Together Winter 2017

CARTREFI CONWY

R E H T E G O T WINTER EDITION

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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

03/01/2018 12:25

OUT AND ABOUT

FANTASTIC FREEBIES

16 tenants took part in the Conwy Half Marathon Fun Run in November and made the most of free entry from Cartrefi Conwy.

We’ve given away 21 pairs of tickets to tenants for RGC home games this season.

SILVER SURFER Congratulations to Valerie Clemson who won our Older Person’s Day competition for using our online portal MyCartrefi.

We caught up with Valerie and her good friend Holly (a retired guide dog), inside their lovely welcoming home to hand over her prize, an Amazon Kindle Fire.

Valerie was really happy to have won and will be using her prize straight away to get online and stay in contact with family and friends, take photos and use the MyCartrefi online portal.

We’re looking forward to meeting up with Valerie and Holly again to hear more about the volunteering work they do together for Guide Dogs for the Blind charity. So look out for this story in the next edition of Together.

Remember, every month WATC H you use our online service www.mycartrefi.org we will enter https:// youtu. you into the Home Rewards I’m be/32yHnosmdIQ Connected prize draw for a chance to win £200. MyCartrefi is the easiest way to make a payment, report a repair, view your statement, update your contact details and more.

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Four families won the prize draw for free family tickets for Rhyl FC’s game against Leeds United XI.

We were pleased to hand over £50 Love To Shop vouchers to Angharad Haveland for telling us what she thought about the BIG Day Out in our survey.

Don’t forget to follow our Facebook page to find out about future competitions. www.facebook.com/ OfficialCartrefiConwy www.cartreficonwy.org 03/01/2018 12:25

HOME REWARDS CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR LATEST HOME REWARD WINNERS! I’M INVOLVED £100 PRIZE DRAW EVERY 3 MONTHS Open to all our tenants who get involved in their community or get involved in improving Cartrefi Conwy’s services.

Mr Steven Williams

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.

Mrs Lorraine Owens

Miss Tina Williams (pictured)

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.

Rev Mair Jones (pictured)

Ms M E Hughes

I PAY £200 PRIZE DRAW EVERY MONTH Open to all our tenants who are up-to-day with their rent and pay on time.

Mrs Mavis Eastwood

Mr Dennis Rigby (pictured) 0300 124 0040 0300 124 0040

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03/01/2018 12:25

WINTER SECURITY TIPS Burglaries have gone down by 70% in the last 10 years and that’s got a lot to do with improved security doors and windows, like the ones fitted in Cartrefi Conwy properties. But there’s always something extra you can do to keep your home secure.

LEAVE A LIGHT ON During the winter months, it’s easier for burglars to check if your home is empty.

With early dark nights, it’s easy to spot an empty, dark house. If you’re out during the day, leave a light on to make it look like someone’s home. You can also use time switches to turn on the lights in the afternoon or to change which room is lit up. Using low energy bulbs means your home can be lit for as little as a penny a day.

Burglars will often knock at a door to check if a property is empty, but they are less likely to do that if it looks like someone’s home.

KEEP YOUR DOORS LOCKED North Wales Police have reported there has been a number of walk-in burglaries which have happened mid-afternoon and early evening, predominately on the elderly. Each time the victim has been in their home and the burglars have entered by an unlocked front or back door.

DON’T GIFT CRIMINALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STEAL FROM YOU. REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR DOORS LOCKED.

If it’s not an emergency, you can report a crime or chat to the police online or by calling 101.

But if it’s an emergency, always dial 999.

Stay up to date and in touch with your local police: www.north-wales.police.uk/

After the high winds in October, Dan Hornby contacted us about a tree which had fallen in his garden and brought up its roots, damaging his garden’s decorative features.

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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S R U O B H G I E N GOOD

While Dan was out, his neighbour came around with his chainsaw and cut up the tree to help sort out his garden. Dan returned to this good neighbourly act and was surprised by a visit from a robin, who’d come to see what was happening.

“I spent an hour just sitting and watching the beauty that followed after the storm,” said Dan. “It was really nice of my neighbour to help out after what had felt like a disaster.”

03/01/2018 12:25

1.

GET INVOLVED

BER JOIN OUR BOARD AS A TENANT BOARD MEM Our Board members are collectively responsible for setting the vision and priorities for our business and monitoring risks and performance.

5 of the places on our Board of Management are reserved for people who live in our properties. Four of those places are currently filled by: Bill Hunt

Colin Matthews

Rob Redhead

Elwen Roberts

We are now looking for an enthusiastic individual to fill the 5th place.

Do you believe that good housing should be a basic right for all?

To find out more please contact our Governance Team so that we can discuss this with you in more detail before the closing date for applications, which is 29th January 2018.

EMAIL:

enquiries@cartreficonwy.org OR TELEPHONE:

01745 335347 You can find out more about our Board members on our website: www.cartreficonwy.org/about-us/meet-the-board

Are you curious about: •

What impact Cartrefi Conwy is making to benefit our tenants and local communities?

•

Where the money comes from?

•

The people we work with?

•

The risks we face?

If you live in a Cartrefi Conwy property and have answered YES to any of these questions then we’d like to hear from you.

ARE YOU A DIGITAL CHAMPION? Have you got good computer skills? Could you give some of your time to help people who need support to learn to use computers?

Full training and expenses paid – contact Lydia Watson 07733012521 or email lydia.watson@cartreficonwy.org.

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0300 124 0040

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03/01/2018 12:25

FRIDAY FRIGHT

FEVER

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Over 100 children and 30 adults dressed up for a spooktastic Halloween get together at Parc Peulwys. With the disco blaring lots of ghostly moves were pulled on and off the dance floor, along with a pumpkin carving competition, games and ghoulicious food galore.

www.cartreficonwy.org

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03/01/2018 12:25

APPLE PRESSING AT CHESTER AVENUE The Chester Avenue estate has a small community orchard with several apple trees, a pear tree and lots of soft fruit bushes like blackberries and gooseberries.

In recent years the orchard hasn’t had a lot of attention but this year a group of residents re-formed the Green Fingers gardening group. They have started to maintain and manage the orchard, cutting it back and building a composter. The group would like the orchard to be valued as an asset for the community.

In September, local residents hired an apple press for the day and produced fresh apple juice to hand out to people free of charge.

The event was timed to catch children from Ysgol y Forydd and Maes Owen passing by and the event was particularly popular with them. The event was put on with the help of Gwyl Roche from Keep Wales Tidy and support from Cartrefi Conwy.

“We’re promoting healthy eating and helping children to realise where fruit juice comes from. It’s good for them to appreciate fresh, local produce that hasn’t been processed or chemically altered.”

The Green Fingers group are looking to enhance their skills in managing the orchard, learning to prune the trees, install a bench and reinstate the path. They are planning on making the apple pressing an annual event.

est!

Some of this year’s harv

Ray Jones and rk.

Stan Barrows hard at wo

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ct Ray Deakin said the proje se had given him ‘’a new lea of life’’

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03/01/2018 12:25

FLY TIPPING

Fly tipping is dumping rubbish in the street or leaving bin bags outside instead of using bins and recycling boxes.

It makes our communities look dirty and messy, and dumped rubbish can be a fire risk.

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! Here’s what you can do:

EXTRA BINS

If you have more than 6 people living in a household, you can apply for a second wheelie bin from Conwy County Borough Council.

If your bin is filling up with disposable nappies, register for the nappy collection service and you’ll get a nappy bin and bags.

BULKY WASTE If you have big items to get rid of that you can’t get to the Household Recycling Centres, you can pay for Conwy County Borough Council to take them away. It costs from £20.00 for up to four items, and extra items can be booked at £4.00 per item.

You can use this service for: •

Furniture such as sofas, chairs, tables, wardrobes

•

White goods such as fridges, freezers, tumble driers, washing machines

•

Large electrical goods such as televisions, lawnmowers, computers or other items that will not fit into your pink Crest bag for kerbside collection

•

Beds – headboards, bed frames and mattresses are counted as separate items

•

Carpet

To arrange a bulky household or garden waste collection call Conwy County Borough Council’s Environment Advice Team on 01492 575337 or email erf@conwy.gov.uk

Contact erf@conwy.gov.uk or 01492 575337 to find out more about extra bins and nappy collections.

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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03/01/2018 12:25

RECYCLING In the purple bag you can recycle clean clothes, shoes, handbags, belts, sheets, curtains and towels.

HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING CENTRES

In the pink bag you can recycle electronic toys, laptops, mobile phones, CD/DVD players, consoles, shavers, hair dryers and hair straighteners.

It’s free to recycle:

Did you know you can put out clothes and electrical items for recycling collection?

Call 01492 596783 to get replacement bags from Crest.

The Household Recycling Centres in Mochdre and Abergele can be used by all Conwy residents.

•

2 bin bags of rubbish a fortnight

•

2 bin bags of animal waste a fortnight

•

Clothing

•

Textiles

•

Paper, card and cardboard

•

Plastics

•

Garden waste

•

Glass bottles and jars

•

Batteries

•

Tins, cans and aerosols

•

Furniture

•

Electrical items

•

Scrap metal

•

Fuel containers cut into pieces

•

Small bottles of household or garden chemicals

Per year, you can also recycle: •

5 fluorescent lightbulbs

•

Carpet up to six rooms

•

10 litres of used engine or cooking oil

• •

37.5 litres of paint 2 car batteries

You can also take 2 mattresses a year to the Mochdre Material Reclaim Facility, next to the Household Recycling Centre.

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03/01/2018 12:25

O T T U O E R A S E D A SP M W C E R T E H T DELIVER T C E J O R P O IR ENV Since summer, the Tre Cwm estate in Llandudno has been a hive of activity as our contractor Creating Enterprise working with Brenig Construction have got down to business creating nearly 50 individual projects.

A number of projects have been completed, along with landscaping to these areas, but the biggest treat of all was finishing the Cwm Howard green space.

The area behind Maes y Cwm Road was overgrown and unloved, but because it isn’t bordered by any roads and can be seen from the houses, it was a perfect place to create a kid-safe space. So we consulted with the children on the estate and asked them what they wanted.

We collected the huge boulders that lay around the estate and used them to make a giant caterpillar which children can play and climb on, chalk over and generally use for playing.

Matt Stowe, the environmental development officer at Cartrefi Conwy who designed the space, said “The whole area is designed to be low maintenance but high in play value.

We’ve included a grass maze and when the grasses grow it will be suitable for very young children to play in and around. There are play toadstools for balancing games and even the borders are made with wooden posts that can be climbed on.”

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Tenant Helen Allen said: “It’s fantastic and a huge improvement. This area was just waste land and unused. It’s now giving children space to play. And the giant boulder caterpillar is amazing.”

Her grandson, Alfie, nine, is equally impressed and said: “The area is amazing and I like it a lot. I visit my grandmother a lot especially in the school holidays and it’s now a great place to play.”

Alfie’s mate, Nick Macuks, also nine, added: “It’s really good and what we needed. It’s a great place for kids to hang out and play.

The caterpillar is amazing and there are no cars which is good.”

Fellow tenant Frances Streatfield said: “It’s incredible the difference to this area. It really will be well used and children already love it. It’s what was needed and it seems like someone cares about the estate now. It’s nice to see Cartrefi Conwy doing this work and helping build the community. It means a lot to tenants.”

The Tre Cwm Green Space Project is being supported by Gwynt y Mor Wind Farm who pumped £65,000 into the scheme.

www.cartreficonwy.org

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Stay up to date on progress by visiting Tre Cwm on Facebook: www.facebook.com/trecwm

If you live in the area and would like to work positively with Cartrefi Conwy to tackle some of the other issues on the estate, get in touch with Clare Phipps on 07887 553802.

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MONEY PROBLEMS?

WE CAN HELP!

We are here to help you and the sooner you tell us you are having problems the sooner we can help you come up with a solution.

We have a dedicated financial inclusion team who can help and support you with a range of financial issues including: •

Budgeting advice

•

Debt management

•

Claiming benefits

ON UNIVERSAL CREDIT? The Money Manager is for people who are receiving Universal Credit or about to make an application.

It will help you make the most of your money: •

When you’re waiting for your first Universal Credit payment

We recently worked with a tenant who was on the road to eviction because of unpaid rent. We arranged a meeting with Conwy Council Welfare Rights, and helped the tenant to make claims for Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit. The claims were backdated, meaning the tenant was paid money from months before the claim.

•

When you’re getting regular monthly payments.

We also helped the tenant to speak with the Job Centre and remove the sanction on their Income Support. This money has also been backdated for 12 months. This meant the tenant received enough money to pay off the rent they owed and keep their home.

FREE PHONE CALL

Remember, if you don’t pay your rent and you don’t contact us to find a resolution you may be evicted from your property, so please get in touch:

Call us:

0300 124 0040

WEB CHAT Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm Saturday 9am to 1pm Sunday and Bank Holidays, closed

0800 138 7777 •

Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm

•

Saturday, 9am to 1pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays, closed.

•

The Money Advice Service will be running a reduced service over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Please visit the website contact us page for opening hours.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en

Email:

enquiries@cartreficonwy.org

OTHER HELP Chat to an expert National Debtline adviser, get personal online debt advice and check the free factsheets for help with your money. https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/Pages/peace-of-mind.aspx

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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03/01/2018 12:25

THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

ARE YOU GETTING IT? By law, almost all workers aged 25 and over must be paid at least the National Living Wage, or, if younger, the National Minimum Wage. The Government usually increases the minimum wage rates annually on 1st April.

Workers that are being paid at or slightly above the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage could still be missing out. This can happen if their employer makes mistakes in calculating pay.

For more information on common mistakes visit: www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

WHAT CAN YOU DO? If you are not sure whether you or someone you are helping is being paid the correct National Minimum Wage, you can ask them to call the Acas Helpline on 0300 123 1100 to get more advice.

Workers can also make an online complaint on GOV.UK by searching for ‘Pay and work rights complaints’. HMRC will not tell the employer a worker’s name without their permission.

IT’S OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR - OR IS IT? We’ve eaten the turkey, unwrapped (perhaps even taken back) the presents, packed away the glitter and tinsel and we’re all thankful it’s over for another year - But is it?

If you’ve got more than the festive blues and feel out of your depth with the cost of Christmas, Take Control today.

Asking for some help and support costs you nothing call us on 0300 124 0040 or visit www.takecontrol.wales If you are the victim of a loan shark, or think there may be a loan shark operating in your area, then contact the completely confidential 24 hour support hotline 0300 123 3311.

Don’t delay - BITE BACK, Take Control and get help and support straight away! Find out more at:

www.gov.uk/report-loan-shark or www.cartreficonwy.org/take-control-managing-your-money 0300 124 0040 13 Cartrefi Winter Newsletter 2017.indd 13

03/01/2018 12:25

MISSED

APPOINTMENTS IN AN AVERAGE MONTH …

50 £2250

homes miss their 1st gas servicing appointment of rent money wasted

10 £450

homes miss their 2nd gas servicing appointment of rent money wasted

If you don’t keep your appointment, you are putting lives at risk and breaking the law.

When you signed your tenancy agreement, you agreed to allow our workers into your home to carry out yearly gas safety checks.

We take gas safety very seriously, and if you miss appointments, we will take court action against you which could result in you losing your home and having to pay our legal costs.

When we come to do work at your home, it is most likely to be done by a member of our Building Maintenance Unit (BMU).

Please take the time to check the operative’s ID and know who you are letting into your home.

As well as a Cartrefi Conwy ID card, you can also look out for a Cartrefi Conwy jacket, a BMU hoodie and a Cartrefi Conwy vehicle.

CHECKING

ID

If we send one of our trusted contractors, they will also have photo ID cards.

If you are in any doubt, or not sure whether the person at your door is from Cartrefi Conwy, please call our Freephone number 0300 124 0040 to check that we have sent someone to work on your home.

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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03/01/2018 12:25

TENANT ESTATE CHAMPIONS

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Estate Champions work with our Neighbourhood Coordinators on inspections in local estates.

“We’re looking for risks and things that need fixing and improving to avoid slips, trips and falls,” says Glyn Jones, Neighbourhood Manager at Cartrefi Conwy. “We report things like missing drainpipes to our repairs team, and we tell the council about dangerous pavements.”

Two of our board members, Bill Hunt and Colin Matthews, also join the inspection visits.

There’s space for more tenants to become Champions. Find out more about what we do and make a contribution to your neighbourhood.

If you can give 3 hours every 3 months to help inspect your estate, we want to hear from you!

Call 0300 124 0040 to let us know that you’d like to get involved.

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY ORGANISATION With healthy aging in the public eye, we are very proud to be working towards being a Dementia Friendly organisation.

Jo Lane, Dementia Friendly Communities Coordinator and Jacky Baldini, North Wales Loyalty Operations Manager from Alzheimer’s Society, Cymru visited our head office to present us with the award.

Jacky thanked us for our sterling efforts, praising our Dementia Friends Champion colleagues and tenant board member Colin Matthews for achieving something really good.

The Friends Information Sessions run at our head office and by our Tenant Champion have helped over 140 people better understand what it’s like to live with dementia and the actions they can take.

Jacky reminded us that the action plan for Dementia Friends is never-ending. She also praised the passion and support for the Dementia Friends initiative from Cartrefi Conwy colleagues Ceri Twist and Nerys Veldhuizen who have joined the Abergele Dementia Friends steering group.

We marked the occasion with some cake and tea.

To find out more about Dementia Friends contact Nerys Veldhuizen on 0300 124 0040 or visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk/

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03/01/2018 12:25

LLANRWST

MEN’S SHED

FLOATING

FUN

Llanrwst Men’s Shed helps promote wellbeing for men of all ages, and brings them together to share knowledge and experience and to give back to the community.

The meetings help stimulate the minds of the members, and through making products, the group helps raise money for themselves, for the community and for charities.

The group were asked by the Llanrwst and District Lions Club to help design and construct a new Christmas float for them.

The float had been a part of the club for over fifteen years, with many of the locals having grown up seeing it each year.

Over the years, the float has helped raise thousands of pounds for local charities, but it was time for an improved model.

The float is used for 3 weeks in December and travels through Llanrwst, Betws y Coed, Penmachno, Cwm Penmachno, Llanddoged, Llangernyw, Capel Garmon, and numerous places in between. In return, the Llanrwst Lions Club made a donation to the Llanrwst Men’s Shed for the group to spend on other activities.

The Llanrwst Men’s Shed also holds art classes once a week – the art they make can then be displayed at Golyfa Gwydr and sold to raise funds for the group. The members also make high quality frames to display the art work.

The Community Chest Panel awarded £658.00 to Llanrwst Men’s Shed to help them with construction costs for the Christmas float, and to buy materials to produce the frames for their artwork.

“A big thank you from all at Llanrwst Men’s Shed for your help.” – Ian Hutchinson, Treasurer for Llanrwst Men’s Shed

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www.cartreficonwy.org

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03/01/2018 12:25

DO YOU KNOW A COMMUNITY GROUP OR ORGANISATION LOOKING FOR FUNDING? CARTREFI CONWY’S COMMUNITY CHEST FUND COULD HELP! The fund supports small-scale projects that will improve quality of life for our tenants in local communities or where we have homes.

Grants of up to £3,000 are available to any voluntary, community or recreational groups.

Who can apply for a grant?

Any group/organisation can apply for a Community Chest grant if they: • • • • •

•

Are a Cartrefi Conwy tenant group Have Cartrefi Conwy tenants in the group Have a project that benefits a Cartrefi Conwy community Are an organisation that Cartrefi Conwy tenants use / benefit from Are schools – all applications relating to schools must be submitted by the Parent Teacher’s Association, Friends of the School, Governors or other relevant fundraising groups.

Are a Community or Town Council – you will need to provide written confirmation to support your application, stating that costs relating to your activity cannot be met through existing funding.

Here’s some of the groups that have received a Community Chest grant: Penmaenmawr Phoenix Football Club

All weather junior and training pitch

Llandudno Men’s Shed

Shed expansion

Orme Scout Group

Kayaks

Gwrych Preservation Trust

Education project and heritage events

Clwb Pel Droed Llanefydd Football Club

Equipment and kit

The Ffordd Pandy Potting Shed

Tools and plants

Dementia Friends Abergele

Dementia Friendly Abergele Project

Colwyn Churchmen’s Club

Electrical installation improvements

Grants are NOT available to groups or organisations outside the County of Conwy or that DO NOT provide any benefit to a Cartrefi Conwy community.

Visit our website to get the application form, or contact Clare Phipps on 07887 553802 / 01745 335656 or

clare.phipps@cartreficonwy.org

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03/01/2018 12:25

IDE… HILL OTUIOTNSIN ICE ANHDAC SIDE ND AFFEC WARMT

As Storm Caroline hit our shores the wind, ice and chill couldn’t keep guests away from Chester Avenue’s Christmas lunch. If anything the winds probably helped waft the mouth-watering aromas from inside the kitchen to entice them in.

Inside Mrs Christmas and her elves (Jo O’Keefe and other volunteers from Chester Avenue Community Action Group) had worked their magic to turn their reindeer dust into a four course Christmas spread with all the trimmings. Over thirty residents got together to enjoy the true magic, warmth and cheer at this special time of year. There was even a bit of panto thrown in during the raffle… oh no there wasn’t, oh yes there was…

Some meet for a cuppa and a chat, some get together because they share a passion or hobby (like gardening or crafts) and others meet to try and sort out problems within their communities.

So if you are interested in joining a group in your area get in touch so we can let you know what they do and when they meet.

Or perhaps you can start your own?

Enjoying the day were Mike and Jen, a couple still very much in love after 47 years of marriage - Mike still brings Jen a cuppa in bed every morning! Also having a blast were Jo O Keefe and Elaine Fox, the duo behind the delicious food being served. Elaine told us how Jo really was the star behind the success of the day. Jo had shopped and bought everything for just over £130, including the hamper for the raffle and both had been busy from the day before getting everything ready.

Like in the song from the movie Love Actually, love really was all around the room with warmth and affection shared by all.

Did you know that Cartrefi Conwy has many community groups like Chester Avenue Community Action Group up and running throughout Conwy?

We offer £150 start-up grants to help groups get started and another £100 a year to help keep them up and running.

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CONTACT CLARE PHIPPS ON 07887 553802 / 01745 335656 OR CLARE.PHIPPS@CARTREFICONWY.ORG

www.cartreficonwy.org

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03/01/2018 12:25

MEET MAISY THE WONDER DOG The five-year old golden Labrador helps disabled Cartrefi Conwy tenant Bernadette Clutton to live independently.

The caring pooch is a trained disability dog and helps the 55-year-old to undress, collects her emergency medication basket and can even help her roll over in bed, switch on lights and open doors. Maisy is thought to be the first disability dog in North Wales.

Bernadette, who lives in Llanfairfechan, suffers from two prolapsed discs in her back as well as crippling arthritis. She says she would find it difficult to carry on without the amazing Maisy and the support of Cartrefi Conwy.

Bernadette said: “Life without Maisy would be extremely difficult. My condition means no two days are the same. One day I’m barely able to move and can’t stand up and the next I can move about relatively easily.

“I rely on Maisy to do all sorts of tasks for me and I also have a great deal of help from my Cartrefi Conwy independent living co-ordinator, Ceri Davies.”

“I rely on Maisy and Ceri Davies and I’m not sure I could cope without them. Cartrefi Conwy has been very good to me and provided hand rails around my home,” she said.

Dog A.I.D. fundraiser Kate Knight says the nationwide charity has more than 100 dog trainers working with clients across the country.

She said: “We train dogs of different breeds.

The client provides their own dog and we then send in a trainer to work with them. It can take anything from nine months to two years to fully train an assistance dog.

“Our dogs can do a wide range of tasks such as filling up or emptying a washing machine and dragging a clothes basket outside.

“They can go and get help in an emergency, find a mobile phone and of course, as in Bernadette’s case, help people dress and undress and pull a duvet over them.”

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DOG A.I.D VISIT THEIR WEBPAGE AT WWW.DOGAID.ORG.UK

She added: “I had Maisy when she was a few weeks old. The charity, Dog A.I.D. (Assistance in Disability) provided a local dog trainer to come in and help train her. She helps me get undressed and can take my socks, jeans and cardigan off. I have a gadget I use that helps me put my socks and trousers on. She can also pick up anything I drop. Maisy will help me roll over in bed if I can’t move and can turn lights off or on and open and close doors.”

“She’s a lovely dog and has a wonderful warm and loving personality. The charity checks on her every year. Her food is very carefully weighed out and I have a dog walker who comes daily to exercise her. She has another five years as a working dog and hopefully I will have a new puppy to train. She has made a huge difference to my life and given me my confidence back. I’m much happier and can get out and about again now.”

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03/01/2018 12:25

UNDER 35

CONSULTATION We recently invited tenants and people on the housing register, all under 35, to tell us what their issues are with housing, to help us with our future planning.

The nine gave us plenty of useful feedback and information to take back to Conwy Housing Solutions and the Cartrefi Conwy team.

The consultation session was followed by teamwork exercises at Glan Llyn, with the challenges of raft making and high rope exercises. The team rose to the challenges, supported each other and overcame their fears.

Thank you to the fantastic participants for joining in and giving different viewpoints.

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www.cartreficonwy.org

Cartrefi Winter Newsletter 2017.indd 20

NEWS

UPDATE

AT BRYN EGLWYS, RHOS ON SEA, WORK HAS STARTED TO PUT EXTERNAL WALL INSULATION ON THE FLATS. THE INSULATION HAS BEEN FITTED AND THE NEXT STAGE IS TO RENDER THEM IN THE NEW COLOURS CHOSEN

BY THE TENANTS.

0300 124 0040 03/01/2018 12:25