meres news autumn 2012

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Fairfields Wednesday PAGE 3 Happy 100th Birthday PAGE 7 TARCA Update PAGE 14 Tel: 0300 303 1190 Email: [email protected] Web: www.shropshirehousing.org.uk Celebrating 5 successful years For all the local news about your community | Issue 22 – Autumn 2012 AUTUMN IN SHROPSHIRE Meres News

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newsletter for tenants of meres and mosses hosuing association

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Fairfields WednesdayPage 3

Happy 100th Birthday Page 7

TARCA UpdatePage 14

Tel: 0300 303 1190 Email: [email protected] Web: www.shropshirehousing.org.uk

Celebrating 5 successful years

For all the local news about your community | Issue 22 – Autumn 2012

AUTUMNIN SHROPSHIRE

Meres News

COACHINg TRAININg

Tenant Involvement and Empowerment

standard

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2Neighbourhoods

and Communities standard

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7Rents standard

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Value for Money standard

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2Tenancy standard

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Governance and Financial Viability

standard

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2Home standard

Our regulator, The Homes & Communities Agency, has asked all social landlords to produce local offers through seven standards that cover the services we provide. Our current offers are set out in the Tenants Report 2012 provided with this newsletter.

All updates on the local offers will be marked with the appropriate sticker (see below) for the standard it applies to.

OUR SERVICES TO YOU

2 Coaching Training/Our Services to You3 Fairfields Wednesdays Success/Gas Servicing Audit Winner4 Sponsorship School Event/Satisfied with Kitchens5 Group News13 Happy 100th Birthday14 TARCA Update15 TARCA Update/Competition Winners16 Competitions Page

CONTENTSShropshire Football Association in conjunction with Shropshire Housing Group recently held a football coaching course at Charter Court, Fairfields Estate, Market Drayton for young people aged 16 and over. The free course was a great success with 6 people qualifying as Level 1 coaches. They were also given a free kit, sponsored by Shropshire Housing Group.

You can contact us in a number of ways:

PHONE 0300 303 1190 or

REPAIRS FREEPHONE 0800 592418

EMAIL [email protected]

IN WRITINg by sending your letter to us at Meres and Mosses Housing Association, Talbot House, High Street, Wem SY4 5AA.

IN PERSON by coming along to the reception desk at Talbot House.

OFFICE OPENINg HOURSOur normal office opening hours are:

9.00AM-5.00PM MONdAY - FRIdAY

HOW TO CONTACT US

ACCESS FOR ALLThis document is also available in:

TRANSLATION AVAILABLE

Large Print Audio CD Braille Other Languages

Traduction disponible

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перевод доступный

2 | Meres News Autumn 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1190

www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Meres News Autumn 2012 | 3

Miss Ollerenshaw from Wem won a £100 Tesco voucher for allowing our auditors into her home after her annual gas service had been completed. All tenants who allow the auditors to inspect gas servicing work in their homes are entered into the prize draw.

Martine Crossley walked through the door of the Fairfields Wednesdays drop in sessions in February and now there is no holding her back.

She had been out of work for 6 years and lacked confidence and direction.

She was met by friendly staff from MMHA and Shropshire Council, who over a cup of coffee, boosted her confidence and gave her guidance and advice.

Two weeks later Martine had secured a job, and although she has been made redundant due to cutbacks, went straight back out there and got another job.

Martine said “The atmosphere at the drop in sessions is so friendly and relaxed and the staff made me believe in myself”

She is also in the process of recruiting a netball and rounders team locally, working with MMHA to acquire support and funding.

FairFields

Wednesdays

success

Gas servicinG

audit Winner

satisFied With Kitchens

4 | Meres News Autumn 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1190

St Peters School, Wem held their own Olympic events, complete with podium, medals and closing ceremony. MMHA gave the school £500 towards the day. Head of Housing, Nirmal Samrai gave out medals to some of the winners.

The kitchen replacement programme has achieved 100% satisfaction.

Mrs Chebsey mentioned how happy she was with the kitchen as her wall cupboards were lowered so she could reach inside and use the top shelf as she could not reach them in her old kitchen.

Group News Autumn 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1190

Group News

STAR SuRvey – Tell uSwhAT you Think AbouT ouR SeRviceSEvery 2 years Shropshire Housing Group, along with many other landlords across the county, asks all tenantswhat you think of the services we provide.

Surveys will be going out to all our tenants in Septemberand October, to give you a chance to tell us what you think.Most surveys will be in paper form, however we have listened to what you said about the best way to contact you, and some surveys may be carried out by telephone or other methods.

In order to ensure you can freely say what you think, thesurveys will be carried out by an external organisation.However, they will clearly state that they are doing thison our behalf, so that you can be reassured that the callis genuine. If you do have any concerns, please contactCustomer Services. We hope that you will take the time toanswer & return the survey as this will help us to improveour services.

Some examples of what we have done after the lastsurvey are that we have improved the support we offer inanti-social behaviour cases and introduced the ability tocommunicate with tenants by text.

TenAnT cenSuSWe are constantly updating our records to ensure ourinformation is accurate and to help us plan the best services.If you have not yet completed a Resident Census form wemay contact you to make sure the information we holdabout you is up-to-date.

Alternatively please email us at [email protected] (giving your name, address & contact number) or call us on 0300 303 1190 and we will call you back to take your details. The form is also available on our website.

This information has recently helped us to contact tenantswho may be affected by the Government’s welfare reforms,and to explain to them how we can help. We have alsoidentified everyone who may need an adaptation in their property, and have added these to our list ofadaptations needed.

Live 4Less is a free programme for tenants on how to save money, including budgeting, saving money on bills, food and travel. It also outlines how to increase your income

and lower your outgoings, how to deal with debt problems and much more. Please contact us to book your place on the

programme or to tell us that you would like a session to be run in your area.

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Pointing you in the right financial direction

Group News Autumn 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1190

ConvenienceMany employers insist on paying wages into a bank account. You can have all your welfare benefits paid into a bank account which means that you do not have to make time to go to a Post Office to cash a cheque.

FlexibilityInstead of carrying all of your money with you, you can use a debit card to buy things or withdraw a small amount of money from cash machines.

SafetyMoney left in a home or in your bag or wallet can be stolen or lost. Money in a bank account is insured against loss so even if your bank goes bankrupt, your money is still safe.

Bill PayingMany bank accounts allow account holders to make regular bill payments. This saves you time and often means you can buy services at a much cheaper rate.

AdvAnTAgeS of hAving A bAnk AccounT:

bASic bAnk AccounTS

With a basic bank account you:S Can pay in cheques for free

S Can take money out at cash machines

S Can pay bills by Direct Debit or standing order (which usually means the services are cheaper)

S Are usually free UNLESS you don’t have enough funds in the account when a direct debit is drawn when you will receive a charge - which can be up to £20 a time

S Don’t get a cheque book

S Don’t get an overdraft.

When choosing a basic bank account check:S You can use cash machines near where you live or

work for free (ask the bank or building society if you aren’t sure)

S There is a branch of the bank/building society nearby where you can pay in money and check your account

S You can pay money in or get money out at a Post Office® branch, if this is important for you

S You will get the services you need like a debit card, Direct Debits or standing orders.

Pointing you in the right financial direction

Some people may find it difficult to open a regular bank account, especially if they have a poor credit history. A “basic” bank account is a good option.

Pointing you in the right financial direction

Pointing you in the right financial direction

www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Group News Autumn 2012

AdvAnTAgeS of hAving A bAnk AccounT:

LudlowMondays & Thursdays office hours: South Shropshire Voluntary Action, Corve Street Thursdays 10.00 – 11.30: Rockspring Community Centre, Sandpits Estate

Craven Arms:South Shropshire Housing Association, The Gateway Tuesdays 14.00 – 16.00

Wem:Meres and Mosses Housing Association, Talbot House Tuesdays – by appointment

Market Drayton: Community Information Centre Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9.30 – 1pm & 1.30 – 3.0.pm; Saturdays 9.30 – 1pm

Pointing you in the right financial direction

Shropshire Housing Group does a lot of work with Just Credit Union. They offer a basic bank account. They have community branches at:

You can also contact them on 01743 252 325 or go to: www.justcreditunion.org

Pointing you in the right financial direction

houSing benefiT chAngeSFrom April 2013 a limit will be put on the amount of benefit people aged 16 to 64 can get. This is called a benefit cap. At the same time, the Government will reduce the amount of housing benefit paid out to households who are living in properties that are too large for their needs.

We have already written to most of the households affected by these changes and will be working with Shropshire Council's benefits team to offer support and advice.

If you think that you will be affected by these changes, please call us on 0300 303 1190 or email [email protected] so that we can support you and find out what choices you have.

Group News Autumn 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1190

Solid fuel SeRvicingShropshire Housing Group are required under the Health and Safety laws to ensure all types of heating systems in its properties are safe to use. Records have to be kept to show we have completed annual servicing and safety checks.

We will carry out a full annual service of your appliance and carry out a smoke test on your flue, if required. Further tests may be carried out and repair works done to ensure your appliance and flue is working properly. As part of the servicing programme we have introduced 6 monthly chimney sweeping.

This work is completely free to our tenants, however access is needed to the property and the appliance will need to be out of use for the work to be carried out. An appointment will be made with you at your convenience to give you time to ensure your appliance is not being used.

elecTRic vAn TRiAl TRL recently trialled an electric van for a week. Although the operatives were very positive about driving it, the van didn’t have the range it needs to cover Shropshire. SHG is committed to looking for greener and more economical ways of working and will keep searching for greener alternatives. 1

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www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Group News Autumn 2012

A new central heating system had been installed at an elderly tenant’s home and although the tenant was very pleased with the new heating system there were a couple of issues.

The water cylinder had been removed from their airing cupboard and this had left the tenant with nowhere to dry washing. We arranged for a small radiator to be installed within the airing cupboard to enable the cupboard to be used for drying clothes.

The second issue was that as the new radiators were slightly smaller than the ones that had been removed, the area

behind was in need of redecoration. It is our policy to issue tenants with decoration vouchers. But, in this instance we agreed to carry out the necessary redecoration as the tenant had no family members who could carry out the work. We also agreed colours of paint with the tenant.

If you have a complaint, please contact us on 0300 303 1190, email [email protected] or fill in the online form on our website.

After buying your shared ownership property you can choose to increase the share you own. This is known as staircasing. The advantages are that you will pay less rent, and own an increased share in your property.

The maximum amount that you can staircase up to is shown in your lease. Shares can be purchased in steps of between 10% and 25% per instalment. It is possible to buy 2 steps at the same time.

For more information please contact Maggie Davis, Sales Co-ordinator on 0300 303 1190 or email [email protected]

ShARed owneRShip STAiRcASing

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Shropshire Housing Group regularly reviews its performance on a lot of different things, including repairs response times, gas servicing completions, rent arrears, and how long a property is empty for. This time we are sharing with you Aids and Adaptations performance.

This work costs less than £500 to complete. We have set a target that minor adaptations will take less than 21 days to complete.

This work costs more than £500 to complete. We have set a target that major adaptations will take less than 180 days to complete. We also look at how satisfied tenants were with the work done.

Below are the performance figures for aids and adaptations for April 2011- March 2012.

Group News Autumn 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1190

MA JOR ADAPTATIONSMA JOR ADAPTATIONSMINOR ADAPTATIONSMINOR ADAPTATIONSSSHASSHAMMHAMMHA

MA JOR ADAPTATIONSMA JOR ADAPTATIONSMINOR ADAPTATIONSMINOR ADAPTATIONSSSHASSHAMMHAMMHAMA JOR ADAPTATIONSMA JOR ADAPTATIONSMINOR ADAPTATIONSMINOR ADAPTATIONSSSHASSHAMMHAMMHAMA JOR ADAPTATIONSMA JOR ADAPTATIONSMINOR ADAPTATIONSMINOR ADAPTATIONSSSHASSHAMMHAMMHA

Number completed

Number completed in time

% completed in time

Minor Adaptations 34 29 85.3%

Major Adaptations 35 25 71.4%

Number completed

Number completed in time

% completed in time

Minor Adaptations 34 29 85.3%

Major Adaptations 35 25 71.4%

We are working hard with our partners to ensure we reduce the number of days it takes to complete aids and adaptations work, in order to meet our target.

98% of those who received an adaptation last year were satisfied with the quality of the work. 100% said it had improved their quality of life.

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www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Group News Autumn 2012

What would happen if the contents of your home were lost or damaged by fire or flood? Would you be able to afford to replace them?

It is your responsibility to insure the contents of your home.

The My Home Contents Insurance Scheme is designed for tenants in housing association homes. They have affordable premiums and a pay as you go option.

Benefits Include:• Instant cover available over the telephone• affordable premiums • Cash payments available in addition to traditional

payment methods• No minimum security requirements to the property • No excess (you don’t have to pay the first part of the claim)• excellent claims service

For more information contact us on

are your contents insured?

0845 337 2463

We are committed to making life easier for our tenants and want you to live independently in your home for as long as you wish. We offer minor adaptations to your home so that your quality of life can be improved.

Minor adaptations are works that do not exceed £500. For example:

• Internal/externalgrabrails• Levertaps• Halfsteps

This type of work will be completed through our responsive repairs service, usually within 21 working days.

To request an adaptation or to find out more, please contact us.

MinoR AdApTATionS1

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Homeswapper is the new way to look for mutual exchanges. It is a free service for our tenants. Tenants can look at properties from all over the country and see details of where that person would like to move to. They can also post their home to the website and check if anyone is willing to swap with them.

Go to www.homeswapper.co.uk to login and find out more.

Please note a swap can only take place after permission has been given by us. Tenants are responsible for telling their landlords about the mutual exchange and need to complete an application form. A mutual exchange is completed within 42 days of receiving the completed forms.

Some of our tenants have already completed their mutual exchange. They said;

‘Thank you we got the move we wanted’. Mr D.

‘Great swap more room for our new addition’. Ms N

www.homeswapper.co.uk

Group News Autumn 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1190

Introducing the new Allpay app.

This is free to download and available from the App Store and

Google Play.

Register your debit card and payment card to make quick

and easy payments

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www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Meres News Autumn 2012 | 13

Mrs Roberts turned 100 years young on the 28th June 2012. She moved to Shawbury, where she still lives, on 1st April 1981 having previously lived in Shrewsbury. Mrs Roberts has 2 sons, 4 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

As a child Mrs Roberts had to walk 3 miles to and from school each day and she enjoyed playing netball. We’re sure that this accounts for her still being so active to this day. Most days she walks to her sons’ houses in the village.

Her father was a survivor on the Titanic and he told her the story of the ship going down and the Captain shouting to everyone who could, to get off. When he was safely in the boat he could hear people singing.

Mrs Roberts worked at Shawbury School in the kitchens up until she retired. She said, ‘I was asked to open the original Parish Hall in Shawbury and I had great delight in doing so.’

Mrs Roberts has her hair and nails done regularly and this helps her keep up her youthful appearance.

tel: 01630 652953 mobile: 07530 002771 email: [email protected] www.tarca.org.uk

90th Birthday present for CharitiesDorothy Hyde from Norman Brook Court, Market Drayton, presented a cheque for £500.00 to Maria Jones of the Shropshire Air Ambulance. The money was raised from a party to celebrate Dorothy’s 90th Birthday in March. She asked for donations instead of presents, and raised £700. £200 was also donated to the British Legion Women’s Section in Market Drayton. Dorothy has just become an honorary member of the club where she has been a member since 1956.

Left to Right shows Frances Robinson, Dorothy Hyde,

Maria Jones, Elsie Shuker and Mick Platt.

14 | Meres News Autumn 2012 | Tel: 0300 303 1190

tel: 01630 652953 mobile: 07530 002771 email: [email protected] www.tarca.org.uk

LEFT: The winner of last time’s find the Olympic torches competition was Chanai Brown from Market Drayton who won a £30 Love to Shop voucher

RIGHT: The winner of last time’s Olympic word jumble was Mrs Hull from Market Drayton who won a £30 Love to Shop voucher

COMPETITION WINNERS

Bartons road flats Complete garden Tenants from Bartons Road flats successfully applied to TARCA for a grant from MMHA’s environmental budget. They got to work to transform a drab area into something that they are very proud of.

new play area for whixall sChoolWhixall Primary School have had a grant recommended by TARCA to the MMHA Board for a picnic and play area at their school. The Grant was for £5,376. The School have secured funding from other sources and work will start in September. The project also needed bins, so TARCA members decided to donate four colourful dustbins for the project. Ex TARCA Treasurer Graham Stockton delivered them at the School Summer Fete.

Whixall School receives their colourful bins.

Bartons Road garden before.

Bartons Road garden after.

www.shropshirehousing.org.uk | Meres News Autumn 2012 | 15

61993: 07/2012

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