Inspired Livingmaking your area a great place to live MARCH 2013

New housing benefit claims or a change in circumstances

If you’re worried about the government’s welfare reforms, and you’d like to make the most of your money, join us at Chadderton Asda car park on Thursday 28 March from 2pm to 5pm, where you can get advice and guidance.

From finding out how to keep your home warm for less, to Oldham Credit Union and help paying your rent, the team will be available to help you and keep those pennies in your pocket.

If you would like more information, please take a look at Oldham Council’s website www.oldham.gov.uk/info/100001/benefits_and_money

Come along to make the most of your money!

If you need to make a new claim for housing benefit, or report a change in circumstances, you will need to visit Great Places’ office at 119 Union Street, Oldham, or come to your local drop-in session (details below).

The reason for this is to make sure your housing benefit claim is paid more efficiently and most importantly correctly.

As a reminder, here’s the information for our drop-in events...

Primrose Bankevery Monday in the office above Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall 10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates)

CrossleyEvery Tuesday at Wates’ office in the north compound10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates)

News in briefWHEELIE BIN STORAGEMany residents on Crossley have been provided with ‘pods’ which contain a storage area for bins. Please make sure that bins are stored here and not in your front garden. This will keep your street tidy, and stop thieves using them to gain access to properties in the area.

Residents in Dew Way - could you please make sure you put your bins at the back of your home.

SCOOP THAT POOP!Crossley residents have been voicing their concerns about the amount of dog fouling on the estate. Can all dog owners please clean up after their animals, also, if you spot any dog owner being irresponsible, please report it to the customer access team on 0300 123 2003.

AIR PELLETSGreat Places and the police are stepping up the search for the person responsible for causing damage to properties with an air gun. This is being taken very seriously, and your help would be appreciated. If you know anyone in the Crossley area who owns, or has been seen with an air gun, please contact the customer access team on 0300 123 2003, or the police on 101.

BIG THANKS!Great Places would like to thank

GEKAY carpets & floors

66-68 Rochdale Road,Shaw, OL2 7SA

... for their kindly donated carpet.

NEW HOMES FOR SALE AT THE FOXGLOVES

BACKGROUNDAndrew had been on a bricklaying course at Bury College when Great Places employment and training co-ordinator, Nicolette Aydin, went to chat to the students about the world of work. Andrew was then put forward for a job with ELAN homes which the employer kindly funded. But unfortunately his employment ended without completing the NVQ.

WHAT’S ANDREW UP TO NOW?Nicolette was aware that he’d lose the funding if he wasn’t able to complete the training. She then contacted Wates construction manager, Dave Mason, to see if he could help... and he could! Andrew started working for Cara Brickwork in January 2013.

Andrew said: “I really want to thank Nicolette for all her help. Without her input I wouldn’t be here now. I’ve just completed my NVQ level two and I’m learning so much from the Cara team.”

Cara Brickwork site manager, Andrew Bennett, was delighted with his new apprentice. He said: “Andrew is one of the best apprentices I’ve ever worked with. He is always punctual and reliable. If he’s given a job to do, you can trust that it will be done and he’ll always ask what job to do next. I’m looking forward to watching him progress into a skilled bricklayer in the future.”

For more information, please contact Wates’ employability co-ordinator Angela Hough on 0161 484 3295

CASE STUDY ANDREW HIGGINS

BackgroundAndrew had been studying Bricklaying at Bury College when Nicolette Aydin, Employment and Training Coordinator at Great Places Housing Group went to chat to the students about employment. Andrew was then put forward for a job with ELAN Homes and worked towards an NVQ which the employer kindly funded. Unfortunately, in December 2012, he was laid off and had not completed the NVQ.

Current Situation Nicolette was aware that he’d lose the funding if he wasn’t able to complete the training and contacted Dave Mason, Wates Construction Manager at the Rochdale Road Site to see if he could assist. This resulted in Andrew starting with Cara Brickwork in January 2013.

Andrew Bennett, Cara Brickwork Site Manager comments, “Andrew is one of best Apprentices I’ve ever worked with. He is always punctual and reliable. If he’s given a job to do, you can trust that it will be done and he’ll always ask, what’s next? I’m looking forward to watching him progress into a skilled bricklayer in the future.”

Andrew Higgins says, “I really want to thank Nicolette for all her help. Without her input I wouldn’t be here now. I’ve just completed my NVQ level 2 and I’m learning so much from the Cara team.”

Joey Allen, Managing Director stated, “Cara Brickwork is really proud Andrew is doing well and we will continue to help & support him during his apprentice years and hopefully beyond as a fully quali ed bricklayer and a valued member of our team. As a company over the last 12 years we have continued to invest in apprentices, even more so that we have already committed to employing a further 4 apprentice’s in 2013! I do believe that we (CBL) do more than other Bricklaying Contractors in investing in local apprentices all over the North West and our record demonstrates this. I along with Neil (Contracts Director) and all our Supervisors were apprentice bricklayers at the beginning of our careers and collectively, we rmly believe in ‘providing an opportunity so they have every chance to achieve a profession’ as this will only enhance our company, and the Construction Industry as a whole!”

Above all, it’s about people

CONTACTAngie Hough, Employability CoordinatorWates Living Space0161 484 3295angela.hough@wates.co.ukwww.wates.co.uk HOUSING GROUP

Gateways to Oldham PFI

PFI profiles - Andrew Higgins

We now have a range of fantastic three, four and five-bedroom homes available at the Foxgloves.

These contemporary homes are available through Plumlife from only £140,000.

To book a viewing call the team on 0161 447 5050, visit www.plumlife.co.uk, or drop into the show home on Saturdays, 11am to 4pm.

Apprentice bricklayer - Cara Brickwork

How your concerns were dealt with

WalkaboutResidents, staff and partner agencies walk around the area every month to point out concerns.

Crossley• General litter and fly tipping around the

estate - cleaned by caretakers• Bins at the front of properties looks untidy

- explained in ‘wheelie bin storage’ article in the news in brief section (page 2)

• Dog fouling on pavements - emailed environmental services about the issue

Primrose Bank• Litter in the area has been cleared

CROSSLEY

Wates Living Space1. The number of operatives using

the lifts in the tower blocks has reduced. Wates will continue to monitor this

2. Steetlighting issues are currently being chased up by Wates

3. Demolition of Stockfield Mount footbridge will start soon

4. A ten-week footpath programme has now started

Great Places1. Local lettings policy has been

signed off by the council. 40% of residents who either work (paid or voluntary), are registered carers, will be rehoused on the estate

2. Visit to Dew Way will be organised once landscaping work has been finished

PRIMROSE BANK

Wates Living Space 1. Scaffolding is now going up

along Lee Street and Hoyle Avenue to start refurbishment work

2. Updates will be highlighted on community boards

3. Gary Gratton is the new project manager for the site

4. Resident liaison team is now Liz Drury, Sharon Monaghan and John Langstaff

Great Places1. Neighbourhood surgeries are

held every Monday morning, 10am – 2pm in the office above

What’s happening in your area

Melanie’s hair emporiumPlease note the salon at Kent Avenue shops is open during building work on the following days and times.

9am to 5pm Tuesday9am to 2pm Wednesday9am until late Thursday9am to 5pm Friday9am to 3pm Saturday

Women’s voicesMonday 4 March, 1pm to 3pm at St Patrick’s Presbytery, 40 Union Street West. All women invited to share food and meet other women

Primrose Bank estate forumMonday 18 March, 6pm at Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall

Crossley estate forumThursday 21 March, 6pm at St Saviour’s Church off Denton Lane

Dew Way drop inMonday 25 March, 2pm to 3pm at Dew Way site office

Crossley estate walkaboutTuesday 26 March, 10am at Kent Avenue shops

Primrose Bank estate walkaboutThursday 28 March, 10am at Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall

Primrose Bank neighbourhood surgeryEvery Monday in the office above Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall, 10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates)

Crossley neighbourhood surgeryEvery Tuesday at 16 Landsdowne Court, 10am to 12pm (Great Places), 12pm to 2pm (Wates)

Table TennisEvery Tuesday and Friday, 6pm, and Sundays at 5pm at Primrose Bank Tenants’ Hall

Bangla

Urdu

It’s easy to get in touch...

call 0300 123 2003text 07797 870 731oldhampfi@greatplaces.org.uk

8am to 6pmMon-Fri

What’s on!

Save those pennies with our money saving drop-in sessions

Allocations updateIt’s a busy time in the PFI area at the moment with lots going of new developments.

Here’s a brief update as to what’s been changing on Primrose Bank and Crossley.

On the Primrose Bank estate we’ve had lots happening, including the first residents moving into their new homes. There is a mixture of three, four and five-bedroom homes which have been allocated to new families.

On Dew Way, families are settling in well in their new homes. The scheme is on target to be finished by the end of March, when new families should have been rehoused.

You’re invited to join us for our money saving drop-in sessions, where you can get information on housing benefit and processing claims. You can come and see the team on the following dates:

Primrose Bank Tenants’ HallMonday 25 March, 10am to 12pm

Monday 29 April, 10am to 12pm

Crossley - Wates office at the north compound

Tuesday 26 March10am to 12pm

Monday 30 April 2013 10am to 12pm