RoundUp Newsletter | Issue 11

About our members for our members

Welcometo your latest issue of

/tpasengland

@tpasengland

Inside RoundUp:

• ‘Tenant View’ P3

• Community Action P7

• Member Stories P11

• Local Community P13

CelebratingCommunityAction

In this issue of RoundUp

‘Tenant View’Page 3

Community Action Page 7

TrainingPage 14

Community StoryPage 13

MembershipPage 5

Member StoriesPage 11-12

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Jenny Osbourne Chief Executive Steve Meakin MBE Chair

Welcome to the latest edition of Round up! We are celebrating community involvementin this edition, reflecting on the ways in whichlocal people can contribute to their communities and improve the areas where they live.

Community action sees local people leadingand contributing to the planning and delivery of services, with decisions being made that reflect local interests. It’s a great way to build social cohesion because individuals form new relationships with others living in their area and can learn new skills helping to widen their opportunities for wellbeing.

read their stories on pages 11 and 12. It is the tenacity and commitment of the tenants that get involved that helps communities to thrive - read Eric Smith’s story, on page 13 to find out why it’s important for tenants to lead and support activity.

And finally TPAS is all about supporting tenants and giving them the skills they need to be involved. We have lots of training opportunitiesavailable and we will be launching a new initiative called Tenant View to give you a platform to have a national voice. Read more on pages 3 and 4.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Round Up.

The Government is keen for local people to exercise their community rights. Whilst there has been little mention of community action during the election campaign we expect that the changingpolicy landscape will encourage more of this activity and you can read more about this onpages 7 and 8. If you want to know more about some of the powers available to help you shape your neighbourhood our piece on pages 9 and 10 will prove useful.

Our member stories will also help to inspire youto undertake projects in your own area. Riverside tenants have taken over the management of local services and Family Mosaic are supporting tenants to be community champions. You can

Stay in touch with TPAS on0161 868 3500 or email info@tpas.org.uk

Introduction

Community RightsPage 9

You can get in touch using any of the following; Follow us:

Freephone 0161 868 3500 Email info@tenantcentral.org.uk Like us:

Visit www.tenantcentral.org.uk Write Tenant Central Team, TPAS, Suite 4b Trafford Plaza, 73 Seymour Grove, Manchester M16 0LD.

@tenant_central

Fundraising HelpPage 6

Welcometo your latest issue of FREE

TRAININGfor tenants

FREE Training...THREE Waysthrough Tenant Central 1 Tenant Central comes to you to deliver a training course of your choice 2 A range of interactive accredited and short E learning courses 3 In your region, two day accredited training courses on scrutiny and performance

Check out the website www.tenantcentral.org.uk for information on how to arrange in house courses and dates / booking details for accredited regional and E learning courses.

Also look out for Tenant Central events in your region September’15 to March’16. Contact us if you have ideas for events, speakers or workshops.

/TPAStenantcentral

3 4

Voice of the Tenant

We want to challenge and change

this trend with a new project called

‘Tenant View’. We will gather a range

of tenants who have a view and we’ll

then offer a platform for them to have

a national voice. These tenants will

write for us to help change the way

people understand tenant involvement.

Their words have the power to inspire

not only involved tenants, but also

challenge and debate what housing

staff; contractors and the wider world

think tenant involvement is all about.

So, whether it’s an event they organised,

an achievement they want to shout

about or even to let off steam about

something that really frustrates them

in their role we’ll soon be able to read

about it direct from them.

Over the past year we’ve become more and more aware that it’s the same faces that crop up on websites, trade magazines and at conferences to talk about tenant involvement.

Sometimes this has been something to

celebrate as the tenant champion might

be well known, articulate, and very

knowledgeable about the subject, but it

would be a very boring place if we could

only hear, see and talk with the same

people, right?

In the April edition of 24 Housing Magazine,

our Chief Executive Jenny Osbourne

predicted that there would be a very

low number of tenants featured in the

top 50 housing power players list which

the magazine publishes every year.

In fact, this year only one tenant made

the list. This makes us sad because the

genuine insights, opinions and passion

that tenants have to offer are clearly not

being heard.

Find out more at:www.tpas.org.uk“We want to challenge and change...”

Introducing

‘Tenant View’ “I want to write about how we can stand for our truth, push for change and be a fresh, positive voice for tenants.”

“I get really bothered by the negative perception that social housing residents have no other motivation than trying to skim the system. We are more than that.”

We’ll be publishing our Tenant View articles in this magazine and through our ebulletins so it’s worth getting onto our email mailing list by visiting our website.

Leslie Channon Cottsway Housing

Richard Mandunya Soha Housing

65

Need help funding your projects?There are lots of funding opportunities available to tenants and community groups to support your activities, services and projects. You just need to know where and how to access them. Where do I start?Most funders are focussed on supporting change to make things better for a person, a group of people, an environment or an organisation. For any fundraising activities, you should consider the following key points:

• What issue do that you want your project to address• What will be the outcomes of your project• What will your project cost• How are you going to approach it• How will you fund it?• Who will make funding applications• How will you manage the spend if you get the money • How will you monitor and evaluate your project

What funding is available?Funding for community groups can come from earned income, donations, small local community grants right through to huge multi million pound projects.

Larger sources of funding• Public funders• Community First• Local Government funding• National Lottery• Big Lottery

• Trusts and Foundations• Know your facts – Trusts and Foundations

Smaller sources of funding• Crowdfunding• Awards for all• Support from local businesses• Do it yourself or community fundraising• Housing providers• Philanthropic organisations• Banks and Building societies• High street stores and supermarkets

Some key terms to be aware of• Capital funding - one off projects e.g. computers• Revenue funding - ongoing costs e.g. rent• Core costs - costs of keeping an organisation going• Seed funding - to help start new groups off• In kind funding - something other than money e.g. donated equipment• Matched funding - dependent on others contributions e.g. the groups own funds• Project funding - an activity or project that a group does but not all that it does

EligibilityMany groups waste a lot of time and effort applying to the wrong funders. Ask yourself these questions before you apply

• Can the funder give grants to groups like yours?• Is the funder interested in the work you do and the people you do it with?• Would applying to a funder lead you away from your original aims?• What is the application timescale?• How easy is the application method?• What are the funder’s requirements if you get a grant?

Online searchesMany funders can be found on the internet. Here are some useful organisations that might help inform or fund your project.

NAVCANational voice of the local third sector which has a membership database of organisations that provide funding, support or run low cost training. www.navca.org.uk

NCVO Operates a website dedicated to funding called Funding Central. www.fundingcentral.org.uk

Big LotteryAwards lottery money to community groups and projects that improve health, education and the environment. www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/funding

Grant FinderOffers a grants and policy database that includes details of funding opportunities. www.grantfinder.co.uk

GrantnetSearch service that can help small businesses, charitable and community groups to find suitable funding. www.grantnet.com

LocalityOffers community grants and funding to Locality members www.locality.org.uk

Fundraising advice TPAS Membership

Call 0161 868 3500 or email: info@tpas.org.uk Follow us on @tpasenglandLike us on /tpasengland

Keep up-to-date with TPAS andmembership news via the weekly ezine.

Author: Caroline Wolfenden Membership manager

A Dynamic Duo!Meet the Membership TeamCaroline Wolfenden Membership Manager

I have recently been appointed as TPASMembership Manager to manage,develop and promote the membership function. I am nostranger to TPAS

having worked here for two years already as the coordinator of our successful Tenant Central project. I started in Apriland have already started to form relationships with existing members by undertaking visits to ensure that you are getting the most out of your membership and accessing TPAS products and services.I have been coordinating a consultation exercise to obtain feedback about whatyou value the most and what other thingsyou would welcome as part of your membership. It’s a great time to be a TPAS member because you can help meto shape our service. I am also on hand

to respond to any of your membership queries, support your development by communicating and sharing relevant information and to celebrate your successes by collating member stories.

Lisa Holt Corporate Services AssistantI have worked forTPAS for five years as the Corporate Services Assistant and I am a vital part of the membership team. I have responsibility for undertaking all administration work associated with processing new member applications and dealing with existing membership subscriptions. I also ensure that member information is kept up to date and coordinate the information that you receive from TPAS. I organise the regionalmeetings and support Caroline inpromoting and developing the membership

function. A lot of members will already know me from our member events or from speaking to me on the telephone or over email. I always do my best to answer your enquiries and deal with specific requests and problems so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Get in touchWe are both a point of contact for you and are keen to keep in touch with all of our members. We regularly attend the regional meetings and will be happy to chatwith you about your TPAS membership or to consider any ideas or suggestions that you may have about improving the service.

caroline.wolfenden@tpas.org.uk

lisa.holt@tpas.org.uk

It’s our pleasure to welcome the following organisations to the TPAS member network. • Colne Housing • Weaver Vale Housing Trust • New Roots • Havebury Housing Partnership

Welcome to new members...

Advice and support - TPAS provides training in fundraising and in managing projects and running community events. You can also get support and advice from The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or your local Council for Voluntary Services (CVS).

Post Election Critique

The Community Right to Bid involves community groups purchasing assets of community value, like nurseries or village shops if they come up for sale. This was a manifesto commitment so we can expect reforms to give groups better guidance on bidding and

accessing loans to support feasibility studies.

It is expected that £30bn will be cut from public spending by 2017 which will hit local authorities hard. Cuts of this scale cannot be delivered by being more efficient, so councils

will stop providing some services that many people consider to be essential. This might pave the way for community groups to take over services or set new ones up to try to fill the gaps that emerge. They may look for local partners, like housing associations, to help them.

We’ve already seen cuts in welfare which has resulted in a demand for community advice services and emergency services such as foodbanks. A further £12bn is to be cut from the welfare budget thus there will probably be a need for more local provision to help those most affected.

There will be more changes in social housing as landlords respond to the impact of welfare reform, extension of right to buy and grant funding rules. As a result we may see more tenants getting involved in campaigning to seek to influence decision making.

Devolution of funding and decision making to city regions and combined authorities is a big priority for the new government. An advantage of this is that targeted funding

means an area’s needs, will be better understood. However, decisions may still be taken faraway from communities and community activists may struggleto get a seat at the table.

Although there is little explicit government policy about community action, we can reasonably expect that local

charities, community interest companies, informal community groups and campaign groups will increase their activity and play a greater role in society over the next five years. As administrative structures change, we must encourage decision makers to create space for community action to flourish.

Community Action was hardly mentioned in the 2015 election campaign but we are likely to see an increase in people working together in response to some of the Conservative policies.

Community Action after the election

7 8

Find out more at:www.tpas.org.uk

“...we must encourage decision makers to create space for community action to flourish.”

“...we may see more tenants getting involved in campaigning to seek to influence decision making.”

Author: Abigail Davies TPAS Policy Adviser

109

The rights of tenants

Tenants have said that they get great benefits from being in control of services, such as increased satisfaction with the quality of service, greater value for money and strengthening the spirit and friendships within their community.

Further information is available at;www.tpas.org.ukwww.nationaltenants.org

Community Right to BidThis initiative can help you to save buildings or services in your local area that are in danger of closing for example a community centre, shop or pub. You and your neighbours can nominate any local building or land that adds to the wellbeing of the community to be put on a list of Assets of Community Value by the Local Authority.

If the asset is then put up for sale,local community groups can ‘pause’ the sale for six months to raise funds to bid to buy it. Community shares are one way to raise funds whereby you and your neighbours invest in the much valued asset. Residents in Brighton campaigned successfully for The Bevy pub to re-open when under threat of permanent closure. Over 700 people bought community shares making it the first community owned pub on a housing estate in Britain. Read more stories and find information here;www.mycommunity.org.uk/programme/community-assets

www.communityshares.org.uk

Our Place programmeThis involves communities working alongside councillors, service providers and businesses to try and solve local issues and

improve local services. Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council in Leicester has been working with residents on the Saffron Estate to develop The Saffron Acres Community Food Growing Project.This has provided volunteering opportunities; access to training and green space as well as encouraging healthier lifestyles and behaviours and promoting community cohesion.

Find out more about communities working together here;www.mycommunity.org.uk/programme/our-place/?_a=stories

Neighbourhood PlanningThis enables you to shape the places where you live and work for example deciding what homes and services are needed and where they should go. Over 1300communities have started neighbourhood planning in theirarea. See here for more information;www.mycommunity.org.uk/programme/neighbourhood-planning/

My Community NetworkIf you’re involved in your local area, you can join the My Community Network to chat to experts and connect with others who are also passionate about their community. You can also find other community resources at;www.justact.org.uk

Community Rights are powers to help you shape and improve where you live. Thousands ofpeople in communities across the country are already using their rights to make positive changes in their area. Here’s some of the ways thatyou can do the same. Right to ManageThis involves tenants taking control of housing services such as repairs; ground maintenance or security.

Community Rights “ Community Rights are powers to help you...”

“...communities working alongside councillors, service providers and businesses to try and solve local issues...”

Find out more at:www.justact.org.uk

Communityaction in progress at Saffron Acres

Consulting the Saffron Lane community

11 12

Find out more at:www.riverside.org.uk

“We were very keen to maintain these areas to a high standard.”

Member Stories - Riverside Housing

SMART Ltd is a not for profit companyrun by eight local residents who aredirectors of the company on avoluntary basis. SMART Ltd wasinitially set up as a Tenant Management Organisation (TMO) over 13 years ago.

What does SMART Ltd do?The group maintains the environment on the estate, reflecting the community’s desire to sustain some independent control. The group say “We felt that we could do a better job for our residents keeping the estate and grounds to a level we have had for 12 years than Riverside’s contractors who would have no emotional aspect to their work.”

Why choose the landscape contract?SMART chose the landscape contract because it is the main part of the estate that is seen by all who visit and they wanted to give a good impression that the estate is well looked after. Riverside was also keen for the large number of open spaces to be maintained to a high standard.

What is the initiative?The Community Champions Project has been running for 2 years and was set up to support tenants to take an interest in their community and lead projects that aim to address local issues and improve the health, wealth and wellbeing of the people living in the area.

How are the Community Champions supported?Each Community Champion is provided with an opportunity to take part in TPAStraining with a view to gaining NVQ Level 2 in community action in housing. Champions are expected to research their community to identify needs and gaps and develop an idea for a project. Family Mosaic then provides practical help and grant funding to support implementation of the project.

What types of project have been implemented?One tenant was concerned aboutcommunity safety in her neighbourhood particularly for young children and decided to train as a Martial Arts Instructor.

Why did Riverside decide to support the group?Riverside is committed to engaging and supporting residents who live within our communities. Tenants managing services on behalf of their community is one of the highest possible levels of resident involvement.

How did the group go about taking over the service? What was involved?Both the new Committee and Riverside Community Engagement Officers worked together for many months to achieve this. We were supported by Eileen Adams (of Engage Associates) who assisted the partnership getting off the ground and to help develop the new GO For IT agreement. This initiative was supported through a democratic voting procedure whereby local residents votedin favour of SMART managing this service.

Were there any barriers or issues to overcome?Following on from some initial changes in committee membership the new committee had to work tirelessly in

She then set up a club to teach children self defence and even started to get local mums fitter by running belly dance classes. This has had a positive impact by reducing concerns around safety and improving local fitness.

Another tenant was concerned about rising levels of obesity in the children living in her neighbourhood so she became a community champion to develop a project to tackle the issue. She set up ‘Jumping Bean’s which is an after school club teaching children how to prepare healthy snacks and take part in fun exercise activities. This is helping to teach children essential life skills and improve long term healthand wellbeing and it serves as affordable childcare provision enabling parents to maintain employment.

What skills do the champions demonstrate?There are currently 22 Community Champions running 35 projects between them. They are acting as positive role models to other tenants that want to make changes in their neighbourhoods and they inspire and support other tenants in becoming community champions. They are also

order to ensure they undertook the training requirements needed in order toset up this initiative. This has required a great deal of time commitment and dedication on their part.

What difference has the group made by taking over the service? Riverside is confident in the commitment of the SMART committee and their passion and enthusiasm for continuing to maintain and improve the environment of this neighbourhood.

What would you say to other tenants thinking about taking over the management of local services? ‘Give it a go!’We would say to other groups of tenants only go ahead if you have a number of dedicated people willing to put the unpaid hours in. If you have, then you and your community will benefit from hands on services.

forming excellent relationships and partnerships with other organisations such as schools, Police and health providers. They are also much more confident in identifying and addressing neighbourhood issues with the support of Family Mosaic.

What improvements have you seen as a result?The programme has been designed to enable local people to address issues and develop solutions for their communities. We have seen a reduction in Anti Social Behaviour, skills are increasing among local people and stronger, cohesive and resilient communities are being built as a result. It really shows that local people very often know best and can influence and work together to bring about positive change.

A SMARTChoice!

Find out more at:www.tpas.org.uk

Family MosaicCommunity Champions

Community Champions Project

13 TPAS TRAINING 14

Training

Community Empowerment

For further information contact the TPAS Training Team on:0161 868 3520 or email: training@tpas.org.uk

At TPAS we understand how important it is for people to understand and have the skills to effectively and actively engage in activities thatsupport community empowerment. We have a number of great courses that really do support and help tenants and residents to do that.

Building on this TPAS is delighted to announce that it is now offering a NEW accredited qualification for tenants and residents;

the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Level 2 Award in Involvement in Housing and Communities. This qualification aims to provide tenants with the skills and knowledge to help them be actively involved in their activities with the housing organisation and their communities. It includes the Award in community Action in Housing as well as offering three new pathways focusing on Scrutiny, Skills for Active Tenants and Tenants and Residents Associations.

It is a very flexible qualification too in that there are a number of courses to choose from and tenants and residents have up to two years to complete the qualification.

People may have already completed an accredited course with TPAS or at Trafford Hall, in which case it may count towards the qualification.

“I can honestly say that out of all the training I have ever been on the Communities in Action level 2 has been the best. The course was informative and easy to understand. I made new friends among the group and we all supported each other to get the coursework done.

The tutor form TPAS Val Alker wasgreat and I enjoyed the whole experience.

The course has really built up my confidence and I now challenge situations which I would have previously just accepted.

I would advise anyone to consider getting involved with local communities as it really does make a difference; I am proof of that!”

Mark Tideswell MCIH Aston Tara Chairman

“We have a number of great courses...”

“I saw an opportunity to get involved and to give something back which was worthwhile...”

Local Community

Eric’s story... How are you involved in your local community? I am proud to be a key player in the localcommunity as Secretary of the Bideford Community Centre and as Chair of Wythenshawe Together which is a group dedicated to creating Community Fun Days for the people of Wythenshawe. I am also involved with Wythenshawe OneWorld and Real Networks Wythenshawe and sit on a Grant Panel for Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG). The Bideford Centre has been the vital foundation and platform to support the community with projects for vulnerable tenants. I have supported many projects for the area which has brought a great sense of pride and accomplishment; Xmas lunch, Breakfast club for school children, Community Café, Bideford Boutique, Youth Club, Support group for parents with children with complex needs, Arts and crafts classes, Gardening Group.

What inspired you to get involved with your community? I became disabled some time ago and when the Community Centre opened I saw an opportunity to get involved and to give something back which was worthwhile. Dean Slavin the Resident Involvement Manager supported me to

become involved with WCHG of which I have developed areal taste for. It is a real honour to see the difference that tenants can make to the community when pulling together and witnessing the significant changes as a result.

What do you enjoy about being involved? All of it !!! There have been multiple issues that have faced the residents of the Bideford Estate, I am proud to be working with partners to provide support groups to local residents such as; employment advice, loan Shark prevention, Welfare Reform and Universal credit awareness and dementia support.

I was particularly proud to support over 50 residents with Christmas lunches this year and obtain £10,000 of grant funding which supported the ‘Food Bank’ at the centre. Over 40 households receive food on a weekly basis and the demand is growing.

You came third in the Northern Awards for Tenant of the Year. How did that make you feel? I felt immensely proud not for being recognised although it was a huge compliment, but more because placing projects like this in the public domain highlights the good work of all community members and the excellent work of WCHG.

The Bideford Community Centre was nominated for the Community Action TPAS Award. What difference has it made to the community?The Bideford Centre has come a long way in recent years, being nominated for this category has showcased all the hard work of volunteers both tenants and residents. It has been wonderful to see as a result people have come out of their way to visit the centre, so the word is really out there the difference the Centre is making to the community that in itself promotes a huge sense of ‘PRIDE’.

Why is it important for tenants to be involved with their communities? Change only really comes about with aunited, collaborative voice, organisations such as WCHG recognise the importanceof providing the support and empowerment to change what needs changing from the people that experience it and live it every day.

The volunteers up and down this country are providing an immense resource and arethe ones making real change to communities in essence they are the DIFFERENCE.

Read more award winners stories atwww.tpas.org.uk

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