Larkfield News - Winter 2017

WINTER 2017

larkfield news creating a better neighbourhood

Lighting the way Did you know? Lighting makes up 18% of your electricity bill.

Switching to energy efficient light bulbs is a cost-effective way of saving energy. Households have a mix of different light fittings, but by changing which bulbs you use and how you use them you can cut the amount you’re spending on lighting.

LEDs – Switching to LED bulbs can save you up to £35 each year.

WELCOME to the winter edition of Larkfield News.

Inside you will find winter preparation tips, information on how you can save money on your energy bills, an update on our holiday office hours and much more!

On behalf of the Committee of Management and all the staff at Larkfield, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Frances Beattie Chairperson

They are the most energy efficient bulbs you can get, followed by the regular energy saving bulbs.

Turn them off – Turn your lights off when you’re not using them.

Holiday Office Hours

If you switch a light off for just a few seconds, you will save more energy than it takes for the light to start up again, regardless of the type of light.

This will save you around £13 on your energy bills over the course of a year.

PLEASE NOTE our office will close at 4.00pm on 22 December 2017 and re-open at 9.00am on 4 January 2018.

Home Energy Scotland is here to help Home Energy Scotland’s advice network is open Monday – Friday, 8.00am – 8.00pm and Saturday between 9.00am – 5.00pm. To find out how Home Energy Scotland can help you, call 0808 808 2282 and quote SC_HA_Autumn_17 or email adviceteam@sc.homeenergyscotland.org and one of its friendly advisors will call you back.

www.larkfieldha.org.uk

We will only be operating an emergency repairs service during this period. If you have an emergency during this time please call: GENERAL EMERGENCY REPAIRS – 0800 783 7937 EMERGENCY GAS REPAIRS – 01294 468 113

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Are you ready for winter?

The Scottish Government’s Safer Scotland website has lots of handy tips on how to prepare for winter.

There is also a free app for smartphone users.

For more information visit www.readyscotland.org

How to stay safe at Christmas Keep your home hazard-free this Christmas by following our handy tips below: Fairy Lights • Check the fuses are the right type and check the box for the maximum fuse you should use • If bulbs blow you must replace them • Don’t leave fairy lights on when you go out • Don’t overload sockets

Decorations • Decorations made of tissue paper or cardboard can easily catch fire • Do not attach decorations to lights or around the fireplace • Keep them away from candles

Christmas Trees • Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house – a burning tree can fill the room with smoke and deadly gases

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01475 630930 info@larkfieldha.org.uk

FROST PRECAUTIONS • Keep your home reasonably warm – even if your home is empty during the day. In the very cold weather it is always better to leave your heating on at a low temperature • Never leave a tap dripping. If you have a dripping tap you should report it immediately • When it is very cold it is always better, if possible, to open the hatch to the roof space. This allows the warm air to circulate and helps to prevent frozen pipes in your roof space • Find out where your stop valve is located. This way you can turn off your water in the event of a burst pipe • Check the insulation around your pipes and water tank. If there is none, or a section is missing, you should report this to us immediately

IF YOU ARE GOING AWAY • Do not turn the heating off. During the very cold weather it is always better to keep your heating on, even if it is only at a low temperature • Leave a key with a friend, relative or neighbour and, if you are a tenant, tell us who the key holder is. If you do not wish to tell us who the key holder is, leave the emergency telephone numbers with the person who has your key. Also ask them to visit your home regularly i.e. once a day, in order to check everything is ok

FROZEN PIPES If you have a frozen pipe we ask that you inform us immediately so we can give you advice about what to do. Please remember that it is not always necessary for a tradesman to call. Frozen pipes can often thaw out naturally once the temperature rises.

BURST PIPES • Turn off the water supply at the main stop valve • If the water is near any electricity supply, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box. If you are unsure, turn your electricity off • Switch off any water heaters, immersers or boilers • Turn off your central heating boiler • Turn on the cold taps. NOT THE HOT TAPS • You should inform us immediately. If it is outwith normal working hours please phone the tenant emergency call-out number • Warn neighbours, especially if you live in a flat

Work Experience Placement My name is Sean.

I have just completed my work placement through Craigmarloch School at Larkfield Housing Association.

I carried out various administrative duties including shredding, inputting mail, photocopying and going on house visits with Alex the Maintenance Officer.

I really enjoyed my time at Larkfield.

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01475 630930 info@larkfieldha.org.uk

Larkfield Conversations Project Building Family & Community Networks About us Scottish Families is a Scottish network for families affected by alcohol and drugs. We support families to help each other face the challenges from a loved one misusing substances. And we want families and communities to be recognised as assets in challenging stigma and reducing substances related harm.

About the Larkfield Conversations Project Our “Conversations in Larkfield” project aims to provide opportunities for people who live, work and invest in the area to come together to discuss how we can make this happen.

We want to create the space for a local conversations that will help identify what’s strong here – the skills, experience and local knowledge that can be brought together to improve family relations and community networks in Larkfield.

We want people to feel more connected and develop whole community opportunities to reduce substance-related harm. That means exploring ideas for change that are led by the local community but can also influence how services change and improve in response to family and community needs.

To find out more contact Paul Ballantyne on 07814 273297

www.sfad.org.uk www.larkfieldha.org.uk

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RENT PAYMENTS We understand money can be tight during the festive period; however, paying your rent is your top priority.

The consequences of not paying your rent are serious – you must make sure your payments are up to date. If you have problems paying your rent or keeping up with your repayment arrangements, please contact your housing officer.

PLEASE NOTE you should allow for the Post Office and Larkfield Christmas office closure dates when paying your rent. If you are struggling to get access to your Post Office account please contact a member of the housing management team on 01475 630930 to discuss other account options.

Direct Rent Payments Are you making a new claim to Universal Credit or already receiving Universal Credit?

If so, you can ask for your rent to be paid directly to us. If you would prefer to pay your rent this way please speak to your Work Coach for more information.

If you are already receiving Universal Credit you will be able to apply for direct payments of your rent from January 2018.

You can also request payments twice monthly.

Please seek advice before opting for this payment plan as it is not straightforward.

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There are a number of ways you can pay your rent: By telephone – Pay by credit or debit card over the phone.

Make sure you have your allpay reference number to hand.

Call allpay on 0844 557 8321 (24 hour automated service) or call us on 01474 630930. To download the allpay app for your mobile phone please refer to the www.allpay.net/app.

Pay by Direct Debit – Paying by Direct Debit is worry free and ensures your rent is paid each month. Payment is taken directly from your bank account. This is a paperless process and can be set up over the phone using your account number and sort code. Text – Debit or credit card payments can be made using your mobile phone – register first at www.allpayments.net/textpay/login.aspx Online – Pay over the internet using either a debit or credit card by visiting the allpay website at www.allpayments.net.

Make sure you have a note of your allpay reference number.

Pay by cheque or postal order – Please make the cheque payable to “Larkfield Housing Association”, write your name and address on the back and then hand it in or post it to the office.

We will issue you with a receipt after each payment has been made. You will not be charged for using this facility. If a cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to make a charge against your account to cover bank charges plus handling costs.

Pay by Person – You can use your payment card to pay your rent at any shop or outlet where you see the “Paypoint” logo. At the Post Office: You can use payment card to pay your rent at any Post Office.

01475 630930 info@larkfieldha.org.uk

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Name:..............................................................................................

Address:..........................................................................................

Contact No:....................................................................................

14 Lothian Road, Larkfield, Greenock PA16 0PG t: 01475 630930 f: 01475 636111 e: info@larkfieldha.org.uk www.larkfieldha.org.uk Office Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am – 4.00pm Wednesday 9.00am – 12.30pm. Closed Wednesday afternoon.

We will produce this information on request in Braille, Audio Tape, Large Print and Community Languages.

Larkfield Housing Association Limited is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, Registered Number: 2509 R(S), Registered Office: 14 Lothian Road, Greenock PA16 0PG. It is a Charity registered in Scotland, Charity Number: SC032418; a Registered Social Landlord with the Scottish Housing Regulator, Registration Number: HCB 293; and registered as a Property Factor Id: PF000279. Part of the Link group © Link Group Ltd 2017.

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01475 630930 info@larkfieldha.org.uk