free gadgets today
Benefit changes are coming, are you effected?
Beware of illegal money lenders
Fourth Edition - 2012
INSIDE: Find out which tenant from
Old Hereford Road, Sheltered
Scheme turned 100yrs old.
YOUR BENEFIT CHANGES
PLAY IN THE PARK SUMMER FUN
TPAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
THE TENANTS’ FORUM AGM
MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARDS
IVOR AND WALLACE
TENANTMATTERS:WINTER2012
WHATYOU SAID
WHAT WE DID
THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY
THE GUEST SPEAKER
STAFF AWARDS
ACHIEVER (MAP) AWARDS
SMT QUESTION TIME
CORPORATE PLANNING PROCESS
DISCUSSION WORKSHOPS
EBUZZ:STAFFCONFERENCE2012
YOUSAIDWEDID:2ndEDITIONMONEYMATTERS:4THEDITION
InHouse
>Departm
ents>
Corporate
Service
s>PR&Corporate
Communicatio
ns>StaffEb
uzzInH
ouse
>Departm
ents>
Corporate
Service
s
InHouse>Departments>CommunityServices
InHouse>Departments>Housing&Communities
>OtherDocuments