in vision

Valuing community and valuing its diversity

Also available in Large-print,

Braille and Audio CD.

For General Enquiries call 01432 384000Minicom users please call

(01432) 378487

in summer32 Millionto improve

homes We are passionate about providing

quality homes. Despite therecession we are committed toimproving homes and have set

aside 32 million pounds forimprovements over the next

ten years.

Continued on Page 2

Inside this issue• Time for change page 4• Changes to your repair service page 7• Save energy - save pounds page 8• Peterchurch Goes Potty page 9• £6.5m to refurbish maisonettes page 11

...and much more

r

2 www.hhl.org.uk 01432 384000

Our Resident Inspectors worked with us totender our home improvement programme forthe next ten years. We look at the price andthe quality of the service we expect to receivefrom our contractors employed to carry out thework. Resident Inspectors help us to interviewthe contractors and visit their offices and sitesto see how well they are doing.

Who will carry out the work?We have appointed three contractors, who willwork alongside our own in-house team tocomplete the improvement programme:

• Apollo will share the internalimprovements with our in-house team,installing kitchens, heating systems, etc. and in addition will complete our roofing programme.

• Thomas Vale will complete all of our external works, which is agreed when inspecting our estates,such as providing additional car parking, landscaping improvements, etc.

• Ian Williams will carry out the cyclical painting to the outside of your homes and to all internalcommon areas

Creating opportunities for local peopleLocal people will get an opportunity because we have asked our contractors to use local labour as much as possible. Young people could also benefit as well; working with the Local TechnicalColleges, an apprenticeship scheme will be set up to train people in construction and work on ourimprovement programme.

The contracts can last up to a maximum of ten years; however, the work can be taken away from thecontractors if they do not complete the works to our standards. Resident Inspectors will help us toinspect the work to ensure it meets our standards;and talk to residents to see if the works suitindividual requirements. If you are interested intraining to become a Resident Inspector, pleasecall us on 01432 384110.

...continued from cover

3

Inspirational leaders

Giving youcredit! Helping you savewith Money BoxCredit Union We are offering a brand newsaving scheme through MoneyBox Credit Union partnership, where we will fund the set up ofyour account, your swipe card and we will also deposit £2 intoyour account to get you started!

The Credit Union offer safe savings and low cost loans andthey are regulated by the Financial Service Authority. Thescheme is available to all Herefordshire Housing residents. If you would like to findout more, or how youcan apply, pleasecontact IncomeServices on(01432) 384040.

The local HerefordshireMoney Box creditunion relies onvolunteers to be able toprovide the service tocustomers and keepcosts low. They arealways looking for newvolunteers; if you areinterested, pleasecontact them on 0845 347 9399.

Salary is based onexperience

Our contractors, Apollo, arelooking to employ 3

Resident Liaison Officers tohelp complete our Home

Improvement Programme.You will be the main point ofcontact for residents duringtheir home improvements,

making sure theyunderstand the work we will

be undertaking andassisting them, if necessary,

to get ready for the work.

You need to have experienceof working within acustomer focussed

environment, resolvingissues that need tact and

diplomacy.

If you feel that you wouldlike to be considered for one

of these important jobs,please contact the Asset

and Partnering team on01432 384057 and we willarrange for an applicationpack to be sent out to you.

Resident Liaison Officers JOB VACANCIES

DON’T open the door if youare not expecting or do not

recognise the person

• If you do open the door,ALWAYS use a door chain orbar

• CAREFULLY check the caller’sidentity

If in doubt, keep them out!

Report incidents to the police0300 333 3000

In an emergency dial 999

Distractionburglaries

4 www.hhl.org.uk 01432 384000

With a

new

Government

now in place

there is a real

sense of

change. Reducing the UK debt will mean that

funding for a wide range of publicservices will also reduce.

Herefordshire Housing is planning for the futureand is determined to look at how it can support asmany people as possible – at the same time ascontinually improving services. It’s a bigchallenge.

A Board of Management oversees the direction ofHerefordshire Housing. In the last tenantsnewsletter we asked you two questions:

1. Do you think that Herefordshire Housingshould change the balance of the Board to 5tenants, 5 Independents and 1 councillor?

2. Do you think that the Board should select all itsmembers including Tenant Board members?

Only a handful of responses were received andopinions were evenly divided. The Boardconsidered those carefully and agreed to proceed.

AmbitiousThere is an ambitious programme of work.

• Housing support will be delivered to morepeople,

• Careline, which already delivers services to26,000 customers, will create comprehensivecare packages,

• Our repairs team may offer repair services toother organisations and individuals,

• Development of new homes will start.

Be a part of itWe are now starting to recruit new Boardmembers. There are 6 places available and wewant people who have

• a passion for social housing,• objectivity, fairness, integrity, wisdom,

discretion and good judgment• strategic vision• a commitment to act in the best interest of

Herefordshire Housing, and of the community it serves, without regard to personal interestsor benefit

• a lively awareness of how the world ischanging politically, economically and socially

• time to be an effective board member• a good team player

5

Services excellent; improvement driven by customers and tenants

Board Members£3,250 per annum, expenses, training opportunities

With a recent Audit Commission inspection assessment of 2 stars andexcellent prospects for improvements, Herefordshire Housing is ambitiousand keen to develop existing activities and effectively tackle a new operatingenvironment. Herefordshire Housing is the only association based in anddedicated to the County of Herefordshire. It is a dynamic and innovativeprovider of 5,400 affordable homes and support services locally. We alsodeliver social alarm monitoring nationally to 26,000 customers through ourCareline. We are pragmatic with a strong social ethos.

As a Board Member you will bring your experience to contribute to thestrategic direction of the business. There will be opportunities to learn aboutnew areas of work, develop new skills and be part of a team which ispassionate about the community it serves.

Up to 6 board members are sought with a range of skills and knowledge.

To arrange an informal discussion about the role, contact Peter Brown, Chief Executive on 01432 384001.

Closing date for completed application forms is 12 noon on 30th June 2010. Interviews: 13th and 14th July 2010.

Start Date: 28th September 2010.Expected contribution: At least 20 days per year.

Duration: Annual review with maximum term.

For further information and an application pack, please telephoneHerefordshire Housing on 01432 384000 or email:

applications@hhl.org.uk

6 www.hhl.org.uk 01432 384000

Calling allwomen inthe SouthWye area! Women@No.14 is a shop atThe Oval, Newton Farm thathas opened its doors and isalready offering a wide rangeof activities for women inSouth Wye. This includescoffee mornings, free weight lossadvice and weigh ins, art and craft sessions, support on giving up smoking and support for brand newmums. Coming soon are Beauty & Style tips, Money Management & Debt Advice, Cookery skills andrecipe swaps, Heart Start & First Aid. Plus we will also be arranging for a Personal Trainer programme. In the near future we are going to be setting up a Gardening Club and a Walking Club, and will also beable to support people in getting back into work, filling out application forms, helping to develop CVs etc.

On top of this, we will also be offering Baby Sitting courses forteenagers (after school hours) and will be talking to themabout other things they would like to take part in.

We are always asking localwomen about what theywould be interested in andwould love to hear moreideas. We would also bevery pleased to hear fromanyone who would beinterested in volunteering atthe shop.

If you would like to find outmore about Women@No.14,we are based at No.14 TheOval, Newton Farm,Hereford. We are open from9.30am each day. You cancontact us on 01432 508229or emailhgreenway@hhl.org.uk

Inspirational leaders

7

In the forefront, a leading RSL and a great place to work

Changes to yourrepairs serviceWe have introduced a new repair priority ‘Major

Emergency’ to your repair service and updated anumber of our repair response times to ensurethat we can respond effectively to reported repairs.

When you report a repair to us, we will let youknow which priority it is classed under and whenwe will come to complete the repair. It will bematched to one of the priorities below:

• Major Emergency – we will respond within 2hours. These are repair requests that require aquick response due to danger to life or majordamage to the property or surrounding area.

• Emergency – we will respond within 24 hours.These are repairs that have an immediate health,safety or security risk, but do not pose a dangerto life.

• Urgent – repairs will be completed within 3working days.

• Routine – repairs will be completed within 20working days.

• Programmed – repairs will be completed within12 weeks.

Out of hours you also have access to anEmergency call out repair service, which will dealwith repairs in the Major Emergency category.

Changes to priorities for heating andhot water repairsAfter meeting with our Repairs Service ReviewGroup in July and September last year, we havechanged the priorities for central heating and hotwater repair requests to ensure we respond tocustomers’ needs.

The repair priorities are:

• No central heating and fire not working – willbe classified as an emergency repair during thewinter season only (from the 1st Novemberthrough to the 30th April). In summer periods theresponse priority changes to an urgent repair.

• No central heating but your fire is working –this will be an urgent priority.

• No hot water is an urgent priority and werespond within 3 working days.

The repairs service will continue to be flexible andin some circumstances, usually for vulnerablecustomers such as older people or people with adisability, respond to their repair request soonerthan the repair response times outlined above.

www.hhl.org.uk 01432 3840008

Careline gainsdouble accreditationaward Herefordshire Careline, one of the country’s leadingproviders in social alarm monitoring, has been re-accreditedby the Telecare Services Association (TSA) for its alarmmonitoring service and for the first time ever, its installationservice.

The accreditation is a rigorous process and brings everythingtogether, assessing the quality of calls made and received,customer feedback, training and our policies and procedures.This year, for the first time, Herefordshire Careline was alsoaccredited for its installation service. This formalaccreditation recognises the excellent work of the installerswho meet directly with our customers on a daily basis.Herefordshire Careline’s 24 hour personal emergencyservice is available to anyone who needs to summon helpurgently. For more information about our Careline serviceyou can call 01432 384100, visit www.hhl.org.uk, or emailcommunity.services@hhl.org.uk

Herefordshire Housing is offeringa free energy efficiency adviceservice to all residents. Thisadvice is based on yourindividual home andcircumstances. Energy Extragives ideas and practical advicefor no cost/low cost things youcan do at home to save energyand money.

This new service is run througha partnership with HHL andEnergy Extra and their advisorswill visit you at home to giveadvice. The type of advice theycan offer is how to operate yourheating system or helping youfind a cheaper energy supplier.We have already visited severalhomes and this has alreadymade savings for residents:

Mr and Mrs Bridges of CallowView saved £50 on theirelectricity bill because theyqualified for a social tariff rebate

To request an energy extra visitand benefit from this new serviceplease call us on (01432) 384040 or emailenergyextraref@hhl.org.uk

Save energy –Save pounds

Over 50 residents inPeterchurch turned up to twoafterschool pottery andstorytelling sessions aimed atresidents from Closure Placeand Lewis Way. The project, inconjunction with the GoldenValley Community Centre, wascreated to encourage residentsof all ages to get to know oneanother better and learn abouteach others experiences byparticipating in a creativeproject.

Residents were keen for more projects in the area starting withI.T sessions. An online taster course started on June 1st aimedat those who have never used a computer before and isdesigned to introduce the basic skills needed to start the journeyinto computing. Learners do not need any prior knowledge ofcomputing. Laptops will be provided at the local communitycentre forlearners ofany age tohave a go.

Furtheractivities arebeing plannedfor thesummerholidays.

9

Offering choice and going the extra mile

Peterchurch Goes Potty

10 www.hhl.org.uk 01432 384000

Gas Appliances - Besafe, get them checked! Every year around 14 people die from carbon monoxidepoisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which havenot been properly installed or maintained - You have theopportunity to make sure that you are not one of them!

As a Herefordshire Housing resident we will arrange for aGasSafe registered installer to service your gas appliancesonce a year for FREE. At the same time they will check anygas appliances you have purchased and installed.

The silent killer you can’t see, taste or smellWe have a duty of care to make sure that all gas appliancesowned by Herefordshire Housing are checked every year byone of our gas engineers.

What you need to doPlease help us by letting us into your home to do the serviceand safety checks, our engineer will only be at your home fora short time, no more than 2 hours.

We will send you a letter to let you know when your gassafety check and service is due. Please contact us toarrange an appointment for our engineer to call.

If you fail to make contact with our gas servicing team withina specified time to arrange for your gas safety check, we willcommence legal proceedings. If we have to go to court wewill recover the court costs and expenses incurred from you,the tenant which could be hundred’s of pounds. You mayeven lose your home. Court is always a last resort.

If your gas service and safety check is due, please contactus to make an appointment on 01432 384125.

It’s all too tempting to put yourbag of rubbish or your oldfurniture out on the landing totake to the bins later.

However, not only are youbreaching your tenancy but youare causing a fire hazard!

We’ve recently had an incidentwhere something on a landingcaught fire. Fortunately on thisoccasion, the fire was put outvery quickly, no one was hurtand there was no damage. Butit could have been so muchworse!

Its not just bag of rubbish or oldfurniture that could cause a fire.Items such as push chairs andbikes can be a hazard when leftout on landings. Even if theydon’t catch fire they could get inthe way or even block you andyour family’s escape route fromthe building.

So next time you go to leavesomething outside of your flat,please think, could it catch fireand could I get out if there wasa fire?

Don’t Fan theFlames inYour Flats!

11

Neighbourhoods and communities that are popular places to live

£6.5m torefurbishmaisonettes As part of our vision to create popularneighbourhoods and communities, we’re spending£6.5 million refurbishing the eight maisonette blocksat Moor Farm and Tupsley.

We carried out extensive consultation with residents through open events and have formed asteering group of residents and colleagues, who have considered the design for the refurbishment ofthe blocks and appointed the contractor, Bullock.

Bullock and their architect, Walker Troupe, impressed residents and colleagues with their moderndesign. They also incorporated residents’ issues and visions for the future, which included it rivallingnew private developments in Herefordshire. Very importantly they have a customer focussedapproach and a can do attitude.

Work so far…Work has started on the three maisonette blocks in Tupsley and work will be starting on the fiveblocks in Moor Farm in August 2010.

Protecting the bats!Currently bats are roosting in thecladding of the buildings. We haveprogrammed the work to fit aroundthe roosting bats during the summerseason as work can not be carriedout whilst the bats are there. At Tupsley, scaffolding has beenerected, external cladding has beenremoved and temporary bat boxeshave been erected. The bats will usethese homes until leaving in the earlyautumn. This process will berepeated at Moor Farm in Augustwhen the bats have left for theirwinter home.

Michelle Barnett (Bullock) Sarah James and Sue Segust (Herefordshire Housing)

www.hhl.org.uk

www.hhl.org.uk

PolishNiniejszy biuletyn zawiera istotne informacje dotyczące mieszkalnictwa I usług w tym zakresie,

Jeżeli życzylibyście sobie Państwo otrzymać niniejsze informacje przetłumaczone na język ojczysty, proszę dzwonić pod numer l (01432) 384011.

RussianЭто информационное письмо для жильцов содержит важную информацию о работе отдела по обслуживанию жильцов.

Если Вы хотите получить перевод этой информации, то, пожалуйста, звоните по телефону: (01432) 384011.

PortugueseEste boletim informativo para os inquilinos contém informação importante sobre os serviços de habitação.

Se quiser que esta informação seja traduzida, por favor telefone para (01432) 384011

LithuanianŠiame naujienraštyje yra informacijos apie gyvenamojo būsto paslaugas. Jeigu norite gauti šios informacijos vertimą,

skambinkite tel. (01432) 384011.

City Centre Office:One-Stop Shop,84-86 Widemarsh Street,Hereford, HR4 9HG.Tel. 01432 346070Fax. 01432 346089

Head Office:Herefordshire Housing Ltd.Legion Way,Hereford, HR1 1LN.Tel. 01432 384000Fax. 01432 384198

South Wye Office:Jubilee Court Community Facility,Kilvert Road, Newton Farm,Hereford, HR2 7FE.Tel. 01432 346091Fax. 01432 379260

Herefordshire Housing Limited Registered Office: Legion Way, Hereford, HR1 1LN. Registered Charity No. 1105907. Registered with the Tenant Services Authority No. LH4353. Registered in England 4221587.

Same but Different Raising Respect for Everyone inHerefordshire ‘Same But Different’ is an awareness-raising projectabout diversity and equality in our rural county. TheRural Media Company will be exploring attitudes to‘difference’ through film-making and on-line storytelling,

with individuals and groups who have been at the sharp end of ignorance orprejudice, whether it be because of their age, disability, race, faith, gender orsexual orientation.

The project aims to bust myths, reveal some surprising truths and demonstratewhat a fairer county might look like. The final films will be used to spread theword about how to improve accessibility and openness to all members of society.

A forum on rural diversity will be held at the Borderlines Film Festival, in spring2011 to showcase the films and the county’s migration and integration initiatives.

If you have a story to tell or are interested in the project or using the resultingfilms, please contact Vey Straker on 01432 344039, or e-mailveys@ruralmedia.co.uk.

Same but Different Raising Respect for Everyone inHerefordshire ‘Same But Different’ is an awareness-raising projectabout diversity and equality in our rural county. TheRural Media Company will be exploring attitudes to‘difference’ through film-making and on-line storytelling,

with individuals and groups who have been at the sharp end of ignorance orprejudice, whether it be because of their age, disability, race, faith, gender orsexual orientation.

The project aims to bust myths, reveal some surprising truths and demonstratewhat a fairer county might look like. The final films will be used to spread theword about how to improve accessibility and openness to all members of society.

A forum on rural diversity will be held at the Borderlines Film Festival, in spring2011 to showcase the films and the county’s migration and integration initiatives.

If you have a story to tell or are interested in the project or using the resultingfilms, please contact Vey Straker on 01432 344039, or e-mailveys@ruralmedia.co.uk.

in vision in summer