LET’S TALK News from your

communitiesSpring 2016

WIN!AN iPAD

See inside for more info

New-look online services Look after your home online

Good Neighbour Awards Nominate your Good Neighbours

Extended repairs hours We’ve extended the hours of your repairs service

Let’s Talk | National Newsletter02

And the winner is…In the last issue of Let’s Talk, we asked for your thoughts on your new-look newsletter.

Everyone who got in touch was entered into a prize draw to win a £50 Love2Shop voucher.

The lucky winner was Donna Daley of Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Donna, like lots of other customers, told us that she liked the new design, and found the articles helpful and interesting.

Tell us what you thinkWe had nearly 300 customers give us their opinion on the last issue.

We’ve listened to what you told us, and we’ve tried to give you even more of what you like in this issue.

If you want to let us know your opinion, head to placesforpeople.co.uk/lets-talk.

Did you know that you can now receive Let’s Talk by email? If we hold your email address, you’ll automatically get sent an online version of your newsletter.

Fancy reading Let’s Talk on a brand new iPad? If you log into your new online account before 1 May, we’ll enter you into a prize draw to win an iPad.

Head to page 4 formore information.

WIN!

IN THIS ISSUE– 03 Good Neighbour Awards 2016– 04 Look After Your Home Online– 06 Your Money Advice Team –07 Managing Your Money Online – 08 Bristol Housing Service Transformation– 09 Introducing Living+– 10 Repairs Service Hours Now Extended

WIN AN IPAD

Spring 2016 03

Celebrating

unsungheroes

Matt and Lisa heard screams when flames from a shed fire started to creep into their neighbour’s house. They quickly called the fire brigade and made sure the family were led to safety. Matt said: “It’s only something that we thought any ordinary neighbour would do. We didn’t think it was anything special, but to be recognised does make you feel very proud. It is lovely to be nominated and appreciated.”

The Good Neighbour Awards is your chance to recognise the people who go the extra mile for your neighbourhood. Whether that’s volunteering to run community groups, caring for others, or just being a friendly face in your community.

33 trophies were presented to worthy winners from across the country at last year’s event. Matt Donaldson and Lisa Pickering from Blackburn, Lancashire, were nominated for the award by their neighbour after they saved her and her six year-old boy’s life.

If you know a good neighbour, don’t stop at nominating them for a Good Neighbour award. The British Citizen Awards are held twice a year and celebrate normal people doing extraordinary work for their communities.

Winners are presented with a Medal of Honour, and will be invited to a ceremony at the Palace of Westminster along with the person who nominated them.

If your neighbourhood has an unsung hero, make sure you nominate them for a British Citizen Award.

Nominate your Good Neighbours at: placesforpeople.co.uk/starawards

Nominate someone for a British Citizen Award at: britishcitizenawards.co.uk

DO YOU KNOW A GOOD NEIGHBOUR?–Nominations for the 2016 Good Neighbour Awards are now open.

The annual event, held in October, celebrates the difference that our customers make to their communities.

Let’s Talk | National Newsletter04

We’ve been making some changes to our website, so it’s never been easier to view your rent account, make a payment or report a repair. It’s the perfect way to keep your details up to date and see your repairs and payment history.

Whether you’re always on the go or prefer the comfort of your living room, you can manage your home from any location and at a time of day that suits you. What’s more, you can access your new-look account from your favourite device, whether that’s your PC, tablet or smartphone.

Signing up for an online account is easy; all you need is your email address and payment reference number. It only takes a couple of minutes.

Head to my.placesforpeople.co.uk to sign up for an account today!If you’ve used our online services before, then setting up your online account is even easier. All you need to do is reset your old password and you’re good to go.

Win an iPad Check out your new-look online account on a brand new iPad. To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is register for an account and log-in before 1 May. It’s that simple!Sign up today at my.placesforpeople.co.uk For terms and conditions visit placesforpeople.co.uk/lets-talk

WIN!

LOOK AFTER YOUR HOME ONLINE–Taking care of your home has never been quicker or easier thanks to your new-look online account.

Spring 2016 05

Getting online could help you stay up-to-date with news, find local services, or just find out when the bins are getting collected. It’s also the easiest way to keep in touch with friends and family, wherever they are in the world, through social media or online messaging.

Going digital could also save you money on everything from your weekly grocery shop to buying train and bus tickets. You can manage your bank account using the internet and your bills might even come down, just because you choose to pay online!

Mick Cuthbert, a Places for People customer in Northampton for over 20 years, explained the difference that getting online has made to him: “I wasn’t an early adopter of the internet and I’m not a techy person. There used to be a running joke at work about me; people would keep me away from the computers because they crashed every time I came near!

“But now I use the internet for everything from paying bills to staying in touch with people, as well as for the occasional bit of online shopping. It’s easy to keep in touch with family using Skype, and I can contact friends that are abroad without worrying about an expensive phone bill at the end of the month. It’s a much cheaper and more convenient way of staying in contact with people.

“Although I don’t actually buy that much online, the internet is great for comparing prices before you buy. You can make sure you always get the best deal.

“I pay a lot of my bills using Direct Debit, including my rent. Doing my banking online is far more convenient than having to go and visit my branch. I can check my balance from the comfort of my own home, and make any changes to payments that I need to – no more having to take 25 pieces of paper, bills and identification into the bank to sign some forms!”

“I’d really recommend people find out more about getting online, go on courses and attend events if they get the chance to.”

“Getting online makes life so much easier. You don’t have to rely on the phone or meeting people in person anymore, and getting things done is much more convenient. You can take care of things while you’re on the go or from the comfort of your living room.”

Find out more about getting online, and what events are taking place in your area by talking to your Neighbourhood Officer.

If you switch to paying your rent by Direct Debit, we’ll enter you into a prize draw to win £100!

Call 0845 850 9571 to set up your Direct Debit today. Once you’re set up, your payments will automatically come out of your bank account.

You’ll be able to check where your payments are up to using your Places for People online account.

WIN £100 WHEN YOU PAY YOUR RENT THROUGH DIRECT DEBIT

DON’T HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT?

The Government has announced new Better Basic bank accounts for people not eligible for a current account.

If you’ve not been eligible for a current account in the past, then you can now apply for a new-style bank account. Better Basic accounts are online accounts that come with Debit Cards, so you can save time and money too. Turn to page 7 for more information.

The benefits of using the internet don’t stop with saving time looking after your home.

SAVE TIME AND MONEY ONLINE

06 Let’s Talk | National Newsletter

Our free, confidential service helps customers access an additional £325 per customer on average. Last year alone, they handled nearly 1,500 cases and saved customers a total of more than half a million pounds!

One customer contacted us once their housing benefit had stopped. Our Money Advisor Gareth Evans got in touch with the customer to help out, he said: “Our customer had received a letter from Housing Benefit asking for the details of his income. At first, we didn’t understand why they would be asking for this; they should already have had all the information they needed.

“I called the local council to find out more. Our customer was a former British soldier, but the council hadn’t been including the customer’s War Pension in their claim since 2012, even though they had done for years before that. Because of this, the council was looking to charge the customer more than £8,800.

“We helped the customer get in touch with the Royal British Legion to make sure they had as much support as possible while I worked with the council. The council accepted that they had made

a mistake, and we had the customer’s payment written off.”

The customer said: “The Money Advice Team were brilliant; they really helped me understand what had been going on. At first, I didn’t realise my money had been stopped because I didn’t receive any notice from the council – and the documents the council then sent to me were so complicated. You’d need to have a maths degree to understand them!

Contact your Money Advice Team by calling 01772 666 444

“Gareth helped me get in touch with the Royal British Legion and fill in the council’s forms. It’s good to have someone to talk to who understands your problem, and I’d recommend them to anyone in difficulty.”

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) is currently trialling a new digital service in the Sutton, Croydon and Tower Bridge areas of London.

If you live in one of these areas, unlike the rest of the country, there are no restrictions on who can and can’t claim Universal Credit.

The DWP has recently announced that the following areas will also go live before May 2016:

Hounslow, Purley, Thornton Heath, Musselburgh and Great YarmouthThe Government then intends to roll the service out nationally.

EXPANDING DIGITAL SERVICES

YOUR MONEY ADVICE TEAM–Worried about changes to your benefits, or just need some friendly advice and support? The Money Advice Team can help you manage your money, claim rent-related benefits and provide support if you’re having trouble paying the rent.

07Spring 2016

If you’re worried about banking fees, or you don’t qualify for a current account, we have great news!

New Better Basic bank accounts have been launched. The accounts don’t charge a fee for missed Direct Debits, and don’t allow users to run up an overdraft.

These new style accounts will offer customers a debit card, so purchases can be made online and cash points can be used without worrying about getting into debt.

If you don’t have a bank account, find out if you’re eligible for a Better Basic account by visiting your local bank. Accounts are available from :

• Barclays• Santander• NatWest• RBS• HSBC• Lloyds Banking Group• TSB• The Co-operative Bank• Nationwide Building Society

UNIVERSAL CREDIT ROLL-OUT CONTINUES

NEW ONLINE BANK ACCOUNTS

In May 2016, Universal Credit will be rolled-out to:

• Bath and North East Somerset Council• Newcastle City Council• Rugby Borough Council • Sedgemoot District Council• Waveney District Council

Over 300 Places for People customers are already claiming Universal Credit. Eventually, 6 benefits will be replaced by Universal Credit, with claimants moved over to Universal Credit. The benefits being replaced are:

• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance• Income-based Employment and

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

If you receive Universal Credit, you’ll receive a single monthly payment that includes your housing costs. That means it will be your responsibility to manage your money and pay your rent to Places for People.

In order to receive Universal Credit you must have a bank account that you can manage online. This is where your payment is made to.

The roll-out of Universal

Credit continues across

the country. 300 of our

customers currently claim

this new benefit which aims

to ensure you are better

off in employment.

In 2016, the roll-out of Universal Credit will pick up speed. All single jobseekers making a new claim will have to apply for Universal Credit.

Let’s Talk | National Newsletter08

BRISTOL HOUSING TRANSFORMED IN A WEEK–A housing scheme for the homeless in Bristol has been given a new lease of life after Places for People joined forces with two other national companies.

In just five days, more than 40 people set about providing the facility with a fresh, new look. New kitchens for staff and residents were installed and the common room was turned into a café with a new floor, tables and chairs. New decking and a gazebo were installed outside, and the building was redecorated on the inside.

Places for People colleagues teamed up with Novus Property Solutions and Keepmoat to make a difference to the local community. With their help, and thanks to donations from companies like Dulux, the project was finished on time and in style.

Run and managed by Places for People Individual Support, the Bristol Complex Needs facility offers support and housing for homeless men as they work towards living independently. Charlie Pascoe, Team Leader, said: “The renovation has been a great achievement and demonstrates everyone’s commitment to supporting our local communities. The project has made a real difference and will really help our customers to get their lives back on track.”

The renovation has received a very positive response from customers and those who work at the scheme. One comment included:

Since the refurb, the scheme feels like a really serene and

homely place. People are taking more

pride in where they live and taking more

responsibility for keeping the scheme in a good condition.

“The kitchen gets used more often

now by individuals, as well as for

communal meals; it was even used for a group Christmas

Dinner!”

Spring 2016 09

That’s why Individual Support is becoming Living+; it’ll give customers much more than a place to live. Living+ will give customers the confidence and support needed to live life to the full, whether that’s peace of mind, security or just good company.

One Living+ customer is Tesfu who came to the UK from Eritrea. He fled to the UK to escape persecution, but arrived homeless and spoke very little English. Arriving with very few possessions (other than his cherished begena – a traditional Eritrean musical instrument) in a completely different culture, Tesfu worked hard to make a new life for himself.

Aided by the encouragement and dedication of the Living+ team, Tesfu has completed ESOL classes, took part in English and Maths lessons and has worked with external support services to improve his opportunities of securing employment. Tesfu’s determination to succeed has enabled him to be ready to move on to a new chapter in his life.

Find out more about Living+ by visiting our website placesforpeople.co.uk

For the past 25 years, Places for People Individual Support has provided care and support for people up and down the country. Over this time the type of care and support, and the way Individual Support works, has changed. But our main aim has always stayed the same; to help our customers lead successful and fulfilling lives.

PLACES FOR PEOPLE INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT IS BECOMING LIVING+

A Cycle Reclamation Project in Norton Grange has helped young people to get on their bikes. The project gives children the chance to build themselves a bike from recycled parts.

The project teaches young people about road safety, recycling and gives them practical skills for maintaining their new bikes. Once they’ve finished building their bike, participants are given a certificate from ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network).

Places for People’s Community Safety Unit worked with Stockton Borough Council and local police to organise the project. The project not only saves families the cost of buying a bike, but also teaches the young people involved how to work as a team, and gives them a boost in confidence and self-esteem.

Paul Gallagher, Places for People’s Community Safety Officer who helped organise the project, said: “Projects like this are a great way for local young people to come together, make friends and learn new skills. The project lets us put something back into the community, and gives young people opportunities to reach their potential.

“Projects like this are also a great way for children to meet and get to know organisations like the Police. And by giving people positive activities to take part in, we’re able to head-off anti-social behaviour before it even starts.”

YOUNG PEOPLE IN STOCKTON GO UP A GEAR

Let’s Talk | National Newsletter10

WE’VE EXTENDED YOUR REPAIRS SERVICES–We’re always looking to improve the services that we offer to our customers. That’s why we’ve extended the availability of repairs appointments to evenings and weekends.

Appointments for routine repairs are now available from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 4:30pm on Saturdays. You can report a repair online by signing up for an online account. Log into your account and fill in your repair details, then we’ll arrange an appointment at a time that works for you. You can also report a repair by calling our Customer Service Centre between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Emergency repairs can also be reported by phone at any time.

The changes to our repairs services comes in response to feedback we received from customers. We’ve been listening to what you had to say, and we want to make sure that our service is fit for your needs.

MON – FRI 8am – 8pm

APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

SAT – SUN 8am – 4.30pm

Spring 2016 11

Low cost content insurance for

Places for People customers

Low cost contents insuranceWe all know that accidents happen, and anyone could become a victim to fire, flooding or burglary.Insuring your home’s contents gives you the peace of mind that you’ll be able to replace your possessions. Places for People has teamed up with Aviva to offer home contents insurance.

Customers will be able to benefit from:• No excess – nothing to pay when you make a claim• Contents replaced as new (except clothing and household linen)• Rented goods included• Fixed rates for three years• Insurance provided by Aviva Insurance Limited, the UK’s

largest insurer

For more information, visit placesforpeople.co.uk/customers/get_insurance Underwritten by Aviva Insurance Limited. Registered in Scotland, No. 2116. Registered Office: Pitheavlis, Perth PH2 0NH. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Emma got one...Now she can start decorating the nursery

You could get one too! Borrow between £250 - £3,000.

Our new online application process makes applying for a loan simple, and we’ll give you a decision straight away if we think we can help.

•Affordable,accessibleborrowing• Choose to repay monthly or weekly• Set a repayment period anywhere from 6 months to 3 years.

Apply online today at placesforpeople.co.uk/loans

Credit will be offered subject to status. Your rate is fixed for the term of your agreement. Applicants are reminded not to commit any funds to expenditure until a loan decision is made.

We and the Places for People Group may send you information by post about products and services that we think will be of interest to you. If you would rather we did not do this please contact optout@placesforpeople.co.uk. Places for People Financial Services Ltd is registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 5555828. Registered office: 80 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6EE. Places for People Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with firm reference number 663756

Simple

loans.

Quick

decisions

69.9%APRREPRESENTATIVE

12 Let’s Talk | National Newsletter

Save up to £300* a year on your gas and electricity bills when you switch to Places for People Energy.

See if you could save. Visit pfpenergy.co.uk

Since we launched last year, over 20,000 people have already switched to us. Find out how much you could save!

*Average customer saving between August 2015 and March 2016.

We keep things simple so we can keep our prices low. We’re

cheaper than other energy providers, and it only takes a couple of minutes to switch.