Autumn Edition 2015NEWS

www.sbha.org.uk

In this edition....• Tweeddale Repairs Text-Back Pilot

• What Young People and Families are telling us

• Repairs done right, first time - tear off and tell us

• Join us on Estate Inspections

• Calling 18-24 year olds looking for employment

• Stars Nominations

• What’s on Site

• 100 Volunteers required - see page 7

Roger Postle, Housing Officer with members of the Community Youth Voice

Save money on heating - 100 Volunteers wanted

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Farewell and Thanks to Ray Licence and welcome to new Chairman and Board Members

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y Local Borders Architect, Ray Licence, pictured left with Julia Mulloy, Chief Executive, has retired as Chairman of SBHA after 9 years, 5 of which he served as Chairman. The Board are pleased to announce they have chosen Simon Mountford as Ray’s successor.

Commenting on his time at SBHA, Ray says “I’m delighted to have been part of SBHA’s journey. I’m extremely proud to have been SBHA’s Chairman and thank all of our Staff, Tenants and stakeholders. I welcome the appointment of Simon as my successor and wish him well”.

Board of Management

Harriet Campbell, KelsoRobin Cowan, Innerleithen

Sub-Committee

Barry Armstrong, HawickAlbert Cruikshank, Galashiels David Cartledge, KelsoDiana Findlay, Earlston

There are lots of opportunities to get involved, talk to us about joining one of our committees - contact Catherine Beattie or Linda Wood on 01750 724444 or enquiries@sbha.org.uk

You said: One of your top priorities was to make your homes easier to heat.

We did: See our articles in this newsletter on Saving you money to heat your home on page 7.

Look out for the rent increase consultation in our next newsletter - we will be phoning Tenants direct to get their views.

Carly Stewart, Director of Finance

and Corporate Services

In our last rent consultation in December ...

Welcome New Board and Sub-Committee Members

Simon Mountford, (pictured right) from Yetholm, comments on his new role as Chairman: “SBHA is one of the largest housing associations in Scotland and it is an honour to be chosen as its Chairman. Because we are a Tenant-focussed organisation, communicating and listening to our Tenants is key to what we do.”

Included with this newsletter - SBTO letter,

Annual Report and “How are we doing?”

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Opportunities to get involvedCommunity Teams working in your area

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Following the success of the Kelso Community Team Pilot, this model has been rolled out to Langlee in Galashiels, Burnfoot in Hawick and Bannerfield in Selkirk. Pictured on our front cover is Roger Postle, Housing Officer, with members of the Community Youth Voice (CYV) at Langlee Carnival. SBHA Community Team Staff are keen to work with local groups. We sponsored hoodies and polo shirts (with Waverley Housing) for the Community Youth Voice (who were formed with the help of SBC and TD1 Youth Hub).

Out and About this yearThank you to all our Tenants who attended the various events which SBHA supported this year including SBTO Information Day, Pop-up Shops, Cream Teas, Summer Party, Langlee Carnival, Burnfoot Carnival, Coffee Morning, SBTO Scrutiny inspections and Residents Groups.

Estate Inspections, why not meet us?Our Community Teams would welcome Tenants to come along with them on estate inspections to tell us what you think needs to be improved in your area. Contact your area office or see our web-site for the full schedule of streets on each walkabout – www.sbha.org.uk

Galashiels Office – Telephone 01896 662870Kingsland Square/ Edinburgh Road, Peebles - Amy Taylor, Wednesday 18th November 2015, 10am-12noon. Starting at the junction of Cross Street and Montgomery Place.

Langlee, Galashiels - Roger Postle, Wednesday 11th November 2015, 2-4pm. Starting at the Community Hub.Mossilee/Balmoral, Galashiels - Shirley Whillans, Wednesday 11th November 2015, 10am-12 noon. Starting at Mossilee Crescent.

Church Square, Galashiels - Lisa White, Wednesday 25th November 2015, 10am-12 noon. Starting at SBHA’s Office at Church Street.

Earlston - Leigh Gilfether, Thursday 12th November 2105, 10am–12 noon. Starting at Gun Avenue.

Bannerfield, Selkirk - Susan Falconer, Tuesday 3rd November 2015, 2-4pm. Starting at Bridge Street.

Hawick Office – Telephone 01450 360650

Kelso - Helen Bulman, Thursday 5th November 2015, 2-4pm. Starting at Abbotseat.

Burnfoot, Hawick - Irene Sparkes, Wednesday 11th November 2015, 9-12 noon. Starting at Fairhurst Drive.

Bongate, Jedburgh - Beverley Richardson, Thursday 19th November 2015, 11am–1.00pm. Starting at Bongate.

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sWhat Tenants are Telling Us

“Generally satisfied with speed of response repairs; would like a better relationship with SBHA; improved communication about upgrades, including new kitchen and bathrooms; anti-social behaviour (ASB) and neighbour nuisance remain a problem for some; there is low awareness of the range of services SBHA provide; few Tenants visit SBHA’s website; Staff are friendly, helpful and polite.”

Alison Notman, our Tenant Participation Manager has the role of ensuring Tenants’ voices are heard.

“We carry out a Tenant Satisfaction survey every year and the key results are reported in our publication ‘How are we doing?’. Your feedback tells us that young people and families have greater expectations of our services, so we held a couple of focus groups to find out more.”

The Focus Groups told us that:

Here’s what we are doing following feedback from younger people and families:

Invite Tenants to Estate Inspections

and publishdates and times

Launch RepairsText-Back Pilot in Tweeddale from

November

Greater use ofFacebook

Community Teamto hold more

Residents Meetings

Keep ASBcomplainants

better informed

Inform you aboutour range of services

PublishImprovement

Programme by streeton Web

and Facebook

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Improving Young Peoples’ FutureY

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Lita advises “contact me if you are an SBHA Tenant aged 18-24 who is out of work, or facing redundancy. I can help you get a job or training and support you for the first 3 months of your new employment.”

“I provide one to one support and can visit you at home, or wherever is convenient. There is also an 8 week course at Borders College starting in January 2016 focussing on confidence-building, improving your chances to gain employment, CV and job-application advice”.

Contact: Lita McHale on enquiries@sbha.org.uk or telephone 01750 724444.

Photo: Scott Marr, Project Manager for R J McLeod; Nathan Brown;Lita McHale, SBHA Employability Adviser

We have supported 27 apprenticeships, and 9 are currently in training. We have also taken on 2 interns this year working in the Chief Executive’s department and in Tenant Participation. The Association also provides work placements for young people from Borders College and local schools, totalling 14 in the last year.

We are delighted to announce that Matthew Wainman, 21, SBHA’s apprentice plasterer was part of the winning team in the top Award in Scotland, Scottish Federation of Housing Association’s “Apprentice Challenge”.

Matthew comments:

“I’m delighted to receive this award. I decided to do the apprenticeship as I wanted to gain a qualification in plastering.

I have enjoyed learning new skills and on the job training.”

SBHA - Career opportunities for Young people

Since June of this year Lita McHale, SBHA’s Employability Adviser, has supported six Tenants into paid employment and one into training. Pictured left with Lita is Nathan Brown who Lita worked with to secure a job at the Flood Protection works in Selkirk. Nathan said:

“Lita gave me valuable guidance and got me thinking about options and being confident enough to approach employers. I was focussed, and able to jump at the chance.”

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Alan Frank from St Boswells (above) attended the Langlee Information Day and was the lucky winner of a £50 Voucher to spend at Quins Restaurant in Galashiels.

CONGRATULATIONS ...to the following Tenants who returned their Repairs Satisfaction Slips and won the monthly draw of £25 Store Vouchers:

Draw WinnerJune 2015 Mr S Mein, Darnick

July 2015 Mrs D Johnstone, Kelso

August 2015 Ms M Henderson, Hawick

How can you help?Nearly New Household Goods Sought – please send unwanted household items which are nearly new, contact:

www.freshstartborders.org.uk or

enquiries@freshstartborders.org.uk or 01750 62 219

You will be helping this charity provide starter packs for local people who have been homeless and are setting up a new home.

Budding Photographers?

Alison Notman, Tenant Participation Manager, is seeking photos to add to the very popular Scottish Borders Tenants Organisation 2016 calendar. Please contact her on:

enquiries@sbha.org.uk or 01750 72 4444

Stars Nominations

Thanks to the 200 plus Tenants who nominated Staff for a Stars Award. We are seeking entries for 2015 – please nominate by writing in, using our web-site form, or e-mail us at:

enquiries@sbha.org.uk

or telephone 01750 72 4444

Did you know we also provide the following services?

• Welfare Benefits Advice;

• Help with Budgeting;

• Help with debt or Rent Arrears;

• 9 ways to pay your Rent and repayment plan support;

• Support if you have neighbour nuisance;

• Training and support for young people to get into employment;

• Advice on how to save money on gas, electric and food bills;

• Advice on your housing options;

• Referrals to support or specialist agencies.

Services we provide

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Kelso ~12 Bathrooms30 Heating Systems73 External painting

Hawick ~65 Kitchens116 Bathrooms48 External Painting61 Heating Systems

Galashiels ~6 Kitchens117 Bathrooms43 Heating Systems7 External Wall Insulation

Jedburgh ~6 Bathrooms52 Heating Systems98 External Painting

Innerleithen ~ Walkerburn4 Kitchens13 Bathrooms3 Heating Systems

Selkirk ~6 Bathrooms44 Heating Systems

St Boswells ~123 External Painting

Lauder, Melrose, St Boswells ~3 Bathrooms10 Heating Systems

Peebles ~3 Kitchens12 Bathrooms10 Heating Systems

What’s on Site

Hawick ~8 New Build Homes at Deanfield10 New Build Homes and 16 Flats at Stonefield

You told us making homes more affordable to heat was a priority – here’s how we are helping....

We’re looking for 100 volunteers ...... who have gas central heating to pilot Chop Cloc, an energy efficiency system. Barry Wood, SBHA’s Financial Support Worker, says “It’s been great, Tenants have reported real savings. Everyone in the trials so far have asked to keep Chop Cloc. We’re looking for more volunteers to pilot this.”

Contact Barry on:

enquiries@sbha.org.uk or 01750 724444

Claim your £140! - We have been working with Changeworks who are providing one to one advice on ways to save money on gas, electric and food bills. We want to ensure our eligible Tenants receive the Warm Homes Discount Rebates, e.g. those with young children in the household and Tenants who have a disability, are on low incomes, or are over 62. These rebates will not affect any cold weather payment or winter fuel payment Tenants receive. Advice on ways to save money on bills is free and confidential.

Contact Changeworks on 0131 539 8574 for a home visit or advice over the phone about your heating or household costs, or email:warmth@changeworks.org.uk

Newtown St Boswells ~142 External Painting

Tear off and Tell us ......

“We get over 8 out of 10 repairs completed right, first time. But I want to do better and aim for 10 out of 10!

Getting things right, first time makes us more efficient, but also makes sure Tenants are happy with our service. I’d appreciate if you could take the time to complete the questions below”.

Name ...........................................................................

Address.........................................................................

Tel No. ............................................. Post Code ............

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Registered as a Scottish Charity - No. SC030751

Getting repairs right, first time

Please return to: SBHA, South Bridge House, Whinfield Road, Selkirk, TD7 5DT

1) Using an App on your phone, or the SBHA web-site to identify a repair, and book your preferred appointment day and time without having to phone in?

Very Useful Useful Not Useful

2) Our current appointment times? Very Useful Useful Not Useful

If not, do you have suggestions? ..........................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

3) That we send you a reminder about your repair appointment:

- by text - by phone - by letter

4) If we cannot complete your repair on the first visit, how useful would it be to arrange a re-visit by:

- the tradesman arranging a date and time before he/she leaves

- office staff texting me to arrange the appointment

- office staff phoning me to arrange the appointment

Your repair will be prioritised

and completed within:

1. Emergency - attend within 2 hours, make safe within 4 hours

2. Urgent - 3 days

3. Routine/Urgent - 10 days

4. Routine/Non-urgent - 20 days

5) If we contacted you to find out if you were happy with the repair, would you prefer us contacting you –

- by text - by phone

Gary Wilson, Head of Property Services

How useful do/would you find ....