Coastal Housing 220 Magazine by Coastal Housing

AUTUMN 2013

The Heart of Coastal Housing

Sweet Success For Raspberry Cakery and Tickled at Urban Village

LOVE Our Money Saving articles

Upcycle

your hidden treasures

Coastal Network

Coastal Life

Coastal People

Hafod History

You Said We Did

Working together

The

inspiring issue

Autumn 2013 COASTAL PEOPLE

COASTAL LIFE

4 My Life - Steph Radford 20 In the Spotlight - Finance 24 Coastal gets active

6 11 18 23 26 27 28 30

COASTAL NETWORK 7 8 9 12 15 33 36

Coastal Gets Arty The Raspberry Cakery Tickled Kids Hair Salon Hafod Go Wales Social media HomeSwapper

Development News Duke of Edinburgh Awards Dewis - a story to inspire Autumn-proof your house Cash in your clutter Autumn watch Upcycling your furniture For the love of food

COASTAL MONEY 10 Welfare Reform update 14 Moneyline Cymru 22 Couponing

COASTAL REGULARS 32 Talkback with Holly Farrell 33 Dave’s dilemmas 34 Insider information

COASTAL COMPETITIONS 9

The Raspberry Cakery free decorating course 9 Tickled - free childs haircut 24 Get active - win a pedometer 27 Plantasia - tickets for a family of four

COASTAL VIEWS 16 You said, we did

CASH IN YOUR CLUTTER

RASPBERRY CAKERY

24 COASTAL GETS ACTIVE

Front Cover photograph by Adam West Annalise Ross - Dewis

220 is designed and published in-house by Coastal Housing Group Ltd 3rd Floor, 220 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW www.coastalhousing.co.uk Data protection Coastal Housing Group reserves the right to use competition participants’ personal data to inform them of future promotions. Once you have entered a competition you may receive other related promotional offers. If you do not wish for your personal data to be used for this purpose then you ‘opt out’ by contacting the promoter in writing by email. The Promoter may not always be Coastal Housing Group and could be any one of a number of companies associated with providing prizes. Accuracy We try to make sure that the information printed in 220 including prices and availability is correct at time of going to press, but readers should still seek independent advice before relying on any content. We cannot be held responsible for any changes. Colours may vary slightly due to the printing process. We reserve the right to edit any material submitted. We cannot accept any responsibility for errors in articles or advertisements. Copyright No part of 220 may be reproduced in any format without prior permission from Coastal Housing Group. Circulation 6,000 readers Tenants, Staff, Partners, Contractors and Consultants, Councillors, MPs, AMs together with a wide range of people and organisations who have regular contact with Coastal Housing Group.

This Autumn Edition of 220 is all about saving you money! Go coupon crazy with our Money Matters advice - you’d be surprised how much money you can save! See our tips on how to Autumn Proof your Home and while you’re at it, see how you can Cash in your Clutter and make money on your unwanted items. Kirsty Walton demonstrates that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure in Home Style. Mathew, Janet, Joanna and Paul prove that age is no barrier to keeping fit; get to know Coastal’s finance team and meet Steph Radford, one of our Project Managers. Holly Farrell shares some tips for teens that are preparing to choose their GCSE options in Talkback. Get to meet some young people like our cover girl Annalise, and find out how they are getting on with their lives. Read about Rhian from our Engage Project and the exciting new Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for 16 - 24 year olds. Our prizes this Autumn include a free children’s hair cut at Tickled, a cake decorating session at The Raspberry Cakery, a family ticket to Plantasia and some pedometers for you to help you monitor how active you are.

am e T 0 2 2 The

AUTUMN WATCH

220 COASTAL MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013

AUTUMN 2013 220 COASTAL MAGAZINE

My Life

Meet Steph, Project Manager in Coastal’s Development team. When not hard at work, Steph’s busy developing her interests...

Steph Radford WHEN I’M STRESSED I… go for a run. It gives me the chance to clear my head and even though it’s hard, it feels good afterwards.

I’m so proud that… Coastal sponsored me to do a part time degree in ‘Project and Construction Management’ and I recently completed it and achieved a first!

When I was a child I wanted to be... a ballerina. I had dance, tap and ballet lessons until I was 16. My poor family had to sit through all my shows.

My favourite word is… cake. When I have time I love baking and eating cake. I even made my own wedding cake!

HAPPINESS IS... spending time playing with my daughter and hearing her laugh and giggle.

THE BEST VIEW IN THE WORLD IS…

I love the smell of... suncream. It makes me think of sun, warmth, holidays and relaxing.

220 COASTAL MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013

I don’t think I could choose. I’ve been on a lot of amazing holidays – New York, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Tunnels Beath - Hawaii, Lake Como but there are also a lot closer to home like Three Cliffs Bay, St David’s and Llangennith.

THE THING I LOVE ABOUT MY HOME IS… my family. Without my husband and my daughter (not forgetting my dog and cat) it would be a house but they make it a home.

I’ve learned that… it’s ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them and don’t repeat them.

AUTUMN 2013 220 COASTAL MAGAZINE

Coastal

Development

Gets Arty

News

Dan Staveley, Photographer tells us how he is working to set-up a new Photographic Gallery and Workshops in Swansea.

Maes Y Ffynnon Gorslas Pennant Homes are offering a scheme of 53 Houses - being a mix of two, three and four Bedrooms, with nine different house types. In connection with their new site, the children of Cefinithin Primary School have been involved in naming their development when they were invited to name the planned new housing development to be constructed on the site of the former Tom Jones Garden Centre in Gorslas, Carmarthenshire. The winning entry, "Maes y Ffynnon", was a combined effort by Year six students Owen Walters, Lewis Godden, Ethan Evans, Erin Lewis and Katelin Brettle. The class was presented with a £50 voucher for a local DIY store, to help provide equipment for the school's new gardening club, as a thank you from the grateful housing developer. The development is a joint venture between Pennant Homes and local contractor Morganstone and builds upon the companies' already strong business relationship.

You can view the exciting work going on at the Elysium Gallery at elysiumgallery.com or, if you would like to book a tour, contact Dan and he will be happy to show you around.

Urban Village Retail Units 1-6 Wales' exciting new £25 million Urban Village project is taking off in Swansea City Centre and you can be part of it. The project is transforming a key area of the city's High Street into a vibrant centre for shopping, working and living. There are great opportunities in the Urban Village, such as: • Retail spaces fronting the High Street • Modern, quality offices • Residential accommodation of a high standard See pages eight and nine to find out about two successful business ventures in our retail space.

220 COASTAL MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013

Parc Y Dderwen Pontardawe

Castle Quarter The Strand Swansea

All homes on Phase One of the scheme have now been successfully completed, with five Coastal Tenants successfully moved into their brand new homes on the site.

Demolition is underway on the Castle Quarter site.

Commencing work end of the summer 2013 on the second phase of the development. Offering a mix of two and three bedroom houses. Coastal work alongside Pennant Homes providing new home for first time buyers and tenants.

When completed the Castle Quarter development will consist of 26 affordable, rented apartments, with a further four duplex units overlooking the castle, which are available for private sale. The ground floor of the development will consist of a small number of commercial units, aimed at the restaurant/bistro market, and a kiosk located on The Strand.

rofessional photographer Dan Staveley works in Swansea and is a Director of Elysium Gallery. Dan has always been interested in providing spaces for people to enjoy art and has been part of Elysium’s most recent project as it moves to a new home in the basement of the former Barons nightclub. Removing the barriers that a lot of people feel are created by the normal white cubed space, Elysium has been working in disused shops all over Swansea town centre for over ten years. Recently, the Elysium project had an exciting opportunity to continue its vital role in the regeneration of Swansea city through creative arts, when they had the opportunity to view a commercial unit owned by Coastal. The property turned out to be the old Barons nightclub and offered Elysium the chance to be the perfect partner to the new creative hub project. Over the past year, Elysium has worked closely with Coastal to get the new gallery/studio project off the ground. This cutting edge arts organisation promotes and supports emerging visual artists from Wales and beyond. Elysium Gallery’s newest home will include 12 artists’ studios and an atmospheric underground exhibition space.

Dan hopes to use his experience as a lecturer on the degree course in Carmarthen to establish a timetable of workshops that will run from the new gallery on College Street. The workshops cater for beginners up to advanced and will incorporate use of Photoshop as well as other editing programs. If you would like to register an interest, contact Dan as he is keen to receive feedback regarding the workshops. You can also take a look at Dan’s work online at danstaveley.co.uk AUTUMN 2013 220 COASTAL MAGAZINE

Raspberry Cakery At Urban Village You know those people who are so inspiring, creative and positive? That’s the owners of Raspberry Cakery, Helen and Rhian. Their successful cake business is less than one year old and already the orders are flying in.

COMPETITION:

At Urban Village

To be in with a chance to win a free cake decorating lesson for two people send us your name, address and telephone number to: Freepost Plus RSXA-CJHX-XUXE Coastal Housing Group, 220 High Street, Swansea SA1 1NW Or email: ask@coastalhousing.co.uk Closing date 30th October 2013

WIN

COMPETITION: WIN a FREE haircut for your child A whole lot of cakin’ going on

t Raspberry cakery you will find cupcakes that are colourful, fun and delicious in a wide variety of flavours, from their own special recipe ‘Crazy Caramel’, to new and exciting ones such as ‘Pina Colada’. Your mouth will salivate just by looking at them! You are guaranteed fresh and high quality cakes as all their produce is made in the morning and served that day. What makes them different from other cake shops is how accommodating they are to their customers. It’s clear that the girls pride themselves on being very customer focused, they said that if customers “tell us what cakes/cupcakes they would like to be available on their next visit, then we can make those.” The girls welcome requests for flavours- they like experimenting- lavender is the most recent flavour to be tested! Rhian said “The favourite combination of flavours lately is Champagne & Strawberry.” They even take into account dietary requirements and offer Gluten free, dairy free and vegan cakes on request. There is a wide variety of delicious treats on offer but it is their lovingly made, crafted and designed cupcakes that will undoubtedly capture your attention, each one unique, each day a new flavour, each time a mouth watering experience. 8

220 COASTAL MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013

Whether you’re organising a party and would like a larger custom cake made (no request is too strange, they had someone come in and ask us to make a ‘welcome back from your honeymoon cake’), or whether you want a break from some shopping in Swansea City Centre, or a break out of the office, then call in for a delicious handmade cupcake and a coffee. It’s the perfect place to meet, talk, read and drink in the ‘cool, vibrant, minimalistic feel’ that the girls have created in their prominent pink cakery. Their friendly and enthusiastic attitude is a perfect recipe for success. Working with Coastal Housing Group, Raspberry Cakery will form an integral part of the Urban Village regeneration. The creative brains behind the brand is Helen Williamson and Rhian Daniel. www.theraspberrycakery.co.uk

Tickled

WIN a FREE cake decorating lesson for two

A child kicking and screaming at the hairdressers, refusing to have their haircut, wriggling in their seat. The hairdresser is impatient, the parent is embarrassed. It’s this very situation that inspired owner Damien to open Tickled, the innovative hairdressers created just for children.

ickled opened its doors in April 2013 and became the place to have your child’s haircut. It was designed to be a playground for kids where they can enjoy themselves whilst having their haircut. Tickled has been described by Damien as, ‘a place where the haircut experience becomes magical’. This may sound cheesy but then you’ve never seen Tickled and its quirky tag line is no exaggeration. What makes Tickled so special? If you’re not awed by the adorable toy cars that the children sit in whilst having their haircut, then you will undoubtedly be impressed by the effort that Damien has invested into making Tickled a patient and fun environment for children. Children get to pick three brightly coloured shampoos to brew their own magic potion - that’s if they are not already distracted by the TV they can watch and the video games they can play. You can even have your little Princess’ party there, with nail painting and make up, perfect for those growing divas. It’s so good your children may never want to leave...

To be in with a chance to win a free haircut for your child send us your name, address and telephone number to: Freepost Plus RSXA-CJHX-XUXE Coastal Housing Group, 220 High Street, Swansea SA1 1NW Or email: ask@coastalhousing.co.uk Closing date 30th October 2013

The Tickled experience The bright, warm colours of the salon make it extremely inviting, with its fantastic graffiti style art work mimicking an enchanted forest. The lovely and spacious salon, coupled with the child-friendly manner of Damien and his staff makes every visit a delight. You’re not rushed through your appointment, the staff work around the individual child, cutting their hair when they’re comfortable and ready. For Damien, seeing a child come in unhappy then leaving with a beaming smile on their face is what makes it worthwhile. Damien said “The parents have been so grateful to us for turning a usually negative experience into a positive one.” If you’re an adult with a child you can even have your hair cut while you wait! “All adults must be accompanied by a child.” www.tickledsalon.co.uk

WIN

10%

off a haircut

at Tickled with this voucher. AUTUMN 2013 220 COASTAL MAGAZINE

Young Coastal Housing tenants from across the Swansea and Neath Port Talbot areas are invited to take part in an exciting new project.

Welfare Reform Following the success of our tenant survey, Coastal have been working hard behind the scenes to use the information gained to help those affected.

We have successfully assisted 22% of our tenants affected by the bedroom tax to claim discretionary housing benefit payment.

We will be running sessions to help you get on-line as our survey told us that 69% of our tenants either did not access the internet or were not confident in using it. As most jobs are advertised on-line and the cheapest deals are on-line, we feel that it is important for tenants to have access to the internet.

We now know that 58% of our tenants do not have access to a regular bank account. In response to this, we have been working with NPT credit union to set-up bank accounts that will enable people to carry out basic transactions whilst making sure bills are paid.

We are changing our application system to take account of the benefit changes. We will make sure that when you become a Coastal tenant that you are able to afford the property that meets your needs.

Some benefits, such as DLA, will be changing over the next few years. We will be contacting tenants as the changes take place to offer assistance in switching to the new benefits available.

When Universal Credit is introduced people of working age, who get Housing Benefit, will have to make arrangements to pay their rent instead of the payment coming directly to Coastal. We are working on ways you will be able to access your rent account 24/7 to check your balance and make payments. We will be offering as many ways to pay as possible to make it easy for our tenants to keep on top of their rent payments and not get into difficulty.

If you have any questions about Welfare Reform, please contact your Area Housing Manager. 10

220 COASTAL MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013

Giving Something Back Coastal Housing launches Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for tenants Earlier this year, we launched a Duke of Edinburgh Award initiative as part of our Community Engagement Project for younger tenants. The project offers tenants aged between 18-25 the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. It aims to help these young people engage with the local community and further develop their work and life skills. Rhian Dunn from the company’s Housing Services Team is heading the project and said: “Anyone is welcome to take part in the award scheme or just complete one of the sections that they’re interested in. In the beginning we’ll look to start a 12 week programme as a group, whether it will be walks ‘round the Gower, a photography course or something else the tenants come up with which will contribute to the award. I’ve been volunteering for the award in Swansea for about five years and think it’ll work really well within Coastal. I’d love to inspire some of these young people to get involved with the local community and gain some fun new experiences, as well as a widely acknowledged achievement.”

Zoe, aged 20, from Brynmill, said: “I knew straight away that this was something that I wanted to get involved with. It would be great to get to know some other people the same age as me and from the same area, and to do something fun and adventurous together as a group. I’m particularly looking forward to picking up some new skills and taking part in the expedition.”

If you would like to know more about this scheme then give Rhian a call on: 01792 479307 rhian.dunn@coastalhousing.co.uk

AUTUMN 2013 220 COASTAL MAGAZINE

Out & About...

Hafod

“He’s a true gentleman, nothing is too much trouble.”

Swansea We’ve been out and about recently in the Hafod area of Swansea. Once famous for its copper production, and known as ‘copperopolis’, Hafod has essentially retained its look and feel over the centuries - providing homes for generations of families in the area.

“Some of our tenants are born and bred in Hafod.”

Meet the caretaker Phil our caretaker looks after our schemes in the Hafod. Phil has worked with Coastal for just over three and a half years and enjoys the variety of the jobs. He is often found helping tenants with queries as well as making the grounds look lovely.

oastal manage 148 properties in this historical district of Swansea. Hafod is a residential suburb and we have properties suitable for families with traditional family homes, single people and couples who work close by in the city centre. Some of our tenants are born and bred in Hafod, and they say that although the houses have been modernised it really hasn’t changed that much. Hafod means ‘summer dwelling’ or ‘farm’. It goes back to times when people would travel with their animals from the lower winter pasture to higher grounds from May to October.

Families and Community Spirit THE HAFOD COPPER WORKS To the east of Hafod runs The River Tawe where the remains of the Hafod Copper Works still lie. The works was founded in 1810 by the Cornishman John Vivian and during the 19th century, this was the largest copper works in the world. It produced copper right up until 1980. The copper works remains are a Grade II listed building which can be seen clearly from the east side of the river with its two engine houses and their chimneys.

At Cwm Road we have a family of tenants living in different flats. Gloria Birmingham who has lived in Hafod all her life, moved to Cwm Road in 1996. Her brother and sister in law Muriel, who lived in London, joined her at the flats in 2001. Gloria’s daughter Amanda has lived there since 1996. Muriel, whose husband has passed away, says “I couldn’t have managed without Amanda and Gloria – it’s great to always have somebody there.”

GERALD STREET AND CLOS COED NANT

Hafod and Coastal Housing Facts:

148 HOMES

220 COASTAL MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013

90 FLATS

58 HOUSES

THE FIRST HOUSE 103 NEATH ROAD, WAS LET IN 1979

COASTAL’S LONGEST TENANCY IN HAFOD IS NORAH CAMPBELL WHO HAS LIVE THERE SINCE 1983

Our board Member Mr Ieuan Evans moved to Hafod in 1951. Along with three others he set up ‘Hafod residents Association in the mid 1970’s. Their aim was to improve areas of the Hafod, and on the advice of a student from Swansea University, approached Swansea Housing Association who invited the group to be on the Board. They suggested buying the then run down 59 Gerald Street. In its place was built a block of 6 flats which included Coastal’s first disabled access flat. 59 Gerald Street was officially named ‘Valentine Court’ after Mr Evans’ middle name (he was born on the 14th February).

If you would like to live in Hafod, call us on 01792 479200.

Clive Ayres who has lived in the Hafod all of his life. Mr Ayres plays the Keyboard and had a spell as the organist for St John Church in Odo street . He is now known as the ‘Landore Wizard’ and provides entertainment around the community. He says although some of the shops have gone and it has been modernised – it really hasn’t changed that much at all. He talked about the famous sportsmen that came from Hafod primary school such as boxer Tommy Wallace; the Comley Brothers who played professional football; and Terry Sullivan, World Bowls Champion and lived on Gerald Street.

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Graduate jobs on Offer with GO Wales

The GO Wales project goes from strength to strength with over 10 years experience of organising graduate work placements in and around Swansea. Here we find out more about a recent work placement.

randing and print design company Colourbox Creative in Swansea needed a graduate to take full responsibility for developing their in-house customer enquiry service; putting in procedures that would help the business run smoothly and enhance the customer service element.

Recent graduate, Katy Simister, initially joined the company as a ten week work placement and in nine months she has become an asset to the company. Daryl Edgecombe Company Director explains; “Katy has only been with us now for about nine months but it is difficult to imagine how we managed before she arrived. 12 months ago we found that we had so many enquiries to deal with, it was difficult to manage our design and print work load so we contacted GO Wales for help and our ‘customer service superstar’ position was born. Katy’s CV stood out for all the right reasons; well written and weighted towards exactly the qualities and experience we were looking for. When we met Katy, she came across smart and professional, quiet but confident and naturally friendly and seemed perfect for the role. Katy works hard and is always dedicated to providing the best service. A happy customer means a happy Katy.”

THE ROUTE TO SUCCESS Participating companies can benefit from between six weeks and six months subsidy towards salary costs and a free service from GO Wales. Graduates benefit from paid, quality job opportunities in the local area. Find out more and apply at www.gowales.co.uk or call 0845 225 60 50. 14

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You Said... We love receiving feedback from you. Take a look at some of the things we’ve been doing in your area.

St. Joseph’s Park, Aberavon

Lower Cwmfelin, Swansea

Working with Keep Wales Tidy and Neath Port Talbot Council, we responded to tenants requests for a rubbish amnesty in April which allowed garden rubbish and items to be taken away for free.

Tenants asked for a ‘Village Green’ Notice Board so people can pin notices. This was fitted up in April and has become a good source of information for residents.

Readership Survey

Ynys Lee, Cwmavon Tenants asked for a newsletter as they wanted to keep up with everything that was happening on their scheme. An annual news letter is now produced by their Community Inclusion Manager, Janet Gange. Tenants also asked for some community gardens so grow their own veg and these were dug and first plantings made in the Summer this year.

Orchard Court, Swansea Residents wanted to know more about the safety and security in their homes, so in March we organised a talk by local PC Ceri Roberts and CCS Community Safety Officer, Paul Evans.

Rhodfa Bevan, Neath Wanting some community events, with help from Keep Wales Tidy, we held a bird box and general gardening event in May

In the readership survey that we carried out of our magazine at the beginning of this year, you told us that you like information on various subjects including Money Saving, our Developments and Food. You asked to have more competitions, local history information and decorating tips. As a result of what readers asked for we started new articles like ‘Out and About’ and Money Matters.

Ivy Bush Court, Swansea We consulted with all the tenants about improving their communal garden area. Tenants told us what they wanted and we have landscaped the area accordingly.

Ty Fforest, Morriston Tenant Fun Day

In February, Tenants in Ty Fforest asked for CCTV to be installed. After consulting with everyone, and getting their full agreement, a system was set up for which tenants now pay a service charge.

As a result of tenants asking for a different venue, this year we held our Annual Fun Day at the St. Helen’s Ground, Swansea.

Waunceirch Estate, Neath Tenants wanted to meet Area Housing Manager, Cerian Jones, on a regular basis. Cerian has set up weekly surgeries in the Waunceirch Community Hall so that tenants can call in and see Cerian on a Tuesday.

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Carmarthen Road, Swansea In conjunction with the Esgyn Project, tenants told us they wanted a Japanese style garden to the rear of their homes. Having raised all the money from various events, they asked us for some help to install. So in June we sent up a band of Caretakers to make their garden a reality

...We Did AUTUMN 2013 220 COASTAL MAGAZINE

Help

is at Hand

Dewis (which means Welsh for ‘choice’) is a charity who have been supporting the young people of Neath Port Talbot for over 25 years. Dewis works in partnership with both statutory authorities and other voluntary agencies to address homelessness and related issues, providing supported accommodation, information and advice for young people aged 16-25 in the Neath Port Talbot County.

“Dewis helped me get stability back in my life.” You can find out more about Dewis and the services offered at: www.dewishousing.org Tel: 01639 882536

Here are the stories of three young people Dewis have helped:

Annalise Ross Sam Evans Sam is 22 years old from Port Talbot. She enjoys reading, cooking and socialising. Sam was living with her parents, but in January 2013 her relationship with them broken down and she was asked to leave home. “I was drinking and depressed. I thought I didn’t have a chance to get accommodation”. She was homeless and her friend recommended that she apply to Dewis. She had an interview with Dewis and stayed in temporary accommodation for five days until she was offered a Coastal flat in Sandfields. “Dewis helped me get stability back in my life. I hardly drink anymore.” “I love my flat. It’s in a nice area and bigger than I expected.” The future looks bright for Sam and she is now ready to begin her career.

220 COASTAL MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013

Annalise is 18 years old from Port Talbot. She likes socialising with friends and she is a 3rd brown in karate. Annalise lived with her mum and her two brothers and three sisters, but three years ago, her mum was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away.All the children went into the care system. “It was a very difficult time in my life. I felt anxious and depressed.” When Annalise was 16, she went into supported lodgings with Dewis to prepare her for independent living. After four months she was offered a one bedroom flat in Sandfields by Coastal. “Dewis has helped me to budget my money and deal with issues regarding my property. I feel more happy, independent and confident”. She will be starting her A-Levels at Neath College studying Health and Social Care, Sociology, and Psychology. “I would like to work with young children and people with disabilities and make a difference to other people’s lives.”

Daniel Jones Daniel is 21 from Cwmafan. He was living with his parents but last year, the relationship broke down and he was asked to leave home. He was homeless and a friend recommended that he apply to Dewis. He had an interview with Dewis and after a short time of staying with friends, he was given the keys to a bedsit in Taibach. “While in the bedsit, my relationship with my parents has grown to what it should have always been. Instead of being constantly angry with my parents, I am now on very good terms with them.” After staying in the bedsit for three months, Daniel was offered a Coastal flat in Sandfields. “I’ve had some problems with the upkeep of my flat, but the staff at Dewis have always been there to help me.” Daniel has been involved in many tenant participation events and he is now the Chairman of the Young Persons Board in Dewis. He is a volunteer for NPT Homes Youth Council and he is also the Chairman of the ‘Crime against Young People’ Sub Group. He was nominated and won the tenant of the year award by Ty Pas. “My life has improved a lot. Dewis have helped me deal with my depression and gave me the confidence I needed to seek help. I am now on medication for my depression.”

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MONEY SAVING TIPS FROM OUR FINANCE TEAM:

Finance

buy something arch before you se re ur yo do ys Alwa elsewhere!) an item cheaper (you might find

in the

Spotlight You’ve met our Housing Services Team and our Caretakers, now it’s time for us to introduce our Finance Team - meet Sian, Rhian, Julian, Ruth, Debbie, Pat, Lesley, Chris, Charles, Hayley, Diane, Angela, Mathew and Howard!

ith a passion for numbers, we take care of petty cash, sundry and sales income, mileage and expenses, the purchase ledger (paying invoices), management of the Coastal’s accounts, cash flow, managing Coastal’s assets, utilities contracts, company insurance, reconciliation of rents, payroll, pensions and lots more! We love the work we do, especially the variety of our work, the people we deal with and the team we work within. We also love achieving goals, the freedom to make decisions and the feeling that we are making a difference by helping someone!

We love to holiday to Pembrokeshire, Florida, India, Rhodes, Cuba, Morocco, Italy, Cyprus, Barbados, Malta, Mexico and Toronto.

Get a water meter

! buy the drinks in Let someone else

Spend your other-half’s money!

rk ch to wo Take lun

Follow Marti n Lewis – Money Saving Expert

Set up multiple current accounts and split your income into these separate ac counts

Not spending m oney is better than money of f deals

getable r own ve Grow you

WE ARE CERTAINLY AN INTERESTING LOT... Being related to former Welsh rugby union players Barry John and Delme Thomas, a former Ann Summers party organiser, part of the college rowing team and a bit of a weather forecaster on the side. We’ve a keen Ironer, a very shy person, have represented Wales in Squash, played tennis professionally, achieved a 2:1 in a degree (not long after having a baby, who thankfully liked to sleep), and missed out on the opportunity to climb the famous Twin Towers in New York, thinking they’d get the chance to do later in life. There’s one who comes out with a funny one liner during a sugar rush - but there’s always one with no sense of humour!

WE ENJOY A HUGE SELECTION OF MUSIC Ranging between The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, U2, The Stranglers, Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga, Pink, Take That, Queen, King, LCD Soundsystem, The Overtones, Paramore, Coldplay and local band - The Somethings!

Between us...

: O’ LIST D O T ‘ OUR WHEN WE GREW UP WE WANTED TO BE: Unbeknown to us when we were kids was that we’d end up in Finance! Growing up, we wanted to be a Bio-Chemist, a Gymnastics teacher, work in bank, a pilot and a vet. A Formula One driver, a school teacher, a professional sportsman, and a farmer, we even have an Indiana Jones wannabe!

dolphins. wim with S ef. s. m a x CA e barrier re Finish AC orkel the n S . 7 Q i ore n Aud droom. M To own a hter’s be g u a ttery. d o g L n Win the Decorati . e v ri d alloon. Learn to Hot air b l. te o holidays. h e ic rink in an room. Have a d the bath in n w o ter. wall d a helicop Knock a arn to fly e L . g in Scuba div anjaro. unt Kilim o M b m Cli

Our combined age is

579 Our average foot size is

6.5 If we stood on each other we would reach

An ideal movie night would consist of:

OUR FAVOURITE SPORTS Cycling, Gymnastics, Rugby, Football, Ice Skating, Tennis, Squash, Horse jumping and surfing!

220 COASTAL MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2013

Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Green Mile, Titanic, Love Actually, Twilight Saga, Mary Poppins, Pulp Fiction, Fast and the Furious, Calamity Jane, Pretty Woman, Dirty Dancing, Blow, Casablanca and Top Gun.

77 foot (That’s 23 metres)

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Top Tips for

Couponing Inspired by a suggestion from a Coastal tenant who asked that we include this topic in 220, we have been looking at the advantages of ‘Couponing’ - how you do it and how much £££ you can save...

Join a money saving forum - the people who post on these sites are often ahead of the game and it avoids disappointment if the ‘bargains’ have all gone, by the time you get to the shop.

Collect your coupons from anywhere and everywhere newspapers, magazines, the internet, postal service, online, in-stores.

Look out for vouchers and discounts wherever you can. Some web sites will be specific - groupon.co.uk are good for restaurants, days out, and spa days; quidco.com and discountvouchers.co.uk are great for buying household items at a discount. Go to the actual company website e.g. Pizza Hut for promotional codes to give when ordering.

Sign up for store loyalty cards - the discount and money back vouchers will always be worth it, and often (as with Tesco) can be traded up for a higher value.

Making a complaint or giving a compliment to a company, will often result in receiving a free sample or some money saving coupons.

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Autumn Proof your Home

As autumn starts to arrive on our doorstep, it’s time to think about preparing your home for the cold weather ahead. Why wait until winter as just a few small jobs now can help you to get started before the cold weather sets in?

OUTSIDE

Keep yourself up-to-date by signing up for email alerts with sites like hotukdeals.com, moneysavingexpert.com and check the sites as often as you can through the day.

Become a product tester - this means you get to try out the latest a company has to offer. This is particularly good for cosmetic products and toiletries.

Be organised - extreme couponers will have a wallet set aside just for coupons which will be categorised by product, shop and expiry date. They will also look out for promotions in store where they can use their coupons and thus often doubling their discount.

brisk and most of the • Make the ay summer w a to store breezy days t year! ready for nex ape before rden into sh • Get your ga shed (if u d blitz yo r winter hits an orage st r fo e) ready you have on rniture store patio fu • Clean and ys and ’s summer to and children es os h ore garden drain and st s– pe pi n ai ers and dr • Check gutt ry sa es ec is if n clear of debr windows al doors and rn te ex k • Chec tightly are shutting won’t windows (you or ri te te • Wash ex in r!). during the w want to do it

INSIDE • Come insi de and start to make you nest cosy r • Voiles and light weight curtains may be pretty du ring the sum mer but thic curtains will ker help your hom e stay warm by blocking out the cold coming in an stopping the d heat going ou • Don’t bloc t k radiators with furnitu curtains - le re or t the warmth into the room • Place a radi ator panel be hind your radiator to re flect the hea t back into the room • You can sa ve 2% on yo ur heating bi for ever y one ll degree you tu rn the thermostat down. Turn it down now so that you don’t feel th e difference turning it d by own in the w inter • Invest in fo am strips an d draught excluders on external and internal doors.

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Coastal gets

Active

Meet four members of Coastal staff, who prove that age isn’t a barrier when it comes to getting started in a new sport or past-time.

Mathew Giles, age 34, from Coastal’s IT department trained for five months for his first Triathlon in June. After a few years of running half marathons, Mathew and a couple of friends decided they wanted to be involved in something more challenging, and thought a Triathlon seemed a good alternative! A Triathlon is a multi-stage race, comprising of a swim, a bike ride and a run. When asked what motivates him to participate in Triathlons, Mathew said “At first, the motivation was just to finish the race, but as my fitness got better I had a sneaky ambition to beat my two friends.” As a part of his training, Mathew has benefitted from sticking to a healthier lifestyle and as a result has plenty of extra energy. After successfully completing his first Triathlon, Mathew aims to beat his personal best!

Coastal’s Janet Gange, age 52, has always had an interest in fitness and enjoys running most mornings. Four years ago, Janet wanted to take up a team sport, but because she is a tad accident prone, having broken four bones in as many years, she had to be careful about her choice of activity. Her sister suggested they have a trial at Brynhyfryd Bowls Club in Neath. Janet says “I love the challenge of the game. Everyone expects bowls to be sedentary whereas you have to be fit enough to be on the green for 3 hours. There’s more to bowls than people think and it’s a very tactical and skilful game. There is nothing better than being out in the fresh air in the summer doing something that you really enjoy!” Janet loves the feeling of achievement after winning a game, and currently plays for the County. Perhaps one day, we’ll see Janet playing for Wales!

WIN

WIN! A pedometer

Joanna Brown, age 24, who works in Coastal’s Maintenance team, achieved her latest challenge in aid of the John Hartson Foundation - a charity to raise awareness and provide support for Testicular Cancer. This July, Jo climbed to the summit of Ben Nevis in Scotland - a massive 4409ft high! Jo climbed with a group of 13 others who completed the challenge, and says “I’d never participated in any climbing event before, so this was a first - I just did as much walking as possible to get me ready for the big climb.” Walking outside has been a real advantage for Joanna, as it’s enabled her to enjoy the weather and the beautiful scenery that we have in Wales as well as keeping her fit! Jo thoroughly enjoyed her challenge and is going to continue climbing. She’s considering doing the Three-Peak challenge in future.

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Paul Symmons, age 48, a Caretaker at Coastal, enjoys Fell Running in his spare time and competed in his first race in January 2012. Fell Running is racing up and down trackless mountains, with a gradient and surface that is barely suitable for running over, in all weathers! Paul started out by walking his dog on a Sunday morning, and tells us “I started with a bit of a jog/walk/run around the Coast on a Sunday Morning, then my wife talked me into entering a few local runs. She then looked up the Welsh Fell Running Association and I thought ‘this is the stuff!’” Paul says that the best part of a Fell race is “the mad downhill run from the summit over rocks, tussock, grass and mud.” Last year Paul ran 22 races and came in at 33rd out of 385 in the 2012 WFRA summer series!

Just answer this question: How high is the summit of Ben Nevis? Send your answer to: Freepost Plus RSXA-CJHX-XUXE Coastal Housing Group, 220 High Street, Swansea SA1 1NW Or email: ask@coastalhousing.co.uk Closing date: 30th October 2013

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Too much stuff cluttering up your life? Then time to get organised and start selling. Did you know there are now many places that you can sell your clutter easily and often for FREE?

Autumn

Watch

Cash in your

Clutter What to Sell • • • •

We wear 20% of our clothes for 80% of the time, so if you have things you never wear then its time sell or swap them Unwanted gifts in their wrappers, or a shirt with its tag still on, give them a new home No longer watch those films or listen to the CD’s, pass them on Handbags taking up space, sell it and buy something you really need.

Now that summer is coming to an end, can you feel the crisp coolness in the air as you walk to school in the morning? It’s not just the weather changing, there are lots of new things to see in nature as autumn arrives - can you find some of them? Ask an adult to take you on a treasure hunt and see how many of these autumn jewels you can find:

Where to Sell www.preloved.co.uk • • • •

• Free service with an ethos ultimately to reduce the impact of manufacturing and consumerism on the environment • Has nearly 4,000,000 members in the UK • You can post ‘Wanted’ Notices • Matches by group people who have things they no longer want with people who want them.

www.musicmagpie.co.uk • Gives you a quick value of what your stuff is worth FREE • You just send your items direct to them FREE • If you are selling more than 25 items or a Tech item, they’ll call and collect using a courier service FREE • They buy direct so no auctions or having to find a buyer.

www.ebay.co.uk • • • • •

Listing fees are charged, plus there are sellers fees and a fee on top for using paypal - so check out costs on ebays fee chart Keep an eye out for ‘Free Insertion Fees’- every month ebay allows you to list any item with zero insertion fees New items still in the packaging or with the tags on them go well as do branded items Get your description right, so potentials buyers find it easily e.g. ‘new size 12 red coast dress’ is better than “gorgeous, halter neck, long bright red dress’ The best time to end your auction is a Sunday between 7-9pm Its addictive watching bids, particularly in the final minutes - even if you are not buying or selling.

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BLACKBERRIES/ BRAMBLES

A CONKER

A SQUIRREL GATHERING NUTS

A FIR CONE

FIVE DIFFERENT SHAPED LEAVES

Adverts are completely FREE Its quick and easy to set up Advertss go on line almost immediately Good for trading between sellers and buyers in same area.

www.uk.freecycle.org

•

AN ACORN IN ITS CUP

A PINE CONE

FIVE DIFFERENT COLOUR LEAVES

A SPIDER WEB

A HOLLY TREE

A SYCAMORE PARACHUTE SEED

If you would like more ideas for autumn fun outside, check out: www.naturedetectives.org.uk

WIN

WIN!

Leave the autumn behind and win a family ticket to Plantasia’s unique tropical haven of wonderful plants and animals To win, answer this question: What colour are the berries on a holly tree? Send your answer to: Freepost Plus RSXA-CJHX-XUXE Coastal Housing Group, 220 High Street, Swansea SA1 1NW Or email: ask@coastalhousing.co.uk Closing date 30th October 2013

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Kirsty, Housing Service Team Leader, tells us how old and unwanted furniture can be cheaply and easily restored to its former glory.

Another man’s

Junk

“Take another look at it and see if there’s potential to give it a new lease of life.”

Kirsty Walton’s

Treasure H

ave you ever gotten rid of a piece of furniture simply because it’s water stained, or a handle has broken-off, or a hinge has become warped? Those are the bits of furniture Kirsty Walton see potential in, which she loves to take home and transform.

“I love a bargain, and if I can pick something up for next to nothing great, but if I can pick it up for free even better!” Said Kirsty. “I’ve never spent more than £10 on purchasing an individual item, and some of my pieces have been lucky finds, put out for the bin men to take away. I try not to spend too much on the actual restoration. I use leftover paints, source cheap fabrics and even use shoe polish for effects. Although I have been known to spend £16 on a tin of paint, that tin can do over 5 pieces of furniture - so well worth the investment.”

Kirtsy’s top tips • Have an idea before you start of what effect you want to achieve • Clean your piece fully • Remove handles, hinges etc before applying paint • Protect your floors and wear old clothes before you start • Take your time, don’t rush • Research sites such as You Tube and Pinterest for ideas.

So, the next time you come to get rid of a piece of furniture, take another look at it and see if there’s potential to give it a new lease of life. With time, and a bit of imagination you can save yourself some money, and even make some if you look to sell on something you’ve restored! 28

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This bureau was recently rescued from a bin collection. It needed a good clean, but I knew the handles I wanted to use straight away and those set the overall look. I used a chalk-based paint, which meant I didn’t have to do any prep work, and the aged affect was achieved simply by rubbing in shoe polish.

I’ve recently had a go at my first bit of upholstery and discovered I love it. The hardest part was removing the original material as it was firmly attached with hundreds of rusty tacks and staples! This piece cost me £10, but the material was a bargain at £2. I used the old bits of material as my templates for cutting, borrowed a staple gun and invested in a glue gun at a great price of £4 from Amazon.

A favourite technique I have discovered is layering different paint colours.

I also enjoy ‘up cycling’, where you recycle a piece for a different use. After splitting this double stepladder, I sanded and varnished the step part and now use as a towel rail. The other half is used in the garden as a climbing support to a plant. Mirrors, with a lick of paint on the frame, and blackboard paint on the glass are also great at converting to chalk boards!

I picked up this bookcase for £10. The effect here was again achieved using a chalk based paint, but this time a coat of furniture wax meant I was able to use fine sandpaper and add a distressed finish.

I added a grey paint to this chair, then a top coat of white, and a coat of wax, before taking some coarse sandpaper and rubbing away at the paint to bring the grey through the white.

The wallpaper was given to me by a friend, and attached using regular wallpaper paste.

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Thai Red Vegetable Curry Healthy Autumn Eating

Ingredients: Butternut squash Green beans 1 can of pineapple chunks Fresh coriander 1 onion 1 garlic clove Thai red curry paste 1 can reduced-fat coconut milk 1 vegetable stock Vegetable oil

Healthy food = healthy mind and body As the seasons change so do our tastes in food. Even the healthiest eater will feel less tempted by a salad at this time of year. But just because we crave different dishes as the weather turns colder does not mean they have to be unhealthy. In fact much of the produce traditionally harvested at this time of year is incredibly good for our health. Did you know, for example, that pumpkins and squashes can protect against cancer and mushrooms can ward off colds, flu, heart attacks and strokes?

For the

Love of food Great healthy, energy boosting recipes

Butternut squash is considered to be one of the healthiest vegetables and is recommended to completes one’s diet.

Meat Option Fry four chopped chicken breasts or thighs with the onion. Or add shredded cooked chicken five minutes before you're ready to serve.

HONEY Honey is the only food edible to humans that will never go bad. They have found edible forms of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs.

MEAL FLEXIBILITY:

Citrus Berry Smoothy Serves: 2 cups

DON’T eat too heavily or too late, which can interfere with sleep. The ideal is to have dinner no later than 8pm.

Method: 1. Heat the oil in a wok or pan. 2. Fry the onion and garlic for five minutes until softened. 3. Stir in the red curry paste, and then add the squash, coconut milk and stock. 4. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until the squash is tender. 5. After ten minutes cooking tip in the green beans. 6. Stir in the pineapple and coriander, cooking for just a few minutes until the pineapple heats through. 7. Sprinkle with the coriander leaves and serve the curry in bowls with noodles or rice.

You can consume a smoothie at any meal, not just breakfast. No time for lunch? Grab or make a quick smoothie.

Health concerns can vary with the seasons; here are healthy eating plans which are designed to keep you feeling your best as the nights draw in...

Tips, Hints and Facts

Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1/4 cup fresh berries 3/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt 1/2 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons non-fat dry milk 1 tablespoon toasted wheat germ 1 tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Method: Place berries, yogurt, orange juice, dry milk, wheat germ, honey and vanilla in a blender and blend until smooth.

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10 Mood Boosting Foods

10 Energy Boosting Foods

10 Foods to Help You Sleep Better

Brown rice Eggs Leafy greens Poultry Whole grains

Beans Lentils Fruit Water Dark chocolate

Jelly beans Bread Pretzels Cereal Potatoes

Milk Walnuts Vitamin C Chocolate Sardines

Salmon Tuna Yoghurt Chicken Broccoli

Instant rice Tofu dessert Watermelon Honey Cherries

DO eat an evening meal that is high in carbohydrate, such as rice, pasta, potatoes or bread. Scientific studies have shown that people describe feeling sleepier or calmer after eating such foods. DON’T overdo the booze in the evening. While one or two small glasses of wine will help in combating stress and getting you to sleep, higher intakes may interfere with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and result in wakefulness later in the night. DO have a warm, milky drink. There’s more than a grain of truth in the idea that it will help lull you to sleep. The natural sugars in milk (and honey, if you add a teaspoonful) count as calming carbohydrates, but there’s also a psychological association between milk and sleeping. DON’T skip Breakfast. A good healthy breakfast will give you the energy you need to start the day.

The banana contains more vitamin B6, than in other fruits. It is known that this vitamin is responsible for good mood.

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Dave’s Dilemmas Dave The Sheep helps sort out your life

Now you’re back in school, you may be getting ready to choose your GCSE options. As it’s never too early to start planning for the future, Holly looks at how to make your choices.

What am I doing? It's ok not to know what you want to do. Although your friends may seem to know what they want to do, it doesn't mean that you have to.

I’VE ONLY JUST SENT THE KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL AND I’M ALREADY WORRYING ABOUT CHRISTMAS! I just had to buy three new school uniforms and shoes on my credit card and I’m broke. I’m already three weeks in arrears with my rent and I just don’t know where I’m going to get the money for Christmas this year. My neighbour said that she knows someone who will lend me £500 and I can pay him back £50 every week until next June. That would be a big weight off my shoulders because then we can have a lovely Christmas and it gives me plenty of time to pay him back next year. What do you think?

Q DAVE SAYS:

Don’t be persuaded Although people will help you, don't be persuaded by friends or family (or even teachers) to choose something you're not sure about. It's not nice being stuck doing something you don't want to.

Variety is the spice of life

Careers advice If you need help or advice, visit your school's Careers Adviser and they might give you some leaflets or websites you could visit. Also, if you have an idea of what you want to do, then they can give you a list of skills or subjects that are helpful to follow that career.

Be careful, he sounds like a loan shark! If you borrow £500 on the 1st September and pay £50 per week until 1st June, you will have paid him £2000 and if you don’t manage to pay him back by that date, the total amount could be much, much higher! Also, don’t forget that these payments will be on top of the ones you are making to the credit card company. It’s really important to keep a roof over your head, especially if you are having money problems, so speak to your housing officer now before your arrears get any worse. They will be able to advise you on managing your rent payments and can also put you in touch with the National Debt Line, who can help you with budgeting. Coastal also work closely with NPT Credit Union and Money Line Cymru. Both organisations offer affordable loans in this area and they may be able to help you. You’re not the only person in this position and help is out there.

TOP APPS

Try not to choose options requiring similar skills. It's good to have a wide range of skills so you can have more choices later on.

WhatsApp - A cross-platform app that allows you to text people without paying.

RedLaser - Enables you to scan barcodes to compare prices with both offline and online stores. Once you find cheapest price you can also purchase via the app.

What are you good at? Do what you're good at. Choose the things you find easier because you won't need to work ten times harder than everyone else, as you would if you chose something you find difficult.

Living Social - Access daily deals on things to do in your city and buy directly via your smart phone.

Teachers pet Don’t be a copy-cat Don't just pick what your friends are doing.

Don't choose a subject because you like the teacher (or not pick a subject because you don't like the teacher). You might not get that teacher and you could also end up doing something you don't like.

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With an app for just about anything, we thought we would ask our colleagues what apps they are using to save money. Here are their top five.

Top Cash Back - Get discounts (as cash back or vouchers) for over 3,700 shops. From retail and insurance, to travel and utilities, simply click through to them via this app and purchase as normal.

Love Food, Hate Waste - Keep track of food planning, shopping, cooking and making the most of leftovers.

COMPETITION WINNERS

Enjoy yourself

Use your Smartphone to seek out cheaper deals

Home Swapper May - Elaine Lewis of Manselton, Swansea June - Andrew Davies of Aberavon, Port Talbot July - Damian Matthews of Briton Ferry, Neath Go Ape Lisa Watkins of Pontardawe, Swansea

Picnic Bag Ms Macadams of Mount Pleasant, Swansea Bird Spotting Martyn Luckwell of Pontlliw, Swansea Martin Lewis Money Diet Book Mr & Mrs Whitehouse, Neath

Join in the conversation… Tweet us @coastalhousing Follow us on Facebook

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Insider information

Free Gas Safety Checks By law, all gas boilers and gas fires in housing association properties need an annual safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. This will include: • • •

Emergency repairs out-of-hours service

Annual servicing flue and ventilation check Carbon monoxide check Mains wired smoke alarms check.

You MUST allow the gas service engineers working for Coastal Housing into your home to do their work. If we try, and fail, to get access, we will take legal action against you. “Carbon Monoxide can KILL, make sure you get your FREE gas check”

HomeSwapper Who will you swap with? HomeSwapper is the biggest and best home swapping service in the UK for social housing tenants. Every year the service successfully helps thousands of people swap homes across the UK. As a Coastal tenant this service is completely FREE for you to join, and allows you to find properties from a variety of social landlords, as well as Coastal, giving you a much better chance at finding the swap you want. There is no limit to the number of refusals you make, and you can access the site to explore your options at your own leisure. It only takes four simple steps to get started: 1. Log on to: www.homeswapper.co.uk 2. Enter your details and the type of home you are looking for 3. HomeSwapper automatically matches you to potential home swaps 4. They will email or text you the details of your matches for you to look at.

Paying your rent Your rent and any service charges are due weekly in advance and are charged to your account every Monday morning. YOU must make sure that your rent is paid on time. There are lots of easy ways to pay:

Making a comment or complaint If you have a problem with any of our services we’ll try our best to resolve it quickly and effectively. All complaints are logged and then passed on to the relevant person in the organisation to deal with it, who will become your named contact. You can also speak to the manager of the relevant team about your complaint. If the problem is out of our control to fix, we will let you know. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, then you can write to the Chairman of our Board of Management, Mr Francis Jones, at our Swansea office address.

PayPoint: Use your Allpay card (up to a maximum of £124.99 in any single transaction) anywhere you see the PayPoint sign. Post Office: Pay by cash or cheque at any post office. Cheques should be made payable to: Post Office Ltd

Public Services Ombudsman

Debit or Credit Card: Call Allpay on: 0870 243 6040 or the 24hr service at: www.allpayments.net or pay via our website: www.coastalhousing.co.uk . Follow the link from ‘Tenant Services’ to ‘Pay Rent’. You can also pay by Debit or Credit Card, but NOT cash, at any of our offices.

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales will look into any complaint from a member of the public about the way they have been treated by a public body, including a housing association.

Direct Debit: Pay your rent weekly or calendar monthly in advance by direct debit. Please ask us for a direct debit form.

Public Services Ombudsman for Wales 1 Old Field Road, Pencoed, Bridgend, CF35 5LJ Phone: 0845 601 0987 Email: ask@ombudsman-wales.org.uk www.ombudsman-wales.org.uk

By Cheque payable to: Coastal Housing Group Ltd Write your name and address on the back, send to: Coastal Housing Group Ltd, 3rd Floor, 220 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW. Your area Housing Officer or Support Worker can check if you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to and also give free debt advice, speak to them if you have trouble paying your rent.

Address to Serve Notice Section 48(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 10987 requires that we provide you with an address at which notices may be served on Coastal Housing Group Ltd, your Landlord. Coastal Housing Group Ltd, 3rd Floor, 220 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW

Home Insurance for tenants “HomeSwapper made a tremendous difference to our lives. Following my hip replacement operation it meant that we could move straight into our bungalow.”

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Communal areas As of March 2012 the Welsh Fire and Rescue Service Policy stated that no storage or the charging of mobility scooters is permitted in communal areas. The rubber tyres on bikes are also hazardous in a fire so bikes cannot be stored in communal areas either. Coastal is responsible for your communal areas and it is important that all exits leading out are kept clear in case of emergency. If you have any issues or questions about these guidelines or for all rules about communal areas please refer to your tenancy conditions or alternatively you can contact any one of our Housing Officers.

Home contents insurance may be the last thing on your mind, especially when you have lots of other outgoings. But have you thought about how you would replace all your furniture and other possessions if the worst happened and you had a fire, flood or burglary?

Coastal Housing contact details:

My Home Contents insurance offers affordable contents cover for leaseholders and tenants. Call: 0845 337 2463

Swansea Office: 3rd Floor, 220 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NW Neath Office: 41-43 Windsor Road, Neath, SA11 1NH Telephone: 01792 479200, email: ask@coastalhousing.co.uk

If you smell gas: Call the National Gas Emergency Line on: 0800 111 999 Emergency Repairs We provide an Emergency Repairs service outside of our normal office hours – at evenings and weekends. Emergency Repairs telephone: 0845 680 8888 (24-hour) Emergencies are classed as: • A major leak • Total failure of electrics • Fire • Locking yourself out • Personal security • Sewage overflow • Complete failure of heating system between 1 November and 1 May. In an emergency we will visit within four hours and the repair will be completed, or made safe, within 24-hours. If the call out is NOT an emergency or it’s your own fault (e.g lost keys) then we will charge you for the work. For general repairs and enquiries: 01792 479200 or contact Coastal Housing Group Ltd.

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Join HomeSwapper and they will automatically match you to possible exchanges and home swaps, nine out of ten members get home swap direct matches in seconds.

omeSwapper is the biggest and best home swapping service in the UK for Social Housing Tenants. Every year the service helps thousands of people across the UK to swap homes.

As a Coastal tenant this service is completely FREE for you to join. It will enable you to find properties from Housing Associations and Councils across the UK, as well as more local exchanges in the Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot areas. It only takes 4 simple steps to get started:

“I found a lovely three bedroom bungalow not far away with a brand new conservatory and fish pond. Thank you home swapper for the best advice and quick progress.”

1. Log on to www.HomeSwapper.co.uk 2. Enter your details and the type of home you want 3. HomeSwapper matches you to likely home swaps 4. You will receive an e mail or text with details of your matches Coastal has 347 tenants registered with HomeSwapper and on average they agree to two/three swaps a month. So if you are living in a home that is no longer right for you - its too big and you are having to pay the ‘bedroom tax’ or its too small and your family has outgrown it, then register with HomeSwapper. For more information please visit: www.homeswapper.co.uk

Our first joint HomeSwapper ‘Speed Swapping’ event will be held on Thursday 26th September 2 - 6pm at 11 Wind Street, Swansea The aim is to get you introduced to like minded tenants who are keen to swap

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