Together Autumn 2017

CARTREFI CONWY

R E H T E G O T AUTUMN EDITION

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ALSO INSIDE...

Congratulatio ns to our recent I Pay an d I’m Proud award winners John Sullivan and his wife who w ere celebrating th eir 44th wedding anniv ersary as well as her birthday the week they won.

UE Mrs Sheila Pib CHESTER AVEN worth 5 FUN DAY Pg www.cartreficonwy.org FETY A S T E G S ID K I enquiries@cartreficonwy.org GRAFFIT Customer Service: 0300 124 0040 IN A CAN Pg 8 All calls with Customer Services are recorded Audio copies of this newsletter are available

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GET CONNECTED: REGISTER FOR MYCARTREFI NOW GO TO WWW.MYCARTREFI.ORG

As a thank you for using MyCartrefi, every month that you use our online service, we will enter you into a prize draw for a chance to win £200.

Using MyCartrefi you can: • Make a payment • Report repairs

• Get in touch with us • View your statement

• Check your balance • Update your contact details

Getting online with MyCartrefi is really easy but if you need any help, let us know: Call: 0300 1240040 | Email: enquiries@cartreficonwy.org | Online: www.cartreficonwy.org

HOW TO REGISTER STEP 1

Go to www.MyCartrefi.org and enter your tenancy reference, date of birth and surname.

STEP 2

Enter your email address and then create a username and password that you will use to log on in future.

STEP 3

You will receive an email with a link to activate your account.

To register you will need to enter your tenancy reference number.

This can be found on any letter sent to you from Cartrefi Conwy.

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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THE GREAT GATSBY GIRLS

THE KICK OFF ON’S DAY OLDER PERS

This year’s Older Person’s Day was another fantastic event celebrating the fabulous contribution older people make in our communities.

Janet Finch-Saunders, Aberconwy AM and Welsh Conservatives’ Older People’s Champion welcomed over 200 guests and opened the celebrations. The room was soon abuzz as guests tucked in to lunch and the afternoon’s entertainment kicked off in flamboyant style with a star performance from the great Gatsby Girls.

Alongside the celebrations guests picked up useful tips and advice especially around getting online to save money and beat loneliness.

As afternoon tea was served the room fell silent for the highlight of the day, the Awards Ceremony. We received 43 nominations from tenants and colleagues. The surprised, emotional and deserving winners were Diane Wright from Maes Cwstenin who won Outstanding Neighbour for always being there for her neighbours and being a friend who is constantly looking out for them.

Margaret Richardson from Parkway won the Outstanding Volunteer award for the hundreds of volunteer hours making the shared gardens outstandingly beautiful in Parkway.

This was a double celebration as Parkway were once again winners of Colwyn in Bloom 2017.

The top award of Older Person’s Champion went to Ernie Seabright from Cysgod y Gogarth for all he does for his neighbours and community.

Ernie’s famous smile shone through as he received his award.

The judges praised all the winners and said it was really hard for them to choose the winners because all of the nominees were winners in their eyes for what they do for their neighbours.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR NOMINEES Jean Williams Norma Roberts Jeanette Smith Steve & Elaine Davis Ernie Seabright Brenda Robinson Margaret Richardson Diane Wright Dilys Roberts Burnie Clutton Margaret Rowlinson Richard Blackwell Glyn & Iris Lloyd Pauline Sparkes Christine Eardley Annabella Orr Buddug Cotton Bill Shields Janet Griffith Terry Oldbury Tilly Goodwin Olwyn Rowlands Carl Dutton Gwylym Jones Gerald Dunphy

The judges also made a decision to give a one off award this year to couple Steve and Elaine Davies to recognise their community spirit and dedication to neighbours.

WATC H / https:// youtu.be V2bbOLbV7Q8

We have lots of weekly activities being run by older people for older people out in our communities. Ask your Independent Living Coordinator what’s going on in your area or phone us on 0300 124 0040 or visit www.cartreficonwy.org

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GETTING ONLINE IN CONWY You don’t need to have your own computer or laptop at home. If you are a library member, you can use one at your local library free of charge.

GETTING ONLINE CAN HELP YOU: • Keep in touch with your friends and family • Manage your money • Search for jobs • Apply for Universal Credit and other benefits • Learn more about the things that interest you

If you’re in need of a little extra IT support why not visit your nearest job clubs. They have dedicated staff on hand to help and answer questions on a range of topics including e-mail, saving documents, attaching files like your CV and searching the Internet.

WEEKLY JOB CLUBS Colwyn Bay 22 Station Road , LL29 8BYU Every Tuesday 10 am to 4pm 01492 575578

Llandudno Ty Llywellyn, Hospital Road, LL30 1LA Every Thursday 10 am to 4pm 01492 575578

Pensarn Area Dewi Sant Centre, S Parade Pensarn LL22 7RG Every Wednesday 10 am to 4pm 01492 575578

Llanrwst Area Golygfa Gwydir Llanrwst LL26 0AG Every Monday 10 am to 4pm 01492 640945

Plus you can get in touch with our digital champions at Cartrefi Conwy and Creating Enterprise who can arrange to meet up with you. Call Lydia Watson 07733012521 or Sioned Williams 01745 335684

GET ONLINE SESSIONS AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY Abergele Library, Tuesday 10am Colwyn Bay Library, Monday 10:30am Conwy Library, Friday 10am Llandudno Library, Wednesday 10am Llanrwst Library, Wednesday 5pm

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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THE CHESTER AVENUE

FUN DAY

It was great to be involved in another action-packed event that had everything from Morris dancers to donkey rides, tombola to live music. Even Harry Styles made an appearance, but only a cardboard cut-out version of the pop superstar unfortunately.

The event was organised by the local Group Residents’ Association, Chester Avenue Community Action.

Stan Burrows, who is the chair, said: “We have had so much going on and the community has raised a great deal of money which will go toward trips out for the elderly and young people living nearby”.

Sally Tierney and Sharon Hughes, from Parc Peulwys estate in Llysfaen, brought along some members of the Sharelles Morris Dancing Troupe who put on a display for the revellers.

Plus Rhyl Football Club added some competition to the day with a penalty shoot-out with prizes of replica first team shirts as well as scarves and other memorabilia up for grabs.

Rhyl FC managing director Mike Jones was delighted to support the community day.

He said: “As a football club Cartrefi Conwy is very important to us as they are our main sponsors. It’s been great to support the Chester Avenue’s community funday and the residents and tenants of Chester Avenue.

ANOTHER CHANCE TO WIN

Rhyl FC Team replica first team shirts and memorabilia scarf.

Simply unscramble the anagram below and call or email the communications team on 01745 335345 or communications@cartreficonwy.org with your answer before the Friday 3rd November 2017

Oh Limey Wolfish Teeth 0300 124 0040 Cartrefi Autumn Newsletter 2017.indd 5

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PROUD SPONSORS Remember we are proud sponsors of RGC and Rhyl FC and we have a number of free home match tickets to offer tenants.We are working closely with both clubs to give our tenants the opportunity to get their sporting talent scouted.

RGC had a great 1st season in the premiership making history against Pontypridd with their fantastic win in the WRU National Cup Winners 2017 final.

Their good form continues this season and we’ve seen some amazing games and wins in recent games.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for a chance to win tickets or call the Communications team on 01745 335345 6

www.cartreficonwy.org

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CARTREFI CONWY

FU N R U N

SUNDAY 19TH NOVEMBER THE QUAY IN CONWY

6 BENEFITS OF RUNNING

Get the whole family involved in the carnival atmosphere of the Conwy Half Marathon organised by Run Wales.

• Prevent disease

Run 1 mile of the Conwy Half Marathon race course cheered on by hundreds of supporters.

• Boost your confidence

Get set, ready, steady, go off the start line and enjoy then bask in your moment of triumph as you cross the finish line and collect your prize medal.

• Improve your health

• Lose weight

• Relieve stress • Eliminate depression Running really is incredibly beneficial to the body, mind, and spirit. Even short runs can leave you feeling more energised, more focused, and better able to enjoy all that life has to offer.

Tenants can enter the fun run for FREE cations Team on Enter for free now by calling the Communi artreficonwy.org 01745 335345 or email:communications@c 0300 124 0040 Cartrefi Autumn Newsletter 2017.indd 7

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GRAFFITI KIDS GET SAFETY IN A CAN Thanks to the members of the Tyˆ Llywelyn Youth Club in Llandudno for working with professional graffiti artist Andy Birch. They’ve created colourful signs to help us promote the environmental project that’s now well under way at the Tre Cwm estate.

With around 50 different projects taking place over a 10-month period it’s vital that young people know of the dangers of heavy plant machinery moving about the area as well as making sure they don’t use fenced off areas to play in.

Youth Club member Violet Sturdy, 11, really enjoyed getting involved and said: “It’s a great idea to let people know what work is going on and to learn about safety around construction and machinery.

“Plus, I’ve always wanted to do art with spray cans and I can do it here without getting into trouble and we are making something really useful that loads of people will get to see. It’s a great idea.”

Stay up to date with all the latest Tre Cwm Environmental Project news by visiting Tre Cwm on Facebook at www.facebook.com/trecwm 8

www.cartreficonwy.org

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TWIST AND PULSE

DUO STAR AT THE

BIG DAY OUT Thanks to the hundreds of tenants who came along for another great Big Day Out. Britain’s Got Talent street dance duo Twist and Pulse wowed the audience this year.

They were joined by the amazing Jamie Lee Harrison (finalist in this year’s Britain’s Got Talent) and rock band Venus Demilo.

HERE’S WHAT SOME OF YOU HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE DAY WATC H /

https:// youtu.be YPtvI71z61Y

The theme of the day was ‘getting connected’ and Don Jackson was there as Cartrefi Conwy’s digital ambassador to encourage our older tenants to get ‘surfing’. Don told us how getting online had helped him beat loneliness after his wife passed away.

Remember every month you use our online service www.mycartrefi.org we will enter you into the I’m connected prize draw for a chance to win £200

Don said: “Learning how to use an iPad opened the door for me. Lots of friends all over the country use e-mail and Facebook and now I can find them. It also meant I could track down my best man, John Bushere, who I hadn’t spoken to for over 60 years.”

Don’s now using e-mail and Facebook regularly and encourages older people to get online and not be frightened of using it.

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0300 124 0040

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KEEP ON SUPPORTING PEOPLE CAMPAIGN A huge thank you to all tenants, colleagues, local Councillors and AMs who took part in the Keep on Supporting People campaign.

Your support has helped secure funding for the next two years!

Welsh Government’s Supporting People programme supports more than 57,000 people nationally each year to live as independently as they can. The funding allows Cartrefi Conwy’s Independent Living Service to give essential support for our older tenants. Without it we would not be able to run so many successful activities for our older tenants.

A huge round of applause goes to the ‘Altogether Group’ from Llanrwst who have raised an amazing £5,926.70 for Macmillan.

WATC H / https:// youtu.be jloHW-ZBU_Q

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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COMMUNITY SAFETY INFORMATION ALERT tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids.

Avoid using your tumble dryer and washing machine when you are sleeping or not at home.

Tumble dryers are the second most likely electrical appliance to cause fires in the home.

Don’t overload your dryer or load with dripping wet items.

Here’s some simple safety tips for using tumble dryers:

Try to remove clothes as soon as the cycle is completed and always use the cooling phase of the cycle.

Remove the fluff from the filter after every load.

Do not cover the vent or any other opening.

Ensure the vent pipe is free of kinks and is not crushed in any way.

Signs that your tumble dryer is not properly ventilated: Clothes take a very long time to dry.

Clothes feel hotter than usual at the end of the cycle.

Only use recommended vent pipes.

Only vent warm air to the outside of a building.

Do not put rags or materials into your

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AUTUMN IS A MAGICAL TIME

But don’t let it turn into a nightmare. Staying safe at ht is Halloween and Bonfire Nig ding an not rocket science. Atten y is pla organised fireworks dis the safest way.

It’s the fourth year Cartrefi Conwy has been in a working partnership with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service. We work together by carrying out regular stay safe and well checks inside your home to help you: • Reduce the risk of fire • Prevent trips and slips • Keep your home secure Carol Richards, Home Safety Officer at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is also training 12 colleagues at Cartrefi Conwy to carry out these checks inside your homes. Carol said: “The partnership is great for both organisations as we get to visit almost 4,000 homes to go through routine safety checks.

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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This is really important especially for older tenants or maybe others facing issues that put them at risk of injury or worse inside their homes.

But it’s also important for everyone as we can all become too relaxed inside our homes and often can’t see the risks.

KEEPING YOU SAFE AND WELL IN YOUR HOME

A lot of what we cover is all common sense stuff but we remind people of good safety habits. Simple things like testing your fire alarms on a weekly basis, not overloading sockets especially as we have so many gadgets these days and switching sockets off at night or when you are not at home”.

So it’s important you keep your appointments – we’re not visiting to judge anyone but to help keep you safe and well - you never know our visit might save your live!

Homes with an up to date Gas Service

100% Fire Risk Assessment responsive jobs completed within target

100% RESULTS JUST IN We caught up with Carol and Custom Liaison Officer, Linda Holmes on a visit to a new tenant’s home in Parc Peulwys.

The tenant already follows a good routine to keep her family safe and well in their new home but there were still a few things that Carol suggested she could change. This tenant also pointed out some of her own concerns that we were able to follow up straight away.

Repairs completed right first time

93.25% Satisfaction with the repairs service

99.31%

Emergency repairs completed within the 24 hour target

98.52% Average time to re-let a home

17.9 Days 0300 124 0040 13

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THE FIRST ‘FIRST STEPS’ INTO EMPLOYMENT COURSE GETS UNDERWAY FIRST STEPS INTO EMPLOYMENT OFFERS FREE TRAINING COURSES FOR TENANTS. THE COURSES RUN FOR 11 WEEKS AND EACH WEEK TENANTS WILL HAVE A HALF DAY’S TRAINING PREPARING FOR A JOB AND ONE DAY VOLUNTEERING IN A ROLE THAT INTERESTS THEM. The first course started on the 9th October and the next course starts on the 13th November. So if you live in a Cartrefi Conwy home, are over 25, have been unemployed for more than 1 year and can commit to 1.5 days for 11 weeks why not apply? You’ll improve your job skills to help find work, meet new people and we’ll pay you any out of pocket expenses.

Congratulations to Creating Enterprise tenant volunteers Joanne and Sarah who both received the Bronze Award after volunteering for over 50 hours. It was a double celebration for Joanne as she had also just found out she’d got a new job as an Administration Assistant with the team.

We also gave a warm welcome to our new volunteer Wendy Davies whose volunteering with James the Caretaker at our Head Office in Abergele. We’re all amazed at Wendy fitting in the time to volunteer as she is a busy full time carer to her husband and looks after her grandson.

CALL SIONED ON 01745 335698 FOR MORE INFORMATION

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www.creatingenterprise.org.uk

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CREATING ENTERPRISE RDS SCOOP NATIONAL AWA At the Social Business Wales Awards Creating Enterprise was named Social Enterprise of the Year in Wales. We also won the Education, Training and Employment Enterprise of the Year.

This is a huge achievement and truly puts Creating Enterprise on the map in Wales. It will help us promote our aims to continue to grow and give many more work place opportunities to our tenants.

For all the latest Creating Enterprise news, info and opportunities check out our website: www.creatingenterprise.org.uk or call 01745 335684

facebook.com/creatingenterprise/

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S K R A H S N A O L Y B N E DON’T GET BITT SPENDING THIS

UR DEPTH BY OVER DON’T GE T OUT OF YO WITH MORE THAN P U D EN LD U O C U O Y ISE C HRISTMAS. OTHERW TO DEAL WITH… G IN EL FE G IN K IN S AT JUST TH

We’re here to help. Asking for some help and support costs you nothing.

At Cartrefi Conwy we have a dedicated 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.

They also provide useful hints and tips on: • Bank accounts • Budgeting • Managing your money • Borrowing money • Avoiding debt - especially with doorstop and other high street lenders • Dealing with debt •

Getting access to the best discounts

It’s all about helping you take control and getting the most out of your money, now and in the future. Why not give us a call today and talk to one of our dedicated Financial Inclusion team members.

All discussions are confidential and the team can visit you in your home or can meet you in one of our offices, whatever suits you best.

Call us on 0300 124 0040 and ask to speak Amanda or Katy or leave a message for them to call you back.

AMANDA AND KATY SO FAR THIS YEAR HAVE HELPED TENANTS CLAIM OVER £165,335

Check out the Take Control section of our website for useful information on managing your money:

www.cartreficonwy.org/take-control Are you the victim of a loan shark or think there may be a loan shark operating in your area?

BITE BACK - CONTACT THE COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL 24 HOUR SUPPORT HOTLINE 0300 123 3311.

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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SURPRISE, SURPRISE!

MATT STOWE Congratulations to Cartrefi Conwy’s Matt Stowe, on winning the prestigious Wales Green Flag Employee of the Year title.

We sneaked delighted members of his family into the award ceremony at Parc Peulwys community centre, where his mum and brothers appeared holding up a congratulatory banner.

Matt received the award for his outstanding work at Parc Peulwys.

But it was a double celebration as Parc Peulwys community was presented with another Green Flag environmental award for the third year in a row!

Matt said: “I had no idea I would be presented with this title today, but the main reason we are here is to accept the Green Flag Award of which all the residents in Parc Peulwys can be especially proud. It’s through their determination that this housing estate has been so widely recognised”.

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WHAT IS A COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT DAY? Encourages your local community WHAT HAPPENS ON A COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT DAY? to tackle any environmental issues in the area.

Litter picking and removal of fly-tipping by A day to reduce your community’s carbon footprint by helping you to re-use and recycle as much as possible.

Support you and other local residents to take pride in where you live.

Council staff and supervised voluntary groups from the Youth Justice Service and Community Justice Interventions Wales.

The Environment Response Team carries out small jobs like graffiti removal, painting work, drain clearance and more…

FREE compost is available so remember to bring a suitable container to take it home in.

Get rid of your bulky waste for FREE. There’s also a collection service available by request for anybody who needs help bringing bulky household waste items to the skip.

THIS YEAR’S COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT DAYS

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Date

Location

Tuesday 28th November 2017

Gorlan Estate Conwy

Tuesday 12th December 2017

Abergele

Wednesday 24th January 2018

Cae Mawr Llandudno

Wednesday 21st February 2018

Betws yn Rhos

www.cartreficonwy.org

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GET THE CONWY RECYLING APP FREE

HAVE YOU GOT AN IDEA TO KEEP YOUR COMMUNITY TIDY? Remember CARTREFI CONWY’S COMMUNITY CHEST provides funding of up to £3000. We support small scale projects that can pay for: • Equipment and materials for Community Groups • Small scale environmental improvements

You’ll receive a weekly collection reminder so you never forget your collection day or which containers are due for collection

• Learning and training opportunities

Receive alerts if your collection is delayed or your collection day changes

Call Clare Phipps on 01745 335656 or 07887 553802 or email: clare.phipps@cartreficonwy.org and ask for an application today.

Find out what items can and cannot be recycled and which container to use

• Community groups activities and events and more…

Locate your nearest recycling bank or recycling centre Request replacement food waste bags and much more! www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Resident/Recyclingand-Waste/The-Conwy-App.aspx

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LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE It’s important to try to be tolerant with your neighbours and remember that we lead different lifestyles. Stay reasonable, considerate and mindful towards your neighbours.

Think about: • Keeping the volume of your TV, radio and music down, especially late at night.

• If you own a dog and you have to leave it alone make sure it’s well exercised and fed.

A radio for company or a friend visiting can break up a lonely day. A dog will only bark a lot if they are not content.

• Putting noisy household equipment such as washing machines and dish washers away from partition walls or placing them on a carpet or rubber mat to reduce vibration.

• Doing the vacuuming at reasonable times – especially in a flat or an attached property.

Avoid early morning or late night cleaning.

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• Taking care when closing doors, especially if you live in a flat with a shared entrance.

When having a party, especially if entertaining outside or late evening, tell your neighbours about your plans in advance; perhaps even invite them along!

• When doing DIY try and make sure you carry out the noisiest jobs during the day.

Keep the evening for quieter work such as painting and decorating.

• Children playing, it’s important that an adult keeps an eye on the level of noise.

• Strong cooking smells or smoke drift fumes carrying, especially if you live in a flat. Use your extractor fans or open a window or try to smoke less inside your flat.

REMEMBER TRY TALKING TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS ABOUT A PROBLEM FIRST AS THIS CAN QUICKLY RESOLVE ANY ISSUES.

www.cartreficonwy.org

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