Grapev ne Tenant Newsletter / Winter 2016
ds n e i r f l o o h ars c e y S 0 r7 e t f a ed t i n u e r 4
Page 1
Page 5-7
Steel Remembered
Page 12 Benefit Changes
Page 21
Competition Winners
Welcome
Reading G vine ro pe
Gr a
up
Thank you to the Grapevine Reading Group who provided feedback on this issue and have given us their stamp of approval. If you're interested in joining the Reading Group, please contact Fiona on 029 2047 4029 or email fiona.gardner@linc-cymru.co.uk.
Contents 2
Welcome
3
A message from the Tenant Panel
5
Steel Remembered
8
Christmas dinner ideas
10
Keep your home condensation free
11 News in pictures 12 Benefit changes 2017 13 Re-direct your mail 14 Vintage 'memory day' 16 Light bulbs 18 Scores on the doors 18 Smart meters 19 Onsite news 20 Community news Mask competition winners Are money worries 22 affecting your health? 21
23 Battery safety
Welcome to the winter edition of the Grapevine. As this season is a busy time for all we have filled the pages with interesting and useful facts to aid you at this time, including Christmas dinner ideas on page 8 to 9 and an important battery safety warning on page 23. We have also included articles to prepare you for the new year and the future, such as important benefit changes in 2017 on page 12 and information on changing to a smart meter to help with your gas and electricity bills on page 18. As well as all the usual articles to help and advise you during this festive time, we also have news of our recent Vintage 'memory day' at Willowbrook on page 14 to 15. Plus, read the exciting news that Linc received Heritage Lottery funding for a First World War project called ‘Steel Remembered’ on page 5 to 7. Finally take a look at the back page for some fun games and the Grapevine competition for a chance to win a £25 shopping voucher. We hope you enjoy this edition, and as ever, if you have any ideas for future features or articles please get in touch. Email grapevine@linc-cymru.co.uk or call 0800 072 0966 (freephone). Best wishes,
24 Housing surgey updates 25 Nuisance neighbours 25
Park House says farewell
26 Estate inspections 27 Useful contacts 28 Winter puzzle page
Page 2 | Grapevine Winter
Nicola Smith Executive Director Linc Homes
Anne Thomas Executive Director Linc Care
Tenant News
Head Office Festive Holiday Closures: Friday 23rd December Closed from 12pm
Tuesday 27th December Bank Holiday - Closed
Monday 26th December Boxing Day - Closed
Friday 30th December Closed from 12pm
Monday 2nd January Bank Holiday - Closed
Our usual out of hours emergency repairs service will operate on these dates (see Page 27 for contact details). An emergency repair is one which involves an immediate risk to your health and safety or serious damage to your home.
A Message from the Chair of the Tenant Panel Dear Readers, Welcome to the Winter edition of Grapevine. I hope this finds you well. The Tenant Panel recently met for a quarterly meeting and we welcomed our newest members. We even had a new photo taken pictured here. A brief update from the Panel follows on the next page.
Read more from Brian on the next page Grapevine Winter | Page 3
Tenant News
Let's get digital! At our last meeting we talked ‘digital’! We discussed moving forward digitally as an organisation and the benefits it will bring to tenants. We talked about the barriers too. We know getting online is a worry for some, but it's the world we live in now and we must move with the times. As tenants we understand the challenges you may face so we’d like to run a number of supportive sessions, 'by tenants for tenants', to help you with all things digital. Watch this space for further details and please get in touch if you are tech savvy and would like to offer some of your time, no matter how little, to become a digital volunteer! New ideas for future housing! We recently took part in a discussion with Linc's new Development Director about the provision of future housing. We discussed the type of housing that is needed for certain groups of people, such as the under 35's or the over 55's. We talked about innovative and exciting ideas including edible garden spaces and much more. It was fascinating to learn about the different considerations in the planning process and it gave us a real insight into this part of the business. Community engagement New team. New plan! We’ve got a new 10 point plan to involve you. The Community Engagement Team are working closely with us to find out what you want as tenants. By putting you at the heart of what Linc do, they will be making sure you have a voice and have the chance to improve and strengthen your community. Please remember, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved with Linc. Contact the Community Engagement Team on community@linc-cymru.co.uk or call 0800 072 0966. Best wishes, Brian Thomas
Congratulations to the Chair At the Tenant Panel’s Annual General Meeting in October, we all congratulated Brian Thomas on being re-elected as Chair for a third year running. Well done to Brian and the Panel who made this a truly democratic process! We’d also like to welcome on board John Udraufski from Brackla who will take up the position of ‘Reserve Chair’ this year. Both Brian and John are looking forward to a very busy year ahead, making sure we put tenants at the heart of what we do. Karen Jeffreys, Senior Community Engagement Officer Page 4 | Grapevine Winter
Pictured from Left: Karen Jeffreys, Brian Thomas and John Udraufski
Tenant News
Community project to unlock ‘untold heritage’ of First World War steel workers
Last month, Linc received £32,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for an exciting two year project called 'Steel Remembered'.
part in research, share their stories, create digital memories and much more. Universities, local schools, National Museum Wales, Gwent Archives, The Tenant Panel and the Lysaght Community Focus Group are just some of the partners already signed up to the project.
With support from the local community, the project focuses on researching the lives of the men listed on the Orb Steel works memorial in Newport, the role of the Steel works during the First World War and a look at the lives of those who returned. The project launched on the 28th November 2016 at the Lysaght Institute, Linc's Events Centre in Newport.
Commenting on the project, Nicola Smith, Executive Director Linc Homes said:
At the launch pupils from St Andrews Primary School and Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael, with Suzy Bowers of Linc, Nigel Clubb of the Heritage Lottery Fund and Robin Mellor and Christopher Coode of The Great War Society.
The 'Steel Remembered' project will reach out to a range of tenants, younger and older, as well as other key organisations. There will be the opportunity to learn new skills, take
“We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and confident that we will uncover the fascinating and often emotional stories of those who lost their lives and those who returned from the First World War. The project will leave a real and lasting legacy and we will support it all the way”. See more photos from the launch event on the next page...
Grapevine Winter | Page 5
Community News
Singer Joan Hoctor performed a moving rendition of wartime favourite 'Keep the Home Fires Burning'
At the launch, children carried out research on the lives of the First World War steel workers
We are delighted that Suzy Bowers, Linc's Community Engagement Assistant has been appointed to take the project forward. Suzy has a renowned personal interest in the First World War and an excellent background in engaging tenants. She will be working on the project for two and a half days each week, Monday to Wednesday, and she would love to hear from you. If you have an interest in this project, no matter where you live, please get in touch with Suzy on 0800 072 0966 or email suzanne.bowers@linc-cymru.co.uk.
Suzy Bowers, Linc's Community Engagement Assistant
Page 6 | Grapevine Winter
facebook.com/steelremembered
Community News
Below we have started to uncover Jonathan's story, just one of the steel workers we will be finding out more about. If any of the men on the monument are from your family or if you know any of the Orb men who returned from the First World War, please get in touch and bring their stories back to Newport once more.
Jonathan Head, aged 31 Jonathan Head was one of the workers from the Swan Works in Wolverhampton that made his way to Newport to work at the newly opened Orb Works at the turn of the last century. He married Ethel Lewis also from Wolverhampton and together they set up home at 11, Milner Street, Newport where they had 5 children. Jonathan was a Shearer in the Orb Works, which meant he would cut the Iron. This work would have been extremely hard and dangerous. When war was announced on 4th August 1914, 852 men of the Orb works joined up almost immediately. These recruits would be known as Lord Kitchener’s Army; Jonathan would have joined around April 1915 leaving Ethel to look after their young family. The Orb works promised that they would keep all the men’s jobs open until they returned from war, the firm also gave an allowance of 10 shillings per week to the wives or dependant relatives of the men who were away. From now on he was known as Private J Head, 6th Battalion South Wales Borderers, number 16850. He was sent for three months basic training. A typical day would have seen him being woken up by a loud bugle call know as reveille at 5.30am, he would spend the rest of the day training and being drilled on the parade ground. Jonathan would have had to have said a heart breaking goodbye to Ethel and his young family as he faced his unknown future, you can only imagine what he was thinking as he left Newport and wondered if he would ever see it again. By 24th September 1915 he was in France. In September 1916, the 6th South Wales Borderers saw themselves supporting the 4th Australian Division to take Mouquet Farm or as Jonathan would have known it “Mucky Farm” - the British soldiers would pronounce the French words in their own unique way. On 1st October, shelling was heavy and while in the trenches around Thiepval, Jonathan was killed in action. According to the war diary Jonathan was one of two South Wales Borderers killed on that day. His body was not recovered. This year saw the centenary of the battle of the Somme and the focus of it was centred around the imposing Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. It is here that Jonathan one of Lysaght’s own is remembered. Back home Ethel would have been given the devastating news that her husband had been killed in action. In the local newspaper paper, she simply put “In Loving Memory of Jonathan, beloved husband of Ethel. The memory of you is sacred to me. Sadly, missed by wife and children”. Ethel lived until she was 82 but never remarried.
Grapevine Winter | Page 7
Money Advice
Christmas dinner ideas Christmas dinner can be costly. Here are some of the Money Advice Team’s top tips to enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner and make it go further, without the financial worry:
1. Make it yourself. You may need to plan ahead more, and it may be more time consuming, but making all your own goodies can be more fun, cheaper, and taste nicer than the ready prepared versions from the supermarket. 2. Would you swap? Swap the turkey for a vegetarian alternative and you're likely to make savings. 3. Look for offers. Competition during the festive season means that if you do a comparison search for different supermarkets, you can often grab a bargain. 4. Make a list. Look through your cupboards to check what you already have, then make a list of what you need and stick to it. 5. It’s all in the presentation! Put a bit of effort into the presentation of your food and it will make it feel a little grander. Sometimes just a sprinkling of chopped parsley, a drizzle of cream or a dusting of icing sugar where needed makes all the difference! 6. Split the cost. If you’re expecting a big group of relatives round for Christmas, arrange it so that one person buys and prepares the starters, you buy the veggies, someone else buys the turkey, etc. You’ll find it all adds up to a huge saving in money and effort.
Why not try these cost effective Christmas menu ideas! Starter: Buy smoked salmon trimmings from the deli counter at the supermarket. You'll save money by buying the oddly shaped trimmings, but once you whip it into a smoked salmon pate, no one will know the difference! Mains: Gammon joints are cheaper than buying a turkey, and there's no question that a succulent glazed roast ham makes a mouth-watering centrepiece. Alternatively, a vegan carrot & parsnip nut roast only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and only costs around 75p per serving! Dessert: With inexpensive egg whites and little else, pavlovas are festive, delicious and cheap all at once!
Contact our Money Advice Team on 0800 072 0966 @ contact.centre@linc-cymru.co.uk Text 07537 410024 (include your name & address or tenant key) Page 8 | Grapevine Winter
Money Advice Team
Money Advice
Our top money sa ving pick: Vegan Carrot & P arsnip Nut Roast
Serves 4 • • • • •
1 medium onion, peeled and grated 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small parsnip, peeled, cored and grated 1 large carrot, peeled and grated 175g/7oz mixed nuts ground in a food processor • 2 slices of wholemeal bread, made into breadcrumbs • 150ml (approx) vegetable stock • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh herbs
You can refrigerate leftovers and use cold in sandwiches or as a pâté. This recipe is suitable for freezing before or after cooking.
Gently fry the onion in 1 tbsp olive oil, until soft. Then add the carrot and parsnip. Cook for 5 minutes on a medium heat, until softened, stirring regularly. Stir in the nuts and breadcrumbs and mix well. Add the herbs and season to taste. Add enough stock to make a firm but not dry mixture. Add more breadcrumbs or stock if needed. Tip mixture into a greased and lined loaf tin and press down with the back of a spoon. Cover tin with foil and bake for 40 mins at 180C/170C Fan/350F/Gas 4. Uncover for the last 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before turning out and slicing.
Use your leftovers! Getting creative with leftovers is a great way of saving money and a really satisfying way of feeding your family. Here is one of our favourite Christmas leftover recipes;
Our top leftovers pick: Christmas Pudding Strudel
Serves 6 • 250g leftover Christmas pudding, crumbled • 250g Mascarpone • 4 sheet filo pastry • 25g melted butter • Icing sugar, for dusting
Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Mix the pudding and mascarpone. Lay out a sheet of filo on a large flat baking tray, brush with melted butted and lay another sheet on top. Repeat until you have 4 layers. Place the mixed filling in a log in the centre. Roll up to enclose the filling, then brush with the remaining butter. Bake for 2025 minutes until golden brown, dust with icing sugar and serve with cream, custard or ice cream! Grapevine Winter | Page 9
Asset Management
Keep your home free from condensation and mould this winter Winter is upon us and it is the time of year when everything can feel damp even though the heating may be on full. Damp patches and black mould can appear on walls, and it’s not caused from moisture coming in from the outside, it’s from the moisture that can’t escape!
What causes condensation? Everyday things like cooking, washing, bathing and even breathing cause moisture which is released into the air. Even fish tanks and indoor plants can create large quantities of moisture! Mould looks bad, it can damage plasterwork and timber windows, and even your health.
What can you do to reduce it? • Dry your washing outside whenever you can or hang it in the bathroom, keeping the door closed and the window wide open. • Never use portable gas bottles or paraffin (flueless) heaters. • Permanently vent your tumble drier to the outside of your home, using a recommended kit. • While cooking, always cover pans and don't leave kettles boiling. • When a room is in use, keep a small window and/or a trickle vent open. • Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens, and keep doors closed even if they have extractor fans. • Ventilate cupboards and wardrobes, Do not overfill them - let the air circulate freely inside. Cut holes in the back panel of the wardrobe and move it 50mm away from the surrounding wall. If possible, locate wardrobes against internal partition walls. • Keep your home warm with insulation, draughtproofing and heating. Constant, low-level heating is the most economical and reduces the likelihood of condensation.
How to help yourself • Treat and remove the mould - there are various products on the market that will help such as fungicidal products available in DIY stores. • Wipe down windows, frames and other affected areas with a fungicidal (mould-killing wash) that carries a Health and Safety Executive 'approval number'. Follow the manufacturer's instructions precisely. Dry-clean mildewed clothes and shampoo mouldy carpets. • After treating affected areas, redecorate using a good-quality fungicidal paint. Where possible remove lining paper and wallpaper, treat plaster and paint or paper the area again. If the problem persists or you think your house needs more insulation, contact you Housing Officer or Maintenance Officer who will be able to help. Page 10 | Grapevine Winter
Tenant News
News in pictures Tenants and staff in our extra care and sheltered housing schemes have been busy hosting coffee mornings to fundraise for Macmillan Cancer Support! Here are some of their lovely cakes and details of how much they each raised... Capel Court sold a great selection of cakes including a 'guess how many spots' cake (pictured left)
t Capel Cour raised £227
Ty Canol enjoyed tea and cake as well as a raffle to win a tasty food hamper!
Ty Canol raised £276
tt Ty Sco raised £250
Plas Bryn raised £215
Tenants at Ty Scott put on a delicious spread and raised a fantastic £250!
A fantastic effort was made by tenants and staff at Plas Bryn in Fairwater, Cardiff and Wellwood House in Newport who recently raised a total of £432 between them! A big well done and thank you to everyone!
Wellwoo d raised £217 Grapevine Winter | Page 11
Money Advice
Benefit changes 2017 The Government is making changes to some welfare benefits from April 2017. If you are currently receiving benefits or if you think you will need to make a claim soon, please remember that the following changes are coming into effect.
Child Tax Credits Limited to Two Children The Government is limiting how much benefit a family can receive for children. If you have a third or subsequent child on or after 6 April 2017, you will not be able to claim the child element (up to £2780 a year per child) of Child Tax Credit for them.You will also not be able to receive the family element of Child Tax Credit (£545 per year). There are some cases where this will not apply, for example, twins born to a family where there were previously less than two children in the household. Families with three or more children born before 6 April 2017 will continue to get Tax Credits at the current rate and won’t be affected by the new rules.
Employment and Support Allowance work-related activity group From April 2017, new claimants of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) who are placed in the ‘Work-Related Activity Group’ will receive the same rate of benefit as those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (currently £57.90 if you’re between 18-24 or £73.10 if you’re over 25). This will not affect people placed in the ‘Support Group’.
Bereavement Support Payment The current system of bereavement benefits, including Bereavement Payment, Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent’s Allowance, will be replaced with a new single Bereavement Support Payment. This will be introduced for new claims from April 2017 and will only provide support for the 12 month period immediately following a bereavement. Contact our Money Advice Team on 0800 072 0966 @ contact.centre@linc-cymru.co.uk Text 07537 410024 (include your name & address or tenant key) Page 12 | Grapevine Winter
Money Advice Team
Tenant News
Moving home? – be aware!! We all receive lots of mail through the post, whether we want it or not. When you live in a property you register your details with lots of organisations such as banks, mail order catalogues, the DVLA, etc. Sometimes you can also register your details unintentionally with other organisations. This happens when your details are sold by companies you are registered with to other companies. If you register online, for example, with a shopping site, to complete a survey or enter a competition, you will be asked if you are happy for your details to be shared with others. If you don’t make it clear you do not want this, you could be sent lots of information about other services such as offers for loans, credit cards, goods or services.
Redirect your mail When you move, it is important to arrange for your mail to be redirected to your new home. We usually remember to notify the important organisations that we have moved, but can be unaware of all of the others that hold our details too. It is advisable, therefore, to have your mail re-directed by the post office to give you the opportunity to contact the companies you are receiving mail from to advise them that you no longer live at the previous address. Royal Mail advise that you should re-direct your mail for at least a year. Re-directing your mail will reduce the opportunity for anyone who moves into your old property to commit fraud by taking up an offer addressed to you. The quickest way to apply for a redirection mail is online at royalmail.com - just search 'redirection'. Or you can obtain a redirection form from your local post office.
Reduce your junk mail For information on how to reduce the amount of junk mail you are receiving, have a look at the Citizens Advice Website www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/post/post/problemswith-post/stop-getting-junk-mail/
Grapevine Winter | Page 13
Tenant News
Willowbrook vintage ‘memory day’ leads to chance reunion Willowbrook extra care scheme in Bettws, Newport held a ‘Vintage Day of Memories’ as part of its award winning Active Aspirations Project. Tenants were joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Newport along with family, friends, tenants of other schemes and Linc staff. They spent the day taking part in a number of activities (many of which were dementia friendly) followed by afternoon tea and a fun and interactive exhibition designed to reignite past memories. Local music duo 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' had everyone singing and waving flags to classics by the Andrews Sisters and Vera Lynn. Some tenants even received a sneaky peck on the cheek from the singers!
During the day, tenants looked at vintage items from their past including food packages, household items, cinema posters and old photographs of places in Newport that they reminisced about. They listened to old radio transmissions and old tunes and smelt fragrances of the past like Bourjois perfumes, Brylcreem and Old Spice! “Brylcreem was for the airforce boys - I was in the Army!” said Wilf, one of our tenants. Page 14 | Grapevine Winter
Tenant Newsletter
Suzy Bowers, Linc's Community Engagement Assistant said:
“Our tenants have witnessed some of the most important and influential events in British history, so it was a joy to hear their stories and see their faces light up when they recalled fond memories. We can’t wait for the next event.”
An exciting addition to the day was the reuniting of two childhood friends who had not seen each other in 70 years. Jeanie Burrows from Willowbrook and Doris Hill from Wellwood, grew up together on the same street and went to the same school. They left school at the age of 14 and had not seen each other since. Mrs Burrows walked down the hall and saw Mrs Hill and recognised her straight away! She said:
“As I was walking down I saw her and thought, I know that lady. I still couldn’t quite believe it was her.”
Reunited after 70 years, Doris (left) and Jeanie
The event was a huge success and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Grapevine Winter | Page 15
Asset Management
Shedding light on light bulbs Confused about which light bulb to buy? Before you make a purchase, read our top tips to help you to find the right bulb for your needs. There are a lot of different light bulbs to choose from so it's alway best to take the bulb you are replacing to the shops. If you're not able to do this, use the illustrations below of some of the most common fittings to help you. Remember, you will need to write down the fitting reference number and take it along to match with the packaging on the box of your new bulb.
Every penny counts…… There are three main types of regular light bulb: compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) which are the standard type of energy-saving light bulb, halogen bulbs or LED bulbs. A typical bulb might cost you the following per year if you have it on for three hours a day.
£££
££
£
Halogen £8.42
CFL £2.04
LED £1.71
annual running cost
annual running cost
annual running cost
LEDs use almost 90% less energy than the standard type, making them the most energyefficient type of lighting. They are usually more expensive to buy, but should last up to 25 years. Page 16 | Grapevine Winter
Asset Management
Different shaped light bulbs...
Where can you buy your bulbs from? You can buy a wide variety of bulbs at local high street DIY shops and online. If you have any problems sourcing the right bulb or you would like more guidance about the type of bulb you need in your home, please get in touch with one of our Maintenance Officers on 0800 072 0966.
Remember – Safety first at all times when changing light bulbs • • • •
• • • •
Take the new bulb out of the packaging before climbing the step ladder Turn off the power Let the bulb cool before touching it Use a step ladder and make sure they are safe and sturdy and make sure you can reach without over stretching Change them when you have company so you have someone that can check on you if you can Remove the old bulb and put the new one in Dispose of the old bulb Test it by switching the power back on and turning the light on
If the light fitting or the switch does not look right, don’t change the bulb. Please tell Linc and we will check it before you do anything.
Grapevine Winter | Page 17
Tenant News
Scores on the doors! Following a recent inspection from the Environmental Health Officer, Willowbrook extra care scheme in Bettws, Newport has been awarded a top ‘Scores on the Doors’ rating of 5. This is the highest level of score achievable and demonstrates an excellent record of compliance in food safety management. Congratulations to Kerri, Chef Manager and team for their ongoing commitment and dedication!
What is a smart meter and how does is work? Smart meters are the new generation of gas and electricity meters being rolled out across the UK. They show you how much gas and electricity you're using, as well as what it's costing you. They also send automated meter readings to your energy supplier at least once a month, so you will receive accurate, not estimated, bills.
"Last year I had a smart meter fitted. It's very easy to use and I can keep track of my energy usage." - Linc Tenant We are all entitled to a smart meter and your energy supplier will contact you between now and 2020 to arrange your installation at no extra cost. Some of us will have to wait longer than others to get our meter, but you can ask your energy supplier directly to see if you can have yours fitted now. How soon you can get your meter depends on your energy supplier, where you live and what kind of home you live in. For further information check out the website smartenergygb.org Page 18 | Grapevine Winter
Tenant News
Onsite news Current developments Our contractors are working towards December completions at Mandrake House in Rogerstone, Madoc Close in Brackla and Gwaun Helyg in Ebbw Vale. A total of 49 new homes will be available for letting at these three locations.
Artist impression of Mandrake House
New schemes J.G.Hale Construction have started work on a scheme comprising 2 flats and 11 houses at Waunsterw in Pontardawe. The site is in a well-established residential area on the outskirts of the town. The homes will be ready to rent towards the end of 2017. Work has also begun on 10 flats and 4 houses on the popular Jubilee Park development in Rogerstone. Barratt Homes, who are currently working to complete Mandrake House, are making good progress on this second phase of affordable homes for rent. These properties will be available in the summer of 2017. Linc is delighted to be working with Bridgend Council towards the delivery of two new Extra Care schemes in the Borough. Both schemes have Residential Care facilities on the ground floor with Extra Care flats above along with the usual communal facilities. One will be located at Heol-yr-Ysgol in Bridgend and the other at Bridgend Road in Maesteg. Planning applications were made in July and the projects are currently out to tender. In addition, we are proposing to build 17 new bungalows alongside the Maesteg care scheme and 19 new houses near the Bridgend care scheme. Artist impression of Heol-yr-Ysgol
Artist impression of Bridgend Road
Grapevine Winter | Page 19
Tenant News
Community News! Who’s ‘Nextdoor’ to you? Do you know your neighbours, who’s around the corner or what’s going on in your area? If the answer is no to any of these questions, you may be interested to hear of an app that could help you to be more connected with people in your area and find to out what’s happening. ‘Nextdoor’ is a free, private social network. It allows you to talk to your neighbours online and people also use it in the following ways: - To borrow something from a neighbour - Organise a neighbourhood watch group - Ask for help keeping an eye out for a lost cat - Find out about community events to get involved in - Find out what is being discussed in your local PACT meetings Who’s ‘Nextdoor’ - Finally call that nice person down the street by their first name
to you?
Go to the App store on your phone and search ‘Nextdoor’ - it’s free to download. It is unique to the area you live in, so you can use it as you wish. Go on, give it a go, you may learn something new about your community!
Lewistown gets crafty Linc's Community Engagement Team recently enjoyed a lovely afternoon of arts and crafts with tenants' from Lewistown. Children and adults came together to enjoy a chat and try their hand at a number of crafts.
Keep up to date with events in your area by visiting our website linc-cymru.co.uk/events Page 20 | Grapevine Winter
Tenant News
Precious memories Tenants living at Park House in Port Talbot recently came together for a community social event to celebrate the life of one of their most treasured neighbours. Tom Jones was the first tenant to move into Park House 24 year ago. Sadly he died this year, but his legacy lives on. The Tenants Association, of which Mr Jones was a valued member of, arranged for his name to be engraved on to a plaque on one of the community garden benches.
Grapevine competition winners! Thank you to everyone who entered our 'decorate a mask' competition which featured in the Autumn Grapevine. We were very impessed with the entries and would like to congratulate two winners on this occasion! Well done to five year old Cerys, pictured in her beautiful owl mask below (left) and to seven year old Ethan for creating a very colourful mask, pictured below (right). Both Cerys and Ethan will recieve a ÂŁ25 shopping voucher shortly!
For another chance to win a ÂŁ25 shopping voucher, check out the puzzles on page 28! Grapevine Winter | Page 21
Money Advice
Are money worries affecting your health? Debt isn’t just a financial problem, it can cause relationship break-ups, family breakdowns or the loss of your home. Severe debt can also cause and add to mental health problems. Likewise, a mental health problem can make it difficult to deal with money day to day. It can affect motivation, judgement, income and cause debt. If you find that you are in financial difficulty and its making you feel depressed or anxious, there are lots of positive steps you can take to help sort it out. Talking about mental health issues and money problems is often difficult. You may have kept things secret because you didn’t want to worry your family or you feel you may be judged by others. Yet talking about the problem is a very positive first step.
Seek help If you’re too worried to speak to someone you know, or feel like you can’t cope, contact a debt counsellor or charity, such as StepChange or Citizens Advice Bureau. These can offer you free, independent and impartial advice. See their details below. Step Change is a full debt help service, providing extra support to vulnerable people including those with mental health issues. Step change is a debt charity so they do not charge you for their services. Call 0800 138 1111 or visit www.stepchange.org Citizens Advice is a free, confidential and impartial debt advice service. Staff have specialist training on how to deal with people with mental health problems so if you disclose this early, it will help. Call 03444 77 20 20 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk Page 22 | Grapevine Winter
Non-profit agencies like these are also ideal to contact if you’re being harassed for payment by debt collection agencies as they can contact them on your behalf and offer some breathing space for you. If you are consistently struggling with debt and unable to meet repayments, free personal help is invaluable.
Look for triggers If you feel that you’re often spending money you haven’t really got and you're getting into debt, ask what your specific reasons for spending are? Look for spending triggers; situations, feelings, thoughts. Keep a diary if you can. Once you’ve identified these triggers, you can highlight ways to change your spending habits. If low mood is triggering the spending, maybe it would be useful to get help from your GP or a mental health professional. Sometimes spending is triggered by feelings of loneliness, so try asking a friend or relative to visit you rather than heading for the shops. A top tip is to sleep on a purchase rather than to purchase it straight away – you may find it doesn’t seem as attractive the next day.
Money Advice
Further support Mental health problems can qualify you for disability related benefits. One of the first steps of getting your money back on track is making sure you get all the money you are entitled to. Anyone with a disability, which can include mental health problems, may be entitled to some form of payment. In particular, anyone over 16 years with a diagnosed mental health problem may be entitled to Personal Independence Payment. This isn’t means tested and you can get it whether you work or not. If you want to check whether you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to, or simply want further budgeting and money advice, don’t hesitate to contact the Money Advice Team.
Money Advice Team Contact our Money Advice Team on 0800 072 0966
@
contact.centre@linc-cymru.co.uk Text 07537 410024 (include your name & address or tenant key)
Christmas battery warning! At this time of year, lots of toys and gadgets are given to children as presents and due to this we felt it necessary to issue a very important warning about the dangers of small button batteries. These small lithium batteries are used in many different types of toys and gadgets and are useful but can be incredibly dangerous. There have been reported injuries and even deaths of infants and older people who have swallowed them, mistaking them for a sweet or a pill. If the battery becomes stuck it can initially be a choking hazard, however if stuck for a long time the electrical current can cause the chemical Sodium Hydroxide (commonly known as caustic soda) to be produced which can lead to burns, tissue damage and internal hemorrhaging. As reported in various news articles, some injuries caused by button batteries have resulted in death or can have catastrophic life changing effects such as never being able to breathe without the aid of a machine or eat solid food. Please enjoy the giving and receiving of presents but also have a safe Christmas.
Grapevine Winter | Page 23
Tenant News
Changes to Blaenau Gwent Housing Surgery Housing surgeries for the Blaenau Gwent area will now be held on a fortnightly basis, alternating between Ty Ebbw Fach in Six Bells, Abertillery and the new Housing Advice Centre in Church Street, Ebbw Vale. The surgeries will continue to take place on a Wednesday between 2pm and 3pm with Housing Officer Wendy Gelstharp. Contact Wendy on 0800 072 0966 to find out which location she will be in on which Wednesday.
Where is your local Housing Surgery located?
Blaenau Gwent
Merthyr Tydfil
Neath Port Talbot
1 Torfaen
Rhondda Cynon Taff
Swansea
Caerphilly
Newport
1 Blaenau Gwent Bridgend
2 Bridgend: Family Centre, Clos Y Waun, Brackla Every Thursday from 10.30am to 11.30am with Housing Officer Rhoda Weeks
2
M4
Cardiff Vale of Glamorgan
3 Cardiff: Rainbow House, Newent Road, St. Mellons Every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm with Housing Officer Justine Harlow and Maintenance Officer Jason Evans
What is a Housing Surgery? It's a one to one session with your Housing Officer and an opportunity to discuss matters relating to your tenancy, including: • advice on transferring • neighbour disputes or any anti-social behaviour in your area • rent arrears • repair issues (providing you have already reported the repair through the appropriate channels) • information on rehousing If your Housing Officer is unable to answer any of your queries at the time, they will be more than happy to find out the information requested and feedback to you in a timely manner. Why not drop in when you’re in the area! Page 24 | Grapevine Winter
3
Tenant News
Possession order against prolific nuisance neighbour In June 2015, tenants got in touch with us to report an individual that was causing antisocial behaviour in their area. The tenant was frequently playing loud music, shouting and swearing, and using other inappropriate behaviour, as well as frequently misusing drugs and alcohol. In August 2015, events took a turn for the worse as the tenant made a series of concerning threats to the public. As a result, Linc obtained an injunction order to protect the community from further anti-social behaviour and potential harm. Cases like these are very rare. However, where such incidents do occur, we’re committed to taking the necessary enforcement action to protect the community.
What is an injunction? A civil injunction is a court order to prevent or STOP a person from engaging in anti-social behaviour. It will contain specific terms relating to the behaviour exhibited. Injunctions can include exclusions zones and a power of arrest. Breach of an injunction is treated as contempt of court which is punishable by up to 2 years in prison &/or an unlimited fine.
Where the required legal tests are met, we can often act very swiftly to obtain injunction orders. However, it is a completely different matter when applying for possession of a property. In February 2016, the police arrested the tenant for breach of the injunction. The court released the tenant on bail until a further hearing. During that short period, the tenant continued to cause significant alarm and distress, committing further breaches of the injunction. This resulted in the court sentencing the tenant to 20 weeks in prison and extending the life of the injunction. As a result of the breaches and the continued nuisance, Linc served a notice of seeking possession (NSP) in March 2016. This was appealed by the tenant. The appeal was refused and as such, Linc applied to court for possession, with the initial hearing scheduled in July 2016. Following a number of adjournments, a possession order was agreed in early October 2016 with the tenant vacating a short time later. Linc works alongside support agencies to assist vulnerable tenants. In considering our actions, we balance the needs of the tenant and the community so that fair, proportionate steps are taken, to achieve our aim of safe and strong communities.
“We would like to express our thanks to the community for their patience in this matter, but mostly to the victims and witnesses who came forward to assist Linc in obtaining this successful outcome for all." Grapevine Winter | Page 25
Tenant News
Estate inspection dates 2016/17 Bridgend C.B.C Lewistown Llangeinor Brackla Kenfig Hill Coity
16.06.17 16.06.17 16.06.17 16.06.17 16.06.17
Blaenau Gwent C.B.C. Plantation Row Pen-Y-Parc Queen Street Cwrt Bracty Cwrt Alexandra Caer Odyn Ty Heulwen Sirhowy Gwaun Helyg
11.04.17 11.04.17 11.04.17 11.04.17 11.04.17 11.04.17 11.04.17 11.04.17 11.04.17
Torfaen C.B.C. Jerusalem Close 20.04.17 Llandegfedd Way 20.04.17
Newport C.B.C. 13.04.17 13.04.17 13.04.17 13.04.17 13.04.17
Commercial Road Albion Close Ringwood Place Constables Close Lysaghts
21.12.16 21.12.16 21.12.16 22.12.16 04.01.17 05.01.17 10.01.17 26.01.17 08.02.17
Melyn Fach Danygraig Llys Morfa Abbots Mews Llys Groeswen Morrison Court
15.03.17 15.03.17 15.03.17 15.03.17 15.03.17 15.03.17
Caerphilly C.B.C. Hillside Ave Glebe Road Oak Tree Drive Old School Grange Parc Derwen Cwrt Llanfabon Pontypandy Borfa Place Pen-Y-Graig Cwrt Golwy Y Sianel Clos Tir Y Pwll Hilary Court
08.03.17 08.03.17 08.03.17 08.03.17 08.03.17 08.03.17 30.03.17 12.04.17 12.04.17 12.04.17 12.04.17 12.04.17
Linc Care Schemes/ Properties Llys Yr Efail Wellwood House Ty Scott Llys Enfys Aberdulais Crescent Plas Bryn Llwyn Onn Llys Glyncoed Bill Harry Court
Neath Port Talbot C.B.C
Willowbrook Glyn Anwen Ty Canol Park House Capel Court Village Court Cwrt Cwm Derwen Aberavon Court Cwrt Gwalia
16.02.17 16.02.17 21.02.17 22.02.17 02.03.17 07.03.17 07.03.17 16.03.17 16.03.17
Cardiff Chapel Mead
26.04.17
Pontprennau Thornhill Penylan Pentwyn St Mellons Grangetown Trowbridge Green Doe Close Ffordd James Mcghan Barrack Lane Cwrt Pen Y Bryn Bronte Cavendish Close
26.04.17 26.04.17 26.04.17 26.04.17 06.04.17 07.04.17 07.04.17 26.04.17 07.04.17 07.04.17 07.04.17 24.04.17 30/03/17
Join our housing and maintenance staff on estate inspections and help us to make improvements! We carry out estate inspections where we have 20 or more homes in one place, or where we have a block of flats with communal facilities and gardens. Interested? Speak to your Housing Officer for details.
Updated inspection dates can be found at www.linc-cymru.co.uk/inspections-estate Page 26 | Grapevine Winter
Useful Contacts
Useful contacts If you can smell Gas: Please call the National Emergency Gas Service on
Linc Cymru Housing Association 387 Newport Road Cardiff CF24 1GG
0800 111 999 (24 hour freephone)
Other useful numbers Citizens Advice Bureau (Wales): 0844 477 2020 Step Change (debt advice): 0800 138 11 11 Money Advice Service: 0300 500 5000 Money Made Clear (money advice): 0300 500 5000
How to report a repair or make an enquiry Customer Contact Team: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm 0800 072 0966
(free from a landline & mobile)
Email: contact.centre@linc-cymru.co.uk Website: www.linc-cymru.co.uk
Age UK (national charity for older people): 0800 169 6565
Option 1 - Heating and Plumbing Option 2 - Any other repairs
Alzheimer’s Society (national dementia charity): 0300 222 1122
Hold the line for any other enquiries.
Mind (mental health charity): 0300 123 3393
Out of Hours:
Refuge (domestic violence help for women and children): 0808 2000 247
Emergency Repairs*
Samaritans (supporting people in emotional distress): 08457 90 90 90 Electricity, Gas and Water Supply To find out who your electricity supplier is please contact: 0845 601 5972 To find out who your gas supplier is please contact: 0870 608 1524 To contact Welsh Water please call: 0800 052 0145
Tear out this page and keep to hand
0800 072 0966 (after 5pm & on weekends) *An emergency repair is one which involves an immediate risk to your health and safety or serious damage to your home.
Compliments & complaints Customer feedback helps us to continually improve our services. We value your comments and will always do our best to respond to you as quickly as possible. If you would like to make a compliment or complaint, you can contact us on freephone 0800 072 0966 or submit your comments at linc-cymru.co.uk Grapevine Winter | Page 27
Puzzle Page
Spot the Difference Can you spot the 5 differences in the pictures below?
Just for fun
7 3 9 1 8 Snowflake 5 4 Sudoku 8 9 Solve the Sudoku puzzle below by filling in the blank spaces 4 3 5 with numbers between 1 and 9. Make sure no numbers appear 1 twice in the same row, column or 3x3 square. 6 3 Competition time 7 9 Win a
4
Just for fun
ÂŁ25
Voucher
1 5 6 7
5
1
1 7 2 8 6
To be in with a chance of winning a ÂŁ25 shopping voucher answer the following question correctly by Friday 30th January 2017:
In the 2002 movie Ice Age, John Leguizamo was the voice of Sid. What kind of animal is Sid? Email your answer to grapevine@linc-cymru.co.uk
Page 28 | Grapevine Winter
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