CEREDIGION

Brighter FutureNewsletter | November 2017

Message from Chief Executive

Successful Lottery Bids

Universal Credit

Garden Competition 2017

FUN & GAMES with TC

Cover ShotChildren from Ysgol Feithrin Glan y Môr, Llanrhystud, enjoying a sunny morning in their school garden (see why on page 13).

Supporting People programme At the beginning of October, Welsh Government confirmed that the funding for the Supporting People programme has been protected for the next two years. This is excellent news as many of our tenants have benefited greatly from this funding. The Supporting People programme supports our services in Sheltered Schemes and other services for vulnerable tenants throughout Ceredigion. This two year budget settlement will give stability and allow us to plan for the future.

New homes on the way!Building work has started on the new homes development site in Lampeter and we are very much looking forward to working with Bro Pedr School to come up with a new name for the site. There will be 22 homes on this new development – a mixture of social housing and rent to buy/plots/shared ownership properties – and will be ready for local families in 2018. We are also busy on sites in Cardigan, Cenarth and Aberystwyth, so look out for further information on the homes available soon.

Annual General MeetingTai Ceredigion’s AGM was held this year at the Arts Hall on the University campus in Lampeter. As a change to

the norm, our AGM had been arranged to follow on from the end of the Tenants conference. This proved to be well received and combining both events made it a very busy and productive day. The tenants enjoyed a very informative conference in the morning with guest speakers from a wide range of organisations talking about Staying Safe in your home. We are always grateful to local service providers, organisations and associations for their support and attendance at these important events.

Message from Steve Jones,

Chief Executive

Get in touch with Tai CeredigionBy letter:

Unit 4, Pont Steffan Business Park, Lampeter, Ceredigion SA48 7HHBy phone:

General Enquiries 0345 606 7654 (local rates apply), Monday to FridayRepairs and out of hours emergencies:

0800 111 4228 (free from landlines)0300 123 3300 (local call rate from mobiles)

Our ‘out of hours’ emergency repairs reporting service is provided by Carmarthenshire County Council’s CARELINE.

By email: post@taiceredigion.org.ukWebsite: www.taiceredigion.cymru

It was with great sadness that I had to share the news at the tenants conference and annual general meeting that our Board Chairman, Derek Lassetter passed away suddenly at the end of September. Derek was a great supporter of Tai Ceredigion and had been a board member since 2012. His enthusiasm and commitment to the work of our board and staff and to the wellbeing of our tenants was second to none and he relished the challenge of being our Chairman since 2013. Our thoughts are with his wife and family at this difficult time.

West Wales Credit UnionOn the 27th of September West Wales Credit Union Limited went out of business. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) has stepped in to protect members and any of our tenants affected should have already received a repayment of their savings through the Post Office or by cheque. I’m glad to report that our Cynnal (Financial Inclusion) Team were out there supporting tenants affected by the situation and helping them all to ensure that their finances are safe and that they do not get into financial difficulties.

New WebsiteTai Ceredigion has a new website! Take a look on www.taiceredigion.cymru

It’s got the link to the new TyFi tenant log in too so you can manage your tenancy – from rent payments to reporting a repair – anytime of day or night.

Answerphone We have a new Answerphone system. When you call Tai Ceredigion a short message will give you two options to choose from.

We know how you all like talking to our great Customer Services team but if you need to report a repair – press 1 and you will be put through to the new dedicated Medra Repairs Hub who will deal with your repair issue immediately.

So remember...Report a Repair – PRESS 1 Anything Else – PRESS 2Thank you!

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#betterhomes

Miss C Davies Pen-nant

The Summer and Autumn have

been and gone once again. It’s been a difficult time for the gardeners with all the wet weather we’ve endured in 2017 but the excellent response to the gardening competition shows that many of you have made a great effort and braved the elements with some fabulous entries again this year. The gardening competition brings life and colour to many of our sheltered schemes, estates and local schools. Thank you to everyone who took part.

I’m glad to report that it did manage to stop for Tai Ceredigion’s Fun and Games with TC in August (well done to the member of staff who put in that request!). What a super day it was and this year’s new venue – the Rugby Club at Aberystwyth – proved to be a great success. It was great to see so many of you attending with your families to enjoy a great range of activities and making the most of the information provided to support us. I must note that our fellow monitoring group member Paul put in a good effort with his fancy dress (at least I think it was his fancy dress...!) and thank you to the Tai Ceredigion staff who put in the hard work and arranged this special event for us tenants.

On Wednesday 27th of September we all travelled to the Arts Hall at the University of Wales Trinity St David’s for the event entitled ‘Keeping Safe in the Community’. We had super guest speakers this year and you attended in good numbers, asked plenty of questions and

received the answers that I hope reassured you all is safe at Tai Ceredigion.

In a change to the normal format, this year’s company AGM followed on after our conference. This year’s AGM brought the very sad news that Tai Ceredigion’s board Chairman, Derek Lassetter had passed away. Derek was a strong supporter of us tenants and he will be sorely missed.

And so on to Winter. TCMG members are hard at work preparing to do the scrutiny of Tai Ceredigion’s maintenance department – MEDRA. We have already received training and visited other local associations researching and looking out for best practice. We’re also attending meetings at Tai Ceredigion and making representation to the Welsh Government on tenant matters, most recently on the ‘Right to Buy Act’.

The TC Monitoring Group meet every last Friday of the month (apart from August and December) and try our very best to represent your views. Why not come along and join us? We always welcome new members and new opinions. Finally, (although a little early) may I be the first to offer you a Merry Christmas, keep well and warm and I look forward to seeing you soon. Jim

COMMUNITY NEWS

If you would like to find out more

about tenant clubs, forums and

groups or are interested in setting

up a new group, please contact

Sue Thomas, Tenant Participation

Advisor on 0345 6067654 or e-mail

sue.thomas@taiceredigion.org.uk

CARELINESome of Tai Ceredigion’s more vulnerable tenants have a lifeline alarm within their property. The tenant wears a pendant alarm – either around the neck or wrist, so that if they require urgent help, such as if they have fallen over and are hurt, then the alarm can be pressed and appropriate help will be sent.If you have one of these alarms there are a few ‘golden rules’ to ensure that the alarm works when you need it the most.1. Whenever you are at home wear the pendant – it really is no help to

you kept in a drawer or out of reach.2. If any of your or your emergency contact details change please inform

us immediately – we can only use the information that you give us.3. Please test the pendant alarm each month. All you need to do is to

press the red button on the pendant. You will hear a series of beeps from the alarm unit and a Careline advisor will speak to you. Just say that you are doing your monthly test. This is really important as it ensures that both the alarm and the pendant are working well.

4. Don’t be afraid to use the pendant alarm, the Careline staff who answer the calls are really very friendly and are there to help in an emergency.

If you would like any further information or have any queries about your Lifeline alarm please contact Suzanne Roberts, Supported Housing Co-ordinator on 0345 606 7654.

Sheltered Forum newsAt the September meeting tenants had a very informative talk from Bernard Humphries who is a volunteer with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. He explained how they were funded by donations and legacies and that there were 237 lifeboat stations across the UK. He also described how the different size boats were named after rivers, the biggest being the Severn at 17 metres long.Tenants were then entertained by story teller and violinist Jez Danks who played many tunes including some Welsh and Russian songs. He rounded off the morning encouraging everyone to have a sing-song, which they all enjoyed.

The Forum meets the second Friday every two months at Penrodyn Sheltered Scheme, Aberaeron from 10.15am until 12.30pm. It would be great if you could join us so look out for the Forum posters on the scheme notice boards. Transport is available and there is always a cup of tea and a biscuit!

Tai Ceredigion Mini Satisfaction Phone SurveysOver the next couple of months you may receive a phone call from Tai Ceredigion who will be carrying out a mini satisfaction survey in order to find out what you think of the services we provide.

The survey will only take a few minutes and the results will be published in our newsletter and will also be compared with other similar housing associations across Wales.

We hope that you will help us with these surveys and would like to thank you in advance for your support.

A message from Jim ScanlanChair of Tai Ceredigion Monitoring Group

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Young People and families survey thanks Many thanks to those of you who completed this survey at the “Fun & Games with TC” event in Aberystwyth in August.Your feedback will help Tai Ceredigion to decide how we can encourage young people and families to get involved and give Tai Ceredigion feedback about the services they provide.

www.taiceredigion.cymru

The winner of the £25.00 voucher was Mr Morel Du Boil from Penparcau!

Successful lottery bids for Glascoed and Rheidol Place Glascoed Social ClubGlascoed Social Club recently enjoyed afternoon tea on the Gwili Railway thanks to “Awards for All” lottery funding.More events and trips are being arranged for the coming year, including day trips to Folly Farm and St. Fagan’s and some half day excursions to Llanerchaeron and The Botanical Gardens.There was non-stop chatter on the bus home with many tenants still talking about their enjoyable afternoon, days later.

Rheidol PlaceTenants and local residents have recently been successful in receiving lottery funding with the “Awards for All” scheme, and enjoyed their first trip out to Bodnant Gardens near Colwyn Bay. Everyone had a very enjoyable day and there are more trips and events planned for the rest of the year; including a trip to the local pantomime, Christmas lunch out and a St David’s Day tea.

Universal CreditSince the Welfare Reform Act in 2013, there have been huge changes to the current social security system in the UK. From next May the new benefit called Universal Credit will reach full service in Ceredigion.If you are of working age this will affect the way your benefits are claimed and how you are paid. You need to be prepared.WHAT IS UNIVERSAL CREDIT?It will be a single monthly payment (for in work and out of work payments) which replaces the six following existing benefits currently paid: • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance• Income-related Employment and Support

Allowance• Income Support• Working Tax Credit• Child Tax Credit • Housing Benefit

Also, Personal Independence Payment - PIP will replace the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) not part of UC.

How will it be Claimed?Universal Credit must be claimed online.

How will this affect me?• You may be without a payment for up to 8 weeks

(you need to plan ahead to ensure you are able to cover food/electric/gas bills/rent).

• You will receive one monthly payment for your whole household unless split payments requested.

• Any help you get with rent will be included in this payment – this is called the housing element.

• You will have to arrange to pay Tai Ceredigion yourself.

• You will need to open a bank account (if you don’t already have one).

Important ‘TO DO’ list• Be prepared! This is happening in Ceredigion in

MAY 2018. • Open a Bank Account (and make sure it can

receive automated payments and set up Direct Debits and Standing Orders).

• Get Online – you’ll need access to a computer. Haven’t got access at home? Get in touch with your Jobcentre or CAB or local library to ask about free access.

• Worried about your online skills? Why not sign up for a training course. Dysgu Bro have courses across Ceredigion.

• Talk to Tai Ceredigion’s Cynnal Team (Lynda, Leanne and Bethan) and ask for their support.

Why not set up a Direct Debit now to help build up your rent in preparation for the 8 weeks you might be without a payment? Tai Ceredigion can help you set up a direct debit on any date of the month that suits you. Our Financial Inclusion Team is now known as our Cynnal Team and you can contact them - Lynda, Bethan or Leanne - for more information and advice.

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Christmas Saving IdeasFREE Letter from SANTA!Some firms charge £10 for your children to get a letter back from Father Christmas impersonators.Yet if they write to Santa, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, SAN TA1, he’ll reply for free with help from his pals at the Post Office.

NEW STAFF / CHANGE OF ROLESA warm welcome and best of luck to... Christopher James (Electrician), Dion Mason-George (Customer Services), Jonathan Evans (Carpenter), Alun Jones (Anti-Social Behaviour Advisor), Neil Davies (Senior Asset Surveyor), Haf Hughes (Administration Assistant) who have just started their new careers with Tai Ceredigion.

Farewell to Caron Hywel who left Tai Ceredigion during the Summer.

The following have all been successful in securing new jobs with Tai Ceredigion Richard Worrall – from Housing to Medra Maintenance Surveyor; Richard Powell – from Customer Services to Resident Liaison Advisor; Mair Pugh-Jones – from Senior Accountant to Head of Finance; Curtis Evans – from Apprentice Electrician to Electrician; Daniel Davies – from Apprentice Plumber to Plumber; Martin Jackson – Mason to secondment as team leader to Assistant Team Leader (Permanent); Richard Jones – Decorator to secondment as team leader to Assistant Team Leader (Permanent); Ian Boland – from Plumber / Gas Engineer to Senior Plumber and Gas Engineer; Katy Sinnett-Jones – Executive Support Assistant to Secondment as Rural Housing Enabler; Anthony Watson-Jones from Medra Administration Assistant to Graphic Designer.

Best wishes to you all.

Tai Ceredigion staff have been ‘actively’ fundraising over the past few months...Congratulations to Michael Williams, Ian Boland and Chris Evans of Medra for undertaking the 60 mile coastal walk from Cardigan to Ynys Las. Both Michael and Ian completed the challenge within 23 hours. Sadly, Chris had to pull out with only 10 miles to go due to injury but did however go back and complete the challenge with the help of Ian.

The three have raised over £2,784.05 for their respective charities which are the RNLI (Michael), Motor Neurone Disease (Ian) and Prostate Cancer UK (Chris).Huge congratulations to Natalie Miles, Patrick Daniel and Olly Goldsmith for completing the Cardiff Half Marathon back in October. Great to see the TC logo side by side with the Air Ambulance and the sum raised for this worthy cause was over £640.

Amazing effort by all for very worthy causes.

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Community Benefit – Penmorfa Flats and Rheidol Place Sheltered Scheme

Tai Ceredigion in the CommunityTai Ceredigion have been out and about over the summer and have been to the following events:• Children and Young People’s event, Aberaeron• Party in the Park, Llanarth• Lampeter Food Festival• Llandysul Show

New Changes from April 2017Are you aware of the new changes to Child Tax Credit...You won’t be paid any additional amount of money for more than 2 children, unless the children were born before 6 April 2017. There are some exceptions to this rule so please visit www.gov.uk for further information.

If you’re already getting benefits for more than 2 children you will continue to get those benefits. Remember to ask the Cynnal team if you have any questions. Our Financial Inclusion Team is now known as our Cynnal Team.

Sheltered scheme newsHafan yr EfailMembers of Llansantffraid Parish Church recently held a coffee morning, with cake stand and raffle at Hafan yr efail, Llanon. The proceeds of the event were shared equally between the Church and the scheme’s social fund.

Rev Julian Smith presented a cheque for £145 to Eileen Williams and other tenants at the scheme and they would all like to thank Meinir and all who supported the event. The group is hoping to use the money to pay for a trip.

PenrodynThere was a very successful coffee morning held at Penrodyn, Aberaeron in September raising £355.94 for MacMillan Cancer Support. Many thanks to those who supported the event and donated prizes for the raffle.

MaesgogerddanTenants at Maesgogerddan have been enjoying arts and craft sessions with their scheme co-ordinator Jason Roberts.

They meet weekly and have produced some beautiful pieces of work.You said...

we didYou’ve been having problems finding our new “TyFi” app on the app store. We’ve now changed it so all you have to do is search for Tai Ceredigion.

Penmorfa FlatsTenants and residents at Penmorfa flats have recently had their communal lounge refurbished as part of Tai Ceredigion Community Benefit Scheme. The work included painting the room, fitting a new kitchen and replacing the flooring and curtains. Contractor J Williams supplied all the labour and materials and the plumbing was completed by Shôn Morris.Tenants and residents are now using the room more often for social events including a monthly coffee morning.

Rheidol PlaceTenants at Rheidol Place have also benefitted from Tai Ceredigion Community Benefit Scheme. Their communal toilets were upgraded and an accessible shower was also fitted.

All materials were supplied for free by Ceredigion Plumbing Supplies, and all work carried out by Jamsons.

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#betterhomes 13www.taiceredigion.cymru

Garden Competition

Best floral display1st Mr I Poole, Cwrt y Wern Pontrhydfendigaid

2nd Mr T Davies Rhydyrafon, Aberystwyth

3rd Mr S Day & Ms L Michelle Heol y Waun, Capel Dewi

Best hanging basket, container or window box1st Mrs S Davies, Heol y Bannau Pontrhydfendigaid

2nd Mr Poole, Cwrt Y Wern Pontrhydfendigaid

Joint 3rd Mr S Day & Ms L Michelle Heol y Waun, Capel Dewi & Mrs M Beard, Maeshenffordd Cardigan

Best vegetable gardenJoint 1st Christopher Lawrence, Heol Elenydd, Devils Bridge & Mr S Day & Ms L Michelle Heol y Waun, Capel Dewi

2nd Glascoed, Llandysul

Joint 3rd Mrs B Davies Broteifi scheme, Cardigan & Mr G Guelilch Penrodyn, Tregaron

Best sheltered scheme garden1st Hafan yr Efail Sheltered scheme Llanon

Joint 2nd Broteifi & Rheidol Place sheltered schemes

3rd Glascoed sheltered scheme, Llandysul

Best individual sheltered scheme garden1st Mr & Mrs Loynd, Broteifi Cardigan

2nd Mrs M Lewis, Heol Hafod

3rd Ms S Andrew, Glascoed scheme Llandysul

Highly commendedMr T Taylor, Broteifi scheme, Cardigan

Best school gardenJoint 1st Ysgol Llanon & Cylch Meithrin Glan y Môr Llanrhystud

Garden competition 2017

Many thanks for the record level of entries this year. All winners receive a certificate and vouchers.

1st (£30.00 voucher) 2nd (£20.00 voucher) 3rd (£10.00 voucher)

Look forward to more entries in 2018!

Best f loral display

Mr & Mrs Poole

Comments,Compliments

and ComplaintsTai Ceredigion values your comments and your feedback,

and wants to show you that we listen, that we learn from our mistakes, and that we always try to improve our services.

If you would like a copy of our Comments, Compliments and

Complaints Policy, please phone Customer Services on

0345 606 7654, e-mail:

post@taiceredigion.org.uk or visit our website

www.taiceredigion.cymru

Alternative Format or Large PrintIf you would like or know of anyone who needs Brighter Future in an alternative format or large

print, please contact us via the Customer Services team and we will do our best to meet your request.

Brighter Future is also available to view online at www.taiceredigion.cymru

Best Hanging Basket

Best School Garden (Joint 1st)

Best Vegetable garden (joint)

Best Individual Sheltered Scheme

Best School Garden (Joint 1st)

Best Sheltered Scheme garden

Best Vegetable garden (Joint 1st)

Best School Garden (Joint 1st)

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FUN and GAMES with TC Tai Ceredigion tenants came along and enjoyed a day of ‘FUN and GAMES with TC’ on Thursday 10th August 2017 at Aberystwyth Rugby Club. The best ever attended fun day out. Free transport was provided and families enjoyed a free lunch and a variety of raffle prizes. Lots of fun was had by all throughout the day.

With over 40 organisations involved in the day, tenants could access a range of information from various organisations and services available to them within their community.

Help and advice was on offer from housing, training and employment opportunities, energy saving and affordability tariffs, to safety, recycling, the environment and health care, all accessible within Ceredigion. Our in-house Cynnal team raised awareness on Universal Credit and provided tenant support and guidance on relevant benefit changes.

Children and adults enjoyed an informative day, full of exhibitions and fun activities from arts and crafts, brick laying, bouncy castle to face painting and balloon making. The event also provided an opportunity for tenants to get to know their landlord.

A big thank you to the organisations, staff and volunteers who were involved on the day and for all the generously donated raffle prizes. Many thanks to all tenants who attended the event and we look forward to seeing you all next year.

Thank you to...Aberystwyth Rugby Club, Tesco, Marks and Spencer, Jonathan Williams, DTS, Magnet, Ceredigion Plumbing Supplies, Edmundson Electrical Ltd

Positive feedback was received...• “Really impressed by the

day - especially the face painters. Myself and my 7 year old really enjoyed.”

• “Amazing day overall. Lots of fun and lots of information I never knew that could be helpful.”

• “Thank you for arranging wheelchair transport.”

• “Kids really enjoyed and we had a lot of information from stalls.”

• “Fab day enjoyed by all.” • “Very enjoyable day, kids

really enjoyed everything that was going on. Lunch was very nice. Thank you.”

• “Great day out!”

Mrs K Main winning a hamper for the best fancy dress.

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