Together Newsletter Spring 2019

Y CARTREFI CONW 2019 SPRING EDITION

Thank you for helping make where you live safer.

We’ve rolled out the Notice of Tort to all areas. As your landlord this notice allows us to remove personal items you leave in communal areas.

During this time owners can come and collect their items.

After 14 days we can get rid of the items. We recycle, sell or put them in the general waste.

Why do we need to do this?

More on Page 8

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Scrutiny panel review the way we deal with Anti Social Behaviour Read more p.2 enquiries@cartreficonwy.org • Customer Service: 0300 124 0040 All calls with Customer Services are recorded Audio and print copies of this newsletter are available

Scrutiny panel review the way we deal with Anti Social Behaviour Between January and October 2018 your tenant scrutiny panel met nine times to review the way we deal with Anti Social Behaviour (ASB). During this time the panel were looking for things they thought we were doing well and things that they thought we could be doing a little better.

Noise App Trial Thanks to panel for their suggestions that are improving the way we handle ASB

As part of the ASB review, Burnie, the Vice Chair of the Scrutiny Panel, took part in a trial for the new ‘Noise App’ that is now available to tenants to record and report noise nuisance.

Tenants can now download a FREE and easy to use mobile app called The Noise App. It allows you to report and capture evidence of noise nuisance which is reported directly to us. It can be downloaded from: www.thenoiseapp.com or by searching for ‘The Noise App RHE’ at Google Play or the Apple App Store.

During the trial Burnie was able to try out all of the features of the app. Burnie also got to see how the app worked for staff once noise nuisance recordings had been sent to Cartrefi Conwy.

We are using new software that will make it easier for colleagues to deal with ASB. We have made some changes to the questions we ask about ASB. This makes it easier to monitor tenant satisfaction and to try and put things right if tenants are not satisfied.

For more info, contact Jan or Linda in the ASB Team.

Join us on our Wednesday Walkabouts Throughout the year a team from Cartrefi Conwy will be visiting your area. Quite often your local councillors, fire service and police officers join us. We take notes and talk about any problems we may see or have heard about and take action to make improvements.

24 April 2019 Maes Canol 29 May 2019

We value what you have to say about where you live, so please join us on our walkabout.

Llandudno Junction

Our full Wednesday Walkabout calendar is on our website. If you can’t join us but want to speak to us, please contact us and ask for your Neighbourhood Coordinator

Trefriw, Dolgarrog, Tal Y Bont & Rowen

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26 June 2019

www.cartreficonwy.org

all our recent to s n o ti la tu ra g n Co

! s r e n n i w d r Home Rewa

win hundreds s you the chance to ve gi ds ar w Re e e Don’t forget Hom rent, using our onlin ur yo ng yi pa y pl onth for sim ad on… of pounds every m and talking to us. Re e m ho ur yo r te af services, looking

Eleri Jones, I’m Involved winner gets her £100 cash prize from Allison Hughes

I Pay £200 prize draw every month Home Rewards I Pay £200 cash prize draw for paying your rent.

I’m Connected £200 prize draw every month

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.

Message from tenants Do you know that if you pay your rent using a swipe card Catrefi Conwy gets charged for this?

We found this out during a tenant consultation event in February we went to on the annual rent increase.

We asked to share this info with you in our tenant newsletter.

If you pay by swipe card think about changing to Direct Debit or paying online.

Remember if you pay online you will also automatically get entered into the Home Rewards – I’m Connected monthly cash prize draw with a chance to win £200.

0300 124 0040

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Creating Enterprise, is full of opportunities If you have not visited our tenant hub at Creating Enterprise then maybe it’s time you did.

Why? Since it opened a year ago the Employment Academy has had over 1,000 visitors.

The Employment Academy has helped 60 tenants find work.

Even if you are working you should still think about visiting.

Job Fair 1st May 10:00 – 14:00 18 local employers will be looking to recruit local people at the Employment Academy. Want to know more on who will be there?

Get in touch with Richard by email: richard.chance@creatingenterprise.co.uk or phone 07391 019 941 Volunteering Opportunities We also have over 50 opportunities available now from Administration, Caretaker, Painting, Ground Work and more...

We give on the job training including Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), First Aid, Asbestos Awareness, IT, Customer Service and more...

Is working worth it for you and your family?

No, not really, sort of…

Why is this?

Childcare costs, zero hour contracts, need new skills…

Whatever your reason is we’d love to hear it.

Why? We have £500,000 in funding to work with you and put a group together that will make work worth it for all. If you’re a working family living in Peulwys, Rhos on Sea, Mochdre, Old Colwyn or Llandudno and reading this thinking what’s this about then get in touch. This could make your working life better... think how amazing that would feel?

Speak with Ffion about joining the group email Ffion.lloyd@creatingenterprise.co.uk or call 07799519567

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www.cartreficonwy.org

r o f y d a e R Get t n e m y o l p Em If you are unemployed and over 25 we have groups starting in May and July Join the Tuesday morning or Thursday afternoon group.

Over 8 weeks, you can work towards your own goals, build confidence and meet new people. Plus we put on lunch and give you a bus ticket to get you there.

Interested?

Book your place with Karen by email karen.williams@creatingenterprise.org.uk or give her a call on 07799519596

who Congratulations to Andrew h DPD wit t has secured employmen Jobs Café UK. Andrew came to the nd himself earlier this year having fou supported unemployed and has been his job search one to one by Richard on , we are really journey. Well done Andrew pleased for you! ort to find a job If you are looking for supp fé for a cuppa then pop into our Jobs Ca every Monday and a chat. We are open m – 12pm.

1pm – 3pm and Friday 9a

0300 124 0040

Volunteer ➡️ Trainee Admin Assistant in the Employment Academy ➡️ Finance Support Administrator We are all very proud of Joanne, who has started her new role as Finance Support Administrator. This is what she had to say about her journey at Creating Enterprise. If you feel inspired - send us a message and we can help you too!

‘I had not been working for over 10 years when I started volunteering with Creating Enterprise.

I have become a new person, my confidence has grown enormously. I have gained new skills and qualifications. I was successful with an 18 month paid contract gaining a Diploma in Business and Administration and now have been successful again in another position in the Finance department. I will be gaining new skills and experiences.

I would really recommend volunteering as you gain work skills, and vacancies turn up. The ongoing support has been tremendous especially from Sioned, Jean and the team. It has made me a better person. Thank you’

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What’s going on where I live?

We have many groups running social activities. There is a lot going on so keep up to date online or ask colleagues you speak with. Don’t miss out.

Make the most of where you live Don’t forget to visit your local council’s website and make the most of out of living in the county and its neighbours. www.conwy.gov.uk We often forget to enjoy what tourists do when they visit North Wales.

For all our latest news,competitions and opportunities visit our website

Visit Go North Wales tourist information www.gonorthwales.co.uk

www.cartreficonwy.org and follow us on Facebook.com/ officialcartreficonwy

Stress is a normal part of life The quicker we accept this and plan to deal with it as part of our daily routine the easier it is to handle the challenges life throws at us.

But doing this is not easy especially when you are really stressed out and feel all on your own. Thats why we run free activities to help you stop feeling so stressed.

Taking the first steps to breaking the way you deal with stress is not easy… Think about giving it a go you will feel better and can continue to feel better step by step, 6

day by day. Don’t cut yourself off. Remember we do still live in a world where there are good people offering us help when we don’t feel so good.

Reach out and grab that help and tell people you know to do the same.

We had a great time on our latest tenant walk.

A big thank you to the Outdoor Partnership who supplied the waterproofs and boots so we were properly kitted out for day

Mindful Movement and Relaxation Sessions Trinity Community Centre (Trinity Avenue) every Thursday 10:30am from May 23rd Contact Lydia Watson on 07733012521 / 0300 124 0040 Email: lydia.watson@cartreficonwy.org

www.cartreficonwy.org

The Great British Breakfast at Maes Cwstenin, Llandudno Junction Tenants at Maes Cwstennin have been cooking a slap up breakfast to tempt neighbours out of their flats and enjoy some great company. The idea came after students of Llandrillo college spent a season working on their cooking skills at the weekly brunch club in the lounge at Maes Cwstenin.

They have a regular crowd and Piet says it’s so good to see people enjoying a great meal and having a chat and a laugh with their neighbours’.

Piet even delivers a breakfast on wheels for those that are unable to make it to the lounge. Gwyneth enjoys preparing the food and waiting on tables. She says it keeps her busy and gives her a sense of purpose.

Pat Hughes is a regular who says it’s so nice to have a great breakfast in good company. When you’re on your own you can’t be bothered to cook for yourself The tenants enjoyed the brunch club so much that after so this is wonderful. I come down about 11am and the the students left, Piet Botes breakfast keeps me full and Gwyneth Newall made until I have my dinner in the the decision to put on their aprons and continue this social evening. get together. Every Monday Another regular, Diane Wright morning they cook a full English says ‘the food is great and breakfast including a bottom it’s so nice to see people less cup of tea or coffee. getting out of their flat and

The chefs Piet and Gwyneth

Pat Hughes

enjoying a bit of company’.

We’re supporting the fire service on their life-saving campaign North Wales Fire and Rescue Service launched a major campaign urging people living in Llandudno to report potential fire risks like hoarding. We’ve joined forces with them to help get the message out to tenants about reducing the risk of fire hazards in their homes.

The ‘Tell us before it’s too late’ campaign is asking residents to get in touch if they suspect potential fire risks in their neighbourhoods, including hoarding and people smoking in bed.

0300 124 0040

Our apprentices support the campaign and visit North Wales Fire and Rescue Service control room in St Asaph

Lyn, Olwen and Rose from Cysgod y Gogarth support the campaign.

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Thank you for helping make where you live safer Why do we need Tort?

We use safety professionals to carry out Fire Risk Assessments in our buildings. They told us many of our buildings were not safe. The reason, we were allowing tenants to leave personal things outside of their front doors and in areas they share with other tenants.

New Home New You

These items may not only be a fire risk but in an emergency restrict exit and entry routes and cause people to slip, trip or fall, putting life at risk.

So thank you to everyone for understanding why we can’t allow you to leave your personal things outside of your front door and in areas you share with other tenants.

You are making where you live safer.

Intermediate Rents and Rent to Own If you are working and living in one of our homes and earn between £16,000 - £44,000 have you thought about owning your own home?

We have homes available now that cost 20% less than private sector rent giving you a chance to save for a deposit for a new home.

Also available now Rent to Own homes in Bron y Castell, Abergele and Parc Aberkinsy, Rhyl. You can Rent to Own if you are working or selfemployed and have a household income under £60,000. But you cannot Rent to Own if you receive Housing Benefit or already own a home.

For more info on our Rent to Own homes contact HAWS on www.haws.og.uk or call 01745 335690 To find out if you are eligible to apply visit Rent to Own Wales https://gov.wales/rent-own-wales

How are we doing?

Look out for our Tenant Satisfact ion Survey which we will be sen ding you in May. You can fill it in online here - hyper link to the survey here: https://cartreficonwy.org/survey -2019 or do it the old fashioned wa y in the post.

What you tell us matters as it hel ps us improve our services. We will enter everyone who completes the sur vey into a prize draw to win £250 Love to Shop vouchers.

Please send us your completed sur 8

veys by

May 31st 2019 www.cartreficonwy.org