ONEROOFUNDER

Nehemiah UCHACreating Successful Diverse Communities

Winter 2015

Meet the New Outlook HomeHeroes

IN THIS ISSUE

Celebrating olderpeople’s day

Tips for celebratingChristmas on a budget

Are you ready forUniversal Credit?

Feeling isolatedthis christmas?

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The newsletter for customers of Nehemiah

SIR LENNY HENRY CBE STAR OF HENRY COURT’S 10THANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONSSpecial guest Sir Lenny Henry CBE was the star of our Dudley Retirement Scheme’s 10th birthday celebrations.

The Dudley-born comedian, actor and writerSir Lenny opened Henry Court in 2005 andthe scheme was named in honour of his mum Winifred, who was a member of thecongregation of The Church of God ofProphecy, the founders of Nehemiah.

For the 10th birthday, The Lord Mayor ofDudley, Councillor Steve Waltho also helpedSir Lenny unveil a special commemorativeplaque on the day together with some of the residents of Henry Court.

When asked about his last visit to HenryCourt Sir Lenny Henry CBE commented:“Henry Court has a special connection forme, because it was named after my Mum! I remember filming there for Lenny's Britain -the sequence was supposed to be about"how the elderly cope in a care facility.”

I was introduced first of all to a Jamaican manwhose hearing aid was on the lowest settingit could possibly be at - the cameras rolledand all we could hear from behind his doorwas 'Hello? Hello? HELLO????' Then he wastold to turn his hearing aid up - and when weactually got in the room we had to stop filmingbecause all we could hear was Jimi Hendrixstyle squeaky feedback. My favourite wasthe 60 something lady who'd invested in afolding bed - she made me sit next to her andproceeded to press buttons - at which pointthe bed moved in a decisive, passionate way, basically bending me forwards my head moving slowly towards my own man-bits. Very embarrassing and caught liveon camera. These are very vivid memories to me - but I also remember a lot of people,eating Caribbean food, friendly staff and veryhappy people, sitting and chatting away andtelling stories of yesterday. Thank you forthese memories of Henry Court...”

You can watch a video of Sir Lenny’s visit toHenry Court on our website.

Under One Roof I Winter 2015 I Page 2

EVERYONE ATNEHEMIAH WISHESYOU A MERRYCHRISTMAS AND AHAPPY NEW YEAR.We hope you have a great holiday periodand enjoy reading the Winter issue ofUnder One Roof.

Don’t forget this is your newsletter andwe want to hear your views on it, what you like about it, what you would like us to improve and what you would like to see more of. Just give me a call, drop me an email or pop into our head office. Email rita.samuels@nehemiah-ucha.co.ukor telephone 0121 358 8033.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYSOffice Closure and EmergencyRepairs

Our office will close on Thursday 24th December 2015 at 12noon and re-open for business on Monday 4th January 2016 at 9am.

If you need to report an emergency repair during this time, please call our repairs centre on

0800 849 1400 from a landline03030 30 1000 from a mobile.

MEET THE NEW OUTLOOKHOME HEROES We have joined forced with New Outlook Housing Association’s Home Heroesservice to provide bespoke home care assistance and support packages for ourcustomers at Charles Pearson Court and Plummer House Retirement Schemes.The feedback we have received from everyone who is receiving the supportgives it a big thumbs up.

Speaking to Home Care Co-OrdinatorJodie Smith and New Outlook’sOperation Manager Dal Kaur Under One Roof Editor asked them about what the new service is all about.

Jodie says: “If you need that extra help so that you can continue to live as independently as possible in your ownhome and to enable you to live as full a life as possible the Home Heroes service may be for you.”

At the moment Home Heroes providesservices to nine customers in CharlesPearson Court and 14 customers inPlummer House. These services rangefrom help with shopping, housework andpreparing meals, through to help withdressing, washing, help in the bathroomand giving medication.

Dal added “We tailor our service to eachperson and our visits are at agreed timesto meet your needs and your life style.

HAVE YOU MET OUR NEW HOUSINGOPERATIONS MANAGER?Have you met Pamela Farquharson our new Housing Operations Manager?Pamela has worked in housing for over20 years and manages Nehemiah’shousing services team and schememanagers. She is also the person tospeak to if you have a complaint aboutthe service we offer. She is also happyto receive compliments too.

The visit can vary in length and frequency, following an assessment ofyour needs that will identify the servicesthat you require. At the moment carersare on site at Charles Pearson Courtfrom 8am-2pm and then they come back from 4pm to 9.30pm.”

For more information on the HomeHeroes care and support packagesplease speak to your scheme manager or contact Jodie Smith fromNew Outlook on 0121 686 6588.

We asked Pam what she likes about herjob: “ I enjoy dealing with our customersand no two days are the same. It is veryrewarding to make an unhappy customerhappy and resolve their complaint. I lovethat I can make a difference in people’slives.”

You can contact Pamela on 0121 358 0966 or via email: pam.farquharson@nehemiah-ucha.co.uk

RITA SAMUELSCUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

JODIE SMITH AND DAL KAUR

PAMELA FARQUHARSON

Under One Roof I Winter 2015 I Page 3

CELEBRATING OLDER PEOPLE’S DAY We all had a great day at CharlesPearson Court celebrating OlderPeople’s Day. Hearing about the achievements of lots of our customersfrom one resident who fought in the second world war to the footballing memories of the oldest Baggies fan (for the non footballing fans out therethat’s a West Bromwich Fan), to thegreat artistic achievements of some of our customers.

We hope you enjoy some of the photographs from a great day of celebration and recognition of theachievements of some of our older residents.

GREENFINGERSWe have launched the garden patch fund which is a small pot of money of£600 available to customers living in our sheltered schemes. Every year customers are able to bid for an amount of money up to £50 to use to purchase gardening supplies for use in the communal garden area.

How do I apply?Applications forms are available in your scheme, on the website or by contacting Nehemiah head office on0121 358 0966.

Once your form is completed you caneither hand it in to your scheme manager or post it to Nehemiah headoffice.

You will then be contacted by RitaSamuels our customer engagement officer to confirm that your applicationhas been received. The opening date for applications is 1st November 2015and all applications need to be receivedby 31st January 2016 (applicationsreceived after this date will not beaccepted and customers will have to reapply in November 2016).

So what happens next? Your application will be assessed by our customer engagement officer andsupported housing officer. You will thenbe contacted and informed if you havebeen successful.

YOUR RIGHT TOMANAGE

Did you know that customers have the legal right to manage some of

their own housing services such as repairs and caretaking? By forming a tenant management

organisation and following right tomanage regulations you can takeresponsibility for certain housing

services. The right to manage enables local people to develop housing in a way that’s right for

them. If you would like more information on the right

to manage, please contact Rita Samuels.

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TIPS FOR CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGETWe thought we’d share our top tips on how to enjoy your Christmas without having that financial ‘hangover’ in January. No one wants to start 2016 in debt, but it’s easy to get carried away in the lead up to Christmas, turning it into a huge drain on our bank balances.

Here are some top tips for celebrating Christmas on a budget:

EssentialsWork out how much you need to pay out for the essentials – rent, gas, water,electricity bills, and food and then seehow much you can spend on presents,parties, transport and decorations.

Make a list for presents…and stick to it It can be easy to get carried away at theshops. Having a list will help avoid temptation. Make sure you have a budgetallocated per item and don’t go over it.Once you have everything on your list– stop!

Get Creative Instead of buying expensive presents whynot try making something? Home-madegifts are a great way to stick to a budget

THE BEST PRESENT AT CHRISTMAS IS PEACE OF MIND Christmas can be a particularly difficulttime, especially if you are already dealing with debt, but it is importantthat paying your rent is a priority.

Nehemiah wants to make sure that all ourcustomers have an enjoyable Christmasand understand that in the lead up toChristmas, finances can be tighter thanever, but paying rent must remain a priority. If any customer has rent arrearsor is in need of financial help, then contactus now on 0121 358 0966. Please don’t ignore the problem, it won’t just go away.

Take a look at our website www.nehemiah-ucha.co.uk for all theways to pay your rent.

If you don't deal with your rent arrears,you could end up with legal action beingtaken against you and could be at risk oflosing your home.

If you lose your home due to non-paymentof rent you will be what is known as“Intentionally Homeless” and you will notbe entitled to social housing again untilthe debt is cleared. You will probably be

forced to use private rented housing wherethe rents are much higher and you’ll needto find a large deposit possibly as much asa month’s rent in advance. Average privaterents are now £750.00 per month.

Some people hide behind the myth thatbecause they have children they cannotlose their home for rent arrears; this isWRONG. Evictions from social housingdue to non-payment of rent are on theincrease and this includes families.We’re not saying don’t enjoy Christmas,but make sure you can afford it. Ensureyour rent is paid and please don’t use thedoor step lenders with their huge interestrates. If you can’t afford it – don’t have it.

Enjoy Christmas in the knowledge that theroof over your head is safe – don’t becomeone of next year’s statistics.

Call 0844 557 8321 and follow thesimple instructions to pay your rent bydebit cardThe Allpay App is another way to helpyou pay your rent.

and there’s nothing like receiving a lovingly made gift. Thanks to the likes ofPinterest, there is a wealth of ideas on theinternet often with step by step instructions.You can also get creative in otherChristmas endeavours such as decoratingthe house too!

Get ahead for 2016 The January sales are great places to pickup a bargain. Be brave and venture out intothe crowds and you might be able to pickup some incredible bargains for 2016Christmas presents! The sales are also a great time for picking up your wrappingpaper, cards and decorations for the following Christmas too.

Go onlineIf you’re looking for something specific,shop online and compare prices. Spendinga bit of time researching which shop isoffering the best price might only shave offa couple of pounds per item, but it all addsup! Also, keep an eye out for online offers.You can sign up to sites such as www.vouchercodes.co.uk which will alertyou to all the latest offers.

Utilise loyalty schemesIf you’re a member of a loyalty scheme,chances are over the year you’ve saved up a good few points which can be usedagainst purchasing a gift.

E-cards You don’t need to spend a fortune oncards and postage. Instead, send yourChristmas greetings via email! If you dochoose to send cards, think about cuttingcosts by making homemade cards, handdelivering them, and check out the RoyalMail’s website for the last date to sendcards second class.

For more money saving tips for this holiday season visitwww.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/news/top-tips-for-christmas-saving

Remember, Christmas is a time for spending time with your loved ones andnot about how much money you spend.Good luck and enjoy your budget friendlyChristmas!

REMEMBER, even though our officesare closed over the festive period, thereare still many ways to pay your rent:

Pay at a Post Office or PayPoint outlet

Under One Roof I Winter 2015 I Page 5

NEED HELPWITH DEBT?

We do recognise that people do getinto debt at this time of year asmany struggle to pay for everything.

ARE YOU READY FOR UNIVERSAL CREDIT?Universal Credit is a new type of benefit designed for working age people who are looking for work or are on a low income.It is starting to replace six existing benefits and is currently being rolled out across the UK. The new system will be basedon a single monthly payment, transferred directly into a bank account rather than lots of different benefits being paid fortnightly/weekly or direct to Nehemiah.

Will it affect me?Universal Credit is being introduced instages. Whether you are asked to claimdepends on where you live and your circumstances. At the moment UniversalCredit applies to people who are newlyunemployed and single with no children.It has been rolled out in Dudley, Walsall,Birmingham, Sandwell and Coventry andwill be rolled out in Wolverhampton inFebruary 2016. However, throughout2015 and 2016 more and more peoplewill claim Universal Credits instead of JobSeekers Allowance and other benefits.Eventually it will be brought in for everyone claiming the benefits and tax credits that are being replaced.

How Do I claim? If you are asked to claim Universal Credit because of where you live andyour circumstances you will normally be asked to claim on-line on the Apply for Universal Credit website and if youneed help you can call the UniversalCredit Helpline on 0345 600 0723.

Which Benefits will be included inUniversal Credit?Universal Credit is going to replaceIncome-based Jobseeker’s Allowance,Income-related Employment and SupportAllowance, Income Support, Child TaxCredit, Working Tax Credit and HousingBenefit. So, for example if you currentlyget Job Seekers Allowance, Tax Creditsand Housing Benefit you will get onemonthly payment of Universal Creditinstead of all of these.

Further Help and Support

Money Advice Service www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Tel 0300 500 5000

DWP Job Centre Plus Work Coach or

www.gov.uk/universalcredit or Universal Credit Helpline

0345 600 0723

Birmingham Settlement Money Adviser

contact your Housing Officer atNehemiah for a referral

Don’t turn to Loan Sharks, contactNehemiah on 0121 358 0966or Birmingham Settlement on 0121 250 0777.

We can give you free and confidentialadvice, help you to make the most ofyour money and keep your rent on track.

What about other benefits like ChildBenefit or DLA/PIP?If you get other benefits like Child Benefit or Disability LivingAllowance/Personal IndependencePayment these will continue as normal.

How will my rent be paid underUniversal Credit?If you move onto Universal Credit you will no longer get Housing Benefit paid to Nehemiah because your housing costswill be included in your monthly UniversalCredit Payment. This means you willneed to make arrangement to pay yourmonthly rent to Nehemiah so you don’tget into arrears. If your Universal Creditis paid into a bank account you shouldbe able to set up a direct debit from yourbank account to pay your rent and otherhousehold bills.

Can I get help with Budgeting andManaging My Money?If you move onto Universal Credit youmay need advice or support managingyour money on a monthly basis especially if you have had fortnightly benefits before or your Housing Benefitwas paid directly to Nehemiah. There is plenty of support available to help you:Job Centre Plus Work Coach, TheMoney Advice Service or your HousingOfficer at Nehemiah can make a referralto an adviser at Birmingham Settlement.

What If I have rent arrears or I am really going to struggle to manage my rent payments?If you fall behind with your rent paymentsor if you are very vulnerable yourHousing Officer can apply to the DWP to set up an Alternative PaymentArrangements and have direct paymentsfor your rent paid directly to Nehemiah. If you are asked to apply for UniversalCredit contact your Housing Officer andlet them know in case direct paymentsare a suitable option for you.

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ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER? It has been a mild start to the winter, but the forecast is that between December and the end of February we can expectmore winter weather than last year. Cold weather can be a worry, but with a little preparation we can help ourselves to staysafe and ward off the winter chills

CUT THOSE ENERGY BILLSHere are some top tips from the Energy Savings Trust to cut your bills and stay warm!

What benefits and discounts are available?The rising cost of fuel is a big worry.Many of us take action to keep costsdown, but it is also important to makesure you are not missing out on any benefits, discounts or services that willhelp you keep your home warm.

Winter Fuel PaymentThis is a tax free payment of between£100 – £300 (depending on your age)paid to most people born before 5 January 1953. It should be paid automatically between November andDecember. If this is the first year that you are eligible, contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0845 915 1515to ensure that you don’t miss out.

Cold Weather PaymentsThis is paid when the temperature drops below an average of 0°C (32°F) for seven days in a row. It is paid to

people who receive certain benefits such as Pension Credit, Income Support,Employment and Support Allowance(ESA) or tax credits which include a disability or severe disability element.

Warm Home DiscountYou may be eligible for a discount onyour electricity bill if you receive certainbenefits or if you are on a low income.This ‘one-off’ discount is usually madebetween October and March. Check withyour energy supplier to find out whetheryou are eligible.

Priority Services RegisterAsk your energy supplier about their priority services for older and disabledpeople. Services include the option ofhaving bills in Braille or large-print textand, if you meet certain criteria, alternative facilities for cooking and heating if your energy supply is interrupted.

Benefits and money adviceNehemiah customers can get help with a welfare benefits check, help to makebenefit applications and money advice.To request any of these services, justcontact your Housing Officer.

If you think your gas and electricity bills are too high, visitwww.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/ and compare against othersuppliers. You can also call them for advice on 0808 2566 891.

If you are worried about paying for your energy bills and keeping your house warm this winter, you can call the free,confidential Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 for help and advice; or visit www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

Switch off lights and

appliances when you don’t need them and don’t

leave chargers plugged in when you don’t need them. Don’t use the standby function - nearly all

electrical and electronic appliancescan be safely turned off at the plug without causing a problem. A typical household can save between £50 and £90 per

year by not using standby.

Have you changed all your lightbulbs for low-energyones? Bulbs now come in a variety of shapes,sizes, fittings and prices.The average householdwould save around

£30 a year.

Don't leave windows and doors

open unnecessarily. Shutoutside doors properly toreduce draughts and shutdoors to unheated orcooler areas of your

home.

Make sure that you close all

curtains by dusk, and not just in the rooms you are using. This willhelp stop heat fromescaping through

windows.

Don't hang towels and clothes over radiators and make sure the area under radiators is completely clear.

You can save over £55

a year just by being careful how you use your kitchen appliances.

Set your washing machine to wash at 30°C.

Using a bowl to wash up rather than leaving the hot tap running.

Don’t fill your kettle rightup every time –just boil the

amount of wateryou need

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REPAIR RESPONSE TIMES When you report a repair, it is categorised depending on how urgent it is. We will tell you which category it has been placedin and the length of time that it will take us to carry out the repair. Below is a guide to the type of repairs we undertake andhow we classify it and the time it takes us to complete the repair. We hope this helps but if you have any questions pleasecontact a member of the property services team on 0121 358 0966.

TYPE OF REPAIR

No electricityGas leaksMains water leakSecurity of property (excluding glass)

CLASSIFICATION OF REPAIR

EMERGENCY

URGENT

NORMAL

MAJOR WORKS

Electrical faultsPlumbing faultsBlocked drainsSpace heatingWater heating faultsRoof leaksStorm damageGutter repairsWoodwork repairsKitchen fittingsPlaster repairsStructural repairs

Major repairs orReplacement of building elements

RESPONSE TIME

Completed within 24 hours or make safeuntil a permanent repair can be completed. Where there is danger to life or damage to property this is normally dealt with within2 hours.

Completed within 5 days

Completed within 14 working days

Completed to planned maintenanceprogramme

REPAIRS RECHARGE POLICYCustomers will be recharged for repair work that Nehemiah are notresponsible for.

WHAT IS A SERVICE CHARGE Many of our customers have beenasking what a service charge is. Youmay see this on your rent statement.

Lock changes/forced entry Abortive contractor call outsCleaning charges incurred due to fouling by petsBroken windows Alterations/replacements to fixtures and fittings supplied by NehemiahA blocked toilet, drain or a sewercaused by an act or neglect of the customer, their family or visitorDamage caused by the police in the execution of warrants

If you would like more information aboutNehemiah repair recharge policy, pleasecontact a member of the property servicesteam on 0121 358 0966.

Examples include:

STAR PERFORMANCE Three years ago we undertook a survey, asking for feedback on ourservices and measuring levels of customer satisfaction so that we can improve our services. In Januarywe will be contacting you again to ask about our services. You may becontacted by letter, email or phone. Please respond to our request for feedback as we will use the informationthat we receive to improve the servicesthat we provide to you. The results will bein under one roof next year.

A service charge is a payment made bycustomers towards the cost of servicesand repairs that are beyond those specifically for their house or flat. Forexample, if you live in a block of flats with a communal garden, the cost ofmaintaining that garden is covered by a service charge.

Nehemiah charge customers for serviceson the basis of either reasonable costsincurred during the previous financial year or on estimates for the current ornext financial year.

If you have any queries about your service charge, please contact the mainoffice on 0121 358 0966 and speak to the finance team.

1-3 Beacon Court, Birmingham Road, Great Barr, Birmingham B43 6NN

T: 0121 358 0966 F: 0121 358 0934E: info@nehemiah-ucha.co.uk W: www.nehemiah-ucha.co.uk

www.facebook.com/nehemiah-ucha

@NehemiahUCHA

Nehemiah UCHA is registered with the Registrarof Friendly Societies 25952R.Homes & Communities Agency No.: L3833

Designed by Stephen Price Design Ltd - 01952 275 250

Under One Roof I Winter 2015 I Page 8

Nehemiah UCHAA C A D E M Y

Nehemiah UCHACreating Successful Diverse Communities

HELP FIGHT TENANCY FRAUDSince October 2013, subletting a social housing tenancy has been a criminal offence.

If you need this newsletter in

another format, please let us know.

What is tenancy fraud?There are different types of tenancy fraud,including:

The panel will look at many different areasincluding what information is on the website,Facebook and Twitter. We will also look at thebudget we have set for IT and if customersfeel they have adequate access to IT andbroadband services etc. We will then consider what needs to be improved.

We are keen for new members to join ourscrutiny panel, so if you have an interest inthis area please get in touch. To join ourpanel or find out more information contactRita Samuels on 0121 358 8033 or emailrita.samuels@nehemiah-ucha.co.uk

Illegal subletting When a tenant doesn’t live in the propertyand rents their home to someone else(usually at a much higher rent). Thechange in the law means these tenantscould face a two-year prison sentenceand a fine of up to £50,000.

AbandonmentWhen a tenant moves out of their property, with no intention of returning,without ending their tenancy. Until we can confirm that it has been abandoned andtake back possession of it, the propertymay be left empty for a long time.

Wrongly claimed succession When someone who is not entitled, underthe tenancy rules, tries to take over a tenancy when the named tenant dies. For example, they might say they livedwith the tenant before they died, whenin fact they were living elsewhere.

If you suspect a neighbour has abandoned their property, or is illegally sub-letting call us on0121 358 0966 or email info@nehemiah-ucha.co.uk Any information you give us will be handled with the strictest of confidence.

FEELING ISOLATED THIS CHRISTMAS? Many people feel isolated, frightenedor alone during Christmas. If this isYOU, don't suffer alone. You mightfind one of these numbers helpful:

DIGITAL SCRUTINY Our Scrutiny Panel will be starting their next review in the New Year. We will be lookingat our digital offer for customers and how we can improve it. In carrying out this review, we will find out what digital services customers want Nehemiah to provide.

Silver line0800 470 80 90

www.thesilverline.org.ukChildLine0800 1111

www.childline.org.ukThe Samaritans

08457 90 90 90 (call charges apply)www.samaritans.orgDomestic Abuse

Helpline 0808 2000 247www.nationaldomesticviolencehelpline.org.uk