wordPutting people first

Building for the futureChief Executive, Dr Chris Handy of

the Accord Group and Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Cabinet

Member for Regeneration have exchanged contracts to transform an unused factory in Walsall into a state-of-the-art manufacturing and assembly hub.

Planning permission to renovate the five acre site, off Stephenson Avenue in Beechdale, was given the go-ahead by Walsall Council in January this year.

The Regeneration team is now working with the Council to convert the site into an assembly hub which will manufacture environmentally friendly timber houses, which until now the Group has had to import from Norwegian company Hedalm Anebyhus. The terms of a five year licence agreement has been agreed with Hedalm Anebyus which allows us to manufacture the product in the UK. We believe this is the first agreement of its kind for a housing association..

Once renovated, the innovative factory is expected to manufacture enough panels to build around 150 new homes each year. It is also expected to create up to 30 jobs for local people.

Dr Handy, said: “For a number of years now we have been building timber

homes using panels imported from Norway.

“It is fantastic that we are now working with the Council to replicate this model in Walsall, in order to construct timber panels ourselves and produce low carbon housing for local people that is cheap to run.

“Importantly the factory will also contribute significantly to supporting the local economy, creating jobs for local people and reverse the decline in manufacturing in the region.”

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to work very positively with Accord Housing to create a national centre of excellence for building low carbon houses that will contribute to tackling some of the fuel poverty issues that people face.

“This is a great conclusion from an idea that I instigated and I have been happy to play a personal role in bringing this exciting international opportunity into Walsall.”

Having already completed three developments using these low carbon timber homes using panels imported from Norway, energy bills for these homes, which are nationally acclaimed, cost on average 50 per cent less than traditionally built properties of the same size.

MARCH2011

DON’T MISS! What’s on and where - staff happenings from across the

Group

Staff Voices

p5

Ask the expert questions

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Spotlight on…

p4

What’s on and where

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Factory fact file:• 150 units to be produced in a year

• Cost of the development is £1 million

• The factory will include three semi- automated machines

• The house panels will be one of the first timber-framed, panelised systems in the UK

• Bungalows and houses will be built, with around two homes being produced per day in a ‘flat pack’ format

• Windows are made from aluminium clad timber

• First homes will be released in the Autumn.

word2 MARCH 2011

2011 plans to be a busy year and your Communications team can help. We have a wide range of skills and can help you with everything from getting your story out to the press to designing flyers and supporting events. Contact us today:

Hello, and welcome to the very first edition of The Word.

Your new staff newsletter is full to the brim of news stories from across the Group, internal campaign updates and interesting staff features (check out page seven for the secret life of one of our colleagues.) Plus we have a fantastic competition with the chance to win £60 love to shop vouchers!

So take a seat, get comfy and enjoy it and then let us know you think. Email your feedback, comments and ideas to me on the details below.

Happy reading.

Elaine

Message from Editor

The Great People Awards 2011 are coming soon and promise to be bigger and better than ever before. With more categories and an all new celebration event, this year plans to be the best yet. Look out for the voting forms in April.

We are here to helpIntroducing your Communications team

For strategic overview, political lobbying and stakeholder management contact Claire Barratt, director of communications on 0121 500 2090.

For website and intranet queries contact our web/intranet communications officer (currently a vacant post) on 0121 500 2399.

For press releases, media enquires and resident newsletters contact Claire Morrall, senior press and media officer on 0121 500 2340.

For branding, design and marketing material contact Elaine Middleton, senior pr and marketing officer on 0121 500 2393.

For internal bulletins and event management contact Rebekah Bensley, internal communications and event officer on 0121 500 2359.

Great People Awards

We want to hear what you’re up to across the Group. The deadline for the next newsletter is 29 April 2011. Contact: Elaine Middleton, Senior PR & Marketing Officer on 0121 500 2393 or elainemiddleton@accordgroup.org.ukIf you’d prefer to receive your newsletter electronically, then please forward your name, department, organisation and work email to elainemiddleton@accordgroup.org.uk

Call out for news stories – have you a

story to tell?

TWO proposals are currently under review which could see Caldmore and the

operational and customer services functions of Accord being brought together and separately Moseley & District and Ashram housing associations being merged.

The proposals have been discussed in principle by the boards of all four organisations and would allow greater effective operations and efficiencies, whilst benefitting residents who would gain from service improvements.

By bringing together Caldmore and Accord housing associations, it would also strengthen the Accord Group’s Black Country offering and would further enhance the two organisations already established working relationship.

The proposal to merge Moseley and District and Ashram would considerably strengthen the Birmingham offer and create opportunities for service improvement and growth.

Residents would also benefit from investment into their homes, as well as other measures to improve quality

of life outcomes which would be consistent with the Government’s agenda for social housing, welfare reform and localism.

Dr Handy, Chief Executive of the Accord Group, said: “All four associations have long track records as independent organisations, providing locally based housing and community development services.

“There should be significant customer benefits as we strengthen our locality offer.”

The proposals are not due to financial difficulties in any of the associations involved and no jobs will be lost. However, job roles will be reviewed and developed under the Big Issues programme, with the changes increasing capacity and enhancing service delivery.

If given the go ahead, cost-savings created from the two proposals would be reinvested.

Dr Handy, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity, as these two proposals would strengthen our offer, making us more attractive to local authorities and other stakeholder agencies.

“It will also create new business opportunities in the longer-term.”

Over the next few months an extensive consultation exercise to discuss the proposals will take place with employees of Caldmore, Accord, Moseley & District and Ashram.

A full question and answer document is available on the intranet.

Proposed new slant to housing associations

word 3MARCH 2011

1. How are you involved in our goal to be the greenest housing association?

My primary role is to run the in-house design team, InDesign. As architects responsible for the majority of the design of homes the Group build, we take the environmental agenda very seriously. We strive to design new homes that are at the forefront of efficiency, that create pleasing and relaxing environments in which to live, and which are cost-effective to build and cheap to run. Our existing homes are the biggest contributor to C02 emissions (over two thirds of our total emissions), second are our central offices and thirdly our general corporate activities, such as office based duties and the like.

2. Why should we be concerned with going green?

For some time now we have accepted that C02 emissions are a significant contributor to the imbalance of our earth’s environment.

It is also about good business – for reducing energy use not only saves the environment, it also saves money. We try to achieve the triple bottom line – social, environmental and economic improvements through our actions.

3. How does your work affect the Group as a whole?

InDesign is responsible for setting the benchmark of design quality in the homes we build. Homes are our product. Tenants and residents are our customers. If we can design efficient homes that allow our customers to enjoy a better standard of living on a lower than

average income, they will be able to pay their rent, heat their homes comfortably, enjoy better health and maintain financial control of their lives providing sustainable and secure futures for their families.

4. What’s new or coming up that we will be involved in?

Technology is changing daily. We at Indesign are constantly monitoring new products and processes that we can bring to influence and improve the design and performance of our homes. We are trialling new heating systems, green technologies and methods of insulation and have an aspiration to build a new zero carbon head office to replace the West Bromwich central office. We are also looking to manufacture our own homes using timber framed panel components and will be opening a shop later in the year to showcase some of the green technologies we plan to use.

5. How can staff help achieve are eco ambitions?

Every little helps as they say. I appreciate some of the statistics we read are hard to accept like turning the photocopier off at night saves enough energy to boil numerous kettles of water. However, this is true. It will make a difference and there is so much information on this both within Environmental Improvement Team (EIT) and the Greenhouse project that there is really no excuse not to find out. Another way of contributing is by way of suggestions to me at EIT

To find out more please contact John Bedford on johnb@accordha.org.uk.

Green MattersAll the latest from the Environmental Improvement team

Ask the ExpertThis month we quiz John Bedford, head of project development, on our green credentials

The Environmental Improvement team (EIT) have been working hard

over the past few years to ensure the Group achieve and adhere to the top green accreditations.

We became the first housing association in the country to achieve the first stage of the Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). This was fantastic, and now the team is pleased to announce they have passed the reviewed EMAS award.

Last October EIT, along with Dutch placement student Kevin Van Balen, worked rigorously to pull together the extra information EMAS required.

Due to a change in legislation the team had to revise the EMAS statement by adding four additional elements which cover wider and deeper issues, including recycling, energy consumption and water usage.

Successfully securing EMAS again means that this statement is valid until 2013. However, the work doesn’t stop there as EIT are responsible for maintaining the EMAS accreditation and have a year-long action plan which includes training modules, meetings and internal audits in order to monitor our green targets, and ongoing progress to keep up with the Group’s eco aspirations.

If you want to know more about the green credentials, please contact your EIT representative.

The representatives are: John Bedford, Jeneen Hamilton, John K, Tina Osborne, Adrain Marchant, Pamjit Shergill, Aruna Jassal, Hameeda Sultan, Sophina Aslan, Dave King, Kim Yates, Daljit Kaur Bains, Nev Gill, Sue McAleese, Sam Dhadwar, Amanda Shaw, Nikki Aulakh, John Jones, Vivian Kerry, Phil Greaves, Coleen Whitehall, Ian Tinsley, Denise Robinson, Jyoti Sian, Mark Lewis, Anil Farmah, Debbie Evans, Helen Bennett, Richard Emanuel and Carl Taylor.

Since 2009, Ashram has been run-ning a website called Social-breakfast – a website aimed at

young people to influence decision-makers and access opportunities, but how can you get involved?

Socialbreakfast is for young people to campaign on the change they want to see in our neighbourhood, our lives and for our generation. It also showcases opportunities for young people to get skills, leadership qualities and experience, in addition to paid employment.

Its main aims are to give young people age 16-25 a platform to get their voice heard and try and positively influence change. The site allows them access to jobs, training, volunteering and events

within their area. They can also start a campaign and blog positively about the things they would like to change. Young people have access to decision makers, politicians and chief executives who they can influence to make the change that they want to see.

The website is used by young people but sponsors and corporates can get involved who want to work with Social breakfast.

Staff can get involved by encouraging tenants, children, siblings, grandchildren and young people they know to visit the website and get them to sign up. They can also upload any job opportunities that are available for young people and help spread the word.

The site was set up after speaking to young children through the Bend it like Birmingham scheme who felt that politicians wouldn’t listen to them if they wanted to try and change something. The website offered them an online platform where they could get their voice heard and politicians would listen. It was a neutral ground where they wouldn’t feel intimidated. Since the website was set up, there have been successful campaigns like the affordable housing campaign, Dear PM and Why Vote campaign.

Take a look at the website today www.socialbreakfast.org and see if it’s up your street.

Socialbreakfast gives young people a voice and a chance to campaign for local issues they believe are important. As part of the Affordable Housing campaign the team at socialbreakfast has launched a competition to get young people involved. The campaign focuses on giving young people the opportunity to refurbish empty homes in return for an affordable tenancy.

To enter the competition you need to take photographs of empty homes and then upload them to their Flickr

Group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/1595487@N22) or email them to the socialbreakfast team on info@socialbreakfast.org.

The prize is a camera and a lesson on using the Apple MAC editing software over at Ashram Housing Association.

The deadline for entries is 25th March 2011.

To find out more visit socialbreakfast,org.

Socialbreakfast Competition!

Tuck in to

word4 MARCH 2011

What is your name, job title and location?

My name is Louise Turner; I work at Greenscape as an Admin Assistant, helping out our Office Controller as much as I can.

What three words best describe you?

Three words that I would use best to describe me would be; polite, out-going and trustworthy.

How long have you worked for the Group?

I have worked for Greenscape for since January 2011.

What’s the best bit about your job?

The best bits of my job that I

enjoy the most are, working out numbers and dealing with telephone queries as I enjoy helping customers or other members of the group.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

A fun fact about me? I have the world’s greatest journey catching two buses to work every morning! Joke, really I love having a few people round to my house, enjoying a few drinks, with some music and lots of laughs.

When and where are you happiest?

I am happiest when I’m with my partner and we are having a lovely evening together. Also, when I’m having a brilliant time with all my close family and friends.

Spotlight On…

As this year sees the launch of the Make it Count campaign we ask Stuart

Fisher, director of finance, what is involved and how we can all play our part.

The Make it Count campaign is the Accord Group’s approach to ensuring we can embed value for money in all services throughout the Group.

It is not just about cost-saving, it’s about finding ways to enhance the quality of our delivery, for the customer and the organisation.

At the Accord Group, we have always strived to achieve value-for-money in everything we do, but this campaigns to refocus what value-for-money really means.

Stuart said: “We have created Make it Count, formerly the Value-for-money working group and simplified our aims into the three E’s – Effectiveness, Efficiency and Economy.

“The campaign launch also reflects what’s happening out there politically. The current coalition Government is challenging the public sector to provide more for less. The social housing sector is no exception and although we are not part of the public sector, we receive public sector funding and want our group of organisations to work better, smarter and ultimately deliver more for less for our tenants as we aim to become the social housing provider of choice in our region.”

Over the next few months, every employee with the Accord Group

will be challenged to find smarter and more efficient ways of working; whether it’s by utilising scrap paper for internal use, planning meetings smartly to make the best of your time or even re-negotiating contracts to get the best deal available.

The working group’s ultimate ambition is to identify these efficiencies across the Group and that every successful initiative, no matter how small, will contribute to a more streamlined delivery of service and hopefully at the same time make everyone’s life a little bit simpler.

If every employee within the Group was able to identify ways to save five minutes per day in the delivery of their role, the Group would be able to free up an amount of time every year equivalent to:

• 1,690,000 Minutes

• 28,166.67 Hours

• 1,173.61 Days

• 167.66 Weeks.

Stuart added: “To maintain momentum and focus we have the Make it Count working group which meets every four to six weeks. The aims of the group are to ensure the Make it Count campaign and our wider work fit into the overall organisational objectives, to monitor our progress and to celebrate and share successes. The ultimate aim however, is to embed a value for money culture in the hearts and minds of all Accord Group employees and this is reflected in all of our services.”

As part of the Make it Count campaign staff will be encouraged to take part in the ‘Make it Count Minutes’.

Each day staff will be asked to take a minute to reflect on what we do in our day-to-day duties and how changes could be made to streamline processes, remove duplication and identify new and better ways of working.

A poster campaign focusing on the three ‘E’s’ will run until June.

For more information, contact the ‘Make it Count Group’ at the following email address: makeitcount@sharepoint01.accord.local. Feel free to get in touch – we want to know about your success stories and innovative ideas and see them adopted throughout the Accord Group.

Make it CountStuart Fisher, director of finance for the Accord Group

I’m new….what is Fairness?Fairness is the Accord Group’s approach to equal opportunities and diversity.

Why should I be fair?Not only is it an important part of the Accord Group ethos, but it factors in everything we do. From letting houses to employing staff, we need to demonstrate that our work is carried out in fair manner – that doesn’t discriminate or isolate anyone.

Fairness also cuts across all of the three Big Issues; delivering excellence, building new homes and social innovation. It’s extremely important that it is considered at all levels and processes. Because of this, we invest in the best training available for all of our people to benefit from.

How can I learn more?Fairness is a core training module and every member of staff should go on the training. It’s as important as your induction and will give you an overview of what Fairness means

across the Group and how it impacts on your daily role.

What’s involved in the training?

The Fairness training is informative, important and fun. With interactive sessions and real work life examples, it encourages you to ask questions you might not feel comfortable to in the workplace. The sessions are open, honest and helpful, and aim to give you the answers and confidence you need to work in a fair way.

Can I book now?Definitely! If you haven’t been on a Fairness training course or need a refresher please contact your line manager who will send a training request to Saima Yaqub to book your place. Sessions are run across the Group, at a variety of times and locations so you should find one that suits you.

What’s next?We want you to get involved! Whether it’s by telling us what

you want to see by emailing Elaine Middleton on elainemiddleton@accordgroup.org.uk or by joining us to communicate Fairness across the Group by becoming a Fairness champion. We also want you to enjoy and learn from the training – so please challenge your managers to get you on the training.

For more information about Fairness please contact elainemiddleton@accordgroup.org.uk

Or call on 0121 500 2393.

All the latest news and views from our Fairness campaign. This month we take a look at Fairness training.Fairness Matters

word 5MARCH 2011

Staff Voices is just that – a voice for nominated representatives to represent

your interests which you want shared with others.

It’s also about building your involvement and participation in the things which matter to you and the things which matter to the organisation and our customers.

In turn, you are consulted on a number of issues, so it helps form a relationship of trust and is in addition to talking to your manager.

Staff Voices was introduced by the Head of Organisational Development, Allison Taylor following feedback across the Group that staff felt they were not as involved as they wanted to be in things which affect you and your customers.

Allison said: “We wanted to have colleagues involved in their say, but a different model from joint consultative trade unions. We have a formal relationship with trade unions who have members here and we work in partnership with them.

“Staff Voices is led by staff, but hosted by senior managers who work with the representatives on decisions and responses to key things taking places across the organisation and it is proving a terrific vehicle.”

Following on from Investors in People assessments where the general consensus was that communication was good, Staff Voices aims to make it

even better.

Allison said: We want to share good practices as lots of people have things which you are rightly proud of and we want to share these ideas and make them even better. The more people who know about them, the greater these ideas will become and embedded across the Group.”

Over the last year, Staff Voices has grown and to date has over 50 representatives in seven Staff Voices groups. They discuss everything from cutlery available in the kitchens at work to the impact of the new Government changes.

Group-wide meetings are held quarterly with an agenda which is led by staff with at least one nominated person attending from each of the seven groups. The representatives then feed back to the organisational representatives within their association, who then feedback to the team. Managers all get a copy of the actions too.

Allison added: “We want Staff Voices to make a change for the positive and have more informed people.

“As part of our IIP assessment we will be conducting staff surveys across the group and we hope that things like Staff

Voices will show that people are more involved and feel listened to.”

If you are interested in becoming a representative or want to get more involved with Staff Voices, please contact Allison Taylor by emailing allisont@accordgroup.org.uk .

Voicing your opinionsIn the Spring of last year, Staff Voices was launched – a forum whereby colleagues have the opportunity to talk about what matters to them in the workplace. But how does it work and how can you get involved?

Staff Voices has grown and to date has over 50 representatives

What will Staff Voices achieve?

• Make a change for the positive

• More informed workforce

• Improved communication

• Reduced staff turnover

• Make the Group a better employer

• Empower and engage staff

• Measure results of success - staff survey.

Purpose of Staff Voices• To build employee involvement and participation

• To improve consultation and trust

• To develop appropriate and effective communication

• To share good practices.Accord Stuart RochelleSara Harrison

Key local outcomes:

• Staff voices were actively involved in agreeing payment rates for the hours worked over the Christmas and New Year period for our care and support colleagues.

AshramPrachi Desai and one other

Key local outcomes:

• The Team Charter has been developed by staff and managers across the organisation and was given the final ‘thumbs up’ by Ashram’s Staff Voices in December and as a consequence Staff Voices representatives have taken responsibility for rolling this final Charter out to all staff.

BchsHazel Lengden

Key local outcomes:

• Resolved current workload issues

• Job descriptions to be reviewed with the director.

CaldmoreNo fixed representatives, they rotate which two attend

Key local outcomes:

• Consulted on pay rises, pensions and policies and Christmas parties.

FryLouise Crawley

Key local outcomes:

• Creation of drop-in centres at the schemes not currently represented to promote Staff Voices.

Moseley and DistrictSally Debiage and one other

Key local outcomes:

• Tea and coffee privileges would continue

• Close down day on 3 February to de-clutter the offices

• Business cases for Sat Navs and company mobile phones to include camera and access to emails.

Central ServicesTina Chapman

Key outcomes:

• Increased communication between colleagues

• Increased sense of trust between the Group to ask questions and belief that they are being listened to

• Representatives are becoming more evident and their attendance at team meetings is powerful.

word6 MARCH 2011

What’s on and whereStaff happenings from across the Group

Café culture for Sandwell carers as new scheme is launchedAccord Housing Association has launched a new £50,000 service that will see a host of special cafes set up across Sandwell to support people with dementia and their carers.

Accord will unite with other organisations in the borough to host the Dementia Cafes, which will bring people with dementia, their families and health professionals together to provide support to those affected by the condition.

The first cafe was held at Swallowfields Extra Care Scheme in Tipton on Friday, 28 January and featured a yoga session, information and advice about dementia, and free refreshments.

Wonderland tea party was wonderful!The story of Alice in Wonderland came to life at a day centre in Telford on Monday when 30 service users and staff took part in a fun tea party.

Staff at Millbrook Day Centre dressed up as characters from Alice in Wonderland and decorated the centre with cards and crockery to mirror scenes from the popular book.

Delicious heart shaped sandwiches and cakes were also dished up to service users and their friends and family and quizzes and games were held too.

Linda Jones, Senior Care Assistant at Millbrook, said: “The day went extremely well. All the service users from Millbrook, Bennett House, Cartlidge and High Mount attended, including some families too.”

Millbrook Day Centre, managed by Accord Housing Association, caters for people with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other associated mental health needs.

The hunt is on for helping handsResidents in Birmingham are being offered the chance to gain new skills in areas such as IT and writing in exchange for lending a helping hand at Moseley and District Churches housing association.

Moseley and District are looking for people to volunteer at the organisation for a minimum of two hours a week. Volunteers can choose from a variety of different roles, including visiting local estates with housing officers, writing reports, attending meetings and having a say in decision making.

They will also have the opportunity to learn computer and administration skills and have access to other training and development opportunities.

Scheme to guarantee private landlords rent for three yearsA new scheme which will guarantee landlords rent for three years has been launched as part of an initiative to tackle the shortage of affordable housing in Birmingham and the Black Country.

Bchs is looking for a range of good quality and privately owned prop-erties in Sandwell, Birmingham, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

In return, private landlords will be guaranteed rent for up to three years, help with repairs to the property and new tenants if the home becomes vacant.

It is hoped the Private Sector Leasing scheme will create scores of homes for those struggling to find affordable accommodation in the Midlands.

More and more sign up to a Taste for Life! Around 120 people have now signed up to the meals on wheels service in Walsall.

The Taste for Life scheme delivers hot or frozen meals to people’s homes and in future will help older people enjoy meals at lunch clubs.

Launched in November 2010, Taste for Life is run by Caldmore Housing Association, Age UK Walsall, Walsall Housing Regeneration Agency and other agencies.

Group recognised at Midlands Excellence Awards Ceremony The Accord Group has been recognised as an Investor In Excellence at the prestigious Midlands Excellence Awards.

In front of more than 1,150 business leaders, The Group was presented with an Investors in Excellence plaque for meeting the rigorous demands of the standard.

Fast becoming a universal mark of excellence recognised by business and public sector leaders alike, the Investors in Excellence standard helps businesses to develop a continuous improvement culture and generate maximum returns.

Any organisation can achieve it, they simply need to demonstrate a high standard of all-round performance across a range of key business areas including leadership, people and customer results.

Community lunches serve up tasty treats for just £2Budget busting meals are being dished up for just £2 a head at a Bosworth Drive Community Centre, in Solihull. Managed by Ashram, these lunches are part of an initiative to encourage people to eat healthy food.

The lunches, which run every Thursday from 12 noon until 3pm, aim to give people of any age, who may feel isolated in their own homes, the chance to get out and about, enjoy a wholesome meal and socialise with others.

Volunteers prepare and cook the food, which typically includes meals such as cottage pie, lamb chops with fresh vegetables and omelettes.

word 7MARCH 2011

Charity Champions

Every year you have the chance to vote for which charity you would like to raise money for

as part of the Charity of the Year campaign. This year you chose Dogs for the Disabled, raising over £250 since its launch in September 2010.

Dogs for the Disabled is a pioneering charity that relies solely on donations to train assistance dogs for children and adults with physical disabilities,

and families with a child with autism.

Through practical tasks the dogs offer freedom and independence, but in addition an assistance dog becomes a reason to go out, giving a new found confidence that opens doors to fresh opportunities including friendships, hobbies, education and even careers.

Activities so far have included a cake sale and naming a real-life puppy but the aim is to raise more throughout

this year.

With prize draws, quizzes and even a hot dog sale coming up throughout the year – we need your help. If you would like to be a part of the new fundraising team we want to hear from you.

To become part of the team, contact your charity coordinator, Rebekah Bensley on 0121 500 2359 or email rebekah.b@accordgroup.org.uk

Group staff members, Anil Farmah, Group Learning and Development Manager, Graham Robinson, Performance Officer and Dale Jackson, Finance Assistant will be taking part in a bike ride from London to Paris in September. Look out for more details on the Vault, including a competition to decide the team name.

Focus on our Charity of the year: Dogs for the Disabled

Staff members awarded MBEsJas Bains, Chief Executive of Ashram Housing Association, and Leroy Richards, founder of ‘Football Futures’ who have been awarded MBE’s for their outstanding services to housing and community cohesion.

Success for SaminaSamina Ruhely, who will soon start a new role as an assistant housing officer after undertaking a work placement funded by the Future Job’s Fund.

Samina recently completed a six-month placement with Moseley and District Churches Housing Association after being put in touch with them via the Job Centre and the Jericho Foundation.

Congratulations to…

Estate Manger Surjit Raj-Singh name may strike a chord with many – as in

1992, the 42-year-old’s band became a household name.

Surjit from Walsall, who has worked at Caldmore for the last four years, started to follow his ambition of music at the age of 16 by playing congos and drums in a group called Etka.

However, his dream was to become a singer and six months later joined a Punjabi folk dance group named Diwnans, entering world-wide competitions.

Surjit, said: “From as early as 12-years-old, I knew I wanted to sing and would sing at my local Gurdwara in front of the congregation.

“When I was younger I would dance to Status Quo – ‘Rocking all Over the World’.”

The father-of-two was taught by

Professor Amar to sing and then

later learned from the great, late

Ustad Jaswant Singh Bhambra.

In 1991, Surjit formed Anakhi and

in March 1992, the band’s first

track was released and became

an overnight success, hitting the

number one spot on the South Asian

music scene.

In the same year, the band also produced a six track album called ‘Total Anakhi’, which was followed by the award winning album ‘Scream’,

Having sung in some of the world’s most iconic buildings, including the Royal Albert Hall, Surjit’s audiences have included performances in front of the Foreign Minister of Pakistan for his son’s wedding.

Although the band is no longer together, the singing carries on. Surjit, said: “I am working on a new album, which I will be releasing soon.

“I wouldn’t turn professional now, but years ago, that was all I wanted and dreamt about.

“Performing is something which I have never got nervous about, not even at my first gig, which was at a mate’s wedding – it is the best feeling in the world.”

Me and my hobby Estate manager raises the roof!

“I wouldn’t turn professional now, but years ago, that was all I wanted and dreamt about.”

word8 MARCH 2011

Take a break

Designed by: Brainstorm Graphics, Britannic Chambers, 8a Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts S80 1PH. Tel: 01909 509105. info@brainstormgraphics.co.uk

Across1 Kate Humble and friends (some of them feathered and furry) feature on this nature show (11)

9 At the Lotto draw, some punters are ------- (more fortunate) than others (7)

10 Island off Naples, beloved of holiday programmes (5)

11 Barbara Royle’s chain-smoking will not have endeared her to this group (3)

13 Gamekeeper ---- was played on Emmerdale by Stan Richards (4)

16 Mr Baldwin who played Corrie’s Johnny Briggs (4)

17 Lights, camera, ------! (6)

18 The End Of ---- was a 1996 BBC documentary on the demise of BBC Bristol’s county (4)

20 Name of Oxford’s second boat on Boat Race Day (4)

21 Alf Garnett never ------ with his family, he preferred to argue (6)

22 Every successful show is based on a simple great ---- (or brainwave) (4)

23 An alternative name for couch potatoes: ---- spuds? (4)

25 Costume dramas portray life in a different --- (time period) (3)

28 The Speaker often calls for it during televised parliamentary debate (5)

29 Weather changes may ------- (decree) when outside shooting can be done (7)

30 How To -- - --------, BBC4’s programme on the training of a budding creative musician (2,1,8)

Down2 A TV film which is -----, has not been edited (5)

3 A producer and a group of TV experts form a film ---- (4)

4 Mrs Batty, who always henpecked poor Wally (4)

5 Part of a bridge the Boat Race goes through (4)

6 Matches played each year leading to a final, for a prestigious football trophy (3,4)

7 Strictly judge (6,5)

8 He offered Simple Suppers on BBC1, Wednesdays (11)

12 Final ------ for all matches are given on Saturday evenings (6)

14 A Solo part for Harrison Ford in Star Wars (3)

15 An old one is an experienced actor (6)

19 A really great 22 Across for a new sort of soap is long ------- (7)

20 Subconscious states well known to TV psychologist Anthony Clare (3)

24 Committed MPs love to ----- ( make speeches) on TV coverage (5)

25 Mr Sykes, great comedy act with Hattie Jacques (4)

26 Mr Faith, who starred in Love Hurts (4)

27 Artificial reverberation produced in an FX chamber (4)

Answers in the next issue…

Win £60 love to shop vouchers!All you need to do is complete the Sudoku and send us the three numbers that sit in the shaded boxes.Cut it out and post it to Elaine

Middleton, Communications team at 178 Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, B70 6QG. Or simply email your answers to: elainemiddleton@accordgroup.org.uk

The deadline for the competition entries is 15 April 2011. The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries.

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