Together Newsletter Winter 2018

Y CARTREFI CONW N 2019 WINTER EDITIO

The MyCartrefi app is now live!

We’ve made it even easier for you to • Report a repair • Get in touch • See your rent statements • Keep up to date on news and events Simply search for ‘MyCartrefi’ on your app store and download for free Tenants are telling us on Facebook they love it

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Working but still struggling?

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enquiries@cartreficonwy.org • Customer Service: 0300 124 0040 All calls with Customer Services are recorded • Audio and print copies of this newsletter are available

Did you know?

Our volunteers gave 320 hours between them in November. Well done to volunteer Emyr on his success in gaining employment with our painting team.

Volunteering Thanks to everyone who came to our volunteer recruitment event in Hickory’s on 20th November. It’s great that we have 7 new volunteers signed up.

We are now working in partnership with our new neighbours, Travis Perkins, to provide more volunteer opportunities.

Get Ready for Employment The first sessions of Get Ready for Employment are well under way and we are really pleased with the progress those taking part have made so far.

Last month we helped support 8 people into employment. Congratulations to volunteer Andrew Farrah who is now working for Reflex and Allen.

Mike, a Cartrefi Conwy tenant said “I have found the course helpful to prepare me for return to work in the future.

I am a great believer in you can never learn too much.”

Here’s what tenants say about the course:

Are you or, do you know, a tenant who is: • Unemployed?

• 25 or over?

This course could help you or someone you know get into a routine, meet new people in a friendly place and help get prepared for work.

“I found the Creating Enterprise course really rewarding. I feel more confident because I have more knowledge. I feel like an updated, better version of myself. I’m happy and confident when dealing with customers in the shop. It’s “I am finding it helpful to prepare me to return to work. a lovely job, as customers are very happy as they are It has helped me with my confidence, my job searching buying gifts and jewellery for skills and my computer skills.” loved ones.”

David from Old Colwyn

Hilary from Llandudno

The next 8 week Get Ready for Employment courses start on 8th and 10th January 2019 at our Creating Enterprise Employment Academy, Station Road, Mochdre LL28 5EF To book a place contact Karen by email to Karen.williams@creatingenterprise.org.uk or call 07799519596 2

www.cartreficonwy.org

Make Working Worth It We are really excited as we have started planning our new lottery funded project Making Work – Work for All. This project aims to help tenants living in Mochdre, Rhos on Sea, Llandudno and Peulwys who are working but still struggling financially.

If you are working and living in these areas and want to hear more or take part then get in touch with Ffion on: 07799519567 or email Ffion.lloyd@creatingenterprise.org.uk Make 2019 a new year and a new beginning for your family!

Our first ‘Making Work – Work for All’ event kick off in January to introduce families to the project and take part in the project. We are just confirming the dates and timings and will promote them on our social media pages.

Staying safe where you live Your health and safety is really important to us and we continually review our working practices and policies to reduce healthand-safety risks.

If you live in a block of flats or a home with shared entry and exit routes, you need to keep these areas clear at all times.

Over the last few months we have put up new signs in blocks of flats to remind you that all shared exit and entry routes (including outside your front door) must be kept clear at all times.

We have been told we have to do this by our qualified Fire Risk Assessors and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service because of: • the level of fire risk • items causing an obstruction in an emergency We want to thank tenants for understanding our reason for doing this is to keep you safe in a fire or other emergency.

What to do if theUe’s a ÀUe If a ÀUe bUeaNs out in youU Áat • GET OUT and close the door • ����� tr� and �ut the �re out �oursel� • Use the stairs. �O �OT ��� ��� l�� • Call 999 and �ait outside a�a� �ro� the �uildin�

If you see oU heaU of a ÀUe and you aUe in a communal aUea • GET OUT • Use the stairs. �O �OT ��� ��� l�� • Call 999 and �ait outside a�a� �ro� the �uildin�

If you see oU heaU of a ÀUe and you aUe in youU Áat • STAY PUT • Close all doors • Call 999 • �� �ou �eel unsa�e or in dou�t� GET OUT (use the stairs� �O �OT ��� ��� l��)

Please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns about storage.

0300 124 0040

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Our offices are closed through Christmas and New Year Our offices are closed from 4:45pm on Friday 21st December and reopen at 8:45am on Wednesday 2nd January.

We will still have essential cover for some of our services.

Remember when we are closed you can still get in touch online at www.MyCartrefi.org or via the MyCartrefi App to: • Report a repair • Make a payment • See your rent statements and more…

If you have a housing emergency during this time please call 0300 124 0040 anytime, day or night.

Asking for some help and support costs you nothing

At Cartrefi Conwy we have a dedicated money support team offering help to tenants and households across the region.

They can help you to check you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to.

Are you struggling on Universal Credit?

Drop in and talk to us about • How to apply • Your rent details • Your Universal Credit amount Every Tuesday at Llandudno Job Centre and every Friday at Colwyn Bay Job Centre between 1:30pm – 4:30pm, or call 0300 124 0040 and ask for Katy.

Happy holidays and stay safe everyone…

Don’t Get Bitten

by Loan Sharks

Competition Time Enter now to win an Arriva Bus Pass for a year! This is our last competition to celebrate our 10th year anniversary.

Don’t get out of your depth by overspending this Christmas. Otherwise you could end up with more than just that sinking feeling to deal with…

If you or someone you know are the victim of a loan shark or think there may be a loan shark operating in your area then…

Bite Back! Contact the completely confidential 24 hour support hotline 0300 123 3311.

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To enter, send us a private message on Facebook, email us at communications@ cartreficonwy.org or send your details to: Cartrefi Conwy, North Wales Business Park, Morfa Gele, Cae Eithin, Abergele, LL22 8LJ. Remember to give us your phone number and address.

Entry open to Cartrefi Conwy tenants only.

Closing date Friday 18th January 2019.

www.cartreficonwy.org

Congratulations to our latest

Home Reward winner!

I Pay £200 prize draw every month Open to all our tenants who are up-todate with their rent and pay on time.

Miss Dobson, I Pay winner

I’m Connected £200 prize draw every month Open to all our tenants who are connected with Cartrefi Conwy online, using the MyCartrefi web portal to pay rent, report repairs or manage accounts.

I’m Involved £100 prize draw every three months Open to all our tenants who get involved in their community or get involved in improving Cartrefi Conwy’s services.

I’m Proud £100 prize draw every month Open to all our tenants who have received a Home Partner visit in the last month and take care of their homes, keeping them clean and tidy.

0300 124 0040

Congratulations to our recent 10 Good Things winners The Win Free Broadband for a Year competition was won by Teresa Meechan from Llanrwst. £250 of Love2Shop Christmas won by a well deserving winner from Rhos on Sea.

We’re also proud competition winners Recently we were winners of the Customer Service Excellence award at the nationwide Chartered Institute of Housing Awards Cymru.

We also won Finance Team of the Year at the CIPFA Wales Awards.

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Apprentices benefit from our partnership with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service The free Safe and Well Check scheme with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is now in its fourth year and has been a potential lifesaver from day one. The success of this scheme relies on being able to talk with tenants in your homes to spot any concerns for your safety and wellbeing, and help you take action to improve this.

In recent months apprentices from both our organisations are being offered the opportunity to learn more about how we both work together to protect our communities.

Jade Gibbs is a Business Fire Safety Apprentice at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and is part way through a three-year apprenticeship.

As part of her learning experience, she has spent six weeks on placement with Cartrefi Conwy.

Jade Gibbs pictured with our Manging Director Gwynne Jones

In her Customer Service apprenticeship role with Cartrefi Conwy, Maya Waud was asked to send out a letter to tenants to arrange a Safe and Well Check in their home.

Maya made some small changes to the letter before sending it out that resulted in hundreds of more tenants than before phoning in to book a visit. Maya said: “I answered the calls with other colleagues and booked in lots of Safe and Well Checks into the New Year.

“I think it’s great that my apprenticeship with Cartrefi Conwy gives me the opportunity to make a difference, especially on something as important as this.”

When was the last time you had a Safe and Well Check in your home?

If it’s been over a year, then get in touch to book one today.

Maya Waud

Make the most of where you live This year’s Older Person’s Day was another fabulous event celebrating the fantastic contribution older people make in our communities.

Congratulations to: Outstanding Neighbour Renee Owen – Tan y Graig, Llanrwst 6

Outstanding Volunteer Elaine and Steve Davis, Y Fron Colwyn Bay Older Persons Welsh Award Gordon Jones, Tan y Graig Llanrwst.

Judges Hero Welsh Award Rose Haycock from Cysgod y Goarth, Llandudno

www.cartreficonwy.org

Fly-tipping

Talk to erf@conwy.gov.uk or 01492 575337 to find Fly-tipping is dumping rubbish out more about extra bins, in the street or leaving bin recycling, bulky collections bags outside, instead of using and what you can or can’t bins and recycling boxes. take to your recycling centre.

What a mess We have set up a special task force to look at new ways of dealing with waste management near our homes.

We have introduced CCTV in areas where fly-tipping is an issue and we will be looking at doing this in Minafon. It is tenants’ own responsibility to use the right bins for their rubbish, and we would urge you to let us know if you see members of the public disposing of rubbish illegally, so we can work with Conwy County Borough Council to stop this happening.

It makes our communities Why not download the look dirty and messy, and Conwy Recyling app free and: dumped rubbish can be a fire • Receive a weekly collection risk. reminder so you never forget your collection day or which containers are due for collection • Receive alerts if your collection is delayed or your collection day changes

Fly-tipping is also expensive - you can get a £400 fixed penalty notice for fly-tipping, or a fine up to £50,000, or 12 months in prison. We will also take tenancy action against Cartrefi Conwy tenants who dump their rubbish.

If you are struggling with your rubbish, DON’T DUMP IT!

• Find out what items can and cannot be recycled and which container to use • Locate your nearest recycling bank or recycling centre • Request replacement food waste bags and much more! www.conwy.gov.uk/en/ Resident/Recycling-andWaste/The-Conwy-App. aspx

Perhaps you’ve got an idea to help keep your community tidy?

Cartrefi Conwy’s Community Chest Fund could help!

The fund supports small-scale projects that improve the quality of life for our tenants and the community they live in.

Grants of up to £1000 are available to any voluntary, community or recreational groups.

Are you interested in joining a group in your area? If so, get in touch so we can let you know what they do and when they meet.

Or perhaps you can start your own.

Did you know we offer £150 start-up grants to help groups get started, and another £100 a year to help keep them up and running?

Contact Megan Rose on 01745 335536 or megan.rose@cartreficonwy.org

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Beat the January Blues We also have many activities running in January to beat those blues They say New Year brings with it the January blues but why not check out what is going on in and around where you live?

Have you heard about Dewis Cymru?

Dewis Cymru is the place to go if you want information or advice about your well-being – or want to know how you can help somebody else.

When we talk about your wellbeing, we don’t just mean your health. We mean things like where you live, how safe and secure you feel, getting out and about, and keeping in touch with family and friends.

No two people are the same, and wellbeing means different things to different people.

So Dewis Cymru is here to help you.

We loved hearing about ‘Wee Ones meeting Wise Ones’ bringing mothers and infants together with older people. Despite the weather, many made it to the first session held at Y Fron community centre in Colwyn Bay to sing nursery rhymes, have a cuppa and chat with, of course, lots of cuddles from the wee ones.

‘Wee Ones meeting Wise Ones’ is a partnership project with Conwy Council’s Community Wellbeing Team, National Childbirth Trust and Cartrefi Conwy.

So, babies and toddlers, bring your parents to Y Fron Community Centre on 10th January for songs and rhymes.

Find out more on their website https://www.dewis.wales/the-place-forwellbeing-in-wales Or call 0300 303 3444

‘Tea and Tiaras’ a new social club for older people, held in The Tabernacle in Llandudno Entry is free with afternoon tea, and entertainment and dancing.

Spaces are limited, so reserve your place on 10th or 31st January, 2–4:30 PM. Email info@cultureactionllandudno.co.uk or give them a ring on 01492871502.

Tea and Tiaras is a joint project with Cartrefi Conwy, Arts and Business Cymru, Cais and Culture Action Conwy.

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Keep posted to our Facebook page, visit our website or call and ask what else we have going on. You might be surprised what there is to take part in from walking to cooking to meditation and more. www.cartreficonwy.org