familymatters Tenant Newsletter Summer 2015
Learn new skills and make a difference Page 3
Are you ready for Universal Credit? Page 4
Sustainable
Swansea Page 16
Welcome to the summer 2015 edition of the tenants’ newsletter.
T
he good weather has arrived, so get out your green fingers and enter our garden competition – see page 18.
Are you aged 12-18? We have another competition on page 8 where you can win a signed copy of a novel published by one of our talented tenants. The Government’s Universal Credit system of benefit payment has already affected our tenants in Neath Port Talbot and will be coming to Swansea next in July 2015, then to Carmarthenshire in September 2015. We have all the help and advice you need on page 4.
Enjoy the summer! Carol Telephone 01792 482762 Email carol.johns@fha-wales.com Write to Family Housing. 43 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 5PN
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Newsletter Summer 2015
GOING GREEN We are considering no longer printing the newsletter. In order to save costs and the environment, we are looking at the idea of not sending hard copies of the newsletter to all tenants. We will make the newsletter available online and if people require a hard copy, this can be requested. We would like your thoughts on this, so please contact: Carol Johns, Tenant Participation Officer, 43 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 5PN Telephone 01792 482762 Email carol.johns@fha-wales.com
Learn new skills
and make a difference
Become a Board Member • Meet new people • Have a say in what we do • Contribute to the success of Family Housing
W
e are recruiting Board Members with the skills to manage the Association and we are looking, in particular, for people with financial and accounting skills. Don’t worry if you have not been involved before, if you have the qualities we need we will provide training and support to help you to fully participate in the work of the Board.
Tenants are not expected to be representatives of the Association’s tenants but to bring their own experience and common sense and to provide a tenant’s perspective on how the Association works. Our Board is made up of a range of people from different backgrounds. As a member of the Board you will help to provide the strategic direction of the Association and make sure that we are well run. More importantly you will help to ensure that we continue to provide
high quality homes and services to all our tenants. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Karen Dusgate or Farid Ali on 01792 460192.
F or more information please see our website: www.fha-wales.com/tenants-residents/get-involved/becoming-a-board-member
familymatters Newsletter Summer 2015 3
Are you ready for Universal Credit?
U
niversal Credit will replace Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Income-Based JSA, Income-Related ESA, Income Support and Working Tax Credit. How will this be different? • Universal credit will be paid into your bank account. • You will only get one monthly payment for your whole household. • You will have to pay your rent to your landlord yourself out of your payment. • You will have to apply for your benefit and manage your Universal Credit online.
What do I need to do?
1 Banking – you will have to open a bank, post office or credit union account.
nline – you will have to 2 O get online at home or at the local library or Job Centre.
udgeting – if you have 3 B been used to getting your benefits weekly or fortnightly, you will have to plan to budget monthly instead.
Family Housing can help with all of these things. Please contact us on 01792 482705.
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Newsletter Summer 2015
How basic bank accounts work A basic bank account allows you to receive money and pay bills. It can be a first step towards opening a current account. With a basic bank account, you can: • Have your wages, benefits, state pension or tax credits paid directly into your account. • Pay in sterling cheques for free (you will have to wait 4 business days before the money is available to spend). • Take money out at cash machines in the UK with a card, take money out at the Post Office. • Pay your bills by Direct Debit.
Some banks let you have a debit card to pay for your shopping and some let you pay your bills by standing order. Most let you take money out, pay money in or check your balance.
Opening an account Most banks require you to be at least 16 years old. For some, the minimum age is 18. You will need to prove you are who you say you are by showing the bank a form of
identity, for example, a passport. If you do not have a passport or driving licence, the bank may accept other documents such as a letter from a government department confirming your benefits or a form of identity from a young person’s workplace or place of education. Each bank or building society will have its own rules so please check
£
with your chosen company.
For further independent information, please call free on 0300 500 5000 or visit www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
familymatters Newsletter Summer 2015 5
YOU COULD
WIN £50! Tenant Incentive Reward Schemes Winners 2014 Family Housing Association runs a number of incentive schemes to encourage tenants to return questionnaires we send you. This allows the Association to receive customer feedback and rewards tenants for providing this information. Our winners of £50 last year were Miss Harlow & Mr Brown, Ammanford Mr Hatch, Swansea Mr & Mrs Thomas, Ystalyfera Mr Davies, Swansea Mr & Mrs Jackson, Swansea Mr & Mrs Woodcock, Swansea Mrs Gibbons, Ammanford
Annual Gas Draw For allowing us access first time to service the boiler, these tenants also win £50 Mr Davies, Swansea Miss Nankivell, Llanelli Mr Wright, Llanelli
We are now asking tenants for feedback on our Estates Services and these questionnaires will be added to the draw. So, there are even more chances to win!
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Newsletter Summer 2015
Development News At the beginning of December 14, I started in my new role as the Project Manager for the new Extra Care Schemes being built in Carmarthenshire. It’s been a really exciting and busy time. We are not only offering wonderful new homes with innovative design but a place where the local community can join in and make use of the amazing facilities. This summer we will be opening Cartref Cynnes in Johnstown which will have 61 apartments and in early 2016 we will be opening the scheme in Ammanford which hasn’t officially been named yet and will have 50 apartments. Both of the schemes will house people aged over 55 and we are working with Carmarthenshire County Council who will be providing all the care
and support at the schemes for those who may need this service. One of the really important things that I learnt during my induction was the importance of having lots of things on offer from the very beginning for our tenants and the community. I have been meeting with lots of interesting and creative people who are very keen to come along and be part of our new schemes. We have found a hairdresser and the local SPAR is interested in opening a shop inside the Cartref Cynnes scheme in Johnstown, I have Beauty Therapists and Art Teachers and Chiropodists
already wanting to book the therapy rooms and Age Cymru are recruiting volunteers to offer taster sessions such as Tea Dances and Exercise Classes at both schemes. The WI wants to offer tenants and the local community a chance to start their own group, and Menshed will also have lots of ideas and support to start initial groups within the schemes. Jill Pethick If you are interested in any of these schemes, please contact the Local Authority on 01267 234567.
Open All Hours Waiting lists for housing which are open and not full are now published on our website. On our Home page at www.fha-wales.com look under “Find a New Home – Open Waiting Lists”. They are updated every Friday. You can also ask to be contacted about applications via the website or ring us on 01792 482702.
familymatters Newsletter Summer 2015 7
Talented Tenants
“Anyone can achieve their dream” Kelly Hambly is one of our tenants in Swansea. She lives in the Port Tennant area where she is originally from. Kelly started a degree in English but took time out to have her daughter. She has written a few pieces for local papers but 5 years ago she started writing novels and published 4 vampire novels. Her books are aimed at young adults age 12 onwards. When she moved to her current house, her children were the inspiration for her next
Competition If you are age 12-18, write a short story or poem about the area where you live. Send your entry to Carol Johns, Tenant Participation Officer, 43 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 5PN or email carol.johns@fhawales.com by 31 July 2015. We have a signed copy of her book “The Town Halloween Forgot, The Curse of Willow Creek” to give away as the prize.
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Newsletter Summer 2015
venture. She now has been published by Accent Press. Kelly has suffered with anxiety in the past and did not leave the house often. Her writing has really helped her. Kelly volunteers at the local school and hopes to do her teacher training next. She says “Anyone can achieve their dream”.
Handmade Cards Our tenant, Gaynor Brice, from Swansea writes: “I am house bound and was finding the time during the day was going slow.� I started trying different activities with the help of my support worker to see what interested me the most. I tried browsing the net but this became quite boring. I then tried knitting but I admit I am very impatient and have a short attention span due to my medication so became frustrated. One day while I was watching the shopping channel, I saw packs of card making material so I ordered them.
I have started making cards with the help of my support worker. I have created Easter and birthday cards for my family and when I have run of out of birthdays, I will start on my own personal handmade cards for Christmas. I find this has given me
something to look forward to and the more I make, the more I want to experiment with new ideas.
familymatters Newsletter Summer 2015 9
family TENANT famil family TENANT fam TENANT TENANT family TENANT writtenbybytenants tenantsforfortenants tenants written writtenbybytenants tenantsforfortenants tenants written
written by tenants for tenants
SCRUTINY UPDATE UPDATE SC SCRUTINY SCRUTINY UPDATE
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email the ScrutinyPanel Panel at email the confidential and theScrutiny interviewers are allat email the ScrutinyPanel Panel email the Scrutiny atat scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk tenants. If you’d like to help ensure everybody scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk gets the best service from/Family Housing: or text call on or text / call on ortext text/ /call callon on at or email07923 the Scrutiny Panel 333130
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07923333130 333130 07923 scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk or text / call on
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10 familymatters
associationsininWales Walesand andelsewhere elsewhereininthe the associations associations inWales Wales andelsewhere elsewhere inthe the associations inof and UK.Members Members of thePanel Panel havesat satinin inon on UK. the have UK. Members thePanel Panelhave have sat in on UK. Members ofof the sat in onof At the endthe of 2 applicants’ first meetings, spoken with At the end 2014 S applicants’ first meetings, spoken with associations in meetings, Wales andspoken elsewhere in the At the with end At of the 2014 end the of 2 S applicants’ first meetings, spoken with applicants’ first started work. T FamilyHousing’s Housing’sstaff staffand and spokento to Family spoken started work. The Panel UK. Members of the Panel have sat in on started work. started Thework. PanelhT Family Housing’s staff and spoken to Family Housing’s staff and spoken to tenants who successful and unsuccessful applicants. successful and unsuccessful applicants. who have traine applicants’ first meetings,tenants spoken with tenants who tenants havewho traine h successfuland and unsuccessful applicants. successful unsuccessful applicants. services and pr and procedures Family Housing’s staff andservices spoken to services and services procedures and pr ThePanel Panelwill willbebereporting reporting theBoard Board The totothe delivers. The a delivers. The aim is to en successful and unsuccessful applicants. The Panel will be reporting to the Board The Panel will be reporting to the Board delivers. The delivers. aim is The to at laterthis thisyear yearand andthe theresults resultswill willbebegives tenantsen later gives tenants best later thisyear year and theresults results will later this and the will bebegivesthe gives tenants the tenants best sst published forall all tenants see. published for tenants toto see. The Panelfor will reporting to the Board published forallbe alltenants tenants see. published totosee. ThePanel Scrutiny Pa later this year and the results will be The Scrutiny have ThePanel Panelare arealways alwayslooking looking for new The for new The Scrutiny The Panel Scrutiny have Pa their pilot proj The Panelare are always looking for newproject, The Panel always looking for new published all tenants to see. their pilot members. Ifyou’d you’d like apply please callpilotwhic members. Iffor like totoapply please call their pilot their project, whic proj at Family Hous members. If you’d like to apply please call members. If you’d like to apply please call at Family Housing’s app 07923333130 333130ororsend sendthem them an email to 07923 an email to atan Family at Housing’s Family Hous app 07923 333130 or send them an email to 07923 333130 or send them email to allocations pro The Panel are always looking for new scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk. allocations procedure. T scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk. allocations allocations procedure. pro T scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk. scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk. checking that members. If you’d like to checking apply please call that applicant
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Miriam Jones, a tenant Miriam Jones, a tenant atat Miriam Jones, tenant Miriam Jones, aa tenant atat Princess of Wales Court, Princess of Wales Court, Princess of Wales Court, Princess of Wales Court, learnt use her computer learnt toto use her computer learnt to use her computer learnt to use her computer with Communities First. Now with Communities First. Now with Communities First. Now with Communities First. Now Miriam Jones, a tenant at she’s moved on to she’s moved on to she’s moved on to she’s moved on to Princess ofwith Wales Court, swimming with them. Miriam has severe swimming them. Miriam has severe swimming with them. Miriam has severe swimming with them. Miriam has severe The Scrutiny learnt toissues use her computer mobility issues due a stroke and finds mobility due toto aThe stroke and finds it it are Pane Scrutiny Panel inte The Scrutiny The Panel Scrutiny Pane inte mobility issues due to a stroke and finds it are mobility issues due to a stroke and finds it difficult find reachable exercise with Communities First. Now difficult toto find reachable exercise to tenants who h to tenants who have recen difficult find reachable exercise difficult toto find reachable exercise tenants to who tenants have who recen h programmes. Swimming with Communities she’s moved on to to with programmes. Swimming Communities Housing. They’d l Housing. They’d like to hea programmes. Swimming with Communities programmes. Swimming with Communities First has enabled Miriam to enjoy exercising Housing. Housing. They’d like They’d to hea l First has enabled Miriam to enjoy exercising swimming with them. Miriam has severe experience (both experience (both good and First has enabled Miriam to enjoy exercising First has enabled Miriam enjoy exercising which she wouldn’t have been able to which she wouldn’t have been able to dodo it mobility issues due to ato stroke and finds experience experience (both good (both andE your new home. which she wouldn’t have been able to do which she wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. Now her wellbeing has increased your new home. Everything otherwise. her wellbeing has increased difficult toNow find reachable exercise your new your home. new Everything home. otherwise. Now her has increased otherwise. Now her has increased confidential and E t greatly. feel like awellbeing new woman. Without greatly. “I “I feel like awellbeing new woman. Without confidential and the interv programmes. Swimming with Communities confidential confidential and the interv and t greatly. feel like a new woman. Without greatly. “I “I feel like aI’d new woman. Without Communities First, I’d be sitting in my flat Communities First, be sitting in my flat tenants. If you’d First has enabled Miriam to enjoy exercising tenants. you’d to hel Communities First, I’d be sitting in my flatlike Communities First, I’d be sitting inIf my flat tenants. If tenants. you’d like If you’d toserv hell watching television all day”, says Miriam. watching all day”, says Miriam. gets the best which shetelevision wouldn’t have been able to do gets the best service from watching television day”, says Miriam. watching television allall day”, says Miriam. gets the best gets service the best from serv
otherwise. Now her wellbeing has increased swanseacommunitiesfirst swanseacommunitiesfirst email the greatly. “I feel like a new woman. Without email the Scruti swanseacommunitiesfirst swanseacommunitiesfirst email the email Scruti the Communities First, I’d be sitting in my flat scrutiny@ scrutiny@familyt watching television all day”, says Miriam. scrutiny@familyt scrutiny@
Newsletter Summer 2015
t or text or / ca
or textor / ca t swanseacommunitiesfirst
0792 07923 33 07923 0792 33
mily TENANT
www.familytenant.co.uk info@familytenant.co.uk www.familytenant.co.uk info@familytenant.co.uk www.familytenant.co.uk info@familytenant.co.uk written by tenantstwitter.com/familytenant for tenants facebook.com/familytenant 07523 001745 written by tenants for tenants facebook.com/familytenant 07523 001745 twitter.com/familytenant facebook.com/familytenant 07523 001745 twitter.com/familytenant
TENANTS’ PANEL UPDATE TENANTS’ UPDATE SCRUTINYPANEL UPDATE
As you may already know, Mike Avril Manser has been Treasurer As you may already know, Mike Avril Manser has beensince Treasurer Wiseman has recently been of the Tenants’ As you may already know, Mike Avril Manser hasPanel been Treasurer Wiseman has recently been of the Tenants’ Panel since appointed to recently the Board of becoming a tenant years Wiseman has been of the Tenants’ Panel14since appointed to the Board of becoming a tenant 14 years Management of Family Housing. As ago. Avril’sa seen many changes appointed to the Board of becoming tenant 14 years Management of Family Housing. As ago. Avril’s seen many changes a result he will be standing down with the Tenants’ Panel and associations Wales and elsewhere the seen many changes 2014 the Scrutiny Panel finally Management of Family Housing.inAs ago.inAvril’s associations in Wales and elsewhere in the a result he will be standing down with the Tenants’ Panel and 2014 the Scrutiny Panel finally from being Chair thebe Tenants’ Panel atof the Panel how ithave has sat improved beenPanel supported UK. Members in on The Panel is made up ofheofwill athe result standing down with the and Tenants’ and from being the Chair of the Tenants’ Panel at how it has improved and been supported UK. Members of the Panel have sat in on The Panel is made up of the Annual General Meeting in June this year. over the years. Avril has recently resigned applicants’ first meetings, spoken with havefrom trained to assess the being the Chair of the Tenants’ Panel at how it has improved and been supported the Annual Generalthe Meeting inapplicants’ June this year. over the years. Avril has of recently resigned first meetings, spoken with have trained to assess from the panel because healthresigned issues and Housing’s andthe spoken to rocedures Family Housing the Annual General Meeting inFamily June this year. staff over years. Avril has recently from the panel because of health issues and Family Housing’s stafffrom and spoken to rocedures Family Housing the Tenants’ Panel hopeof that she will soon Mike has worked tirelessly to promote the successful and unsuccessful applicants. aim isMike to ensure that Family the panel because health issues and the Tenants’ Panel hope that she will soon has worked tirelessly to promote the successful applicants. aim to ensure that Family be back to full fitness. cause of tenant participation over the years, the Tenants’ Panel hope that she will soon Mike has worked tirelessly to promote theand unsuccessful the isbest service possible. be back to full fitness. cause of tenant participation over the years, and service has helped achieve greatover strides forward the best possible. be backtotothe fullBoard fitness. cause of tenant participation years, The the Panel will be reporting and has helped achieve great strides forward during the last three years as Chair. Dave Thomas was a Tenants’ Panel member The Panel will be reporting to the Board has helped achieve great strides forward later this year and theDave results will be aneland have now started on during the last three years as Chair. Thomas was a Tenants’ Panel member for many years and has contributed much to later this year and theDave results will be anelduring have now started the last three years as Chair. was a Tenants’ Panel member published for all tenants toThomas see. ject, which is to have aon look for many years and has contributed much to themany cause of tenant participation. Hemuch has to experience willagreatly the Board, published for all tenants to see. ject, His which is to have look benefit for years and has contributed sing’s applications and the causeresigned of tenant participation. He has His experience will greatly benefit the Board, recently through health issues, and he will continue to ensure that the voice sing’s applications and the causefor of new tenant participation. He has and His experience will greatly benefit the Board, The Panel are always looking ocedure. The Panel have been recently resigned through health issues, and and he will continue to ensure that the voice his contribution will be much missed. of tenants is heard across the The Association. Panel are always looking for new ocedure. The Panel have been recently resigned through health issues, and and he will continue to ensure that the voice tocontribution apply please call applicants are is treated fairly the members. his will be much missed. of tenants heard across Association.If you’d like members. If you’d like to apply please call applicants are treated fairly his contribution will be of tenants is heard across the Association. allocations policy is in line 07923 333130 or send them an email to much missed.
MAKE YOUR OPINION allocations is in line WHY NOT 07923 333130 or send them an email to practice ofpolicy housing scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk. WHY NOT MAKE YOUR OPINION HEARD AND GET INVOLVED WITH practice of housing scrutiny@familytenant.co.uk. WHY NOT MAKE YOUR OPINION HEARD AND GET INVOLVED WITH
NOTT Y H OT WHY ENTO G N W ETVED? WHYG OTLVED?? VE ING L O NVVOLVED IN I
TENANT PARTICIPATION? HEARD AND GET INVOLVED WITH TENANT PARTICIPATION? TENANT PARTICIPATION? email info@familytenant.co.uk
oved oved ome ome DON’T cently? DON’T cently? DON’T FORGET!
email info@familytenant.co.uk info@familytenant.co.uk or call email or call Carol Johnsoron 01792 482762 call Carol Johns on 01792 482762 Carol Johns on 01792 482762
FORGET! FORGET!
el are interested in speaking el arerecently interested in speaking have moved to Family have recently moved to If you’ve received an likeIftoyou’ve hear about your Family received an like to hear about your aan Ifappointment you’ve received good and bad!) offor getting appointment for a good and bad!) of getting repair and you Everything is strictly appointment forcan’t a be repair and you can’t be Everything is strictly there when the therepair interviewers arecan’t all be and you the interviewers areeverybody all there when the likethere to help ensure contractor isthe due, call when likecontractor to help ensure everybody is0800 due, call vice from Family Housing: REPAIRS on contractor is due, call viceREPAIRS from Family Housing: on 0800
435223 on and makeata REPAIRS 0800 e Scrutiny Panel 435223 and make e Scrutiny Panel ata new appointment. 435223 and make aIt @familytenant.co.uk new appointment. It @familytenant.co.uk savesappointment. time and money! new It saves time and money! text / call on saves timeon and money! text / call
23 333130 333130 23
A Healthier Healthier A HAVE YOU YOU FOUND FOUND Lifestyle HAVE Lifestyle HAVE YOU FOUND THE FAMILY TENANT THEWEBSITE FAMILY TENANT TENANT THE FAMILY YET? WEBSITE YET? YET? WEBSITE
Miriam Jones, a tenant at Miriam a tenant PrincessJones, of Wales Court,at Princess Wales Court, learnt toof use her computer learnt to use her computer with Communities First. NowThe Family Tenant website is full of The Family Tenant website is full of with essential for tenants also she’s Communities moved on to First. Now The Familystuff Tenant website and is full of essential stuff for tenants and also she’s moved on to has lots of useful local information. There’s a new and way swimming witheasy them. Miriam has severe essential stuff for tenants and also has lots of useful local information. swimming with them. Miriam has severe There’s new andwith easy way You can even sign up for an email to to mobility keepa in touch issues dueyour to a stroke and finds it has lots of useful local information. There’s a in new andwith easy way You can even sign up for an email to issues due to a stroke and finds it to mobility keep touch your be sent to you every time something local community. Join difficult to find reachable exercise You can even sign up for an email to to local keep in touch with your difficult to findSwimming reachable exercise be sent to you on every time something community. Join 450,000 people using new is posted thetime site.something Best of all programmes. with Communities be sent to you every local community. Join programmes. Swimming with Communities 450,000 people using new is posted on the site. Best of all Streetlife to connect with - it’sisrun BY tenants First haspeople enabled Miriam to new enjoy exercising 450,000 using posted on theFOR site.tenants! Best of all Streetlife to connect with First has enabled Miriam to enjoy exercising their neighbours! it’s run BY tenants FOR tenants! which she wouldn’t have been able to do Streetlife to connect with - it’s runto BYdo tenants FOR tenants! their she neighbours! which wouldn’t have been able otherwise. Now her wellbeing has increased their neighbours! REGISTER otherwise. NowAT hera wellbeing has Without increased greatly. “I feel like new woman. REGISTER AT greatly. “I feelFirst, like aI’d new Without www.streetlife.com REGISTER AT Communities be woman. sitting inwww.familytenant.co.uk my flat www.familytenant.co.uk www.streetlife.com Communities First, I’d be sitting in my flat watching television all day”, says Miriam. www.familytenant.co.uk www.streetlife.com watching television all day”, says Miriam.
family TENANT TENANT family family TENANT
swanseacommunitiesfirst swanseacommunitiesfirst
familymatters Newsletter Summer 2015 11
Tenant Satisfaction Brief introductio
One of our tenants, Mr Mc Creadie, lives in a 2 bedroom house in Swansea. He recently benefited by having the bathroom completely stripped and restored and changed from a bathroom to a wet room. Mr Mc Creadie said that
‘The benefits are absolutely phenomenal’.
“The benefits are absolutely phenomenal. It is heaven to be able to shower. I can’t tell you how beautiful it is. I cannot fault the boys who did the work. They were more than polite.”
“ I can’t tell you how beautiful it is, it’s gorgeous”.
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Newsletter Summer 2015
Do you need adaptations to your home? Family Housing can apply for funding from the Welsh Government to carry out adaptations to your home to help you retain your independence, if you have an illness or disability. Who is eligible? The scheme is available to all Family Housing tenants and any other residents at the same property who are experiencing difficulties using their home or household facilities because of an illness or disability. There are no age restrictions and grants are not means-tested.
BATHROOM
What are the aims? To assist tenants to: • Live independently in their home • Maintain a successful tenancy
BEDROOM
Who to contact? For further information please contact us Tel: 01792 460192 www.fha-wales.com Email info@fha-wales.com Family Housing Association (Wales) Ltd 43 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 5PN
KITCHEN
familymatters Newsletter Sumemr 2015 13
Spice logo
All hands on Deck! The delivery of soil meant it was all “hands on deck” for the Ty Myrtwydd garden growing group who turned out to transfer the soil from the delivery lorry into the raised planters in the pouring rain! With a little help from staff and the Estates Team the planters are now ready to grow plenty of healthy, fresh foods. If you have an idea for a garden project, contact your Community Housing Officer on 01792 482702.
Spice time credits model How time credits work: 1 hour = 1 credit Family Housing is working in collaboration with Spice and other housing Providers to deliver Time Banking in Morfa, Llanelli and Ammanford area. It’s a great way of engaging with people in their communities. Time Credits motive people who are already giving their time to continue. Earning Time Credits opens up many opportunities for people:
• Get involved in new activities! • Share skills! • Make new friends! How it works, give an hour of your time “earn” 1 credit and then “spend” your time credits in a fun and interesting way such as leisure centres, training, Skate parks, Theatre. Etc. Contact me to arrange a coffee morning or for more information. Teresa Greenall Tel 01792 482160 mobile 07811355881 Teresa.greenall@fha-wales.com
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Newsletter Summer 2015
Are you looking for Work? Family Housing is working with approved contractors & partners by providing opportunities for apprenticeships, training placements, and work experience. Mock interview training is available with contractors, for someone not in education, employment or training. There are also workshops for the long term disabled unemployed. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, contact Teresa on 01792 482160, Mobile: 07811355881 or teresa.greenall@fha-wales.com
Cheaper Broadband There is a lot more competition out there now for broadband deals. A few companies are now also offering further discounts to social housing tenants. Try BT on 0800 032 7977 or Happus on 03300 10 55 99. Happus also offer affordable hardware.
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Sustainable Swansea Sustainable Swansea will soon be working specifically in the city centre and marina areas by arranging environmental sustainability events and activities in the community.
T
hey will include activities to do with energy, waste, food etc. and we would love for as many tenants as possible to get involved. We will also be producing a Community Green Map for the city centre and there’ll be plenty of opportunities to get involved with that.
There’s lots to see and do here; come and see what’s happening locally in the way of environmental training, walks and talks in our Eco Info Hub, browse our green shop with all kinds of ethical, sustainable and fair trade goodies including chocolate, toys, jewellery, cards, gifts and much more.
So keep your eyes peeled for dates of events, or let us know what type of event you’d like us to organise.
But better still, come in and claim your free cup of tea or coffee – just bring this voucher in and hand it to the volunteer on the desk. Contact us on 01792 480200, www.sustainableswansea.net www.environmentcentre.org.uk
We are based at the Environment Centre in Pier Street (between Morgans Hotel and the old Evening Post building) and this year the centre is celebrating 20 years of environmental information and action!
We look forward to seeing you!
# FREE VOUCHER One free cup of tea or coffee at the Environment Centre’s coffee shop. (Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm. Pier Street, Swansea SA1 1RY.)
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valid until 30 September 2015 Newsletter Summer 2015
Get huge savings and more including: • Savings across the range • Top branded paints and accessories • Discounts available in-store and online • 1,000s of paint colours and wallcoverings • Friendly, helpful staff • And don’t forget, delivery is FREE!* Remember to always show your staff card or proof of tenancy to receive your discount. For your nearest store call 0845 850 2200 To place your order call 0845 602 3128. @DuluxRefresh * Discount is off shelf edge price exc. VAT. Not available on account terms, cash sales only.Products must be paid for at time of purchase. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Exclusions apply. See in-store for details. †Terms and conditions apply. Order before 9.30am for same day delivery. For online ordering only - free delivery to account holders and to non account holders on orders over £50.
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Garden COMPETITION 2015
D
o you enjoy gardening? Why not enter our garden competition? You don’t even need to have a garden - you can enter a window box, hanging basket or container. There are a number of ways to enter: 1. Complete the tear off slip on the back page and post it in to us. 2. Email your entry to carol.johns@fha-wales.com 3. Phone Carol Johns, Tenant Participation Officer, on 01792 482762.
GOOD LUCK!!
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Newsletter Summer 2015
Individual Entries Best Front Garden Best Back Garden Best Container / Hanging Basket Best Vegetable Garden
Communal Entries Best communal garden – non supported housing Best communal garden – older persons’ schemes Best communal garden – supported housing Best communal vegetable garden The closing date for receipt of entries will be 20 July 2015 with judging taking place in late-July, weather permitting.
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Garden COMPETITION 2015 Please tick the category or categories you wish to enter (you can enter more than one) Individual Entries
Communal Entries
Best vegetable garden
Best communal garden – not supported housing
Best back garden
Best communal garden – supported housing
Best front garden
Best communal garden Older Persons’
Best container or hanging basket
Best communal vegetable garden
Name.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Address................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ Please return to : Carol Johns, Tenant Participation Officer, Family Housing Association, 43 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 5PN Alternatively, telephone Carol on 01792 482762 or email her at carol.johns@fha-wales.com
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